Hope Still Flies

Can anyone believe it's been three years since Thad made his dramatic entrance? I'm pretty sure it still feels like yesterday.

Which is a little confusing because I just had Atticus a week ago. Maybe that's it.

But this post is for our big boy. Mr. Thaddeus Reed. 3 years old and smart to boot.

This kid amazes me. He's grown so much in the past year, and not just physically. We've seen him go from being a very shy, reserved toddler, to a slightly less shy, talkative preschooler. He still has anxiety about some things, and is pretty unsure of new situations/people, but overall has come such a long way.

At school (what we call daycare for him now) he's moved from the 2s room to the Preschool 1 room, and is thriving. (Side note: all of the teachers at daycare are absolutely amazing. Every teacher he's had has played a large part in who he is and his growth) He's learned all of his letters (working on lowercase), can count to 30, and can write his name. It's so much fun watching him learn new things, and how excited he gets about it. We went from worrying about his not talking much, to him being very verbal, speaking in sentences, being dramatic. All the usual things.

He's potty trained - just wearing a pullup at nighttime. He's about 38 inches tall, and maybe 35 pounds? He's lengethened out quite a bit - skinny all around. His hair is finally turning more brown.

Thad's current obsessions - Paw Patrol, garbage trucks, recycling trucks, fire trucks, sports (specifically basketball and soccer), "Old McDonalds" (McDonalds), and cars. He only watches a handful of things on tv, just watches them to excess. He's still big into basketball, soccer, and baseball, and loves playing any and all of them with whoever will play with him. His gross motor skills are pretty impressive, and he's good at dribbling a basketball.

Still a sweet and caring boy. He minds relatively well most of the time. He can be ...dramatic. Especially when he doesn't take a nap. We're working on calming him down when he's gone off the deep end for no reason. (Though I'm sure he'd beg to differ that us not letting him help make his oatmeal is "no reason".) He gets upset if we yell at him (really yell at him) - I think it scares him, and he defaults to just saying, "no" (in a scared/sad voice), and eventually his sad face comes through and he starts crying. It breaks my heart. We give lots of cuddles, and talk things out after he calms down. Our timeout time is pretty limited so far... 

I know 3 is supposedly worse than 2, plus having to deal with mommy and daddy splitting attention with this new brother thing. This year will definitely be different for him. But change... it's the only constant in life, right?

Two whole years. The days are long, the years are short.

This will be the last "official update" post for Thad. Not like he's going to stop growing or being cute, but I need a stopping point. I'm printing all my pregnancy and monthly updates into a book for me. It's almost 100 pages. Whoops.

We're closing in on the end of the second winter. T man fared much better sickness wise this year. Michael and I weren't so lucky. Never-ending coughs, chest pain, sinus whatever. It's been ridiculous. Thad's had some coughing issues, but it's more asthma related, I think. I was hoping he'd avoid that, but there are worse things.

Things have been great. Thad's still becoming more and more independent. He would rather do things himself no matter what. It's resulted in a lot of him helping us do stuff, lots of messes, but that's okay. He's also doing much more in the learning of emotions department. He still doesn't throw full-out tantrums. But, if he gets frustrated, his angry face comes out, and he'll either hit or throw things. And then if he's too tired, he'll cry. And cry. And cry. We talk to him, try to label his emotions and explain why we're doing or not doing, and redirect. But sometimes we'll do timeout. Discipline is tough. I know part of the problem is he's still not talking a ton, and can't express himself.

He's moved to the 2's room at daycare, which I think will help with the talking. He moved up with a few other babies from the 1's room, which I'm thankful for. And for the most part seems to be doing great! He has his moments, but he's not crying all day like he did a few months ago, or when he moved to the 1's room. He's still shy, doesn't like loud noises, prefers to be with mom and dad, but he's doing awesome. He's not even using paci at all there. (!!!)

On a me and Michael note... Michael's still doing good with school, work is going well (and busy) for me. I moved from an associate level, to level 1, which is awesome. Excited about the work I'm doing. Michael is still balancing work/school/family better than I ever expected. It's a lot sometimes, for the both of us. But, in general, I feel so grateful for the opportunities both of us have. And the support from family and friends.

The last one...

 

I wasn't sure I was going to do a blog post for 21 months... but I've been thinking about some stuff I want to write down for future!Alex, so I thought I'd do a quick update.

We're back to wintertime sickness, unfortunately. Thad and I have both already had pneumonia, though he's fared better than me (I also had two strains of the flu, and can't seem to shake my cough). His winter-daycare-cough has taken hold and he's doing really well with his nebulizer when we decide to do it. We've been lucky so far, and I hope a mild winter helps out with the sick kids not being so sick.

Other than that, life's been good! T's becoming more and more independent and more and more opinionated. Last night there was a meltdown because he REALLY wanted the dustpan and I wouldn't let him have it, but he could have the Swiffer! Nope. Didn't work. Learning how to handle him when he just starts screaming has been tough. Sometimes I just leave the room and laugh because, "He's shedding actual tears for that??" but there's a lot of sitting on the floor and hugging and explaining why I did what I did. "Buddy, a third pack of fruit snacks is not a good breakfast. And we're out of donuts."

He's getting a well-balanced diet.

(Kind of. Thanks to daycare.)

Slowly, Thad seems to becoming a little less shy, a little more comfortable with life. He spent all day in the 2-year-old room at daycare a week ago and barely cried at all. Compared with a month ago when he cried the WHOLE time he was in there, didn't eat lunch, and passed out before naptime. It broke my heart to check in and see that, so I'm glad he's getting more comfortable. He's still wary of strangers but will wave and hand things to them now. He still doesn't like us leaving him with any other adults outside of daycare. Makes going on dates hard (but so does having a husband in grad school.) but we're managing.

I'm so excited it's December. He's still a little young to completely get Christmas, but I know it'll get better every year. We're getting our tree this weekend, and he and I like walking through the Christmas section at Target. I'm excited for the lights and cuddles and Christmas music and movies. Cute Christmas-y things from daycare. (Speaking of daycare, I won't go into it again, but I'm so glad he is where he is. His teachers are such fantastic women and love him so much. And we love them. Very thankful. Oh, and the center is putting on a Christmas show on the 18th, if anyone wants to go! Let me know.)

There are little things now that I wish I could have told myself a year and a half ago. I spent so much time google searching and reading mom blogs and forums for little things. And some of the information was really, really helpful. But at the same time, I wish I could have told me, "Do what works! It'll be okay! He's not going to need a pacifier in college!" Thad's not a great sleeper. Never has been. I was all excited when he didn't have his nights and days mixed up as a newborn, but the actual sleeping? Ha. Sometimes he just doesn't want to. And I read all of this about cry-it-out, put him down awake, etc etc. I learned early that cry-it-out wouldn't work - he's way too anxious. I had to rock him to sleep until he was over a year old. And you know what? That's okay with me. I work all day, and he's only awake for 3 hours after I pick him up. That cuddle time at bedtime is one of my favorite things.

Even now, with his toddler bed. (Sidenote - he's doing great in his toddler bed and I love it.) I sit at the end of his bed while he goes to sleep. Sometimes he comes and lays on me, and how can I say no to cuddles? Other nights I just sit beside his bed. At this point, I could probably leave him alone, but... it's still my time with him.

So, Future!Alex... don't worry so much about the small stuff with the next baby. It'll all work out. Do what works for you and the fam. People are going to judge you regardless of what you do. But there will also be supportive people. Look to them.

Speaking of. SO many cute tiny newborns around. I've gone from thinking, "hahahHAHAH NO" to "I mean, it wasn't THAT bad, was it?" And then Thad takes his chex and dumps them all over the floor and I'm set with kids for awhile again.

1.5 years.... these kids just insisting on growing, don't they?

We've started getting the question of if we're thinking about having another kid. Some days I don't know how anyone handles a toddler and a newborn. I'm already exhausted enough at the end of the day. I don't miss being pregnant. Plus, Thad's a good kid, do I really want to tempt fate with another one? (And who can afford more than one kid in daycare???) But then... I miss having a tiny baby around. I wonder how Thad would be with a baby brother or sister. I've always wanted to have more than one kid..

So basically, the answer is... we'll have another one. Eventually. As long as it's in the cards for us.

Little blondie/"Destructo" turned 15 months earlier this week!

Look at that kid. I go between thinking he's adorable, a butthead, and a million other things. Usually in the span of three seconds. And I just love him so much no matter how much he's screaming.

I can't believe it's already been three months since he turned one! (And he's been walking for about five months!) I went back to the last blog post to see what I could update on...

I'm happy to report (and probably jinx myself...) that he is healthy! We've only had one additional doctor's visit between his last appointment and today, and that was for some weird rash he got on parts of him. (Turned out to be a virus?) He had one cough spell a couple months ago, but we cleared it up with his albuterol and pulmicort. So now he just gets his allergy medicine and vitamin daily. His nose is still pretty stuffy most days, but nothing horrible at all. Hopefully he can stay healthy in the coming months.

Daycare is going great. He (and me and Michael) love his teachers. They are great with teaching him and loving on him, and really I can't ask for more. All is good in that world.

Very much toddler. Running, throwing, whining, tantrum-ing. We bought him a little toy vacuum because he loves our big one so much. And it's been great! Except that we keep ours in the laundry room, which he can't really play in because furnace, water heater, etc. All he wants to do is put his vacuum in there, and take it back out. Over and over. Finally put it away elsewhere last night and he just kept going back to the laundry room door and crying (loudly) when I wouldn't open it. :(

We took a mini family vacation to Omaha last week. Until someone's out of school, we'll probably just have to do these little getaways, which is more than fine. We found a really beautiful house on VRBO. It was really close to both the zoo and the Old Market. We did half a day at the zoo and loved it! It's huge with such a variety of animals, and it was a lot of fun to watch Thad see it all for the first time. We spent that afternoon walking around the Old Market and ate dinner at a so-so place. Should have stuck to the pizzeria/bakery right around the corner from the house we stayed at. Absolutely delicious, and the best customer service I've ever encountered. So much fun.

And we managed not to completely screw up his schedule not having him in daycare for a week! I loved having him home, but more props to the stay-at-home-parents. It's exhausting trying to think of things to do to keep them busy. Especially free things.

The only other bit of big news is that I started a new position at work this week. I made a jump from clinical operations, to our IT/data group. I have a lot learn, but am really excited about the position and the opportunities it brings. This first week has been great, and I think it will just get better, though probably more stressful as well.

In the next week and a half, Michael's turning 26, and we're celebrating 6 years of marriage! So crazy. Most days I feel like we should still be 18 or 22 or something. And we DEFINITELY shouldn't be trusted with a kid.

Oh, wait.

One more thing - pray for me. I have to play soccer a few nights next week, and outside of chasing Thad, I have rarely worked out in... awhile. It's going to be ugly.

Well, as of 6:25 am this morning (well, if I'd posted this Tuesday, oops), we officially made it!

Thad is 12 months old. What even?!

This month was another sick-y type month. Although, honestly, I can't keep them straight anymore. There was something earlier this month... croup? That he got rid of a few weeks ago, and then this past week started coughing AGAIN. And then the cold symptoms came on. Congestion out the wazoo and everything. Saturday he woke up with the goopy eyes and nose, so we took him to the walk-in clinic. Didn't get to see his normal doctor, and this one just told us he probably has asthma, gave us a new script and sent us on our way without anything for the snot machine. He hasn't been running a fever, and he's eating/acting fairly normally so we've let him be. We'll see if he can kick it this week before his 1-year appointment on Friday.

He's finally starting to do better in his new room at daycare. He's still pretty attached to Miss Kirsten (even when I pick him up, he occasionally reaches back out for her!) but he's letting Miss Cheryl hold him too and he's playing more by himself. I see it more at home, too. Loud noises don't bother him as much (most of the time), and he's definitely on a schedule now with naps. I love it.

Still wanting to be oh-so-independent, he gets frustrated when I don't understand what he wants (from his whining. How dare I?) He's learning he can point to what he wants, and he knows the sign for more (his version, at least). So most of the time he'll wonder into the kitchen and start signing for more. If I pick him up he'll point to his goldfish crackers, or graham cracker sticks, and will start clapping when I pull them out. Stinker.

We all made our first (and second) trip to IKEA! Loved it. We got a few new things for the house, and Thad got a toybox, new car rug, and some cars. It's definitely an adventure out there.

I'm still trying to get used to making small talk with people who also have small kids. Thad likes to stare (of course) or play with other little people. So I have to get used to the "How old? What's his name?" I don't do social situations well. I'm trying.

This dude is constantly cracking us up. 

 

January was more of an icky month for us. Started off all right, but then Thad came down with some sort of either sinus or ear infection... that cleared up with antibiotics. A week after finishing the antibiotics he came down with the flu. That stuff is no joke. It struck fast and hard. He was fine when we dropped him off at daycare one morning, and had a fever over 101 by noon. He (and I) have been through a round of Tamiflu, and though he's hanging onto his cough, he's doing a lot better. (I also caught the flu a few days after starting Tamiflu, but thankfully I was just super sick for a couple days. Feel really bad for the people that have that junk for a week and a half!)

After consulting with the state, it was figured out Thad couldn't start the one's room until closer to 11 months... Well he officially started about a week ago. He's having a bit of a rough transition. He still doesn't do great with new places and lots of noise, and this involves both. He's getting there though, I think. Hopefully. He's adjusted to their schedule well (breakfast, lunch, nap, snack) and is still happy as can be when we get home. But he's definitely still shy. He'll run around the house talking and yelling and if someone he doesn't know well comes in he just stops. Poor dude.

I also gave him his first mini haircut last weekend. His baby mullet was out of control. It's only slightly better now... but his hair doesn't stick out the sides of his head so much.

He is a walking machine. Also a head-bonking machine. Already been thankful more than once that we put bumpers on the coffee table. He prefers to walk in stores now, usually helping to push the cart. Or rip sale signs off the bottom shelf (sorry, Target!). Also at Target it wasn't super busy and he took off a couple times and thought it was hilarious when I'd chase him. So, that's starting.

We're very ready for warmer weather... he loves being outside. We've had a few days in the 60s, and we went to the park one day. He loved it all. Swinging, sliding, playing basketball. Going to need to invest in some outdoor toys for our tiny bit of yard I think.

So we're now really close to his first birthday. The year has absolutely flown by. I think we're probably not going to do a big birthday party. Does that make me a bad parent? I really didn't have any growing up... occasionally my parents would take me and my friends some place cool like a Wizards game, but I don't feel like I missed out on much. Since he won't remember it anyway... I think I've decided to do his birthday photoshoot the weekend before his birthday, hopefully involving a smash cake. Then the Friday after he turns one he has his doctor's appointment, and I think we're going to try to go somewhere and do something with the three of us... just not sure what yet. Aquarium? Some place he can climb on things? I dunno I dunno...