An In-Between Stage

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Paul is caught in between ages this month.

One day he wants to sit on the toilet every hour. (He’s usually successful.) The next day, he won’t go near the toilet without crying.

One day he wants to sit at the table in a regular chair. The next day he cries unless I open up his high chair for him.

One day he wants to go down the stairs ALL BY HIMSELF walking on two feet like a big person. The next day he cries for someone to come take his hand or he slithers down on his hands and knees.

One day he wants to sit and cuddle for ten minutes after his nap. The next day he won’t come near me and cries if I try to hold him.

And then there are the signs that he’s figured out the system. He slipped on the floor and sat down and fake cried for a few seconds. I was taking something to a different room and as soon as I was out of his sight, he stopped crying. As soon as I walked back in, he started up again. He wouldn’t stop until I’d picked him up and given him a “feel better; I love you” hug.

I love the baby stage, but it is exciting to see the “I’m getting older” stage too!

Red Day

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I met another mother who has a child Paul’s age and I was shocked to hear him recognizing colors. So I decided to start emphasizing colors. We had a red day the other day. Paul wore a red shirt, he ate on his red plate, we went to the barn (which is red), and he played on the red slide.

100_3887 100_3888 100_3891 100_3889 100_3892 100_3896 100_3890 100_3886

See full set on flickr.

And here’s the life-action shot:

I’m not sure our “Red Day” made a difference in my son knowing the color red, but it was fun.

Projects Progress and Thoughts on Cleaning Every Week

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In addition to the regular cleaning, in the past two weeks, I’ve made a conscious effort to get some projects done. The highlight was certainly the new water softener, which Ryan put in. It only took 3 extra trips to Home Depot for a plumbing wrench, a new pipe, and a different new pipe.

  • Spray weeds: front, side and back of house
  • Fungicide at trees bases
  • Pull backyard weeds
  • Trim rosebush
  • Replace misc. light bulbs, inside and out
  • Put up shampoo and conditioner dispensers
  • Buy faux plant for dining room shelf
  • Scrub garage door where paint ball hit it (it didn’t clean completely, so we may need to paint it)
  • Purchase and install new water softener (FINALLY!)
  • Order new jeans with my Lands End gift card from Discover

I look at this list and it doesn’t sound like much, especially since Ryan did the dispensers and the water softener. But last week I also went down to Naperville twice, so that took up two days. I’m eager to keep doing projects in the coming weeks.

Further,  this was my fourth week of cleaning the entire house by Thursday night (defined as bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, sweeping/mopping, cleaning kitchen counters and microwave, etc.). My score card is 4 success/0 fail/52 weeks, although I probably missed something small each week (like I missed the microwave one or two weeks and I didn’t dust one week). My goal is to clean the house every week for 52 weeks.

I’m realizing how great it is to clean every week: I go to clean the toilet in the powder room and think “It’s not even dirty” and what a wonderful thing! It’s never dirty. It doesn’t take long to wipe down an almost-clean toilet. It’s not even a “gross” chore. I go to clean the microwave and it’s mostly clean. I’m pretty big on keeping the microwave clean after I use it anyway, but I think making the special point of cleaning each week means that, like the toilet, I’ll never have to see it bad.

I’m also realizing that cleaning every week is really a superficial thing. Because everything is superficially clean (i.e., the toilets as I mentioned above), I can see the scuffs on the walls and the scratched paint on the door. I see the dirt in the corner behind the door. Cleaning every week is motivation to do deeper cleaning projects on my whole house. I’m going to recaulk the hall bathtub (if I can figure out how) and I’m going to paint the trim on the kitchen window. I only see it because I’m cleaning the rest of the room every single week.

I admit I have been getting lazy, or maybe just efficient. While I spent about six hours the first week, I only spent three hours today. I need to go deeper and get the tubs cleaner (I hate the glass doors on the shower and tub; so hard to clean!). Now that I have soft water again, it may be easier. Where is the lime-a-way?

Am I OCD? Absolutely not. I’m just trying to get in a habit for cleanliness. I figure a year of this, every week, will make it easier. Habits are hard to build and easy to break. Trust me when I say it does not come naturally for me. I’m inclined to ignore the bathrooms until they look icky, as I had been doing.

It’s been said that people get messier and dirtier as they age, and I want to start out as clean as I can be. That’s why I have this silly goal for now when I still feel young.

What are your techniques for not being lazy about cleaning and house projects? I’m up for ideas for making cleaning a great habit.

Paul’s Unusual Words

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If Paul’s toys aren’t working he turns them over and brings them to me, saying “battery.” Do most one-year-olds understand that concept and know that word?

I shouldn’t be surprised that Paul says “laundry” when he sees clothes. After all, I collect, wash, dry, fold and put away five loads a week. And yet, it’s always so cute to see him go after a random shirt and put in in the laundry, saying “laundry” over and over again.

Do most one-year-olds know how to say “salt” and “pepper“? I don’t think Paul realizes what they really taste like, but he certainly likes to put both salt and pepper on his food and asks for it by name. It doesn’t matter which foods. I blame this on Ryan, who is never satisfied with my seasonings. I admit: dinner usually tastes better after Ryan adds more salt and pepper. I can’t say the same for Paul’s seasoning.

Paul doesn’t say “Kangaroo” but he recognizes one. And yet, he doesn’t know a zebra or an Elephant. Why is this? Does he have an innate sense that he was born where kangaroos are native? Or have we just read and watched enough Winnie-the-Pooh that Kanga is familiar now?

And then there are the cute words he says. The diphthong for “mail” is so cute in a one-year-old’s mouth, and he loves to go to the mailbox with me most days. And then there is the most challenge fruit ever: “banana.” It normally comes out as bi-ya-a or bi-yi-a. The strange sound is impossible to capture in print. It’s just plain cute. And “cook“? It’s adorable to me that he loves to cook already. It’s become a favorite word. I plan on nurturing that.

Loving My Baby

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I was very impatient with Paul this morning. He had energy to do everything. Since he hadn’t taken a nap yesterday, I was afraid today would be another never-ending day. I was exhausted already.

“Go! Go!” he shouted, excitedly, as we went from one activity and errand to the next.

I felt snappy. I felt impatient. I was a mean mommy, I’m afraid.

Then, blissfully, after lunch Paul took at three-hour nap, longer than normal. He awoke just as energetic, but I was different.

From the moment I got him up out of his crib, I felt I was holding a precious bundle of warm blessings. He was cuddly, and for a few moments, we rocked together in the rocking chair. He was my baby, not so little any more but just as soft and innocent as a newborn.

As he ran out of my arms and toward his toys, I felt I was letting go of my precious little baby. He’s a toddler, and becoming more of a little-boy every single day. Of course he’s energetic: everything he does is new. It is exciting. It is special. And I’m so glad that cuddling with Mommy post-nap was one of those special things.

As I came in here to type down some thoughts and to try – just try – to capture the precious mother moment when I held my no-longer-a-baby little boy in my arms, I heard him calling “Mamma! Mamma!” I returned to his side, and he proudly showed me how he made his blanket into a train track for his engine. Yes, he loves me. He wants to share his little discoveries with me.

I treasure the precious mother moments that Heavenly Father gives me, those moments when God reminds me that Paul is a son of a Heavenly King. These are the moments when I feel so blessed that his precious spirit was sent to me and my husband. Our family. Our eternal family.

Paul’s not going to a baby forever. Oh, how I don’t want him to grow away from me!

Guest Post: What the Naperville Municipal Band Means to Me by My Mother

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With the approach of Memorial Day this spring, my daughter told her young children about the parade that always marks the beginning of summer.  She bought some small American flags for them to wave and a bottle of bubbles to blow as bands marched by. And then she got online to find the parade route in the town where her family had recently bought their first home. After a fruitless search and then a phone call, the truth was undeniable.

There was no Memorial Day Parade–not in that town or in any town for miles around.

And then she understood the strange silence emanating from the elementary school nearby. There were no school children marching down the street blowing their horns, because there was no parade to practice for. How would her children ever decide what instruments to play if they could not sit on the front lawn and watch the mini-parade that was always a part of May afternoons in our Naperville neighborhood?

That was when we realized that the Naperville Municipal Band is not just about band concerts. Our band is the catalyst for much of what we love best about Naperville. It creates parades and parks; picnics and practices; competitions and community. If we were forced to re-live our lives in Naperville without its band, what horrors might we encounter? No Memorial Day Parade, no weekly concert, no band shell, no Central Park. Perhaps a tall condo where we now sit in the grass? Maybe schools without their prize-winning music programs? Sidewalks without people converging towards the center of town? And how many homes without their private ensembles?

The Naperville Municipal Band means that we don’t have to leave Naperville to show the best that the Midwest has to offer to guests from out of the area. The spirit of Central Park, where we nod and greet friends and strangers alike, spreads throughout our city. We have the finest of friendship, festivities, and culture right here.

For my family, the band continues to bless four generations. My mother comes to visit us in the middle of each summer so that she can attend the Fourth of July concert and see the veterans standing and remember when my father was among them. The band inspires family members to dust off their neglected instruments in case maybe –just maybe — the band needs them someday. It means that my son’s family has returned to live in the neighborhood where he grew up, and my grandchildren now walk to concerts with me and talk about what instruments they will play. And it means that next year, I think my daughter will bring her family to visit — probably Memorial Day weekend.

Ellen Sorenson (Naperville resident since 1975)

Mom’s Moment in the Spotlight

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My mom is a winner!

I mean, I already knew that, but now she’s been recognized as such. She wrote an essay about what the Naperville Municipal Band means to Naperville. As the winner of the essay contest, she earned the opportunity to direct the band at the last concert of the season! Here are the video of the event.

An introduction to my mom, and the story of the baton.

Kay from the band reads Mom’s winning essay, and Mom walks onstage. (I apologize for the unsteadiness; Paul was trying to run away, onto the stage.)

And then Mom directs the band in the Washington Post March. (Paul keeps saying “Grandma! Grandma!” through a lot of it.)

Congratulations, Mom! I’m so proud and happy for you.

What Paul Loves

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I don’t have wedding pictures yet, and I don’t have time to find some from my camera (most of mine didn’t turn out anyway), but here are some quick Paul “favorites” updates.

Paul loves:

  • Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. Yes, he’s a boy.
  • New things, including people, places, and events. He (normally) loves new situations and just watches fascinated as new things happen. Case in point: the haircut last week. He didn’t even squirm, just sat there with a big smile on his face. There are always exceptions, but normally, new things are fun.
  • Nursery. I’m not sure why he loves nursery, because whenever I go in for singing time (I’m the song leader), he’s knocking over kids trying to give them hugs and kisses.
  • Hugs and kisses. He finds these fun to give. I love the moments he lets me cuddle, even for the briefest second. I hope this isn’t top on his list when he’s 15.
  • Schedules. Paul has had a few non-scheduled days lately because of family events, and he’s been a whiny puss. Even when his nap is shorter than normal, he becomes a basket case when something isn’t just as he wants it. I certainly encourage schedules, but I try to follow what he needs too (i.e., unlike some moms, I don’t wake him from his nap at the same time each day. That’s nuts!). It always takes a least a day to recover from an “off-nap” day or a “stay up too late” night. I like to stick with the normally planned schedule just so I can ignore those whines!
  • Daddy. Oh, he loves his daddy when he’s home! He’s a fun daddy.
  • The toilet. What fun to sit on the Winnie-the-Pooh chair and clap when something comes out!
  • Winnie-the-Pooh. Still a favorite friend. We’re rereading the books right now, and Paul definitely likes me to read it to him.
  • Puzzles. Paul is very good at puzzles, and normally has the patience to put all the pieces in the right spot, even the 26 piece alphabet puzzle!
  • Dancing. We watched Mary Poppins this week, and he was dancing, and trying to do somersaults, when we got to the Stepping Time “rooftops of London” scene. Very cute.
  • Outside. Paul loves his hat, he helps me put his sunblock on, and then he runs to the swing and slide. When I’m weeding, he “helps” by digging in the dirt.
  • Mail. Paul likes to help me get the mail. For some reason.

Okay, that’s a start for a bunch of stuff he loves. Hopefully I’ll post some cute wedding pictures or cousin pictures in the coming days!

Projects Progress: August 6

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I got the chores done yesterday and today, and I’ve gotten a few projects started this week.

Weeding. Should be regular maintenance. I had not touched a weed since June. Seriously. I spent hours pulling 4-foot high weeds from the South side of the house. Then I sprayed the tiny ones and killed the ants. It would be so much easier if I got them when they’re small! I still hate yard work, but it’s refreshing to be outside. Paul sat in the dirt and dug. He took a bath afterwards.

Pictures. Started. I bought some inexpensive frames and I began planning the family pictures wall. I ordered a few pictures from Walmart.com. I still need to get some updated family pictures from various people, but I’ll wait until after the family wedding this week, because I suspect we’ll get some new pictures!

Garage. Started. I swept out the car half and threw out some stuff on the other half. We had three boxes left from when we moved six months ago, and I finally took them in the house and put the contents away. there is a box full of trash (moving remnants) in the garage. I put half of it in the garbage for pick up this morning, and hopefully they will get the rest of it next week. I’m excited to get the garbage out of the garage! It look so much better!

Dining room deco. Attempted. I went to HomeGoods and looked for some decoration for the shelf. But they only had Halloween decorations, so I gave up on that. The shelf is, I think, too high for a picture or vase. What do I put up there?

It doesn’t sound like very much progress when I write it out, but I hope to be motivated to keep projects going. I’m so proud of my lovely house!