Month: December 2011

Round 2

In the bottom drawer of Ajax’s dresser I keep his “big boy” underwear, along side his pull-ups, and diapers.  When Ajax needs a new diaper I usually ask him to go get me one, making him go to the drawer and think about whats inside.  A few times he’s come back with underwear and I’d ask him, “So are we done with diapers?  That means using the potty.”  And he’d respond by saying, “Um… no.” And we’d default to a diaper.

This morning I asked Ajax to get me a diaper and he came back with a pair of underwear.  I asked him if he was ready for underwear and he said yes.  I’m not going to lie, I was not in the mood for all the cleanup and chasing, especially as I had made up my mind that we wouldn’t attempt potty training till after he was 3.  Ajax; however, insisted on the underwear so I conceded.  I have to tell you… he’s done quite well today.  He’s had two accidents, but has successfully used the potty three times.  Saying, “I have to pee!”  and he’d run over to the potty.

I’m not sure where this day will end and I’m mighty realistic about the whole thing, but just thought I’d share.

Lazy Day

Today was a mighty lazy day.  Dave and I are enjoying our week off and Ajax seems to be having a good time hanging with mom and dad.  Though he does seem to be incredibly tired and just can’t catch up on his sleep.

Yesterday we went to Ikea where Ajax was not as cooperative as we would have liked.  But we all managed to come out in one piece with the items we had intended on purchasing.  We bought a new TV stand and a closet for upstairs, which now officially makes it a bedroom.

Today the guys hung around the house and I ventured out to Target for diapers and bought Ajax a new toy box for his room.  I also scanned the after Christmas sales, but didn’t see anything worth my time or money.

When I got home we had a massive – putting things together – party and Ajax thought all the boxes and Styrofoam were wonderful.   He loved his new toy box and kept putting all his tractors into it.  I then went through his room while he was watching Cars and tried to clear a few things out.

Because we were feeling so lazy Dave ordered pizza for dinner and then we all had a picnic dinner on the living room floor while watching Cars.   Good times.

After dinner Ajax asked to watch Zelda (yes the video game, which Dave has for the Wii).   Ajax loves watching Zelda for some odd reason.  Him and Dave really get into it.   While I was in the kitchen Ajax called over to me, “You can’t play Zelda mom because you’re a woman.  Only guys can play Zelda.”   I glared at Dave, who insisted he never said such a thing.   The truth is, I can’t play Zelda and now the whole family seems to know it.

Putting things together.
New stand!
Excited about his new toy box.

 

I tried to de-clutter little man's room, but it still has a lot of stuff.

Christmas 2011

This year Ajax really grasped onto the idea of Christmas.  Of course, what little kid wouldn’t latch onto such a concept, lol.

Christmas Eve my parents, Grandma Flo, Aunt Lynda, Aunt Liz, and cousins, Mike and Ryan, all came over to our home for dinner.   We had a ton of excellent food and it was wonderful having everyone over and being with family.   Ajax was of course in heaven having so many people over and pulled each one into his room to show off his toys and such.

Christmas morning in our house began at 6:15 am when Ajax declared that we should all get up.  He was so excited coming into the living room and seeing the presents under the tree.  He was just as excited to tear into each and every gift as well.   He also helped Dave and I open our gifts, which was fine.   Dave made us our traditional huge breakfast while we watched Cars 1, Cars 2, and then Toy Story.

Around 4 pm we loaded up and headed over to my cousin Tina’s house for Christmas dinner (which is my dad’s side of the family).  There Ajax had three other little cousins to play with all around his age (ages 4 – 2).   To say he had a fun time would be an understatement.  That child did not sit still for more than two minutes.  And I had to bribe him with a candy cane during those two minutes while I tried to shove a few bites of pasta into him for dinner.  We didn’t leave till almost 10 pm, the latest I think Ajax has been up in a long long time.  He talked all the way home and then requested the Beach Boys.

Christmas Eve - getting ready to open a few presents.
Christmas Eve - getting ready to open a few presents.
Opening gifts with his cousin mike.
Xmas morning.
Opening gifts.
Putting together legos.
The disaster that was our living room, lol.

 

Christmas dinner - the only time the kids sat still was to watch the Grinch.
Good times.

Updates

Goodness where to begin.

Last Thursday my grandpa Valentine passed away.  He was 90 years old and passed away peacefully in his sleep.  My sister flew in from Alaska and family came in from Washington for the funeral which was on Sunday.   Ajax spent a few hours at the funeral service, but didn’t understand why “that man was sleeping.”  Ajax has actually been to a few funerals and this was the only one where he even noticed the casket.  We didn’t elaborate, but simply said he was resting and Ajax was ok with that explanation.   The rest of the time he was happy to explore the funeral home and get attention from all the adults.

As my grandpa was a veteran he was buried at a national cemetery in Holly, Michigan, on Monday, which is just over an hour from us.   The service was at 2:30 pm and there were about 20 family members and close friends in attendance.   Ajax did fairly well through the service and stood in silence/shock when they fired the rifles.   Afterwards was a luncheon and honestly for what we asked of him, Ajax did quite well.   We then hustled my cousin, Andre, to the airport and made it home for a late bath and bed.

We also squeezed in a work Christmas party on Saturday in Lansing, which Ajax loved.   The entire party was actually planned around him (as I am the only person in the department with a nino).  The party was at 2:30 on a Saturday.   Ajax had a blast and ate nothing but M&Ms for dinner (thanks to some very helpful coworkers).

Tuesday I ended up staying home with Ajax as our babysitter called us at 6:15 am to say she had the stomach flu.   Although I did not enjoy missing work, I wasn’t feeling well and had a terrible headache.  So overall, I guess it was fate that I stay home.  Ajax also needed the down time and although we did get dressed around 1 pm, we never left the house.

Another day at home

Well, I had another day home with Ajax today, which was wonderful.  He was in quite the good mood, which of course always makes a day go easier.   My dad was in town doing deliveries so he swung by and took us out to breakfast.   He let Ajax pick the restaurant, so of course we went to McDonalds with a playscape.  Ajax was actually brave enough to go to the very to rung of the playscape and was so proud of himself.  Usually he keeps to the lower levels and slides, but he must have felt adventurous today.

After McDonalds my dad brought us back home and Ajax took a wonderful 2 hour nap.  After nap we went to the library and then home to make dinner!   Overall, a great day.

We also played a bit outside and afterwards I made Ajax hot chocolate with marshmallows.  When he ate them all he asked for some more.  I said, you can have two more.  He then negotiated for three more. lol.

Trying hot chocolate with marshmallows!
Ajax has been really into his trains lately.

Santa and trains

This morning we headed to the mall to visit Santa.   Ajax was so excited to see Santa this year.  In line we discussed Santa’s job, what he would say to Santa, and that he would get his picture taken.  Ajax was all over this and could hardly wait for his turn.   As soon as it was his turn, however, all bets were off and he dropped his chin to his chest and stared at the ground, lol.  We herded him toward Santa and he shuffled his feet.   He sat on Santa’s lap but refused to talk.  Santa was really cheerful and Ajax finally opened up (once the topic of tractors came up) and even said, thank you, when we left.

Before seeing Santa we went on a train ride around the mall.  The box cars this year were bigger, which was nice for the adults and Ajax got a kick out of it.   At one point the train slowed down and someone passed out smoothie samples.  I’m not sure who thought this was a great idea but within a matter of seconds Ajax had spilled it on my pants and gotten it all over his hands, lol.

He actually bit his shirt for most of the meeting with Santa.  We also had the place take photos and those turned out nice, but I don’t have them on the computer, these are the ones Dave took.

We also put up our christmas tree today and it looks quite nice.  Ajax helped put on the ornaments and they are all clustered on about five branches, lol.

It’s snowing and we’re home

I had the day off today so that meant Ajax and I have gotten to hang around the house, which is nice as it keeps snowing on and off and the drive into work would have been a hassle.   We did run to the grocery store, but other than that we’ve been housebound and lovin’ it.   We’ve had multiple adventures with Ajax’s trucks and tractors, who always seem to narrowly escape the monsters and dinosaurs that somehow find their way into our home.  And now the nino is down for a nap, I’m hoping it’ll be nice and long so I can lay on the couch and watch TV, lol.

We did make sugar cookies earlier, which was a lot of fun and a complete mess.  It took Ajax a while but toward the end he was getting pretty good at using cookie cutters.  He kept calling the stocking a foot though and the gingerbread man a guy.  I guess, technically he was correct.

Rumors and imagination

Today when I went to pick up Ajax from the babysitters he was in the living room dancing with the sitter clapping.  He was doing the chicken dance she explained.  She then said, yes, just like the chickens at grandpas.  I asked her, what chickens at grandpas?  She said, don’t your parents or Dave’s have chickens?  I said, no… horses, dogs, cats, no chickens.  Well then, I guess they don’t have cows or pigs either?  I couldn’t stop laughing.  Apparently Ajax was telling tall tales today about all the various animals at his grandparents.  The sitter then asked, I guess you guys aren’t getting a dog either?  I said, no way!   I couldn’t believe his imagination.   lol.

Weekend update

So, I apologize, I know it’s been a week with no updates, but I’ve been a bit under the weather and have not had the energy to post.

We had what seemed like a busy week, though I now can’t remember anything we did, lol.   My parents took Ajax to their house on Friday and had him until Sunday.   Dave and I were supposed to get some small constructions projects done, but I basically laid on the couch and I’m not sure what Dave did.  Though we did get out and purchased a Toro snow blower, so yea!

Today we met my dad half way to pick up Ajax and I was able to transfer the sleeping nino from his car to ours without disturbing him.   We we got home, however, and he actually woke up he freaked out as he didn’t remember the transfer and wasn’t really sure where he was.   He had to sit on the couch with Dave and watch the Gruffalo before he would calm down.  My parents said he did absolutely wonderful and had a great weekend, but I missed him a lot and am glad that he’s home.