I'm 28 on 08/08/08!

Yep, it's my birthday today. How crazy is this birthday, so many 8's! And how am I 28 already!?! It's just crazy how time flies. I don't feel like I'm in my late 20's. Well, on most days. As most of you know, I am spending this birthday alone, well, except for Lucas. My two special people are going for military training at the same time. It's okay though. We did early celebrations and I surprisingly woke up very cheerful. The day can only be what I make of it, right? So when Lucas woke up I told him to say happy birthday, so he was the first one to technically tell me happy birthday today. Michael called me early, to be the first to tell me. I received a lot of calls, emails, messages from people, which made me feel good. Thank you everybody. Today just Lucas and I hung out. We played around the house all morning, doing the usual (toys, babies, bike rides, etc.). He also took a bath this morning. He was in the bathroom and said bubbles and I thought why not? He usually gets a bath before bed but I think he just wanted to play in the water. This afternoon we were playing outside and I thought we'd have more fun at a real park, so we headed down to Mill Race Park. He had a blast. He spent the most time on the tallest, twirly slide and these big seat swings. He did not want to go, but we were there for 2 hours and thought we should head home. He fussed a little but gave in. He usually tries to get his way but when he realizes it's not going to happen he's okay. We picked up a few items at the store and then went home. He rode his bike for a little bit, helped me pick some weeds, and repot a plant. Then we went inside to make the birthday cake. He's the best little helper, just loves doing everything. We had McDonald's for dinner. I didn't feel like cooking and I can do what I want, it's my birthday. :) After dinner we sang happy birthday and ate cake. I recorded it on video and put it on the computer and Lucas had to watch it about 20 times, over and over, clapping at the end every time. I think he was just so amused that he blew out the candles. Bathtime went well, until he noticed an ouwy on his hand and knee. Then he was done, almost inconsolable. Same thing happened last night too. I wonder if he's just so tired from so much activity each day, everday, that by the end he's done. He probably needs a good break. I guess that will come next week, because I think he's going to be playing with Abby again tomorrow. He misses her already. When we were in the store he kept calling her name. I told him she was at home and he'd tell me no, and continue calling out for her. He's funny. Well, I'm sure I'm missing some details from today, but I'm pretty tired myself. This birthday girl is ready for bed.

Another Day of Swimming

No new pictures today, sorry. It was just another day here, as I think Lucas gets more and more used to staying here. After breakfast this morning we took a bike ride around the neighborhood (this means me walking behind Lucas as he rides his bat mobile). At one house he saw a flag on a pole and kept saying 'flag flying' and then 'good-bye flag.' We were there forever staring at the flag--he made sure I was looking. Finally we could move on. We played a little in the house, the usual balls and block and money. We also got all the stuffed monkeys down and played with them. I set the laundry basket upside down in my room so Lucas could turn on the light and he decided this would be his jumping platform. Then he made the babies (stuffed monkeys) jump off the basket as well. I put him down for a nap a little early since we were going to the pool this afternoon and I wanted him to be up in time to eat lunch before we left. Well, he laid in bed for close to an hour before finally falling asleep. No Jaime, I didn't let him cry for an hour, in fact, he didn't cry at all. He went right to bed but continued to talk to his babies. I listened on the monitor. I can't remember everything but a couple things he said was once 'quiet Sammy' when she was barking outside and 'no crying, Beckie' and then he pretended to cry like a baby. It was hysterical. Those babies must laugh at him to keep him going so long. Oh, and he counted for jumping (1, 2, 3, go!) and sang Ring Around the Rosy. He woke up after about an hour and a half, with a little crabbiness. He didn't want to talk to Abby or play. He just wanted his hot dog and then it was too hot, which set him off. When he finally woke up he was ready to go.

We had a good time at the pool today. We did a lot of jumping into the water again. We practiced his swimming. When I let go and he was all on his own floating and kicking he was so proud. I think he really liked the feeling of floating in water on his own and not being held. So we practiced some swimming and he was getting to the point where he can start to swim on his own (with his floaties on). His kick isn't strong enough yet to really propel him, but I can put him a couple feet from the edge and he'll swim to it. He gets so very proud when he reaches the side. I also did a modified version of rocket. Instead of throwing him across the pool, I bounced him on my thighs and then threw him into the air, catching him in the water on the way down. He absolutely loved it and kept saying 'rocket!' Then Abby had to do "rocket" so Jill had to play it with her. Abby's a little less fearless in the water though, and doesn't let go to jump. Difference between boys and girls? We got a little more sun than last time, even though we were there about the same amount of time. It even felt cooler today than last time too. So now I'm a pretty red, but just on my front, my lower back and back of my legs don't match the front at all. It's cute.

When we came home Abby and Lucas played in the backyard for a little bit before she and Jill needed to head home. Lucas and I played with the play-doh before dinner. The dogs were in the house and at one point Lucas dropped the whole batch of blue on the ground and Zeus grabbed it. I had to take the slobbery mess out of his mouth and wipe it off. It was disgusting. If you want to see Zeus move quickly, drop play-doh. After dinner, Lucas turned the toy buckets upside down and used those for jumping platforms. He would jump off of them onto the couch. He's so cute when he jumps; 1-2-3-go! He wanted to jump from the couch to the buckets but I put a quick stop to that one. We also played with the stuffed monkey babies again. He would grab a monkey and say mine. I would grab it back, tickle him, and say ours. He would grab it back and it'd start all over again. The bath tonight lasted a total of maybe 3 minutes. I found an ouwy from earlier and started crying. I knew he was pretty tired, but it was still a little too early to go down. So we put on the pj's (the only ones he'll wear now are the doggie ones) and he said 'boom' which he usually does, and this time I said okay (boom means the stairs, he sits on them and goes boom all the way down, so if he says boom he wants to go downstairs). I think he was surprised that I said okay, he's used to hearing a flat no. We went down and read a few books. It was close enough to bedtime by the time we were done so I told him bed, he told me no, and then turned around and put his head on my shoulder and his thumb in his mouth. He was ready. He went straight down and I haven't heard a peep from him since. He's gotta be tired. Every day's a big day so far, although his energy never fails to amaze me.

I also talked to Michael. Things are as good as can be. He's doing really well; he got a 100 on his first test. After chow last night he went back to the classroom to help some other people that were struggling. This stuff seems to come naturally to him and I knew he'd have no problem. An update on the car: the kid that hit the car wasn't insured (like he said he was) but luckily we have uninsured motorist coverage because we don't have collision, only liability. I've been keeping so busy with Lucas it hasn't given me that chance to feel really lonely like I normally do when he's gone. Now I'll have less than a week to get everything done around the house before he comes home (it's my time to deep-deep clean while he's not around to get in the way). I still miss him though, but it's only another week and some odd days. Not too bad.

A First Date at the Movies

Lucas and I met Jill and Abby for the free Wednesday morning movie in Franklin. Today Horton Hears a Who was the featured film. This was Lucas' first time to the movie theatre and he really enjoyed it. He ate all of his popcorn and still wanted more. He was amazed at the big "tv" and just seemed beside himself with excitement. He almost made it almost all of the way through the movie too. I had to take him out, not because he was crying, but because he got up and started singing ring around the rosey. He did really well though for not having his morning nap and waiting for 30 minutes before the show even started. We just went out in the lobby and pretended to play driving games and he danced a little to the music.

We went to Jill's afterwards for lunch and playtime. We ate lunch and then the kids played for a little bit. I don't think Lucas is used to so many "girl"toys and he really liked feeding the baby a bottle. he would hold the baby in his arms and rock it while feeding it the bottle. It was so precious. They played in Abby's tent and with her other toys. When Lucas wanted me to hold him like a baby and he wanted his blanket I knew his was tired and ready for a nap so we headed home. He didn't even last 5 minutes and he was out. When we got home I carried him up to bed and he didn't wake once. In fact, he probably would have slept longer than the 2 hours I let him sleep, but I kinda woke him up. Well, I didn't want him to sleep all afternoon and then not sleep tonight and I wanted to play for a little bit.

After he got up we played games. We danced around the kitchen table singing abc's and Lucas invented another game with the remote. I would dance to the music on the show and he would turn the tv off. I would flop on the couch and then run over and tickle him and then he'd turn it back on. We went into town to pick up a few things and he helped me push the cart around Walmart and put the items in the cart. He also thought I needed some additional items, like tinfoil and pancake mix! The things he was grabbing were so random, but he really felt I needed them. We came home and had some dinner. He didn't have a big appetite, but he ate so much during the day and I fed him again before his bath. After dinner we played with some play-doh. He kept smelling it and didn't really like it when it stuck on his fingers. He hates when his hands are dirty. But he had fun making stacks of play-doh on top of the containers and knocking them over. He also liked sqooshing it and using the cookie cutters to make little people. I was impressed that he made sure to put the right color lids on the containers when he was done playing. After that we played outside. He rode his bike for a little bit, but has become so terribly afraid of bees and he kept seeing bugs fly around that he didn't ride around for long. But he did insist on going into the backyard to play on the swing set. I feel like I pushed him on the swing forever. He never wanted to stop. He had such a good time, just squeeling with enjoyment. He slid down the slide once, but was done after that because it was still wet from the rain. After his bath he grabbed his babies and blanket and wanted to sleep on the couch. This is where he starts getting comfortable in my home. I told him no, laid him down in the bed, and with no more arguments, he went to sleep. He was pretty tired today. He was slightly crabby and needy than usual. He got frustrated easily and let me know he was frustrated. Hopefully he sleeps well tonight. He slept well last night but did call out my name once around 10:30. He never did get up so I don't know if he was sleeping or just went back to sleep. We'll probably have another big day tomorrow so he needs his rest. I can't believe tomorrow is already Thurday!

Bouncertown Bliss

Lucas slept through the night last night. At breakfast I got out Apple Jacks and he said no the other one. So I had to give him Lucky Charms again. He ate the marshmallows first but did eat some of the good stuff too. He had a whole spoonful of yogurt before he was done with that. But he ate more today than yesterday. He likes to sit on my lap so he can see into the living room and watch tv while he eats. I guess that's a start, he's not eating in the living room. It's raining today so we couldn't go outside this morning to play. We played inside, with the dogs (yes, they came inside too) and watched a little Elmo before nap time. He went down for his nap without argument, putting all his babies in the bed before he got in. He's been so good about going to bed. Tonight, again after his bath, he went right to bed. He had another long day though.

We went up to Bouncertown in Greenwood. We stopped in Franklin to get the girls and they played at the house for a few minutes before he left. It took Lucas no time at all to make himself at home. He started playing with the toys in the living room and then without hesitation made his way into Abby's room and took some toys from there to play with. We met Charlee and Grace and their boys and convoyed up there. Bouncertown is a big room with those blow up bouncy houses and slides. There's also games to play that spit out tickets for prizes, like a Chucky Cheese. Lucas is a jumper anyway, so this was his heaven. He jumped and jumped and jumped some more. I kept him in the 3 and under area first but again, it wasn't long before he needed to move on. He did well amongst the bigger kids, even getting trampled a couple times. He really enjoyed climbing up and sliding down on the big dragon. The only thing he didn't go on were the big slides. Just a little too much for him right now I think. He was having so much fun and often got caught up in the moment. He would hug other little kids, often knocking them down. He would fall down with them and just laugh and laugh. Some of the kids (and their parents) didn't appreciate the hugs as much as Lucas did and I had to tell him to stop a few times. I just want to interject one thought here: to those parents that looked at my little nephew with disgust because he knocked down your precious boy, don't come to Bouncertown. He meant no harm and was innocent. I understand your concern for your child, but the looks have got to go. He's two. Okay, I'm done. We had a pizza while we were there, and since we stayed so long (about 4 hours) we also got an ice cream cone too. The nice man put sprinkles on his cone and of course, he at off all the sprinkles. It was a yummy, sticky mess. He was really cute playing with Abby today too. They would jump and play together. They even held hands walking around looking at the games once. If they were separated, I would tell Lucas where Abby was and he would go run to her or Jill would tell Abby where Lucas was. At one point they were wrestling around so much if they were any older it would have been inappropriate in public! They're so cute and I'm glad they get along. They still have their little tiffs as any toddlers would, but for the most part they have fun. Lucas did really well when it was time to stop bouncing to eat and to go home. I thought I would have a struggle but he went without argument.

We got home and started dinner. I had Lucas stand on the chair and pour all the food into the pan and stir it. Then we went and looked at the pictures and videos from today. He thought the videos were just the funniest thing ever. We barely made it through the videos and he was telling me nigh-nigh. We did manage to get through dinner, which turned into a game without me realizing it. I was saying yummy and and moving my head around and Lucas started saying "my turn" and then he would take a bite and say yummy and move is head around. Then I would have to do it and so on. It was a good way to keep him eating. We didn't even have the tv on! He did really well at lunch and dinner and actually snacked on Teddy Grahams the whole way home. I didn't think he'd eat a bit of dinner but he did and a good amount too.

He poo-poo'd 3 times, telling me each time. The first time was just a little bit in his diaper by the time I got him to the toilet. Then he said it again after dinner but it was already too late and so I just changed his diaper. Not even 10 minutes later he poo'd again. It's probably good that it wasn't all in one diaper, would have been a very full load! It was a good time to start a bath and so he had his dinosaur pooping again in the tub. I guess it was a night for #2's! The house is so quiet when he's in bed. I enjoy the time to catch up on housework and computer time, but I kinda miss him. I don't know what I'll do when he leaves, it'll really be quiet.

Swimming at the Pool

Since I have Lucas this week, I'm going to try and record as many details as I can, so Jaime can read about our daily adventures. So if you don't like reading about kids and little details, then these blog entries this week will probably bore you to death.

Last night was the first night I had Lucas. I brought the dogs in, even Zeus against my better judgement, and sure enough around 11pm he was staring at me across the bed, ready to go back out. Sammy, of course, was content on the now roomy side of the bed. Around 2am Lucas started crying. It sounded like a bad dream and I rocked him back to sleep. It didn't take long and all was well. He even slept in until almost 8am. We had Lucky Charms for breakfast, which he picked out all the marshmallow pieces and we had to say the color of each before he ate them. Then the rest of our morning consisted of playing in the playpen (he likes to climb out and climb back in), play with the balls, and ride his bike outside. Since we were going to the pool later, I wanted to put him down for a nap before we went. He went right down, talking to his babies for a little bit and only calling for me once, because I forgot to shut the blinds.

Jill and her girls (Abby and Ali) came over for lunch before we went up to Atterbury to go swimming. We made pb & jelly sandwiches. I don't think Lucas likes jelly because he peeled his sandwich apart and picked the peanut butter off the bread. The kids were a little hesitant of the water at first, both Abby and Lucas clinging to Jill and I. But it didn't take long and Lucas was jumping into the pool and splashing around. The kiddie pool is only 2ft deep so he was able to stand in it. We went into the big pool for a little bit, he really got some big splashes from jumping in that pool. We stopped for a little bit for snacks and then swam for a little bit more. Jaime warned that I might have a difficult time getting him to leave, but he was fine. I forgot a dry pair of shorts so he had to ride home in just his diaper, but he didn't even seem to mind that.

We came home and I put on Noggin while I got dinner ready. We ate some dinner, which he didn't eat much of course (he had string cheese for a bedtime snack) and we went for a walk. When we came back he rode his bike and played on the swing set in the backyard. We put all the toys up for the night and came in and watched about 10 minutes of Dora and he was ready for his bath--he let me know so telling me bubbles and heading up the stairs. He has a little dinosaur bath toy (like a rubber ducky) and it has a hole in the bottom. Well, it got water in it tonight and Lucas thought it was hilarious. He'd put the dinosaur over the cup and say poop in cup. So we had a good time making the dinosaur "poop" in the cup over and over. When he was done with his bath he pulled the drain and said all done. I didn't even have to tell him it was time to be done. I put him in his pj's, brushed his teeth, and he climbed into bed. No arguments, no fussing, I didn't even have to tell him. He just had to make sure his babies were close to him. I knew he'd be tired tonight after the long day but I didn't expect him to run the show tonight. I can handle that though.

So the first day with Lucas was wonderful. He's so cute and funny and he was super well behaved. Michael called tonight and said things were as good as they could be, I guess they really couldn't get any worse. Now it's my turn to wash this chlorine out of my hair and get things ready for tomorrow. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and Wednesday so we might go up to Bouncertown tomorrow.

Some Time with Friends

Not long after Michael left yesterday Jill called, which was good, because I always already extremely bored. Not that I don't have a thousand things to do around the house, I just didn't feel like doing any of them. She came down and we ate a little Taco Bell and then went over to the outlet mall to do a little shopping. They were having amazing deals (back to school shopping is the best time to shop) and we picked up a few things. I got a shirt from Gap for $4! I also got Lucas a few outfits and Jill got Abby and the new baby some clothes. I can't wait until she has her. Shopping for those itty bitty baby clothes makes me anxious for her birth and increases my baby fever. After that, I came home and got into my pj's around 5pm and just got comfortable on the couch to watch a movie and Wanda calls. She was just shopping at the outlet mall with Brittney and wanted to stop by. So they came over and we chatted until 9pm or so. So my first day home alone wasn't really so bad. I did some shopping and saw a couple of my very good friends.

Unfortunately, Michael's first day up in Michigan didn't go as well. He wasn't even there 10 minutes when some Private hit his car in the parking lot. He walked out there and the kid tells him he hit it and it's okay, because it's just a little scratch. Well, Michael can't even open the door (passenger side). The rooms are very small and there's no air conditioning, so he's going to be hot and miserable (he called this morning again and said he barely slept). The chow hall food is disgusting and he thinks he's going to starve for the next two weeks. I feel so bad for him. I'm so glad the government takes such good care of its soldiers.

Home Alone

Michael left this morning. I was fine until I had to say good-bye. I know it's only two weeks, but I'll miss him. I feel silly even saying it, as long as Jeremy's been gone. It's always the hardest to say good-bye, but I know I'll get into my routine and enjoy some me time. Since he'll be gone on my birthday, we celebrated it last night. We enjoyed some delicious steaks at Longhorn's and did a little shopping. It was nice. Jaime is bringing Lucas up tomorrow so it won't be just me and Sammy for long. It will be me and Sammy and Lucas and Zeus. So we'll each have a buddy to play with. I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with Lucas. I miss him and I don't get to do stuff with him as often as I'd like. Especially just us, like when I took care of him when he was a baby. Should be a lot of fun and we're supposed to have good weather next week too. Swimming pool, here we come!