Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Friday after Thanksgiving marks the one year anniversary of when we met Jonas for the first time. Amazing.

Can you believe that I did not snap one freakin photograph on Turkey Day? Oh well. Nothing exciting to report. Hope you are all well.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Technical realization & Hi to Conn.

I was just looking at the blog, and did you know if you
clicked on the individual pictures, they pop up larger in a different window?
Cool! Ok, you all probably knew that already didn't you.
Something you may not known is that I have a visit counter at the bottom of the page. I can click on it and see who has visited. What's weird about it is that I have some regular visitors that I do not know. This is fun and sometimes kind of scary. (makes me think its a little wierd that strangers are looking at intimate pictures of my family. But I am pretty sure there is no identifying info except our first names. Hmmm, I think I'll go check that out.)
Anyway, I am sure most of you are friends or referrals from friends.
There is one in particular from Connecticut who visits often.
I don't know who you are, but hi!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Playdate pictures













So, we did it. We went to the playdate. It was a beautiful day, probably 74 degrees, blue skies. There were 5 other children and their parents. The kids are all too young to actually play with each other very much, but it was nice to be around people with a common bond. Jonas loved the slide and with the help of one of the other dads, he went down over and over.
Here are a few pictures.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Patience and a playdate

So, I haven't really written in a while. The new camera has been fun and I have enjoyed sharing pictures and video with everyone.

I had a revealation today in the playroom. Jonas isn't so different from me. He wants what he wants when he wants it. When he doesn't get it, he gets mad...sometimes really mad and hits me or throws something at me. I too get mad like this, but I have impulse control! This is such basic social workey stuff and I can't believe it never occured to me. He is little and has no impulse control. This changes everything in my mind. I have to be honest...my first instinct when he hits or throws is to get MAD. Sometimes I feel stupid for not predicting the behavior and being taken off guard, but mostly I just feel mad. Having the insight that he "has no impulse control" I think will allow me more patience and less of an anger response. HOWEVER, this does not preclude me from correcting this behavior in the most loving way I can manage at the time.
I think, the best way to deal is to pay close attention and deescalate the situation before he gets to throwin' punches. This is not always practical, as it requires my intense attention to every second (which is not possible, although is my unrealistic expectation). The next best way I can come up with is taking his arm/hand and say no hitting, that hurts mommy. Give mommy gentle touches...then I show him what that means. I know, I know...its not going to work... it doesn't address that he's acting out cuz he's frustrated, but it makes me feel better doing something about it. I imagine it will get better when he can speak to me.

Second issue: I am wonder woman! Seriously! Last night (Geoffrey worked at the Emergency clinic) I was on my own with Jonas. I decided I wanted to treat myself to some sushi. Ok..so off we went. I managed a 19 month old, by myself, while enjoying an awesome sushi dinner. This was not our first meal out alone...but this place was quiet and kinda fancy. Here are the tricks.
1. Order his food as an appetizer... he got japanese style chicken mcnug's. Chicken tempura, sans the rice and dipping sauces. The food comes quick and you need the time for it to cool off, that stuff is lava hot. (also ask for a fork and knife, you'll need it to cut up the molten lava chicken,and it will cool off faster)
2. Get two sushi menu's. One for the boy to flail around and ultimately throw on the floor so the waitress has to come interact with your child, giving you ten seconds to pencil in your own order.
3. Squeeze out the edamame onto a plate for the boy to eat. He loves it and this gives you time to drink your yummy green tea.
4. Time to dispense the chicken, in small portions at a time. This gives you the illusion that he will not run out of food while you are eating so you think you can savor and enjoy your meal. Ultimately, you end up gobbleing it up to avoid the 19 mo old squirming while you are eating your Ikura.
5. Pay the bill as soon as they bring the food..no waiting around after the meal is done. This presents only a small issue if you are like an american idol judge on the service before you tip..I'm a standard 20%er..from years of working in food service, so this is not an issue for me.
6. OH! Keep the warm washcloth thingy from the begining of the meal, nice to wipe off the kiddo with.

Ta Dah!
Aside from my kid saying hello to everyone in full voice, (its a quiet little restaurant with that tinkling japanese music) we were pretty inconspicuous.

Today we are "supposed" to go to a playdate. I have only been to one...I think we will make it, my social anxiety in mommy situations is really stiffling both of us. We'll see.

Ok... off to print out the recipes I'm gonna cook for Tgiving so I can write my grocery list.

Blessings to all.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Books and music




This is a good example of what our evenings look like.
Jonas really loves to listen to
his daddy play music. Gratefully, he is really loving reading books.
He hands us books(without our prompting) and
asks to get "up" to sit on our laps to read. Several times a
day he will just sit in the floor flipping through
the pages and jabbering...its so awesome!


Banjo Dancin'

I don't know who is more talented. My hubby

who plays all these instruments or my son

who can dance to any genre of music.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Editing

Well, I took down the video and pictures of Jonas in the dog crate, here's why.
I recently sent some pictures and a letter to the foster family he lived with in Guatemala.
I included the address to the blog..I got panicky thinking about them clicking on the blog and without the captions (which are in english and they don't read english) seeing this precious boy in a cage. I think that could be pretty upsetting. SO... that's that.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

We've been spotted!

Geoffrey was playing the Djembe but Jonas wouldn't dance

until he played the tray table. The look on his face when he spots the

camera is so awesome! He totally figured out I was filming him.

new puppy video

We've got a new puppy!!!


Ok, so... I sent Geoffrey off to do the bedtime diaper change and pajama time. I went into the kitchen to do something, and in comes this cute puppy. I swear..I thought the cuteness was LITERALLY going to kill me. My chest was fluttery and all I could say was...oh my goodness, oh my goodness, I had to sit down. (Then I jumped up and took some pictures. I have some video too but I'm having trouble uploading it. ) I think thats what joy..real joy must feel like.
I just love my new puppy!