Posted by: ppernick | October 22, 2007

How old are you now?

 BirthdayCake

When asked, Simeon will actually respond “twooo” correctly…it’s so cute!  Well, at least once he’s gotten past being shy with you.

To go along with the age, we had two parties for Simeon’s birthday.  One with Ari’s mom in town, and one with my parents and brother in town. We did this last year as well, but last year the entire concept of a party was for the adults – I’m pretty sure Simeon was completely unaware of the significance. 

This time around, I think it’s still mostly for the parents, but a 2 year-old at least understands what’s going on to some degree.  They’re starting to venture beyond parallel play and get delighted when they’re the center of attention.  While Simeon knows the right response to “how old are you,” I’m pretty sure he doesn’t understand why it’s the right response.  We just react with such excitement when he gets it right that he gets a big grin and wants to do it again. And he does seem to understand a birthday party means playtime, sweets, and new toys.

So this year, we had a few of our friends over to celebrate his birthday when Ari’s mom was in town, and we had a few of his friends over to celebrate when my family was in.  It worked out quite well.

Party 1:  The adult party was mostly for us.  I’m sure our friends enjoyed seeing Simeon.  And, I’m pretty sure Simeon enjoyed all the attention he received from our friends.  Although I was next to him to help blow out the candle, he actually blew it out by himself.  He has already gotten a lot of playtime out of all his new toys.  The Pound-a-Ball and pinball games have been hit a number of times.  He is constantly giving his teddy bear a ride in his new big truck (which apparently only runs backwards).  At bedtime, he loves pointing out all the clues in his new Blue’s Clues story book.1  And, we’re waiting for the first snowstorm when it’s cold enough to put on the gorgeous blue sweater that Bubbe made for him.  Oh – and mommy and daddy’s Bubble Blaster is pretty cool too.

Party 2:  This one was definitely about the kids.  We had a small Blue’s Clue’s themed party with 3 of Simeon’s friends.  (Small was just fine by me. I had been worried about what a bunch of toddlers could do to my house).  Everybody helped get ready.  Streamers up, balloons blown, goody-bags decorated and loaded, and the room rearranged and vacuumed.  I didn’t realize just how many toys Simeon had collected until the kids took them all out.  They had a blast!  After playing inside awhile, the weather was even nice enough to go outside and Ari and S set up the tunnel set.  The kids had so much fun, that they stayed a lot longer than I anticipated they would – though part of it was probably because we waited for D&J to arrive for cake and presents.  Unfortunately, D&J got caught in Seahawk traffic.  

When we came back in, we sat down for the cake.  This time Ari ‘helped’ Simeon blow out the candle.  I think L was wondering why it was so hard for Ari and Simeon to blow out the candle when he managed to do it quite easily the first time we lit the candle.  Right before presents, I had Simeon hand out the goody-bags to his friends – Blue’s Clues notebooks and some extra crayons.  This time around Simeon got a helicopter and book from L, a couple puzzles from J, a medical kit from C, a little music player and dance pad from Bubbe and Grandpa and a Chief’s sweatshirt from Uncle Neil. Plus a wooden food set with wooden knife and cutting board (the food pieces are velcroed together so he can cut them apart – it’s very cute to watch him pretend eat the food).  Everything has been played with and we’re waiting for the weather to cool off to show off our KC Chief’s pride.

And today, he’s officially twooo.  Happy Birthday Simeon!  I can’t believe it’s already been 2 years.

[1]When he first opened the book to a page with a clue, he just said ‘A clue!’  When I asked where, he replied in Blue’s Clues style “there!” without actually pointing. 

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Posted in Celebration, Happy Birthday, Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | October 9, 2007

Where are the days going?

Wow, the last week has just zipped by.

Flying with Simeon turned out to be pretty much as expected.  Over-worried about packing and making the flight.  MIL called at 3am. Even with laying back down for 30 minutes and finding my normal parking location closed I was there on time.  Though, that extra 30 minutes would have been just enough time to let Simeon run a little bit before boarding.

Overall he did great for being a 2 year-old flying cross-country.  Portable DVD player was money well spent.  On the way to Virginia it wasn’t fully charged.  Thankfully I had my laptop as a backup and I was able to let the dvd player charge a bit more before the second flight.  Bad thing about that was being tethered to the wall.  Simeon was only able to run a bit, not nearly as much as he (or I) would have liked.  He started with running to the edge of the carpet and back – squealing with joy when I opened my arms in anticipation of his return.  It became more difficult when he started going beyond the carpet.  I had to go get him and bring back a whining boy.  After catching this one lady’s glare, she then tried saying “shh”.  Hah!  I kinda wish she’d said the one more word it would have taken to get me to respond.  And let me tell you…I was ready to respond.

On the way back from Virginia, the DVD player was fully charged but still didn’t last and the laptop saved the day yet again.  At the very least, we need a second battery for that thing.

And of course, also as expected, descent was the hardest part.  Have to turn off the dvd and any other music device, can’t get up and go anywhere, can’t play with the tray. And of course, when he’s interested in something, most other things are unacceptable replacements (including the usual book ).  For the final flight back home, he was actually asleep during the descent.  I thought this would make it easier but instead it was just different.  Enough bumping and I think it wound up being something of a nightmare for him.  He never opened his eyes but he cried almost the entire time.  I eventually sat him in my lap and that seemed to console him.

The weekend trip went fast.  What I remember:

  • Thursday night, when Ari got to his parents’ we had dinner and a birthday cake (ice cream cake!  Happy Birthday to Me!)
  • Friday night, I can’t remember a single thing from the day, other than meeting our new cat Maggie. I do remember having the opportunity to out with my husband in the evening though. Ari and I went out after dinner with I (Ari’s brother), his fiancee and some of their friends for coffee and dessert.
  • Saturday, saw where I and R will be getting married and then met my cousin and 3 of her kids for an afternoon in the city.
  • Sunday, spent the day at the zoo with I, R, and Ari’s dad.
  • Monday, Simeon got a haircut before we headed to the airport.

Simeon never adjusted to the time zone change, so getting back on schedule when we got home was pretty easy. He did wake up that first night back home, but otherwise it was normal routine pretty quickly.

Good trip, but I think I needed at least another day or two the next time we go.

Pictures will be posted soon…

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Posted in Simeon, Traveling, Vacation

Posted by: ppernick | September 26, 2007

Nerves + Hormones = STRESS!

Dropped Ari off at the airport this morning before heading to daycare and work.  If only I’d realized my vacation situation earlier. I would have flown with Ari and just come back early.  Instead, I will be spending my birthday (Thursday) waking up at 3am and flying with Simeon cross-country to DC without the help of my husband.

To be honest, I’m not nervous about flying with Simeon.  He’s generally a good kid.  He’ll watch his Wonder Pets and Animusic and be just fine. He might pull out some of my hair.  And he will probably get upset when I have to turn off the DVD player for landing, but otherwise I don’t expect too many problems. 

It’s the preparation that has me worried.  

The biggest thing is getting to the airport. I’ve asked my mother-in-law to give me a wake up call.  Not only is she already up by then (6am eastern time), but I figure she has good reason to make sure I don’t…er…Simeon doesn’t miss the flight. 

Other than that it’s just making sure everything else gets packed…without staying up all night Wednesday.  I sent most of my clothes with Ari.  So it’s pretty much just Simeon’s stuff that’s needs to get packed.   I plan to get that done tonite – earliest I’ve EVER packed for a vacation.  If all goes well, I hope to only have to navigate the airport with one small suitcase, a big backpack (carryon/diaperbag in one), a stroller and a toddler.

Although…

I have to stop by Target to pick up a couple things.  Maybe I’ll see if they have a small backpack Simeon-size.  I can put in his toys and possibly snacks (if that doesn’t make it too heavy) and everything else should easily fit in my bag.  A present for the trip and he can feel like a big boy with a backpack just like mommy and daddy use.

But wait…there’s more! 

Simeon’s birthday is coming up.  I have finally resigned myself to having his kids party at the house.  Not that I really want to.  The idea of a bunch of 2 year olds running around my house kinda scares me.  However, I can’t count on weather to host it at a park shelter, I don’t think a restaurant would work well for his age, and all the places I’ve contacted/researched cost minimum of $150 (and once you add on food, goodybags, and paper products you’re up to about $100 for every year of his life!)

The part stressing me out right now is that the party for the kids is just over 2 weeks away and I need to get invitations out.  In fact, I need to get them to the daycare tomorrow before I go out of town.

So in order:

1. First stress about invitations

2. Then stress about getting ready and to the airport on time

3. Finally, I can focus my stress on a party theme and what I can do to help protect Tegan, Magpie (potentially a second cat joining our household), and of course, my house, from a gang of 2 year olds bent on running around and being toddlers.

*Sigh*  Oh, I can’t wait until October 15.  Party is over and I’m on a week’s vacation from work while my family is in town.

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Posted in Celebration, Simeon, Traveling

Posted by: ppernick | September 25, 2007

Behind in posting…as usual…

L’shana Tovah!  G’mar Chatima Tovah!

Hope all those out there celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days had a Happy New Year and a meaningful fast. 

I felt kinda bad for Ari this year.  Simeon’s too young to fast and I’ve got an exemption this year.  I may have another exemption next year too if the next baby pernick is still dependant on me for food. 

I’m not going to say I like fasting, but it adds something to the holiday.  Gives it a bit more meaning.  When you have a toddler who can’t sit through services, and you wind up not sitting through most of the service at all, it’s much more difficult to really get into the holiday mood – especially one as somber as Yom Kippur.

We all attended Kol Nidre[1].  Before the service actually began, they had a cellist play the tune and that captured Simeon’s attention.  Unfortunately, once that was done, so was Simeon.  As soon as Kol Nidre was over, Ari took him downstairs to change his diaper and let him play in the babysitting room.

The next morning, I failed to take Ari’s offer and stay upstairs for the Torah service.  Instead, I joined the boys for the Tot Service.  After the service, I let Ari head upstairs since I got to sit through services the night before.  At some point Ari came back down and not much later, we could tell it was Yizkor (the memorial service – it’s pretty common for those who haven’t lost their parents to not sit through this service).  Considering the time, we met up with L to discuss timing for break the fast and then headed out to get Simeon and me some lunch and let Simeon and Ari take naps.  I’m not sure I did a great job in letting Ari nap :s.

I then made the mistake of feeling like we should go to the evening service.  Usually a couple hours of standing as you plead even more fervently – symbolically watching the gates slowly close – before sealing your fate for the next year.  This was a mistake mostly because I didn’t realize there was no more babysitting room.  We got back to the synagogue way before services were due to start again (Ari sat in a study session going on) and I discovered I had to find a back way into the room with the toys. Once services started Ari and I took turns. However, since Simeon wasn’t going to wait until 8pm and L was leaving early anyway, we left services around 6:30 (about the time most people were showing up).  J stayed for the rest of services.

Break the fast was nice.  I admit we broke early but we all came back to the table to start again when J came.  In the meantime we watched the Muppet Show – I never realized before that the Swedish Chef was actually saying anything real.  I have to buy those DVDs.  J and L have seasons 1 and 2.

So…all said and done, the big things I learned for next year’s high holy days:

1. Pay the price for babysitting.  At least for Yom Kippur.  $15/day is worth it if you want to spend a couple hours there (especially considering babysitters are $10/hr).  Though it will really depend on the newest baby pernick how long we can stay.

2. Forget about the final service.  We’re about an hour’s drive (interstate driving) from the synagogue.  Go for the morning, get the most out of it that we can, then just go home, rest and go directly to whereever we need to be for break the fast.  I’m sure chasing after an 8-month old and a 3-year old will make up (physically) for not standing for 2 hours.  And i’m pretty darn sure we’ll be asking for forgiveness for whatever the kids have just done to the house or cat.

Anyway…up next is Sukkot.  I’m not sure if there’s a particular phrase that’s supposed to be said so I’ll just say an early Chag Sameach (Happy holiday!).

 

[1] For those who don’t know the holiday, Kol Nidre is the very beginning of the first service.  When the sun is going down, the Torahs are taken out of the Ark and the sanctuary is turned into a Jewish courtroom.  Thus begins the last opportunity to plead your case as to why you should be sealed in the book of life for another year.

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Posted in Holidays, Judaism, Simeon, Yom Kippur

Posted by: ppernick | September 6, 2007

Behavior

I don’t get it. 

Simeon is generally a good boy.  He helps pick up his toys.  Does a good job of self-entertaining. And though he does try to test the limits, generally stays pretty close when we go for walks.  Even reaching out for my hand quite often.

What I don’t understand is his hitting and kicking…me.  The daycare teachers haven’t seen him exhibit this behavior.  He sometimes hits daddy or kicks at Tegan, but for the most part he aims for me.

I really have no idea where this behavior is coming from.  Neither Ari or I have led by example here.

And it isn’t that I’m surprised that he’s hitting and kicking in general.  He’s a toddler.  Testing his boundaries.  I may not like it, but I’m pretty sure it’s something all/most kids go through.  It’s the difference in behavior around me versus others that has me confused.

I’ve tried to steer him towards a ball when he’s kicking or his drum when he’s hitting. And while that works a bit, it doesn’t stop him from coming for me again later.  And he’s beyond the stage of mere distraction to change his behavior.

I spent pretty much an entire morning this past weekend putting him in time out for kicking Tegan. 

I think part of the problem is that he views time out like a game.  As soon as I leave his side (even to set the timer), he stands up on the chair.  At one point, I just spent some time forcing him to sit down – not counting it towards time out.  Eventually, he seemed to get the idea and sat in the chair for his full time out.  Multiple time outs actually – since as soon as it was over he’d go find Tegan again.  Unfortunately, later in the day, when he was hitting mommy he was back to standing up.  And this time holding him down didn’t have the same effect.

Do I continue to just stand near him, forcing him to sit down and staying just out of reach of a hug?  Do I just spend 4 or 5 hours of the day continously sitting him back down until he finally stays – as SuperNanny so often has parent do?

I don’t want to go the route of spanking.  Telling him that hitting or kicking people is bad and then hitting him just seems a bit hypocritical.  But I’m quickly running out of ideas. 

At least he’s not hitting the other kids at daycare.

Well, except for Keiden.  Simeon and Keiden both started in the same infant room and have transitioned to the next rooms together.  Apparently over the past year and a half, Simeon and Keiden have developed a close and very interesting friendship.  They make each other mad and immediately start laughing.  A couple days ago I was told they were wrestling.  The teacher looked over and the two of them were rolling on the floor.  One would cry for a brief second and then they’d both start giggling.  In fact, the teacher from Simeon’s infant room recently moved up to his current room.  She sees the two of them do something to make the other mad, getting upset, then laughing.  From what I understand, she just looked in bewilderment at the other teacher and shook her head. 

I think that’s about where I’m at too.  Just looking and shaking my head.

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Posted in Daycare, Development, Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | August 30, 2007

Still showing off

He showed his technological prowess again Tuesday night.

Ari was cleaning and rearranging some furniture in the kitchen.  I was getting dinner started.  Simeon had wandered over to the office. 

Actually, wandered isn’t the right word.  I’m pretty darn sure he went there with purpose. 

One of the computers in the office is commonly used for playing music.   One of Simeon’s favorite things.  So, we were only slightly surprised and highly amused when we heard the music start.  I finally reach a point where I can go check on him a few minutes later. He’s happily sitting on the floor in the middle of a bunch of books actively reading one of them. 

He also managed to impress another mom at the daycare when we were checking out the other day.  The daycare uses a touch-screen software application for checking the kids in and out.  I generally pick Simeon up and he pushes all the buttons for me.  Well, except for my passcode.  Though it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he could do that too.

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Posted in computers, Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | August 28, 2007

Technologically Advanced

Sunday evening, as I was making dinner, Ari’s cell phone rang.  It was my parents.  Strange.  I had talked to them earlier in the evening.  They were calling Ari’s phone, not mine.

A few brief words are exchanged.  Ari heads over to the couch and takes my phone from Simeon.  Simeon is not happy.  Ari says thank you and hangs up.  Ari then calls A to explain things.

Usually, I’m pretty good about not leaving my phone where Simeon can reach it.  He has played with my phone before.  Even managed to add a few numbers with no names to my address book.  And in one case deleted the name associated to a phone number (anybody have a number ending in 6720?).  In these cases, I’m usually sitting next to him.  I set the phone on airplane mode so he can’t make any calls and I’m constantly pushing the clear button.

I wasn’t so good this time.  I left my phone on the couch.  Simeon found it and made a call. Two calls actually.  He called A (the first number in my address book) and he called my parents (the last number I called).  Seems the three of them had quite the conversation and Simeon wasn’t very happy when daddy ended it.

On the bright side, he responded with ‘hi’ when my dad answered the phone. 

Scary thing is I’m not sure I even know how to do a 3-way call.

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Posted in Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | August 27, 2007

Cuteness Factor

Quite a few times since Simeon was born, people comment how cute he is.  As a proud mom, I want to emphatically agree.  Instead, I usually nod, smile and say thank you.  Not sure how else to respond.  If they have a kid with them, I try to say something equally nice in return (thankfully most kids are generally pretty cute).

I do wonder if there are times people are just making a comment to be nice.  Specifically when they say something to the effect of “he is the most adorable little boy i’ve ever seen.” 

I really started questioning this at Simeon’s last cardiology appointment.  The cardiologist we started seeing when Simeon was born is retiring by year-end, so he’s no longer coming to the Bellevue location.  So, Simeon and I met the new doctor. 

She was great.

Very nice.  Very easy to talk to.  Explained things clearly without being condescending.  As much as I liked Dr. K, I will be just as happy continuing our visits with this new doctor[1].

Thing is, she made the comment: “You just may be the cutest boy ever.”

She said this in a relatively low voice.  She said this to Simeon, not me.  She said this with an intonation that made it sound like a revelation.  I wonder if she even realized she said it aloud.

I don’t think I said much of anything.  Just smiled or something. 

Then there’s the comment relayed to me by a friend. She overheard her cousin in the next room talking baby talk to the cat: “Yes you’re a handsome kitty! So cute!! Yes you are! Yes you are! Almost as cute as Simeon!”

It’s not just politeness if I’m not even there…right?

I have to admit, I’ve considered taking advantage of his cuteness and happy demeanor.  Making a little money or getting free stuff by letting him model for kids magazines or something.  This hasn’t happened yet mostly because I haven’t made the effort to obtain the necessary information. 

Now, Simeon is at a point where he has desires and the ability to expresses them.  I guess I just feel a bit guilty for wanting to put Simeon ‘to work’ before he can make the decision for himself.  As long as I don’t push him when he doesn’t want to do it there’s no reason to feel guilty though…right? 

 

[1] Unfortunately, I can’t remember her name.  She had just gotten married a couple weeks before the visit and the staff were still adjusting to the name change.

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Posted in Simeon

Posted by: ppernick | August 24, 2007

Lake Chelan

I meant to post about this some time ago, but I’ve gotten quite behind in my postings…

This summer, C invited us to her family lake house on Lake Chelan.  I am so glad we were able to go.  The house, the lake, the weather, the clear night sky…everything was just gorgeous. 

Originally, Ari, Simeon and I were going to show up at the lake Thursday evening.  But…even the best laid plans don’t always come through though. 

First was Ari’s work.  Some big off-site event was happening on Friday and the hype grew everyday.  Plan change – Ari would get a ride some other friends on Friday, Simeon and I head out normal time.  Then came prolonged morning sickness, which delayed laundry and packing.  In the end, Simeon and I were on the road by 8am Friday morning.

As I expected after the Oregon drive, Simeon was wonderful.  I had ideas for a couple of stops if necessary, but didn’t need them.  A book, some children’s music and a bag of grapes at his side and he was good the full 3 hours.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the company of C and some wonderfully warm weather.  After some time playing in the sand and swimming in the lake, the first couple friends joined us poolside mid-afternoon.  Ari arrived with the last couple late that night after Simeon was asleep.  We all ate a lovely pasta dinner out on the deck under the stars.

The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent either on the water (riding sea-doos) or in the water (lake or pool).  A bunch of the group headed out to some of the wineries Saturday afternoon. Sunday was cleaning up / doing laundry before we tried to beat the worst of the traffic back home.

All-in-all, a great weekend and something I’d love to do again.

Things of note – with respect to Simeon:

* I already knew this, but it became obvious just how much earlier we wake up in the mornings before any of our friends do.

* Before we got there, C had moved a mattress into our room for Simeon to sleep on.  My original plan was to treat it like a low crib – lay him down and throw a blanket on top of him.  He was a bit fussy when I first laid him down Friday night, but as soon as I tucked him under the covers as if he were in a big bed, a big smile formed on his face.  The realization that he got to sleep under covers the way mommy and daddy do…priceless!

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Posted in Friendship, Simeon, Vacation

Posted by: ppernick | July 30, 2007

Guess what…

The “symptoms”:

  1. Getting sick frequently.  I’ve been feeling quite nauseous recently.  I’ve even gotten sick at work a couple times.  Unfortunately, getting sick leads to headaches and headaches lead to migraines – which make me sick to my stomach.  *sigh*
  2. Easily Tired.  Doesn’t take much at all.  Doesn’t help that I’m not sleeping well either.  We spent the other day at Ari’s company picnic and that just wiped me out.  We did a bit of walking and it was quite muggy out, but I was useless for the rest of the evening.  Doesn’t help that if I lay down on the floor (or on the bed) Simeon takes that to mean I’m ready to be his personal jungle gym.
  3. Spontaneous nosebleeds.  Went to Lake Chelan this past weekend.  Air conditioned house and hot, dry weather outside made for the perfect atmosphere for my nose to leak red.  At least I didn’t feel as nauseous as I have been lately.  Oh wait, that returned again this morning :(.  I think I actually prefer the spontaneous nosebleeds – at least those passed pretty quickly.

The limitations:

  1. No drinking.  While I don’t have much problem giving up beer or hard liqour (I don’t drink much of either anyway), I do miss a nice glass of wine with dinner.
  2. Reduction of caffeine intake.  Luckily this is pretty easy for me.  I think caffeine stopped providing pep for me while still in college.  Though I did discover a few years ago that I will definitely feel myself coming down from the high when I drink a triple tall mocha after a long lack of sleep.
  3. No extreme sports.  Not that I have any current intentions to go sky diving or bungee jumping.  On the little less extreme side, even bicycling and horseback riding are getting to be off limits.  I’ve told my softball captain I need to play outfield if I can make it to the game.

Any idea?  Give up?

The answer:

I’m about 11 weeks along and due beginning of February.  Too early to find out gender.

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Posted in Family

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