Christmas Eve

Here are a couple of pictures I took on Tuesday night...

The three of us spent last night at my parent's house. After a homemade yummylicious dinner made by my mom, her sauce and pasta shells, Paul and dad went to their church's Christmas Eve services. Mom and I entertained Eric and did some kitchen prep for some of today's cooking. Someone gave me the idea for a new tradition, the kids get to open one gift on Christmas Eve, a new pair of "jammers." Eric got to pull his "Handy Manny" jammers out of a bag, take a bath and show them off. Then we read "The Night Before Christmas."

Next, it was time to put milk, cookies and a note out for Santa. We had to taste test everything to make sure it was good enough for Santa.

And lastly, here's a video of Daddy reading. Amazingly, he sat through much of it.

I'm soooo far behind!

Sorry, no excuse for it being so long since I last posted. Busy, yeah, somewhat. Lazy, more like it! Anyway, here are some pictures and videos of my little man along with updates on what he's been up to. I'll try not to be too wordy!

Catholic Charities has a meeting each month for all the couples who are waiting to adopt. Paul was out of town, I had to bring the celebration cake and gift (we have a celebration whenever there is an adoption placement). Eric spent the evening with Grandma and Grandpa so I didn't have to deal with him and the cake and gift.

Eric has a thing for gloves (and shoes and remotes and phones and ...)

Eric taking a ride on Avery's swing...my parent's next door neighbor's daughter, who's 2. One of Eric's many girlfriends.

Last month Eric had a cute day. At church, while standing in the back, there was a little Asian boy, a month older than Eric, who was looking out the back doors. Eric walked over and stood next to him and looked out the doors with him like they were best buddies. Then, he started hugging Mary Ann (also a month older). She didn't know what to make of it and got close to her dad for protection. Eric didn't give up, he gave her 5 or 6 hugs before I broke up the hug fest. We were able to rejoin Grandma in the pew for the sign of the peace. Eric joined in and shook hands with those around us, some multiple times. Later that evening at Grandma's, he found a vegetable brush in a cabinet and started brushing his hair with it.

Eric tries to help me with laundry. He'll carry dirty laundry to the doorway of the laundry room. I'm amazed at how much he can carry! He's trying to brush his own teeth. I brush them first then let him do it on his own. Sippy cup use is much better.

I threw my OSU shirt on him one night.

He wanted to get in his exersaucer.

Someone at church gave Eric a tissue, which he proceeded to tear up. He took a little piece and dabbed it at his nose. Mom and grandma are always going after his runny nose with a cloth diaper, handkerchief or tissue. I decided one day that he spends way too much time with me, especially in the bathroom, of course I can't use the bathroom without his assistance. He pulled a long piece of tissue, took a smaller piece and copied what mommy does with it. I about died laughing! He's getting pretty good with parts of the body. If you ask, he can show you his eyes, ears, hair, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, hands, fingers and belly. We're working on feet and toes.

On Thanksgiving, I was watching Eric with a 5 pound bag of potatoes. I thought he was going to drag them out to the family room. I turned away to tell grandma that he was bringing them to her to start peeling. Next thing I knew he was carrying them to her. Later, he tried to take the potatoes and put them in the oven, not turned on of course. They were a bit too heavy and ended up falling and getting a little cut on his lip. Grandma laughed at him, trying to put the potatoes in the oven, not falling. I put an olive on one of his fingers, he laughed and put the whole thing in his mouth. A few minutes later he decided that was a bit much and spit out tiny pieces into grandma's hand.

One family tradition we have is to cut down our Christmas tree the first Saturday in December. I decided this year we need to do it during the week. One, I always go to a craft fair that day and two, there's the Army/Navy game. So, we went on Friday instead. Good thing because we had light snow all day Saturday. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas tree expedition...

With grandma's tree...


Helping daddy cut down our tree...

After I got home from the craft fair I started to put the lights on the tree while keeping tabs on the Army/Navy game. Can you guess who we were rooting for? Well, Paul was for Army, but he's out numbered in this family!

Just lights...

Lights and garland...

Daddy and his Army ball. Didn't help in their 34-0 loss to Navy.
Today, Eric accomplished drinking from a straw. Since he never really drank from a bottle, his sucking skills are very weak. But he's been doing good with the sippy cup. He tried the straw in my iced tea, but couldn't quite do it, so I helped him by starting it. He got some, then tried on his own and did it. He thought he was a hot shot!

Mike and Kate left a sleeping bag that has a bear for a pillow, behind for Eric, when they visited last month. Here's Eric with the bear...

Paul had just emptied the diaper Genie. Eric is dragging around the "diaper sausage."

Eric is "putting on lotion."

Playing with Kalamazoo Karl Kat...

Eric helping me clean up...

He used to love the vacuum cleaner. He'd follow me around while I ran it. About 2 months ago, he decided it is not a good thing and gets very upset when it is on. So, he's checking it out very carefully!

I love my family!

Last week I spent quite a bit of time at my parent's house, more so than usual. My second oldest brother, Rick, arrived Sunday Nov. 2. Of course we had to have Skyline for dinner! Service left much to be desired, which is very unusual for Skyline, but food was great. Tuesday, Paul, Eric and I picked up a couple of LaRosa's meatball hogies for my parents who were working the polls. I voted while I was there, in and out. Picked up Rick and my oldest brother, David, and had lunch at Red Robin. Eric enjoyed playing in Uncle David's iced tea getting the ice cubes, which ended up on the floor. He also ate his first french fry (he's had little bits before). While the guys were fixing tacos for dinner, Eric and I munched on tortillas and salsa, well Eric just took the salsa off the chip.

Eric and Uncle Rick

The youngest of my three brothers, Mike, arrived on Thursday with his wife, Kate. After a delicious dinner of my mom's spaghetti sauce and LaRosa's meatballs (yes, there was spaghetti too), we took pictures of the family. This was the first time the six of us, my parents, brothers and I, were all together since my wedding six years ago. Paul was working and Rick's wife, Dianna, who didn't accompany him, weren't in the pictures, so we didn't have the whole family.

Mike and Kate

Mike, Kate, Me, Eric, David, Mom, Rick, Dad

Mike, David, Rick, Me

Friday Nov. 7, was my parent's 49th wedding anniversary. It was also Mike and Kate's 11th anniversary, hence their visit. And it was also the anniversary of a couple my parents know from my dad's Navy days. They live about 45 min. away. So, on Saturday, the three couples went to a very nice restaurant to celebrate. David, Eric and I went to Red Lobster (Paul was flying and Rick had already left). Eric already had his dinner, but he proceeded to munch on various items we put in front of him...biscuit, broccoli, rice, pasta and calamari. Not sure if David gave him any shrimp.

I have other pictures and "stuff", but I'll stop and end with a video of Eric and the leaves followed by Eric helping Grandma dishing out dessert.

Ladybugs...Beware!

We survived the week without Daddy, for the first time in four weeks. Some days were longer than others, but mommy got an occasional break. Thank goodness for grandparents only a mile away! Eric is a very active little boy and into everything. He scales the stairs in a flash, has finally started to come down on his own. He's still hesitant about that. The sippy cup gives him problems, mommy has to come to the rescue. Half the time he has it turned to wrong way or he just doesn't tilt it enough. But he's drinking from it more, although milk is not a favorite.

His plastic jack-o-lantern was a great source of entertainment this week. He had everything from balls to a pancake syrup bottle stuffed in there. Non-stick cooking spray cans were carried back and forth in the kitchen and living room. Anything he could put inside something else and shake became a great rattle, the louder, the better. Mommy's witch's hat was pretty cool. I couldn't get a picture of him with it on but did get a short video...

During his in home speech therapy Wednesday, Eric took a liking to the therapists sunglasses. He thought he was a cool little dude. He also ate a whole piece of salami and 2/3 of a slice of bread for her. He's into sandwiches right now, salami or cheese.

Paul made it home for Halloween. He stayed and passed out candy which allowed Eric and his lady in waiting to cruise the neighborhood for goodies. He was really good. Quiet the whole time. The last we stopped at he gave his one and only wave. Guess he knew this was the end of the line. We hung out in a neighbor's driveway for a little while before going to the grandparents so they could see the little "Smokey the Bear type ranger guy." He had a hand-me-down bear costume from the Hopester, with a Junior Ranger hat and Andersonville badge on (both bought by grandma).

Here he is with daddy before trick or treating and grandma and grandpa after. The pictures with me are on grandpa's camera.

Playing with his Halloween candy.

And finally, the title of the post...we were out on the deck and I spied some ladybugs, because it's that time of the year. I picked one off the screen and Eric tried to pick it up, but he either dropped everyone or it flew off. I went inside to get my camera in case he was ever able to hold on to one. We found some more and just as I started to film...pop!...into his mouth it went. The kid who hardly ever put things in his mouth and who we thought would never eat by mouth, tried to eat a ladybug (I did catch him spitting out a leaf a few days ago). I guess you could say, he's a true toddler now and all boy.

Look-y what I found

Yesterday was the first time in four weeks that Eric and I were all alone together, all day. Paul has been off, which was really nice. He kept himself busy, so he wasn't driving me nuts and wishing he'd go back to work! And he was very helpful watching and playing with Eric, which gave me some me-time.

It was raining, so I wasn't going to try and go out to d something to help break up the day. I was wondering what we going to do all day inside. No walks, no swinging, no shopping (OK that's for me). But we managed. He discovered hi jack-o-lantern on top of the speaker, which he tried to get. That ended up being a great piece of entertainment for him. I put a couple of toys in there for him. He carried that pumpkin all over, every once in a while he'd put something else in, even a sippy cup.

He also found an old glove of mine, that hasn't made it to the "give away" box yet. This was the last looooong 45 minutes before bedtime I was dredding. The glove also was source entertainment. He came walking into my computer/crat room with it on his hand, so proud. Eric likes Grandmas's dishwashing gloves. I guess these were better because they weren't wet. He insisted on trying to climb up the stairs for bed with that glove. He made it, too big for him sleepers and all! You can see the feet of the sleepers dangling. His "jammers" are either too big or too small. He has one pair that fit just right.

And finally here are a couple of videos...first, it's time to brush our teeth...second, forget teeth, let's chase the cat.

Another fall outing...

This past Sunday we went to Shaw's Farm in Milford to enjoy a beautiful fall day. We started with the corn maze. It was definitely a lot easier than last year. They cut the stalks down so they were only about 5 feet high and the maze itself was just easy. Last year we were in there forever! Both of them had you find spots where you punch different shaped holes in a card. Once you got all of them and made your way out, you got a prize. This year it was two little pumpkins. So, they are sitting on my front porch.

"Oh my, something has fallen in my path! What should I do?"

"My heroes have come to save the day! Two men have arrived to remove the object which has prevented me from my journey. I can now continue to find the end of this maze."

After getting out of the backpack, Eric was more interested in pushing his stroller around than looking at the animals. He did stop long enough to have his picture taken with me and Gen. Custard.

Eric was ready to go by the time I decided I wanted his picture with the pumpkins. No smile. He barely stood still long enough for me to get this shot. In the others, he's trying to make his way out. Paul put him behind so I at least had a little bit of time to get a few shots. Earlier, Paul set him in front of a stack and he just walked off. No nap/rest time makes for a cranky baby.

Since his ear infection recovery, Eric is back to eating and trying new things. I got him some Baby Goldfish Crackers today, he thinks they are good. He only got about a third of the main course of his dinner tonight. I wanted to see how he would do with turkey and stuffing off the table, not pureed. He did really well. We were done eating and he wanted more. Now these were very small bites, but it did add up.

I wish I had my camera last night. Eric and I have dinner at my parents most Tuesdays. Most of the time when my dad hears that I've arrived he comes out to get Eric. As usual, I was getting Eric out of his car seat, he sees Grandpa coming out of the house, smiles, puts his hand up (hi) and gives his signature little happy grunt. I put him down, usually he wants to help close the car door, this time he ran to Grandpa with his arms up in the air. So, he gets picked up with a big swing, as Grandpa says "that's my boy." I just smiled and watched, wishing I could have had that filmed, a warm classic moment (sorry I'm mushy). No one can tell me that my little boy isn't loved just as much as a baby that I would have given birth to. Adoption is the most wonderful thing. I thank his birth mother every day for the best gift ever! And when we get our next child, I'll be just as excited to see the love my family will have for that little one.

Busy, busy

Besides, trips to the ER and doctor's and therapy appointments, this weekend we did our usual Sunday time at Grandma and Grandpa's. We also went to our neighborhood's "Harvest Celebration" on Saturday. There, we had a chili cook off, only 9 entries, but a few serious competitors! And of course, we had to have some true chili experts as judges. Our local heroes, two members of the fire department and one from the police force, were gracious enough to take time and stop by to judge and enjoy some chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, sides and dessert. My hubby took first place! Congrats honey! A two time champion! He also won two years ago at our adoption groups chili cook off, even though I made it because he was out of town. And, no, we are not giving out the secret recipe!

Later on Saturday we attended a little fall gathering at the home of a couple we attended foster training classes with two years ago when we were considering adopting a twelve year old girl. They had tons of food and drink, games for the kids, chickens and goats, a kitty for Eric to chase, pony rides and a hay ride. Eric loved the pony ride! If he could talk, I think he'd be begging us for one. He thought the hay ride was pretty neat too! We left shortly after the bonfire started. Had to get the little guy home and ready for bed. Thanks Erica and Brian for a good time, and yummy cookies!

Daddy and Eric...

"This is so cooooool!"

Getting ready to go!

Someone told him to hold the saddle and he did. Doesn't he look like a natural?

Trying to get my...self, yeah that's it...self, up on the wagon.

Cozying next to the bonfire.

Pony ride video...sorry I'm not a videographer. Grandpa is taking pictures and Grandma can be heard at the end.

Eric has decided that Cocoa Pebbles are way better than Cheerios. He's had them when he's helped me eat my breakfast (I prefer Cocoa Krispies, but I had a coupon, and I'm sure they were on sale, for the Pebbles). Today, he brought me the box out of the pantry, so I let him get a handful, mistake, yes, I know. It ended up all over the floor. I put some in a bowl and he happily sat there and ate on the kitchen floor while I prepared his lunch. Except for a few minutes of screeching and refusal to finish off his peas, which he did eventually, lunch wasn't too bad. The cereal kept him occupied. He only ate a few bites of fruit. He did eat all his dinner, yeah!

ER visit

Monday evening, October 6, Eric had a slight fever. The pediatrician (ours is out on medical leave) we saw September 30 said that the MMR shot could give him a fever in 7-8 days, so I figured that was the cause.

Tuesdays, Eric and I have dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's. He was pretty warm, ate most of his dinner, but whiny and wanted to be held. It got to the point that mommy was the only one he wanted. But, he toughed it out and let me eat before we headed home early. We rocked in daddy's chair (he was out making extra money) until a poor little boy fell asleep an hour early.

Wednesday, he acted fine, didn't eat great, but ate. Dinner was at Red Lobster and he was good up till the end, when he said he'd had enough, let's go home. He felt really warm on the drive to the restaurant. All he wanted to do was cuddle when we got home. As daddy was getting his bath ready, I took his temp, with two thermometers, 104 degrees. Paul called an urgent care nurse. She said to give him Tylenol and ibuprofen every 4 hours, alternating between the two. He fell asleep, but was restless. I was prepared for a long night.

Before I went to bed, I checked on him, he was curled in a ball and not sleeping good. I put a blanket on him and rubbed his back, he started sleeping better. When he screeched later I brought him to bed with me. He fell asleep on my chest, but he was breathing so rapidly and still so warm. I decided if his breathing wasn't better when Paul gave him is 1 am dose of Tylenol we were going to the ER. We ended up in the ER at 1:30am.

Eric was poked and prodded, blood drawn from each foot, swab taken from mouth, Motrin forced down his throat (that's his story and he's stickin' to it), undressed and allowed to run around in his diaper. Quick culture came back negative for strep, right ear was a little red, left ear redder...diagnosis...ear infection. Got a dose of antibiotics, a RX, told to see pediatrician tomorrow, paid co-pay and sent home. By this time, 4am, fever was down to 101, and he acted like he had been given a hazelnut, double mocha, cappuccino latte with whipped cream. Fortunately, he fell asleep very quickly after we got home.

He only let me get 3 hours of sleep. Daddy didn't hear him at 7:30am! Mommy brought him to bed with her, he fell back to sleep until 9am. I dosed in and out. He saw the pediatrician and said he definitely had an ear infection and told us taking him to the ER was good, because you just never know at this age with a fever that high. I was able to get a 3 hourish nap in that afternoon.

Eric is doing better. His eating isn;t all that great. The antibiotics has given him diarrhea, oh joy, and he has been the champion napper. At least he's not miserable anymore.

New things we can do...

This will be mainly about the new things Eric is doing. He's accomplished a few things this week, mostly in the climbing department. He has started to climb on the baskets in the den and his toy baskets in the living room, only problem, he can't get back down. So, mama has to help, either picking him up, which is the easy way, or make him do the movements...sit down, turn around and down or just sit and slip off.

Well, actually he has now figured out how to get down. He's also discovered that "I can get to higher places if I use the baskets as steps." He climbed up onto the arm of a chair and rolled over the pillow and onto the seat. I was there to keep him from rolling all the way off. I've moved that basket and he hasn't moved it back.

A boy and his Pooh Bear.

This past week at Grandma and Grandpa's, Eric was standing at the couch looking at Grandma and me, getting very red in the face. Of course we both knew what was up and started to laugh. He stopped his grunting/concentration and let out a little giggle, then continued on doing his duty, grunts and red faced. Too funny!

Eric goes up the stairs like a champ, it's the coming down! He has started to go up a few and get down on his own, but not all the way. Must be all the practice of getting off the baskets. He still prefers to be carried or to have his hand held and attempt to go down like a big boy. Except that he still steps off into space.

The little riding car he got for Christmas has become a big hit. He's so funny when he gets on. At first, he was getting on it facing rear. Because he always leads with his right foot, he just ended up that way. He also gets off with his right foot, then he circles the car to get back on. He doesn't push himself yet, well a little, backwards. He'll sit there and grunt and call for someone to come and push him.

Eric is observant. He found a little piece of paper the other day. Came into the kitchen and opened, as far as could, child locks ya know, one of the cabinets under the sink in order to throw the paper away. Our garbage bag is under the sink. It was the wrong door, but he had the right idea! I opened the other door so he could throw it away and then thanked him.

He's starting to take only one nap a day. So, now he's getting a small morning and afternoon snack. That was added because A) he's not napping at what would be a good snack time for him and B) at his last check up he hasn't gained any weight, still 21 lbs. He's taller but the kid is so darn active he's using up all those calories. His heart condition also makes him use more calories. So, we need to get more into him. Cheerios are becoming a favorite thing. It's one food he'll feed himself. He did feed himself a couple of pieces of biscuit tonight. Maybe I ought to try pancakes, he likes those!

Here he is Sunday, after his second successful attempt at climbing onto a kitchen chair.

The video is starting with his third time climbing onto the chair. Love the grunts!

I started this post a few days ago. I wasn't going to finish it, but finish up what I had left to write on another post. But, I need to do something to keep my mind off my little man. Eric is running a 104 degree fever, so mommy is worried about her baby. Urgent care nurse (and Grandpa) said to give him Tylenol and Ibuprofen, alternating, every 4 hours. He had a slight fever on Monday. I remembered the doctor saying that his MMR shot could give him a fever in about 7-8 days. That was last Tuesday. I figured that was it. Yesterday, he was a bit cranky, ate OK, not great, but was getting really warm when we were at my parents for dinner. He was getting really cranky, Grandma held him, but he wanted mommy. We went home early. I got comfy in Paul's rocking chair, he was out making money, and we watched a couple of recorded episodes of "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" and "Handy Manny." He fell asleep an hour early. I changed his diaper and put him to bed. He woke up a little later than usual this morning, but in a pretty good mood. He was actually fine today, didn't eat usual amount, but did an OK job. We went to Red Lobster for dinner, after running an errand. He fussed on the way there, he was getting warm. Paul had a jacket on him, which he really didn't need. I took it off and his fussing toned down a bit. He was happy to get out of the car. He did well during dinner, ate most of his dinner, plus a little mooching off our plates. Towards the end he was ready to go. All he wanted to do was be held when we got home. When Paul went to run his bath water I took his temperature, that's when I got worried. Hopefully, he will respond to the meds. I'm prepared to comfort Eric, if need be, tonight.

Thanks for reading the ramblings of a first time mommy!