Birthday

We went to Disneyland! And really I must say it is the best thing to do for your birthday, if you like birthdays. I really don't mind them. So I had a blast!!!

We are currently at my parents house hanging out. Raffi is running amok and running more amok. It is neat to see his discipline skills maturing. He responds to a possible or actual time out and I've actually seen it curb his bad behavior. So amazing!

He is mimicking so many more words now. "Trash" is the most recent new one I can remember. When he hears a siren, he cups his ear with his hand and says "Listen." He is still obsessed with garbage trucks and gardeners.

Back to Dland: We went on the Carosel 3 times. That was hands down Raffi's favorite ride, we also went on the Train 3 times. Also another big fav. We went on Snow White, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, and Small WOrld. Raffi wasn't a big fan of the small world(see picture). Cried and danced almost at the same time. We went around Toon Town and near the end of the night we went on the Pirates of the Caribean. And he did great. I was soo impressed. He was shocked at the drop parts of the ride but didn't even cry. So crazy.

First Day of One Day Preschool (last Monday)

Family Beach House

I was visiting family for almost 2 weeks in August. I spent some time at my parent's and then at a beach house in Southern California. My wonderful and generous grandma gets the family a beach house almost every year. And it is always a good time. Sometimes I feel a little trapped by my little guy and limited in the fun stuff I can do, but every year it gets better. And raffi enjoys the beach more and more as he gets older. Through this time he added new words, Moon, tried to say Grandpa, and others that are escaping me at the moment. He just chatters away and talks your ear off, but you just can't understand 90% of it.

Raffi loved the ocean, running amok in the house and being the center of attention. My cousin Kelly is pregnant, so it is neat to see that we will have two little ones in the coming years, to destroy everything. Two boys, even!

There was a lot of firsts as well. I took him to his first baseball game, Angels vs. Tigers, Angels lost. And he did so amazingly, I thought for certain he would be crazy and running off the bleachers. But he stayed in the little area in front of my seat and wasn't bothered by the thousands of people and noises. It was great.

Raffi got skateboard lessons from his big cousin Scott. Of course, Raffi found the skateboard while no one was looking and fell trying to get on it. but he just got up and went back for more. So it was great that Scott gave him some assistance. He just loved it. as you can see.

My brother and I took Raffi down to the shore one morning and we had fun building sand castles and then he destroyed them. As evidence I have video! Grandma-ma gave him a cool double wagon for his birthday in June and we were finally able to utilize it at the beach boardwalk. He loved to be taken on wagon rides up and down the walk. He slung his arm over the back rest like he was just chillin and cruisin! And since we've been home, I took him to our local paved trail for a walk/wagon ride and he loved it. He just lasts so much longer in the wagon than in the stroller. So I'm going to try to do it weekly. Good exercise for me.

The family went out for our annual dinner out and we were by the area with rides and such. I knew Raffi loves the Carousal so we headed over there. He caught one look of the Ferris wheel and it was pointing all crazy. He wanted to go on the Ferris wheel. Which I was thrilled, not really, I don't like heights. But we went on it and of course he loved it.

There are so many other pictures and some more video, I'll have to post them later.

Yeh! Found our camera.

Our digital camera has been MIA for over a month. I checked all of Raffi's hiding places because I was sure he was the last one to have had it. So today, I moved the couch and low and behold, there was the camera, a cookbook, 2 balls, 3 pens, raisins, papers and a phone book. Thank God.

I will now be able to take good pictures at our family beach house trip in a couple weeks. I've been packing today, because I will be leaving soon to go see my parents.

Raffi is saying "Got it" when he gets something and "home" and some beginnings of "mine." He is getting so tall as well.

This week, I cooked entirely out of the The Toddler Cafe by Jennifer Carden. So far so good. Raffi hasn't like all of the recipes, but they have been pretty tasty. I've liked them. There are several recipes using veges in creative ways. I haven't really had time to do that yet. It has been baking frozen french fries and stuff like that.

Raffi is finally starting to like some chicken. And he has discovered the joy of dipping things in Ranch dressing. So he is already a big ranch fan. He ate a couple bites of chicken nuggets at Mcdonald's. He really likes those apple slices. So it is funny we go to McDonald's for apples. And I sometimes get the yogurt apple walnut snack salad.

I particularly hungry right now, and all my snacking is not even filling me up. Even some chocolate chips!

Somebody come feed me!

Toddler Times

Raphael is utilizing his fork while eating much better the last couple of days. He is still yammering alot in his own language with the occasional English word thrown in. He is quite the handful, fully exercising his "twoness." So there are frequent "Time outs" for climbing on the outside of the stairwell and climbing on the tables!

But man, he is the cutest! I'm biased, since well, I'm his mom. But so many people have stopped and remarked how cute he is. He is such a charmer as well. Occasionally he give the "whattu talking about Willis?" look to people. And that just cracks me up more.

I'm still involved in my various moms groups and activities, which I feel keep me sane with adult conversations, but also yields adult drama. Oh life. It is challenging in so many ways. But I'm growing and learning. So I can't ask for more. (maybe a winning lottery ticket, but I think God is sick of that one!)

The picture above is a recent nap time where Raffi appeared to be kissing his dream girl. Ha ha. And below he is goofing around at a recent Mom's Group Playdate. Suck a cutie!

Language

Raffi's language is coming along; he is still behind his contemporaries, but yet I keep believing that he is going to wake up one morning and start speaking in clear sentences. He has added I think around another 10 words or so; gardener, door, sure, nose, cheese, and some others that I can't remember at the moment. In June, I started getting a little worried because it seemed like he regressed a little, but he has rebounded since then. He will talk to you or himself in full monologues. It seems he is talking in semi-complete sentences, just in his own language. His motor skills are just awesome. He is kicking and throwing well and climbing like a 3 year old.

I know I will look back at this time, like I am now with his crawling/walking, and just laugh that I was ever worried. Funny how that is.

June Month in Review

June was a major event month and in true fashion I didn't blog about it. So my critics have reminded me!

So in review:
Raffi and I went Strawberry Picking at a farm. He did really good, actually picking the berries, (not eating them like the other kids in our playgroup were doing) and putting them in the box. I was so impressed. He got plenty muddy and I ate pie, so it was good times for all!

Raffi had his first professional haircut. We went to one of those kid places where you sit in a car. He was fine in the car like seat, until the lady put the smock on him. Then the crying and anger began. I had to assist in holding him to get the haircut finished, but he is a trooper and the hairstylist was fast, so it all worked out in the end. He looked so handsome and like such a big boy. I loved his haircut; his father - not so much.

We had a 2nd Birthday Party for Raffi with some work friends on June 13th. The party went well and Raffi was full of high energy and seemed to even be embarrassed when we sang Happy Birthday to him.


Raffi and I also went for a trip to So. Cal to visit family. We had a good time and had another birthday party where Raffi demonstrated his John Daly impression. Funny Boy.


Raffi is saying an additional 5 or more words. His babbling is getting more and more distinct. I'm so surprised he is not fully talking yet. He always seems like he right on the cusp. His motor skills are excellent and he is just crazy anyplace he goes. He loves to climb, go on the big slides at parks, and loves to dance to any good music.

We also started going to a local amusement park for preschoolers. Raffi loves the train and the carosel. It is fun to enjoy it with him, I can't wait to take him to Disneyland.

Raffi had his "2" year Child Wellness Doctor appointment. He is about 23 pounds and 33 inches tall. It was good news because his weight percentages went up (prior appointment it had decreased and gone off the chart.) So this was great! His ears look good and he was in overall good health. And no shots, so that was the best part of all. I swear he grew a whole inch in the month of June. He just seemed to sprout into a boy on his 2nd birthday!

On a personal note for me. I feel like the last couple months have been more peaceful, including feelings of contempment. As always there was instances of challenging circumstances and events. I am confident that God is with me and He can use even the suckiest situations for his Glory! Amen.

Catch-up

Raphael had ear tube surgery on March 17th, and it has been interesting to see how his development went after that. I was all expecting him to start reciting poetry or something. But what first struck me in the first week was that Raphael's expressions and personality seemed more dynamic. He was more and super charged. And as this past month has gone by, Raphael's comprehension has increased as well. He understands verbal commands without having to wave, point or mime. And when the developmental specialist came this past week and we counted his words, it was great to see how he is doing. So for that and so I don't forget I'm going to write what he is saying.

1. bye-bye
2. uh-oh
3. cat
4. dog
5. mama
6. daddy
7. cra-k (cracker)
8. mlk (milk or water)
9. all-done
10. no
11. nite-nite
12. see (his action word to see or do something)
13. thank you
His all-done's and no's are a bit muted with more body movement associated with them. But the DS said he should be saying at least 10 words before his two. So yeh. We made that.

Above is a picture of Raffi and I out wine tasting in Paso Robles with one of my mom's groups.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

That last blog has been nagging at me, a dark cloud hanging in written word and all I needed to do was write another post. And I couldn't do it. I really had a bad day. I felt much better the next day. Today, I finally got the dishes and kitchen clean; the house had mirrored my mood this week. It has been a disaster. It was good to do a little cleaning, very cathartic.

In movie, Finding Demo, Dory the fish was singing "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." That sort of rings in my ears but I replace it with "just keep living, just keep praying" and so forth. It is a nice little tune. Raffi's ears are going to get "fixed" and that is a big relief. I hope it helps him stay healthier and increases his developmentally. Oh, and that reminds me of some good news.

Raffi began to feed himself with a spoon on Monday. It was really messy and progressively has gotten better as the week has gone on. It is mainly with oatmeal, it is sticky and a good start for him. We also stopped feeding him baby food. We lasted longer with it than others I believe because we wanted him to eat and he was finicky on a lot of textures. Raffi's broadening his horizons on that front. Besides his stable of pineapple, he has eaten some tangelos and other fruit. I need to work harder on the vegetables. I haven't figured out the way to prepare them that he will eat them. I guess that is the mom's mantra for now on "eat your veges."

I know my family and friends who read this blog are praying for me and I say thank you.

Kill the cold with cookies.

I'm sitting in my lazy boy chair while Raffi is taking a nap and pattering away at the computer and doing my devotional. I have another cold, I got it just when Raffi was healing from his last one 5 days ago. And of course Raffi's nose started running today! AHhh. This winter sickness season is killing me. It is nonstop relentless. Once fall came I might as well put a sign on my front door, Out sick for Season see you in May! So what good am I doing to help my cold, Girl Scout Cookies. A nice plate assortment of thin mints, samoas, and my homemade oatmeal cookies. I'm trying to suffocate the cold with sugar.

The pic above is me at one of my mom's groups annual luncheon. We get all dressed up and go play without the baby! yeh. I had a blast although I was bummed I did not win any fabulous raffle prizes. But it was all worth it, and I found a new tea I'm in love with; it is from Pete's Coffee and I'm pretty sure is is Xio's Blend. It blends chamomile and peppermint and it is fantastic.

Well, ok I guess I will talk about my lovely son. He is quite the chatter box this past week. He is utilizing some action words such as "See" when he wants to see or do something. He also says "brush" for brush teeth, etc. Last night he brought me a toothbrush container and said "brush, brush." At the moment, he enjoys getting his teeth brushed, I'm not sure how long that will last. He loves to watch the gardeners outside mowing the lawn and blowing all the leaves around. It is great to see a jump in his language development. We had a lot of great plans this week, but I'm unsure as to what we will be able to manage. Oh well. Back to my cookies....

Tales from the Land of Germs

Major news to report: Last week I stopped breastfeeding. Raffi was sick and unable to nurse and then really didn't want to, so he basically weaned himself. It is weird. After 19 months. I'm done. And for some that number will see big and others I won't hold a candle to.

Raffi's newest favorite activity is to grab whatever adult is sitting on the couch by the finger and lead them to the kitchen or the front door. Sometimes it seems for no reason at all, he'll just sit and talk to you. It is hilarious. My girlfriend, Julie, was over for the Super Bowl and he took her to the kitchen multiple times, so she had to hide her hands when he came by.

Some other new developmental feats: he points out Cat or Dog and says the word. He was sitting on my lap and the cat was across the room. I asked him where the cat is (without pointing the cat out) and he got up and walked over to the cat and sort of squatted near him. It was great.

And of course, he is still sick. And now both his parents are sick, and it is kicking our butts.

Catching Up.

Ok, what have I missed to talk about. The last two months, I've thought, oh that would be good to write about in my blog or that would be great. So still I have a blog written about not writing in my blog. I am probably not the only one with this problem. So back in it.

So to catch up & some xmas pics:

Christmas: Lots of fun. Visits with Family was a blast. Raffi didn't really care about xmas too much, I think next year he'll get it more.

Development: Raffi is chattering a bunch, mostly non-scensical. He can mimic tree, duck, fish, and other basics. He points and says "tis" for this and he says "see" when he wants me to pick him up so he can see what I'm doing in the kitchen. He is definitly understanding verbal direction more, whether he chooses to obey is another story. He responds to the no-nos, drop, lets go bye-bye, etc. It is wonderful to see him grow.
Raffi w/ Santa

When we were not traveling, we spent the time going to playdates with various moms groups, park visits, returning stuff at the mall, and hanging out.

I've started counting calories this January, coupled with a bout with the stomach flu I lost a bunch of weight! I have this great handy application on my Iphone where I keep track of my calories. I had no idea I was eating so much during the day. Those times in between meals snacking, really add up!

So I've been doing it for a couple of weeks and have increased my exercising (a bit, getting back into the stroller walks/hikes.)

So things are pretty normal crazy around here!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Our thanksgiving was fine; we ordered our feast from an Italian Deli recommended by a friend. Some of the items were good, but some were quite bland. But it is always good to have turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. And I'm glad I didn't have to cook since I've had a weird throat/neck cold this week.

We took Raffi to the park when the sun came out and it was drier (it rained all day tues/wed). He is quite the swing junkie. He could swing for hours. Raffi liked the turkey, so that was fun to feed him his first thanksgiving meal, however small it was.

Raffi's cold was not letting up, so off to the Doc's office we went (Monday). and Low and behold he had ear infections in both ears. I figured he would be super fussy for ear infections. Our little guy certainly has his daddy's tolerance of pain.

Also this week, Raffi's top 2 first molars are coming in. So he has been a little fussy here and there, gnawing on just about everything.

Colds not slowing him down.

Raffi's cold is now in it's third week. Last week, I thought he was all better but he had a couple days of a low-grade fever and then the nose running works really started kicking in. Poor guy and may I also whine that poor me. He wakes up in the middle of the night for hours at a time because he can't breathe through his nose. The funny thing that happened today as a result of us wiping his nose hundreds of times: Raffi pulled a tissue out of the tissue box and wiped his own nose. Doug and I were floored!. Sometime this little guy just scares me(in a good way).

Last week, my yoga moms group went to Sonoma and stayed over night and yes with babies. One of the mom's family has some houses that we were able to stay in. We went wine tasting, going to a total of 6 in two days. With toddlers in tow, that is quite an accomplishment. We got lots of looks, and surprisingly most were complimentary.

While at the Sonoma house, Raffi was playing with a floor fan (that wasn't plugged in) and he tried to plug into the electric outlet. If the prongs were set up correctly he would've actually done it. Talk about another Raffi Brain moment!

Other developments: Raffi is consistently waving bye-bye, clapping unprompted and mimicking words more. He used his ride-on bus as a step stool to play with the door knob and try to turn the light switch. He is putting the phone to his ear and puts Doug's blackberry to his ear like he knows what you are supposed to do with it. It is so much fun to watch him grow up.

Lions and Tigers and Astronauts?

1. This past week: Raffi is sleeping through the night. (I nurse him to sleep and for a nap; so 2-3 times a 24 hour period.) Sometimes he does wake up at night, I rub his back and most of the time he goes right back to sleep.

2. Last Friday: I went out for my first mom's night out (after 7pm). It was the first time I'd been out without the baby past 7pm. It is weird driving in the dark. I don't do it that often. It was great. Doug was able to get Raffi down with no problem. Yeh!!!

3. Halloween was tons of fun. Raffi was an astronaut and looked super cute in his so professional looking costume. (Thanks for picking it out Sam!) We went to 2 Halloween playdates (One I dressed up as an Egyptian Mummy...from space) and did a little 10am trick or treating at a local little town main street. I'm looking forward to next year when it will be a little more interactive for him.

4. Mid October: Raffi and I went down to So. Cal for a visit with family and friends. It went well logisitically and Raffi had a great time. He started repeating words more often including: Thank You, Turtle, nite nite, fish, bye bye and other random words which he never repeats.

Got by me.

I've actually had lots to talk about the last couple of weeks. But I didn't.

I'll at least get in the noticeables for today. A pic at the park, he was having a great time in the swing. He also learned how to go down the slide staying seated up. Before he sort of fell back and slid on his back. He also seemed to get the rocking horse.

So to some highlights:
Two Fridays ago, I had my mother meltdown moment. At my church moms group, Raffi was crying too much so they called me to take him. (it was only like 30 min into the program.) I felt like the childcare people just gave up on him and the manager said she "needed her caregivers in the room with the kids" not strolling around crying babies. I almost left and cried in the car, but a mom at my table stopped me and told me to just hang around with Raffi. Which turn to be a little difficult because he wanted to run around. Later that day, Raffi deliberately kept doing a no-no, while looking at me. I didn't know that it (disciplining) would start so early. Now when I look back at that day, it doesn't seem that bad. But mentally, I was not in a happy place.

Raffi had his NICU follow-up meeting with a developmental specialist and a social worker. After Raffi got over his shyness he did very well. There was some speech recognition that we are keeping an eye on. But overall he is doing great. The social worker started going on this tangent that at 20lbs he was so underweight that we should start fortifying his milk and feeding him extra butter! After I got off the ceiling, I calmed down, and realized later that our pediatrician thinks he is doing fine and that trying to force extra calories won't translate to weight gain.

We still have been doing the usual music classes, playgroups, and park time. Lots of fun.

Oh and this last Friday, we went to MOPS, the church moms group. I talked with the caregivers and told them to work with him, and not to call me unless he was ill. So Raffi pretty much cried the entire 2 hours, but he was more mad than upset. I just hope at some point he will get over it before his 8th birthday. I know he will, but there is just that fear (with so many things about parenting).

Big Boy Seat

Raffi in his front facing car seat today. He sort of seemed amazed and apathetic all at the same time.

We got good news from the doctor's office today; Raffi's iron level is good. I'm so relieved. I never was really diligent about getting the iron in him, becuase he threw it up most of the time. (At his 9 month appt, his iron levels were low.)

It was a slow starting day, we didn't leave the house until 4pm to go to the grocery store and run errands. Oh well. Glad I'm not on a clock! Tomorrow is our first music lessons, so I hope that goes well.

Follow-up thoughts and such

Yesterday, I came to a epiphany about my worry about Raffi's weight. I have wanted him to be 20 pounds because #1. He could use his new car seat, and #2. Some notion in my head that he needs to be 20 pounds. So the realization was that just because he reaches 20 pounds isn't going to make him more healthier, happier or really anything of consequence. He will just be 20 pounds. Raffi is healthy and quite happy; so no more fixating on his weight for me!

Did I mention, that Raffi has had a cold all week and lovingly gave it to his mother. Oh yes. While mentioning our colds to my dad, he reminisced about all the illnesses we brought home to him and mom. Especially, the time my brother and I gave my dad the chicken pox; which for an adult is much worse. He was quite miserable, I remembered as well.

I made some odds and ends addition to the blog, i figured it needed some art. I keep telling myself that I'm going to review any artwork that I've come across, ie the Seattle Art Museum and really haven't. Eventually, I will. I hope to take Raffi to the San Jose art museum and also make it back to the San Francisco ones.

What A Day!

Today, Raffi and I had are first meeting for the MOPS Group. Raffi went to childcare at the church and I went to the group meeting with food, introductions, quick devotional and other such talkings that go along with moms meeting each other for the first time: talking about our kids. I didn't see Raffi cry myself because I slipped out of the room while he was playing. But another mom said he was crying while she was dropping off her crying child. But he and I made it through the 2 hours without any rescuing!

When I picked him up from the "toddlers" room, he was playing with a chair and didn't notice that I was calling his name. But the look on his face was amazing. He was not happy about the situation, he would play(it said), but gosh darnit, he wouldn't like it!

Then we ran over to a birthday party at park in the hills. I nursed him for his lunch and then off we were to his 15 month well baby checkup with the Doc. He is 19 1/2 pounds and 30 inches long. The Doctor gave us the blessing to use our front facing car seat and I think it is time. Raffi's feet easily hit the back seat in front of him. He may not have the weight, but he is a little tall for his current seat. The conversation made me remember Raffi coming home from the hospital at 4 1/2 pounds!
Also at the Doc's, he received the OK for health and all that and as a parting gift received four vaccination shots (including MMR) and had his blood taken to check his iron level. Of course he screamed like a banshee! He fell asleep in the car but I couldn't get him to go back to sleep once we got in the house. So his entire nap amount for the day was around a half an hour. So for all that he was such a trouper!

After all that I had a glass wine at home. So we traversed through some milestones today and I feel good about it. Thanks for praying for us Mom!

Play Time

This past week Raffi began calling out to me using Mama. When he really wants me, the MAMA, comes right out. He also said Hi, in a meaningful appropriate way, to Doug the other day. Of course, when we tried to get him to say it again, he just looked at us.

I'm still enjoying my moms groups, sometimes it is a little daunting with moms I don't know. I'm bound to say something stupid, but I refuse to hide in my house. I will socialize even if I put my foot in my mouth here or there. I've signed Raffi up for some music classes this fall. I'm really looking forward to it, the babies I have seen that have taken it, really get so much from it.

Today, we played at the local mall's indoor play area; It is air conditioned and a slightly cushioned.