Goodbye, Curls!

For the longest time, the back of Sam's head had these lovely little blonde ringlets.  Sure, everyone mistook him for a girl all the time, but who cares. Just look at those adorable curls!

Over the last few weeks, however, the curls have started to relax, creating more of a mangy mullet look.  So, we decided that it was time for Sammie Boy's first hair cut.

It wasn't the most pleasant experience.  It was 25 degrees today, and the kids' salon was without heat. Sam and Amelia both cried almost the entire time we were there.  But, we survived, and they got lollipops at the end, so I think all was forgiven:)

It was a big day for our little guy.  This afternoon Sam had his ENT appointment.  His ears still have fluid in them.  The doctor wants us to try giving him Flonase to open up his nasal passages and see if that helps the fluid drain.  We'll go back in three weeks for a hearing test and and a re-check.  The other good news is that the doc debunked the myth (that I believed) that pacifier use could cause ear infections.  Whew, what a relief!  Mama was not ready for the binky battle just yet!

Oh, and as for the rest of us...I think Jeff is probably the sickest, but everyone in our house still has snotty noses and coughs to some degree.  

Just Kidding!

I guess I spoke too soon, because Sam's and Marley's coughs got significantly worse yesterday. Marley came out of school in tears because he was feeling so sick. Poor kid. We had a talk about letting his teacher know next time so I could come pick him up. Both kids were up most of the night coughing.

It's a total bummer, though, because Marley has the day off school. I had big plans to visit the science center today. But, Marley hasn't moved off the couch yet. And Sam won't let me set him down. Oh well, looks like instead I'll be brewing myself an extra large pot of coffee and making it a pjs and movie day!

Sick

Well, so much for staying on top of blogging.  2014 is not off to the best start.  But, I can come back from this, I swear!  In fact, I did attempt to blog, but never got around to finishing any of my posts.  I blame this mainly on the fact that one or all of my family members has been sick for most of January. Take a look at my first attempted post from January 12th:

Cleaning up puke in the middle of the night is maybe my least favorite thing in the world.  First Sam, now Marley.  Please let it be over now.

Sadly, it was not over.  Here's my draft from January 17th:

My head hurts, I'm nauseous, I have a hacking cough, and my body aches. I just want to curl up with a warm water bottle and sleep! But, Sam is sick, too. And the only thing that makes him feel better is to curl up with warm "boo-bahs". During the day there are well kids to look after. Last week, I locked myself in the bathroom so I could throw up. Within moments, all three kids were pounding and crying at the door, demanding to be let in. Is it over yet?

I'm happy to report that it is mostly over.  I say 'mostly' because there are runny noses and lingering coughs that may not go away for quite a while.  Also, Sam still has fluid in his ears, presumably from when he was sick back in October.  His doctor recommended that we have him evaluated by an ENT since it's been over three months.  By the way, at 15 months old, he weighs 28.5 lbs (92nd %) and is 32 in tall (77th %).

My very big boy prompted a purchase that I never thought I would make: a double jogging stroller. This great deal on craigslist has already paid off for two sick, cranky, tired kids, and one mama in need of some fresh air and exercise.

Just a Little Pixie Dust!

Amelia dove off the armchair yesterday and landed on her face. When we asked her what had happened, she tearfully replied, "I was going to fly cause I wanted to be Peter Pan. And I did fly at first! But then, I just smashed to the ground."

Ever the helpful brother, Marley suggested she wear a cape next time, or possibly try fashioning a parachute out of a towel.

Walking!

There are so many things to report, but it's been an embarrassingly lazy year here at Franklin Forum (Only 32 posts?!?), so we'll just stick to the headlines: Sam is walking!  He took his first steps right around Thanksgiving (13 months), and by Christmas, walking was his primary mode of transport. This video was taken a little over a week ago, and already he's so much more stable. It's amazing how quickly it happens!



And since it's not recorded anywhere else, I should also report that, after a 6 month dry spell, Sam has some new teeth.  Two molars on the top, and one (?) on the bottom.  Hooray for being able to eat more crunchy and chewy foods!

Finally, here are a couple of bonus videos to give you a sense of his developing little personality.  Hopefully 2014 will be a better year for the Franklin Forum editors.  C'mon, guys!  Get it together!

Where are the kids?

Sometimes I wish we had a bigger house so the kids could have more space to play.  And sometimes...

Mommy Nap Time Hack

I love rocking my babies to sleep.  Really, I do.  But, there is just no way that I can leave Marley and/or Amelia alone for long enough to get the job done.  Actually, I have no problem leaving them alone.  They're the ones who cannot leave me alone!  If I leave the room, even if they have been completely occupied and playing by themselves, I have about two minutes before they come searching for me.  This happens even when I tell them where I'll be and what I'll be doing.

"I'll be right back.  I just need to lay Sam down."

"Okay."

45 seconds later...

"Mommy!  Where are you!?! I need help!"

This has led to some innovative parenting on my part.  I discovered the magic of wearing my baby on my back when Amelia was a baby (thanks, Kristie!), and Sam has been riding back there since he was just a couple of weeks old.  

So now, when nap time rolls around, up he goes.  Then, I go about my business until he falls asleep, which usually takes anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes (he especially likes when I do the dishes or fold laundry).  Finally, it's time for the transfer!

  

*Observant readers of the blog may notice that we have separated the crib from our bed, and put the side back on it.  We decided to do this a couple of months ago because Sam was just getting too mobile and needed to be better contained.  He now takes all his naps in his crib (and I don't have to worry about him falling off the bed!), and starts each night in there (though he still joins us in bed sometime in the middle of the night).