We recently finished watching the new versions of Star Wars on DVD. By the time we got around to watching them at night Ollie was in bed. It was a surprise to us this week when he started imitating the Ewoks. He started saying things like 'nyub, nyub, nyub' and dancing around. 'chga, chga, chga' or booga booga booga spoken really fast, is another popular Ewok phrase. What we need to do is take some cat hair and paste it on his face, he would be a true Ewok then.
Ollie has a picture book of animals that he 'reads' regularly. He does pretty well at pronouncing most of the animals names, but some he still has a problem. While in applebee's yesterday, they had a carousel horse mounted as decoration. Ollie is a bit confused with some of the animals, so he called it a fox. One of his pronunciation problems is with the 'x' sound. So instead of fox, Ollie called it a FOCK! He repeated it several times very loudly. We quickly told him it was a horse, so the full restaurant wouldn't think we were teaching him to cuss. Unfortunately, he forgot it was a horse and repeated FOCK, FOCK, FOCK several more times. I was happy when our meal was finished and we left the FOCK behind.
December 20, 2004
December 17, 2004
Child Wrangler
The battle over coat wearing continues. He sees his coat, runs away and hides if he can. When we catch him he throws a fit and goes limp. This makes putting his limps spaghetti arms into the coat more difficult. He complains once he has it on and tugs at the hood, collar and arms to try and get it off. He knows how to unzip his coats, but he hasn't figured out that is the first step to his freedom.
We get him in the car seat, his body goes limp and he slides out of it while throwing a fit. He gets set back up and gets his 3 point harness on while screaming. I've tried to push the coat down to make it more comfortable for him with the belts, but it doesn't seem to help. He tugs at the collar and hollers. He eventually gets distracted by something, like a bus or a toy and he stops protesting the coat torture for a few minutes.
When we arrive at our destination he is fine with the coat and doesn't dislike it. Maybe he knows he's getting the torture device off soon. Once inside he gets his coat off and goes about his business like nothing happened.
We have to repeat the whole process when he is picked up from the sitters. Last night I had to chase him out from behind a chair and out from underneath the dining room table. Once in his coat, he give each of the other 3 kids a kiss/headbutt goodbye and we are on our way to the torture car seat for the journey home. Spring can't come soon enough for Ollie.
We get him in the car seat, his body goes limp and he slides out of it while throwing a fit. He gets set back up and gets his 3 point harness on while screaming. I've tried to push the coat down to make it more comfortable for him with the belts, but it doesn't seem to help. He tugs at the collar and hollers. He eventually gets distracted by something, like a bus or a toy and he stops protesting the coat torture for a few minutes.
When we arrive at our destination he is fine with the coat and doesn't dislike it. Maybe he knows he's getting the torture device off soon. Once inside he gets his coat off and goes about his business like nothing happened.
We have to repeat the whole process when he is picked up from the sitters. Last night I had to chase him out from behind a chair and out from underneath the dining room table. Once in his coat, he give each of the other 3 kids a kiss/headbutt goodbye and we are on our way to the torture car seat for the journey home. Spring can't come soon enough for Ollie.
December 15, 2004
Wide Awake
Yesterday was another first for Ollie. This wasn't the best first, he didn't take a nap all day long! Of course this changed once we got in the car. He slept for about 20 minutes on the way home, but he groggily woke up when we took off his jacket. His Aunt and Uncle ramped him back up enough to stay up until 7:30. He didn't make a peep for the rest of the night.
One thing I did notice was that he is like his father in one sense. His ears turn beet red when he is tired, just like me. It definitely makes it impossible to lie about how tired you are.
The struggle with the new coat continues. He sees the coat, he throws a fit. This morning he ran away from me and I had to chase him around the kitchen island to put it on him, while he was crying. He hated the hood being on him in the car and let us know he didn't like it. With the help of a bus and Christmas lights, the trip to the sitter's wasn't too ear-shattering. Next we get to try gloves!
One thing I did notice was that he is like his father in one sense. His ears turn beet red when he is tired, just like me. It definitely makes it impossible to lie about how tired you are.
The struggle with the new coat continues. He sees the coat, he throws a fit. This morning he ran away from me and I had to chase him around the kitchen island to put it on him, while he was crying. He hated the hood being on him in the car and let us know he didn't like it. With the help of a bus and Christmas lights, the trip to the sitter's wasn't too ear-shattering. Next we get to try gloves!
December 14, 2004
Cruisin'
When the weather was warmer and it was less windy Ollie would be able to go outside and play. If his uncle Dale was out messing with his car Ollie would help by checking all the internal buttons and switches. Occasionally he would take the car out for a joyride when his uncle wasn't looking.
He would cruise down the road with the radio blaring 'Ring Around the Rosie' and other popular children's tunes. He'd go to the local daycare and pick up a few chicks while sipping milk at the play table. They'd drive off for a whirlwind tour to the local playground. He'd treat them to a dinner of microwaved baby meals and bottled milk. Eventually he'd return them to their daycare and sneak home without his uncle noticing a thing, then repeat it the next night. He is an advanced 'player' toddler.
He would cruise down the road with the radio blaring 'Ring Around the Rosie' and other popular children's tunes. He'd go to the local daycare and pick up a few chicks while sipping milk at the play table. They'd drive off for a whirlwind tour to the local playground. He'd treat them to a dinner of microwaved baby meals and bottled milk. Eventually he'd return them to their daycare and sneak home without his uncle noticing a thing, then repeat it the next night. He is an advanced 'player' toddler.
December 13, 2004
Tripping the Light Fantastic
Lights are Ollie's major obsession. Every time we see one he has to tell us that it is a light and then tries to turn it on and off and on and off and... We thought with the Christmas holiday that it would be fun for him to see a bunch of Christmas lights. On Saturday night we took him to the Festival of Lights in East Peoria. The whole trip took us about 2 hours. We drove over there and waited in line for quite awhile. All along the way, Ollie pointed out all the Christmas lights too us. Lights, lights, lights were the words for the night or so we thought.
We finally got into the light display and Ollie was able to sit in the front seat with his Mama. He was more interested in the the buttons inside the car than the lights outside. We had to keep knocking on our windows so he would look at the lights. He would look at the big light displays on his own, but the small ones were totally ignored. They closer they were to the car the more likely they got looked at by Ollie. He barely said the word "lights" and was generally disinterested in the whole thing. Maybe next year will turn out to be a better experience for him.
Earlier in the day we took him to see Santa. Last year Ollie wasn't afraid of him and just kind of stared while his picture was being taken. This year he looked at Santa and started to point at his white fuzzy trim. I thought that meant it was ok for him to sit on Santa's lap, I was wrong! The first picture was of Ollie crying his eyes out reaching for me. Since we couldn't get him to stop crying long enough for a decent picture, we got to be a part of it! His mama and I sat on Santa's lap while I held Ollie as far away from Santa as I could so he wouldn't see him. We got a decent picture, but we weren't dressed for the occasion, except for Ollie. Maybe next year will turn out to be a better experience for him. That sounds familiar.
We finally got into the light display and Ollie was able to sit in the front seat with his Mama. He was more interested in the the buttons inside the car than the lights outside. We had to keep knocking on our windows so he would look at the lights. He would look at the big light displays on his own, but the small ones were totally ignored. They closer they were to the car the more likely they got looked at by Ollie. He barely said the word "lights" and was generally disinterested in the whole thing. Maybe next year will turn out to be a better experience for him.
Earlier in the day we took him to see Santa. Last year Ollie wasn't afraid of him and just kind of stared while his picture was being taken. This year he looked at Santa and started to point at his white fuzzy trim. I thought that meant it was ok for him to sit on Santa's lap, I was wrong! The first picture was of Ollie crying his eyes out reaching for me. Since we couldn't get him to stop crying long enough for a decent picture, we got to be a part of it! His mama and I sat on Santa's lap while I held Ollie as far away from Santa as I could so he wouldn't see him. We got a decent picture, but we weren't dressed for the occasion, except for Ollie. Maybe next year will turn out to be a better experience for him. That sounds familiar.
December 10, 2004
One Size Doesn't Fit All
When Ollie was born he got a jacket for a present. The purchaser thought the jacket was for a 2 month old. The collar said 2T, which means that since Ollie is now 19 months old (almost) he can wear a jacket sized for a 2-year-old. The jacket is a bit big on him still, so he should be able to wear it in the spring as well.
It is a good thing that he likes it, because when we tried to switch him to his heavier coat he would have nothing to do with it. He wanted his Mickey Mouse coat. He cried when we tried to put the heavy coat on him and he told us 'No'. Eventually he won and got the coat of his choice. We'll have to hide it next time it gets really cold.
December 09, 2004
Christmas Shopping
Ollie and I had a full day of shopping and fun together yesterday. His sitter attended a funeral, so I watched him. We went Christmas shopping for his Mama's gifts. He awoke looking similar to this:
We started the day by dropping his Mama off at work. We then went to Wal-mart to pick up a few item that we needed around the house, it was also the only place open that early. We then headed to Target and still got there right as they opened at 8. We cruised around the store and wasted some time in the Christmas section looking at the lights. We wasted more time in the toy section. The mall didn't open until nine, so about 8:40 we checked out and made our way to the mall. We arrived at the mall 10 minutes before most of the stores opened.
We walked around JCPenney because they were open. In the pillow section Ollie found a few pillows he liked. They were shag like pillows with tufts of fabric sticking out of them. He gave one of them a kiss. I'd hate to be the purchaser of that pillow!
The other stores opened and we went to the Disney store to find a present for one of Tresa's co-workers. They were out, so we'll have to check back later. We also tried to see Santa, but he wasn't on the clock for another 45 minutes, so we went home. Ollie was getting a bit fussy about not being allowed to roam freely and my arms were tired from carrying him through the stores (when he wasn't sitting in the carts) and the mall. I should have brought his stroller for the mall, but I took it out last week to make room for groceries and forgot to put it back.
We got home and Ollie played while I wrapped presents. It took me 45 minutes to wrap 4 presents due to being shown a million things and play-breaks. I was able to finish them up while Ollie ate his lunch. He went down for a nap about 12:30 and I finally ate something and did other work around the house.
He awoke at 2:30 from his nap and by the time he got a snack and got played with his Aunt and Uncle it was time to pick up his Mama from work. We went out to eat last night, I was frazzled. You have to respect all the stay-at-home parents, it is a tough job. Mine is much easier, I sit on my butt all day, they have to run, play and finish other things around the house. I hope their stamina gets built up, because it was tiring to chase a toddler around for the day.
We started the day by dropping his Mama off at work. We then went to Wal-mart to pick up a few item that we needed around the house, it was also the only place open that early. We then headed to Target and still got there right as they opened at 8. We cruised around the store and wasted some time in the Christmas section looking at the lights. We wasted more time in the toy section. The mall didn't open until nine, so about 8:40 we checked out and made our way to the mall. We arrived at the mall 10 minutes before most of the stores opened.
We walked around JCPenney because they were open. In the pillow section Ollie found a few pillows he liked. They were shag like pillows with tufts of fabric sticking out of them. He gave one of them a kiss. I'd hate to be the purchaser of that pillow!
The other stores opened and we went to the Disney store to find a present for one of Tresa's co-workers. They were out, so we'll have to check back later. We also tried to see Santa, but he wasn't on the clock for another 45 minutes, so we went home. Ollie was getting a bit fussy about not being allowed to roam freely and my arms were tired from carrying him through the stores (when he wasn't sitting in the carts) and the mall. I should have brought his stroller for the mall, but I took it out last week to make room for groceries and forgot to put it back.
We got home and Ollie played while I wrapped presents. It took me 45 minutes to wrap 4 presents due to being shown a million things and play-breaks. I was able to finish them up while Ollie ate his lunch. He went down for a nap about 12:30 and I finally ate something and did other work around the house.
He awoke at 2:30 from his nap and by the time he got a snack and got played with his Aunt and Uncle it was time to pick up his Mama from work. We went out to eat last night, I was frazzled. You have to respect all the stay-at-home parents, it is a tough job. Mine is much easier, I sit on my butt all day, they have to run, play and finish other things around the house. I hope their stamina gets built up, because it was tiring to chase a toddler around for the day.
December 07, 2004
Sad Bee
We took pictures of Ollie in his Halloween costume before the big night. As you can see below, he wasn't too thrilled with his outfit.
This is why we thought it was odd that he liked wearing the Wild Thing outfit with the hood on. Since that time he has gotten used to wearing things on his head. He'll take my hat and wear it for a little bit. He puts it on himself, puts it on me and repeat. He'll also have you put other things on his head like hair clips, but his hair is so short they don't stay in long. It must be one of those things that toddlers have to get used to. I'm sure there are many more things we all will have to get used to in this ever changing family dynamic.
This is why we thought it was odd that he liked wearing the Wild Thing outfit with the hood on. Since that time he has gotten used to wearing things on his head. He'll take my hat and wear it for a little bit. He puts it on himself, puts it on me and repeat. He'll also have you put other things on his head like hair clips, but his hair is so short they don't stay in long. It must be one of those things that toddlers have to get used to. I'm sure there are many more things we all will have to get used to in this ever changing family dynamic.
December 06, 2004
Our Christmas Story
In the move "A Christmas Story", Ralphie receives a custom made bunny suit for Christmas from his aunt. His mom thinks it is adorable, his dad laughs and he hates it. He's embarrassed to be seen, even by his family, in the bunny suit. Ralphie is told to take it off and he only has to wear it when his aunt visits.
Ollie has an outfit that is similar to the bunny outfit. There are two major differences. First, Ollie's suit looks more like a Wild Thing from "Where the Wild Things Are". Second, he enjoyed wearing the suit, hood and all.
The hood on anything is usually a no-no. So this is a major improvement in that department. Now if only we can get the Wild Thing to stop eating us out of house and home!
Ollie has an outfit that is similar to the bunny outfit. There are two major differences. First, Ollie's suit looks more like a Wild Thing from "Where the Wild Things Are". Second, he enjoyed wearing the suit, hood and all.
The hood on anything is usually a no-no. So this is a major improvement in that department. Now if only we can get the Wild Thing to stop eating us out of house and home!
December 02, 2004
King of Ducks
All 3 of us went to the bookstore last night and then went Christmas shopping. While we were at the bookstore Ollie played with the tran set and a few of the stuffed animals. He liked pushing the cars through the tunnels, but didn't make them go anywhere else. Eventually he got bored with that so we went to the board book section to find something for him to read. He found a book with Dora the Explorer, but she didn't stay around for long. Nothing fun to touch in her book. He found a touch and feel book with a picture of what became his obsession for the night...Ducks!
There were ducks on the cover and the first page had a yellow fuzzy circle on it. He flipped open the page to discover the fuzzy circle was really DUCKS! "Ducks!", he said excitedly. I tried to move on to the next page, but he was having none of that, he had to see the ducks. It got to the point where he wouldn't let me touch the book because I was trying to get him to look at something else in it. Occasionally he would act like he was putting it away and he would go down a step and to the shelf, but would return with the same book and open it to the same page. "Ducks, ducks, ducks", he would tell me.
Eventually it was time to go and he put the book up without a fight. We then went shopping for Christmas presents and had a little luck. He didn't mention the ducks again. I'm sure we'll here more about them when he sees his book about Ducks!
There were ducks on the cover and the first page had a yellow fuzzy circle on it. He flipped open the page to discover the fuzzy circle was really DUCKS! "Ducks!", he said excitedly. I tried to move on to the next page, but he was having none of that, he had to see the ducks. It got to the point where he wouldn't let me touch the book because I was trying to get him to look at something else in it. Occasionally he would act like he was putting it away and he would go down a step and to the shelf, but would return with the same book and open it to the same page. "Ducks, ducks, ducks", he would tell me.
Eventually it was time to go and he put the book up without a fight. We then went shopping for Christmas presents and had a little luck. He didn't mention the ducks again. I'm sure we'll here more about them when he sees his book about Ducks!
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