Memorial Day Weekend

I had a really fun Memorial Day weekend. Daniel and I left for Iowa last Friday when I got done at the Y. Once again, that boy amazes me at what a great little travel buddy he is. We took our first road trip together when we was about 8 weeks old, and have done several since, both alone and with Jacob. It can't be that exciting riding backwards in the car for 4.5 hours, but he sat back there entertaining himself very well. I can almost always manage only one bathroom stop when it's just the 2 of us, but my pregnancy bladder is in full swing, so we had to make 2 stops.

The weather was so nice, we had supper out on the deck, which Daniel loved! I had requested a few things I was craving, and one was Hy-Vee chicken and noodles. Sadly, they changed the recipe and added peas and mushrooms. They were pretty gross. None of us liked them.

That night we went to Indian Creek to go on a walk and hunt for bugs (although, I'm pretty sure the bugs were hunting us). It was a lot of fun though. By the time we finally got back in the car it was almost 8:00, which is Daniel's bedtime at home! Then we had to do a bath, so little man got to stay up until almost 9:30!







On Saturday we went to Noelridge Park to play and have a picnic. It was another beautiful day, and Daniel was able to run off some energy! We threw rocks and sticks in the water, walked on the trail, played on the playground, did stomp rockets and ate lunch!







I figured Daniel would take a great nap that day. Nope! Couldn't get him to go to sleep at all, so I gave up and put him in his pack n play to fuss and cry for a half an hour before Mimi took pity. She brought him upstairs and told him he had to lay on the couch and rest. I kid you not, that child laid there for an HOUR. He didn't talk. Just laid there. It was a miracle!

Had another supper on the deck...and another meal of my choice. Salsa chicken, and oh man was it good!

Then, Mom and Kendra and I went shopping at Kohls, where yet another miracle occurred. I tried on 4 things and all 4 things look great on me! That never happens. So I ended up with a shirt, maxi dress, skirt and shorts. Heck yeah!

Daniel went to bed early that night, and besides waking up once for a just a bit, he slept for 12 hours. Hallelujah.

Sunday morning, Mom, Daniel and I went to visit Great Mimi and Sugar (the cat). Sugar doesn't like many people...and Daniel was no exception this time. He threw a ball to her and she went nuts hissing and growling. He backed up, but thought it was hilarious too. What a kid.



Got the kiddo to actually nap, and then went shopping again with Mom and Kendra. Then we went out for supper at Outback for Kendra's birthday. The rest of the night was spent playing outside at Mimi and Pa's house.









Memorial Day, we went to the new trampoline place, AirFX. They had a junior jumper time slot where little kids can jump with one adult. Daniel has issues with new things and also I think some sensory issues. He was a bit overwhelmed. Cried when I tried to put the special gripper socks on him. He didn't want to try anything. Kendra was going to jump, but I finally stole her socks and hopped in the block pit, in hopes of coaxing him in.

I most definitely got stuck.

 

He finally ended up really liking the basketball.



I think the rest of the day we just chilled and then Tuesday we headed back home.

I'm always sad to leave, but it's always nice to get home too. Plus, I'm pretty sure we're heading back for the 4th of July!

Boycotts and Baby Stuff

Another long and rainy week bites the dust!

Actually, it's hard to believe, but at the beginning of this week we had the air on because it was hot and humid. Now for the past 3 days the high's have only reached the mid to upper 40's, so we've had the heat back on again.

Daniel decided to boycott his naps this week. A lot of people will say, "Oh, my kid stopped napping at that age too." To which I say, "Aww HECK NO!" Not happening. That boy needs naps, and I need quiet time. He still had to spend time in his bed, and was allowed to look at books. Instead he'd read for a bit and then do this loud whining sound over and over again.

Although, this happened on Monday night at supper:



I FINALLY got him to take a nap today, and he's been asleep for almost 3 glorious hours. Hopefully that means I won't have Captain Grumpy Pants on my hands tonight. That boy can throw a mean fit.

Yesterday, I had my OB appointment. I had told Daniel earlier that week we were going to go hear the baby's heartbeat. I tend to forget that he doesn't forget things. (Clearly he did not get his awesome memory from me.) He asked every day if we were going to Mommy's doctor that day. The other day he even got out his stethoscope, pulled my shirt up and listened to the baby. It was adorable.

I decided to just go right to Springfield after I got off at the Y. I wanted to stop back in at Babies R Us and grab another pair of sandals (or fwip fwops as Daniel refers to them as) for Daniel. Apparently he didn't want to ride in the cart, because as soon as I picked him up he flipped the heck out. He was screaming and yelling...and then perfectly fine once I told him if he was good we'd get chicken nuggets and french fries.

We headed over to Burger King to eat after that. There was another screaming fit because he wanted to run around instead of stand by me while I ordered. Thankfully they were fast and he was fine once we sat down. He was excited that I let him sit at the table instead of going into a high chair. He actually did a good job too!

 

Next stop was the doctor! I was kind of dreading it. Not the actual appointment, but the waiting. Last time, Daniel was inside of me, so it was kind of relaxing to chill and wait. Also boring at times, but still peaceful. He did so well though! I made him ride in, in his stroller and stay in it while we waited in the waiting room. We just talked. Then went back to do vitals and he chatted up and charmed the nurse. Once we got into the room, I let him out of the stroller. He was absolutely wonderful and we had to wait quite awhile. He did ask to go home a few times, but once the doctor came in he got excited all over again. He chatted her up too, and then got to be her helper. He held a paper towel that she could use to clear the gel off my stomach after using the Doppler. It took a couple of minutes to find the heartbeat, and baby moved a couple of times when she'd find it. Finally, baby stayed still and we got to have an extra long listen because Daniel thought it was so cool! Heartbeat was a healthy and strong 162 bmp. Such a lovely sound to hear.

We asked him if he was having a sister or brother and he said sister. That's been his answer a lot lately, so we'll see. It would be helpful since we have our girl name. We can't come up with a boy name though.

It was finally time to head home and I was hoping Daniel would fall asleep. No such luck. He talked my ear off. Since he's still rear facing it's extra hard to hear him, so half the time all I hear is, "blah blah blah....right Mommy?" Everything is "Right Mommy!?" Haha!

I think my next post will be about the boy again. I have a lot to update on him. Not the naughty stuff, but the adorable things that he says and does, because he's a pretty hilarious kid!

Me Time. It Does a Mommy Good.

Once again, I've fallen behind and recapping the past month seems too daunting.

After surviving one of the worst weeks ever 2 weeks ago, this last week has been (mostly) looking up. Just so everyone is aware though, the Terrible Twos are the real deal, people. No lie.

Every year sometime between my birthday and Mother's Day, I take a day to myself and go shopping. I texted Jacob last Friday while Daniel was having another meltdown of epic proportions and told him I'd like to cash in on my shopping day on Saturday.

I high tailed it out the door at 9:30 and felt free! No buckling and unbuckling the car seat, no one asking for snacks, no one ripping every item off the shelf that they can reach! (Please note that I love my child with all of my heart, but I know all of you parents can relate!)

I spent 6.5 hours shopping at my own leisurely pace, before returning home. I'm so so thankful for Jacob watching Daniel all day. I rarely get that kind of break and it's just what I needed. Daniel and Daddy had lots of fun. I think Daniel needed a break from me as much as I did from him. It did us both good and I got lots of hugs and smiles that night!

Then Sunday afternoon Mimi and Pa came over, and we spent the entire afternoon outside because it was beautiful! Brenda and I mostly let the guys run around with Daniel while we sat a visited on the porch. Another Mama break! I let Daniel skip his nap that afternoon, and then we went out for an early supper. Unfortunately, the exhaustion hit him and he was cranky and wanted to go home. "Go home now?" "GO HOME NOW?" However, he was thrilled that our waitress gave him 2 suckers because he spelled his name for her. Then he promptly dropped his first one in the parking lot and wasn't happy that I wouldn't give it back!

Once home, he sat on my lap and snuggled into my arms. At 6:15 he fell asleep for the night! It was freaking adorable.

I was slightly scared of Monday. It had been such a great weekend, and I was scared that the past week was going to start all over again. Thankfully, Daniel was SO much better. Back to his normal, ornery self. I can handle most of that! Not to mention, the break calmed my nerves and recharged my patience levels.

Yesterday I requested that we go to the Scovill Zoo in Decatur. Moms and grandmas got free admission. I just wanted to get to do something fun as a family for Mother's Day. It's a perfect sized zoo for Daniel, and he was thrilled to just be able to run around. He seemed more excited about the fact that he didn't have to ride in his stroller, than seeing most of the animals!

His favorite things seemed to be the petting zoo area and the penguins.

A baby goat made friends with Jacob's shoe. :)

 

Checking out the penguins



I bought tickets to ride on the train too. Daniel was getting tired, and was so serious, but I knew he loved at, and he's talked about it a lot since then. Here we are on the train making silly faces!



Had to get a picture of Jacob and I too!



After the zoo, we headed to Texas Roadhouse for a late lunch...or early supper. Lupper as the Thatcher clan calls it. I was starving and ate a ton. Everything was so good. Daniel was cranky due to not having a nap, so he was having a meltdown by the time were trying to pay. I'm pretty sure that boy was asleep by the time we were out of the parking lot.

That short nap did no good though. He was tired and whiny until bedtime...which came early. He insisted on calling Pa and Mimi T. first...and then wouldn't talk. When he would he would use this whiny voice that he's been using a lot this past week. It's seriously annoying. Hopefully he forgets about it soon!

He slept for 12 hour last night, and then Daddy got up with him. A little while later, they came into the bedroom and Daniel handed me a card that he colored for me (and then opened it for me!), and I also got a card from Jacob! We all hung out in bed for awhile...and then Daniel swiped my phone and managed to call my mom not once, but twice. I texted her to tell her it was Daniel, but she called back before she got it. Pretty sure Daniel woke her up. Sorry, Mimi!

Despite the 12 hours of sleep, Daniel has had many meltdowns today. Hopefully his nap has done some good! I'm hoping for my silly, funny boy back this evening!