I didn't really think that a toddler could be so scared of something so small, especially when no one else is and shows no fear to this oh so little creature! Wrong was I!!!
There could be a baby spider waaaaayyyyyy across the room in the furthest corner of the ceiling and my little one will freeze in complete terror saying he can't move and crying and screaming like I have only heard in movies. He becomes clammy and dripping sweat all at the same time and the fear in is eyes makes even me scared for him. I will have to go and pick him up and cuddle him for at least ten minutes to calm his nerves, all while someone else has to go squish the spider and dispose of it outside and not in the yard or where he might walk - he will remember it and not go anywhere near that spot even though the spider has been long gone.
He has never seen a movie of spiders or anything where spiders are bad, but this sheer terror is here and it is real....
What can this momma do for her precious little munchkin???
Monday, April 8, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
You said WHAT?!?
Where did they learn to say that???
Potty Time:
"Yook (look) momma I went poop. It's a zebra"
This is something he's been doing for a few weeks now, looking at his poop and telling us what it looks like, and you HAVE to come and look even if it is just for a second or he gets mad. We have have everything from zebras to snakes to dinosaurs and even a house once when G makes us look at his "masterpiece". The imagination never ceases to amaze me and what he may come up with.
Explaining why he did that:
Giovanni was in a terrible two mood a few days ago and I asked him why he was acting like a baby not a big boy...this is his explanation:
"Well probably because I are a baby momma, not a big boy today."
Hmmmmmm....two big words, and a detailed description and great reasoning, where did he learn this. I know that it is said that kids learn from us even when we are not intentionally teaching them, but I could never have imagined that he would learn these skills at only 2 1/2 years old.
G is a very interactive little boy who also LOVES movies and music and while some may think that he shouldn't watch tv/movies, we are big movie buffs in this house and it is what works for us. We don't sit him down and say 'here watch this and stay out of my way' but it's rather something we like to do together and sometimes it's a nice background noise thing.
So one of the favorites to watch/listen to is The Lion King, maybe almost to the point to too much but it's nice that it can be tuned out at the same time. From this we got:
"Vanni what does Hakunah Mattata mean?"
"it means no worries for the rest of your day. it's our problem free alosipee"
Potty Time:
"Yook (look) momma I went poop. It's a zebra"
This is something he's been doing for a few weeks now, looking at his poop and telling us what it looks like, and you HAVE to come and look even if it is just for a second or he gets mad. We have have everything from zebras to snakes to dinosaurs and even a house once when G makes us look at his "masterpiece". The imagination never ceases to amaze me and what he may come up with.
Explaining why he did that:
Giovanni was in a terrible two mood a few days ago and I asked him why he was acting like a baby not a big boy...this is his explanation:
"Well probably because I are a baby momma, not a big boy today."
Hmmmmmm....two big words, and a detailed description and great reasoning, where did he learn this. I know that it is said that kids learn from us even when we are not intentionally teaching them, but I could never have imagined that he would learn these skills at only 2 1/2 years old.
G is a very interactive little boy who also LOVES movies and music and while some may think that he shouldn't watch tv/movies, we are big movie buffs in this house and it is what works for us. We don't sit him down and say 'here watch this and stay out of my way' but it's rather something we like to do together and sometimes it's a nice background noise thing.
So one of the favorites to watch/listen to is The Lion King, maybe almost to the point to too much but it's nice that it can be tuned out at the same time. From this we got:
"Vanni what does Hakunah Mattata mean?"
"it means no worries for the rest of your day. it's our problem free alosipee"
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
the Sick life
Let me just tell you that having a two year old is hard enough but then you throw in them having the stomach bug, makes it feel as if you have about 10 toddlers!!!
Just when you start to think they have mastered telling you how they feel, what they want, etc...you throw in the bug and it seems as if they forgot everything they've learned up to that point. Well I wish that was the case with my 2 year old!!! If they say they have to puke, take them to the toilette and don't ask if they feel ok or to lay down and relax - result - puke all over everything and a crying child who wants to be held regardless that the smell of their vomit makes you want to puke yourself. And it gets better, just when you think they will tell you again, everything is striped and you're good to go...NOPE! Here comes another puke attack with ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER!!!!
I knew that motherhood would be hard but worth it in every other way, but the sickness thing still gets me every time!
Now today is a whole new day and here's hoping to a puke free kind of day...now to help my two year old understand this and that he can't jump around just because he's feeling a little better!
Just when you start to think they have mastered telling you how they feel, what they want, etc...you throw in the bug and it seems as if they forgot everything they've learned up to that point. Well I wish that was the case with my 2 year old!!! If they say they have to puke, take them to the toilette and don't ask if they feel ok or to lay down and relax - result - puke all over everything and a crying child who wants to be held regardless that the smell of their vomit makes you want to puke yourself. And it gets better, just when you think they will tell you again, everything is striped and you're good to go...NOPE! Here comes another puke attack with ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER!!!!
I knew that motherhood would be hard but worth it in every other way, but the sickness thing still gets me every time!
Now today is a whole new day and here's hoping to a puke free kind of day...now to help my two year old understand this and that he can't jump around just because he's feeling a little better!
Monday, December 3, 2012
I color beautiful
"Color" and "Beautiful".... two words that by themselves are quite nice words but when you combine them and add in a toddler, not always the greatest outcome!
It started by Giovanni having his own notepad months ago so he can "color" like momma (me doing the nightly paperwork), and get stuff done as he likes to occasionally say. Well who would have known that this would turn into something so big and important to him on a daily basis. Everywhere we go, we have to make sure his "work" comes with us just in case he gets the urge to color.
Well tonight was no exception while we are at home and I had some last minute orders to input...well so I thought as little man usually sits at my feet and does his work with his notepad and computer. Then
I hear those words used together "Color beautiful momma"
Looking down, Giovanni is standing in front of me with his arms, face, and part of the dog colored in pen! Oh what fun this was! I didn't want to reprimand him because it was hard not laughing but I had to let him know that this wasn't acceptable and we didn't color on our bodies or the dogs body. So what do I do? I take away the pen and put it on our "loose for a day" shelf, all while trying to stifle my giggles because cute didn't quite describe my toddler! "Oh that not funny!!!!" he stated so matter-of-fact.
Well needless to say we cleaned up the toddler and dog but lesson learned...Just because my two year old seems older than his years at times doesn't mean I will make the mistake of letting him use a pen (or any other writing instrument for that matter) without me keeping a closer eye on him. :)
It started by Giovanni having his own notepad months ago so he can "color" like momma (me doing the nightly paperwork), and get stuff done as he likes to occasionally say. Well who would have known that this would turn into something so big and important to him on a daily basis. Everywhere we go, we have to make sure his "work" comes with us just in case he gets the urge to color.
Well tonight was no exception while we are at home and I had some last minute orders to input...well so I thought as little man usually sits at my feet and does his work with his notepad and computer. Then
I hear those words used together "Color beautiful momma"
Looking down, Giovanni is standing in front of me with his arms, face, and part of the dog colored in pen! Oh what fun this was! I didn't want to reprimand him because it was hard not laughing but I had to let him know that this wasn't acceptable and we didn't color on our bodies or the dogs body. So what do I do? I take away the pen and put it on our "loose for a day" shelf, all while trying to stifle my giggles because cute didn't quite describe my toddler! "Oh that not funny!!!!" he stated so matter-of-fact.
Well needless to say we cleaned up the toddler and dog but lesson learned...Just because my two year old seems older than his years at times doesn't mean I will make the mistake of letting him use a pen (or any other writing instrument for that matter) without me keeping a closer eye on him. :)
Friday, November 9, 2012
Separation of Sleeping
So many times I have tried to break my son of sleeping in our bed, and so many times I have seemed to be a complete failure - it's as if he know that heartstring to tug at and uses it all too much. I have tried the CIO method (I cried and gave in), the rock to sleep (he wakes within 3 minutes of no motion), to even sleeping in his room next to his bed (he holds my hand for dear life and no escape).
Finally a solution...his mattress on the floor!!! Who would have thought of such a thing, especially since he could easily gotten "out" of bed and ventured to our bed. *and yes we tried gates to which he shook so hard it broke on and the others he simply climbs over them as if they were a game. There has been little to none of something he hasn't done to get in our bed and snuggle up the whole middle of the bed.
But come bed time this past week I simply rock for five minutes, tell him it's time for bed and leave promising to sing to him "from over there" as he says (through the monitor). At times he has even tells me "Momma go do work, I trying to sleep." While it still keeps me in a bit of confused state of mind as I actually have alone time, I try to enjoy this independence. I would like to say it is due to the schedule of bedtime routine, I have to admit we don't have a routine - or at least the same one - each night. Sometimes there is a bath, others "just one minute" of dancing or reading or even in Momma's bed, but I no longer let him fall asleep anywhere except in his room.
As I sit here and think about it, an idea comes to mind about how he hated the crib and would jump out as soon as he figured that out. Or the toddler bed, to which he'd some times tumbled out of while rolling around, and even the pack-n-play that he'd try to rock until it'd tip over and out he'd crawl too. What I am thinking is that mr. Giovanni does not like to feel confined when trying to sleep....
Finally a solution...his mattress on the floor!!! Who would have thought of such a thing, especially since he could easily gotten "out" of bed and ventured to our bed. *and yes we tried gates to which he shook so hard it broke on and the others he simply climbs over them as if they were a game. There has been little to none of something he hasn't done to get in our bed and snuggle up the whole middle of the bed.
But come bed time this past week I simply rock for five minutes, tell him it's time for bed and leave promising to sing to him "from over there" as he says (through the monitor). At times he has even tells me "Momma go do work, I trying to sleep." While it still keeps me in a bit of confused state of mind as I actually have alone time, I try to enjoy this independence. I would like to say it is due to the schedule of bedtime routine, I have to admit we don't have a routine - or at least the same one - each night. Sometimes there is a bath, others "just one minute" of dancing or reading or even in Momma's bed, but I no longer let him fall asleep anywhere except in his room.
As I sit here and think about it, an idea comes to mind about how he hated the crib and would jump out as soon as he figured that out. Or the toddler bed, to which he'd some times tumbled out of while rolling around, and even the pack-n-play that he'd try to rock until it'd tip over and out he'd crawl too. What I am thinking is that mr. Giovanni does not like to feel confined when trying to sleep....
Monday, October 22, 2012
Road Tripping
Let me say that road trips and two year olds aren't always that fun, but with a toddler that has learned new songs each week at school it is actually quite an amusing time!
So far I have heard "Old McDonald" "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (a fuller version than I taught him), as well as other bits and pieces of songs I am still trying to decipher. Each song has been started with
"Momma listen to it!" and "One song momma peeease."
So far I have heard "Old McDonald" "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (a fuller version than I taught him), as well as other bits and pieces of songs I am still trying to decipher. Each song has been started with
"Momma listen to it!" and "One song momma peeease."
Monday, September 10, 2012
Packing Away
Last weekend we took the trek to Sesame Place and met up with another very special two year old, someone Giovanni likes to call "Gace" This little girl is very special as not only is her name easy to say but also someone who he gets super excited to see whenever her name is mentioned or if he sees her cheery face pop up on mommas computer screen. With this being said Giovanni wasn't told where we were going or who we were going to see until the day or two before....and what we heard was:
"Meomanni go see Gace and Elmo! Today momma, yes?
"No Giovanni, tomorrow we will"
"No momma, I see Elmo and Gace today!!!!"
After this went on for almost an hour, it was luckily nap time and hopefully the end of this conversation for the day. Oh boy did I underestimate the mind of this smart little boy of mine, he woke up from a long nap (2.5hours) asking "We see Gace momma! It morrow!"
Well as some may not know, Giovanni is a very strong willed child and doesn't give up easy on anything he really wants whether it be cookies (what we call yogurt covered pretzels) to seeing someone he really wants to see at that time. While this is a great drive to possess, it's not always appreciated at this stage of the game when he doesn't fully understand of 'not right this minute but in a hour' type of conversation. Let's just hope that this amazing quality stays with him throughout his entire life because there isn't always enough of that surrounding us. But back to the matter at hand....Giovanni was determined to go see her and tried to escape to go wait in the car and wait to we were ready to drive.
Trying to distract him, I asked if could help me pack clothes and toys so when needed we could change if we got dirty and such. Thinking that would keep his mind to playing with toys once he started "packing", I went to my room right next to his and started to pack my suitcase and Steven's clothes as well. After about ten minutes of not hearing anything from his room (usually he's very verbal and singing when no one is around), I went to peek in and see what he was doing and making sure he wasn't completely destroying his room and OH MY what did I find....This smart little two year old of mine had empty almost all of his dresser, toy box, and diaper bin into a suitcase and was sitting on trying to close it. REALLY! WHEN DID HE BECOME THIS SMART AND WHERE DID HE LEARN THESE THINGS!!!!
"Vanni, what are you doing?"
"I pack uitcas to see Gace and Elmo..." said in a tone that meant duh mom.
"Ummmm don't you think that's too much stuff for a trip?"
"No momma, I share cars and diapers. I go to beach need coes."
By this time I can no longer hold a straight face and start crying from laughing so much and then it hit me at how much I really did underestimate this vivacious two year old of mine...
Next to come.....The visit...
"Meomanni go see Gace and Elmo! Today momma, yes?
"No Giovanni, tomorrow we will"
"No momma, I see Elmo and Gace today!!!!"
After this went on for almost an hour, it was luckily nap time and hopefully the end of this conversation for the day. Oh boy did I underestimate the mind of this smart little boy of mine, he woke up from a long nap (2.5hours) asking "We see Gace momma! It morrow!"
Well as some may not know, Giovanni is a very strong willed child and doesn't give up easy on anything he really wants whether it be cookies (what we call yogurt covered pretzels) to seeing someone he really wants to see at that time. While this is a great drive to possess, it's not always appreciated at this stage of the game when he doesn't fully understand of 'not right this minute but in a hour' type of conversation. Let's just hope that this amazing quality stays with him throughout his entire life because there isn't always enough of that surrounding us. But back to the matter at hand....Giovanni was determined to go see her and tried to escape to go wait in the car and wait to we were ready to drive.
Trying to distract him, I asked if could help me pack clothes and toys so when needed we could change if we got dirty and such. Thinking that would keep his mind to playing with toys once he started "packing", I went to my room right next to his and started to pack my suitcase and Steven's clothes as well. After about ten minutes of not hearing anything from his room (usually he's very verbal and singing when no one is around), I went to peek in and see what he was doing and making sure he wasn't completely destroying his room and OH MY what did I find....This smart little two year old of mine had empty almost all of his dresser, toy box, and diaper bin into a suitcase and was sitting on trying to close it. REALLY! WHEN DID HE BECOME THIS SMART AND WHERE DID HE LEARN THESE THINGS!!!!
"Vanni, what are you doing?"
"I pack uitcas to see Gace and Elmo..." said in a tone that meant duh mom.
"Ummmm don't you think that's too much stuff for a trip?"
"No momma, I share cars and diapers. I go to beach need coes."
By this time I can no longer hold a straight face and start crying from laughing so much and then it hit me at how much I really did underestimate this vivacious two year old of mine...
Next to come.....The visit...
Sunday, August 26, 2012
First School Days
So as some know, little munchkin started school last "school" last Monday and let's say it was a little rough. He cried and cried when it came time to momma and daddy to leave but when we called an hour later he was doing OK. Since naps were around 12:30, I decided to check in on him around 1:30 to make me feel better about leaving him and see that sweet sleeping face. Well he wasn't asleep and he saw me and in turn it made him upset. Let's just say that there will be no more stopping in to check on him, we will just have to wait until the end of the day and shower him with TONS of kisses and hugs.
Fast forward to Wednesday, his second day of school...It was even harder to let him go, he clung to me and said he'd be good and help momma work. That just about broke my heart as I don't want him thinking that is why he is going to school! After ten minutes I had to go and walked out crying a little and told him I'd be back soon! I always come back. Well this smart little boy of mine remember those words because when I came to pick him up he says "Momma come back Meomanni" Still a surprise when he repeats things I say rushed and only once. All the way home he would keep saying "Momma come back Meomanni" in between telling me what he did all day...Manni play on choo-choo, I eat, I no want nap...etc.
Tomorrow is Monday once again so let's hope it goes a little smoother for both of us!
Fast forward to Wednesday, his second day of school...It was even harder to let him go, he clung to me and said he'd be good and help momma work. That just about broke my heart as I don't want him thinking that is why he is going to school! After ten minutes I had to go and walked out crying a little and told him I'd be back soon! I always come back. Well this smart little boy of mine remember those words because when I came to pick him up he says "Momma come back Meomanni" Still a surprise when he repeats things I say rushed and only once. All the way home he would keep saying "Momma come back Meomanni" in between telling me what he did all day...Manni play on choo-choo, I eat, I no want nap...etc.
Tomorrow is Monday once again so let's hope it goes a little smoother for both of us!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wahoooo...go go go!!!
Summer has escaped me and keeping up with the energy and life of my toddler! We have gone to Vermont on a vacation with my siblings and their toddlers, we have visited two different local county fairs, been thrill seekers looking for the fastest and most exciting rides, mooing like a cow, swimming in the lake-ocean-and backyard pool with friends and neighbors. Trying new foods and realizing that the only person more "addicted" to chocolate is a cute little boy who I like to call munchkin. Day in and day out the words, sentences, and physical ability is astonishing and keeps this momma in as struck sense of self for I was and am a big part of helping this little one develop into such a fun filled mini me! Lines from "momma chocolate share miamonni" to " get off of me" when he's done wrestling. Stories of what we saw at the fair to counting endless motorcycles passing us on our daily outings "one, twooo, tree, twooo, nine, five..." and we can never forget that even though there is only one motorcycle next to us at the stop light, there is really two because little man remembers one that was next to us hours before!
When bedtime slowly creeps up "momma cuddle one minute" even though he doesn't quite grasp the meaning of one minute and more times than not we fall asleep talking in my bed and cuddling most of the night away. When a toddler is put in their own big boy bed, it is almost as certain as the sun rising that they will end up in your bed at some point the next morning asking "Mickey mouse pease" with the cutest smile imaginable. Then a bath is in store because munchkin is "yucky dirty poop daper". Some things that I'm amazed as is how smart my little man is and insists on learning all his body parts....just imagine that conversation :) Each day my love grows stronger than the day before and never believing it could grow any more....awwww the life of this wondrous creature that toddles around full of excitement
When bedtime slowly creeps up "momma cuddle one minute" even though he doesn't quite grasp the meaning of one minute and more times than not we fall asleep talking in my bed and cuddling most of the night away. When a toddler is put in their own big boy bed, it is almost as certain as the sun rising that they will end up in your bed at some point the next morning asking "Mickey mouse pease" with the cutest smile imaginable. Then a bath is in store because munchkin is "yucky dirty poop daper". Some things that I'm amazed as is how smart my little man is and insists on learning all his body parts....just imagine that conversation :) Each day my love grows stronger than the day before and never believing it could grow any more....awwww the life of this wondrous creature that toddles around full of excitement
Friday, June 29, 2012
What a character!
One Tuesday we went to see the doctor for the first double ear infection he has since Giovanni had tubes put in over a year ago. Crying and kicking whenever I even tried to look at his ears or clean out the lovely yellow slime dripping out of them, but when Dr. Nick came in the room Giovanni proudly states "Dr. Nick, Giomanni ears ouch and yucky." Then he proceeded to climb up on the examination table and sit without moving a muscle while the doctor looked in both ears. I knew my child is really smart but the next thing he said blew me away....
"Dr. Nick, I run now?"
Each time we have visited the doctor, he has had Giovanni run up and down the halls then listen to his lungs and make sure his allergy medicine is doing it's job. It had been months since we were there and that he remembered this still has me in awe...
*I'm so happy he likes his doctor, Dr. Nick is simply an AMAZING pediatrician!!!
"Dr. Nick, I run now?"
Each time we have visited the doctor, he has had Giovanni run up and down the halls then listen to his lungs and make sure his allergy medicine is doing it's job. It had been months since we were there and that he remembered this still has me in awe...
*I'm so happy he likes his doctor, Dr. Nick is simply an AMAZING pediatrician!!!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Munchkin turns 2
Blog
What an eventful week it has been. Tuesday we celebrated Giovanni turning two and took him to Jones Beach for the first time. He was so adorable pulling his wagon filled with sand toys all the way, while telling us to run and hurry up to see the water.
"I go swimming momma! Run daddy!!!"
It was just about lunch time too and Steven and I were starving but of course toddlers want to do what they want when they want, so we were not hungry and no eating according to him! He very willingly got into his bathing suit and let me apply sunscreen with no resistance and then bee lined for the water. To me it was chilly but he didn't care and started jumping, splashing, and telling me to swim with him (which meant laying on my belly and kicking). The great thing about toddlers is that if you tell them to show you how to do something a few times they quickly forget about you doing it.
After about thirty or forty minutes of "swimming" Giovanni had started shivering and lips chattering, but he insisted,
"No cold momma, I swimming. No get out!!!!"
At times you just have to bribe them to do what is better for them. For this I used yogurt and cuddles (two of his favorite things), which he refused to my surprise. So daddy said he'd build a sandcastle with him. This surprisingly worked and together they dig a hole.
Being a extremely hot day the little munchkin began getting tired and was out like a light shortly after. When he awoke it was all smiles as he realized that he was still at the beach and was still able to go swimming again. He was do excited that he gave me his new swimsuit and water diaper and made it quite clear that he wanted it on and to go in the water to join daddy....NOW!!! It is amazing how fast a two year old can move with such short legs when they want to. Giovanni had for the most part dressed himself (and insisted little help from momma), gave me the sunscreen while standing arms opened to be sprayed, then took off running towards the ocean. No fear, hesitation, or care in the world just for the pure joy of splashing in the cool ocean water. Running close to the water and screeching with excitement as the waves approached. Then running away yelling "they get me momma, the water get me!!!" a game that he came up with the first time at a lake, now a must whenever there is moving water involved. Soon this turned into being a little more daring and going up to his knees before the waves hit and screeching once again with excitement as the cool water splashed up his torso. He got knocked down a few times while he wasn't quite ready for the strengthen of the waves "No push Giomanni down water. Not nice!" Yet at the same time he was back out there up to his knees waiting for the next big wave to come. Ahh the wonder of being a toddler and all it has to offer.
Of course then came the time to leave the beach and head into the city to see the lights, train, and wonder it holds for such a curious little man.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Hello Summer!!!
Summer is upon us and that means fun in the sun with visits to the beach, camping, ice cream trucks, playgrounds galore and of course BBQ heaven! All this to be done with a toddler who thinks he is really 10 or 11 and wants to do everything that big sister does. he even wants to teach her a thing or two about fun "dangerous" things to do!!!
This is the first summer where I am truly happy about not working (though I miss it at times), as I am lucky enough to be able to be more hands on with the development of "G" and learning the ins and outs of this growing child. I get so excited just thinking about all the things that we can do, day trips to take, and the possibility to take an occasional nap with my little tyke that at times my mind hurts from overload of ideas. I have decided to keep a daily log of what the day/week will entail so there is some type of organization in our lives. As seeing I LOVE to write and share with others and get their feedback, I figured what a better way then to try and keep a blog for all to read and share in our adventures too! Now here's to hoping that others feel inclined to read this :)
This is the first summer where I am truly happy about not working (though I miss it at times), as I am lucky enough to be able to be more hands on with the development of "G" and learning the ins and outs of this growing child. I get so excited just thinking about all the things that we can do, day trips to take, and the possibility to take an occasional nap with my little tyke that at times my mind hurts from overload of ideas. I have decided to keep a daily log of what the day/week will entail so there is some type of organization in our lives. As seeing I LOVE to write and share with others and get their feedback, I figured what a better way then to try and keep a blog for all to read and share in our adventures too! Now here's to hoping that others feel inclined to read this :)
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