Speaking of Nana and Pops' arrival... what a spectacular welcome they got from Cael. No sooner were they in the door, than Cael was racing ecstatically around the house, pulling out every single toy from every single tidily-stowed basket to show them to Nana and Pops.
"Look, Nana! I got Elmo! He dances."
"Look, Pops! I got tools!"
Racing to the living room, he dumps out an entire bin of building blocks. "Look! My blocks!"
"This is my monkey sock!" (Referring to his Sock Monkey jack-in-the-box.)
Then, racing back to the hallway where we have stowed miscellaneous toys in baskets, Cael hauls out the pièce de résistance -- a plastic pump for Adam's exercise ball.
"Look! I got a PUMP!"
???
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Waving Bye-Bye
Colton impressed me the other day. Nana and Pops had arrived in town and were leaving our house after dinner to return to the RV Park and some well-deserved rest. We stood on the front porch, and I watched as Cael gleefully jumped around the front yard, waving and yelling "Bye-Bye Nana and Pops," at the top of his lungs. As the truck drove away I looked down to see Colton, arm outstretched, apparently waving goodbye.
I didn't want to get too excited. I mean, I'd been working with him, shaking his arm when I said goodbye on his behalf. But he'd never done that before!
Then, on another occasion, he did it again. And again. And again! This morning, Colton waved goodbye to me! How sweet is he?
I didn't want to get too excited. I mean, I'd been working with him, shaking his arm when I said goodbye on his behalf. But he'd never done that before!
Then, on another occasion, he did it again. And again. And again! This morning, Colton waved goodbye to me! How sweet is he?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Walking and Talking and Driving Carefully
Colton is walking! In the week leading up to Thanksgiving (11/26 this year), he started taking tiny, shuffling steps. Now, two weeks later, the kid really walks. He still crawls when he wants to cover some distance. And man, that kid is a fast crawler, even if he still looks like he's limping -- left knee, right foot, left knee, right foot. Cael crawled the same way -- you wouldn't think something like that would be genetic, but apparently so. But I digress. Did I tell you Colton is walking?! So exciting!
And Cael? Cael is talking. Which is nothing new. But oh, the things he says! The latest cute thing is to drag out the good nights.
Me: Good night, buddy. I love you. See you in the morning. (heading for the door)
Cael: Good night, Mommy
Me: Good night buddy (standing in the doorway)
Cael: I love you
Me: I love you too, buddy (reaching for doorknob)
Cael: See you tomorrow
Me: See you tomorrow (trying to close the door)
Cael: Drive carefully
Me: Thanks buddy. Night night. (closing door)
Cael: Mommy! Mommy! Drive CAREfully!
Me: (opening door) Drive carefully, buddy. Good night. (closing door and running)
And Cael? Cael is talking. Which is nothing new. But oh, the things he says! The latest cute thing is to drag out the good nights.
Me: Good night, buddy. I love you. See you in the morning. (heading for the door)
Cael: Good night, Mommy
Me: Good night buddy (standing in the doorway)
Cael: I love you
Me: I love you too, buddy (reaching for doorknob)
Cael: See you tomorrow
Me: See you tomorrow (trying to close the door)
Cael: Drive carefully
Me: Thanks buddy. Night night. (closing door)
Cael: Mommy! Mommy! Drive CAREfully!
Me: (opening door) Drive carefully, buddy. Good night. (closing door and running)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Half a Cow, Dude
Yes, Colton was a cow for Halloween. Or rather, half a cow. Because the boy is HUGE and he didn't fit into the 18-month size cow costume. It had little hoof-footies at the bottom and a cute cow-head hood at the top. Only, after snapping poor Colton into the footies, you couldn't pull the hood up without squishing him. Poor kid.
The hood, however, was key to the cow-persona. So we unsnapped the bottom and pulled his poor, squashed legs out. Colton was all cow on top, and bare-legged baby on the bottom.
Cael was a clown. Again. The costume was Adam's when he was that age, and it was a little big last year and a little short this year. Last year we had a football game on Halloween, and Cael really didn't quite "get" Halloween. I'm pretty sure the clown costume was just another outfit to him. But this year? This year we painted his face, and he kept the hat on the whole time. He said "Trick or Treat," and "Thank you," and "Happy Halloween!" Such a big boy! We trick-or-treated at both ends of our cul-de-sac and called it a night as Cael staggered home.
The hood, however, was key to the cow-persona. So we unsnapped the bottom and pulled his poor, squashed legs out. Colton was all cow on top, and bare-legged baby on the bottom.
Cael was a clown. Again. The costume was Adam's when he was that age, and it was a little big last year and a little short this year. Last year we had a football game on Halloween, and Cael really didn't quite "get" Halloween. I'm pretty sure the clown costume was just another outfit to him. But this year? This year we painted his face, and he kept the hat on the whole time. He said "Trick or Treat," and "Thank you," and "Happy Halloween!" Such a big boy! We trick-or-treated at both ends of our cul-de-sac and called it a night as Cael staggered home.
Friday, October 30, 2009
He's Gonna Be a Cow
So yesterday morning, I got a call from Sylvia (aka Nahna) confirming their plans to pick up the boys from daycare and take them to Fry's for a Halloween spectacular, followed by an overnight at their house. I confirmed that I had packed an overnight bag with clothes for both boys.
And then she said, "Colton's going to be a cow." I laughed a "yeah," thinking that while Colton is big, he is also super-tall, and it's a little surprising that Sylvia was kind of insulting my kid with her choice of words there.
And then she said, "and I bought a vampire costume for Cael."
Oh. [smacks forehead] Sorry, little dude.
And then she said, "Colton's going to be a cow." I laughed a "yeah," thinking that while Colton is big, he is also super-tall, and it's a little surprising that Sylvia was kind of insulting my kid with her choice of words there.
And then she said, "and I bought a vampire costume for Cael."
Oh. [smacks forehead] Sorry, little dude.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wet One, Dry One
So this morning, Cael woke up dry. Let's take a moment to celebrate before we move on, shall we? Yaaayyyyyyy!!!! Yes, I was very proud of my big boy this morning. We called Daddy and made sure to let Donna and Sarah from daycare know, too.
Cael woke up dry once before, but that time, he was up in the middle of the night to pee (an impressive feat in and of itself). Last night, he was up moments after we put him to bed -- peeing as a means of putting off the inevitable bedtime -- but then slept through the night. Dry! I was pretty stoked.
Colton? Woke up soaked to the armpits, poor kid. It must have been all that water he drank at the Elks lodge last night during dinner. Bad Mommy forgot to bring any food or milk for poor Colton. But I don't think he suffered. He enjoyed some stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy. People-food. He couldn't get enough! Cleaned his plate and then our friend Irma's too. Guess it's time to start planning our dinners with a (mostly) toothless one in mind (again). I know Colton couldn't agree more. Bring on the mashed potatoes and gravy!
Cael woke up dry once before, but that time, he was up in the middle of the night to pee (an impressive feat in and of itself). Last night, he was up moments after we put him to bed -- peeing as a means of putting off the inevitable bedtime -- but then slept through the night. Dry! I was pretty stoked.
Colton? Woke up soaked to the armpits, poor kid. It must have been all that water he drank at the Elks lodge last night during dinner. Bad Mommy forgot to bring any food or milk for poor Colton. But I don't think he suffered. He enjoyed some stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy. People-food. He couldn't get enough! Cleaned his plate and then our friend Irma's too. Guess it's time to start planning our dinners with a (mostly) toothless one in mind (again). I know Colton couldn't agree more. Bring on the mashed potatoes and gravy!
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Inaugural Post
Well, it seems like the first post should be momentous or something. But I know too well that if I wait for the perfect topic and the perfect words, well... this blog will never get off the ground.
This weekend, we went to the Arizona State Fair. And Boo at the Zoo. And, in the interest of full disclosure, Adam and I went to a high school football game, too. Adam was there working, and I was there meeting his co-workers and watching some (not very good) football. In the interest of avoiding a meltdown, we didn't tell Cael (who, with Colton, was spending Friday night with Nahna and Dahda).
So. The fair. It was fun. We met up with friends and checked out the animals. Cael seems to be overcoming his fear of goats, which started when he got butted by one at the zoo last year. He actually petted a goat with me, but seemed to prefer the very still (though very tall) llama. And after the animal-petting? The rides.
Oh, the rides! In April we did the county fair and Cael had a blast. This time he got to go on several rides and he had his friend Rhian to share them with. Colton? He watched. And napped. I guess the fair isn't that much fun when you're 9 months old. Sorry, Colt. At least you got to pet some animals with your friend Tatum.
Cael and Rhian took turns picking out rides. Two roller coasters, an airplane ride, a 4-wheeler ride, a bumble bee ride, a giant slide, and bumper boats. Yes, as you might expect from a 2 1/2-year old, he got wet. First he stuck a foot in the water while waiting on the platform (Toy Story cowboy boot and all). Then he tried to launch himself off the boat... three times. Atta boy.
We did the ferris wheel, too. The same ferris wheel as in April, because it was the only one Cael was big enough to ride on. And when you're at the top, it looks like you're looking straight across at the top of the big ferris wheel, so everyone was happy. That was the ride that Cael had to call and tell Nana about. "I rode the ferris wheel, Nana!" Awww. My kid is so cute!
Both boys totally conked out and napped hard Saturday afternoon. And then came Sunday. Nahna and I took the boys to Boo at the Zoo while Dahda and Adam recovered from night fishing. While we waited for the Boo at the Zoo festivities to kick off, Cael got to ride the carousel. He picked the dragon, and Colt got to ride on the seal. Colt wasn't talking about his thoughts on his first carousel ride, but I think he really liked watching the gorilla go up and down. Or at least, he enjoyed seeing what he could from under the brim of his giant hat.
Cael was talking, and he loved it. "I'm way up high," he told me on the upstrokes, and alternately, "Colton is way up high!" Cael waved at Nahna and Colton held on surprisingly well (big strong boy!). And when the ride was over, Cael sized up the carousel to decide what animal he would ride on next time. His choice? The shark.
Boo at the Zoo kicked off with a mascot parade featuring (among many others) the Cat in the Hat, Simba, Ronald McDonald, the Water Use it Wisely drop, and the Icee Bear who gave Cael a high-five when he wandered out into the middle of the parade. That's my boy. It also included, for us, a walk past the bighorn sheep (which I actually saw for the first time), the tiger, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and others.
And although the event went on all day, we were pretty worn out from the fair, so we called it quits after the sing-along. Cael and I had fun singing and dancing. Cael especially liked the song where the audience got to scream on cue, although Colton (who by this time had had enough of the Zoo and had kicked back for a nap) didn't dig the screaming as much. And just as we were nearing the "I don't want to go byebye" meltdown threshold, there was Simba, waiting to give Cael a hug. Thank you, Simba!
All in all, a fun weekend for the Schwartzes.
This weekend, we went to the Arizona State Fair. And Boo at the Zoo. And, in the interest of full disclosure, Adam and I went to a high school football game, too. Adam was there working, and I was there meeting his co-workers and watching some (not very good) football. In the interest of avoiding a meltdown, we didn't tell Cael (who, with Colton, was spending Friday night with Nahna and Dahda).
So. The fair. It was fun. We met up with friends and checked out the animals. Cael seems to be overcoming his fear of goats, which started when he got butted by one at the zoo last year. He actually petted a goat with me, but seemed to prefer the very still (though very tall) llama. And after the animal-petting? The rides.
Oh, the rides! In April we did the county fair and Cael had a blast. This time he got to go on several rides and he had his friend Rhian to share them with. Colton? He watched. And napped. I guess the fair isn't that much fun when you're 9 months old. Sorry, Colt. At least you got to pet some animals with your friend Tatum.
Cael and Rhian took turns picking out rides. Two roller coasters, an airplane ride, a 4-wheeler ride, a bumble bee ride, a giant slide, and bumper boats. Yes, as you might expect from a 2 1/2-year old, he got wet. First he stuck a foot in the water while waiting on the platform (Toy Story cowboy boot and all). Then he tried to launch himself off the boat... three times. Atta boy.
We did the ferris wheel, too. The same ferris wheel as in April, because it was the only one Cael was big enough to ride on. And when you're at the top, it looks like you're looking straight across at the top of the big ferris wheel, so everyone was happy. That was the ride that Cael had to call and tell Nana about. "I rode the ferris wheel, Nana!" Awww. My kid is so cute!
Both boys totally conked out and napped hard Saturday afternoon. And then came Sunday. Nahna and I took the boys to Boo at the Zoo while Dahda and Adam recovered from night fishing. While we waited for the Boo at the Zoo festivities to kick off, Cael got to ride the carousel. He picked the dragon, and Colt got to ride on the seal. Colt wasn't talking about his thoughts on his first carousel ride, but I think he really liked watching the gorilla go up and down. Or at least, he enjoyed seeing what he could from under the brim of his giant hat.
Cael was talking, and he loved it. "I'm way up high," he told me on the upstrokes, and alternately, "Colton is way up high!" Cael waved at Nahna and Colton held on surprisingly well (big strong boy!). And when the ride was over, Cael sized up the carousel to decide what animal he would ride on next time. His choice? The shark.
Boo at the Zoo kicked off with a mascot parade featuring (among many others) the Cat in the Hat, Simba, Ronald McDonald, the Water Use it Wisely drop, and the Icee Bear who gave Cael a high-five when he wandered out into the middle of the parade. That's my boy. It also included, for us, a walk past the bighorn sheep (which I actually saw for the first time), the tiger, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and others.
And although the event went on all day, we were pretty worn out from the fair, so we called it quits after the sing-along. Cael and I had fun singing and dancing. Cael especially liked the song where the audience got to scream on cue, although Colton (who by this time had had enough of the Zoo and had kicked back for a nap) didn't dig the screaming as much. And just as we were nearing the "I don't want to go byebye" meltdown threshold, there was Simba, waiting to give Cael a hug. Thank you, Simba!
All in all, a fun weekend for the Schwartzes.
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