Go, Go, Go!

Kitchen Remodel

One of my goals over spring break was to help encourage CRB to engage in more pretend play. Since the doctor kit was successful, I decided to buy him a play kitchen.


The first kitchen I bought did not work out well at all. I was excited that it was made in the USA, in nearby Olive Branch, Mississippi. That fact may have been it's best feature, as the $38 I paid for it was too much. The kitchen was created out of a few hundred snap-off injection molded pieces. No matter how hard we tried, most every detachment point featured a very sharp burr. We did assemble the kitchen in a record 1.5 hours, thanks to ToolMan's mechanical ability. Our assembly may be the best example of that play kitchen as we took some time to debur the more dangerous edges. But even with our careful assembly we decided that it would not be able to take even 10 minutes of CRB before we would be left with snap-off kitchen pieces scattered throughout our house. To my delight, Kmart graciously took our fully-assembled kitchen back.



After that bad purchase I really questioned my judgment. Is CRB too young? Is it bad that I am buying a boy a play kitchen just because I cannot bear making more car sounds with the hot wheels? Should I go with an heirloom quality, all wood kitchen that is devoid of all electronics? After all I am trying to encourage pretend play, and shouldn't I just be getting him to rely on his imagination? Does CRB (really CRB's mom) need a status kitchen like the PBK one?


At the toy superstore, CRB got to check out the grand walk-in kitchen. He loved checking out the doors, drawers and stools. Alothough the kitchen did not have any batteries installed CRB mashed buttons intently. When we started shopping for a kitchen my plan was to put it on the deck (hence the appeal of the $38 lizard lounge). We were more put off by the space needs of the grand walk in kitchen (as I did not want to just stuff it in a corner) than the price, although it seemed to be a big leap to spend 6.5 times as much.


After enough deliberation, deliberation that could have been used to solve world problems, we decided on the Step 2 Party Kitchen. There are many, many variants, but this was the one that our toy superstore had in stock, and luckily it was the one I wanted to get him. It took a little over 30 minutes to put it together, and it required 11 batteries.


CRB has completely surprised me with how much and for how long he will play with the kitchen. The first time he got to play with it I had to stop him after 55 minutes. This is the same child who cannot sit long enough to watch TV without being contained in the jumperoo and who cannot focus on a three piece puzzle for long enough to get more than one piece in place. Tomorrow we will have had it for one week and I am ready to say it has been a fabulous purchase that has really helped to change his style of play for the better. In addition to the fun with the doors and drawer, he loves the interactive experience that the battery items add.

Here are a few action shots:









The play kitchen blends nicely with my real kitchen, and since he gets so much enjoyment out of it, we'll be leaving it inside.

Great Expectations

"I knew I was in trouble when he said 'I want to see the race car.' A asked 'Well, where is it?' and I said 'It's everywhere - part of it is over there, part of it is upstairs, some of it is here...'"

Tonight some friends and their two children (A&A) stopped by to look at my SUV (yes, it is for sale) and to see ToolMan's shop. Our friend was excited for his 8 year old son, A, to see what ToolMan does with computers and CNC machinery.

A has always been quite fearful of loud noises. When A was a baby, we had to be very careful of placing our cutlery down on the table too hard or suddenly, or of laughing, either of which would send A into a tissy.

ToolMan spent a large part of today getting a program to cut 2 different pieces in both vises in the machine. I had stopped by the shop a few times today (once to collect CRB who was enjoying the view in his swing). I was impressed with the lack of chatter and that ToolMan had gotten the program to the state that he could walk away instead of needing to be there to mash "feed hold."

A did last about 2 minutes longer than his 10 year old sister, and he did seem (slighty?) interested, but the noise factor was too much for him.

Once ToolMan and I were back in the house alone he said "I knew the air compressor was going to have to come on and that would run him out if the regular noise did not."

ToolMan was disappointed.

After a few seconds I told him "I think your best child candidate for appreciating and understanding what you are doing in the shop is asleep right now" and I pointed to CRB's bedroom.

ToolMan grinned, and with trigonometry fairies dancing in his head he said "You are right."

My CoDriver

Sometime next week, ToolMan and I will have been married for ten (10) years. Happily!

A few weeks ago we had a discussion about the patronizing things people say to one another, especially spouse to spouse, parent to child. Though we are not perfect, we both make conscious efforts to not make those kind of comments, and that effort was the main focus of our discussion. But at one point in our conversation, I could not resist any longer.

Grinning I asked him "Do you want to know what the most patronizing thing that you have ever said to me was?"

As a man who has been married for almost ten years he appropriately answered with slight hesitation "Sure. What is it?"

"If you are going to slide the tires, make sure that you have both hands on the wheel."

This was in response to a Carlos Sainz like move I made getting on our bypass bridge back in February.

What any other spouse would have said back in February in the context of our situation:

• What did you just do?!
  
• What was that noise?
  
• Stop the car!
  
• The baby is in the backseat!!
  
• The baby is ASLEEP in the backseat!!!
  
• Are you trying to kill us?
  
• That's it, I'll drive.
  
• Are you practicing for a rally car driving position? Am I your co-driver?
  

But no, ToolMan did not question my need to do this, or even ask why I was trying to slide the car in the corner. He was just concerned about proper technique.

Recently, when I asked him why my tires make so much noise in the traffic circle or at certain intersections, he said "Most people would go slower." When I said that neither of my previous cars did this and I think I drive the same, he pointed out that "most people in your kind of car don't drive the way you do."

Should Vegas start making odds on when CRB is getting downsized to a MINI? No, that would be a waste of the odds-makers' time. How on earth could I even take him to the pool - we need to have a stroller? How could we get to Aunt Kerri's 8 miles away with all the stuff we need? What if (a HUGE, almost out of the question if, but my jury's still out) CRB gets a sibling in the next few years? Nope. No MINI. Ask again later. Much, much later.

Yesterday, coming home from a quick shopping trip south of town a crazy lady pulled sharply and suddenly into my lane. I broke hard engaging the anti-lock brakes, checked in the rearview and swerved a tad into the next lane. I asked ToolMan "How'd I do?" expecting great praise. He said, "Well, I would not have taken that other hand off the wheel to blow the horn." You know, he's right, the horn blowing was extraneous.

I can think of many times when I have been in the car with him driving and he has avoided accidents with his good judgment and quick reflexes both. In the coming week, our state is planning a zero tolerance campaign related to speeding. There will be no grace miles over or warning tickets. A few of our friends have said that maybe ToolMan might not ought to drive that week. I disagree, but I might need a new line item in the budget for "traffic tax" as he calls it.

Speaking of rally cars and safety, after much consideration, we just ordered CRB's new car seat. We plan to move him to that one around the beginning of September.

DISCLAIMER: Gratuitous speeding is not funny. I have 0 points on my license. I go exceptionally slow and I am extraordinarily careful anywhere there might possibly be pets, children or other pedestrians. When I see the police in my neighborhood, I do not have to slow down. I do not run red-lights or take an extended yellow. If the situation permits, I brake for squirrels. I try to drive with extra consideration for motorcyclists and truck drivers. I believe I dislike my SUV because of the disconnect I feel while driving it, but it is a wonderfully nice, posh car, and I am a very lucky woman in so many respects, but please give me some space to still mourn the MINI.

ToolMan's boy

Early this afternoon, my not quite 10 month old CRB took a shelf out of a cabinet. Once he had that free, he began pulling the rod pins out that hold the shelf. Tonight, he mastered the bathtub drain.

He's been able to do a zipper for about 2 1/2 months. Early this week, I handed him a battery powered alarm clock to keep him occupied while I changed his diaper. He had the battery cover off and the AAA batteries out in less than 10 seconds.

CRB does not try to put things back together yet, but he is masterful at taking them apart.

Weekend Reflections

I have so many things to be thankful for this week.

First, I am thankful for our allergist. He is a great man and helped CRB this week. Dr. D's original training was as a pediatrician and he went back to for the allergy/immunology specialty. What this means to me is I can feel good about having all areas addressed. I have been watching CRB especially closely as he has been doing some extreme nighttime coughing and a bit of wheezing, on top of his regular constant sneezing. Dr. D was ready with a plan. CRB, already a pro at the nasal spray, now has an inhaler system ready for those (scary) nighttime problems. Dr. D also said to bring him back if he needed the inhaler much or if I have concerns. CRB has still not had an ear infection. Dr. D said that was quite remarkable especially considering his congestion. I am so extremely thankful to have Dr. D and access to such excellent healthcare for my boy.

Dr. D said no meat til 12 months, and no milk products either. I have not been giving him meat, but milk is in a surprising number of things. Since we cut out the milk items this week, CRB's stomach is great. He may have that intolerance we suspected. Yesterday, I got to the grocery and found some soy cream cheese. This has been a big hit with CRB, so I am no longer very stressed about "depriving" him.

ToolMan has made excellent progress with the F1000 project. Progress=happy ToolMan=happy Leslie.

Lastly, I am so thankful that the Cesar Millan techniques are working. It would be a stretch to call the CRB-Colin interaction perfect, but it is a process and we are making excellent progress.

For more Weekend Reflections, check out Judi's blog at Mommy of Two.

Get Out of Town

Tomorrow ToolMan and I are getting out of town. Together. By ourselves.

We are flying over to Savannah for the day. A few years ago ToolMan built a two-seat airplane. It was a big project but ToolMan is always up for a challenge. I helped a good bit with the plane, especially when the project in our garage. This means if you ever need any rivets hammered, flush or round head, I am your girl.

In case you want to learn more about homebuilt aircraft like ours, check out our fellow RVer Dan Checkoway's site. One page that has some good tips is The Married Dude's Guide to Aircraft Building. It's a hoot, and should be required reading for any spouse undertaking any project of substantial size.

While in Savannah we won't be taking in veranda views or mint juleps. We are headed to a test day at Roebling Road to hang out with and help a great friend. ToolMan is not into any sort of race spectating, so one knows how great a friend this is for him to go. Tomorrow night we plan to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, The Shell House, before we head back.

Letter from Home

Dear Colin,

I heard that you are enjoying time with your grandparents and that you are very relaxed and are having a good time back as the proper center of attention.

I am glad that you are having fun but your family misses you. Since you've been gone, you would not believe what the floors look like. Cheerios, banana puffs you name it. I guess I will have to get off my booty and do some vacuuming or borrow a Roomba, or since you may be staying another week.

CRB looks for you all the time. He wants you to know that bathtime is lonely without your surprise jumping in, and that pool time on the deck is lame without you to attack the fountain and re-assign ownership of the toys. Tonight he spent some time with the three doggies next door and let them lick his toes.

I will have to say your Dad and I are sleeping better. Perhaps some little, stealthy yorkie has been sleeping in our bed at night….

Love,

Mom

13 years, 3 months

ToolMan relayed some interesting news with me this afternoon: SCCA is dropping the minimum age required to get a competition (race) license to 14 years old.

If you could see the enthusiasm with which ToolMan was sharing this, you might understand my quandry instead of being horrified. Some dads-to-be and new dads eagerly anticipate playing catch in the yard, building a tree house, and helping with math homework. ToolMan will happily do those things, but I suspect racing may occupy a special place in his heart.

If CRB has no interest that will be fine with him. But if he exhibits any interest ...

Photo Hunters: Shiny

The theme for this week is shiny. With all of my husband ToolMan's metal-based hobbies we have hundreds of pictures of shiny aluminum things, and I have decided to go with a favorite photo from 2002 (that's ancient!) This was taken in our two-car garage. Eventually the plane outgrew the garage and he built (yep, himself and the whole family and all of his friends) a hanger too.

This is a picture of the wings from his first homebuilt airplane, a Van's RV-7A. The shiny porcupine things are called clecos and are used to hold the pieces together during drilling and riveting.

To check out more Photo Hunters or to become a participant, click here.

Happy Father's Day

Object in motion (baby!) appears blurry but it may be the happy tears coming through my camera lens.

Easter 07

And the kitchen sink, too

At some point next week, CRB and I are headed to my parent's timeshare on the Gulf Coast. It is not a glamorous place but we always have loads of fun. Last year the place opened back up mid-summer (after the hurricane repairs) and the crews did a nice job. The pool had not been rebuilt yet.

ToolMan asked to stay home for some guilt-free shop time. As I have vacationed with ToolMan when he'd rather be doing something else, I quickly agreed. One other benefit of him staying home is that Colin can stay home. (Someday I will blog about Colin's horrifying boarding experience.)

I started typing up this list last week just to see what vehicle I will be taking. I am really hoping not to take the diesel Excursion, "the living room on wheels," but each day it looks more likely. For many entries, like swim wear, both CRB and I will need the item.

Beach trip packing list:

• Brown stroller
  
• Beach tent
  
• Beach towels
  
• Beach toys (sand stuff and floaty boat)
  
• Sunblock
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Swim wear
  
• Dreft
  
• Dish towels
  
• Bottle rack
  
• Baby spoons
  
• Juice bottles
  
• Formula bottles
  
• Baby food (veggie, fruit, cheerios, formula, rice)
  
• Diapers
  
• Swim diapers
  
• Wipes
  
• Waterproof crib mat to use as a changing area
  
• Night light
  
• Pillow
  
• Bumbo
  
• Exersaucer
  
• Laptop with media base and charger
  
• Backyardigans dvd
  
• Camera
  
• Camera charger
  
• Phone charger
  
• Blocks and toys
  
• Books
  
• Red push car
  
• Baby towels
  
• Hand soap
  
• Baby quilt for playing on floor (big one if can find it)
  
• Pack n play
  
• Clothes and shoes
  
• Hats
  
• Kiddie blowup pool (partially inflated)
  
• My book
  
• Ipod
  
• Ipod stereo
  

If anyone actually makes it to the end of this monster list and has a comment about what is extraneous or what I am forgetting, I'd love to hear from you. I never take a diaper bag in a restaurant, but I always have a ton of stuff in the car!

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

Thursday Nanny came again and I did not have to go to work. I played up my celebrity status by staying in the bed guilt-free until a little after 10. It was outrageous.

I helped Nanny with some housework, went to the grocery and picked up lunch for the crowd, retrieved Colin from the groomer, and started a sewing project for CRB. Here is a picture the john-john I made him.

Yesterday was also a BIG day for ToolMan and ToolMan's buddy Wren. Wren's CNC lathe arrived at the house yesterday. I am not sure how many times 18-wheelers have come to our house this year, but our neighbors no longer ask what is happening.

Wren is just finishing his Masters of Mechanical Engineering and has accepted an awesome job in Huntsville. Wren's lathe is going to stay at ToolMan's shop until Wren has a place to house it. Wren and Brandon will be making some parts for Citation Engineering, but Wren is planning to be his own job shop and make a lot of different parts, not just race car stuff, in his spare time. Last night the guys got power to the machine and got it to move in different ways.

Today we took CRB to the doctor for his six month checkup. (Yes, reader(s), I do know that he is eight months, but remember I was working full-time with help only two days a week, so you do the best you can. I assumed he'd get sick, or I would have some question or worry, and we would go in then, but he did not.) CRB got an excellent report. He's in the 75th percentile for height and between the 50-75 percentiles for weight. His ears were clear and she said he is perfectly on-track developmentally - everything a mom wants to hear. He got 5 shots (7 total kinds of vaccinations) and passed his iron level test. Unless we have a problem, he does not need to come back until he is a year old. I cannot believe how he is 8 months already!

Tonight Nanny is coming again to keep CRB while we go to the Bright Star Restaurant with Joe and Sue. Joe is a retired judge now law professor and has just finished a 5,000 mile in 100 hour motorcycle trip that he took with some buddies. I am very excited to hear about his adventures.

Surreal to Real

Step back with me to Wednesday, February 14, 2007. Picture me coming home from work super late. ToolMan has been keeping CRB since the afternoon. I come into the kitchen and see some chocolate and a cute Valentine's Day stuffed dog on the island. Picking up the stuffed dog, I see a card. It's addressed to MOM in my husband's handwriting.

"Hey ToolMan, did you forget to mail your mom her card?" I ask aloud.

"No." he replies, and he looks at me and smiles.

"Well then whose card. . . OH! ...WOW! Thank you!!"

This Mother's Day was different. The painful yearning that I felt for the last 5 Mother's Days was absent. Last year I was pregnant with CRB and we had known for several weeks that he was a boy. It should have been a happy day, but I have no memory of it. I spent so much of my pregnancy in a state of intense anxiety. The only memory that I have from last year is the sweet mother-to-be card that Kerri gave me. I kept that card out on the baker's rack in the kitchen until after CRB was born. In late September cards welcoming the baby surrounded that hopeful card.

Today was a good day. ToolMan gave me a beautiful Waterford vase that is the first in a series planned for Mother's Day. CRB gave me smiles, a hug, and we all had a two and a half hour afternoon nap. This evening I received great cards: one from ToolMan, and the other from my little boys Colin (yorkie) and CRB. This time I got the mom reference without missing a beat.

Comfortably Numb: Sleep

Now when I seem tired or comment to others about how I am tired, people inevitably ask "Did CRB have a rough night?"

Well, you would think that. It would make sense. But with us, that is rarely the case.

CRB has to have a full tummy, the night light on, and not be dressed too warmly. With that, he's set for a good 8.5 to 9.5 hours.

Toolman is a pretty good sleeper, too, as long as his surroundings are just right. He's got to have 2 foam pillows with slick cotton pillowcases, taunt sheets, a comforter that is just the right weight, no extraneous light, and no house guests.

Me, I can sleep anywhere and through anything . . . if I can just fall asleep.

I can sleep:

• sitting up
• through the takeoff and landing of a trans-Atlantic flight
• on cold uneven ground with my feet higher than my head
• on a squeaky floor that squeaks each time I inhale, and again when I exhale
• on a cot while a transport truck backs into the parking place next to me
• in the presence of solid rivets that are being hammered and bucked
• with Toolman and his undiagnosed Restless Leg Syndrome

My sleep requirements are all emotional.

Tonight - err this morning - the problem is that I am too excited to sleep. Too many good things are going on, and I just don't want to shut the day off yet. How awesome is that? Yes I agree it is tremendously fantastic but come on, it is after 2 a.m. now...

Other nights, usually Monday or Wednesday nights, the issue tends to be that I am too overwhelmed with what I need to do the next day. I guess trying to provide a worthwhile educational experience to a large number of college students can stress a girl out.

Then there are the few nights I actually fight sleeping because I don't feel that I have had an acceptable quantity of fun in the day. Like somehow, tossing and turning is going to result in fun?

Tonight's headline is:

--
New Mom Can't Sleep Because She's Too Happy
--