I'm not ready for surprises

This weekend was marked by several surprises.

The first was the weather. It was absolutely gorgeous outside! We spent a good deal of time playing and enjoying one of the last few days before the cold really sets in.

The second surprise was the amount we got done. There was a ton of stuff we had to do to get ready for Lauren's party next week and we managed to knock a huge chunk of it out.

The third surprise was Eric playing with his circus during nap. Why was that a surprise? Because it's not in his crib!!! During his nap time, Debbie noticed there were odd sounds of playing. Playing with items he should not be able to reach from the crib. She rushed upstairs and peered under the door. Sure enough, little feet made their way in front of the door and out of sight again. HE'S ONLY EIGHTEEN MONTHS OLD!! Lauren was in her crib until 2 when we moved her to a toddler bed. She never attempted the Houdini-esque feats the Eric exhibited this weekend. Fortunately, we have a little bit of time. After leaving Eric in his room to play for the rest of what is now "Quiet Time" instead of "Nap Time", I was able to lower the crib mattress down to the final notch. That should give us about 1-2 months before he's able to do this again ... I hope.

Eating everyday is overrated

Last night was the first night this week I had dinner with my family. This has been just an insane week due to both work and home schedules. Obviously, a little recap is on order.
Monday was occupied with swimming, or so we thought. Lauren started her swim lessons last Saturday and I feel it's important that she practices what she learns at least once between each lesson. So, off we went to the YMCA. Since the open swim time is 7-8, my night was basically show up at home, grab Lauren, head back out. No dinner for me. We get to the Y, tell the desk attendant we're there for open swim. She hands us a lock for the Family locker room and off we go. We change into our swimsuits, take a quick shower and head out to the pool. The lifeguard, who knows us because she's there at the swim lesson time too, seemed shocked. Turns out, there is no open swim on Monday Night. In fact, the only open swim on a week night is Tuesday 7-8. GAH!!! There's Lauren, wrapped in her towel all excited to go swimming when I have to break her little heart and tell her we can't. Poor thing just stood there not saying a word, wearing a slight pout on her face. I explained that the pool wasn't open for practicing swimming, only for people in class and that we would have to come back the next night. I also said it was alright to be sad or disappointed because I was too, but we still had to leave. She understood and we went back to the locker room to dry off and change into our clothes. She took this so calmly, I decided a little reward was in order. I told her that because she was so good when I said we had to leave without swimming, we were going to get an ice cream. That seemed to lift her spirits and she began talking again. You gotta love phrases like "I a little disappointed, but it's okay" coming from the mouth of a 3 year old. After a quick call home to explain what as going on, it was off to Colonial Cafe for a little sundae. In lieu of dinner, a Peanut Butter Fudge Chipper Sundae shared with Lauren was a nice substitute.
Tuesday brought actual swimming. Again, it was a get home, grab Lauren, head back out. Again ... no dinner for me. Why diet when you can just not eat? Lauren loved swimming, jumping into the pool, practicing her sit dives, and kicking off the wall. After swimming was over, Lauren asked if we could get another ice cream. How do you tell a child that we could go get an ice cream, but only if she never wanted to see daddy again. Because mommy would kill him.
Wednesday brought tutoring math at the local library. I did manage to scarf down some KFC, so that's 1 for 3 on actually having dinner. this particular session had to be the most stressful of all the ones I've done. There were NINE kids!!!! NINE!!! There were 2 tutors. Because I'm better at switching gears between the different subjects (trigonometry, geometry, algebra, geography, and basic math), I took 5 kids while the other tutor focused his efforts on the 2 kids who needed close supervision. It worked, but I was exhausted after 2 hours.
Last night, while I get dinner with the family, it wasn't be at home. The PTL at Lauren's preschool is held a family picnic night. KFC was on the menu again. Nothing like variety in one's diet to make skipping dinner seem not so bad. :P They had little signs marking the spots for each class. I managed to forget plates and silverware while at KFC, but the parents there were extremely helpful. One ran into the school's kitchen to get us some plastic ware. I think we're going to like it here. The best part of the evening was watching Lauren run around with the other kids. We don't often get to see her interact in this way, but it was quite enjoyable. She joined up with about 5 kids and they began running around in a line. Starting at the fence, going to the trees, around the soccer goal, and back. Eric loved running too. It's always hard to judge your own childrens development, but several parents seemed quite impressed with Eric's running, considering he's only 17 months old. I'm sure I can guess Lauren's favorite part. The giant dessert table filled with cookies and brownies and cake. It's always a nice excuse to make several visits to the dessert table under the guise of "getting stuff for your family". "Why of course Eric likes Lofthouse cookies! That's why I picked up 4." Maybe this not eating dinner thing is a way to gorge myself on those days I do eat dinner. Hmm ... have to study this one further.

Growing up too fast

It is amazing how fast the kids grow up.
In a matter of a few months, Eric went from crawling to running; gummy smile to 10 teeth; eating baby food to demanding my steaks for dinner. He also apparently suffers from PMS. I have no idea how this happens to a 15 month old boy, but it has. He can throw the most extraordinary fits imaginable. These fits usually include flinging his head into something hard. If you're lucky, it's an inanimate object instead of something animate ... like my cheek. What makes this PMS though is not the fit itself, but that in the middle of these fits, he laughs. This weekend, he was laying on the floor screaming like a banshee. As a concerned and caring father, I decided to pretend I was going to step on him. He found this hysterical. Each time I planted my foot on his stomach, he giggled and laughed and guffawed. Each time I removed my foot, he immediately resumed the tirade. No transition. No start up phase. It was Full Laugh - Full Scream - Full Laugh - Full Scream and so on. and I thought Lauren was moody!
Instead of throwing a fit, Lauren almost caused me to throw a fit. This morning, we cuddled on the couch and watch the Weather Channel. It was a great moment that I cherished, because earlier this morning, she did something that was a little too ... adult. Walking from Eric's room to ours, she tripped, got up and exclaimed "Awwww ... DAMMIT!" I froze in my tracks. I didn't know what to say. This was the first cuss word she's ever uttered. I wanted to chastise her, but I also wanted to compliment her on using it correctly. I mean, if one were to exclaim "Awww ... DAMMIT", that would be the time. I did gather my composure and explain that she used a bad word and she shouldn't speak like that. As with any parent, I then did a search of my mental data bank. I was worried that somehow I had taught her this exclamation and was going to pay the price when Debbie found out. I couldn't remember saying this around the kids, so I thought I was safe. Searching for a source, I mentioned the incident to Lauren's daycare provider. Her face said it all. One of the kids at daycare had said this phrase earlier. Phew! No retribution for me. I could safely tell debbie about the incident and not have my beating heart ripped out of my chest and, still beating, displayed for my horror. Now, that still might happen for Debbie's amusement, but at least it wouldn't be for a good reason ... well ... at least not THAT reason. There's reasons a plenty other than that, but I at least I wasn't guilty of teaching our daughter to curse.

Well, not yet anyway.

This Day in History

Seems like a rather auspicious day to me.

1790: US Patent System established
1847: Joseph Pulitzer born
1912: HMS Titanic departs from Southampton
1929: Max Von Sydow born
1932: Omar Sharif born
1947: Branch Rickey announces signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers
2007: Eric William Brown born

Happy Birthday Eric!

I would have tried Valium, but there are laws

Prior to kids, having either Debbie or I sick was annoying, but could be a blessing. If Debbie were ill, I would take care of her, but I could also hop on the computer for long stretches. Even with one child, things weren't so bad. After all, plenty of rest time could be had when nap/quiet time came around. Now, putting one of us out of commission on a weekend is borderline cruel and unusual punishment. With two kids, there's no down time at all. I think they secretly confer to make sure they each demand their naps at separate times of the day so you have to keep at least 1 occupied at all times.
It all started last weekend when Eric contracted a fluctuating fever with some minor coughing. We figured it was an ear infection coupled with a cold. By Tuesday, we decided a pediatrician visit was required and found out the poor little guy had pneumonia. Blech! By Thursday, Lauren started sporting the signs of a cold, but fortunately not pneumonia. On Friday, I too was stricken with a cold. Then came Saturday morning. I only had congestion, with some sneezing and coughing. Debbie woke up in the middle of the night with the flu. That put me in charge of both kids for the whole day. Things went pretty well right up to about 4 in the afternoon. Around that time, my mind and body decided they were done and wanted to take a break. The kids did not oblige. I trudged through the remaining 4 hours of the day, but playing with them was really tough. I became terse and a bit snippy. Especially when Lauren would pull out her crying for no reason routine. Thank goodness for The Jungle Book. That kept Lauren occupied for an hour and a half while I gave Eric some one on one time. Once the movie was over though, it was back to both of them demanding all my attention. Debbie came down around 6:30 because Eric had heard mommy talking and went ballistic (he loves his mommy!). Debbie got him to nap while I took to the task of dinner. After the kids went to bed, so did I.
Fortunately, Sunday found Debbie feeling much better and able to at least help a bit. Good thing too, I'm not sure I could have gone that second day all by myself again feeling like I was. I've decided that next time, though, I think I'm going to sign up to be the sick parent. Suddenly the idea of holing up in the bed room with some occasional sickness unpleasantries doesn't sound nearly as bad.

Short and Sweet

Lots going on ... very very busy ... quick updates:
1. Sheba is a welcome addition and adjusting nicely. Does seem to have an unhealthy affinity for the trash.
2. Lauren is potty trained completely now. May move out of nighttime diapers tomorrow.
3. Eric is crawling like a fiend, standing with support.
4. Moved groups inside company, now very very busy which I haven't been in a long time.
5. Eric getting over pneumonia; kind enough to pass on colds to Debbie, myself, and Lauren. He's so giving.
6. Debbie back at work leaving me to get kids ready in the morning. Awfully fun.
7. Before we leave, Lauren tells Sheba "Bye Bye! You be good! No pee pee, no potty, no trash!"
8. Sick and tired of the damn snow. Particularly since I don't have a snow blower. Getting one after the season.
9. Stupid weather channel is calling for 2+ inches on Sunday.

Stages of Life: Crawl, Chew Food, and Poop

Several milestones have been reached and I've just been too lazy to say anything. Bad daddy!
First, Eric is crawling! The little guy was so close for so long it was getting comical. For a period of about 2 weeks, he would get on all fours, rock back and forth, and then do a face plant on the rug. This was followed by some minimal movement achieved through using his arms to drag himself forward. Finally, he got his legs to work in concert with his arms and Voila! Crawling baby!
Second, we have a tooth! This boy has been drooling so much recently, boats with passengers wearing rain ponchos would travel up the river that lead from his mouth to the drain. Salmon could be seen jumping over his head trying to get upstream. There weren't enough towels to contain the saliva torrent he created (Hmm .. hyberbole much?). It took several midnight - 3 am blood curdling screams, but the bugger broke through and he now has a sharp little tooth. I can't say I've seen it yet because, even though he smiles a ton, he likes to stick his tongue out when doing it, making it a bit hard to see. I have felt it though.
Third, real food ... well ... not real ... he's not eating steaks and hamburgers (though he looks like it). He's already passed the stage 1 foods and easily progressing through the stage 2's. This boy can eat! On the rare occasion when I've fed him, he just opens wide and takes container after container of food. From green beans to vegetable beef, no food is too delicious to ignore.
Finally, potty training. Yes, we're still trying and it's been interesting. Lauren has no problem going pee pee on the potty. She is quite happy about it, though there is the occasional wet diaper still. It's poo poo that is going to be the end of Debbie and I. She steadfastly refuses to go poo poo on the potty. We've tried everything. She's almost run out of reward stickers for having a dry diaper and going pee pee, but the poo poo on the potty stickers have yet to be touched. We've tried being gentle, being stern, telling her to sit on the potty when she gets "the face", just about anything we can think of. She still refuses. We're going to try the "$75 solution" next, and it might work, but it's just a pain to see through to the end. Fortunately, Lauren doesn't have to be fully potty trained until August when she's old enough to go to pre-school, but I would like to be done with this sooner than that. Much sooner. If anyone says potty training a toddler is easy, I may have to do a beat down. Preferably with a bag full of poopy diapers.
So those are the recent milestones for the kids. Hopefully, the wife and I can retain just enough sanity to get through this and then start all over again with Eric. Hooray!

The Two Faces of Eric

Our little Michelin Man as become a real hoot. He's recently figured out there's this thingy in his mouth he can stick out and it makes people laugh. More so when he starts jiggling and wiggling it. So now, a quick glimpse of the pudge ball's face will mirror either the smile of an 85 year old who forgot his dentures or Michael Jordan mid-dunk (see below).

We Theme Because We Can

As Heather opined, it is quite nice to be able to theme your children's halloween costumes. Here we are about ready to set off on the grand Trick-or-Treat Adventure.

 

Gallery Update

It's Friday afternoon. You don't want to work, do you? Well, here's a nice time waster. PICTURES!!!

Watch the installation of our new windows.
March pictures.
April pictures .
May pictures
Some renovations to Eric's and Lauren's room.
June pictures.
July pictures.
August pictures .
September pictures.
Eric's Baptism.
Pictures from our trip to Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, Baltimore, and Ocean City.

Okay, so you may need more than the afternoon.

Eric's 6 Month Update

Eric recently had his 6 month checkup and all I can say is, "What a chunker!"
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 19#13

For some perspective, Lauren reached a weight of around 20 pounds when she was 15 months old. I think I need to start a Debbie Chiropractic Fund soon.

Thus begins the favoritism

"Mom always liked you best!"
Have you or a sibling ever used this phrase? I haven't, but I know my brother has. Because ... well .. mom did like me best. What's not to like? I was the perfect child. Anyway, I digress. Yesterday, I actually did something for which I am ashamed. Eric is getting too big for the infant carrier. He's little feet dangle off the end like some perverse cat toy. Debbie and I both knew it was time for an upgrade. On the other end, Lauren is close to outgrowing her convertible car seat. Her weight is still in Range, but her height is pushing the limits of the 5 point harness. Hmm ... we could buy Eric 2 new convertible car seats at a cost of about $160 each OOOORRR we could move Eric into Lauren's seat and get her a new toddler seat at a cost of about $40 each. Wonder which one we chose? Yes ... Eric, who is using Lauren's infant carrier, will get to reuse Lauren's convertible car seat. Our only saving grace is both were a neutral color so our little boy wasn't gallivanting about in a bright pink with purple flowers infant carrier. The convertible seat too is a nice blue and black, so no issues there. Still, the cycle of hand-me-downs has continued. Just wait til Eric figures out he'll get Lauren's new booster seat too. And this one is pink with purple flowers.
We love you son. No .. really we do.

I'm counting the paychecks now

Eric just had his four month check up and boy, are his stats an eye opener.

Weight: 17 lbs 14 oz
Height: 27 in
Head: 42 cm

That puts him in the 95th, 96th, and 50th percentiles respectively. So, my dreams of having a NFL linebacker for a son seem to be coming to fruition. Fortunately, his head is normal sized so he'll look good and can get the endorsements too :)

Roll Over Beethoven

We knew it was coming. All the signs pointed to this week being the week it happened. Yesterday, for the first time ever, Eric rolled over!!!!! All last week, he had been stuck at his side, not really sure what his arm was supposed to do. Then, last night at around 2045 EDT, he did it. He got to his stomach, lifted his head, and exclaimed: "Ah crap! Is it tummy time already?"
As we all know, once you figure something out, it's much easier to do it again. So, whenever he gets placed on his back, he immediately rolls to his stomach. The one scary part now is he's moving his arms and legs like he wants to crawl. Just think ... a little while longer and I will be the father of 2 mobile children. I think I should renew my Valium prescription.

One Week Down, One to Go

We are now 1 week into our 2 week long vacation. I could also have put that as 4 cities into our 4 city tour of the east coast. There were 3 days in Greenville, SC; then 3 days in Sherrill's Ford, NC; 2 days in Baltimore; then today we drove to Ocean City. Fortunately, we'll be here for a week before heading back to Chicago. It's nice to finally be in a place where we can unpack. Living out of a suit case can be quite frustrating. There are have been some developments and almost developments in this time though. First, at the ripe old age of 4 months, Eric went to his first bar last night. Man, if I ever need to get a date, this guy is a gold mine. The women would stop dead in their tracks to ooh and ahh at his gummy smile. The almost development is he is this -><- close to rolling over. He can get almost his entire body from his back to his stomach. All that's left is that pesky arm. Once he figures that out, we've got a rolling roly poly of a boy. Oh ... yeah ... he's topped 18 pounds too. Not exactly a dainty thing like his sister, but I guess that's a good thing.

So much to do and yet I do none

As Debbie mentioned, a week from today begins our 2 week jaunt to 4 states. With a 2.5 year old and a 0.25 year old (i just like decimals), we have our work cut out for us. The current division of labor is Debbie sits next to Eric (since she does have the food supply) while I get Lauren and the DVD player. As if I couldn't already recite most of the lines from memory, I get to watch it just a few more times. Huzzah!
Of course, that means a lot of planning and packing. That means, of course, that I'm about to spend my time wisely by going to see The Simpsons Movie all by myself. My company had an employee picnic, so I came home early. I know Debbie has no interest whatsoever in seeing this movie, so I have to find a way to go see it. With Lauren at day care still, this is an ideal opportunity. I will be home earlier than if I had gone to work, so this is a win-win. I should help pack, but there is a movie to see at 4:50, so I need to get going. What a good use of my time!

Grapes and Watermelons

When you have two children, comparisons are bound to happen whether you want it or not. In that vain, I figured why keep those pesky little comparisons in my head. Why not send those little buggers right out into the world for everyone to nit pick! The one mitigating factor here is parental senility. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what Lauren was like at 3 months old, but I have some general notations that I think hold.
For starters, Eric gives a lot more smiles. He even laughs! Just look him in the eye and give a little song and he'll respond with a gummy smile to melt even the most hardened heart. The best is when he giggles. He gets all arm-flaily and feet-kickey and gives the most wonderful little giggles. My mother likes to say Lauren is intense, she focuses on one task and does it. Eric is Mr Happy-Go-Lucky. Whereas his sister will say, I want to go to the park NOW; Eric is "Hey dude ... whatever ... it's AAAAALLLL cool".
Next, Eric is ginormous (thanks Websters for letting my use this word legitimately now). Lauren, at 2.5 years old, weighs about 27 lbs. She's always been a tiny little thing. Eric, on the other hand, weighed in today at a hefty 16 lbs 3 ounces and he's only 3 months old! I'm going to have a 1 year old son outweighing his 3 year old sister. Oh well, guess I can use him to intimidate the boyfriends who come calling. Lord knows I won't be very intimidating when her boyfriends (ugh ... what a horrific thought!) have to crouch to see me eye-to-eye.
Lauren hated pacifiers with a passion. Every time we tried one, she would immediately reject this obvious trick and demand whatever it was she originally wanted. Eric not only takes a pacifier now and then, he's started finding his fingers to suck on. More importantly, he recently found his thumb.
I just need to remember that while comparing isn't bad, it's best not to do it too often. Otherwise, you'll refer to your petite daughter as Veruca Salt and your son as Bill S Preston, Esquire. Or, you'll refer to them as a grape and a watermelon. I'm pretty sure therapy is in order if that one is used too much.

Kidney Update

Today, we had Eric's follow up appointment with his pediatric urologist. Basically, while his kidneys are dilated and the left is bigger than the right, she is not overly concerned and is optimistic that surgery won't be needed. Whew! We are to keep him on antibiotics until October when we have a follow-up ultrasound, but he's looking good.

Eric Stats

Just had Eric's 2 month check up. Here are the vitals:

Weight: 14 lbs 8 oz (70th percentile)
Height: 25 inches (90th percentile!!!)
Head: 39.9 cms (50th percentile)

Short Description

As people came to see Lauren shortly after she was born, the one word use most often to describe her was "alert". She always seemed to have her eyes open, looking around the room, taking in her surroundings. Eric is slightly different. The phrase we hear most often when people arrive to see him is "he looks like a little old man". This scares me. Not because of any aesthetics issue but mainly because my brother was born in early April and the phrase most used to describe him as a baby was "he looks like a little old man". I don't think I can handle that.

Long awaited

Have you been chomping at the bit? Desperately hoping to see pictures of our new little bundle of joy? Holding off calling me a lazy ass for taking 2 weeks to get these up? Well, wait no more my friends. There's a new album featuring, for the first time anywhere, Eric William Brown.

Nice Try, Sweetie

If there was any doubt about how much Lauren had accepted Eric, she put those to rest a few days ago. Eric was crying, as 2 week old babies tend to do. Lauren obviously felt mommy was being worked too much, so she thought she would pitch in. She climbed on the couch, grabbed mommy's boppy pillow and placed it around her waist. She then lifted her shirt and said, "Come here, Eric". I laughed, Debbie cried a little (those happy tears she gets on occasion, not the sad tears). All I could think was, "Nice try, sweetie. Daddy would do the same thing, but Eric wouldn't like getting hair in his mouth."

Transitions

I'm sure you all are wondering how Big Sister Lauren is dealing with this new intrusion into her life. The phrase that best sums up our current situation is: "So far, so good". She has been truly loving towards Eric and has shown a desire to help in many different ways. When we go to change his diaper, she comes along and helps by handing us stuff. When he starts crying, she looks at mommy and says "I think he's hungry" (aka "Get off your butt and feed him so he'll shut up"). She gives him kisses and pats his head very gently. We just couldn't be happier and she seems to be enjoying the new addition too. I'm pretty sure having Grandma and Grandpa here has helped. I've also made sure to spend a lot of time with Lauren, particularly today when the temperatures rose about 70. We had lots of outside time. So, she's being good about Eric for now. We'll see if this continues, but I'm glad we got this time of peace and quiet.

I have reached a conclusion

It hasn't taken long. One week to be precise for me to reach a conclusion. As far as babies go, girls are easier. Never once when changing Lauren's diaper did I have to worry about whether she had "unfinished business" or not. With Eric, it's an almost certainty. I had to run out and buy 16 washcloths for the express purpose of containing said business from removing the paint from the wall. Then, today he hits me with a double ... no ... triple whammy. It was my turn to change Eric's diaper and I was ready. I opened his diaper and placed a washcloth over him to catch any remaining action. None came, so I went about finishing the diaper change. Just as I was about to close and lock the hatch, he let loose with a stream, hitting his face and onesie. As I start cleaning up, I hear the unmistakable sound of poop flying out his backside. Not normally a problem, unless one hasn't had the chance to reinstall the diaper. The changing pad did not survive the encounter. While dealing with this little debacle, Eric decides the first round wasn't enough, so he let loose with another stream. I don't think I ever had to deal with that when changing Lauren. Like I said, baby girls are easier.

The Brown Family just got 33% bigger

Ladies and Gentlemen -

The management would like to announce the following:

Now appearing on the main stage of Plant Earth, in a debut performance:

Mr Eric William Brown. Weighing in at 8 lbs, 10 oz; measuring 21.5 inches; this dyanmo is ready to meet the new world (as soon as he finishes his nap). Mommy and baby are doing just fine.

The family is excited to have this new addition and look forward to the special talents he can bring to the table.