Happy Halloween-Is It Christmas Yet?

Tonight I am feeling very happy and satisfied with this years Halloween experience!  I don't know why but I feel so much PRESSURE to make these milestones special even when I know little man won't remember a thing.  I blame Facebook.  I think it was better being blissfully unaware as to what others were up to.  But now its like "Whoa!  Look at them.  Doesn't that look like fun?!?  I need to do that too!"

This morning Kolton's Romp N Roll class dressed up for the holiday and then of course the all important Trick or Treating this evening.  I wavered whether or not to take him.  Especially since we don't really know anyone in the neighborhood.  But then I thought about the fact that I never really knew the people when I Trick or Treated as a child so what's the big deal?!?  So I threw on my mask and introduced Kolton to the final joy of Halloween.  We went to 8 or 9 houses.  My little dragon was still incredibly cute and grasped the fact that the candy went from the bowl into his bucket.  But he also thought we were supposed to go in to each house.  Maybe he was confused because they all look like ours????  Mike has been home all week because all of his meetings have been cancelled due to Sandy.  It was really nice to do this little rite of passage as a family.  I know it might not have been the most exciting time but it was perfect for us!

I think you either fall in the Love It or Hate It camp when it comes to Halloween.  I'd say I'm more in the Hate It camp but overall I had fun with it this year.  Now we can plow right on through Thanksgiving to Christmas!

Getting Back To Good

Well Wow! The Sandy Storm turned out to be pretty bad.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who lost so much, including their lives.  Mike and I were talking about how these natural disasters almost seem unnatural lately.  But thankfully everything is all good here in Richmond.  We didn't even lose power.  It's just been a whole lot of rain.  But, even that has stopped now.

Despite the weather we still had Kolton's speech evaluation at Children's Hospital yesterday.  The therapist interacted with him exactly the way the lady from the county does.  So it was kind of nice and reassuring to see consistency.  Her recommendation was that he should receive therapy once a week.  She felt that he is demonstrating the appropriate behaviors towards saying his first word but he is only at a 9-12 month level.  What sucks is they called me back this morning to say that our insurance will not cover their services.  To be honest I'm not even 100% sure his current therapy is covered.  Its just that we've never seen a bill.  I hate to go digging into situations like this.  I'll imagine they'll say..."Oh, why yes, we should be billing you and we haven't been.  You owe us $1500.  Thank you for bringing this to our attention"  So now I'm not really sure what to do.  I just wish someone could tell me he'll be fine and talk when he's good and ready.

Today we went to Romp N Roll for Open Gym.  They didn't hold any of their scheduled classes but just allowed parents to bring the kids in for play time.   It was a MAD HOUSE.  Everyone was clearly suffering from cabin fever.  I knew at least 5 of the other mothers there.  So even I had fun chatting and catching up.  But I still can't help wondering why I'm just not connecting or making the type of friends I'm used to making.  I've been so incredibly lucky to meet so many wonderful people in my life.  Have I run out of luck?  What's it going to take to get back to a place where I feel 100% sure I've ended up exactly where I'm supposed to be?

Halloween- Part two

One of the nice things about the fact that Halloween is now a month long celebration and not just one night is getting multiple uses out of the costume.  That, and having multiple activities mean that if one is a bust at least the overall experience isn't completely ruined.  This weekend we went to Baltimore to celebrate the holiday in Patterson Park and watch the Lantern Parade.  Kolton was pretty cranky because he didn't get a really good nap in.  But he made the most of it and was super cute running around in his dragon costume.  Unfortunately we weren't able to get a photo of all the kids together.  And just like last year we ended up calling it quits before the parade began because the little ones just could not make it that long.  But I still absolutely love this little tradition and being able to hang out and socialize was well worth the trip!

We cut our visit a little short to make it back to Richmond ahead of this Sandy storm.  Um, so far...nothing.  Schools are already closed for tomorrow so I guess its supposed to start getting worse over night.  I went to the grocery store to stock up on essentials like water and toilet paper.  I think its crazy but EVERYONE does it and I just don't want to be the stupid, unprepared one.  But frankly this panic is a little hilarious/ridiculous.

The Bread Isle

Mike's appointments for the beginning of the week have already cancelled as well.  So, thankfully I won't have to worry about being alone through all of this.  Oh, and the best part; it gave me an excuse to buy a head lamp!

Trick & Tires

Kolton had his first Halloween event today; Trunk or Treat with the Mom's Club.  I remember going to this same event last year.  Its so hard to believe how fast the year really went.  If you can't tell he is a dragon this year.  I cannot get enough of him in this costume.  He looks like a real live muppet!  AND he tolerated it with the hood and everything; never mind the fact that it was 85 degrees!

While in the parking lot I became aware that I had a tire that was almost flat.  I actually knew about it yesterday but didn't put any more thought into it after I filled with air.  I guess it was something more than a little low.  I don't know what it is but I blow tires left and right.  Anyway, we made it to a nearby gas station for more air and then went straight to the closest garage.  Here is Kolton running amuck behind the counter.  They were all so nice and let him have free reign.  I think he had more fun there!

Size Matters

The weather here in Richmond has been absolutely B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!  And we've been enjoying it by being lazy and staying indoors.  I just don't know what to do outside besides take Sophie for a walk. Which I do for at least 1/2 hour once a day.  I could always drive to a park so little man can play.  But there is something about that that drives me crazy.  I mean the sunshine is right out side my door.  Do I really have to get in the car and go someplace else to get it?  Either way today was a windows open kind of day and I loved it!

We were able to get the garage reorganized this weekend.  That has been on my mind since we moved in.  I had to get at Kolton's boxes because I needed to dig out his 12 month pants.  I packed them away last spring thinking for sure he'd be into 18 months in the fall.  But I found myself having to constantly roll both the waist band and the bottoms.  Oh yeah, he is still in a size 3 diaper too.  Basically he has really thinned out.  His body now resembles a little boy and no longer a baby.  Thankfully he still has those deliciously round cheeks!  

I have really been struggling with size matters myself.  I'm like a size 8 in the waist but a size 4 in the butt/legs.  It's been incredibly difficult to find anything that fits but doesn't sag and make me look like a HoBo.  So I went back to an old favorite...$10 low rise stretch jeans from Forever 21.  I need to stock up.  I've been wearing them for the last 2 days and I'm still comfortable =)

Little Fighter

This is Kolton's pre-school picture.  It's a picture of the picture so I think you can see my shadow hovering over it.  Anyway, I am in love with it!  I think it captures his essence perfectly.

If you are my friend on Facebook then you know over the past couple of days I have made posts regarding pediatric cancer.  I wrote on here that I first started following Ronan Thompson's story on his mom's blog, www.Rockstarronan.com.  Ronan passed over a year ago but Maya continues to update the blog with her brutally honest feelings about losing a child to this awful disease.  She is on a mission to raise money for research and ultimately build a Neuroblastoma care facility.

She recently posted a link to another mom's blog, www.SuperTy.org.  Sadly 5 year old Ty Louis Campbell, who they called their Little Fighter, just lost his battle.  I can't explain it but I'm honestly forever changed.  Mike thinks I am too engrossed in this.  But I think that's exactly the problem.  Too many people looking the other way.

Here is the LINK to the petition for the NFL to wear gold next September to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer like they wear pink in October for Breast Cancer.

I also signed up to volunteer for a local group here in Richmond called Connor's Heros.  I have an informational meeting next week.  Here's the thing about me; I'm still struggling to find my place in the world.  Living in Richmond still feels a little like wearing the Left shoe on the Right foot.  It's not just the town its me too.  I love staying at home with little man but I'm missing something...  But I don't have any career type aspirations that would make me want to put Kolton in daycare.  With Mike gone so much I think its important that I be with him.  I'm really not trying to make this all about me, but maybe by helping these kids and getting behind a cause I'll end up helping myself too.

Parting Gifts

My mom left early Sunday morning.  Like always she definitely spoiled us while she was here.  Is it sad that I sill feel delight when my mom buys me things?  It's like I'm 4 or something.  I know part of it is because she only sees us about 4 times a year and she sees my siblings a lot more.  And part of it is because I am her only daughter and I like stuff =)  This time she left us with two parting gifts to mark her fall visit.

The first is that carousel  you see in the photo.  We were at Castco looking at more of the "stuff' and less of the "bulk food".  Most of you know that I am a Christmas junkie so while I was getting lost in the isles looking mom disappeared with Kolton.  When I found them he was absolutely mesmorized by this carousel.  I think its supposed to be a Christmas decoration like you'd display in a Christmas village but it also plays non-Christmas music two.  Well it hit the trifecta for little man; Music, Blinking Lights, & Spinning!  Mom said he had been staring at it for at least 15 minutes, if not more, and wouldn't let her leave the area.  I just knew we HAD to get it for him and Mom was generous enough to offer to buy it...and it was kinda of pricey.  I'll leave it out for him through Christmas this year but then I think I'll pack it away and only bring it out in December.  It is pretty awesome.  Thanks Mom!

Her other parting gift was this brutal cold, sorry Mom!  She got sick on Thursday night and now all 3 of us have it too!  Mike is traveling and I barely got out of my pj's today.  It isn't the worst cold I've ever had but I'm a big baby when it comes to getting sick.  Thankfully Kolton has taken 4 hour naps both yesterday and today so I haven't been too stressed.  He's also figured out that when I come at him with a tissue I am trying to help him and not suffocate him or something.    I really wish I could take a dose of Nyquil and call it a night.  I just don't trust myself taking it alone in the house with Kolton.  Even though I'm pretty sure he'll sleep through the night;  that stuff knocks me out!  So I think I'll crawl in bed and turn on the Presidential debate.  My guess is that will work just as well =)

Anger Management

I remember the last time my mom left after a visit I had to re-sleep train Kolton.  I think the first couple of nights he cried for a 1/2 hour.  It looks like we will be entering that territory again.  It's honestly not her fault.  Inexplicably both times little man started to get incredibly clingy before she even set foot in the door.  But if memory serves me right I think it only took 4 or 5 days for him to settle back into a smooth bed time routine.  It breaks my heart but I refuse to be held hostage.  Especially when I know he can do it.

This past week I saw a lot of little changes in my baby.  He is definitely trying to communicate with his own version of words and even used signs independently for the first time.  He also expressed anger for the first time.  Of course he has been upset and frustrated in the past but this week on two separate occasions he was MAD!  I watched his face turn bright red when I couldn't understand what he was saying after repeated attempts.  Then one night I left the room so that my mom could put him to bed and he stomped the ground and threw a ginormous fit.  Like I said he has been so clingy to me it's almost embarrassing.  It's too bad that its so darn cute.

Well, its been twenty minutes, I think he might be tiring himself out.  Wait....yup, it's finally quiet.  Poor little guy.  I hope he still loves me in the morning.

No Naps

Don't be fooled...since my mom arrived on Sunday Kolton has not napped properly.  It is insane!  But I think this happened the last time she visited as well.  Oh yeah, and not to mention the day after she arrived he decided to wake up before 5am.  WTF!!!!  I've honestly feel like the past few days have been a week.  The crazy thing is he makes it through the day without melting down or throwing too much of a tantrum; just a little one here and there.  But OMG do I miss MY naps!  We painted his room today so we put him down for the night in the pack & play in our room.  This might be interesting.

On a side note today was the first time Kolton got hit by another kid.  We were at the play area at the mall and this other little boy just came up and slapped him in the back.  Kolton just looked up at me a little bewildered.  So I guess it wasn't really that bad.  But it was the first time I had witnessed a deliberate attack on my baby!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

 Isn't it funny the things you do once you have kids that you never cared about doing before.  Like going to the pumpkin patch  I think it's more about entertaining your child with something out of the ordinary.  And of course taking pictures!  The highlight was taking Kolton on his first pony ride.  We really contemplated doing it.  He had already acted scared of the tractor during the hay ride so we weren't quite sure how he would react to a horse.  But he was cool as a cucumber.  We came home with a few funky pumpkins and a lot of great memories.  Ha, ha, was that cheesy enough for ya!

Loooong Week

It's been a really long week somehow.  The combination of Mike being gone all week and no social events on my calendar proved to be somewhat destructive on my well being.  Its still a little hard to stomach why we had to move when Mike is gone this much.  But I think I've been over that more than a few times =)

It's now past 8:00 and Kolton is eating cookies.  I think I just earned myself of loooong night too!

Freaked Out

Well today was one of those days.  I'm sorry I don't have a lot of positive things to say about it.
One thing that made today especially trying was Kolton had a major freak out when I tried to put him in his car seat to go get lunch.  It started last night on the way home from the gym.  He screams and cries and throw his hands over his eyes like he is trying to shield himself from something.  But its been cloudy and rainy so its not the sun.  It is bad you guys.  He acts like he is honestly terrified.  I thought maybe he was scared of the wind shield wipers or something.  But he started to cry before I even started the car.  I don't know what to do. I didn't leave the house again all afternoon.  I have no idea what this could be about.  He's been in this seat for a while now, why all of the sudden is he upset?  What is going through his head?  He's an extremely sensitive little boy sometimes.  But I wouldn't change a thing about him =)

Gotta go, a new episode of Giuliana & Bill is on.  I love them!  Maybe I'll have popcorn for dinner....

Bites

For the past several weeks I have really struggled with finding things Kolton will actually eat.  He'll take little bites here and there but won't eat meals.  Things he used to gobble up now get pushed away.  Every google search results in toddler friendly recipes.  But, what do you do when your kid won't even open his mouth to try anything?  Its extremely frustrating and of course I worry that he isn't getting adequate nutrition.  More than anything I just hope he's not going hungry.  But if he was hungry don't you think he'd eat?????

In other Kolton news I'm starting to suspect he might have really sensitive skin.  His reaction to bug bites is almost alarming.  It takes him a really long time to heal.  I fear some may even scar.  The weather has been really beautiful so I've been trying to spend more time outside.  Last week we were out for only 1/2 hour but I had to take little man in due to no less than 6 mosquito bites that were already turning red.  3 or 4 were clustered on the side of his cheek.  On Friday we went to play at a park.  We were only there for a few minutes when I saw a mosquito land in the exact same spot.  He came home with 3 bites added to his collection.  He had a big puffy red spot about the size of a quarter...but you could see all the individual bites.  Then of course he scratched it and it broke open and bled.  I covered it with a band aid just to keep his grubby little paws off it.  Things look better today but now a new cluster has shown up on his leg.  Do all babies react this way?

We had another boring lazy weekend.  I'm starting to get a fire lit under me though to get and and do more.  The fall seems to be packed with things to do and I'm already seeing a ton of apple orchard and pumpkin patch pictures on Facebook.  I may even try some home improvement projects like painting.  In my 34 years I have never painted anything!  Can you believe that?!?!