Child Proofing

Just when you think you've child-proofed enough, you find yourself proven wrong. It's never been an issue. Locking the toilet?
When E is gone, and I take a shower, I lock Mills in the bedroom/bathroom with me. His norm is to stay in front of the shower door or sit in the floor and watch TV. I stick my head out every few seconds just to make sure he is okay and not getting into something. There isn't anything in the bedroom that he can get into and all cabinets in the bathroom are latched.
E was out of town and as I was taking a shower on Wednesday of last week I felt the water pressure decrease. I looked out, and what do you know...Mills has learned to flush the toilet. He can also lift the lid on it...so I found out. I scolded him and he came over to stand beside the shower door. He was grinning. I went about my business.
The next day, I couldn't find the remote to the fan in our bedroom. I didn't think anything about it until I went to flush our toilet and it started filling up as if it wanted to overflow. It did not overflow, and the water went down, but did not fill up like normal.
Several hours went by after plunging the thing. I started putting two and two together. Could Mills have flushed our remote down the toilet? Well, if he did, it is long gone by now. We have looked everywhere for it and it is nowhere to be found. The toilet, after several flushes, finally got rid of what was causing trouble.

We are now the proud owners of this ridiculous contraption:

♥ Preparing for Valentine's Day ♥

After church and a quick lunch, Mills and I came straight home for a nap and later headed out to finish buying a few goodies for his friends at Mimi's house. I didn't go to the trouble that I did last year with making tons of dipped pretzels with cute V-Day sprinkles, so we made goody bags instead. I think that the two weeks that E was gone has finally caught up with me, because today, I felt like I could crash. Mills has been wild and into everything as usual, but today, I think that it got to me more than ever. ha! I think that I could go to bed and sleep for 3 days straight, but what mother couldn't or wouldn't if they actually could?

I had already purchased a few things for his goody bags last week, but our Walmart trips tend to be cut short by a little boy who wants out of the cart and starts getting fussy. So, I threw my hands up and decided that I would just go back and get the rest later. That was completely mindless. You and I both know that going to Wally World on the day before V-Day is absolutely nuts, but we made it. All goody bags are made. Mills has been bathed and is in the bed, and now, I'm crashing in the recliner waiting on the bed to call my name.

What's Valentine's Day without kisses?

Mills is checking out the loot

A few pencils and candy hearts

A few bubbles...

We attached little Valentines and VOILA!

18 months

Eighteen months, is a bit of a milestone in my opinion. Mills will have been with us for two years, in just six short months. Time, slow down! Everyone told me of just how fast the time would go, but I don't think that "fast" is the word. It is hard to believe that our baby is running around, talking and learning new things every day. He is such a busy little boy. As a matter of fact, we have been told a number of times, that Mills is the busiest little boy they've ever seen. So, don't dare ask me why I'm so tired most of the time. Mills is getting more and more fun by the day, and the new things he does are so exciting for us.

Here is a picture of our little boy this morning before church. The weather is much nicer and so he decided that it would be better to run out of the garage like a mad-man, sit in the grass, and do a quick roll, instead of getting in the car seat. Forget a nicely pressed collar! Oh well...

Happy 18 months Millso!

Mills, here is what you're up to at your 18th month:

• New words: bubble, EAT!, down, keys, monkey, love you, hot, thank you, uh-oh!, light, where it go?, easy, up, "Dusty!" (the saw on Handy Manny), chicken "chitchen", yellow, red, green, blue, and peek-a-boo "eeek-a-boo." I'm not sure if you really know your colors, but you pointed to your school bus and said "yellow." Time will tell. This week you started saying cookie. It sounds more like ka-ka, but regardless, it's "cookie."
  


• You can now climb on anything, as you get stronger everyday. I have to keep you off the coffee table. For some reason you think it's a dancing stage. Not good.
  


• You have had your second haircut. You don't like it, but we can't have you sporting a mullet. Sorry, but the back of your hair grows extremely fast.
  


• You have turned into a "Mommy's boy. Even when you've been at Mimi's all day and I pick you up, take you home to see your daddy, you want your mama. I hear that this will eventually dwindle away and you will think your daddy does all of the cool stuff.


• You have started hiding behind mommy's curtains in the living room, of course, I have to tell you "no" in fear that you'll grab them and rip them off of the drapery hooks. Boys!


• You are so observant. Now I know why people tell us to be careful with what we say and do. You pretend to talk on the phone, read a book, and just last week I caught you with your keys trying to stick them in the door knob. You also, tried to "fix" the drawer pull on mommy's library table drawer with your "Turner" (flat head screwdriver from Handy Manny's toolbox) even thought here are no screws in them. Very smart of you though! You also attempt to feed Joey. You manage to get a few pieces of food in his scoop, and some of them actually make it to his food bowl. A funny: after you take a drink of something, you look at us, smile, and say, "aaaahhh," as if its really refreshing!
  
• You recognize sports on TV. No matter if it is golf, football, or basketball, you always shout, "GO!" Just this past week while you were eating supper, mommy had the TV on as the Super Bowl was starting, you saw the players during the coin toss and yelled, "GO!...GO!....G......O!" I don't know how you knew how to spell "go," but you did, and I was shocked!


• You are starting to experience the world of crayons. You can scribble like a pro, but get bored with them after a few minutes. You use your right hand...thank goodness! Mommy doesn't want you to experience this right-handed world as a left-handed little boy like she does. It is not easy.
  
• Your favorite shows: Little Einsteins- you love to "pat pat pat pat" on your legs as I take you to Mimi's in the morning. Handy Manny- you are all about Handy Manny and love your "talking toolbox." You are starting to watch a little bit of Sesame Street as well.
  
• Friendly! You don't meet a stranger, and make sure that you say, "HEY!" to everyone we see.
  
• You don't like: sitting still, being held, getting your diaper changed (because it requires you to be still), getting your fingernails clipped (because you have to be still, your prefer to try it yourself...yikes!)
  
• Teeth: we are still waiting on 6 more teeth until you get your 2 year molars in the fall. For some odd reason, your upper laterals still have not come in yet, but maybe soon.
  
• Finally, you moved to a size 5 diaper. You probably could still be in a four, but they were getting a little more snug than mommy would like.
  
• Favorite foods: green peas, carrots, (most all veggies) macaroni and cheese, any pasta, pizza, all fruits, chicken. You are not a very picky eater and express your like for foods in a very cute manner. Your new thing: "Ummmm....good!" Even when we are at the grocery store roaming the aisles, you point and say it. Too funny! You are also starting to eat with your fork and spoon. You do pretty well, then give up and go back to eating with your hands.
  
• Favorite books: Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Knuffle Bunny, well, all of them!
  
• Clothes: 18-24 months and still in size 4-5 shoe. You are pretty true to size with your clothes depending on the brand. I still prefer dressing you like a toddler, as I AM STILL NOT into the big boy look. I still frown at the thought of blue jeans and little man clothes and avoid them if at all possible. You do wear jeans and little khakis to Mimi's but they are not my favorite. I am enjoying this while I can, because one day, you will be too old for those little black and white saddle oxfords that I adore, smocked outfits, and one piece outfits all together. They go to a 5T, so it will be quite a few years. Ha! I don't know what I will do when you do out grow these, as I have seen today's fashions for boys and they are hideous! I haven't seen a thing I would dare put you in. Stop growing on me!
  
• You still like to go to bed around 7:30pm. I have tried pushing it back to 8:00, but you don't last. For some odd reason, you have been waking up earlier. I hope this returns to normal soon! No matter what time we put you to bed, you are waking up around 6:00 or 6:30. I don't like this, but I have no choice in the matter. Do I?
  
• When we say your goodnight prayers, you have learned to fold your hands. You listen to mommy and sometimes, you even say, "Amen."
  
  

Erik's Trip to the National Fire Academy

I am a VERY happy wife/mommy right now. Mills and I have been "loners" for the past two weeks, and it has been challenging, but you know what they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." If it doesn't, it will only kill you for missing your hubby more than ever! Oh, and we did!

On January 30, Mills and I dropped E off at the airport at 7:00am so that he could make his very first trip to Emmitsburg, Maryland to the National Fire Academy for a two week Fire/Arson Cause and Origin class. He flew into Washington D.C. (actually Arlington, VA but what's the difference?) and traveled via shuttle to Emmitsburg, a tiny, almost whole-in-the-wall town, near the Pennsylvania border. It is approximately 15 miles or so from Gettysburg. So, this mama was a little jealous! My amusement for the Civil War left me green with envy! But, I was excited for him.

I was anxious about him leaving us for two weeks. Two weeks sounded more like two years, especially when I depend on E to help me out with those little mommy breaks. He is an awesome husband and father, and helps me a lot! I was sure to miss him. Mills and I made it just fine, of course. He was very good, so all in all, it was a piece of cake. I'm just tired and am glad to have E home. Thanks to Skype, we were able to see and talk to each other almost every day. He was able to see Mills playing and running as usual and throw one of his random temper tantrums. ha! Monday night, he watched him get his bath and even talked to Joey a little bit. I think Joey was more amazed and confused than ever! Skype is awesome!

E's plane was scheduled in at 6:45pm last night, and Mills got there around 6:15. This gave us time to get a quick dinner in while waiting on his plane. After finding a GREAT parking spot and venturing through crazy traffic we went inside to find that his flight was delayed until 7:13. (bummer), but ended up getting in at 7:05. I was thrilled and couldn't wait to see him. I think I got a lot of exercise last night. While waiting on his arrival, I had to do laps with the stroller around the lobby of the airport. The more I move, the less vocal Mills is. He kept waving at everyone as usual and saying, "Hey! Uk! (look)" He had his monkey with him and had to show everyone.

Daddy's plane arrived on it's new scheduled time and it took about 10 minutes for him to get to us. Mills was in complete confusion, but then reached for his daddy. We came straight home and went straight to bed!

Erik took several pictures of the campus, but unfortunately his trip to Gettysburg, the part I REALLY wanted to see, well, he forgot the camera. He was sweet to think of me while visiting the museum and bought the book, Lee for me, a biography on Robert E. Lee. I have read one before, but not this one. I know you are all thinking that I don't seem like a girl who would be in to that sort of thing, but I assure you, I am! I enjoy anything pertaining to history especially the Civil War and WWII. One of his classmates did have his camera and is supposed to be sending the pictures, so maybe I will have a few to post later.

The campus is absolutely beautiful. It is the old St. Joseph's college, an old ladies college presently turned into the National Fire Academy.

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Erik's dorm- his home for the past two weeks

A GREAT laugh for tonight!!

My friend Kendra brought this to my attention, and I must say that I have never laughed so hard in all my life! If you read my previous post on potty training, you'll see why!

WOW! This my friends, is the "Peter Potty." It's slogan: "BE A LITTLE STAND UP GUY with the Peter Potty Toddler Urinal." I have never seen it, but I must say that it is quite interesting! Thanks K for showing me this. I may have to check into it a little more! HEHE!!! ;)

And Did I Mention That I'm Freezing?

I keep telling myself this...

Give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ --Ephesians 5:20

But, in all honesty, I can't keep thinking about...

More Snow?

This has been one winter! I'm over it. I really am. I usually enjoy the excitement of watching it snow, but now, I am over it! We are expecting snow tonight, Sunday, and Wednesday of next week. It's getting old and a tad bit bothersome. If Mills were a little bit older, and I didn't fear putting him out in freezing cold weather, it may be different. We could build a snowman, maybe throw a few snow balls, and even do a little bit of sledding. I know that I should be thankful that we don't live in Chicago right now, right?
Bring on the spring! I am R.E.A.D.Y.! I will be counting down the next 44 days until March 20.

Potty Training

We are no where near ready, but I wanted to ask advice from some of the best moms I know. When you started potty training your boy, how did you approach the matter, and did you use a potty chair, snap on seat, or neither? I am just trying to get a "heads-up" on a few ideas.

Mills is starting to realize that a full diaper is uncomfortable, and is waking up early (way too early!) for a diaper change. Not only that, after breakfast this morning, he walked up to me and said it...yep! He said those two little magic words, "poo poo." So, up we went for a diaper change. He will kill me for this one day, but hey, this is a mommy blog, and I am allowed to be over informative at times. I know...TMI, right? Hopefully within the next 6 months, we can get a small start on the issue, as I don't think he has any clue that the potty exists, but we'll get there, one day! I know that boys are harder to train than most little girls, and that they usually start later as well. I will take any advice offered! Thanks!

"Bubbles"

Our little man loves bath time! We have a good feeling that he is going to be a good swimmer. He has started rolling over on his belly and kicking in the water, and I have had to stop him from putting his face in the water and blowing bubbles. There is just something about bathwater and little mouths that just don't mix. It's kind of yucky if you ask me, but I guess we can be thankful that is not covered in dirt before getting into the water.


Santa brought Mills a bath bubble machine that suctions to the wall. He loves it too. His new word is "bubble." Erik and I both agree that it is the sweetest "bubble" that we have ever heard. Of course it sounds more like "baa-bole," that's what makes it so cute. Seeing his eyes light up and his giant grin as the bubbles float down into the water is the best!

"B. Whacky Ball"

I thought I would take time out to show you one of Mills' favorite toys. His Gammy & Pops gave him this for Christmas, and its been a hit ever since. After Mills figured out how to use the hammer to "whack" the balls, instead of using his hands to push them in, he's had become a B. Whacky ball addict. It is such a neat simple toy, but one of his favs. Not to mention that its pretty too! The B. toys can be found at Target and other stores online. I have been looking around at the other B. toys, because Mills likes this one so much.