Grandpa, you want me to flush what?

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Andy

With an almost-4-year old, there are plenty of opportunities for communication problems.  Different terminology is a frequent cause.  What most people would call a “wrapper” or “peeling”, Titus used to call a “spacklus” (for reasons still unknown to us).

A little background: when Titus visits the bathroom, he uses a “stool” (step-stool) to get up on the toilet.  Grandpa and Grandma use the word “stool” for toilet.  Now here’s the story about a post-bathroom visit conversation:

Grandpa: Who’s going to flush the stool?

Titus: Nobody’s going to flush the stool?

Grandpa: Who’s suppose to flush the stool?

Titus: Nobody.

Grandpa: I mean, who’s going to flush the toilet?

Titus: I will flush the toilet.

Posted in Titus | 2 Comments

Rough one…

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Sarah

Today has been a rough day!  This morning Asher woke up with a worsened cough and some pretty quick and labored breathing.  I got him into the doctor this morning and after 2 1/2 hours there, many tests and x-rays, we are pretty sure that he has RSV.  He’s doing a nebulizer treatment a number of times a day but the doctor doesn’t figure that it’s doing the full job that she wishes it would.  The simple message was “let it run it’s course.”  That may sound like the easy route but it sure doesn’t feel like it when they want me to be checking his breathing rate and effort frequently!  For some reason, worrying about breathing is a whole new level of fear and worry for me…how often do I check, do I sleep right next to him, at what point to I call the doctor, etc.  We do have an appointment again tomorrow morning because the doctor seemed pretty concerned that it would continue to get worse and she wants to know for sure tomorrow.  Anyhow, that being said, we’d love any prayers you might have for little Asher…that he would heal quickly and that we would have wisdom on how to best care for him!  Thanks all!

P.S. I also can’t seem to get him to eat or drink anything which is concerning all by itself!  I try bribing him that he can have his pacifier (which is normally reserved for sleep only) after a drink of juice and he outright refuses!

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Score one for Daddy!!

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Sarah

I feel like a post about nap time struggles is not unusual, but even so, here’s another one.

All last week Titus was SO exhausted.  He would tell me numerous times a day how very tired he was and it was honestly hard to get him to do many active things because he could barely keep his head up after lunch time.  Each day I would lay him down for a nap and he would resist with all his might!  I tried something new each time to encourage / convince / force him to sleep, all to no avail!  Now, I know that he is 3 1/2 and if it’s time to go to no naps, I am truly okay with that, but this was much more about him learning special techniques to not allow himself to sleep and then complaining about tiredness the remainder of the day.

Well, this weekend came and I let Andy have a turn at the battle.  Would you believe that we are now on the 3rd day of Titus taking a nap?!?!  What’s the trick you want to know??  Well, instead of making Titus ever so comfortable in his bed, praying with him, giving hugs and kisses, pleading to go to sleep, reminding him how very tired he is, etc., Andy took a new approach.  He takes Titus into his room, haves him sit on the floor across the room from his bed and tells him to stay there until he’s ready to sleep.  This is not cruel and unusual punishment…just a place for Titus to get all his talking and wiggling out before he gets into his bed.  Lucky for us, Titus is a sometimes an extreme rule follower and so he was super uncomfortable not being in his bed trying to hold his eyes closed as the bedroom door gets shut and so he pretty much runs to his bed, tucks himself in and falls immediately asleep as soon as we leave the room (believe me, I check!).  It is amazing to me how sometimes I just need a new perspective.  I felt like I had tried every tool in my toolbox for getting him to go to sleep and nothing was working.  I admit that a tiny part of me is disappointed that an answer came so easy to Andy after I had spent so long failing but I guess that’s why we work as a team!  That being said, thanks partner…you rock!

Posted in Titus | 3 Comments

Going Stealth!

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Sarah

So this is Asher’s new thing…he finds a hidden nuk in his room (because he just can’t make himself be quiet without it =) ) and then he finds a very clever hiding place and waits until Mommy is freaking out before showing himself!  This morning I was on the phone with my mom when he went stealth and it’s hard not to completely panic as I imagine him halfway down the block!  Some of his favorites are behind the kitchen set or inside the closet (and he closes himself in there too!!).

Posted in Asher | 1 Comment

I’m counting the days…

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Sarah

…until spring  that is!  Today I brought the boys outside for a little bit and I realized that I am SO very ready for spring to be here!!  I love playing with my kiddos but going outside and standing in the freezing cold air while they struggle against mittens and boots and crispy snow is NOT my idea of fun!  I am ready for the “getting ready to go outside” process to not take 20 minutes.  I am ready for Asher to want to be outside for more than 20 minutes before he is sick of it.  I am ready for the ability to do something productive (even if it is pulling creeping charlie out of the grass) with my outside time.  Anyhow, the gist here is that I am ready for spring!

Posted in Asher, Titus | 2 Comments