Baby Meer

Well he finally said "Baby Shmear", only without the "sh". So cute!

Us: "Matthew, say Baby Shmear"
Matthew: "Baby Meer"
Us: "Are you our Baby Shmear"
Matthew: "Uh-huh"
Us: "OK, say it again. Baby Shmear"
Matthew: "Baby Meer"

Nope, it wasn't a fluke! He still can't say Matthew but now that he can say his nickname hopefully he'll stop calling himself "Daddy".

And yes, we're nuts.

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out once again that the unflattering pictures of me posted at the park in month 19 were not authorized for use! Geez, I had no idea my butt was that huge! Or that my mirrors were such liars cuz I swear I don't look like that when I look at myself. Guess I gotta smarten up and go on a diet! Pout!

He's my big boy

The following is a conversation between me and Baby Shmear as we're at the change table:

Mommy: "Who's my baby boy?"
Matthew: "Daddy"
Mommy: "No silly. Daddy is a big boy, but who's my baby boy?"
Matthew: "Daddy"
Mommy: "So then who are you?"
Matthew: "Bi boy"

Baby Picasso drew a mural on our wall

I was in the kitchen Saturday and I could hear a strange sound as if something was scraping across a hard surface, but thought it was happening outside since all the windows were open. Then it dawned on me that Matthew was being awfully quiet, and I turn around. OH CRAP! Large crayon stripes all over the wall in the hallway and into the computer room! He knew what he did just by the way I whipped around to see what he was up to. He tried to smile but quickly realized that this time he wouldn't be able to charm his way out of this one and he took off like a bat out of hell with that crayon, and me running (yes believe it or not I actually ran!) after him to grab the crayon. But honestly what was I supposed to do to him? It was MY fault that a crayon was on the floor or within his reach. And it was MY fault that I wasn't paying attention to him. Urgh, I hate it when it's my fault! So there it stayed til we bought some Mr. Clean Magic Eraser at the grocery store yesterday. But I think Daddy rubbed it too hard on the walls cuz he took some paint off with it. At least that wasn't my fault!

Another quiz - What kind of Mom am I?

I must confess I was apprehensive about doing this one cuz I didn't want to hear anything negative. But hooray, I am a...


"Laissez-Faire Mom"
The results of The Balancing Act indicate that you are an "Laissez-Faire Mom." You are the type of mom that chooses to let your children do their own thing and make their own mistakes. You want your children to be independent, and feel that you shouldn't have an active role in the decisions and choices your children make. You like for them to choose and plan their own activities. You monitor their choice of TV shows, friends, and extracurricular activities, but you also give you them the leeway to choose what they enjoy. You love to spend time with your children, and your children love all of the fun you have together! However, you like to have time for yourself to just relax and do things that are important to you. You don't like to follow schedules or expect your child to either. You just let things happen, as they will. There's nothing wrong with being flexible!Your children are a very important part of your life. You are the type of Mom that regardless of whether or not you currently work, you would probably rather be home and a homemaker. You would be happiest being flexible with your activities, spending time with your children, and nurturing yourself and your family. However, living a carefree and schedule free life can have some negative consequences. Some children do not thrive well if they are not on a stringent schedule. If you have adopted this style of mothering, it is important that you are in tune with your children so you can recognize their dissatisfaction with it. Also, being flexible lends itself to time management problems. If you are too flexible, you often to not get everything you need done, which can stress you out and leave you frazzled. A stressed and frazzled mom is a grouchy one, which can alienate your child. Therefore, it is important to balance your flexibility with practicality. Children of "Lassier-Faire" Moms are often very creative and secure. They are not afraid to take risks or to be independent. They often get excellent grades in school because mom is always there to encourage them to do their best and follow their dreams. Most importantly, this mom is secure enough to let her children be their own person, and that is the greatest reward of all.
For your infant or toddler, routines at bedtime (especially) make for less grouchy moms, and happier babies. Very young children don't really care if you change the sheets on their beds every day, but they do appreciate mom's attentiveness to their needs. Mobiles on infant's beds and playpens can keep them occupied for periods of time while you tend to other needs. Toddlers with a variety of age-appropriate toys can also be kept occupied, especially if you are in the same room with them.For Preschoolers, there are volumes of educational materials for the VCR and computer that require minimal parental involvement. Once a child is in the last of the third year, teaching them early how to work the controls of the Television, VCR, etc., can reduce repair costs later! (LOL). These children also do well with some structure and mealtime and nap and bed times.For Early School ages, there should be some time daily set aside to do homework, read books, etc. Again, bedtimes that are the same most nights seem to work better in getting most kids up, dressed, and on time for school the next morning. These children love the challenge of doing things for themselves with minimal parental involvement. Also, they appreciate having "choices" in what to wear, what television shows to watch, what they want for dinner, etc., and are proud of their choices and accomplishments.

So I'm happy to report that according to scientific research I don't suck! Ha ha! Here's the link if you want to do the quiz yourself. http://quiz.ivillage.com/parenting/tests/modernmom.htm

My Spirited Toddler

I did a silly quiz on determining your toddler's personality and, huge surprise!, Matthew is a Spirited Toddler.

Spirited Toddler
The Spirited Toddler is extremely active physically, often willful, and may be prone to temper tantrums. She is very social and curious and will point to objects and reach out for them and for other kids early on. This child is the consummate adventurer; she will have a go at anything and is very determined. She displays a great sense of achievement when she accomplishes something. At the same time, she needs very clear boundaries so that she doesn't act like a steamroller, trampling anyone or anything in her path. Once they start crying, Spirited Toddlers have stamina and staying power, so you're in for a long haul if you don't have a good routine going. Given good guidance and an outlet for her energy, however, a Spirited Toddler can become a leader and very accomplished in whatever area interests her.

Take out the "her" and "she" and you've got him pegged! Matthew's definitely a whirlwind of activity and doesn't slow down until it's naptime or bedtime. And unless you're there to tell him to be careful, he'll trample everything in his path. If he were a cartoon character, he'd be the Tazmanian Devil! That's why our house is such a mess! Ha ha! So he's now got a new nickname: Taz Maz. Anyone of you out there who know him have to agree it fits!

Now I want to redo his room. Bye bye Winnie the Pooh, hello Taz!

Here's the link if anyone wants to try the quiz. http://quiz.ivillage.com/parenting/tests/whisper.htm

"Pee pee"

Tonight while playing in the bathtub Matthew pauses, stares at his penis in the water, then looks up at me and says "pee pee". Hoooray, step one in potty training! Granted it was in the bathtub, but it's a start!

Daddy, the main page is messed up!

I keep forgetting to tell you when you're here, so here's your official notice. It's driving me insane! Please fix!

We're starting with a new babysitter on Tuesday

Our old babysitter moved away and we'll be starting up with a new one on Tuesday. We found this lady through a newspaper ad, and we only met her once and she seemed great. But being a mommy means I must worry incessantly. Will he cry when Daddy leaves (since Daddy's taking him over there every morning)? How long will he cry if he does? Will he think we've abandoned him? Will he be all confused by new rules from a complete stranger? Will he sleep OK for her? Will he eat OK for her? Should I call to check in on him? Should I not call to check in on him? How will the other people in the house interact with him? Will there be other kids there for him to play with (when we met her and signed on there weren't)? If there are other kids how will he interact with them? Will the babysitter's two sons be nice to Matthew? Or will they not want to be around him at all and find him to be a pest?

And finally my biggest fear of all: Will he like the babysitter more than he likes his Mommy?

A new sleeping companion

Every night before Matthew goes to bed, I sing to him and rock him in the rocking chair as he has a drink from his sippy cup. You'd think that once he's done his drink that I could take the cup away but no; he absolutely MUST take the cup with him to bed, and he cuddles his sippy cup along with his blanket (aka Dankie). How the heck do you cuddle something that's not soft and squishy? I remember my nephew Brent would go to sleep with his action figures so it must be a guy thing. I'll never understand men!