Odds and Ends

On Sunday, Josh indicated that he’d prefer that we call him Joshua rather than Josh. Can do.

Joshua had his first dental cleaning on Tuesday morning. He survived and proudly shows off the contents of his goodie bag. Thank you Dr. Sara!

I’ve never been much into decorating for holidays. Newton’s Law of Decorating: If you put something up, you have to take it back down. At Christmas, my gift wrap is minimal and the past couple of years we have either used a small table top Christmas tree or forgone the tree all together. Well, this year, we already have Christmas decorations out. Joshua is eager for Christmas to get here – not for the presents, but because that means Baby Kip can come out!

I am amazed at our Halloween preparations, too. Joshua decorated ghosts that were either mailed to our family or hung in our entry way to give our guests a fright. He also decorated foam jack-o-lantern magnets that we’ve shared with our family. Joshua and Brian carved a jack-o-lantern and then Brian roasted the pumpkin seeds. Aunt Liz and Joshua made Halloween cookies. We went to the Halloween party at the YMCA where Joshua painted a pumpkin and went trick-or-treating. Then, last night Joshua and I made ghost and jack-o-lantern pizzas. To top it all off, Joshua selected a costume and has already worn it multiple times. He’s never expressed an interest in or willingness to dress up before. Needless to say, Joshua is the great holiday motivator. I’ve had to suppress my practical party-pooper inclinations and am enjoying the festivities.

This morning Joshua and I went to vote. I explained why we were going to vote on the way to the polling location. Joshua selected which voting machine to use and helped me push buttons as I cast my ballot. On the way out he said, “I was nervous when we were first going in, but I am glad that we went.” He cracks me up.

We filled up the car with gas at $2.20/gallon. I love these gas prices!

YMCA Halloween Spooktacular

Baby's Sling

Recently Josh has been very interested in his baby doll - named "Baby." He's been bringing her to my doctor appointments and out to run errands. I guess he's getting ready for his little brother. It is always cute, and sometimes sad, at the same time, for me to hear him talk to Baby - "I know you want to stay home Baby, but we have to take Mom to the eye doctor." Hum...wonder how he really feels?

Josh and I were at Joann's earlier this week and they had their remnants 75% off. Josh picked up a remnant of yellow fabric and asked if he could bring it home. Um, 75% off 74 cents, sure. Later, I mentioned to Josh that we could make a blanket for Baby or maybe a sling. Josh is very familiar with the sling since he lived in one for nearly two years and I've been using our slings to carry around his bigger baby doll - "Baby Josh." I was surprised when Josh said he wanted to make a sling for Baby...and continued to ask 3 days in a row. I mean, a sling touches him. Maybe he is outgrowing some of his personal space issues. Anyway, this morning, I spent the 10 seconds on the sewing machine to sew one seam and make a sling for Baby. Josh loves it! He hasn't taken it off yet. He told me that the sling "makes it easier for me to hang out with you and I have two hands to play." Wow. Wonder where he's heard that sling sales pitch before!

We're really having lots of fun around here lately!

As a side note, it is unfortunate that Josh's posed smile is far less excited than his true smile. Hopefully I'll get a real smile soon.

Chef Josh

Josh is enrolled in a "Little Chefs" class at the Y. I'm pleasantly surprised that he not only enjoys the class, but actually participates. He is talking to the other kids, touching the ingredients, and feeding himself his creations. I would have called any one of the three a success. I never expected all three - and he voluntarily washing his hands, to boot! (Josh hates to be wet.) Those of you that know Josh well can appreciate how truly amazing all of this is.

The first week he made a cheese sandwich and used a cookie cutter to cut it into the shape of a kitty cat. He thought this was so cool and was impressed when I told him that G-daddy cut my sandwiches into shapes when I was a kid. He ate part of his sandwich. This week he made a tuna salad boat and decorated ice cream with chocolate. He brought the tuna salad boat home for dad, but ate carrot sticks, 2 slices of cheese, and the ice cream. We have 2 more weeks to go.

The class has (at least temporarily) broadened his willingness to feed himself, to use utensils, to get his hands wet, and to cook. It is very exciting to see. At home this week Josh expressed an interest in helping in the kitchen. Sweet! With a new baby coming soon, and hopefully my return to eating a normal diet, we need to stock the freezer. So, we made white chicken chili, brownies, an applesauce spice cake, gingerbread cookies (inspired by an episode of Super Why), and tortilla soup! I can't wait to eat all these goodies in a couple of months.

Josh also spent a good deal of time "washing" dishes in the kitchen sink. He often referenced his friend Suzy, who he "washed" dishes with last week. There was one tense moment when he noticed the dishes that he "washed" in the dishwasher the next day. "But they are clean. I cleaned them." It was one of those moments that required very quick thinking on my part to spare his feelings. I explained that he indeed did wash the dishes and did a great job at that, but that the dishwasher made them super clean. He was appeased. Ahhh!

There are a few other things that I'd like to make in preparation for my carb loading after Kip is born, so I really hope Chef Josh is in the house next week.

Kippin' It Real

You know how you never notice something until you get it and then it seems everyone has it? Oh, everyone drives a blah, blah, blah. Well, we don't know anyone named Kip and haven't heard the name too often. Oddly enough, last night, we saw two shows that included characters named Kip. The father on Super Nanny was named Kip. Then, the nemesis in a movie playing on Starz last night was named Kip. (BTW, we're getting Starz instead of NBC right now.) The movie, Kickin' It Old Skool, was a super hokey break dancing movie, but I had to stay up to catch all the "Kip'' jokes and store them away for future use. "Kip-napped" was my favorite. I can see using that when Kip takes Josh's toy. "Oh, Lightning has been Kip-napped!" Only 73 more days until we begin writing the great adventure that is to be "Kip-ilations."