Papa's Boy

For those who follow our blog, you know we've been having some sleep issues with Isaac. He just won't stay in his big boy bed. We've tried everything we could think of, including a quick swat on the butt. The end result was that Kent and I felt awful and Isaac thought it was a new game and laughed. When he finally understood that it wasn't, he'd still get out, but sulk the entire afternoon. At the advice of friend who watch 'The Nanny', we just kept placing him back in bed without further response. It works ... to a point. He no longer refuses to sleep in his bed, or gets up to play with toys, but each morning before either of us gets up, he's lying on the floor by our door. The best we can figure is that it's his way of stopping Kent from going to work since if he misses Kent before work and I find him on the floor, he gives a very plaintive, "Baba!" and proceeds to throw a minor tantrum. He's become so attached to Kent since the residency has ended. It's clear to see he's a Papa's boy!



Since Kent often leaves before 6am, it's inevitable that Isaac falls asleep outside my door waiting for me to get up. He was so exhausted this morning that he slept until 8am.

Disney World

A cry of help to all Disney lovers .... Kent has a conference in Florida the end of March and since it'll be the last major vacation before another child comes, we're trying to make the most of it. His work will pay the hotel and his food and travel ... which leaves Isaac and I. We already got this amazing deal where we pay 4 days of hotel and base rate for Disney World tickets, and we get 3 days free - so we'll have a 7 day pass into Disney World, but only 3 of those days will be spent with Kent and only 5 evenings will be available as a family. Everyone says to plan when you go ... but I don't know where to begin!!! It's an entire WORLD! There's far too much to see and I'm insistent that we stick to napping as usual or Mama will be bonkers by the end of the trip. For all those who have gone before ... tell me what is a must for a 21 month old child to see and do that I need to save for the days Kent has off. They say it's a Small World ... but it sure as heck looks too huge for just 7 days!

A Perfect Day!

You know how there are days where everything just falls into place and most of all, you're really there to savor the moments? That was today.

We started off by going to the Children's Museum where there was a special appearance by Elmo and Grover. The place was packed! Isaac occupied himself playing 'house' for a good hour while Kent and I talked and took a breather. While I'm at the end of the first trimester, it's been the last few days that I've felt especially tired, grouchy and unfocused. It 'grounded' me to watch Isaac play and just enjoy the company of my husband.






The lines for taking a picture with Elmo and Grover were horrendous, so we just watched form the sidelines. I think that was enough for Isaac, his eyes lite up like the first stars of night when he saw Elmo walk out of the elevator to greet the crowd.

I kid you not, watching those kids seeing Elmo was reminiscent of teen idols throwing themselves at their favorite rock star! There screaming and crying (...what the fuzzy red thing I see on TV every morning is real and he's 20X my size!...) Little bodies hurtling themselves at the poor man in the suffocating costume. (Don't tell my son I said that, it would crush him to think his hero in red was no more heroic than his babysitter) All he had was one feeble museum worker to fend off the crowds which unfortunately included parents shoving their children in front of his face. No wonder they took breaks every half hour!

It was enough that Elmo waved and said hello for Isaac. He was thrilled beyond measure. When Grover came, it was the cherry on the top of the ice cream. The picture below was one Kent captured at the perfect moment. It was well worth braving the crowds just to see my son smile.




Across the street from the Museum was a Matsuri festival where we cooled off from the crowds and enjoyed 'all things Japanese'. The food was particularly tempting, but I'm glad we held off. On the way home we took a detour and had dim sum at our favorite restaurant. A nap was required for all after that!

Later in the afternoon we went to our house to finish trimming our trees. Isaac was so well occupied between a new playmate in Lauren to all the rocks and lemons he could gather that Kent and I quickly finished the work. I have to say I can't wait for the day that we're back in and I can just send Isaac out to entertain himself in he yard for an hour or two.

Girly Girl!

Having never been a girly girl, a salesperson was rather frustrated at me the other day. He was trying to sell a spa package that had the 'works' and I was doing my best to discourage him without being rude. He tried every tactic ... "a mom always needs some good pamper time" ... or "you'll feel so good afterwards" (was this a commentary on how I was feeling that day?.... "you'll find the real woman in you" (I think being nauseously pregnant is enough of a reminder of my womanhood) or last but not least "today is the day to try something new. You'll never know if you like it if you don't!" I finally ended the conversation by having the young man take a good look at me (it was not one of my better days) and then explaining that spending $1 on nail polish that I rarely use is an utter waste of my time AND my money. I told him I was nearly 34 and if I hadn't changed my mind yet, I wasn't about to do so anytime soon, thank you for your time but I have a starving boy to feed.

That being said and done, I laughingly told Kent about it and wondered for a brief moment if I would like it. Lo and behold, my man heard me and got me a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure (on sale of course, otherwise I'd just feel guilty) I use it today ... and yes, much to my amazement, it was kinda fun! No, I'm not sold, I'm pretty sure I don't want to ever do a manicure again (I've already chipped all the clear coat off), but the pedicure was great. I sat in a massage chair, my feet were scrubbed, massaged and lotion. I picked out a pretty plum color and was pleased with the results.

For those who wonder at my anal retentiveness in spending money, it stems from the 3 questions I was drilled on as a child while learning to budget. They are as follows: (please read with a light Chinese accent in mind) 1. Do you NEED it. 2. Do you need it NOW. 3. What is the purpose of life? In light of all those questions, one never really needs to spend money on anything but food, shelter and education. (VERY Chinese of me!) Having Kent in pharmacy school only reinforced this for me. So Kent is striving to lighten me up a little now that we are more comfortable ... I will die of laughter if in a couple of years I become the woman with monthly salon visits. The beauty of irony!



Check out my pretty plum toes!

Growing Strong

I went for my second doctor visit yesterday and got another ultrasound. It's amazing that in 4 weeks he (Kent and I are pretty sure it's a boy... maybe we'll be surprised!) has grown from 2cm to 6cm! He's tripled in length and all this while I'm only able to eat eggs, fruit and veggies. Every other source of protein looks, smells and sounds absolutely foul! We will all be glad when this nausea passes.

Speaking of growth I've been amazed at Isaac's development. The other morning I went in to wake Isaac up. It was one of those nights when he felt like 5 am was a good wake up time. Consequently he was still dead asleep when 7am rolled around. I had placed him in his playpen to ensure we'd all get our much needed sleep and looking down on him I realized how much bigger he was then when we first moved to Albuquerque and he was only 3 weeks old sleeping in that same playpen. He fills the entire length of it now and back then he had barely began to fill it's width. Sometimes I miss those cuddly times, but I love that he has grown so much in this last year and half. He can get his own shoes, put away his PJ's, clean up toys, play games, help cook in the kitchen and lately he's alot about talking. It's a different way of connecting with him, one that has more potential for growth and depth. He's such a little man!

A 'Crappy' Evening

I know I just posted, but I just couldn't resist this little glimpse at our darling son. Isaac, like any typical child thinks farting is hilarious. He's starting to be so much more aware of his body and loves the fact that he can 'force' one out. Kent was bathing him and could see him flexing his belly muscles. With a chuckle, he warned Isaac that sometimes he gets a little more than he bargains for. Sure enough, he'd run out of air and was a little shocked and dismayed at the end result. Given past bathing experience, Kent took it in stride and had Isaac stand while he cleaned out the tub. Unfortunately at some point during the cleaning process, Isaac slipped a little, and it scared the crap out of him - literally!

Lion King

I've always heard horror stories of projectile vomit and have been blessed thus far to be spared of it except once in the first few weeks Isaac was born. Today I experienced it 3 times, two of which I was the direct target. Needless to say, when we left this evening to see the Lion King I was thrilled to not smell vomit in my hair and clothes . Though I must admit it felt a little foreign not to have a small boy clinging to my neck for comfort.


As for Lion King ... it was wonderful!!! The costumes were astounding and the movement and dance was so well studied that you could hardly see the dancer, and it was as if the animal came alive before your eyes. It was a little surreal to be there, after all these years of school it seems such a luxury to have money to enjoy some of the things we've always wanted to do!

Needing Advice

When we moved back to AZ, Isaac moved into a 'big-boy bed' and we got him a Thomas the Engine sheets and everything to celebrate. He did great initially, he understood he was not to get out until we got him up and he slept his usual pattern.

When New Years Eve rolled around, he didn't sleep in part due to the noise of the adults downstairs besides the fact he was screaming so loud we were afraid he'd never let the other kids sleep. So we just gave up and brought him down for the party. We've wondered if it's the sudden realization that Mama and Papa are awake much longer than me that has him no longer sleeping in his bed. Ever since the New Year, Isaac gets out of bed every time and either plays with his toys or comes out to find us. We finally placed him back into his playpen but have been frustrated that he won't sleep in his bed. We just can't figure out what to do. He had an entire month where he did just fine and now he doesn't even want to nap. Any suggestions?

Just so Romantic!

Kent and I went yesterday to the Mesa temple and did sealings. It's always nice to kneel across from each other and to remember the vows and covanents that we made when we were married. You remember fondly the day you gazed lovingly into one another's eyes and vowed before God and man to be faithful to the promises that would enable you to have a marriage for time and all eternity. I found myself doing that once again yesterday ... except I was lying prone on the temple carpet with my feet propped in the air while Kent gazed with great concern and love into my eyes! Not exactly what I had in mind for reliving the memory of my wedding day. I chuckled to think of how Anne of Green Gables always thought fainting would so romantic. It was romantic enough that I did throw up after passing out or that I didn't crash land on the floor, so I'll just count my blessings that way! ;0)