Christmas!

Oh yeah! Christmas has come and gone but we are not sad at all, because we still have Disney upon us! The day was a big one, filled with fun, unwrapping, toys and eating. I think it took some time, but the Williams have truly adopted the Hall's way of life. Karen was even the one to suggest cheese course this year! I think our Perkins addition also helped to propel food to the forefront.
The little guy could not have had more fun, though the presents we not that exciting to him. It took us a while to get him into his new toys, but once he was he was going. He did not want to unwrap at all. I think it was just a little much for him all first thing in the morning. He got some big ticket items including two tricycles, and a rocking horse. It looks like the horse might take some getting used to, but the blue tricycle (see in photos) with the handle for adults to stroll them is a BIG hit. He already went around the neighborhood in it, I can picture it being a big hit this summer.
We did miss Grammie and Grumpy though. On Skype the little guy recognized them right away and waved, very cute. Bonus points for him and probably more gifts in the future. His toy area is fully sticked right now and we will have to disperse things around the house, but that is ok. He was working with the same few things for months so it is time to have new stuff to play with. Though I am really scared at the increasing amount of small parts that come with the toys for older kiddos. How is my OCDness going to handle this?
With all the toys, he still loves his books which is great. And, look how stylin' he was for Christmas day. A great Christmas was had by all. It is hard to believe that by next Christmas he will finally be talking, and we will have another one to boot...

Snipits

Joel husband, Joel Andrew and I are hanging out in Joel Andrew's Room.

Husband: "It is sad you are teaching our child your OCD tendencies."

Wife (me): "What? He is cleaning up his room?"

Child proceeds to pick up all of his dirty laundry, and put it in the hamper.

Wife: "You are just jealous as he knows how to do something you do not."

I sent out a 6 page document today outlining everything for our upcoming Disney trip. A little excited, you think?

Joel Andrew has been a happy boy lately. Still a tantrum here and there, but he is getting better. His new favorite thing to do, grab Otter's tail... Not too good...

I am a little worried about the number of presents this guy is getting for Christmas...

#2 Update

I wanted to share a scanned version of the ultrasound pictures from today, but sorry to disappoint folks, my scanner is broken. However, I can tell you that a cute one is cooking. I actually have ultrasound photos that show the next little nut opening and closing his/her mouth.

The tech was very good at not revealing the sex of the baby, to my dismay. She wrote it in an envelope and sealed it for me very well, again to my dismay. I have not touched it to my husband's disbelief - it is in my bag to go to the office tomorrow where I will ask my co-worker to call up Disney for me, and hide the envelope.

The plan, to be at dinner in Disney in January with all the grandparents and Aunt Jennie and Uncle Jeremy, and to have a cake delivered with the "It's a ..." message. A mirror for what we did in finding out that Joel Andrew was a boy. I am frankly a little more excited this time, because I know this is our last time. So either it will be me and lots of boys... which has its plusses and minuses, or I will have a girl - which will also have its plusses and minuses.

In other news, the kid is a tank. It is already at 90th percentile... Joel Andrew at this time was 45th. Moves constantly, like its brother... which is continually terrifying me. I am really hoping that "you usually get two different personalities from one kid to the next" is true. Not because I do not like my son, of course I love him. But a carbon copy of him would just about send me under. I need the second to be quiet, to want to sit for more than 1 second and focus on something, to read a book with me - not just flip the pages. I am just hoping for some balance.

Which brings me to my next topic, I am continually terrified about #2's arrival and worried this will be too much to handle. Don't forget I am an only child folks. This has consumed me so much that I have not even begun to think of all the fun that #2 will bring too. Today, watching the screen and seeing #2 open and close it's mouth, constantly move and wave hello to me on the screen did make me think about that. This will be tough, but fun at times, an adventure.

A girl I went to high school with is now pregnant with her 4th - and she posted on Facebook the other day that she is "savoring every last kick" as this is supposedly her last pregnancy. I have only been counting down the days until the end of this pregnancy (to be not pregnant again...), and have just reached the half way point. I whine about what I cannot eat, am jealous about what I cannot drink, and frankly fed up with sleeping on my side already. But what she said made me think. Maybe a turning point here. I am not saying I am getting to be all hippie-pregnant-lady... but I should enjoy it, it is my last pregnancy too! (trust me, it is...)

So, I am getting brighter. Perhaps by the time the kiddo arrives I will be a new person! I will be ready, I will be confident, and I will have a son who can communicate through other ways than tantrums and whines, likes to help Mommy and likes to watch tv... Less than 20 weeks to go...

First Patriots Game!

Today we took Joel Andrew to his first Patriots game, in Chicago! Each year Joel Husband and I take a trip to somewhere new to see an away football game. It is sort of our thing. We get to see the country, and the Patriots play! So far we have been to Nashville, Atlanta, Miami (twice), San Diego, San Francisco, Jacksonville and of course Gillette. Anyway, this year it was Chicago we finally crossed off our list (the last time the Pats played here they were redoing Solider Field), and the little guy got to come!
Grumpy scored perfect seats in the United Club. We were under an overhang so sheltered from the snow and wind. It was pretty cold, but we were prepared with thermal underwear and lots of layers. The little guy actually sat still on my lap for a while watching the game. He was having a great time!
Because we were in a Club, we got to go indoors and find a seat to enjoy a hot dog and some chips. He made fast friends. Another plus of having a baby at a football game, you get to use the guarded Family Restroom and not wait on the enormous line. We all just kept handing off the baby one by one and going into the family restroom!
At the end of the game, which we killed the Bears by the way, Joel Husband sat at the end of the aisle with Joel Andrew and Joel Andrew just waved at all the Bears fans as the left in disgrace. He high-fived all the Pats fans that were there! He did such a good job and had a great time. Grumpy did an excellent job planning the day and getting us such awesome, perfect seats! Nothing could have been better!
The walk home was a little tough, the Chicago police force needs to not block the roads to livery vehicles, but in true Joel-Husband fashion he got a cab out of nowhere and wisked the kiddo home to the apt. Where a very dirty diaper sat beneath eight layers of clothes. (yes, although we made frequent visits to the family restroom there was no way we were going spelunking under all those layers to get a new diaper on him at the stadium...).

A very happy first game indeed!

Shedd Aquarium

Today we visited the Shedd Aquarium, and it was open at 9am. The only bummer was the parking, you had to park in East Jabib, and then walk in the freezing cold to get to the place. But, we made it. (and, as a side note to yesterday, they were doing something special at the Children's Museum because the website says it normally opens at 10, not 11.).
Anyway, he was again fascinated with the school kids. He loved to push any button that was in the displays. He liked watching the arrowanas, which are one of his Dad's favorite, so that was funny. But, he did not like to be told where to go. Aquariums are not cheap, this visit was over $50 for the three of us, so Grammie and I at least wanted to get our money's worth. But the little guy was content to stare at one tank all day. Normally I would say whatever, but come on, the tidal water tank? Boring!
So, we dragged him to the dolphins and then to the penguins, which he loved. He could stare at them for hours but only if Mommy held him. Mommy was getting tired. We found a slide near the penguin area that was pretty cool. But a note to all the moms with older children, keep your pre-teens off the stuff for toddlers. Thanks. The slide was to provide hours of entertainment and exhaustion, but sadly a sound effect of a rainstorm freaked the little guy out and cut our fun off.
No worries, more buttons to push just down the way in the "yellow submarine." All in all a good visit. The cafe was closed, and I am still eternally freaked out but cafeterias. (I just do not like them, call me high maintenance) So, off to home we went for lunch and a nap. Boy has he seen a lot this week!

Navy Pier

Today we went to Navy Pier, thinking we would get to the Children's Museum there. But, strike two for timing error, the Museum does not open until 11! Who are they kidding? 11! Don't they know that Moms go crazy looking for things to do with their kiddos in the mornings?
So, we did not end up going to the Children's Museum. We bummed around and killed time so much that then it was time for lunch and paying the Children's Museum admission just seemed silly.

Bumming around Navy Pier is easy, lots to look at. We first went to this glass enclosed space with plants and all sorts of water fountains. The birds alone entertained him for 20 minutes, then the school groups that were there really got him interested. He loves the big kids.
Afterwards we went to the food court and got some famous Chicago popcorn. No salt, no butter, not so much flavor, but he still loved it. Then, we went to the big Christmas Expo. This was actually quite fun and overwhelming for the little guy. Basically, they took all of the summer outdoor toys, and added holiday names to them and put them indoors. Kids ages 5-10 would be entertained for days. Think the carousel, but called "Kringle Carousel." Lots of bouncy slides where the kiddo would have surely loved to go down, but he was getting a little tired so instead we just looked on.
Because we did not do any rides, it did not cost a thing. Quite an economical day! Then, off to Bubba Gump for lunch where once again he packed in the french fries. I am hoping his nutrition will come with dinner. He is finally pigging out after a few weeks of being sick and a picky eater. He also had a first experience today, Blue Jello. Again, he gave it his famous "What the hell is that crap?" priceless look, but after one taste he was hooked. What adventures will we have tomorrow?

Santa and Museum of Science and Industry

Today we visited Santa at the Chicago Macy's. It was uneventful. Secretly I was looking forward to a screaming baby-Santa photo, but this was the one time he did not throw a tantrum. He just sat there and had a look on his face like: "Who the hell is this guy?"
After lunch and nap we travelled to the Museum of Science and Industry. I did not have high hopes, but my parents are members so who can pass up a free museum? It was great, and because we arrived 35 minutes before closing (who closes at 4 anyways?), we will probably be back.
We spent most of our time in the "Idea Room," which was a nice play space for littles. Highlight was when he dumped a bucket of groody water all over himself. We also loved the hairstyle, new haircut and winter hat wearing does not mix so much!
We only had five minutes to walk around the rest of the exhibits, and hope to be back again either tomorrow or Thursday. They have baby chicks elsewhere in the Museum, and lots of buttons to push. If only they were open till 5 - now what do we do with him until bedtime?

Haircut

Today we had his big haircut. I really wasn't going to do anything, the Justin Bieber style is in anyways, but my mother practically insisted. She has been a hairdresser all her life but is petrified to bring the scissors to my sons face (don't know why, it is not like he doesn't sit still once in a while for like 2 seconds and that's it...). So, she has all critique of his long locks but no action, until today. She had her friend in Chicago here (yes, we are visiting in Chicago this week), make an appt with some guy who has been on Oprah.
I was very worried as to what we would be walking into, but the place was fantastic. Birds, fish, toys, all sorts of things. And, lollypops. Boy does he love lollypops, I had never given him one before but you better believe he will have about 1,000 for the plane ride home. This hairdresser not only got him to sit still for more than 1 second, but for about 10 minutes! Joel loved the car chair, and did not want to get out.
So, he looks like a little boy now with his haircut. Quite dapper. I just hope it lasts a while because I am not sure when our next trip back to Chicago will be!

Doing Better

Thanks for all your well wishes last week guys. It was a tough weekend, or week I guess, but it has passed. He is still throwing tantrums, but your help has helped! I am trying to remain calm, and that does help a ton. We are also trying to get him to do lots of things. Yesterday we went to Gymboree, and then in the afternoon to Rumble Tumble (a smaller version of Imajine That, and in Portsmouth). He loves climbing on things and running around, so it was good to get his energy out.
Then, last night, we had a sitter! Joy of joys! We just left for about three hours and did some errands and went out to dinner. We went to a chain restaurant which is normally so not my thing, but husband insisted. A dinner of fried pickles, onion bomb, fried chicken and french fries was not what my tummy needed. But, getting out and about without worrying about the kiddo was nice. And, I didn't worry. The babysitter knew Joel as she is one of the afternoon girls at his school. She fed him dinner, put him to bed and then watched tv for 2 hours, not bad!
Christmas is coming up. I normally try not to think about it until after Thanksgiving but we have so much going on this year that I want to get on the ball. As you can see I am having a hard time taking THE Christmas photo and am desperately trying to avoid the Picture People place. I still have nightmares from my experience last year.
We are at home this weekend, getting things done and relaxing. It is nice. He has a cough coming on, so a rest is probably in order for all of us. Plus, Grammie comes on Monday, followed by Grumpy Tuesday, Nana and Pa on Wednesday and Aunt Jennie and Uncle Jeremy on Saturday - he better rest up!

Berkshires Visit - Nanny 911

This weekend we went out to the Berkshires to visit with Joel's extended family. It was wonderful to see the family, but I have mixed reviews on the child... Snip-its from the weekend include me crying in front of a table of in-law relatives saying: "If I knew he was going to be like this I would not have gotten pregnant with #2;" Husband and I yelling at each other in front of his very fraile (has been going through a lot lately) grandfather who was otherwise nice enough to book us a room at a 5 star resort this weekend; and, my personal fav, just letting Joel Andrew cry, with tears and all, scream at the top of his lungs, in the Lee Friendly's for at least five minutes while the waitstaff ran around frantic about what to do. We did nothing but stare at him. There was just nothing else we could do.

He really has gone into full blown tantrum stage. This is magnified by the fact that I continue to think "what have I done, I can't believe I am going to have another one of these." Sounds terrible and shocking, but it is true. I have no idea what we did and I am terrified. I say this to people, people in the grocery store and they laugh at me, but they also see tears welling up in my eyes. I am terrified.

Joel is a good kid, but this tantrum thing has got to end. I am at a loss as to what to do. Granted we dragged him from restaurant to restaurant this weekend, we stayed in a 5-star hotel-spa-resort which was not for children, and our main visit was at a nursing home... So, can you blame him? But still, I thought we could manage it a little bit. As you can read from above, no.

And, when he does his freak out husband and I have different ways of trying to calm him which we both believe the other's way is absolutely wrong. So that, combined with me then crying about how sad it is that we are adding more like this to our family, just compounds the situation and makes it worse. I know, not a happy-sunny blog today.

We went to visit Joel's grandmother, who is in the nursing home. She had a fall this summer which hastened her mental decline. She looked great, all things considered. She was her normal self, just quieter, still being overly cautious about the baby. She gave him plenty of kisses and he gave her a hug which made the weekend well worth it.

I am just tired. All of my stress this weekend sadly won me a prenatal massage that was fantastic. I am thinking I just need to take an hour or two a month and do something overly selfish, silly and indulgent to help keep me calm. I am literally wishing away my children (including one not even born yet)'s lives, and hoping to wake up tomorrow with them in high school. I think this is not normal...

Fall Fun

Well, the cat is out of the bag so to speak. But, I will try not to spend this entire post whining. It has been tough. Chasing after a little monkey, dealing with morning sickness all day long, and twice the exhaustion of the last pregnancy, all while going back to work and having my husband repeatedly leave for Canada! Boo! But that is enough about that.

We are very excited, due May 5th, but I am freaking out. Once again, "hey, let's just see what happens," is not good family planning. Yes, I will not be preggers for Jennie's wedding next September, but I will have a newborn for all of her festivities that I want to make fantastic, such as shower and bachelorette.

Not to mention, 2 kids under two! I know, some of your bloggers have three kids, twins, third on the way, etc. But you guys are better than me... I am not sure how I am going to handle it, the sleepless nights again. I have already thrown the Bfing out the window for fear of totally loosing it. I need advice! Tricks, tips, and also, the ever-comforting, it will be easier when they are older... You will be in your late forties, and all will be out of the house (hopefully). We are done after #2, let me tell you!

But, it is not all panic. There are some hot moments. The extra-exhaustion and the not so terrible sickness this go round leads me to want to think this is a girl... Plus, I have been breaking out, my hair has been falling out in clumps and my mother, who said and I am quoting here: "The witch knows" said it was a girl as well. Don't girl's steal your beauty? Eh, if we had a boy it would certainly make life easier. All the stuff here and ready to go, a few years and Joel will take them on boys things and I will drink wine... But, a girl and think of the outfit possibilities...

Needless to say, we already booked our Disney vacation and will be finding out the sex mid-January.
So that is enough of that for now. I am excited, I am. But I am overwhelmed, frightened and exhausted too. Everything happens for a reason though, so the timing just must be perfect for us!

We have been enjoying other Fall activities. Here is my little monkey man in the middle of one of his common freak-outs. He just goes ape sometimes, pardon the pun. Starts crying, throwing a fit, hitting, and then two seconds later, over. Not sure what brings these things on. I think we really need to start talking soon. At least that might be able to help him communicate what is wrong.

In NH they schedule Halloween, which is so weird. We had it last night and went around the the neighbors we knew. Husband scored a beer. Not bad. We had two little bees visit our house, all evening. It is sad. Growing up I lived on a main street, set back from the road, on the opposite side of the street from the sidewalk, so we hardly ever had trick or treaters. I assumed moving to Hampton Falls we would be the cash cow of trick or treating. People would flock to our neighborhood to score big candy bars. I was wrong. Who is going to walk down our loooong driveways? It takes about 5 minutes to get from one house to the next... Sad. But, we are making up for it today by going to Declan's in Methuen. They do not schedule Halloween there, so we will be camped out on the street passing tons of candy out. I am excited!
We also went up to Maine yesterday, to visit with Joel's old boss. He was having a cider press party. I rationalized my consumption of his freshly pressed cider in many ways, including, it is fresh, it is local, it is my second child, etc. I should probably stop that now and instead really pay attention to the preggo eating rules. But seriously, well-done hamburger? Gross. I miss cheese. I am not going to be preggers again I tell you! I remember watching Giada on Oprah, and she ate non-pasteurized Gorgonzola and told Oprah, "I should not be doing this, I am pregnant." I, pregnant with my first child, was horrified. How could she risk it? What was she thinking? Now, I am having a hard time holding back...

News

Scariest Halloween costume ever... Wait, it is not a costume... Joel Andrew will be a big brother on or about May 5th!

Never wake a sleeping baby

Especially for a Doctor's appointment. But, I had to! It was his 15-month appointment. As you can see in the progression of the photos, he really did not want to be woken up. Alas, we made it to the Doctor's office with no time to spare. Mom had also forgotten her wallet and cellphone. Hey, at least we made it there.
The Doctor seemed to pick up on our craziness and decided to tell us that all 15-month appointments are very interesting, usually with the child running around screaming and throwing things. Joel really didn't scream, more whine. And didn't throw too much... But, hey. I guess he is a normal boy then.
Other fun things I learned. I point blank asked the Doctor: "If my son throws his food, can I just take it all away? Yes, he might go hungry a few meals, but will he learn not to throw his food?" I think Dr. Lamm is continually surprised by my "tough love" statements. He was in full agreement with me though. "If he is hungry, he will eat, not throw." Here's hoping for that. Both Dad and Mom are loosing their patience. While Otter and Angus are having a field day. Wait until Grammie sees that her little angel has been throwing food, she will not stand for it. If Joel Andrew thinks I'm tough love...
All in all, a healthy guy! He is 72nd percentile for height, whatever that means. And, comparable for weight and head size. He is growing well, looking good and certainly is developing a personality. His new favorite things:

• "singing" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
• throwing food, duh.
• Dancing with the Mickey Dancing toy.
• Dancing to Reggae.
• Throwing tantrums...
• Laughing hysterically when you "bite" him with the pot holder mitts.
• He can now identify and bring us all the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters, and Tigger. We need more Disney stuffed animals to get him ready for our January trip!

Pumpkin Baby

We had a nice fall Saturday with Auntie Bobo and Uncle Nick today! Pumpkin picking, out to lunch, got some apples, and enjoyed the sunny, yet windy day.
The little guy has certainly perfected his whining lately. It has started to drive Mommy nuts. He also has stopped eating vegetables altogether. Well, except for french fries, if you can count those. The whining has got to end though.
Our photo of the month was a little late this month. But, here it is! It is getting harder and harder to take a good photo of the constantly moving and whining man... Where is my smiley boy?

Wife Carrying Competition

No, husband and I did not partake. But, we had a nice long weekend at Sunday River last weekend for the annual Wife Carrying Competition. The Kings joined us for a mostly good time. We did have a bunch of hiccups. For instance, we noticed on the car ride up that the kiddo's fever was back. Now what do you do? Planning a nice long weekend with your friends who have a kiddo the same age, and now yours is sick? Well, we all toughed it out. Thank you, Kings for being so great!
The next big bummer, Angus - our not-so-bright-farting-but-cute-french-bulldog, ate something bad, and almost died. Husband spent all day at the animal hospital with him on Saturday, and we had to leave him there over night. It was a close one, and so sad. But in the end he toughed it out and is back to normal.
The rest of the weekend was spent trying to enjoy the festivities. There was a pretty good craft fair where we bought some awesome hats for the kids. They had a "kid" area, but it was more for bigger kids... There were ponies, and beautiful scenery. The Dads went for golf. We went out to eat a few times which ended up being crazy. I think only Sunday River knows how popular this weekend has become yet, the other restaurants seemed clueless! Hopefully next year they will be better!