STOP!

So lately I have been trying to keep Boston from getting into the toilet and my music box by smacking his hand and saying stop. It has not been very effective, he just looks at me and keeps doing it. So, we are still using the distraction method.

Today he was getting into a drawer and I repeatedly told him to stop and tried to distract him. He didn't stop. So I smacked his hand and again told him to stop. Still kept getting into the drawer. But now he is saying stop. Now every time I say stop he runs over, smacks my hand, and says stop.

I didn't even know he knew how to say stop. Of course I laughed which just reinforced it. Now he is just walking around saying stop.

I'm none to pleased with this, I guess it isn't too bad, he could be saying damn it..... or something even worse

The Unofficial, Official Update

We've been asked where we are at on the whole house thing. I haven't said much because I'm truly the eternal pessimist. I'm sure as soon as I say it out loud I'll jinx it.

We have sold our house. We are supposed to close on June 11Th. But, I won't believe it until I sign it. This fear that it isn't going to work out has kept me from starting the packing process. Which, is just going to cause more stress in the end.

We took a much larger loss than we had hoped but we just want to get out of the house. The reason I am less than optimistic is the overwhelmingly stupid concerns on the inspection. The house passed inspection less than a year ago when we moved in. Of the four things they have issues with, two we believe to be fine, but could cost a lot to repair if it gets that far. One we know is not a problem but they don't believe us. Andy will have to give them a how to on it. And the final item it so trivial and insulting it doesn't deserve attention. But regardless, they are so concerned I am afraid they will pull out of the deal.

This of course is unsettling as we have already planned and scheduled so much. The moving company is booked and scheduled. Hotels have been booked. Plane tickets purchased for my dad to come help load the truck and for Andy's brother and his family to help drive one of the cars back to Arizona. If it falls through I'm not sure what we will do.

So the plan for right now is: June 10Th move out, June 11Th close and move in with our friends the Griffeths. Then give 30 days notice to our renters in Arizona. July 14Th pack up the cars and drive out to Arizona.

As of right now Andy does not have a job yet in Arizona. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. All I can do at this point is have faith.

So that is where we are at. We will not just wait and see what happens.

Hey Summer!

So I was just wondering where you lived, we are driving through Albuquerque on the trip back to AZ. Wanna have dinner?
Hope you like your own special post since I don't have your email address! I mean, sure I could call, but where's the fun in that?

Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

So today I figured out why Boston falls all the time.....
Because I do.

I fell down the stairs today. I was coming down from the attic and my feet went out from under me on the very first step. I was holding onto the railing on both sides and I still went more than halfway down. I saved it and didn't actually land on my back, but I ripped up my arms and hands trying to hold on. I'm not hurt but it scared me to death and I started bawling.

It is amazing to me how fast you think and how many things you think in a moment, or a second, like that. I thought, OH I can't fall I'm gonna get hurt. I thought about my grip and was worried I was gonna pull the railing off the wall. And I thought about Scarlett O'Hara, in my mind I saw her falling down the stairs and laying in a heap at the bottom. Then I saw her in sick in bed calling for Rhett.
So dumb. But at least I now have an explanation for Boston eating it all the time.

Bad Mama 3 1/2

Yesterday I was rushing to get out the door on time to pick-up my visiting teaching partner and go visiting teaching. We were leaving just as we should have been arriving. I got us out the door, Boston was standing on the porch waiting for me to get the door shut. I finally get the door shut and turn to take Boston's hand. Just as I reach for him, he randomly falls forward down the stairs. HE WASN'T EVEN MOVING. He just tipped over. I drop everything in my hands and scoop him up. He, of course, is crying. We just sit there on the stairs and I rock him. I couldn't see any damage to his face so I start feeling his teeth. One of my biggest fears it that he will break a tooth. But, thank heavens, he was fine this time. I gave him his sippy cup and we were on our way.
I kinda wish he would develop a fear of stairs.

Bad Mama 3

I'm getting a little tired of this string of posts. But here we go again.

On Saturday after I got home from work, Andy wanted to run an errand. I was really tired from work and my allergies were out of control. I decided to stay home and take some Benedryl, and send Boston with Andy so I could take a nap.
We were all walking out to the car. Boston no longer wants to crawl backwards down steps. He wants to walk down them, only problem is, his legs are too short. So, he starts heading down the two cement steps of our porch. I grab his hands to help him, and he makes it safely down one step. I really wasn't paying the best attention, I think I was talking and I know I was already feeling the Benedryl. Next thing I know, I lose my grip just as Boston loses his balance. He falls down the last step on his face. I immediately pick him up. He already has a HUGE purple goose-egg on his head. He has road rash on the bump and on his cheek.
We go back in and call PA Beam, also known as DR. Leslie, who tells us to take him to the ER if he gets lethargic or acts weird. Since I have officially dropped my son down the stairs, I have yet one more reason to worry about brain damage.
Boston stopped crying about two minutes later. The purple went away about 15 minutes later, and the bump was gone the next morning. Now he just has road rash.
I really wish that Boston would develop cognitively as fast as he does physically. Mobile and stupid are a bad combination. I for see many more injuries in our future. Not a great picture of the real damage, but you get the idea.
Yes, we gave him Binky to try and make it better. He is gonna start getting hurt on purpose just so he can have it during the day.

Boston's Been Tagged

Boston has been tagged by Cecelia. As this is his first tag, and he can't type yet, I'm going to do it for him.
So here are 11 facts about Boston. 1. Boston has eaten dirt.
2. Every morning the first words out of Boston's mouth are doggy. He then goes immediately to the window to look for said doggy. At which time he calls to the doggy by name. Daisy.
3. Boston has had surgery. This is him right after they gave him the first loopy drug. It was so sad it was funny.

4. Boston is a daredevil. He will try to balance on anything. Even toys with wheels that can get away from him. (Please ignore the huge pile of ironing in the background!)
5. Boston has been to more baseball games than I can count. He went to several spring training games last year in Arizona when he was only about 3 months old. He has seen the Padres, the Mariners, the Brewers, the Cardinals and lots more that I can't remember right now. Wow, what a great picture of Boston. So hard to get a stranger to take a good picture.
6. Boston has to sleep alone. You just lay him down and he waves goodbye. He also has to sleep on his stomach.
7. Boston often plays with his toys in a manner other than it is intended for. And then gets stuck.

8. On Boston's birthday, he would not eat his cake that I worked so hard to make. What you see on his face is more than he actually ate.
9. This is Boston watching Andy play church ball. Boston can pick Andy out of all the players every time. He then starts cheering and clapping.
10. Boston has never met a slide he didn't like.

11. Boston was Little Raggedy Andy for his first Halloween. Andy, obviously, was Big Raggedy Andy.

Boston is now supposed to tag someone else. So, he tags all the other kids he knows that blog. Conner, Addy and Halle, Joshua, Kylie, Alysee, Sydney, Lincoln, Zac, and anybody else that reads the blog that I can't think of right now.

Mother's Day

Andy got me this book for Mother's Day. It is one of my all time favorite books. The first time I heard it I was pregnant with Boston. Carla read it as part of her lesson in Relief Society. I cried the whole time.
Last night when I tried to read it to Boston, I didn't even get through the first page before I was crying my eyes out. By the last page I could only read a line or two before I would have to stop and try and pull myself together. I can't help but think of my Father in Heaven every time I read this book. One of the greatest joys of motherhood for me, has been gaining a new perspective of a parents love, which has helped me understand my Heavenly Fathers love for me so much more.
After reading it to Boston last night, I decided Boston better stay little for ever. I just can't fathom letting him move away from home someday.
I love being a Mama, especially to someone as cute as my Boston.

Bad Mama 2

Today we were at Target doing a little shopping. Whenever we go shopping these days it is some what of a struggle when it comes to Boston. He will NOT sit in the in the cart. He either wants to push the cart, by holding on to the bottom rack, or run around and rip everything off a shelf. So we have started putting him in the main part of the cart. He likes to look around and get into the things we are going to purchase. I always watch him and showed him how to hang on to the sides. I didn't want and sudden movements throwing him back on his rear into the cart.

Well today he was getting into everything so Andy took him to the toy aisle while I perused the clearance racks. They came back and I was showing Andy the things I was interested in. The cart was not even moving. Boston was reaching for the shirts in my hand and leaned too far. He did a front flip onto the floor. I shrieked, dropped everything in my hands, fell to the floor and scooped him up. He had landed on his back and hit is head on the front of the bottom rack of the cart.

So there I sat. My screaming child in arm, clothes strewn all around me, rocking my baby on the floor of Target. I'm terrified my kid has brain damage now, and mortified by all the women around me staring at my neglected child.

After screaming bloody murder for a few minutes, Boston was fine. And I have yet, one more point, towards the worst mother of the year award.

I Lied

Remember when I said I didn't take any pictures on our trip? Well, I lied. I didn't mean to, I really thought I hadn't. But I did so you all get a peak.
But first a quick update on Boston. He does NOT have measles. Hallelujah.
On a more fun note, Boston has started talking. His first word was at my parents house when he just started saying hot dog like he'd always said it. Now he says Doggy. ALL THE TIME. He also makes animal noises. For woof he sometimes says wooo but usually it comes out mmmmm with his mouth shut. For a bear we say rarrrr, Boston say rowr. So cute. For Pirate we say arr, Boston says rrrrr. For piggy Boston calls it a doggy and for oink he says mmah. At least he's trying! For Papa he still says dada which we think is weird because we have never said daddy to him. And whenever I say mama he says dada, every time.
Also, we are trying to teach Boston to blow his nose. Which he finds hilarious. We will hold a tissue to our nose and make a loud blowing nose to demonstrate. At first he would just make a similar noise with his mouth. But he is starting to get it. He actually blows air. Nothing productive happens but he is starting to get the idea. It has been good because he doesn't scream and cry every time I wipe his nose now. He smiles and tries to blow. Earlier he was making a funny noise and I asked him if he was trying to blow his noise. He started to smile and went looking for a tissue. He of course found a used one in the trash. But he put it to his nose and tried to blow. At least he gets the idea.
All right, now for the pictures. Boston was fascinated by the view out the window when the plane started moving. It was so cute.
A close up of his face on the glass. Check out those cheeks.
Running his tractor back and forth on the tray table. So much fun, for about 5 minutes.
We went to a Bees game the day we got into Salt Lake. It was cold and Boston only lasted a few innings, but we still had fun.

Poking the bee's eye out.
We are having fun, Boston obviously, is not. We tried to bribe him for a few more innings with the binky. He doesn't get it during the day anymore. It didn't work, we left right after this.
One of my little brothers old toys. Boston struggled with the hat at first.
But eventually got it figured out.

So that is all I have. Hopefully I will get a cd soon from my mom with all the rest on there.

Measles?

Boston is sick. On Friday and Saturday he had a fever that I was just treating with Tylenol. He had a little bit of a runny nose and a terrible hacking cough. I will spare you the gross details of the cough. Being as he wasn't acting sick, just a little grumpy, I wasn't concerned.
On Sunday morning Andy went to get Boston out of bed. He had a very bad runny nose during the night that was a huge mess, no big deal though. When he unzipped Boston's jammies, he came running to find me. Boston was covered in a rash. I grabbed my phone to call the Dr.'s office and headed up to the computer to consult WebMD. I was hoping chicken pox.
I called a friend and asked what to do. She told me to give him an oatmeal bath. As I continued to describe his rash, she said that isn't chicken pox. It's measles. So grudgingly I looked up measles. He had all the symptoms; fever, runny nose, hacking cough, followed by a rash that matched the picture it offered.
I started bawling. I knew there had been outbreaks of measles in Milwaukee, and that it had got as close as Racine, the town next to us. I feel like the worse mother ever because I had decided to wait on his last immunizations, which is for measles. I sobbed all the way to the emergency room. I sobbed in the office, I sobbed while I told the nurse, in full gown mask and gloves, that he wasn't immunized. I kept thinking they are going to turn me in for child abuse or neglect.
We weren't allowed to be in the waiting room. Everyone that came into the office had to wear the full gown get-up. Then they had to strip it off and leave it in the room when they left. The doctor wasn't convinced it was measles right away because he doesn't have spots in his mouth. So they did a nasal swab, an oral swab, and blood work. I have never had the blood people come to me. You always have to go to the lab. I wished so much that my mom was there to do it. The lady couldn't find a vein and she was just digging around in his arm trying to find it, the whole time Boston was screaming bloody murder. I think they get desensitized and don't realize it's a person. They are just out to get the blood. I knew my mom would have been much more careful not to hurt him. He is now rocking quite a bruise.
Boston also has an ear infection, which can be a result of measles. So he got his first antibiotic along with everything else. Because they are not sure that he actually has measles, he is not allowed to have contact with anyone until they know for sure. So we are quarantined in our house.
We were then escorted out the back of the hospital. They said that the room he was in would still have germs air born for 2 hours after we left.
Now that Boston has been on the antibiotics for a just over a day, he is back to his normal self. The rash is almost gone thanks to the benedryl, and we finally have the fever under control.
The only consolation I have of not winning the worst mother of the year award, is that he just had his 15 month check-up. Even if he had got the shot, he wouldn't have had time to build his immunity before he was exposed anyway. We now just wait to find out if he has measles or not.
And what would a post be with out a rant to go along with it. I am so sick of doctors that don't speak English well. I am all for people coming to America and living the dream of a better life. I also know that those doctors are just as well educated as an English-as-a-first-language doctor. But it is soooooo frustrating and annoying not to be able to understand your doctor. I was already upset, terrified, worried and scared. It would have been nice to be able to communicate with my doctor. Boston only wore the mask for about as long as it took to take the picture. He was NOT having it.
Waiting and waiting and waiting for the doctor. Doesn't Boston look cute even when he is sick?
Boston NEVER sleeps in our arms. He is a put-me-in-the-crib-and-leave-me-alone kind of guy. Not yesterday. After napping only about an hour in his crib he started screaming. This is where he slept for the next couple of hours.
I think it is so cute when he uses his arm for a pillow. You always think they are so young the don't really have a preference. But they do. Boston must sleep on his stomach.