2013 Review

January 10

So far 2013 has not been real kind to my kiddo. What gives, 2013?? He's just a little wee man, leave him alone please. In the first seven days he had a nasty stomach virus with vomiting galore, an emergency doctor's appointment, three follow-up calls, two new teeth, a checkup which found an ear infection accompanied by snot infested nose and a whine that sounds like a Euro-Wambulance. Also, that's $500 in Dr. bills and I don't want to think about how much in lost time at work.... So dear 2013, please move on to someone closer to your own size like maybe that giant woman in AZ who is gaining weight for a spot in the world records.

January 31

Good news! Today is the last day of January, and hopefully the last day of torture that the month has rained upon me and my family. Ricky is on his third round of antibiotics since the year began and I am hopeful that this time they will kill the virus for good so he can be healthy for more than one day at a time.

February 4

Spent the weekend further childproofing my home, only to have the kiddo learn how to climb out of his crib. Game on kid, game on...

February 20

My son likes to throw things away. Some of those things are not garbage.  Asking a one year old where his shoes are is an exercise in futility.  The biter at kiddo's daycare got kicked out, yay! Apparently his mom owed almost $3,000 for tuition. I can't believe people actually expect others to watch their kids for FREE.

March 1

My son didn't want me to leave him at daycare today! It's always nice to be missed by someone you love.

March 4

Went out to breakfast. Went to a two year old's birthday party where my son hopefully passed his cold to the aggressive child who pushed him around for an hour.

March 27

Kiddo has an appointment to see the ENT today... maybe we'll figure out whether he can still hear or not.

March 29

I'm going to the fucking beach. For Easter. That's right people, THE BEACH. So have a nice Easter, I won't be here, eat lots of candy and don't chase the Easter Bunny around too much, he tires easily. Happy Beaster! Oh and for those of you who are jealous, know this - the beach is over 8 hours from me and I am driving there with a child under the age of two who doesn't like to sit still. So awesome, I can't wait.

April 8

Step one: Buy a large new toy for son.
Step two: Assemble toy and place in backyard.
Step three: Watch wind blow large new toy around backyard.
Step four: Seek refuge in house due to cold and wind.
Step five: Cut holes in box large new toy came in.
Step six: Sit back and relax while son has fun playing with in box with holes.

April 16

I'm going to try to refrain from saying things that don't need to be said today. In other news, kiddo now smiles, waves and says Hi when I get home, so that is nice. In other other news, he similarly greeted the mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup bottles on our table last night which was amusing, if a little discouraging.

April 29

Took kiddo to his first ballgame this weekend - it was a fun experience and he did really well. We had some very excellent *free* seats. We left at about the halfway point and got to see all the drunks acting a fool on our way out.

May 23

I have come to the realization that I'm raising one of those crazy people who can't function normally when there is a full moon. Sorry world, but I don't know what to do about it, except get up and howl with him from 12-3 am. Aaawooooo zzzzzzz

May 30

There is no privacy.

May 31

The daycare ladies told me this morning they wish all the moms were like me so that is Wow and Ahhhhsome! Some of the moms bring their kids in, dump them and their things on the floor and then RUN for the door. I spend at least 20 minutes there at drop off time hanging out with my kid, playing, putting his things away and making sure he's comfortable. It's nice to be acknowledged for something good and that I also enjoy doing.

June 10

 I wiped my kid's nose 1,000 times instead, and did chores. Funny thing is that floor is dirty again, the clothes need washing again, and the kid's nose is still leaking. Life can be really repetitious sometimes.

June 17

20.75 months apparently requires bubble wrap for baby and tranquilizers for parents. Just keeping the kid in one piece is a challenge lately... I turned my back for literally 10 seconds and the kid took off with the vacuum, tripped over the base of the fan and bit his lip. The most minor injury possible given that combination of child and equipment so that's cool but really... (yes, I call a fan and a vacuum equipment.)

June 26

Went to a rodeo parade, baked cookies, pulled weeds, harvested stuff and ate it, planted more seeds, adopted a baby duck and watched it die, treated an ear infection and the croup. RIP Dawn, I only knew you for 24 hours but you were a pretty neat addition nonetheless.

June 27

My kid's buddy just turned two and got moved to a different classroom. Growing up is hard on kids, and their friends.

July 1

The hilarious thing about being Mommy is you take two days off work to take care of your sick kid so that by the time you catch the cold he's feeling better and you have to go to work, feeling miserable.

July 18

Well it looks like we are getting tubes put into kiddo's ears next week. I'm trying to be extra nice to him in spite of him hitting me in the head with stuff and things twice this week. The surgery has been quoted at between two and three thousand dollars and they would like me to pay that before they do it so I'll be rolling my coins and hoping it all adds up. So here's hoping your children are nice to you while you break open your piggy banks to get them fancy extra parts!

July 22

Son's surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning. If you could pray for him I would appreciate it. I'm feeling stressed and anxious about it all and have a lot of running around to do today to get everything ready. So may God be with us over the next few days, thank you in advance, Amen.

July 23

Son made it through surgery and only quit breathing once yay. We are home now listening to him sleep and giving thanks, so thank you to all of you for your positive thoughts and prayers. There is no crying in motherhood umkay.

August 5

Rearranged my kid's room, took him to the world's saddest zoo, er the biggest zoo in Nevada, watched him ignore the classically interesting animals in favor of watching turtles basking in the sun.

August 13

What I think my kid said this morning:
Hey clock, fuck you! I don't care if it's 4:30, it's time to get up!
Hey cereal, fuck you! I want cheese! And ham!
Hey milk, fuck you, I want juice!
Hey mom where are you going take me with yoouuuuuu! Yes I do want to throw water all over you and the bathroom yay yay yay!
Hey kids, fuck you, that's my mom/lap/shoe/toy/snack aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Don't leave me here waaaa okay bye.

August 15

While I was putting dinner in the crock pot my kid was dumping a family sized box of Cheerios onto the kitchen floor. Today is awesome!

August 20

This kid of mine... he's been the meek and mild one at 'school' but NO MORE. Now that he's the biggest in the room he's taken to pushing and shoving the smaller kids around. Little does he know that in one month he will get moved to the big kid room, where he will be the youngest. Oh how quickly things change in life... One minute you are the best, and you might enjoy the feeling of power but don't get used to it because there is always someone getting ready to take your place.

August 23

My son let me rock him like a baby last night, relaxing in my arms, looking up at me while I sang him a lullaby... that was some heady stuff! And so nice to know that he still likes it too, even though he's getting to be such a big boy.

August 28

The kids at daycare love my son and call out his name when we get there. Ricky! Ricky! Ricky! Like any supercool rockstar he walks right by without even acknowledging them and it's left to me, trailing behind, to wave and say hello. I hope the people you admire acknowledge you today.

August 30

How to annoy a toddler: When he presents that one favorite book you are sick of reading, open it up so he can see the pictures, wait until he's settled on your lap, then begin reciting a totally different story. When he makes you start over, do it again.

September 12

Just took my kid in for his two year checkup... it's all good. He's right on track and that's a huge relief, and he got a flu shot so that's awesome. He weighs in at 31 lbs., and is 34.5 inches tall. He can hop and point and eat with a fork. Neat-o!

September 20

It's kiddo's last day in the 1 year old class... I'm not sad but rather looking forward to him starting the next chapter of life. Time to turn the page.

September 24

Sunday morning was kiddo's birthday party and we had a great time, ate fruit and Danishes and cake and HOMEMADE ice cream, omg, it was delicious. Kiddo got some really great gifts and had a fun time. Sunday afternoon we opened up all the toys and let him have at it. His favorites right now are his tricycle, his train, the Elmo toy. Monday we cleaned the house again and had a nice family day. And today is kiddo's first full day in big boy class, hurray!

September 25

Switched my kid's crib to a daybed and he has only rolled out twice so far, on the first night. I hope this continues since I'm now used to sleeping through the night. And in other news, it's time to get rid of some of the bigger baby toys to make room for his new big toddler toys. I think I'm having more trouble with all of these changes than he is.

October 1

My son loves sandwiches and dancing.

October 7

Had a pretty busy weekend with kiddo having the strep and going to my nephew's football game. It ended up being a good time and really I can't remember the last time I got a sunburn in October.

October 9

Two is awesome except for the whole refusal to get dressed and put on shoes thing. Honestly I don't like to do any of that stuff either but it's a part of going out in public, which we have to do daily.

October 11

Kiddo has been responding to questions with an enthusiastic 'Yeah!' lately which prompted me to have a very amusing conversation with him on the ride home yesterday. He has agreed to sleep quietly, help pick up around the house and to neatly fold his clothes when we do laundry tomorrow. Poor kid.

October 21

Had a very busy weekend with kiddo being sick all over the house but he stopped puking so that's nice. Gave me an opportunity to sanitize the house and clean the carpet in his room and do all the extra laundry that comes with the voms. He was kind enough to give me his cold so now I can bring it to work and spread it around.

October 31

I have been wondering whether or not to take my little one trick or treating tonight and the universe has answered - in the form of a 104 temperature for said little one. Never a dull moment! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

November 1

Good news: kiddos fever is now manageable and I hope it stays that way.
Bad news: he is using the house as a jungle gym.
Here's to feeling better!!

November 11

Had a really nice time with my mom and son at the Nevada discovery museum!

November 14

My son was such a little angel last night which brings me to wondering why toddlers are so dang bipolar. Once you steel your nerves for yet another horrible experience they end up surprising you and BOOM you are all healed up and get to thinking you've got the hang of this thing called life.

November 22

I had to pick a coworker up before work this morning so I took her along to daycare with me. It was pretty funny to see her face as she took it all in. Things that I am completely used to that seemed to catch her by surprise included: Brightly colored... everything. Noise and constant movement in the room. Screaming, crying, fit-pitching right next to hugs and kisses and snack eating and toy tossing. Discussion of lunch consumption and who pooped when....

November 30

Got the Christmas tree up and kiddo is being a typical teenager!! (Ignoring it)

December 12

I've apparently become the lady who reads stories at daycare. When we arrive Ruckus gets a snack and some juice and afterward I get mobbed by book-toting little ones. It takes a few minutes but they really seem to enjoy it. One kid to my right, mine on my lap, and others in the room peeking shyly up from whatever they are playing with as the story unfolds. Yesterday was some story about Sponge Bob's Valentine and today I read about typing cows, then about Baby Minnie wanting a snack. Gather round all, this next one will be good...

December 18

Having a bit of a baby crisis, mostly because he isn't one, not anymore! Eats with utensils, drinks from a cup.... Ugh. Goodbye yesterday, sniff sniff.

December 24

It's a brand new day.. Kiddo has decided he likes having breathing treatments every four hours and enjoys the taste of strawberry amoxicillin so things are looking up. Last night I had one of the worst experiences ever with a two hour pharmacy wait, violent customers who smelled of urine and a screaming child in tow, ugh. I am glad that is over.

December 27

Since I know you all miss hearing about my every move... I'm getting locks for the doors because guess who can unlock the deadbolt now??

Other things I learned about my son this week:

He doesn’t like spinach dip on his chips

Repeats everything you say, but it’s hard to understand.  This is a blessing.

Really enjoys Thank You.  Saying it, and hearing it.

Very particular about where things go.  If you put it in the wrong place, he will stop what he’s doing to fix it. 

Does not care for No.  Talks back.

Drinks well from a cup, until he gets bored or full and then spills well from a cup, everywhere.

Likes yogurt with his toast or cheerios for breakfast. 

Wants to do everything himself!

Has become attached to his booster seat and won’t sit still without it.

Enjoys the freedom of having the baby gate removed.  It won’t be going back up.  I hope.

All in all 2013 was a ridiculous year.  Ruckus grew by leaps and bounds, we all learned a lot, he survived his first surgery, and is making friends in his new class.  He gained 9 lbs. last year, and is now in a size 3T, and wears a size 8 shoe.  He is a huge dose of fun and a very charming and affectionate little boy now, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings us.