New plan

Today we actually did a family activity together.  I'm really impressed since it started as a suggestion from me that was answered by a "we'll see" which then launched an argument that culminated into me getting really mad and going to bed to take an angry nap.

Angry naps are not very restful....just saying.

after I woke up, I was still mildly angry, but was surprised because Joe was all ready to go for a walk down the long trail in town.  ok.  this is good.

Bub started off by running down the path while I was trying to get Z in her stroller, Joe took off to catch him.  Bub spent the first 5 min of the walk running up ahead (followed closely by Joe) and then running back to me...until he came to the 1st bridge over a creek.  He sees the creek and freaks out and runs past me.  Joe will never catch up to him, so I quickly lock Z's stroller and shout to joe to get her and I take off after Bub.  It has been a LOOOONG time since I could sprint...but sprinted I did.

*begin side-story*
See, Bub has a deeply rooted fear of creeks that started a few months ago.  We were at the Butcher Shop restaurant w/ the grandparents, and it was more crowded than usual, so Bub was overstimulated and acting out.  Joe took him outside to wait for the rest of us to finish...on the side of the restaurant is a creek.  Apparently Joe thought it would be funny to joke around with Bub and tell him he was going to toss him in the creek.  Funny how that moment was an autism moment when Bub took Joe literally....funny, funny, funny.  So Bub is now terrified of creeks and is certain that Joe is going to throw him into the creek and must run away Monty Python style. 
*end side-story*

So Momma convinces her Bub that NO ONE is going to toss him in the creek and asks him if wants to be a "Big Boy" and help momma push Zbear's stroller.  Once again happiness prevails.  We walked until we got to a playground and then let the kiddo's play on the slides and explore.  they loved it.  I forgot to bring my camera.  I suck.

After the play break, I was afraid Bub may not want to walk back to the car, being shagged out and all.  But no, he was all for pushing the stroller.  Joe and I had determined not to say anything about the creek as we passed it, but Bub noticed it and jumped up on me until we passed it by.  I guess he figures if he's on Momma, Daddy won't DARE toss both of us in the creek.  wow.

It was such a fun walk we are planning to do it again, hopefully every afternoon after Bub gets home from school on the days I don't work.  I hope we stick to that plan.  :)

Nubs.

HA-ha-ha-ha-hah-aww nuts!

Points to those who get where I stole the title quote from. *grin*

but really, the taunting nature of the title is that I am DONE with my Christmas cards!
(sorta)
I mailed all but 9 & that's because I had missing information (such as addresses) or ran out of pictures & had to make more. (thanks to Kellie!!)

But here is a cute picture because it is cute.


Ok, it's official. I'm back to the sappy momma mode.
can you tell?

Poor little man has been SO patient with me the last few days.
Wednesday he had digestive problems...(lesson #1: all 1st time moms are fixated on their child's digestive system....I swear, so many of my conversations in the last 3 days have started with talking about what kind of poop is coming out of him...)
So as we learned from lession #1, he has a really BAD diaper rash. I had lots to do on Wednesday, but he was so miserable, I had to baby him all day & I got exhausted. Cleaning a baby's sore poopy butt is enough to make anyone cry, but then he's in SO much pain he's clinging to me begging me not to clean him...I'm half crying & half laughing because this is my life.
(Lession #2: yes Melissa, I -am- that kind of Momma *sigh* you were right)
so as we learned from lesson 2, being -that- kind of momma, I will continue the story... Thursday I had to get my butt in gear & make stuff I wanted to send out, so I spent the day making things & then chasing a sore-bottomed bub who is now angry at me for not babying him for a 2nd day in a row.
(lession #3: no matter how old men are, they expect you to baby them when they do not feel well...even if they are only 2)
So, looking at lesson #3, you would think today I would have kept that in mind...but NO. Lil Muppet-head is a frenzied mad-woman. what started as "I'm just going to package these few things & then go to the postoffice & then go to walmart & get baby-wipes & diapers" turned into crazed obsession to finish ALL and ANY christmas cards, just to get them done so I won't have to go thru the hassle of taking bub to the postoffice twice (he likes to steal the bulbs off the christmas tree in there)
(lession #4: yes virginia, I am a crazy woman)
So now it is 1:30. Bub had lunch but no nap. The post office I want to go to closes at 3pm (because it is a "country" office & is less busy)
(lession #5: ALWAYS go out of your way to a less busy post office)
So keeping lesson 5 & 4 in mind. I get all the stuff I have to mail in a HUGE bag so I have one hand free for bub. Do another diaper change & grab mr. Man's Fluffy (Fluffy is a duster that is blue & white. it is currently his favorite & best toy) On the way to the post office I tell Bub that if he is especially good & obedient in the post office I will take him to the secret pirate treehouse castle. This is his favorite play ground on the OTHER side of town, so we don't go there all the time. I call it the "secret pirate treehouse castle" because that's what it looks like to me...it's really cool & makes me jealous I'm not a kid.
(Lession #6: all the really COOL stuff wasn't invented until you grew up)
Mr Man was wonderful! even tho we went to the small "country" office, there was a line, but making good use of rule #4- I talked to Bub about everything we were doing...example: "ok bub, we're opening the door....pull real hard...Good job! momma loves your cheerful heart! Now hold hands real tight! don't let go....etc..." people looked at me REAL funny, but they let me go first!!!! it was GREAT! The postoffice lady remembered Bub from last time & complimented him on minding me so much better this time. He hid his face in my shoulder, then blew her a kiss as we were leaving. continuing the crazy woman thing, I praised him all the way back to the car & told him how much fun we were going to have when we got to secret pirate treehouse castle. he was all smiles.
(Lession #7: ALWAYS keep your promises to your bubs)
Had a great time at the playground. drove to a mcdonalds & got a lemonade we diluted with water (WAY TOO SWEET!) & a yogurt. Normally I hate mcdonalds, but I have to admit, they do have healthy food. Like I could get a yogurt for bub anywhere else with a drivethru??? my best 2nd option is to go to BK & get an applesauce. Then we went to walmart. Bub was SO excited there was a salvation army bell ringer there. I have been spending the last 2 weeks teaching him to put monies into the bucket! today I gave him $.60 b4 we crossed the street & told him it's for the bucket! He didn't even TRY to eat the coins! He put them in the bucket & the lady let him ring her bell for a while! He was SO happy!
(Lession #8: teach giving is good whenever & as often as you can!)
So I tried to let bub hold hands with me instead of riding in the cart as he is now getting impatient with the slowness of my shopping. (i am SO price conscience! I do math in my head to make sure I get the best deal) He did REAL good, until I asked him to put the babywipes in the cart. He grabbed the babywipes & started running down the isle. even tho momma may not be in shape, she still can sprint faster than bub can. After that bub rode the cart.
(lession #9: just because they are being good, doesn't mean they will STAY acting good)
once we got home, normal patterns commenced, but the poor little man's butt was so sore, I ended up slathering him with more A &D ointment & giving him some tylenol. we sat in the big comfy chair & watched Jonah until he fell asleep.
Now, I am tired. I meant to end this right after I posted the picture...but my rambly nature took over. (lession #10: stop.)