photoblog

a first: playing in the snow

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
Our backyard.  Their playground.

Until yesterday, the snow was something that the boys just watched from inside.  Stomped on in the driveway or knocked off of a bush while on their way to the car.  I’m not going to lie – I hate the snow.  The reason they have never played in the snow is because I don’t want to play in the snow. Hate is not a strong enough word.  Sure, it’s pretty.  But worthless as far as I’m concerned.  However, the first words out of Theo’s mouth when I picked them up from the babysitter were “Mommy, can we play in the snow?!”  He had such an excited, hopeful look on his face that I couldn’t find an excuse to say no.

We got home and bundled up and went right back outside for about 45 minutes.  I was paranoid the entire time that they were going to freeze.  Every time they sat on their knees to play.  Every time they fell on their bottoms and just sat there laughing.  Also, I was freezing.  But the looks on their faces were so priceless and sweet.  I guess that dumb snow’s not entirely worthless. Anything free that can elicit such wonder and amazement has some innate value, correct?  Without further ado.

Checking the mail before we go inside.
Well, that was fun.  Is it springtime yet?
~C~

downswing/upswing

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Last week, Theo ran a fever off and on for a couple of days. Friday morning, he seemed fine. So did Dexter.  But then two hours later, I received a text from our sitter saying that Dexter was puny and a few minutes later another one saying he had thrown up.  And had a fever.  Oh dear.

I left work and picked up the boys.  Dexter was just a pathetic little blondie boy by the time I got there, sleeping on a pillow on the floor.  How do they go downhill so fast?

We had to cancel some plans over the weekend but luckily we didn’t have anything out of town or have tickets purchased for anything.  We certainly would not have been able to go.  Dexter still had a fever Saturday and had started coughing. By Sunday, Theo’s cough and runny nose had worsened. I didn’t know a runny nose could be so severe….sounds like a minor symptom, but try telling a 2 year, 51 week old boy that.     He cried every time his nose was running.  He wanted us to wipe it.  He cried every time we wiped it.  This cycle repeated, ohhh, every 30 seconds.  For the whole day.  Poor kid’s face was raw!

So that’s our weekend recap.  Here are a few pictures that I managed to snap on my camera and phone.

Poor, raw, baby face broke my heart.
Sicky wants Apple Jacks for dinner.
Sicky gets Apple Jacks for dinner.
The boys were definitely the best today that they have been in the last 5 days or so.  Hopefully the downswing is over because we have a very special THIRD birthday to celebrate Friday!
Linking up with Mindi from Simply Stavish and Sarah from Nurse Loves Farmer for their Catch the Moment photography challenge. 
waiting for the upswing,
~C~

first trip to the dentist

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

I figured since our pediatrician has asked us at Theo’s last two check-ups if we have taken him to the dentist (and tried to push a local pediatric dentist’s card on us when we said “no”), I ought to try to squeeze this in before his three year check up in a couple weeks. Disregard the fact that I’m freaking out because my BABY boy is almost THREE…

Anyway, what’s “the” age to take a child to the dentist?  I’ve heard everything from when they get their first flippin’ tooth to when they start school.  We’re about halfway between and I guess these early visits can be considered trial runs for when he has more intense appointments in the future.

He went today.  I chose to take him to the dentist that Ryan and I go to for convenience, with an open mind that they may not do a great job with toddlers.  Can I still call him a toddler?  He seems too old for that.  I digress.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Theo. He did well, but he was not a fan of the gritty toothpaste or the bright light.  I was shocked at how well the staff did with Theo.  Above and beyond for sure.  If they had not been so great, maybe Theo would have not done as well as he did.  He just seemed like such a big boy sitting in that cool chair.  The hygienist let him go up and down as many times as he wanted. She showed him the x-ray machines and let him pick out his favorite Lightning McQueen toothbrush and let him push buttons on every single thing.  So kind and patient.

Helping suck the water out of daddy’s mouth.
Getting a closer look.  Disregard that nice bedhead he’s got going on.
Spraying the water in daddy’s mouth. P.S. I was cracking up this whole time.  I’m sure Ryan thoroughly enjoyed having a 2 year old dental assistant today. 
Theo’s turn!
Having second thoughts about this bib.
The light’s a little bright, lady.
Being very cooperative!
Much better!
Helping Dr. Rob take another look at dad.
Checking out those pretty pearly whites in the mirror.
Got his picture on the Wall of Super Duper Patients.
Along with every other child patient they see.
Such a big boy. I don’t know why this milestone feels like such a big deal – I guess maybe because it is coinciding with his 3rd birthday next Friday.  Crazy!  All I know is that I look at his long legs and engage in thoughtful conversation with him and it’s hard to believe how much he’s changed in three short years.  I just love this little boy. 
xo,
~C~