B.A.D.

That was an instant message I got from Carlene a few weeks ago.  When I asked what was wrong she responded "these kids; breaking and entering, assault and battery, aiding and abetting". I have to give Carlene her props for watching 4 kids, 5 days a week, 10 hours a day.  She's definitely the best one out of us Smith girls for day care duty and I can't thank her enough for watching my boys. 

Baby Central... Whew!

This afternoon, Richard and I watched Justin and Nathan to allow Georgina to run some baby free errands. During this same time, we watched Aiden while Carlene did her hair. And oh yeah, we watched our own baby.

Here is what the afternoon was like.

1. Justin and Aiden spent much of the afternoon running back and forth from the living room to Ariana's room.
2. They competed for the toys and snacks even forcibly taking them from each other even though I gave each his own snack cup.
3. They fell in love with Ariana's play mat; at first they just rolled around but later began to "attack" the arches.
4. Once I had thrown both boys in the air I had to repeat this over and over again, especially for Aiden while Justin preferred that I chase him back and forth.
5. I saw both boys studying the security gate as if figuring how they could get over it. (I hear they worked together to knock one down at their house.)
6. They kept trying to climb on our glass coffee table. (I can already see it's going to have to go in storage once Ariana starts crawling.)
7. Aiden kept opening the stove and refrigerator.
8. Both boys kept trying to climb up the shelf/bookcase on the lower kitchen cabinets. After being told repeatedly to stop, Justin waited until I began to nurse Ariana, looked me directly in the face, and started to climb. On one hand, that move shows intelligence, problem solving, and determination; on the other hand it shows stubbornness.
9. They kept going into our bedroom even though the door was closed and at one point Aiden ran out of the office with the empty kingdom hall money bag.
10. They kept trying to touch the TV screen, sit on the TV stand shelves, and crawl behind it.
11. Meanwhile Nathan wanted his arms to be supported as he stood.

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but you get the picture.

We did get help when Richard's sister and niece stopped by and ended up playing with the boys. Don't get me wrong, I adore my nephews but I'm exhausted. Is this what it's always like with boys? And since Ariana will be joining TyC's "daycare" will she end up like them?

Kudos to Carlene who watches the three boys Monday - Friday!

Hanging with Nana

Carl's mom watched Justin for us this morning while Carl and I took pictures for a newly engaged couple. This was the first time she's watched either of the boys alone and we figured it would be too much for her to watch both of them. We knew Justin would be easier to watch since he's so independent and plays well alone. And if all else fails, he can be easily entertained with Elmo. But Justin had a great time with his Nana.

Adventures in Babysitting

Today was the first time I left the boys with someone other than family. Carl was attending an all day photography workshop/seminar, Carlene had plans and since I was going to Lalla's second baby shower that obviously took her and Richard out of the equation. But all in all things went well, although the sitter got stuck with one of Nathan's blow out diapers. I'm sure I'll hear about it Monday morning since the sitter is my boss' daughter. He's been offering up his daughter for a while now and fortunately she was able to watch the boys for me.

Adventures in babysitting

While we were babysitting, Justin crawled into the laundry basket. Did he think he was dirty? Couldn't be since I had just given him a bath.

Adventures in babysitting

I've been watching Aiden on Thursday's and Fridays since Carlene went back to work in August. But last Friday was the first time I had to travel with both boys by myself; Justin had an appointent to have his helmet adjusted. Surpsingly, it wasn't that bad. I put Justin in his stroller and attempted to put Aiden in the sling, which he doesn't like much when he's awake, so I ended up holding him and pushing the stroller.

Justin has been responding well to the helmet and I can clearly see a difference. The doctor wants him to continue wearing the helmet a couple more months to maximize the results, but I'm hoping that maybe he'll be done with it at his next adjustment.

On the Move

Although Justin is not crawling yet, he certainly knows how to get around. Sometimes he scoots on his back while at other times he roles to his destination. Often, he will look like he is going to crawl but gives up. Perhaps the funniest occurrences are when he rocks back and forth on his feet and head. Yes, I said his head. Maybe parents don't find that unusual, but I do. lol

Okay, my descriptions don't do any justice so check out the videos. (Sorry about the picture quality.)

Taking care of the brouzins

Taking care of both boys is definitely interesting. Georgy seems to appreciate both boys being on the same schedule but I find it to be challenging. Okay, let's use a stronger word... draining. When both boys cry at the same time, the question is, who do I pick up first? Whose cry is most pressing? Whose need is more serious?

My respect for parents grows more and more each time I babysit and keeping both boys only amplifies this feeling. Well, it's a good thing they're so cute; you just naturally fall in love with them so you can overlook how tired you feel after taking care of them.

Taking care of the brouzins

Carlene returned to work this week so Lalla watched Aiden on Thursday and I watched him Friday. I was so glad when Justin & Aiden fell asleep, they seem to be on the same schedule and both needed diaper changes and feedings at the same time.

A Day at the Zoo

Saturday I got to take Justin to the zoo. I guess he enjoyed himself since he was in a good mood the entire time even though I interrupted his nap when I had difficulty putting him in his stroller and we had to wait out a rain shower under a tree.

The only animal he seemed to appreciate was a seagull. His eyes never left the bird as it flew back and forth across the sky. I couldn't even get him to notice the fabulous peacocks behind us.

Justin's helmet attracted attention from passersby. One lady said he was the second child she had seen that day in a "football helmet," and a mother commented that her little boy would be getting one soon. She stopped me to ask if the helmet bothered "my son."

Two Nights and Two Days with Justin

As Justin already explained in his post below, Richard and I kept Justin for two days. I was going to add pictures, because I think they always make a post more interesting, but Justin "stole" the pictures I took and put them in his post. lol

When I first brought Justin in the house, Richard immediately took him from me. If you know my husband, you know that he is not the most outgoing person; but when he is with Justin, his personality completely lights up.

The 1st night: We ended up having Justin sleep in the bed with us in a mini bassinet (I’m not sure what to really call it). We have a queen size bed and I tend to toss and turn in the night so having the baby between us was interesting. Anyway, Justin woke up at 3:45 in the morning with a short cry. Richard and I both shot straight up to figure out what was wrong. But Justin seemed fine; Richard and Justin went back to sleep but as for me, I was wide awake for the rest of the night. A few more times, Justin gurgled, coughed, or sneezed. I just left my glasses on so I could easily look over and check on him. One time, Richard jumped up again to check on Justin, even putting his hand on him to make sure he was breathing. I thought that was pretty touching.

The 1st day: I tried to follow all the rituals: medicine in the morning, a morning story, tummy time, stomach massages, and neck stretches. Oops, I forgot the prune juice. Whew! Completing everything in the routine was exhausting so when Justin took his morning nap, so did I. In the afternoon, I took Justin outside so I could plant vegetables and flowers. I guess that was fine with Justin because he took his afternoon nap.

The 2nd night: Justin got fussy about 8 p.m. I changed his diaper, and tried to feed and burp him, but nothing was soothing Justin. So, Richard took him. His question to Justin was, “What is your auntie doing to you?” Even Richard couldn’t calm Justin down permanently, so he gave him back to me. In the end, Justin ended up being fussy for about three hours and I never did figure out what was wrong. (Georgina, here is a prime reason for teaching him baby sign language.)

The 2nd day: I had an errand to run so I had to take Justin out in the morning. Richard dressed Justin (but I guess you would know that from Justin’s post.) When we got back home I tried to follow the routine; this time I remembered the prune juice.

By the time Georgina and Carl picked him up Saturday afternoon, I was thoroughly exhausted. All I can say is that my hat goes off to parents! :-)

Justin's Walk

Lalla watched Justin yesterday while Carl and I went to a friend's wedding. Since the weather was so nice she took him for a walk. This was the first time he sat in the stroller and not the carrier and Lalla said he sat up like a big boy the whole time.

My 2 favorite men

Adventures in babysitting, part 2

Justin spent the night with Richard and me again last night. I laid him down around 10 p.m. and after fighting sleep for about an hour he finally fell asleep around 11 p.m. and didn’t wake up until 7 the next morning. Now I have to admit, that I still didn’t sleep through the night as I wanted to check on him, but I did sleep better than the last time when he woke up every hour on the hour.

Richard was very helpful. Last night he played with Justin and today he rocked him to sleep for a nap, fed him and played with him some more. I even heard Richard talking to Justin about shaving in the future. I’ve got a couple of cute pictures of the two of them together but Richard doesn’t want me to post them on the Internet; so the closest I can get to proof is the one on the right where you can see Richard's hands holding Justin. Anyway, I told him this morning, “I always knew you had a way with kids, but you’re even better than I thought.” But don’t get any ideas; this does not mean we’re planning to have kids.

OMG, he rolled!

Justin was taking a nap and I ran upstairs to use the bathroom. When I came back downstairs and checked on him he was on his back. I'm so excited, he's rolled from side to back before but never from back to stomach or vice versa. I wish I could've seen him do it, but I'm sure there will be plenty more times.

BEFORE - yes, I put him back so you could see how he was laying before he rolled

AFTER

Look Mom, I Can Feed Myself