The latest haps

Well, all is going really well in our land. I am not the walking zombie that I expected to be once I went back to work, and both boys are thriving. I really enjoy this new life. It would be hard to do all by myself, but with so much family around and a modern-thinking husband who does not retreat to his man cave when he gets home from work, I am able to keep it from getting ugly.

I have bit the bullet and become semi-domestic. I am a little closer to being a real mom. A real mom cooks, cleans, does laundry and of course, mothers her children. Before having #2, I was only a half-mom becuase I didn't do any cooking or cleaning. However, it became obvious to us when faced with a picky eater and a screaming newborn whose mother needed her husband home ASAP and not out looking for food to pick up on the way home, that I needed to change things.

So I have begun to explore new "quick" recipes, and learn how to feed a child who, has steadily been marking off his list the things he is willing to eat since he turned 1. I have been pleased with how most have turned out, although I am still bummed becuase I have not yet found that magical meal that only takes 30 minutes to prep, cook and clean. This week I chose to make a souffle since it has so many protein/iron rich eggs in it. Since Carter asks for birthday cake every day, and the souffle was made of sweet butternut squash and carrots, I decided to up the chances of him trying it by calling it "birthday cake souflee." And luckily for me, he bought it for now. I don't expect these little tricks to last long. He caught on quickly that "banana mush" was really just a banana mixed with anything he normally hates and he even was able to tell that there was pureed chicken and applesauce mixed in with his ice cream one day. (I got desperate) But some time has been bought for me to continue experimenting with new things for him to try. I have also had success with edamame due to it's cuteness when you push the beans out of their pods and they go flying onto his tray, and like it because it has so many nutrients.

So that's what I've been up to. Here is what the boys are up to:
Carter- has developed a fondness for youtube videos relating to Elmo, Thomas, and Caillou. He still loves watching trucks in action. He is really into this Russian video of a train who gets distracted by nature on the way to the station that we randomly stumbled upon. He sings songs all day. He loves "Happy Birthday," Firetruck Song (which he has customized and changed to Garbage Truck song, "Silent Night," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Elmo's Song," "Choo Choo Train," and "I've been working on the Railroad." He is obsessed with ladders and turns everything (coffee tables, his high chair, etc) into a ladder for him to climb. He loves the books Silent Night, Franklin Rides a Bike, and 10 minutes 'Till Bedtime. He is really happy when Gabe is awake and comes around to play with him frequently. He has become more able to follow along with tv shows/movies. Unfortunately, now there is no turning back. I get about 45 requests to watch Horton Hears a Who each day.

Gabe is starting to sleep in his crib finally. He still wakes up more frequently than when he is in the swing, but at least I don't feel like I'm fostering any bad sleep habits. His colic has disappeared and he is 100% pure heaven to be around. He finally likes tummy time even though he still spits up every time he is placed on his stomach. He recently has begun to "talk." He seems to be more vocal than Carter was at this age, perhaps becuase Carter was tongue tied and I didn't have his frenulum clipped. Or perhaps, he may just be more extroverted. In any case, it's really funny to listen to him. Unfortunately, it just reminds me how fast he is growing and this, of course, makes me so sad. Gabe likes to bounce on my knee, play pattycake, peekaboo, and be tickled. He loves exploring my face and hair. He can roll over both ways although he rolls from tummy to back with the most ease. He hates being dressed after having a bath.

Anyway, that's all for now.