The boys are headed to California to visit my grandparents (while Yuri works, Victor hangs out with my grandparents). It's always a huge exercise in trust for me to let Victor travel like that.
I know he is always surrounded by people who care for him and watch him like a hawk -- but it's still hard as a mom to let him go 3,000 miles away like that. I think of how lucky Victor is that he gets to spend so much time with his great-grandparents -- hopefully deep in his head some memories of them will be imprinted in there.
Here's a lesson in don't leave them for a second -
We were in the process of getting ready to take the boys to the airport -- I was putting away all the toys that Victor had pulled out in his nap less afternoon (i.e.: all of them) and Yuri was carrying bags up and down the stairs -- the gate wasn't locked, so Victor went upstairs and poked around the diaper bag -- that had Yuri's meds for the trip in it (do you know where this is heading?).
Like most times when they are getting in trouble - it became strangely quiet.
Suddenly it hits you that it's quiet and as I went upstairs, I saw pills all over the carpet - vitamins, meds, and fish oil -- a pile of OH CRAP!
He was jumping on his bed, excited to go to the airport -- I asked him if he ate any medicine, he said no.....but I didn’t' want to trust that he knew what I was asking him -- so I took him to the bathroom and stuck my finger in his throat.
He gagged but didn't throw up.
I asked him to just throw up in my hand (like he had done when he was sick) but this was not something he was interested in. I tried it a couple more times with no luck.
I called his pedi to ask if they had any vomit inducing tricks - they said I should call poison control. By this time Yuri had accounted for all but one pill -- so I called poison control.
They were great -- asked lots of questions and said that he would be ok. The pill he might have scarfed is bitter, so they didn't think it was likely if he crunched it, he would swallow it because of the taste - and since he didn't have any white residue in his mouth, the poison control lady was pretty sure he didn't have anything and would be ok. The pill in question is for ADD/Anxiety so it wouldn't hurt him if he had 1 -- 100..maybe, but one would just make him sleepy.
But to she told me to
1. Stop sticking my finger in his mouth
2. Give him something to drink and eat. And call back if I had any questions.
Victor (bless his heart) was so excited about riding on an airplane; he quickly recovered from this torture and was pretty happy.
Of course, once they were off -- as I was vacuuming I found it -- on the white part of the staircase -- hiding. Arg.
Lessons learned --- when you are packing put the kiddo in the car 1st -- at least strapped in they can't get into much -- have one parent be the car minder and pack the stuff as the other person brings it -- if this isn't possible - lock them inside at least.
Go find a child-proof travel container for meds
When it's quiet -- they are getting in trouble
Call poison control before torturing your child.
In case you need a smile (and aren't easily offended) click here and if you want to see a good movie -- go see Juno. Get in your car. Go see it.
Hey universe -- thanks for watching out for the boy this afternoon -- and thanks for watching out for them as they travel. I appreciate it. I love them boys.
I was eating lunch today -- happy to have finally figured out how to load NPR podcasts on to my player -- somehow not an easy task for some reason.
Happily I listened to this story -- tears filling my eyes. Our particpants were around, talking about business deals gone crazy and there was I sniffling into my soup. I wanted to grab them and say -- here, you have to listen to this.
Then, once I was finished with that one -- I heard part two and that nearly got me moving from quiet sniffling to all out sobbing. The visual in this piece is so amazing -- it touches your soul. I remember hearing it on the radio one Friday morning - but somehow with all the hussle of the morning I don't remember it really getting to me. Maybe it was listening to the stories back to back really hit me.
Let me know what your reaction is to these stories is -- just have the tissues handy. And if the StoryCorps booth comes to your area, be sure to sign up.
Since Victor has been bestfed until 20 months - we've been a co-sleeping family. Which means basically Victor sleeps in our bed most nights -- he may start out in the crib most nights and as the night continues, he ends up in our bed.
As we were all laying together tonight - a little pile of family - my heart was full for these nightly snuggles and cozies.
The twilight blue light covering us as the fan circles the air above and Victor's little inky eyes looking up at me, pulling on my ear and patting my arm.
In the morning he pats us awake, and then moving in closer to snuggle for a while until we're ready to get moving.
Of course there are the times like last night when he poked me until I woke up and then when I opened my eyes, he said 'HI!' and while I tried to get him settled, he would raise and lower his legs and I laughed (even though it was midnight or so) because I remember doing that very thing when I was a kid. Raise them up...then flop them down....again and again.
Of course people tell me I'll regret this or that he'll never want to sleep on his own, or he'll basically be a pain sleeper -- but I figure he'll move out before long, when he's ready and hopefully the cozy piled-together family time we've spent all slumbering will help to create a web of love he knows he can count on that helps him fall asleep as a grown man......someday.
Victor is on the mend I believe -- phew. He seems to have a smile now & again and doesn't just want to be held all the time. I did enjoy he cuddly needs but when it was coupled with crying that got kinda old after a while.
Today during a lap session we watched an interesting program about snakes. He was totally into it -- this kid loves animals without a doubt. He has a marvelous sound he makes when he sees an animal -- it's on the high pitched side of things and he'll often say "Hi" at the same time.
He also loves music -- today we were walking to the oil change place & a car passed with a thumping bass --- he stopped walking, started swinging his arms and bouncing up & down on his little legs. So far I would say he likes hip-hop, bluegrass, classic rock & roll and jingles on TV. More than once he's stopped what he's doing when a particularly good jingle is on to bust a move toddler style. Yuri asked today what instrument should we get for him -- drums, keyboard, guitar. After Lynn heard a brief Victor harmonica concert - she mentioned that John Lennon started with the harmonica.....those are big shoes to even consider -- but it's nice to know what these music musings are good for the little guy.
Speaking of musical musings -- does anyone want to join us at a Dan Zanes concert in July ? I think we're going to do the pajama party on Friday night since somehow I'm signed up for the GRE the following morning (WTF...I mean really)
When I heard someone say their child was 20 months (or so) I would cringe -- kids seemed so ucky at that stage -- ornery, dripping and running in 101 different directions. And, yes the boy is ornery, dripping and runs like the wind -- but as I stand knee deep in toddlerhood -- it really isn't so bad after all.
I think what toddlerhood has been like so far reminds me a lot of listening to the radio -- even when there's a bad song, don't stress about it because something good will come on before long.
I could stress, and spend all day changing the channel, getting my panties in a bundle-- but I would never really find that one song I really wanted to hear.
This way -- I'm pleasantly surprised when an old favorite comes on and come to find new songs that get my grove on.
Moods change quickly in toddler world, so I just have to ride out the grumps and whines -- because before long, smiles will emerge. I try to give him a wide berth of opportunities in the house -- today he was happy to mix crackers with several wooden spoons & mashed some crackers to smithereens. He's figured out how to turn the TV on/off, change the channel. He's called 911 and hung up -- they called back...
Taking the radio station metaphor to the next level -- I was thinking about how much I loved the TOP 40 shows on Sundays when I was a kid -- I wonder what the top 40 of toddlerhood would be. Ideas? Thoughts? Please share....I'll have to figure that one out.
Need a diverson -- try this, that and the other thing
Cute moments:
- Emma says "bye-bye Victie" when Victor leaves the babysitter's house.
- He learned about blinking -- and was entralled with my blinking quickly & would laugh and then give me a big hug -- this went on for several minutes.
- Did I mention that Victor hugs are pretty much the coolest thing ever -- we still have the urge to live in his ear because we love him so much -- but we'll have to settle for hugs instead.
- Yuri passed his motorcycle class - so he can ride his Vespa with confidence that he knows safety -- today Victor had pulled off his diaper, so running around comando style at the front door - he watched Yuri zip up the street.
Dear Victor --
A year ago you got sick and had to stay in the hospital for a day. It was a frightening time for us both -- Daddy was traveling, Grandma Hedy was going home & we both were sick with the rotavirus. It wasn't an easy week -- between the mounds of laundry, trying to keep your temp up at night & keeping you hydrated. I remember the week mostly because over 5 days I got about 12 hours of sleep. It wasn't an easy week.
We've learned a lot in this last year -- you've learned to run, climb and go go go! I've learned to take a deep breath, pick up messes and ask for help when I need it. It's not easy for us both -- you run into walls here and there, and I work hard to juggle gracefully. All in all - I think we're doing well.
From the baby who was happy to go anywhere - you've developed opinions & are happy to share how you're feeling. Mostly you want to tip over trash cans, pull things off tables, and run around outside. It's a balancing act again - allowing you the freedom of expressing your wants/needs/desires. It's hard for a mommy to know when to trump ya' or not.
You are a very loving child and I'm so thankful for all the ways you share your heart with us. I'm amazed at the fountain of love that comes out of you. Hugging legs, patting heads, pulling up shirts to blow raspberries on bellies -- you are a dear little boy with a big heart.
Love you bundles -- Boob lady (code name Mommy)
