More Babies, Vacations, and Natural Disasters

Last week was quite an eventful week for Gobbles and company.  Continuing right where we left off in the final pictures of the last post, we spent the week prior making cookies in preparation for Gobbles' first baby shower, thrown for his Aunt and Uncle, getting ready for the arrival of his first cousin, Princess Girl.  We gathered our baked goods, diaper cake, game props, and gifts and headed up to the Poconos last Saturday to celebrate with hubs' family.  I spent so long worrying about how / when Gobbles would nap since the shower began at the exact time he typically goes down.  Deciding there was no better solution than to wing it, we let him have a good nights' sleep the night before and headed up.

The event was beautiful and Gobbles did fabulously, entertaining himself by walking up and down the step in the room over and over again.  He didn't really get cranky sans the nap, and ended up falling asleep in hubs' arms for about a half hour during present time.  He managed to stay awake the entire ride home with the promise of french fries if he behaved.

Less than an hour after getting home, we were on the road again, headed to the Jersey shore to take part for a few days in my family's vacation.  Hubs stayed behind, new job = no more vacation time, so this trip was just us.  I'm still shocked at how my son's memory is always working.  45 minutes into the trip he changes the subject of our conversation (which was mostly - car, truck, bus, bridge), and states bye bye Daddy!  I told him, "that's right, we said bye bye to Daddy. Who ELSE did we say bye bye too?"  Caloli!  Bye Bye Caloli.  Bye Bye Hmph (spoons).  I beamed.  Absolutely right buddy, we said bye to the dogs as well!

By the time we made it down the shore my boy was finally in a peaceful slumber.  As we pulled in, my family was waiting for me to help unload.  Within seconds the car was unpacked and Gobbles was peacefully sleeping in his pack and play, dreaming of the beach time that awaited. 

The next few days consisted of beach time, Grandparent time, Aunts & Uncle time, and lots of Mommy time.  My family is the absolute best and helped me so much with carrying our gear, to setting up the beach umbrella, to entertaining Gobbles.  I don't know how single parents manage, I really don't.  I wouldn't have been able to handle my tired preggers self and a toddle on the beach by my lonesome. 

My son is a fish. He'd be out to see if we didn't stop him.  All he wanted to do was play in the ocean until his lips were blue and he was shivering.  He jumped waves, ran from the waves, splashes water, and was thrown in and out of the water.  A few waves knocked him down, and a few waves carried back the balls he tossed into the surf. 

And the sand?  A glorious substance that Gobbles rolled around in, threw in the air, buried people's toes, and got on everything he touched.  Even my father, who makes an hour long appearance at the beach each year, and is a bit OCD about mess, could not resist the tiny sand monster begging Grapop, UP?  His white tee covered in little sandy handprints was well worth the time with his grandson wandering around the beach looking at the sand, ocean, and birds.

Oh the birds.  It's been a few months since I've been running, but I definitely had to take my turn at chasing my son chasing the seagulls (we all did).  He screeched with delight as they would up and fly away when he pounded towards them.  The last morning we were there, we were at the beach early enough that Gobbles was able to run from the lifeguard area to the jetty without interruption, breathing heavy to himself and saying Running, birdies, running, running!! as he trekked along.  The joy on his face was worth heaving my 30 pounder back in my arms (he would have kept going if i let him). 

On our last day there, after Gobbles was bathed and nestled in his nap, my Dad, Sister, Brother-in-Law, and I were eating lunch when the house began to shake.  What the heck was that? We thought, my sister jumped up and grabbed the flat screen TV that looked like it was about to fall over. I looked at the baby monitor and Gobbles didn't move.   Thankfully brother-in-law was a bit quicker than myself and hauled ass down the stairs to his sleeping godson, where he stood over the pack and play ready to catch any part of the sky that might be falling down.  A few seconds later, the earthquake was over, and we turned on CNN to confirm that it was just that.  Whew. 

The good thing about ending a vacation midweek is that the return to work is short lived.  Just a two day workweek and Friday was back with Gobbles / Mommy day in prep for the impending hurricane Irene.  The grocery store was of course a madhouse but that didn't stop my boy from running up and down all the aisles.  I think I've mentioned this before but he is getting so bad to take there - the belt to keep him in the seat doesn't fit him, so he stands up on the seat forcing me to carry him.  Then in order to steer the cart with one hand I put him down and away he goes!  Thankfully there was a lot of peer pressure from cute little girls sitting peacefully in their seats.  Every time we saw one, Gobbles went up Hiiii!, and I told him, "look how nice she's being, sitting in the seat".  Got him right in for about 2 minutes.  Ahh well we survived.

During our Friday afternoon walk our neighbors, who I think are on the board of "don't let Gobbles family sell their house and leave the neighborhood" invited us to come down to the pool with them.  We happily obliged and enjoyed the baby pool all to ourselves while the pool staff cleaned up the lounge chairs and umbrellas in preparation for the storm.

The storm itself was anticlimactic in our house.  Hubs made a delicious mussel stew on Saturday and we sang Rain Rain go Away all day long.  Our usually fragile electrical system flickered a few times but never went out.  The next day, back to life as usual as we bade farewell to summer, did our chores, and got my maternity clothes out of the attic in preparation for an eventful fall & winter.

AH!  my ears are popping driving thru the mountains!

The princess has a baby princess!! ;) Luv ya!

Splash splash!

Dig dig dig!

Crackers always taste better with peanut butter and SAND!

Love my Grandpop!

Sandy ocean soup in my bucket!  Only a few seconds until I'll dump it!

Probably not the most effective way to get more water, but I love my giant shovel!

My shadow is so awesome!

Yes, I laid down with my head in the sand to get this cool mohawk looking effect.

Where ya'll goin?  Come back Seagulls!!

Running!  Running!

See ya Grandmom! 

HahaHA!  I crack me up!

I love the pool! Even though I fell under for a minute, I'm still fearless! 
and That scares my mommy VERY much.

Thank you hurricane Irene for this lovely puddle!

Days of Summer - catching up with Gobbles

These days, nothing gets by Mr. Gobbles.  You cannot say one word or do one thing without him picking it up and making it his own.

Take a few weeks ago, for instance.  Though the he's not as obsessed as he was, the ceiling fan in the kitchen will still occasionally grab Gobbles' attention.  One day, he started tugging on hubs' legs to let him reach up and pull the cord to turn the light on and off.  His Daddy decided to tease him a bit and lift him just close enough but not quite.  "Almost!" hubs laughed.  Every morning thereafter Gobbles walks into the kitchen and points to the fan Almost!  he calls it.  Ahh my boy.

Discipline is in full force these days, with the mat being the time-out zone both at my house and my mom's.  The biggest crimes that land Gobbles on the mat are throwing things he's not supposed to or hitting during a tantrum.  More than once, as he hears the words No Throw come out of anyone's mouth, he automatically runs over to the mat, MAT!! and sits himself down before letting the lower lip come out and crocodile tears flow.  I try not to laugh because we usually give him a warning first, and when he violates a second time that's when we'll send him to time out.  I think he's putting himself there early because he loves the makeup hug and kiss that he gets when his 15 seconds are up.  Either that or he's a bit dramatic - no idea where he'd get that....

Gobbles is also keeping me in my place.  Sometimes when I'm cleaning up I'll toss pillows here or chuck his toys into the corner there.  My little conscience is always there to remind me  No THROW Mommy.  Let's just say I've had to put myself in time out for a few minutes some times in order to be consistent.  He's even yelled at the TV, in a particular episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where Mickey was digging in the dirt and tossing it aside.  No THROW Mickey!  Mickey never ended up getting timeout though.

His favorite activities these days (besides the pool which I'm too lazy to drag out sometimes) are throwing (he's allowed to throw balls inside and out, as long as it's not near the tv, kid's got a good arm!) coloring, singing, going for walks, and throwing out trash.  I know it's still early but I'm pretty sure he's a lefty.  His throws are more accurate and he grips the crayons and makes better circles with his left.  Wheels on the bus and Itsy bitsy spider are among favorite songs, with an occasional happy and you know it thrown in. 

Walks are great because he's started to learn his dog owner duties.  Our Spoons is such a good, patient girl that she was gentle and obedient when Gobbles "walked" her up the street.  Now we can't even leave a leash laying around the house because he'll grab it and run up to her, Hmph (that's how he pronounces her name.  yet he has no trouble with Cannoli), and try to wrap it around her to get us out for the door for a walk.  Even when the pups are exhausted and trying to sleep!

Everyday errands have become a bit tough - grocery shopping he can only last in the cart about 15 minutes before trying to climb out (the seat belt thing doesn't fit), then there's about another 15 minutes of him holding onto the cart as he walks beside it.  After that, he's either charging up and down the aisles or I'm carrying him while pushing the cart, just trying to get done as fast as possible!

Finally, just this past weekend, Gobbles decided to "play pretend" and show us his imagination. Now, he's always held different things up to his ear pretending they were phones Hewwoo?, but this was different.  I was constructing the diaper cake for my sister-in-law's upcoming shower.  The box and extra pack of diapers was laying around the living room.  Gobbles gathered the diapers and stacked them in the box, then sat inside on the diapers.  Choo CHOOO.  Twain Mommy! Daddy TWAIN!  I looked at hubs perplexed and proud - "where did he get that??"

Tears came to my eyes as I realized that this little boy is just that, a little boy who is constantly developing, growing, and exploring.  Not one trace of the nine pound bundle we brought home just 20 months ago.  I am amazed at how much he absorbs each day, his little brain is constantly processing something, taking in new information from places I don't even know.  Gobbles is just an awesome kid, now that he's got all this stuff going on, I feel like I'll never run out of Gobbles stories to tell. 

C'mon Hmph, let's go!

That's it, just stay next to me!

Seriously trash men, what time do you come??

AHHHHH, Color Color Color! 

Chalk in a black shirt - nice mommy!

NOO, I don't want to go inside!

Just relaxin and looking at my masterpieces!

Ok, Inside time.  MUSIC!!!

Ding Ding DING DING!

I am QUITE satisfied with my train thank you!

Jumping for the train!

Chooo CHOOOOO!

I'mma help you make cookies Mommy!

Cheeese!

What a day!  All done cookies, time for bed!

about time to be feeling good already (15 weeks)

i'll tell you what, lil lobster, you are really giving me a challenge.  working mom, pshaw i can handle it (sometimes). working mom whose dogs caught something at the boarder causing them to shit and throw up all over the house we're trying to keep spotless for potential buyers... no problem. working mom whose dogs shit up the house that's for sale while dealing with fat egomaniacs screaming at her all day... getting harder.  working mom with crapping dogs at home getting pounded on by lazy idiots at work while trying to stand up straight without passing out and find something edible that i can stomach.  ya got me.  i give. 

the past week my body has been run through the gauntlet but i think we've survived.  the second trimester is supposed to be smooth sailin but man it started off with a bang.  last week the typical pregnancy nausea was accompanied by a raging sore throat, high fever, and, after that cleared up, a fun itchy rash from my belly to my face.  tmi, i know, but it's really not that much info considering i haven't gotten the results back from the viral panel yet.  the leading diagnoses as of yet is roseola, courtesy of a baby we hung out with a few weeks ago combined with my wonderful immune system.  at least the doctor didn't seem too worried, just some discomfort for me.

thankfully, seems like the worst is over and today i can function like a normal person.  and, my crazy pregnancy paranoia that arose a few weeks ago due to the fact that i wasn't gaining weight (go me!) let me to get a doppler, which comforted me through much of last week.  it was nice knowing that even though i felt like crap, i could still hear the lobstah's heart drumming away.  now that i'm feeling better, i'm limiting my doppler use to once a week at the most - even Gobbles noticed how crazy i was last week.  he would go up to the shelf where we kept the device and point to it, Gobbles heart? he'd ask, and we'd listen to my boy's strong thump thump thump.  i need to get this boy a toy stethoscope!

so to sum up - after 15 weeks i'm still feeling pretty dizzy, this pregnancy is a lot more mentally draining than before (the other day i ran a load of clean clothes through the washer.  twice.), but on the plus side, i've only gained 5 lbs as opposed to 15 at this point last time, and we have the 20 week ultrasound scheduled for September 9th.  no idea what i'm expecting, but i'll be happy with either.  a little girl to be bffs with her october due cousin or a little boy to be Gobbles' buds.  a happy healthy bundle that will start sleeping through the night much sooner than their big brother did is all i ask ;)

A Very Gobbles Weekend

This past weekend was a great weekend.  What I think summer is all about.  I spent every waking second with my little boy and just awed at everything he has become, all of his funny habits and nuances.  We didn't really have any set plans but things kind of just fell into place and we had fun every second of it!

It sucked hubs was pretty busy at work through Saturday night, not getting home until well after midnight for days, but Gobbles and I managed to find our own fun.  Thursday night (the start of my weekend) we played outside with a giant exercise ball.  He tried to lug it around the yard and throw it at the puppies.  It's pretty heavy and every time he attempted to pick it up he'd let out an ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Balllllll!

Tired puppy from being chased by the giant BALLLL!!!

You may have escaped the ball my Spoonsie Bear, but there's no escaping my bottle brush grooming skillz!

Friday morning we had a playdate with Gobble's bffs Lil Buddy and latest addition Moosh.  I could tell my man was excited to see his boyz by the way he danced around the house singing Mickey?! Mickey?! during breakfast.  I prepped him on his first experience with a young one, telling him how we're going to see the BABY!  how exciting to meet the baby!  Though he repeated everything I said with enthusiasm, I did not get that same reaction upon our arrival.

As soon as we got to Cawola's and I scooped up the baby for a hug, Gobbles turned into quite the jealous nancy.  Big crocodile tears rolled down his cheeks until I scooped him up with my free arm and rocked both kids together.  The tears didn't stop until Moosh was out of my arms.  Boy oh boy we've got a lot of work to do over the next 6 months!

Lil Buddy and his momma arrived pretty soon after and the three of us and our sons had a grand time just being mommies.  We still chatted the same like we always do, but half the time we were not in the same room let alone looking at each other as we spoke.  We were all concentrating on what our own child was doing - feeding their snack to the dog, running around playing with toys, or crying out for some momma milk. 

Gobbles eventually warmed up to Moosh (as long as he wasn't in my arms) and even went as far as helping the little guy out.  As the baby spit out his pacifier, Gobbles jumped up Oh noooo! and promptly shoved the paci back in Moosh's mouth.  Of course this caused him to start crying, but I know my son's intentions were to help... right?

Of course Gobbles had fun with Lil Buddy too - through a ball at his face at point blank range (oops), but then was intrigued as Lil Buddy counted off numbers with his momma.  I had to laugh because I hadn't heard my own guy counting yet, only doing colors (everything is Lellow), and here was this smartypants 5 months younger rattling off his 2, 8, and 10 perfectly.  The best part about it is that my mother called me today proclaiming "I didn't realize Gobbles could count!", and she told me he had been counting along with Sesame Street. Apparently, Lil Buddy taught him a thing or two last week.  And that's why these guys are pals, I love it!

The only thing I regret about last Friday is not having any pictures of our lovely playdate to put up here.  There'll be plenty more though!

Saturday came and Gobbles and I had big plans.  With Daddy off to the office again, we filled up the pool and went for a swim.  Still in my "I'm a cool mom" phase, I brought his slide over to the pool and let me tell you - pure BLISS for at least a half hour.  Besides that, Gobbles spend his dumping the water out of the pool, on our heads, or on the puppy.  Oh yea, and of course then he started trying to drink it.  And that was the end of pool time!

Cool!  A water fountain!  YUM!

Here we goooo!

Best ride ever!!

Splashhhh!

Wheelie break!

Whaaa HOOO nevermind!

Join me why doncha?

Suuweeeet Finish

Ahhhh Tasty.  Thanks mom for the shade btw!

Sunday came, and despite my husband being exhausted from working forever, I convinced him that we should go to Linvilla Orchards for peaches and fun. Gobbles spent time playing at the playground, looking at the animals, running from the roosters and quacking at the ducks. Then the fun began! We got on the hayride that took us out to the fields where we picked tomatoes, peppers, and peaches (Pitches, as Gobbles calls them). We were told we were allowed to sample as we were picking. I don't think the people realized how many samples a 27 lb kid could put away. Three. Three giant juicy pitches. Yum.

The funniest part was when we were walking out of the orchard and there was a family with two small children.  Gobbles looked at them as we passed by Pitches!!!! He screamed.  The parents looked at me and shook their head, what a bad mother, their looks seemed to say.  Yes Gobbles, I repeated, PEACHES. 

Water Break after the playground!

Is this a ball?  I kinda wanna throw it!

Mommy!! Don't leave me here!

Just hanging out with mah Dad!

MMM Fresh Pitches!

C'mon Daddy let's go get more!

MMM Gobble gobble gobble PITCHES!

Peach Drunk

MMM Let's get these home!

Happiest Lil guy ever!

After buying twelve pounds of produce and a pie we made our way home.  While Gobbles and I napped hubs prepared a feast of chicken, pork, and shrimp kabobs with our fresh veggies, including a side salad of tomatoes and mozzarella with a fresh basil pesto.  He more than made up for the fact that he worked so much for the week.  Sunday night was the first time I slept through the night in quite awhile, so I suppose both mom and baby had our fill.  A great weekend.