The new snack bar

We didn't even make it to the grocery today. Instead, we waited again for the dryer repair guy who never came. I've called another company who will come out on Wednesday. I spent two days waiting. I should have listened to the little voice that said to just call someone else. I seem to trust it less these days as it relates to all manner of things. I need to learn to listen to that voice. I did get a contract signed for the master bath repair. It will likely begin on Wednesday and last about a week or so. It will probably kill JHP not to see what's going on in there. I might have to do periodic show and tells for him.

When I gave him his snack bowl today, he took it over to the window sill in the den and sat on the Wii Fit box that he had previously laid over in front of the window. So I brought him his water and there he sat looking out the window and snacking. It was kind of interesting to see him sit there and enjoy the scenery outside.

I checked his latest molar today and it still hasn't cut through, but I don't think it will be long. Today, he most definitely called his pacifier a "papa" with a soft A sound. And he signed kitty or cat tonight on his cheek where it's supposed to be. When he first started trying to sign cat, he would point to the top of his head. He gets all excited when he sees Wicket and wants to pet her. She'll tolerate a little bit, but usually runs off if he lingers too long.

As I was feeding John his bottle tonight (this is the only one he gets now), it had started to rain again (another heavy rain - I expect we'll get at least a couple of inches, maybe more, before it's done). And it thundered and flashed lightning. This attracted his attention. So I pulled the blinds up so that he could see. And he seemed unsure and watched. He finished the bottle, and then watched the rain some more. I kept reassuring him that it was OK and that he was safe with us indoors. I was afraid this would impede bedtime, but it didn't. I am soooooooooo thankful that (at least for this week) he goes to bed easy.

-EBP-

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Playing catch-up

We had some playtime in the crib today after John's three hour nap! Daddy is showing him Mickey. JHP has such a cute look on his face! I love it! So innocent, which I know he is quickly losing. He has been especially unhappy when he doesn't get his way in recent days. I'm not sure if it's the terrible two's already or if it's because he cutting another tooth. Yes - I'm talking about #3 1st year molar (bottom left). I discovered it yesterday morning when I realized he was drooling alot again. Sometimes, he drools alot because he's congested, but yesterday that didn't seem the case. So, I thought I'd check his mouth. And, lo and behold, I felt a change in the area where the bottom left molar is. It has not cut through, but it won't be long if the others are any indication.

Back to the nap... he only slept until 800a or so this morning. That was after he'd gone to bed 1.5 hrs late last night. And woke twice before he made it into his own bed for the night. And he only napped for about 30 mins before church. So I guess he had some catching up to do. He still made a fuss at dinner (we went to eat with SNBNA) when HE was done. He hasn't gotten the concept that he has to wait for everyone else to be done. I need to remember to bring him a toy to play with at the table next time.

If you look closely above his right eye, you'll see the evidence from last night's collision with the brick siding outside SNBNA's back door. Both Andrew and John decided to exit the door at the same time. John lost his balance and hit the sharp edge of the brick. I was right behind him and I didn't think he really hit it that hard, but it sure left a bruise and a little lump. He cried a bit, but it wasn't the silent cry so I know it wasn't that bad. He was quite charming last night after he got over the shock caused by the rush of people showing up. By the end of the evening he'd made some new friends, grinning his way into their hearts!

He's been saying more. Last night he repeated baby. Baby John is used a lot to describe him at SNBNA's house. Someone called him that and he repeated baby. Today, it was water. We were int he car and I asked him if he wanted water. And he repeated it. Multiple times. It's not perfect enunciation, but understandable.

Today we put the bed down on his dump truck and encouraged him to put things in it to push around. Earlier it was the empty cat food barrel. Tonight it was his shoes. He thought it was cool. Don't you love this little button down shirt I bought him recently. I bought 24 month size thinking he'd grown into it. Well, it already fits pretty well in the shoulders. It's just a tad long. (Note: If you are buying him clothes, grandmas, buy at least 24 month size, please.) He looks so like a little boy, huh?

I did upload a couple of pics from yesterday and a slew of pics from today to the WebAlbums tonight. Enjoy!

-EBP-

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Just the two of us

What do you get when you cross a requirement to stay at home after lunch and JHP not getting what he wanted? A very unhappy boy. And a frustrated Momma (with a camera!). We were supposed to have two service appointments today, but both were cancelled (I'll use that term loosely, here) at the last minute. So, we stayed home for nothing. Well, almost. I did have the bathroom contractor make it by to discuss the details to finalize the contract. We did walk to the park this morning, but that must have worn off by noon. John was pushing all my buttons and clamoring for attention. When I picked him up all he wanted was down and cried even more. It was clear that nap time was really needed. I had the carry him kicking into this room, but once I gave him his pacifier and blankie, the protesting ceased. And he must have been really in need because he slept for almost 3 hours. When Dad got home, I was better, but I still put him in charge. Thankfully, John was in a pretty happy mood when he woke up.

Our friends the Sloans lent us this classic toy: the colorful popcorn popper (I'm sure that is not the proper name for it, but I'm also sure you know what I'm talking about if I call it that). And John loves it! Can't you tell from the look on his face in this picture? Tonight he pulled it around and around. And he really like sit if you say, "POP! POP!" in a slightly higher pitched voice. He just giggles, kinda like on the first video I ever posted here. I loved to hear that giggle. And surprisingly, he doesn't get the hiccups when he laughs like that. Now, if you tickle him, he's sure to get them.

John and I were playing with his giraffe that Nana gave him for his birthday. I stuffed his front legs into the back of John's shirt and he carried him around for the longest time. Sometimes, he'd walk in circles, just trying to see him back there. He knew he was there, but he couldn't reach him. I thought his was cute picture, with the giraffe peaking over his shoulder.

JHP is starting to mimic words that you say. Sometimes he's more successful that others. Tonight I thought I heard giraffe. And he repeated Daddy when he said tee-tee in response to JHP tinkling in the tub at bath time. He's trying hard to say ball. We've also been watching these baby sign language DVD's. He was very attentive today. I know that it's songs are stuck in my head. Maybe there are in John's, too.

-EBP-

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Love him in Orange

I've decided I love him in orange. And that's good because in his latest school picture he was dressed in orange. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm hoping it was a good one! We were real busy today, but I took some time out this morning before MDO to snap this picture of John dressed in orange with his little stride rite shoes (with matching orange stripes). Too cute!

After MDO, we went to the ob/gyn for my yearly checkup. John was not too excited (ok- he was unhappy) to be getting in the car instead of going to the playground like we most always do after MDO. Time just didn't allow it and he fussed almost halfway to the doctor's office. Everyone there was happy to see how he'd grown and how charming he was. He was making friends with everyone in the waiting room and even gave away his milk to a nice father-to-be that just thought John was adorable. When it was our turn to go, I tried to let him walk/run as much as possible, thinking that when we got into the room I'd put him in the stroller for the exam. This worked well until John started balling when the exam started. Thankfully, things were quick and as soon as I sat up, John calmed. I'm not sure if he thought the doc was hurting me or if maybe he thought it wasn't right because it was a strange man (strange to John anyway - the doc and I go way back - just look at the latest volume of my file - it's almost 1.5 inches thick). Anyway, things got better and we left after he charmed a few more nurses on the way out.

Next we had to make another stop. John actually did really well and only showed his boredom by untying his shoes (as seen above). Then he tried to get them in his mouth, or at least the shoelace. I keep telling him shoes are not for chewing, but it doesn't seem to sink in.

John is starting to say a few more words, some better than others. Dadee is heard very often. He associates it with John N, but also I think he uses it for outdoors. Yesterday, he said Uh-Oh when he dropped his milk on the floor and will repeat it if you say it. Today, I could have sworn he said Bye when I told him we were going bye-bye. He will say mama on rare occasion. I'm not concerned about this because I know that I will hear it way too often soon enough. The teachers said he was trying really hard on ball today. He's got the B down, but hasn't quite gotten ball and blue and balloon, yet. He babbles a lot, so I'm sure we'll be seeing at least a few more words come along soon.

John N worked on the dryer vent again tonight. He cleaned a lot more out, like almost as much as I did. He had motivation to do so. He needed to wash some jeans, which he did. And get this - the jeans dried in an unbelievably short amount of time. And we did decide we better call a professional to verify that the dryer is working properly. Something has to be wrong for that much lint to make it past the filter. We'll see...

-EBP-

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