14ish Months!

I've been a little late getting Ryne's 14-month update posted.  Ever since we got back from the cruise, Ryne has been TERRIBLE!  I love him to death but he's been terrible, so it has been hard to do much of anything...even showering!

The last post I had about Ryne he was 13 1/2 months old and he had started saying some two-word phrases.  I've kinda caught a little apprehension about that from some other mothers.  I'm not saying my kid is smarter than anyone else's kid.  I'm just saying that I think mine is a little smarty pants in his own right with language and comprehension!

I think it is sad that other mother's cannot rejoice in my child's accomplishments, and instead they want to attempt to bring down my child by belittling his accomplishments.  I did go back to college and studied Speech Pathology so I do know a little about child language development.  Would it not also be fair to say that the way I communicate with Ryne may more easily promote communication and comprehension since I know how Speech Pathologist teaches language to a child who has language delay or other language issues?

Anywho, Ryne is continuing to bust out the two-word phrases and his comprehension level is skyrocketing!  Just this week Ryne said "hey dot doh" [hey dog dog] to the neighbor's dogs.  He said "hey bud" plain as day to the nurse...while his pediatrician was in the room.  He commented on Ryne's comment.  Not to mention it was so hilarious because Ryne was sitting in my lap with nothing but a diaper on, leaning back against my chest, and drinking a bottle, cocked to the side, when he said "hey bud" to the nurse!  It was hilarious!  He also said "dir dipe dipe" for dirty diaper.

He has been saying new words almost daily.  He said "buot" for foot, "cart" for heart.  He says "hey" "what" and "bite bite" a lot.  He says "dan" for down.  He also says "dan" for up but he raises his arms up while saying "dan."  He is very close to saying "blankie" and "blue bear."  He also said "woof" to the neighbor's dogs later this week and "arg" to River's t-rex toy!

He knows some of his body parts.  He knows his hand and foot and he can point them out on Tad and his new best bud, a play and learn puppy that he calls a bear!  He understands what "outside" is and means.  If I say "outside" he goes to the door leading to the garage and knocks on it...because knocking opens doors (see the knock knock game).  If I ask him to get his shoes he will go find them and bring them to me and sit in my lap so I can put them on!  If you say "popsicle" he goes to the freezer.  He will say "ba ba" or "my ba ba" and go over to where we keep the bottles.  He will say "bite bite" when he's hungry and he will go to the refrigerator.  He seems to understand A LOT of what we say, so I think we will have to start spelling things out or using code words like "fruit bar" instead of popsicle...even though they are fruit bars and not popsicles!

So it seems Ryne is trucking along quite well with language and comprehension.  Now if I could just get him to sleep and stop throwing tantrums.  The doctor thinks Ryne's teeth are causing the tantrums.  He said it is a little early for the Terrible Twos but also it is rare to see a child's behavior change this dramatically in such a short time.  Ryne is cutting at least 2 teeth.  One of his molars seems to be giving him the most trouble, but I still think he's having some terrible twos issues as well.  Ryne has dropped down to only one nap - like that's something new.  I think the one-nap day is going to stick this time though.  The tantrum issue is really driving me nuts though.  I'll be so glad when we move past that phase!

Ryne is a zealous little guy.  He has a lot of charisma and with that comes lots of fun and lots of tantrums.  All in all, I still feel so blessed to have Ryne and to be able to stay at home with him.  I get to be there for all the special moments!

Getting Plugged In

I will apologize up front for the unorganized randomness that this post may entail.  I'm still collecting my thoughts but I feel if I don't get my current thoughts out then I may explode!

The past month or so I have been doing a lot of thinking.  I'm working on becoming a positive thinker, setting goals (which takes some thinking), reflecting inward, and becoming closer to God.  Most days I feel like my life is running me instead of me running my life!  I have been reading a lot of helpful books, listening to inspirational CDs, saying my affirmations, but I still feel unsuccessful and worn out at the end of the day.

Adam and I just got back from our week long Western Caribbean Cruise, which was MUCH needed!  I hated to be away from my little man so long, but Mommy and Daddy needed a break, a chance to reconnect, and some toddler-free time!  I took all my helpful books on the trip and barely read a single one. We were having too much fun I guess and I like to read by the pool, but when it's over 100 degrees my tush HAS to be in water or I feel like my skin is on fire!  Now I know how a turkey feels!

We had a wonderful stateroom attendant on the cruise named Jonathan.  He was really nice and helpful and said "Good Morning" every morning, asked us how we were doing, etc.  I rarely have anyone say "good morning" to me so I felt special!

One thing I will say about myself is that I find myself in interesting conversations with people.  Mom calls me a "freak magnet," but I think people just find it easy to talk to me and tell me their life story, even when I haven't initiated a conversation or asked for their life story.  Sometimes it's awkward and sometimes I find myself in a really good conversation with a stranger!

The last night of our cruise, my bestie and I were walking back to our rooms for the night to pack and such.  The stateroom team's rolly station (with towels, etc) was parked between our rooms.  Jonathan greeted us and asked if we were ready to go home.  We both said "yes" and "no."  I noticed while we were all talking that Jonathan pulled some little cards with stuff written on it out of a drawer on the rolly station.  I figured they were little cards that he probably left in the room to notify us of some check out procedure, etc.  He held onto them the whole time during our casual chat with him.  As my bestie and I turned to go into our rooms, Jonathan asked me if I was a "spiritual person."  I stopped, turned back around and said "actually, yes!"  Now let me say that "spiritual" means different things to different people.  For me personally, I am a Christian, but I also accept beliefs from other religions, because I ultimately believe they are basically the same thing, just a different way of saying it.  For instance, I am currently reading The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and find it VERY intriguing and practical.  I also believe in the mind-body-soul concept and using meditation, yoga, and prayer.  So, yes, I would say that I'm spiritual.

Anywho, Jonathan said that he was the ability to "read" other spiritual people.  It sounded a little hokey, but honestly out of our group of people, I probably am the most spiritual.  He said that he could tell that I think negative thoughts (yes :( ) and he asked me if I say affirmations (yes!).  He said that I needed to start visualizing my affirmations.  He said that if I wanted a house then to put up a picture of the house I wanted (how did he know I wanted another house?!)  We talked about desires, goal setting, positive thinking, prayer, meditation and yoga - all my favs!  All the while, holding onto those cards.

Then he asked me what virtues I lack.  Whoa what a question!  It kinda caught me off guard, but I said "confidence."  He looked through his cards and handed me a card that had Confidence written at the top of it.  On the front it defined confidence and on the back it listed actions to put confidence into practice and some affirmations about confidence.  It was great!

Then he looked at me with the sideways glace, like he was studying me, and I think he was.  He started hunting through the cards and then he asked me if I had problems with self-discipline. I looked at him like OMG and I said, "hand it over!"  Nail on head!  He talked to me about self-discipline and what I have never equated to self-discipline was self-control. I was thinking more along the lines of how I don't like to wake up and get to work and let small things get in the way of important things.

 He mentioned that my body language was telling everyone that I met all the problems I had.  He said people can read the body language and sense the negativity and we actually project it onto people.  Now let me say that when it comes to people affecting me, I have a long fuse, but their is a bomb at the end.  I can take a lot of abuse from people before I explode!  The explosion is a lack of self-discipline and I never thought of it that way!  Jonathan started talking to me more about meditation and yoga, saying it would help with carrying the emotion in my body and throwing it off on others, etc.

I know Adam and my bestie were thinking I had gotten stuck in some crazy conversation, but I truly enjoyed it!  Jonathan said he felt like he was put there to talk to me about these topics and to inspire me and offer me some guidance.  I honestly felt the same.  I think God puts people, experiences, and obstacles in our path for a reason.  Jonathan was there for a reason!

One of the last things Jonathan mentioned was praying more.  I truly lack there.  I don't pray as much as I'd like or as much as I feel is necessary.  Jonathan said that he likes to explain to people that praying to God is like plugging in the vacuum.  You can't see the electricity, but when you plug in the vacuum, it works!  And when you talk to God, even though you can't see Him, He's there!

So, I'm taking this experience and getting "Plugged In."  I'm getting plugged in to God - the Ultimate Source, and I'm getting plugged into my body and mind.  I've started meditating daily using mindfulness and breathing techniques, praying more, ask for God's guidance, and I will soon be getting down with some downward dog and practicing yoga again!  Right now, my favorite is corpse pose - oh wait, sleeping doesn't count as yoga!

I'm so thankful for my conversation with Jonathan and his nifty cards!  I thank God for placing him in my path!

Top 2 Tuesday - Favorite US Cities

I have to admit that my favorite place is not in the US.  If I could go anywhere, I'd go to Tangalooma, AUS!  It's truly my favorite place!

So back to the U.S.  I really haven't been that many places in the U.S., so my Top 2 picks are both easy and hard to come up with.

1.   Nashville.  Okay, yes I know I live less than 3 hours from this city, but it's beautiful!  The hubs, bambino and I traveled to Nashville a few weeks ago for a MK Holiday Workshop for me and to visit with my brother-in-law and his family.  Just driving from the Bellevue area (where a lot of the flooding was) to Franklin, Tn made my heart skip a beat or two or three!  Nashville is like a small town in a big city!  I would LOVE to live there and take it all in!    I would really like to go explore Franklin more.  It's on my bucket list!

2.  Chicago.  Adam and I went to Chicago a few years ago with some friends, Sam and Brooke.  I had never been and Adam had been more times than I know.  Adam is a HUGE Cubs fan, so Chicago is his holy land, so to speak.  You HAVE HAVE HAVE to go to Wrigley Field if you go to Chicago!  It's a must!  Before we went to Chicago, I didn't see the big deal about Wrigley Field, but once I got there and recovered from almost passing out from overheating (I don't sweat easily, so I just overheat, especially in Chicago in June), I fell in love!  There is such a sense of community amongst Cubs Fans!  So when I become a National Sales Director and making my millions, I am going to buy Adam one of the rooftop buildings, so he can sit and watch the Cubs play from the privacy of his own rooftop!  Oh yeah, there's some pretty nice shopping also!

Baby Einstein?

Caution:  Braggadocious mother ahead!!

I've read it in my Oprah newsletters, so it must be true - there are times when it's okay to brag!  I don't think there is anything wrong with bragging about your child's successes at any and all levels of success, so here goes....!

This week has been INSANE!  Ryne and I both have sinus infections.  Ryne has a dash of fluid in his ear and I have a dash of seasonal asthma!  Yippee!  Don't we make a pair!

Tuesday, I took Ryne to the pediatrician to get his runny nose, etc., checked out.  He was being a total "cranky budget" as Dr. P called him!  He kept wanting to pull the roll of paper (you know that paper they make you sit on), he wanted to crawl under the chairs and then he got sight of his "ba ba" and pointed to it saying"my ba ba!"  Wait.  What?!  He would take a sip and then throw it down, so I'd put it back up and then he'd point up to the table again and say "my ba ba."  I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.  Children don't usually say two-word phrases until closer to 24 months old.  Ryne is 13 1/2 months.  I didn't mention this to Dr. P because I figured Ryne would never say it when some other sound-minded person was around, especially not if I wanted him to!  I didn't want Dr. P to think I was one of those mothers that thinks their child uber advanced with language development when really they are making a burping, gurgling, pooting noise!  Even my own mother would tell me when Ronnie started walking, talking, etc., and every time she told the same story, Ronnie magically became one month younger.  Next time he will be walking by 2 months and doing long division at  4 months!
[side note:  Hi Mom!  You know you're guilty of this!  Dad will back me up!]
[cue Mom:  scoffing, huffing, acting taken aback, denying and then saying she will kick my butt next time she sees me!] :)

Anywho, I called Mom and told her about Ryne's first two-word phrase.   I called Adam and told him, and he always acts like he doesn't believe me and I truly thought he didn't...until Ryne said it again that night when Adam was home!  Ha!  Now I had another lucid individual who heard and confirmed that Ryne said "my ba ba" in reference to his bottle!  Wednesday came and went with no "my ba ba"s.

Thursday, I had to go to the doctor's office for my sinus infection, so I took Ryne to Kingston to stay with Mom and Dad for a bit!  Thanks again Mom! Ryne kept trying to pull the computer cord out of the wall at Mom's so he was hearing "No!" quite a bit, probably no more than usual, but from other people other than me and Adam.  So when I brought Ryne home, he started walking around the house saying "oh no" over and over.  It was out of context, but it was another two-word phrase.  I figured that one wasn't really much to right home about, even though I did call Mom and Adam and Jo Ann and post it on Facebook - you know, no biggie!

Thursday afternoon, I taught Ryne the Knock Knock game as I like to call it.  Ryne has a weird fascination with the vacuum.  He's scared of it, but wants to touch it.  So sometimes he freaks out and runs when I get it out of the closet and sometimes he squeals with excitement.  He knows it is kept in our great room closet, and he kept walking over to the closet and crying because he wanted inside the closet. So I told (and showed him) that he had to knock knock knock to open the door.  He picked that up pretty quick.  I mean who wouldn't want to beat on a door with permission!  Then when I opened it he got really excited and pointed at the vacuum and then he said "bye bye" with hand motion so I closed the door.  Of course he immediately wanted it open again, so he had to knock knock knock.  I kept saying "vacuum" over and over again when he would point to it or touch it.  Then he would say "bye bye" again and I'd close the door.  This went on for about an hour!  He now calls the vacuum a "back."

So this morning he wanted to play the Knock Knock game.  And when he wanted me to close the door he said something that sounded like "goodbye."  I was so excited that he might have learned another new word with proper context!  So we kept knocking, opening, and bye byeing.  Then he started saying "go bye bye."  So you know I was excited to hear Ryne's third two-word phrase within a four-day period!  Then again while making his first morning bottle, Ryne said "my ba ba" while standing, looking and patiently waiting for his bottle.  I said "yes, this is your ba ba" in such a casual conversational tone and then it hit me - he said "my ba ba" again!  So I grabbed the video camera for a bit of evidence, which I will post.  [note he only says "my ba" in the video, but you get the idea!]

Now, why am I oozing with brag?  Like I mentioned before, the general rule for language development for children is one word by one year and two-word phrases by two years old.  So it appears Ryne is kind of advanced in language development.  I did go back to school a few years ago to take some Speech Pathology classes, so I remember a little from class.  (I am one class shy of having a second Bachelor's degree in another major that has no job prospects if you only have a Bachelor's degree!  Whoo Hoo! - sarcastic brag).  I asked a friend of mine who is finishing her last semester in the Master's program to come see what she thinks of Ryne's language development. So we shall see...but in the mean time I'm rejoicing in my blessings of sweet baby words!

If it looks like Ryne is truly "advanced" (even though I kind of don't like that word because it's all God's timing for each individual child) I'm totally going to bust out the flash cards and Baby Can Read. I don't believe in holding children back, except the times he tries to reach for the doorknob and lock me out of the house.  [note to self:  carry a house key at all times!]

Top 2 Tuesday - Biggest Indulgences

Today's Top 2 Tuesday is Biggest Indulgences

1.  A Hot Bath:  I used to take a nice hot bath every night before we bought our house.  We had a really nice tub in our apartment and I would read, do homework, talk on the phone, just about any task that would electrocute me in the tub!  Then when we moved into the house, the only tub we had was this tiny tub in the guest bathroom (paying 4K for a tub "upgrade" was a little ridiculous!).  I managed to squeeze myself in there from time to time, but the guest bathroom is right next to Ryne's room, so my evening baths are few and far between.  But when I do get a chance, I soak up the opportunity!  Ahhh!

2.  Candy:  I love me some candy!  I'm a candy addict!  I will occasionally steal candy and yes, even from children!  Okay okay, so I ate some of my nephew's Halloween candy last year, but by Christmas if there's still Halloween candy around, it's fair game!  I pride myself in the fact that I was not one of those addicts that took their 3 month old around at Halloween just to get candy.  I seriously thought about it, but decided to fight the urge.  I eat candy daily.  So really, candy is my number one indulgence and probably my number two as well!

Top 2 Tuesday - Characters

It's Tuesday again, so you know what that means!  Top 2 Tuesday with the Undomestic Momma!




Top 2 Characters You Would Want To Play On A TV Show Or Movie

1.  Oprah - the Big O!  I mean honestly, who wouldn't want to be Oprah?!  She has a billion dollar empire, an amazing heart, and an amazing wardrobe!  She is one of the most successful people in America and she uses her success to help others!  Sounds like my kinda gig!

2.  Allie from the Notebook!  Who wouldn't want to experience that kind of passion with someone they love?!  I think that's why we all love Nicholas Sparks books - because secretly we are all hoping to be swept off our feet or passionately embraced in rain-drenched clothes, etc.

13 Months!

Time flies when you have a high needs son you're having fun!  As of yesterday, Ryne is 13 months old!  I truly think Ryne is a genius!  Add that with his high maintenance, demanding personality and you have a very interesting child!  I would really love to know what he is really saying and thinking.  He is probably telling us how unintelligent and silly we are!

Ryne is mimicking everything.  If I say a new word, like "whoa,"  he'll say it or attempt to say it.  We are really going to have to watch what is said or what's on TV!  (No Sponge Bob, that's for sure!)  He is really into saying "bye bye" now with hand motions!  He will even point to the door when people are leaving!

He is a little anal retentive.  He is HAS to use a cup holder.  Thank goodness his high chair and car seat has two of them.  I usually don't let him have his bottle or sippy cup in his high chair but on the occasion that he does have it, if you put it in the middle of the tray, he will pick it up and move it to the cup holder.  We debated awhile on which convertible care seat to get him (Britax or Graco), we decided to go with the Graco because it tested well in safety and had cup holders!  Ryne actually uses them instead of throwing his sippy cup in the seat or floorboard now!  He also has to keep certain toys a certain way.  He has a pop up toy that has five little animals pop up if you push the corresponding button/tab/thingie.  Ryne seemed to never learn how to make the animals pop up, but now we've realized that he doesn't want them up.  He hates for those animals to be up.  He will deliberately walk out of his way to push the animals back down if he sees that they are up.

This weekend, Ryne was trying to drink water out of a plastic water bottle.  He usually pours way too much into his mouth!  Ryne kept reaching for the lid of the bottle.  I thought he would put it in his mouth, like he does just about everything else, but he actually reached up and put the lid on top of the bottle and started turning the lid, trying to screw it on!  I couldn't believe it!  He wanted to suck on the bottle with the lid on so the water wouldn't rush down his throat.  Give him some credit - that's genius!

Another trick Ryne has learned is how to remove his diaper!  This has been a fun experience!  Not that I don't love seeing his cute little fanny running through the house, but we don't need an indoor sprinkler system either!  I've started putting jammie bottoms on Ryne at night because I've heard the horror stories of self-inflicted diaper removal!  The most common advice given to me to remedy the diaper removing is duct tape - which is pretty much the only product used for everything except what it was made for!

I'm so excited to see how brilliant Ryne will be next month!  I'm sure he will be solving advanced math problems or figuring out how to squeeze his abnormally large head into tiny spaces!