This past weekend, we made a trip to Branson with my family. We had been looking forward to this trip because it had been awhile since we'd had a vacation and also it was nice to visit Branson in cooler weather, instead of the smoldering hot summertime which we normally go in. One of the main reasons we decided to go this time of year was because we wanted to see the Christmas light display at Silver Dollar City. We thought Cale would really be able to enjoy everything "Christmas" this year. Before heading to Silver Dollar City, we went to get Cale's picture made with Santa at Bass Pro on the Landing. Cale wasn't too scared of Santa and he sat there like a good little boy complete with a solemn, unsure look on his face. But, no tears! When we got finished with the picture, we walked over to a holiday train exhibit that was set up in Santa's workshop area. Cale was instantly in love. The electric train drove through a snow covered village and made sounds. After a few minutes of watching, we tried to leave. Cale made it clear that was not happening. We tried again several times, but were unsuccessful. Finally, we just decided to tough it out. We told Cale we wanted to see the fish (we thought that was soften the blow of leaving the trains) When we got to the fish aquariam, Cale was still a bit cranky. I tried talking to him about the fish and saying things like, "Oooohh, look at that big catfish, Cale". But, I guess he's not a baby that can be tricked into things anymore. He put me in my place by saying, "Don't talk to me, Mama." That was the meanest thing he's ever said to me! I guess I better get used to it, because I'm sure that meaner words will come in the future.
After enduring dinner at Shorty Smalls...I say enduring because Cale was not exactly on his best behavior. Lack of sleep + No schedule + Cousins (who he loves, but he shows out for) = Naughty Cale :) We headed to Silver Dollar City. If you've never been at Christmas time, you're missing out. I don't think I've ever seen so many lights. It felt like we were walking through a village at the North Pole and as a kid I would have thought it was completely magical, I actually thought so now. The highlight of the night was the train ride. We had been telling Cale for days that he would get to ride the train at Silver Dollar City. He was completely infatuated with the ride, the sounds, the conductor yelling, "All aboard!". He was having fun until the train stopped in the middle of the ride. An old man with a white beard sat in a rocking chair and told the Christmas story. In the middle of his story Cale said rather loudly, "I don't like Santa Claus"...several times. The lady in front of us tried to explain to Cale that the man wasn't Santa Claus, but I'm not sure he believed her. Luckily, after a few minutes, the train began to move again and all was well with Cale. I think he will remember that train ride for awhile. He's been playing with his trains even more the past couple of days and his new favorite phrase is, "All aboard!". Cale says he wants Santa to bring him some more "choo choo tracks" for Christmas. Good thing Santa already has that covered! (Thanks to my sis for letting us borrow her train table and accessories for a few years) I can't wait to see Cale's face on Christmas morning!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Christmas Mood
I love, love, love this time of year. I am excited about Thanksgiving, but even more so for Christmas. I can't wait to put out my Christmas decorations. I tried to talk Carl into us putting them up this weekend but he said I was crazy. He seems to think it's a little too early but I don't think so. I love walking into stores and seeing holiday decorations, holiday food items in the middle of the aisles, and hearing Christmas music. I guess I'm like a big kid in that way. I can't wait to start seeing Christmas lights and playing Christmas music in my car.
But, I think this Christmas will be one of the best in awhile. Cale is actually old enough this year that he will enjoy the holidays and I can't wait. It's like getting to relive the excitement we felt on Christmas as kids, but through Cale. We've already been talking about Santa Claus and toys and Christmas trees. He's crazy about his holiday Thomas the Train DVD he got the other day and has already watched it over and over and over...and I'm thinking it will continue.
I want Cale to love Christmas just like I always have and to get excited as the anticipation to the big day builds. Even if he doesn't understand everything about Christmas this year, he will understand one thing: Toys.
We're going to Branson with my family next weekend. We're going to stay a few nights just to get away and have a mini-vacation. But, another one of the reasons we're going is to see the Christmas light display at Silver Dollar City. I think Cale will have a blast, especially since his cousins will be there to play with. I'm thinking after strolling through the probably-already-holiday-deocorated Branson Landing and seeing the light show at Silver Dollar City, I will definitely be in Christmas mode! But, for Carl's sake I will try to wait until after Thanksgiving to take down our fall decorations and put up our Christmas decorations. Maybe Thanksgiving night... :)
But, I think this Christmas will be one of the best in awhile. Cale is actually old enough this year that he will enjoy the holidays and I can't wait. It's like getting to relive the excitement we felt on Christmas as kids, but through Cale. We've already been talking about Santa Claus and toys and Christmas trees. He's crazy about his holiday Thomas the Train DVD he got the other day and has already watched it over and over and over...and I'm thinking it will continue.
I want Cale to love Christmas just like I always have and to get excited as the anticipation to the big day builds. Even if he doesn't understand everything about Christmas this year, he will understand one thing: Toys.
We're going to Branson with my family next weekend. We're going to stay a few nights just to get away and have a mini-vacation. But, another one of the reasons we're going is to see the Christmas light display at Silver Dollar City. I think Cale will have a blast, especially since his cousins will be there to play with. I'm thinking after strolling through the probably-already-holiday-deocorated Branson Landing and seeing the light show at Silver Dollar City, I will definitely be in Christmas mode! But, for Carl's sake I will try to wait until after Thanksgiving to take down our fall decorations and put up our Christmas decorations. Maybe Thanksgiving night... :)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
And the Temper Rolls...
Cale's temper is becoming quite apparent lately. It seems to flair up most often when he gets frustrated while playing. As much as he loves, I mean adores to the point of obsession, his tractors, these are also the items that tend to usually be on the receiving end of his rage. On several occasions lately, Cale has become upset because his tractor wasn't cooperating as he felt it should. To make his ease his frustration, he's been chunking the tractor on the ground, several times in a row. And I mean hard. It's actually a little funny to watch because his tractors are literally his best buds yet he can turn on them on the drop of a hat, and down to the floor they are thrown as if they are trash.
Tonight, we sat on our bed watching Thomas the Train and playing tractors. Cale couldn't get his trailor to hitch onto the tractor like he wanted. All of the sudden his face got red, he clenched his teeth, he huffed and puffed a little...then, I guess because the floor wasn't easily accessible he decided not to chunk the tractor. He frantically leaned down, and for lack of a better punishment idea, he bit his tractor and then topped it off with a good "spanking". I'm sure that tractor learned his lesson. I couldn't help but laugh because it's so funny to see how Cale reacts to things as he gets older, even when his reactions are probably not the best. After a minute or two, Cale and his tractor were friends once again, as if the incident never happened.
I guess he got the spanking idea from me. No, not because I spank him all the time...even though he has gotten a few spankings in his little lifetime. But, whenever somthing hurts him, we "spank" it to make him feel better. He stubs his toe on the toybox, we spank it. His finger gets smashed by his tractor, we spank it. It may not be the best thing to teach an almost-two-year-old, but it usually stops his fussing instantly and the tears go away. It's called survival and sometimes it must be used in dangerous, scary, toddler jungle. If you've got kids, you know what I mean. If you don't, you will know one day.
I have a feeling we will have to work on temper issues quite often as Cale gets older. But, the older he gets the less funny it will be I'm sure.
Tonight, we sat on our bed watching Thomas the Train and playing tractors. Cale couldn't get his trailor to hitch onto the tractor like he wanted. All of the sudden his face got red, he clenched his teeth, he huffed and puffed a little...then, I guess because the floor wasn't easily accessible he decided not to chunk the tractor. He frantically leaned down, and for lack of a better punishment idea, he bit his tractor and then topped it off with a good "spanking". I'm sure that tractor learned his lesson. I couldn't help but laugh because it's so funny to see how Cale reacts to things as he gets older, even when his reactions are probably not the best. After a minute or two, Cale and his tractor were friends once again, as if the incident never happened.
I guess he got the spanking idea from me. No, not because I spank him all the time...even though he has gotten a few spankings in his little lifetime. But, whenever somthing hurts him, we "spank" it to make him feel better. He stubs his toe on the toybox, we spank it. His finger gets smashed by his tractor, we spank it. It may not be the best thing to teach an almost-two-year-old, but it usually stops his fussing instantly and the tears go away. It's called survival and sometimes it must be used in dangerous, scary, toddler jungle. If you've got kids, you know what I mean. If you don't, you will know one day.
I have a feeling we will have to work on temper issues quite often as Cale gets older. But, the older he gets the less funny it will be I'm sure.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
It's funny how life changes when you have a baby. I was on recess duty earlier this week. I looked up and noticed a fire truck driving through the Kroger parking lot. Suddenly I felt excited. Then, I realized Cale wasn't with me, and I couldn't help but laugh. What is wrong with me? I guess I'm a mom, that's what! You're interests and outlooks change when you have a little one. I notice things I would've never even thought about before. Things like the sound of a motorcycle engine revving or a siren of any kind. These things get a reaction from Cale everytime.
Having a toddler changes you from a person who hopes to miss every train that comes through town, to a person who tries to find the nearest railroad track any time a whistle blows just so you can sit and watch the train go by. (only when Cale's with me, of course!) Things like tractors, dump trucks, ambulances, bulldozers, firetrucks, cows, horses, squirrels, birds, frogs...these things make me excited now because I know Cale gets excited for them. I guess it's like reliving my youth all over again! Strange.
And our taste in music has definitely taken a turn since we've had Cale. Carl and I now catch ourselves humming the tune to Handy Manny or Blues Clues more than the latest songs. Ask us about a current popular song and we can't name one, but ask about a song that was on Yo Gabba Gabba, and we can probably sing it. "There's a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy" That's been one of those awful, can't get it out of your head, kind of songs!
On a side note, Cale really loves music right now. He can sing parts of Twinkle, Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Justin Beiber's "Baby", a 6-7 letter version of the ABC's, and a piece or two of a turkey song that his babysitter is teaching him. He loves to sing and it's so funny to listen to him. He's not much on dancing yet, but I guess I'm to blame for that because this Momma don't dance! It's my phobia. And when he does try to "bust a move" it looks about like me trying to dance. Not pretty! ;)
On another side note, Cale is still announcing when he toots. I always try to say, "Cale, what do you need to say?". But, lately when he toots he says, "Trick-or-Treat". I guess all that prompting before Halloween has caused just a little bit of confusion.
Having a toddler changes you from a person who hopes to miss every train that comes through town, to a person who tries to find the nearest railroad track any time a whistle blows just so you can sit and watch the train go by. (only when Cale's with me, of course!) Things like tractors, dump trucks, ambulances, bulldozers, firetrucks, cows, horses, squirrels, birds, frogs...these things make me excited now because I know Cale gets excited for them. I guess it's like reliving my youth all over again! Strange.
And our taste in music has definitely taken a turn since we've had Cale. Carl and I now catch ourselves humming the tune to Handy Manny or Blues Clues more than the latest songs. Ask us about a current popular song and we can't name one, but ask about a song that was on Yo Gabba Gabba, and we can probably sing it. "There's a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy" That's been one of those awful, can't get it out of your head, kind of songs!
On a side note, Cale really loves music right now. He can sing parts of Twinkle, Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Justin Beiber's "Baby", a 6-7 letter version of the ABC's, and a piece or two of a turkey song that his babysitter is teaching him. He loves to sing and it's so funny to listen to him. He's not much on dancing yet, but I guess I'm to blame for that because this Momma don't dance! It's my phobia. And when he does try to "bust a move" it looks about like me trying to dance. Not pretty! ;)
On another side note, Cale is still announcing when he toots. I always try to say, "Cale, what do you need to say?". But, lately when he toots he says, "Trick-or-Treat". I guess all that prompting before Halloween has caused just a little bit of confusion.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Pregnancy Woes
How many more weeks? It seems like I've been pregnant forever, yet I still have a ways to go. I'm 26 weeks pregnant today, even though I look and feel like I did at about 36 weeks last time. Seriously, I had always heard that most people got bigger, faster with the second pregnancy. But, nobody told me how much bigger or how much faster these things happened. Geez. Sadly, I have almost reached my end of pregnancy weight gain from my first pregnancy...already...at 26 weeks...with 14 to go. And believe me, a lot can happen in 14 weeks. Especially 14 weeks consisting of delicious Thanksgiving meals, Christmas dinners, and way too many sweets. Oh well, it's just a number, right?
Not only do I already look much more pregnant than last time, but I feel much more pregnant than last time. By Fridays, my ankles have turned into very sore cankles. And I should be listed in the Guiness Book of World Records for the number of trips I make to the bathroom in one day. And, it's like an Olympic feat getting up from a lying position. I have to strategically think through getting up off the couch after watching TV.
And maternity pants. An item of clothing that makes my stomach churn. The regular kind won't stay up on me and I spend the whole day pulling and tugging. So, I'm forced to wear the full panel kind that come up to my chest and make me feel like a complete dork. And believe me, they don't do anything for my figure, which is already in desperate need of help at this point! Oh how I miss real jeans!
Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful that we're having another baby. It's worth every minute of discomfort and awkwardness. Every minute, hour, day, month...yes it's worth it. It's worth not getting that Sonic drink as often as I would like. Which is every day! It's worth breaking my horrible habit of a thermos of wonderful, regular, coffee every school morning, and trading it for a small cup of decaf. It's worth trading in those cute, heeled boots of fall for boring flats. I guess I shouldn't care because I soon won't be able to see my feet anyway! It's worth it all. I just wish men got to experience just a day of the discomfort, of the complete lifestyle change that pregnancy presents. Makes me think of that old Cosby show episode.
Not only do I already look much more pregnant than last time, but I feel much more pregnant than last time. By Fridays, my ankles have turned into very sore cankles. And I should be listed in the Guiness Book of World Records for the number of trips I make to the bathroom in one day. And, it's like an Olympic feat getting up from a lying position. I have to strategically think through getting up off the couch after watching TV.
And maternity pants. An item of clothing that makes my stomach churn. The regular kind won't stay up on me and I spend the whole day pulling and tugging. So, I'm forced to wear the full panel kind that come up to my chest and make me feel like a complete dork. And believe me, they don't do anything for my figure, which is already in desperate need of help at this point! Oh how I miss real jeans!
Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful that we're having another baby. It's worth every minute of discomfort and awkwardness. Every minute, hour, day, month...yes it's worth it. It's worth not getting that Sonic drink as often as I would like. Which is every day! It's worth breaking my horrible habit of a thermos of wonderful, regular, coffee every school morning, and trading it for a small cup of decaf. It's worth trading in those cute, heeled boots of fall for boring flats. I guess I shouldn't care because I soon won't be able to see my feet anyway! It's worth it all. I just wish men got to experience just a day of the discomfort, of the complete lifestyle change that pregnancy presents. Makes me think of that old Cosby show episode.
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