What's my name?

When PJ was first learning to talk, I was surprised, for through he said Abba and milk nicely, he didn't seem to have a name for me. At least that was what I thought...

Then I took him on a trip to my parents. While I was taking a nap and my mom was watching him, he was looking at a picture of me holding him that my parents had put up on the fridge. He was eagerly pointing at it waying something that sounded a lot like my first name. That's when we realized he did have a name for me- just not what I was listening for. I had to convince my husband to start calling me "Mommy" though he wasn't thrilled with the idea.

My guess is that this is a first child only phenomenon.

Pushing boundaries

This past weekend was a time for both children to work hard and expand their boundaries...

PJ is a very socially outgoing child, however he tends to take a while to warm up to trying new challenging physical experiences. We went to a friend's 3 year birthday party at a farm, where they had a petting zoo, horse rides, hay rides, and other equipment for the children to run around. At first he was too shy to feed or even pet the goats, but by the end he was willing to pet the calf and horse. He was still a bit too scared to go on the pony ride.

AM is working so hard on creeping , but still backwards. He can now get up on his hands and toes- which just means he goes backwards faster! I saw him creep forward every so often, but not enough to go where he wanted. I need to get the baby gate up soon...
AM also isn't a big fan of the "summer vegetables" baby food I have in the house and we were having deli for dinner so I put a bit of mustard in to improve the flavor. A few intense expressions followed the first few bites, but then he eagerly ate the rest. I think he likes mustard.

Good morning

This morning, around 6:30AM we heard a tap on our door. Instead of the usual whine and complaints we hear when he is overtired, PJ came to give us a stuffed animal for AJ, who had joined us earlier to nurse.

What a wonderful way to start the morning!

independence

This evening both children expressed their desire to do for themselves in proactive, healthy ways, which makes me happy.
PJ was tired when he was done with dinner, washed his hands, used the bathroom and and went upstairs to his room by himself (and without being told). He turned his pajamas right side out, and put them on al by himself.
AM (who is seven months old) started to fuss while heating he jar of green beans. I tried feeding him sitting on my lap instead of in the high chair, which worked for all of two bites. He then tried to grab for my plate. I put him back in his high chair and put some rice on his tray. He gave me big smiles and had fun trying to pick it up. I think more ended up on the floor than in his mouth, but considering that this only the second time I have given him rice to feed himself, it was pretty good, and he had a good time.

Hebrew education?

This Shabbos, after lunch, as PJ was going up for his nap...

PJ: "Abba, I want to go to Areilla's house to play after my nap."

Abba: "We'll see."

PJ: "You should talk about it with Mommy in Hebrew now."

We use Hebrew to talk about things we don't want him understanding. We sort of know that at some point he may start to learn it- now we know that he knows what we are doing, though I can only guess how much of it he does understands.

"But I am going to be so sad Mommy"

Last night my husband and I went out together to run an errand, and left the children with a babysitter, which we haven't done in a long time. As we were about to leave PJ looks up from his empty dinner plate. "Mommy, when are you going to be back?"

"After you are in bed."

"Mommy I am going to be so sad. Look I am starting to cry."

I gave him a hug and kiss as my heart melted. (And then we left to do our errand.)

All for a jelly bean

Walking this shabbos to friends for lunch, PJ started complaining that is was "longer and longer."

I handed him a jelly bean to encourage (read: bribe) him to walk nicely, which he did holding the jelly bean the whole way to their house.

On the way home, about a block from the friends' house, he started complaining that his feet hurt. I gave him another jelly bean.

Two blocks later...

PJ: Its melting.

Me: So eat it.

PJ (after eating it): Can I have another one?

Me: No

PJ: Can we walk to another friend so I can have another jelly bean?

Me: No.

PJ: When can I have more jelly beans?

Me: Peasach.

PJ: I can't wait for Peasach!

I love the way his mind works.

Visiting an old age home

My husband and I took out sons to visit the nursing home next to Shul today. The baby smiled at everyone- the three year old was shy and took a little while to warm up. I think we will have to do this more often to get him used to it. It seemed to make the residents very happy to see small children visiting.

swimming lessons

PJ's school started weekly swim lessons today. He happily showed me how he blows bubbles in the bathtub. This was unexpected, since it usually takes him several weeks to show me what he has done or learned at school, but great.

deli is like fake meat

On the weekend I convinced PJ (age 3) to try the deli by telling him that "it takes like veggy slices." (the soy fake meat slices).

Nothing like being a mother to make life backwards!

Sitting

AM who is 6 months old just started to pick up his hands while sitting (tripoding). I cheered him on this weekend, which he found funny enough that I had to catch him so he wouldn't to fall over backwards.