Sucker

Life in this home has recently revolved around the vacuum. Julian is obsessed, addicted, whatever you want to call it, to our vacuum. This is great, in theory. But when tested, it turns out that his two and a half foot frame (75th percentile and all) just can't handle the height of the vacuum and his eensy weensy muscles can't handle much of the weight, leaving the vacuuming up to me. I don't mind doing it, but when he literally walks from his bed to the broom closet to get the vacuum out every single morning it becomes a little excessive.

After a little research, I found the perfect vacuum for him and due to his "commitment" to vacuuming, I felt like it was the best option for our little problem. The vacuum is identical to ours and it even sucks up a piece of dirt here or there. I accidentally bought the wrong size batteries for it, but even without realizing that it lit up or hearing that it made an obnoxious realistic vacuum noise, he was instantly in love. He played with it all day! I have compiled a list of reasons why I know I made the right choice in buying this new sucker.

You can't tell in the picture but J's vacuum even has the same "Reaction" sticker on it and "Dual Action" sticker on it

1. It is identical to Mommy's. J has pointed out several times that the little vacuum is his and the big vacuum is Mommy's.

2. After a straight 45 minutes of play, J had to sit for lunch. The vacuum sat on the floor next to him and he kept one hand on it at all times.

3. He had a meltdown at naptime and bedtime over his vacuum not being in his room. (He would never sleep if I let him have it in there).

4. After nap, we went to the store to get the right batteries. J insisted on bringing it in the car.

5. And he insisted on buckling it into the seat next to him.

6. On the way home, he pointed his finger at the vacuum and said "Be Good!"

7. He has vacuumed every room of the house 15 times and emptied the canister (yes it comes off) into the trash about 432 times.

8. He tried to feed it some of his dinner.

And the ultimate proof is in the pictures.

Well Baby Well Baby Well

The title of the blog was a lame attempt at a twist on a No Doubt song. The attempt failed, I know.

Anyway, J had his 2 year Well Baby Checkup on Friday. (Yes, it was 2 months late but that's because we were out of town and our awesome doctor's office doesn't let you schedule anything until the same month of your needed appointment. If they let you schedule things ahead of time, there probably wouldn't be so many problems and complaints, but what do they care? They still get paid).

Sorry, got lost there for a minute, back to the results of his appointment. He is only in the 35th percentile for weight, weighing in at 27.9 pounds. I am pretty sure the last time I went and they weighed him on the infant scale he was just under 30 pounds, and if you have ever picked that boy up, you know that he is rather...solid.  Either way, the doctor wasn't concerned. Honestly, take one look at the size of me and applaud the fact that he is 35th percentile. For height, he is in the 75th to 85th percentile! He was kind of in the middle and they round it off.  I think he was almost 37 inches. I can't really explain the insane height, except that A's Mom's side of the family is pretty tall.

After weight, height, and all the vitals we saw J's PCM. I am usually pretty frustrated because I get a letter in the mail almost every month saying his PCM has changed...yet again. But I couldn't have been happier to realize that his new PCM was the doctor I had the entire time I was pregnant with him. She is simply amazing and knows our family so well! I run into her everytime I am at the doctor's and she never fails to ask us how we are all doing. I even ran into her at a consignment sale and she is always genuinely happy to see us. She made me feel like the best mom in the world by telling me that her son's favorite food is cookies, after I told her J's is currently eggs and grapes and also that I can continue to give J a bottle before nap and bed because it's not worth the fight until A comes home.  I actually started weaning anyway, but just knowing that if I want to give up the fight I can, makes me feel great.

Finally, we headed to immunizations where he only had one shot, but he screamed and then pouted (bottom lip stuck out as far as possible) all the way to the car and down the road until I told him he could have ice cream when we got home.

Back on the Blog Wagon

My apologies go out to my (apparently) many followers for falling off the blogger radar for a good 2 1/2 months. May is always our busiest time of year and got even busier when J and I drove (yes, drove) to Maine for 6 weeks. While there, we attended four weddings (two of my sisters got married, J was the ringbearer in a childhood friend's wedding, and a highschool friend was also married). I am not sure we sat down for more than 3.2 minutes at a time; even naptime and bedtime was a major headache.

J the Ringbearer

We drove back home two weeks ago and sister L came with us. She was determined to make the trip in a single day, but with a two year old and a psychodog I had my doubts. 

Me, J and L at the Beach the night before our big trip

Even with a stop at Central Park in NYC we made it back in eighteen hours. L was right, I admit it.

Me & J with Abby in Central Park

Since returning, it breaks my heart to say that seven of our soldiers' were wounded overseas. Five of them were well enough to return to duty, but two were sent back to the U.S.  Wanting to offer all of my support to the soldiers and their  families, J and I drove out of town to visit one of the soldiers who is at an out of state hospital.  We were gone for five days, and I am happy to say that the soldier is doing well, smiling, and cuddling his newborn baby.  While we were away, we visited with K and the boys, went to Hershey Park where we met up with A's Aunts, and visited the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine. We got back to town yesterday, and will be seeing the other soldier and his family in a few days. I am also happy to say, that this particular soldier was released from the hospital today!

Here are some things we have learned about traveling:

*J officially gets carsick. He has now thrown up in two major US cities (NYC and DC).

*I am a champ at stripping him down and wiping him up on the side of the road.

*I am also a champ at making my car not smell like throwup after it has been christened.

*Dramamine is not only great for motion sickness, but also for knocking a kid out for 2 1/2 hour naps. It's amazing a 1/4 tablet can do so much.

*Abby wishes she lived in the city, there are hotdogs and soft pretzel crumbs all over the street.

*My GPS is my best friend when it comes to ridiculous amounts of traffic.

*I talk to myself...a lot. J always says "what?" when I am talking to myself, making me realize what I am doing.

And with that, I'm back on the blog wagon.

Cleaning up throw up in the Bronx is always the perfect opportunity for a photo!