Saturday, June 2, 2012

Thank goodness for baby sisters....

Megan is amazing. At 24 she has more skill, intuition, and patience with Forrest than I think I will ever have as his Mom! We are so lucky to have her helping us with these crazy toddler years.
Mr. F, as many of you gather, is quite the challenging kid. His activity and energy levels are SO high and very overwhelming, which by itself isn't abnormal for a 3 year old. However, his aggression, continued lack of verbal language, and the bad juju that go along with all of this can be downright maddening at times. We're chasing it on all fronts, hearing check, speech therapy, gluten/wheat free diet trial, and enter Aunt Megan, the super duper Forrest Whisperer :-)
Using behavioral modification, ( that she otherwise uses on a daily basis as a behavioral analyst in Santa Barbara,) she has given Forrest his best day at daycare ever. I think I actually teared up when I heard he had gone the entire day without getting in timeout. This truly, has never happened, minus one day he was sick and feeling crummy.
We have started using timers for Forrest for everything, a picture board plan of his evening, (often his more challenging times), and the now beloved pirate chart.
 
This chart is Forrest's reward system. He moves one step closer to the pirate boat with his little pirate each 5 minute block, (or 10, or 15) he can play well with himself or his brother, or just when he completes a non-preferred task, (getting dressed, diaper changes, etc). He LOVES the timer...we're currently using our iphone/ipod barking dog timer which is great for him, but planning on buying him his own kiddie timer. A reward is earned when he makes it to the top, with the trick being for him to keep making it to the top often enough to keep him motivated, but not so often that it's too easy.
So far, our 'treats" (99 cent race cars, popcorn and a movie of his choice, and currently he is working towards a glow in the dark moon for his room :-) keep him plenty motivated on most days.
We're still having bad days, but not like they had been. This is SO nice, I can't even communicate how wonderful it is to actually see a change for the better in our little cute but very frustrating 3 year old.
So thank you sister, for what you have initiated in our home, (sorry those sea monkeys didn't make it!!!), but mainly for the awesome connection you and Forrest have, (despite him calling you Aunt Nat most times....:-)
He loves his Aunt Megan and asks to talk to you most days since you left. You have a gift and thank you so much for sharing....

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Party Hardy....




 Which is what we did for Talin's big shindig this past weekend! We had a wonderful time, and were lucky enough to have about 20 big and little people attend the festivities.



We were lucky enough to have Little Cutie Zuri, the younger match for Forrest, attend!


Watch out!A big One year old on the loose....



We had a big salmon BBQ, complete with a wonderful visit from Aunt Megan, a very cool bear pinata, plenty of cold drinks, and a 90 degree day.
Go Zuri Go!


Of course all of this was for THIS little cutie, who just happened to nap through his pinata,
but of course took part in his very first cupcake.
 

Naked Pinata fighting, why not?
Due to the steamy weather, Forrest preferred the bare look, going along with the previous post :-)

Despite asking for NO presents...please!!!! we were blessed with some neat cool stuff, like an outdoor tent complete with a tunnel that both boys love....
new sandtoys, and blueberries! Now seriously what better present than blueberries!!!!
The day was capped off with the amazing eclipse that we were lucky enough to be able to view.
Megan and Mike, taking in the shrinking sun...

Happy Birthday little Talin baby!!!!
whew, what a bash Mom, I think I need another beer ;-)

 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

There's a lot of little boy nakedness going on around here....

"Helping" Dad....Naked Bobcat work, why not?


 We have only just begun the warm season and already clothes have taken a backseat in this household. Both Alex and I are settling in to being surrounded by cute little boy buns ALL SUMMER LOOONNNG ;-)


A lot of naked boating going on this summer!

our little salmon fishers


Having way too much fun dancing naked in his rain boots to Mary Poppins...
"Mom? Dad? When can we go outside and take these clothes off again???"

Friday, May 11, 2012

In One Year's Time....

....this teeny 7+ lb. newborn, the little cutie, helpless, guy he is.....


....turned into THIS one year old! Mr. Blue eyed, fiesty, nearly walking, jabbering, super smiley, easy going, Mr. Talin....



Amazing ain't it!
Happy 1st Birthday little Talin Gerald!!!! We love you more than ever! Thank you SO much for adding to our family with your little perfect demeanor. My baby you will always be....

Saturday, May 5, 2012

63 miles.....

 

It's not 100, not the infamous "century" but this mama found her biking legs today and pushed out 63 miles. It was a blast....literally in the last 20 miles a BLAAASSSTTT (of wind that is, right in the face, and often from all sides just to make it hurt that much more!!!)
But really I am so glad I did it. I've been on my bike, actually on the road, a grand total of two times for a total of 40 miles in the last year....yes, the last YEAR. I have ridden quite a bit on my trainer...while the kids take baths, naps, etc, but it just isn't the same as an actual ride on the road.
So, now you can see that this 63 mile ride probably FELT like 100 miles to these out of shape legs. 
Yes it did. A lot of self talk happened.
 A few curse words, primarily at the wind, and a LOT of sore muscles.
And, along with that, a great ride happened! Had great conversations, joined some great and FAST pace lines to remind me of my faster days, enjoyed some of the MOST beautiful scenery in our big state...redwoods, rivers....you name it. And, of course, got that great high that comes with finishing an event or goal like this. And yes, I might have even passed a few people too....;-)



This all couldn't have been done without my amazing partner in crime. Alex had his own hurdle to tackle....our two little rugrats, one sick, and Alex himself having the voice of a prepubescent boy and being under the weather. He succeeded in his goal as well, with only a few blowups and fireballs, (right honey???!!!) and let this mama have her day.
 
I love you SOOOO much :-)

Friday, May 4, 2012

Grandparent weekend Extravaganza!!!!

 In late April I had the pleasure of spending the weekend at a vascular conference in Sacramento, and my parents had the crazy will to spend some quality time with the grandkids! Fun was had by all....you name it we did it...flashlight craziness, Christmas in April, pool time, puke time ;-(, evening walks, train heaven, and even icecream at all hours....after all, it is Grandma's right!!!
Cutie Talin on his new tike tike bike Forrest was always trying to steal!
Speaking of the devil..."Where's Grandpa?"

Evening walk, trying to find Grandpa, (he had a way of disappearing on his bike...that silly Grandpa!)

Brothers in the bathtub!

Talin was actually a fan of the sunglasses!

Sacramento Railway Museum!!!! The Fulton boys loved it!
 

model...but I believe what railways would have looked like in our neck of the woods!

"Wow Mama!!! TWO more minutes...two more minutes..."

Two exhausted Fulton boys!








This fabulous weekend was capped off by not only great Grandparent experiences...but also by a spur of the last moment park soiree with old rowing friend Sarah Dreger and little cutie patootee Owen! My kids were a bit crazy and low on sleep, but this excellent N. Sac. park was the perfect place for them to burn off energy and prepare for a LOOOONNNG car nap, ( ooohhhh how mama did wish!). I haven't seen Sarah since her wedding and had never met handsome Owen, so this was a win win all around. We chatted about...welll...babies, as that is what has happened in our lives lately. It was a great, albeit short and sweet visit :-)

Kid craziness!

Great trip, but glad to be near home and out of the central valley
All in all I survived a solo parenting experience with two kids. A major feat and a bit of a fear for myself. Yes, I really couldn't have done it without my wonderful parents who I do believe needed a vacation from the grandkid Sacramento vacation! We didn't sleep much, but we sure did have a lot of fun!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

11 months and counting....

The first year of this little baby....err....boy's life is just about GONE! Can you believe it? He is now less than one month away from that big 1 year milestone. Such a happy guy still on most days, despite some recent battles with endless teething pain and an ear infection. Mr. Talin is still also a great eater, and is now pretty much able to handle most of the food we eat. It is more just me wanting to use up all of the gourmet baby food we have made him. His favs are avocado on toast, cheerios or baby puffs, crackers, and BANANAS!!! ...and more bananas, and more bananas ;-) But he really does like just about anything. The other night I mixed some pea soup with quinoa to give it some texture and down the hatch it went...daycare the next day commented on his loud farts and big poops...whoops! He is still breastfeeding, only twice a day. And I am free of the pump. Just plain sick of it I think. I'm not producing much milk, but he still is drinking up 2-3 times a day when I am at home, so we'll just stick with that for as long as it works. At this point with Forrest I had already stopped breastfeeding, so I am just happy to make it this far. That year milestone is my goal and I'm confident we'll make it till then. With the breastfeeding goal, though, has come a baby who STILL wakes up to eat in the middle of the night. Even now. I have been reluctant to let him cry it out at this time, or to stop feeding him as this night feeding does keep my supply up. But, in a month or two, it might just have to go as I do crave my night's sleep back. You couple this one nightly wake up with Talin and Forrest's other random wakeups that happen due to poop, sickness, or just those darn night terrors and uggh! One tired household of Fulton parents!
I like this picture as he looks younger than 11 months here!All contained in the sling, except for his mondo baby noggin that is :-)

Munching on some snacks....

LOVES the swing!
He is sitting at 20 lbs, having just gone to the doctor for his well child exam and vaccinations (6 months...whoops, running a little behind schedule over here in this household. We will skip 12 months all together and aim for the 15 month appt. to get caught up). I know, here I am a medical person and I can't even get my kids in on time for their appointments. BUT...not entirely my fault. Our pediatricians office has a 2 month wait...yes two MONTHS. And my kiddos are for the most part very healthy. And we have had an appointment or two cancelled due to the pediatrician getting sick, etc. So, I'm not so worried about it. I kind of agree to wait on some vaccinations and spread them out a bit anyways when these little one's immune systems are a bit stronger.
 He has been shaking his head NO when he doesn't want something, or is done eating, or while he is getting his diaper changed and doesn't agree with the situation. He also, occasionally, can do the sign for "all done" though this has been hit and miss lately. Also, he has been saying "YA" and I *think* it might actually mean "ya" or yes, or at least a verbal agreement.
He and his brother also have been playing a bit more together, at least when Forrest is in the mood to be gentle and playful. When the mood is right Mr. F loves to pull baby T into his room and shut the door, kind of a little kiddie break away from the parents moment. We love it as the two of them usually last anywhere from 10-20 minutes alone before all hell breaks loose, etc. Forrest loves that Talin is "in his room playing and not crying" and I think Talin loves the POSITIVE attention, (key word, positive!) Sharing is still and probably will become more of a problem. Forrest seems to want everything Talin has, even if it isn't the least bit interesting out of Talin's hands. He usually rips it out of poor T's grasp. We tell him if T's hands are on it, it is his to play with, and he can try to TRADE with T for a different toy. Sometimes works, often not. Also, Talin is getting more of a preference for which toys he really likes. It used to not matter what he played with, but he has gotten a pretty strong grasp lately and will really hang on to a toy he likes if F is trying to pull it a way. Part of me likes that he can stand up for himself now, just a bit, and part of me cringes as I know he will probably begin to mimic Forrest's actions here soon, which unfortunately include hitting, etc. Ahhh well, what can you do except keep trying huh!
Anyhoo, Talin baby is meeting his milestones right on target. And...for an update....we have a WALKER!!!
woohooo, (I think :-)
He decided to take his first, (very teeny tiny) baby step just 1 hour ago. I don't think he's going to be walking laps quite yet as he has become the champion crawler and that seems to suit him just fine. He can catch up with, (or escape from...) his brother much better that way.
Perhaps some walking snipits will be posted soon, we shall seee!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Easter Weekend Fun

The two Fulton brothers in their Easter weekend best!

At the local Willow Creek Egg Hunt, (we missed it, all of THREE minutes late! Never knew these egghunts were so nuts!)

As close as Forrest would get to this Easter Bunny, (I'd agree, a bit scary looking....)

Dying Easter Eggs, (He had a blast until he wanted to dye them ALL, all of the colors,---aka "brown" and mama regulated!)


Mr. E. Bunny arrives and delivers loads of goodies and treats!

We were lucky enough to spend Easter morning at our lovely neighbors house!

Talin baby had a blast "tasting" all the eggs Forrest would let him near, (not many!)

Look Mom, a BIG egg!

My boys already trying to get their hands on the same treat

Another BIG egg! Beautiful morning!

Delish and lovely meal! This picture doesn't do it, or the wonderful company justice. It was a 7 course feast with our fellow neighbor friends, all of which love our kids. We're so lucky!

The egg hunter in his fire man boots


"Is that Egg for me actually?" Baby T goes in for the grab....

Mmmmm, a good one!

Super happy nearly 11 month old toothy grin!

JUST out of his reach...maybe next year little Talin....

Baskets? Who needs those! We use nets around here for egg hunts!

That Easter Bunny sure does hide those eggs in tricky spots!

Assesing his loot, (what a load!)

Happy camper, (with WAY too much sugar!)

Tuckered out parents! A very fun Easter was had by all :-)