Today Dave and I took Ajax to see the ear specialist.
As we feared the doctor recommended tubes. He said that Ajax doesn’t have an ear infection and that this is actually a bad thing. If it was an infection it could be treated with antibiotics, but as it is, he has drainage which gets trapped in his inner ear and that fluid stays there. Sometimes getting infected, but otherwise building up causing pressure and pain. That is why the successive rounds of antibiotics never really helped him. We did several tests, one of which was a hearing test, and the results showed that Ajax is about 15-20% below average on his hearing. We scheduled the surgery for Sept. 23, and will bring him back to the specialist a week before so that he can re-check the ear.
We were at the doctors office for an hour and a half and Ajax did great the entire time. He made a friend with a woman sitting near us waiting for her test as well. She had a smart phone and Ajax immediately wandered over to her and asked if she had angry birds? She didn’t, so he asked if she could show him tractors. She totally complied and the two sat there for about 10 minutes looking at pictures of tractors. How cute.
Sunday was pretty quiet. Ajax and I met my mom, sister, and cousin in Ann Arbor to do a bit of shopping. Ajax got some new Fall clothes per Grandma and a blue dump truck which he carried with him throughout the rest of our trip (thank you!). Ajax also insisted on pushing his stroller through the mall and because he is now tall enough to see over the back of the stroller he did a fairly good job of avoiding people/obstacles. Ajax also had a blast playing on the indoor play scape. The play area was ridiculously crowded, but he did great playing with all the other kids and was so mindful of two little babies. When he would wait for his turn on a toy he would stand and cross his arm across his chest.
When we were driving home, he was very tired but kept up a constant stream of chatter. He said, momma’s a woman? I answered, yes, momma is a woman. I then went over all the other women he knew. When we were at the mall I took him to the restroom with me and as we entered I pointed out the word woman and that I was a woman and this was the woman’s restroom, etc. Apparently he listened, lol.
Tomorrow Dave and I are taking Ajax to see an ear specialist as we fear he may have another ear infection. We’ve been concerned for a few days and it doesn’t seem to be going away (we were hoping for some seasonal allergies). I haven’t taken him to his regular doctor, so we may be completely wrong about this whole ear thing, but when I called the specialist she said that that was ok, and to just bring him in. We shall see.
Ajax is still obsessed with the box.
He was pretending it was a cave.Into the cave!And now with a blanket.
Yesterday my mom and sister picked Ajax up from the sitters early and went visiting. They also made an impromptu stop at the park with the splash park and from the report all ended up soaking wet with no spare clothes, lol. Dave and Ajax were actually on their own last night as I had a work event last night which didn’t begin till 7 pm. It was a benefits dinner, Ramadan Unity, and was quite enjoyable. The long drive home at 10 pm, however, wasn’t so much fun.
Today we worked outside all morning. Cutting grass, raking, and working in the garden. I have a ton of tomatoes that I need to can… but right now they’re just sitting in buckets in my back room. After working we went out to lunch at our favorite Coney Island. Ajax was incredibly hungry by that time and kept asking every single person who walked by our table for – Pancakes. As soon as the person walked by, he would say – are they going to get my pancakes? When the waitress did come Ajax ordered his meal and ended up eating almost an whole order of pancakes! Dave and I were amazed.
After lunch Dave was nice enough to babysit Ajax while I ran to the mall. I was in desperate need of some new work clothes. When I got home, we did dinner and again Ajax ate a ton, having two helpings! He must be on the verge of a growth spurt. We went for a walk after dinner. Ajax insisted on riding in his stroller and talked the entire time. He’s really into repeating his questions over and over again. All and all a good day.
My mom bought a new car seat for Ajax, for her car, and Ajax loves the box-
Well, Ajax did great in his bed last night. He slept all night and in the morning he called out, momma open the door! Open the door mom! When I went in he sat up in bed and waited till I was next to him before bounding out. He was then so excited all morning over his accomplishment of sleeping in his bed. I mean – so proud! Tonight was no different, he put himself to bed …. happily! Honestly, Dave and I did not realize a bed meant this much to him, but he is so excited. Before dinner tonight he even went in his room to check his bed and laid on it for a bit.
I’m in the midst of a small panic attack. Ajax is in bed (hopefully sleeping) – in his new Big Boy Bed! Ahh!
Yesterday when Dave was driving him home from the sitter they were discussing the finer points of his new big boy bed and then today when I was outside with him he kept walking over and pointing to it, asking about his big boy bed. When Dave got home we talked about it and then asked Ajax if he really wanted to sleep in his new bed and he enthusiastically answered, yes!
Dave and I transferred the bed into his room before dinner and put his old crib mattress into the bed (the bed came with a mattress, but we gave it away). Ajax right away jumped into bed and said he was ready to go to sleep. We actually had a hard time getting him out of the bed. I haven’t seen him this excited over something in quite a while. Every few moments he kept drifting back into his room and laying on his bed.
Tonight after his milk and four books we asked if he was ready for bed and he took off toward his room and put himself into bed. Dave and I each tucked him in and gave him a kiss. So far so good. I’m worried he’s going to get up in the night, even though the chance of that happening is quite low. As a parent I’m hoping to use this bed as some form of leverage to get Ajax to behave a bit better during dinner time as his current manners at the table are a bit horrendous.
Ready for bed at 6 pm.We couldn't get him out of it.I'm going to buy him some cute bedding from Ikea. I've already checked it out!
When my parents came over last night my dad brought some pictures that he had taken when Ajax spent the week out at the Farm with them. Ajax had a great time at both sets of grandparents and Dave and I sure appreciated the help.
Ajax spent time at the lake fishing with my dad and grandma. And he also got to investigate the large tucks and equipment behind my parent’s property where a company is drilling for oil. My dad said he was very serious around all the large equipment. Ajax and my dad also played trucks in the large sand pit behind the barn and made miniature cities which Ajax then destroyed. All around good times for an active little boy!
Holding his catch.Sitting with nana.Ajax and the front end loader.Very serious.Playing in the sand.Good times.What kid doesn't love a large sand box?
Another weekend come and gone. Where does the time go?
Saturday morning we were up and about fairly early as Dave and I had consecutive dentist appointments at 8 and 9 am. I headed out first as mine was at 8 am and the boys weren’t quite ready to depart the house. About a half hour or so into my appointment I knew my guys were in the building as I could hear Ajax in the waiting room. I’ve been going to the same dentist office since I was old enough to see a dentist and the main receptionist has known my mom since before I was born, so everyone was quite excited to see Ajax. Dave brought Ajax back into the room with me so that he could see me in the chair getting my teeth cleaned. He kept asking, what’s my momma doing? When it was Dave’s turn I held him so that he could see Dave getting his teeth cleaned. He refused to sit in the chair but did agree to push the foot pedals to send Dave up and down in while the hygienist instructed and encouraged him. lol. For the rest of Dave’s appointment Ajax and I played a large train set in the waiting room. Ajax was quite the charmer and spoke with everyone the office. We were told that kids start seeing the dentist and getting their teeth cleaned at about 3, so Ajax has a bit more time, but I’m glad he got to see both of us in the chair getting our teeth examined.
Ajax helped Dave cut the grass while I ran to Meijer. Then he helped me make an angel food cake, which we took over to our friend’s house for dinner. While over our friend’s home a horrible storm hit. The storm was so bad there were lightening strikes and several transformers blew throughout the city, causing numerous fires. One such fire was actually triggered right across the street from their house and you could tell where the fire was stretching into at least two backyards! The storm was so bad that when we called 911 it took several rings for someone to pick up and then the operator explained that there were so many issues around the city that unless a home was on fire, it wasn’t a top priority! After a few minutes fire trucks and police cars finally arrived and we were all plastered to the front window. Ajax wasn’t as enthralled with the trucks as I thought he would be, but then again I refused to let him stand outside (you know with all the fires and down power lines). Ajax was, however, enthralled with Mary and Jame’s dog, Scout, especially since Scout knows how to play hide-and-seek. This entertained Ajax for quite some time and he kept a close eye on that dog. He really does need a dog. We got home late and were worried what the storm did to our house, but there wasn’t any damage and it looked like we hardly got any rain. Odd how the weather works.
Sunday was relatively calm after Saturday’s excitement. We did a bit of shopping and it rained most of the morning. Ajax was a bit sluggish this morning as I think he’s still recovering from his cold/sinuses. He was content to lay on the couch and watch Toy Story and just rest for a bit, which he definitely needed. My parent’s and Emily came over for dinner as they were in town and were kind enough to pick up Ajax’s toddler bed that we bought him (which we found on Craigslist for $50!). We put the bed in the garage as neither Dave or I wanted to attempt a new bed on a Sunday night in case the whole thing was a bust.
I’m sorry this was such a long post, I guess I just had a lot to say. Oh, I’m also trying my first batch of canning via a hot water bath… and it doesn’t appear to be going so well.
Resting on the couch.Playing with little puffs I got him at the dollar store.
Today when I got to the babysitter’s house to pick up Ajax all the kids were still napping. When I asked where Ajax was, I was told- oh he’s napping still, he’s in the living room on a cot. A COT!
Till this point Ajax has slept in a pack and play at the sitters, but the sitter explained she has a new little baby and Ajax was the oldest child to be rotated to the cots. She said that he actually started last week and was doing excellent (I’m a little annoyed that this wasn’t mentioned to either Dave or myself). He hasn’t gotten up during nap time, hasn’t fallen out of bed, etc. Plus, there are two other small boys that nap on cots in the living room as well and all three have been sleeping great!
I feel a little silly now as we were shopping for toddler beds and I was going on and on about my little man getting older and possibly being ready for a big boy bed and here the kid is sleeping in cots like a 5 year old, lol. I guess the hold up has been that I haven’t wanted to start looking at beds as that would mean my little guy is growing up. I guess I also need to face up and begin potty training in earnest.
Tonight Ajax helped me pick tomatoes from the garden and then rode them back to the house on his bike. My parents then came over and brought dinner, which was great. Thank you!
When I got home from work I stopped the car parallel to the back deck waiting for the garage door to open. I looked to my left and watched the door crack open. Ajax popped his head out and smiled, HI MOM! He kind of hung in the door for a bit and then all of a sudden he leaped out onto the deck. I couldn’t believe what he was wearing and started laughing. Apparently he got his clothes dirty at the sitters and I forgot to send over extra play clothes (which he wore home last week… opps). The only thing he had in his cubby was a 12 month onesie outfit that Grandma Dara had bought him out in Las Vegas. It looked hilarious on him and I can’t believe he even fit into it.
After I parked the car he came bounding up to me and was so excited to show me his bike. Still no peddling, though he knows how, he just refuses to do it. I couldn’t stop staring and laughing at his outfit. When I went into the house Dave just said – I know right.
Ajax couldn’t figure out how to get the bag off the door handle. Dave kept saying – lift up lift up! And Ajax was having the hardest time before getting the hang of it, lol.
I was able to do a lot of cooking this past weekend and wanted to share a new favorite: Pizza Pockets (from Heavenly Homemakers). I really like this recipe because it is incredibly simple. I would recommend this for anyone who has never made pizza pockets or the like, as the dough is very easy to use and manipulate. I was able to put together over a dozen of these and clean up the kitchen while Ajax napped!
Crust
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I used 1 1/2 cup white flour and 2 cups whole wheat)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup melted butter
1 cup plain yogurt
Stir ingredients together until thoroughly mixed. You can make these pockets right away. (The dough will be difficult to mix with a spoon, I started with a spoon then just used my hands).
Stir together and simmer for a few minutes. I just used canned sauce 🙂
Pizza Pocket Fillings
Grated mozzarella or white cheddar cheese, cooked hamburger, pepperoni, olives, peppers, mushrooms
To form a Pizza Pocket
Roll a small ball of dough into a circle (about the size of a golf ball or ping pong ball). Place one tablespoon of pizza sauce in the center. Put in a small amount of your choice of toppings. Fold the dough in half. Use a fork to pinch the edges together.
Lay Pizza Pockets on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (I didn’t have parchment paper and just put them right on the cookie sheet and they came off fine). Freeze for about one hour. Pop them off the cookie sheet and put them into a freezer bag…and back into the freezer.
Bake your Pizza Pockets
For frozen Pizza Pockets, bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. If the Pizza Pockets are thawed, bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Chicken pizza pockets - yum!
I was also able to pick two buckets of tomatoes and made my own tomato sauce! I have never peeled tomatoes before and it did take a bit of trial and error for me to get the hang of it… oh and I inadvertently ruined one of my pots. Apparently you shouldn’t work with high acid items and Teflon. Anywho, I was able to make four jars of the sauce and freeze it. I’m super pumped and pretty proud! For some reason though I was surprised that it didn’t taste like Ragu or something… but it was very good.
