Tough Day

Man today was tough. I don't know if I just started out in a bad frame of mind or if we both just didn't get enough sleep, but things just stressed me out a lot today. Speak of the devil, lol, he just woke up crying again...brb

Gavin woke up at 6am and right away wanted to go outside and play. For the first time in as long as I can remember he didn't want to watch any cartoons or TV, and refused to eat breakfast. All he wanted to do was ride his bike and play with his outside toys. I am pretty patient with him, and I think I compromise very well... but I draw the line if it's dark outside and it's earlier than 7am. I won't go into too much detail, but he pretty much was non-stop on crack all day. I had to drive my FIL to pick up his car at the mechanics around noon so Gavin slept for about 15 minutes and woke up as soon as we got home. That was his nap of the day. I tried everything to get him to lay down, but he was VERY ACTIVE. Finally at 2pm I gave up and we went to Target and played with our neighbor's. By 4pm he was obviously tired and yawning constantly, but still he would not slow down. He wanted to paint, color, play with trains, jump all over Daddy's computer (!!), and dance around the house. By this point I was so tired and stressing about a bunch of bills we have due in a few weeks, so my mood wasn't the best. Luckily Daddy was awake and gave me about a half an hour to shower and de-stress. Thank God for hot showers.

At one point today he pooped outside on the cement and then came to show me. He stuffed a nice bath towel inside our toilet TWICE! I have no idea where he got the idea to do this, but I had hoped the first time was a mistake. Then about an hour ago I went to use the bathroom and there was another towel stuffed completely in the toilet, totally soaked. I'm not sure when he did it or what to do about it. He can open the bathroom door so I can't really keep him out, and since I didn't catch him in the act I didn't get a chance to scold him or tell him not do it again.

I am just really tired and ready for bed. I shouldn't be up right now, but since I had no time to get on the computer today, I am using this time as my me time. So I got him to sleep at 7pm, which is nice and early, but since then he was woken up crying about 3x. I think he just got over tired and is having trouble sleeping. Jon is leaving for the weekend so it will be just me and Gavin the next three days. I hate to complain because there are many military wives that do it everyday by themselves (I don't know how you all do it). I guess I am just dreading not having a person to fall back on have to vent to. I hate to say it, but I really hope Gavin wants to watch a little TV tomorrow, because I can't entertain him for 14-16 hours without a break here and there. There is only so much running around I can take.

Pee-pee time

Well I haven't been really trying to potty train besides having an Elmo video about it and a few books. Gavin has pooped in a potty before but only after I knew he was about to go, so I scooped him up and put him on the seat. I keep thinking when he's ready he will go since he can see that his Daddy and I both use it regularly. I also explain to him often that when he's a big boy he won't need any diapers and he can use the potty to pee and poop in. Well this morning, like every morning, I take off his full diaper and run to grab another one. Right away he starts to pee so I grab a towel and throw it in his stream line. He doesn't like that I covered his pee puddle so he stops himself from peeing anymore. I quickly think fast and ask him if he wants to pee in his potty instead of on the floor. He runs after me and stands in front of his small potty chair and starts to pee inside of it!! You should have seen how happy I was! I was bouncing off the walls. Of course I realize it's just one small step and may not even click with him, BUT every step is a good one. I gave him a gummy bear and told him that every time he pees or poops in the potty I will give him a gummy bear. He has still peed on the floor since this morning, but each time I see him start to pee I run and grab the potty or move him to the potty. So we end up with pee on the floor and some pee in the potty. I never realized how much work this is!

I mean we've only been awake for 2 hours and he's peed at least 4x! I swear the milk just comes straight out of him, lol. Anyway I just wanted to share my special moment. I really hope that he can be potty trained before the new baby comes in December... but if not it wouldn't be a huge deal. I know sooner or later he'll get it.

Wild Animal Park

Well I haven't had a chance to upload the pictures from today's excursion, but I'll update the post later. Jon got a night off from work so he thought it would be fun for us all to spend the morning at the Wild Animal Park. I was as giddy as a school girl since it's not often that he wants to do a family trip or even comes up with the suggestion himself. We ended up getting there just after 9:30 and staying until 11:30. We both hadn't been in at least 5 years so we were amazed at all the new areas and rides that have been added. It was AMAZING! They have WAY more activities for kids to do than the Zoo. They have a Sponge bob show, a Bubble show, bird shows, a kids activity area, a small water area for kids to get wet, a jungle gym area, a carousal, safari rides, a hot air balloon ride.... phew, the list could go on even more, but I'll stop now.

After the Journey to Africa ride we were ready to go home. Gavin had ran around and played at a few of the play areas so by the time we went on the ride he was ready for a nap. We got an ice cream for the road and headed home. After seeing all the neat expansions and renovations that have been done to WIP (Wild Animal Park) I definitely plan on going back. The only draw back is you have to pay $5 for parking and of course it's all the way to Escondido so it's not the quickest trip. I think we'll try and go every month or two from now on. The night shows look amazing too!

Besides that we've stayed indoors the rest of the day. I seem to only handle one big excursion per day now. I wish I had more energy but after a few hours of chasing him around at a park or outing I need some time to recuperate. He plays with his train set and watches some cartoons and then we may take a short walk around the neighborhood before bed. Not the most exciting life but enough to keep us all happy and entertained.

Arts and Crafts

Well today was my attempt at being crafty. I was starting to feel like I needed a hobby so I decided to go to Jo-Anne's craft store and find some thing to do. They are having a sale on kids fabrics so I got a yard of curious george material and made a standard pillow case for Gavin. I sewed it by hand so it took a couple of hours but it was nice and relaxing. Then my friend across the street gave me a bag of random things that she said she would never use- A Beadazzler (so 1980s), a Candle Maker, and a stamp/laminating machine. We beadazzled some of my denim overalls and random things around the house, and I made a candle. I also got corn starch and corn syrup and a few other odds and ends so we can do some toddler crafts later this week. My hope is to do one craft a week. I would like to do more than that but it gets pricey buying all the materials and setting everything up. I never realized I could make my own chalk, finger paint, and bubbles at home. I don't know if it will be worth all the trouble, but at least I can try it out and see.

Gavin loves to help me cook in the kitchen so this morning I let him crack the eggs into the frying pan and then stir them. I let him use our little hand held blinder when I make mashed potatoes and he LOVES IT! I forget sometimes that little everyday tasks are so much more interesting to him, and he really gets a kick out of feeling like he's helped. Why is it always so easy to reflect on the day after it's over? Sometimes I look back at the day and wish instead of getting upset or raising my voice that I had just kissed him a little more, or shown more compassion.

Night Time Zoo

Yesterday evening we met up with a few friends at their kids at the Zoo. We had a great time. They had a live band playing Spanish style music when we arrived, something about it being Fiesta Week until the 1st? We ended up spending about an hour at the petting zoo and colored arts and crafts. A worker told me that they have arts and crafts set up only during the night time zoo. It seemed more busy than usual but there was also more going on so I can see why. I would like to make this a once a week regular trip. The only bad part was as soon as I arrived I started getting intestinal cramps and had to run to the bathroom a few times. I haven't had issues in awhile with my IBS, but for whatever reason it hit me hard yesterday. It's so embarrassing having to run to the bathroom so often and having to try to figure out what to do with Gavin while it happens. Luckily everyone was very helpful and Gavin didn't seem to mind.

I hope today I feel better. Not much more to comment on since I'm half asleep and need to start breakfast. I just wanted to recommend the night time Zoo and see if anyone else is interested in going with us sometime.

New Children's Museum

Wow, we just got back and I am totally exhausted! Gavin had a ball! I was a little bummed because all the fun things I would have liked to do, Gavin was not interested in doing. They had a huge car with paint brushes and tables with clay to mold, also an outside bubble area. I mean everything you could think of it had. He didn't want to paint, didn't want to play with the clay, and didn't want to blow bubbles. Normally he does enjoy doing those things, but I think it was a bit overwhelming to have so many options all at once. What he did want to do was climb up and down the stairs and play with the see through elevator. He LOVED the mattress room they have set up on the 3rd floor. It is an entire room with mattress on the walls and floors and even a queen sized mattress that is propped up like a slide so the kids could climb up and slide down it. He jumped all over the beds and dove into soft tires that were covering the ground. I think he could have just played there the entire time.

They have a rock climbing area for older kids. On the lower level there is a room with dolphins and fish projected onto the floor so the kids can run around and chase the moving fish. There is also a dress up area with clothes... an area with wooden sticks that you can stack, and play wooden cars that you can slide down a huge hill.

It isn't easy to park but I got there earlier enough and found a metered parking spot about a block away. I think it cost around 2 bucks in quarters for 2 hours (not bad). If you use the paid parking it is 10 bucks~~crazy!! It is also 10 bucks per person and kids over 1, so it would have cost 20 bucks just for today, so instead I got the 1 year membership. It's 75 bucks but pays for your entire family (not sure if there is a limit on kids), but that means the three of us can go as often as we want. I put down a guest pass as the alternate pass since I didn't want it to only be for my husband. This way I can bring any guest with me (Grandma, MIL, etc) when we go. When I think about all the paint and clay and supplies they provide you with it really is a good deal.

Now if I could just get Gavin to want to paint, lol. They provide smocks to wear but the paint can still dry and stain so it's best to wear frumpy clothes. I'm sure I forgot to mention other things that the museum has going on, but hopefully I got the main points across. We will definitely be going more often. It does get busy but it wasn't too bad going early and leaving by 11.

Men at rest

I don't know how much longer I have a quiet house so I may have to make this short and sweet. Gavin has amazingly been sleeping since 3pm, and so has my husband! Please ignore his pasty white skin, lol, since he works nights he hasn't had much time to tan.

So while they are both peacefully sleeping I cooked dinner, did the dishes, ate, and just baked a cake. I thought for sure that I would hear a cry or see a head peak around the corner at any minute. I know when Gavin wakes up it will be tough getting him to bed at his normal time, but it is soooo worth having some free time to cook . I love baking but it seems like I never get the time to do it anymore. Gavin seems to cling at my leg whenever I start any cooking projects.

This brings up a whole other topic. I want to start being more crafty and do some fun activities with Gav. I attempted to tie dye one of his white shirts this afternoon, but it wasn't as easy as I thought. I didn't have rubber bands so the string fell off and it looks more like a blue shirt with some light blue smuges on it. Oh well, it was my first try. So any craft ideas would be greatly appreciated! I found some easy sand ones and a few things we could make out of toilet paper rolls, but nothing that seems like a whole lot of fun. I think I'll take him to the New Children's Museum tomorrow morning so he can get crafty and messy there. I heard they have tons of paint and chalk activities for toddlers to do, and the fact that I wouldn't have to clean any of it up is a huge plus.

Better run now so I can ice my cake before someone stirs.

Which Goddess are you?

Which Goddess are you?

Which Goddess Are You?

http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/7545936/which-goddess-are-you

37% Take another quiz!

You are Hera
You are closest in personality to Hera, the queen of the goddesses. Hera was lovely, elegant, regal and grand - in short, she was a true lady. Hera was also the protector of married women and Hera types tend to be somewhat traditional in love and value marriage, family, children and fidelity very highly. You are also practical and show good common sense.

It's A .....

BOY!!!

This time around he was dancing around doing flips so the tech found out he was a boy in a matter of seconds. It's amazing how she can see something so tiny... I still had trouble seeing it after she pointed it out to me. I was a little sad because I had slight hopes I would be the first to have a girl in our family, but a huge part of me knew it would be a boy. I am greatful that I have all the clothes and supplies for a boy so things should be a lot cheaper this time around. I also like the idea of the two of them sharing a bunk bed and having each other to bond with about boy issues. Now it's time to pick out a name. We already know his middle name will be my dad's name, Peter, but we're still not decided on first names.

As long as he's healthy that's all the truly matters in the end. Now time to prepare!