The joys of having a child who is potty trained.

Josh isn't feeling well, which is a real bummer. I hate it when Josh is sick because he does so much for our family. And, when he's sick I really miss his humor and child rearing support. This morning we all headed out by 9:30, so that Josh could have some beach time before the men's USA/Argentina basketball game. Michael and I decided to head down the beach for a walk while Josh was resting on the blanket. Unfortunately, we didn't make it back from the walk in time to give Josh a get well hug and kiss before he headed back to the house.

Michael and I made the best of our time on the beach together, though. We decided to dig a hole for his trucks and cars, and we had a lovely little snack on the blanket. I was a rotten mom and let Michael drink a little bottle of gatorade (at least it wasn't Coke!) during our snack. Obviously, I did not consider the repercussions of letting Michael drink an entire bottle of gatorade. The result of the gatorade, was that the poor kid had to pee about a half an hour later. At this point, I wasn't ready to head back to the house or to make the trek to the swimming pool. So, I told him he would have to go in the ocean. He said in an excited and joyous tone, "OKAY, MOM!!!" And, then started to pull down his pants. (Not good.) So, I glanced around and carried him over to the sand dunes, where things were a little less obvious. Michael loves to urinate outside, so he was totally happy with this proposition! Wouldn't you know it, another twenty minutes pass by and he has to pee again! I thought he was bluffing, so I made him pack up all of his beach toys. He said he still had to go, so we headed right back to the dunes. : ) And, he really did have to go, poor little guy.

After we got all packed up, Michael and I carried (actually, I carried) our entire beach camp back to the golf cart. What a load that was! The entire time I was thinking, you know...when I was pregnant with my first no one would let me carry as much as a laundry basket of clothes. The second time around: I'm carrying three beach chairs, a cooler, a bag of beach toys, a bag of towels, and making sure that the three year old is following me. Things CHANGE for the second pregnancy, don't they? : ) I'm not complaining, in fact I'd much rather be a pack mule than a fragile little doll, any day. Honestly, I would. It's just funny how things change, isn't it? I wonder what life will be like when I'm pregnant with our fifth or sixth baby?

I shudder to think about such things...

He thinks he can walk on water.

I don't even know where to begin writing about our day, especially when the post begins with a picture of Josh walking on water!  What else is there to say, other than we're on vacation and having so much fun together!  

Here's an update, though:

The water is incredibly rough today.  In fact, there is a rip tide warning issued for the next three days, which is a little scary.  It is also incredibly windy on the beach.  Our beach blanket was completely covered in sand because of the wind.  And, it is virtually impossible to use the umbrella today, without taking the risk of impaling a fellow beach goer. Even though the wind is strong and the waves are scary, we were able to spend all morning and a good part of the afternoon on the beach.  The wind makes the beach feel like the perfect temperature!  It was a little overcast as well, so we didn't feel like the sun was beating on our skin.  Josh and Michael are in charge of snacks for the beach, so we were stocked with plenty of food to get us past lunch time.  : )  

Michael still has a cold, but he's such a trooper.  The cold hasn't slowed him down at all, thank goodness!  His little nose is so red from wiping and the sand, but he hasn't complained one time about his nose hurting.  Yesterday Josh and Michael took a little break from the beach and headed to the aquarium.  They enjoyed roaming around together and checking out the sharks.  We also went out to "dinner"  yesterday afternoon (3pm), so that we could enjoy the evening hours on the beach. 

The evening on the beach was just lovely, aside from nearly being attacked by seagulls!  The family right beside our special "spot" decided to give their children bread to feed the gulls.  And, much to our dismay, the children threw the bread in our direction.  Josh and I were furious, in fact I was muttering many cuss words (even the f word!) under my breath as the gulls fought three feet above my head.  It was a fun time!  : ) These friendly neighbors also had an umbrella up yesterday that almost hit me.  The mother seemed a little annoyed that I didn't chase after it into the dunes.  At eight months pregnant, the only thing I chase after is Michael, and on occasion...Duncan.  (The wind was strong yesterday, as well.)  My temper isn't the same these days, so after the sea gull attack I was ready to shoot our beach neighbors a few looks.  The parents didn't think anything of the attack, though.  In fact, it was a great "photo op"!  

Since we weren't physically injured, Josh and I have been laughing about that experience all day.  We just might bring out a little bread ourselves this evening....; ) 

More pictures to come later.  There are too many to post, I'm afraid.  

GOOOOOOD Morning!!!

                                       

The painter and his crew showed up this morning around 7:30.  I got out of bed at 7:20! At least I was dressed in shorts and a tank top when they got here instead of my pajamas.  I'm grateful that I wasn't still lounging around in the bed when they arrived.  Their goal is to be in and out by noon today.  (Amazing! )  It's incredible to me that they can knock out three bedrooms and two bathrooms and touch up jobs in just a day and a half. 

This morning Michael I are going to the last story time session of the summer at the library.  (Sniff, sniff... Story time won't begin until October after today!) We're also going to complete a few errands, which should buy us enough time before our afternoon nap.  

What a day.

What a day we've had!  The painter showed up with his crew this morning, I was still in my pajamas.  (Classy.)  The painter is a free spirited- kind of guy, who will randomly show up for an estimate or to start (and complete) a job.  He does a fantastic job.  We just have different mindsets.  I'm a little bit on the wanting to know the schedule side of things. I knew that at some point this week, Michael and I would be given the boot out of the house for the majority of the day.  I just was not sure as to which day this would occur.  

And so....Today was the day.  

Michael and I began our day with a walk around the park loop, which was hotter than hot. (Why do I torture myself so?) Michael was a complete doll, though, with his ride in the jogging stroller.  We then went to the playground, where I sat my big butt down while he played in the sand with some other children.  After playing in the sandbox, we did a little grocery shopping and headed home.  

Michael and I were curious about the paint job, so we went upstairs to check on the progress. As is turned out I'm glad I did because the baby's room was accidentally painted the WRONG color.  : ( (Taupe, it's supposed to be blue.)  So, I calmly walked back downstairs with Michael and got him situated, so that I could go back upstairs to let the crew member know that the color was not right.  I can't stand doing things like that... confrontation is not my strong suit.  It was really no big deal, and the situation was handled just fine.  

At this point, I knew that a nap for Michael was going to be impossible since most of the second floor is being painted and other crew members were going to be coming in and out the rest of the afternoon. As a result we did what do every day: hit the swimming pool!  (Poor, poor Michael.)  This was our longest stretch at the pool this summer, we stayed from one until five.  Michael actually got so tired at the pool, that he laid a towel out on the concrete because he wanted a spot to rest. I was at a loss as to what to do with the nap situation.  We could have gone to either set of grandparent's, but I really doubted that he would go to sleep easily at either house.  Just walking in the door of Michael and Mary Jane's or my parents' home makes Michael quiver with excitement.  

Michael went to bed easily this evening. Not one complaint.  

Our house is in shambles because I'm tired from today and Josh is working late.  I feel like it's pointless to clean the house right now with all this traffic from the painting crew.  They will be here all day tomorrow, too.  

The paint colors are FAB-U-LOUS, which makes all this chaos worth it in the long run. Michael's room is a taupe, the baby's room is blue (love this blue!!), and our bedroom is a greenish-blue.  I can't wait to clean and get the house put back together this weekend and early next week.  It's going to take some time, but it's such a relief to have the painting almost complete.  

The Pool, AGAIN!

(Some birthday party pics from last night....)

Yes, we spent another afternoon at the pool! Josh came with us today, though, which made our daily pool outing even more fun. We took turns holding Michael, so that we could both swim a few laps. Boy, am I out of shape! My arms felt so weak, but I will say that I almost didn't feel pregnant while swimming those laps today.

The relief from the water was very much welcomed today, believe me! This morning in mass, I honestly felt like my abs and ribs were being split in half. I felt like such a wimp, and tried to think of all of the pregnant women at mass who have three, four, or five children in tow and handle the rib splitting pain just fine. I sure do wish that my stomach muscles would just split already and let this baby through! : )

I'd like to start swimming in the mornings, but I need to check into the times for lap swimming for the city pool. Our little town pool does not have lap swimming hours, which is annoying because little kids are constantly in and out of the lap lane. The wake is also terrible because the proper lane lines are not up. When I was pregnant with Michael, I did a good bit of swimming until I got sick around 24/25 weeks. It would be great to find SOME type of exercise to get me through the next few months until I can run again!

Tomorrow I have the glucose test appointment, where the lab does some blood work to make sure that I don't have gestational diabetes. And, of course we'll get to hear the sweet heart beat, too! (Yay, yay, yay!!!) Michael is going to spend the day with Peggy so that I can gallivant about the town (grocery shopping is actually what I'll be doing!). He can't wait to see his friends and Peggy!

(Our little swimmer! Maybe by the end of the summer he'll be able to do the doggie paddle!)

Not Sure Who to be More Proud of:

Josh for figuring out a system to give this kid help with the tricycle OR Michael for FINALLY taking interest in riding his tricycle!  Typically, Michael peddles a foot or two and then decides that riding a tricycle is too hard and decides to push it up and down the side walk.  Josh has been riding his new bike a little bit this week and so Michael's interest in the tricycle has been sparked.  (Thank goodness!)  

We had a lovely day.  Michael and I met my girlfriend, Nikki, and her two kiddos at the park. After playing for awhile we had a picnic lunch with a good friend of Nikki's and her little guy.  We then ran into some very friendly faces, who just finished up with swimming lessons.  Then it was time for the pool to open, so we all went swimming with our rascals!  Michael enjoyed the pool time with our friends.  What a great way to spend a summer afternoon!  

One of my brothers, Clay, commented that Michael and I go to the pool "just about everyday!"  He's right.  We do.  When you've packed on twenty extra lbs, the pool feels heavenly on a hot summer day.  Plus, Michael naps so well on pool days.  How, I love those quiet two hours in the afternoon.  Doesn't he look wiped out in the picture below?!?!  : ) 

Ice Cream Helps.

Swimming lessons went....SWIMMINGLY this evening. Check out the little guy and his swimming skills!

Michael's teachers are so sweet with the children. He was incredibly happy with the choice of games this evening: Ring Around the Rosie!

Josh and I were very proud. And, Michael was very proud that he earned an ice cream treat after his warm bath.

Too Much Summer Fun!

Michael and I spent about four hours swimming at a really "fun pool" with a friend and her two adorable kiddos yesterday morning/early afternoon.  This fun pool is so kid/toddler friendly: there are fountains surrounding the pool, little slides, climbing toys, and a well shaded area with a bench in the pool.  (The shaded area is Josh's favorite part!) Michael, Josh, and I love this pool!  Yesterday, though, Michael truly had a ball!! Since it was our first trip to this pool for the summer, Michael did his little excited dance as soon as we walked through the gate. Obviously, he didn't remember this pool from the past summers.  We can't wait to meet our friends again sometime soon at the fun pool.

Yesterday was also Michael's first day of swimming lessons.  They were "eehhh".  He wasn't very cooperative about hopping in the water with his teachers.  However, he did swim with them a little bit and didn't have a "fit".  So, that's an accomplishment, I think.  Due to my bad planning, he was also exhausted from swimming at the "fun pool" all morning.  His feet are so torn up from the concrete pool surfaces, so I think by last evening he was finished with the water because his little feet were in PAIN!  

This morning Michael and I headed to Target for a pair of water shoes.  I am hopeful that the shoes will help his sore, little feet!  After yesterday's activities, we were all ready for bed by nine last evening.  My legs actually ached from being on the move ALL DAY LONG.  I told Josh that I felt like a kid who had spent the day swimming at a beach.  

What a great feeling, right?  Being tired from having too much fun is SO much better than being tired from stress.  

Pool Rats

Instead of being mall rats, I think Michael and I are pool rats.  Since Michael enjoys swimming so much this summer, we frequent the pool quite a bit these days.  Today we took Josh to the pool to show him all of Michael's new swimming skills:  hopping on one foot in the big pool, going under the water, and driving the cars around the baby pool.  

Tomorrow Michael starts swimming lessons, on his own.  I think this will be very interesting!  I am eager to see if he goes directly to the instructor or if he will cling to our legs. Unfortunately, for the the teacher's sake, I am going to be one of "those" mother's who hangs out directly beside the pool so that I can keep a close eye on my little guy.  The water is still kind of deep for him, as it comes up to the bottom part of his chin.  And, now that he thinks he can hop around on one foot, he falls frequently and has trouble getting back to the surface.  (A little scary...for me, not him.)

So, yes!  Here is yet another one of my neuroses!  : ) Swimming/water safety.  I don't think that I would ever be able to have a pool in my backyard, even with the very fanciest, state of the art technology to keep children out of the pool unattended.  Call me paranoid, but he's still a little guy and I want to be there just in case he needs me.  It's curious that I am so paranoid about the water, considering I've been a "swimmer" practically my whole life.  I started swim team around third/fourth grade and I was a lifeguard/swim instructor for at least seven years, or so.  The water really terrifies me, though, especially since I have a child.   Of course, I'll do my very best to mask this fear, so that he's not scared and so that he has a blast tomorrow evening!  

And, here's a question to all mother's out there:  Should I have two maternity bathing suits?  What do you think?  We go to the pool at least three or four times a week and we'll be at the beach for a week this summer.  Is it a waste of money since (HOPEFULLY!!) I won't be wearing either one next summer because I'll be back at my "fighting weight"?  : ) Would you buy two?  

My Pool Boy

Ever since tax season has been over, Josh has been in charge of the bath time routine with Michael.  It's a bonding time for the two of them.  I enjoy hearing Josh play these little games like "the car wash" with Michael, as he dries him off after his bath.  From the way I remember things, Michael ALWAYS cries when I dry his hair off after the bath.  There's hardly any laughter or funny games.  

Over the past few evenings, I've heard lots and lots of clapping and cheering coming from Josh during the bath time routine.  Being the nosey individual that I am, of course I asked what was going on in the bath tub.  Josh exclaimed that Michael likes to dunk his ENTIRE head under the water!  Which, really is a BIG deal!!  Until the past week or so, Michael would put just his face in the water and a little, tiny bit of his hair.  Now, he's submerging his WHOLE HEAD. 

All of this brings me to today's topic:  Michael and the swimming pool!  Last summer Michael was  like a cat at the pool.  He didn't have much use for the pool at all.  From what I remember he enjoyed throwing things into the pool,  he did NOT enjoy putting his face into the pool water or getting dunked, and he really did not have ANY use for any type of flotation device.  Over the past few visits to the pool, I've noticed a miraculous change.  

This afternoon we spent a large part of our time in the "big" pool, in the two feet section.  Mainly, I wanted to explain to Michael how swimming lessons are going to work next week and I wanted to show him  where he would stand during the lesson.  We also played some swimming lesson games, like Ring Around the Rosie.  And, WOW!  Did he have a blast with our little games!!  It was the sweetest thing ever.  He blew bubbles, AND he went completely under the water!!  I honestly could not believe my eyes.  It was this huge transformation from just a week ago.  We played and played in the big pool this afternoon, and we had so much fun together.  For the first time in the past three years, I felt like I was playing with a CHILD, not a toddler or a baby.  : ( We pretended to play hide and seek, though that game terrified me because I refuse to turn my back on him in the pool.  We played games, and boy did we laugh!

I give Josh a lot of credit for this transformation.  I think bath time with Dad prepared him to be brave and to dunk his head under the water.  I just wish Josh could have been there with us today.  We'll just have to do a family swim date this weekend, to show off these new-found skills.  

(These pictures are from the baby pool last week.  Taking pictures was virtually impossible in the big pool today! ) 

First Day of the Summer Break

The first day of summer break was spent organizing Michael's closet and drawers!  Michael has outgrown all of his PJ's and many of the tops that are tightly packed in his dresser.  Every morning and every evening Josh complains that nothing fits, and that "we" need to go through his dresser. : ) (You know what "we" means...) My mom spent the day playing with Michael, so that I could sort through his things and so that I could scrub the bathrooms.  

After visiting at my parent's house,  Michael and I went to Big Lots to buy a couple plastic containers to stow away the 2T clothes in the basement.  We found all sorts of "treasures" in Big Lots!  I think that I will be frequenting Big Lots quite a bit in the next year, or so.  

It certainly wasn't an exciting day, by any means, but it sure did feel good to take a shower in a clean bathroom this evening!  And, I know that Michael had a blast with my mom and my brother, Daniel.  He sure does love to spend time in the country!  

Here's a picture of Michael wearing the PJ's that no longer fit.  (Poor kid, his mom is such a penny pincher.)  Don't worry- we changed him out of these ridiculously tight pajamas before he went to bed.  

Our Little Swimmer

Josh and I are amazed at how much more comfortable Michael is in the water this year!  It's not a "scary comfortable" for us, though.  He still prefers the baby pool over the big pool and he really likes to just mess around in the water, pouring water from one bucket into another.  The major developments that we have noticed, though, are putting his face under the water (just a little bit...), blowing lots and lots of bubbles, and kicking like crazy when we try to do the superman float.  One other major change is that he can stand in the two feet area!  (Yay!) The water goes up to his chin, but he can stand nonetheless.  I bought some sort of flotation device for Michael, I think it's called a safety seal, but he hates it and throws a fit if I try to get him to wear it in either pool.  No big deal, just a waste of a money, though.  Maybe once he sees his friends, Lauren and Audrey, wear their safety seals he will be more compliant. Maybe.  : )

The pool felt so good this afternoon, I told Josh that Michael and I are going to frequent the pool a lot this summer!  It felt so good just to float around in the baby pool, sunning myself while Michael poured water on my head.  

I'm feeling so much better today.  I really believe that the heat got to me for some reason yesterday, and I was probably a little dehydrated, as well.  Like I said, there are always good days and bad days with pregnancy!