10/22/07

Yesterday we took the boys to a pumpkin patch. Noah was really thrilled to see all the pumpkins and ride the horse wagon out to the field. It was incredibly muddy, and he couldn't have been happier to really put his boots to good use. Avi slept in the front pack through the whole adventure until we pulled him out for a picture.

Noah is going to be "Professor Harold Hill"/"a band leader" for Halloween. I have just finished his costume. The look on his face was worth the time and energy spent making it. I finished the jacket Saturday night and he got to wear it to an early Halloween party. His face just lit up when he saw it. He was so excited. Then I got the hat done today and when I showed it to him you'd have thought I'd taken him to the moon. Cary brought home a small gold curtain rod from the hardware store today - since we discovered that you can't buy a baton anywhere in Eugene apparently. It works for Noah. Don't tell him it isn't a baton. He is as happy as if he really was leading a whole "boy's band," singing 76 Trombones all around the house and trying out different marching styles. Harold Hill has become Noah's equivalent to my Laura Ingles as a little girl. He talks about him constantly, as if he's a real person. "Where was he born mama?" Good thing I know the answer to that one, "Gary, Indiana." "Do you think he likes ______ (insert anything)" I should start using this to my advantage. I can hear myself tomorrow already, "You know Noah, Harold Hill eats his vegetables so he can be extra strong and healthy to lead his band." :)

In other Noah news, school is up and down. He had a lovely day today. His teacher was impressed at his cutting skills and his attention span at the particular activity. Last Friday on the other hand, he spit yogurt at the same teacher after she had him come sit by her for lunch because he couldn't stay in his seat. Once again, I find support for my theory that middle school students and toddlers/preschoolers actually have more in common than not. He likes that teacher a lot, therefore, he spit yogurt at her. Oy!

Avi has started sleeping longer spells at night, even doing 9 hours on Friday. Then of course, back to 3 hours the next night, but 6 on Sunday night. So the trend is in the right direction. And just on schedule like Dr. Feurth predicted, he is falling in love with his big brother. Can't take his eyes off him. He absolutely looks mesmerized whenever Noah is in view. He's also "talking" more and more.

10/14/07

Friday Noah and I had a date. I took him to Bounce and then out to lunch. It was a lot of fun to be able to give him my complete attention. He was a sweetheart. Cary stayed with Avi who slept most of the time. It was his first opportunity to use a bottle. He didn’t seem particularly interested. Then in typical Noah pattern, after a period of undivided attention and sweet behavior, he was out of control Friday evening. We attempted to go to the Tot Shabbat service, talked about appropriate behavior ahead of time, but we had to come home within 15 minutes because when everyone else was singing, Noah was resisting Cary’s attempt to engage him and he pulled away from Cary, squeezed between the seats and flailed in such a way as to crash against the lights on the memorial plates, breaking several light bulbs. We were mortified of course. We couldn’t get out of there soon enough. Cary had to clean up all the broken light bulbs before Rabbi Yitz could lead the other children up the walkway to the bimah to get the torah. We finally left with Noah bawling that he wanted to stay for the oneg. We’re going to go apologize to Rabbi Yitz and look at the memorial lights and talk about them tomorrow again when we go to school to review what happened. We talked about it after leaving the synagogue and he really seemed to understand and then amazingly asked if my grandma’s name was up there and why not and then at home started to cry about my grandma wanting to see her picture again. He lives life big with big emotions that kid.

Avi slept 8 hours last night! He’s been sleeping about 3 for his longest stretch, sometimes 4 (a few weeks ago he did 5 hours three nights in a row, but that was short lived), but last night, 8!!!! Let’s see if this holds. Please. Please. Luckily even when he wakes, he goes back to sleep very easily after nursing for a few minutes. So it’s not so bad.
He’s really digging the play mat with the hangy things now. That’s a new development in the last few days. That’s what he’s doing at the moment. And he’s trying to turn over in the bathtub, which is of course dangerous.
In other developments, I think he has blocked tear ducts. If it isn't looking better by tomorrow, I'll take him to the doctor. He gets mucusy goopy eyes. Gross. He's still handsome as ever though. I think he's looking more and more like my dad.

10/11/07

Noah today…
… said he wanted a big “flamily.” Said we should have three kids because 2 aren’t enough. Spurred by a conversation about Mathias’ family (they have 3). When reminded that being a big brother was a lot of work, he still wanted to have another sibling. He was clear, next time he wants a sister.
… asked again about taking ballet lessons. I need to look into that for him
… last week I put a gender limit on him for the first time. Although I’ve been willing to paint his nails and I have no problem with him wearing pink, I had to sadly explain that red glittery “Dorothy shoes” are really for girls. “why? Why? Why?” Well, they go with dresses I tried to explain, and girls wear dresses. It’s the first time I’ve really ever said that there’s something that’s specific for girls or boys other than of course biology.
… music favorites of the week: “Look What’s Going On” from the Forest Gump soundtrack and “If I Only Had a Brain” from Wizard of Oz

Avi…
…has started holding a rattle fairly well.
…absolutely LOVES his bath. I’ve stopped bothering with the baby tub and lay him right in the bath where he can flail around enthusiastically. We’ve taken to doing it every night.