Back to PreSchool Playgroup after Winter Break

Today we went back to preschool after Winter Break and it wasn't easy getting Thomas to go this morning. He was perfectly content to hang out, lounge on his couch and watch his morning Tractor Tom while I got breakfast going. It's hard because he didn't sleep well last night, and I ended up sleeping in a few segments with him on the floor of our room just to get through the night. I don't know what was up, but at 1 am he decided he was done sleeping. I put him back to bed at 2 am after a round of Tractor Tom and Tubbie Toast on the couch, but he was up again at 3 am. This time I put him in our bed, only to find that he was keeping John awake crawling all over him, asking about the fire alarm light and playing with his face. I decided the only humane thing to do with John was to pull him onto the floor with me and try to ignore the fact that Thomas was going to cuddle and snore in my face for what was left of the night.

So, I was less than excited about rushing off for playgroup this morning, but figured with the break last week, we needed to get Tommy back into the swing of things. Especially since I have yet to be able to leave him alone in the room, much less the church building at this point.

Although Thomas did better at playing the whole time, and without his Dubbie this time around per Teacher Dana's request, Thomas cried on the way out that he didn't want to go swimming with Justin. That was fine with me, as I was exhausted after covering the teacher's helper shift for the entire time, as opposed to just hanging out with Thomas. Exhausted and really just wanting to go home and curl up on the couch instead of watching a swim lesson with an exhausted little boy. So, we took the easy route and headed home. Thomas was out cold within minutes of his lunch and I quickly followed. Nap time is such a wonderful thing!

Showing Love for the Boat Bed

Thomas has enjoyed jumping on his boat bed, wrestling on his boat bed, watching movies on his boat bed, dancing on this boat bed engine, and climbing from his boat bed into his crib, but so far has resisted actually SLEEPING in his boat bed. Tonight that all changed. At bedtime, while getting ready, he told John that he wanted to sleep in his boat bed. John did not hesistate, and went about fortifying the bed with extra pillows and the bean bag to support him while he slept. It's pretty amazing that just last night he was continuing his love affair with his crib. Tonight it all changes and he's quite the big boy in his big boy boat bed!

Valentines Day 2007

Thomas should have woke up to his Valentine Gift this morning, but unfortunately the part he didn't find last night, the bag of Hershey kisses-I ate. Yep, that's right. I ate it all up, as Tommy would say. Yes, pretty much a whole bag of Hershey kisses gone...in about two days. So much for filling his bag up with his favorite treat. He did find some of his present last night, the race car tin that had race car chocolates (that I also ate) in it, but I was going to fill it up with what he really likes....Hershey kisses. Poor guy! Having to deal with a pregnant and very chocolate-hungry mother to deal with on Valentine's Day.

John brought home roses at lunch time, and Thomas enjoyed sharing with grandma his "rosens" with her. Thomas' wish for Valentine's was a dump truck and the movie Polar Express. While we were out and about this morning, he told me again that he wanted a dump truck and Polar Express. When John got home from work tonight, Thomas was able to open Polar Express. Today our double jog stroller also came, which is a sobering reminder that this big event is definitely taking shape, no matter how much I try to deny it. Soon, instead of eating chocolate, I'll be pushing two little boys around! I don't think I truly understand how this is going to change it all for us!

Sayings for February 2007

Thomas has become very literal in the last week. One moment he may be pretending he is a fish, and then when you ask him something like a fish, he'll respond with, "No, I'm a boy!" Or, he commented the other day as we drove in the car, "Look, Mommy, a storm." I responded, "Oh, no, we might get all wet." To which he replied, "No, Mommy, the rain will get the windshield all wet."

"Daddy, focus, focus," when getting him ready for a bath.

"Ooohhh, that's amazing!"

"I'm a goober-diber" as he dives into the tub.

"I want my bi-per off"

"Think, Mommy" after he asks me to be Farmer Fee and he's Tractor Tom.

"What you say?" when he wants you to repeat something.

"The ship pulled up at the boobie (buoy) at the -eena (marina)"

Spring Days ahead!

This last week and weekend have been absolutely fabulous and Thomas has enjoyed a lot of his time outdoors. We've enjoyed time out at the parks and down on the beach, enjoying a break in the cold weather. Thomas didn't dig the cold much, and wouldn't go out in it, but now he's figured out that when the sun is out he should go out and see if it's warm enough for him. The last few days he's been asking more and more to go out, which is great because he can run and run, pretending to be monster trucks and big machines until he's exhausted.

Swim lessons Attempt #2

Today, due to the confusion with preschool times and swim lessons over lapping, I decided to give it another shot and see if he could make it through a private one on one lesson without needing a time out (how crazy is that!) We had to race from the parking lot at Catch the Son to the Y, stuffing some peanut butter and jelly down for energy, and it was a wild dash. He did fantastic, and it was clear that although he doesn't have the attention span to wait it out with his hand on the wall in a full class, he certainly can handle the lesson itself. It was great to see his instructor, Justin, teaching him to swim with his arm out and head in the water, and they spent a lot of time trying this out. This is new for Thomas and I was eager to see if he could progress from singing on the wall like at Bayside. He did a great job and was able to work with Justin "swimming" for the toy cars Justin allowed him to use and floating with assistance on his back, which was a great struggle for him at Bayside. After jumping time after time into the pool, which he loved, it was time to finish it up. No complaints from Thomas, and no time out warnings necessary. Justin was happy with how it went. On our way out, with an exhausted Thomas tugging at my hand, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, that was awesome!" with a big, toothy grin on his face. That was all I needed to hear.

Visit to Play Group at Catch the Son preschool

Today we went to try out the Play Group for 2 1/2 year olds- 3 year olds at Catch the Son preschool up at the Lutheran church near our neighborhood. Thomas has been on this wait list since last spring, so almost a year now, and despite having signed up for swim lessons shortly before getting the call that we'd been entered, it is our priority to get him going now so that he can go there for preschool come fall. I was excited about Thomas having the opportunity to interact with other kids his age and begin to learn all the fun new things a set up like this can provide, but more apprehensive than I thought I would be. I was anxious about how he would handle the new environment, how he would do without mom as his number one fan and coach, and the new expectations he would need to learn. Having been warned twice in Monday's swim lesson that he would get a time out, I suddenly questioned whether I had adequately prepared him for what was ahead, although how can you "adequately" practice standing in line for your turn, going to chapel, sitting at a big table for snack and sharing with a bunch of other kids until you're actually in that spot. Although I was there, I tried to keep my distance and let him join in with the other kids, and it was quick to see that although he did spend a fair amount of time solo, he did engage with the other kids at the right times. When I left the room for a minute, he did notice, although it was a while before he came looking for me, and I quickly sent him on his way. When walking in a line to chapel time, I did walk near him, encouraging him to stay in the train line like a good train car. Teacher Dana was the engine and he seemed to like the idea. In chapel, he joined the others in singing a new song and then dipping their fingers in a bowl of water to symbolize baptims (the pastor gave a 2 minute-ish talk on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He did okay during circle time, although I had to remind him a couple times to get back on his letter and sit and listen to the lesson on shapes. When the ball was rolled to him signaling his turn to share who he loves the most, he said, "My mommy and daddy" in a very clear voice. I thought I was going to cry right there, hiding behind the doorway. And it was particularly adorable to watch him eating his snack with the other kids. I was pretty impressed with my little guy, and thought about all the times mothers feel their hearts swell with pride for their little ones. I'm not sure how I will feel leaving him alone on his first day come this Monday, but I have several more days to sweat it out, dwell on it, stress out and contemplate my decision. Who knows? He may just surprise me yet again! After all, I suspect it's all my issues and not his, right?!!!

Swimming at the Y- Try #1

After several less than fun outings to the aquatic center, I decided it was time to give another pool a try. Today was the first day of lessons and I was hoping it would be an outing for Thomas and I to enjoy on our days together but one that I would not have to actively participate in. I'm in no mood to put on a swim suit and get in a kiddie pool at this stage of my pregnancy! Although Thomas did well for his age (not quite three!) he did not do well enough with the older kids to keep him from being warned numerous times, followed by two warnings towards a time out. Now, I'm all for structure and order, safety and the like, but I wasn't too thrilled with my son being warned with timeouts for infractions that included not staying on the wall as directed, not keeping his hand on the wall and staying on the step while waiting for 4 other kids to take their turn. Watching it, I realized he is just not ready and up there with the 4 and 5 year olds in this class, nor should he be. He wasn't doing it deliberately, he just couldn't follow the directions like the others could and he couldn't stand still long enough while waiting. I saved his little buns from time out more than once, and by the time the lesson was over I was exhausted from trying to keep a reign on Thomas and not fall into the pool myself. Although Thomas said he had fun, it really wasn't the experience I want for him at 2 1/2. It should be about fun, splashing, learning some skills and learning to listen to some extent. It should not be about timeouts and warnings, as I feel he is still too young to be restrictive to this degree.

Lucky for us, the instructor and I agreed that the money I forked over for lessons could be applied to private instruction, where he can work and play with Thomas one on one in the pool. This worked out quickly, as when we got to the car the message on my phone was that Thomas was finally offered a spot off the wait list at Catch the Son preschool, at exactly the same time as the lessons that I'd just paid for at the Y. Justin was willing to work with Thomas at 11:30- 15 minutes after Thomas finishes Play Group. And I thought our Mondays and Fridays were going to be quiet!

Beautiful Day!

I'm so thankful that Thomas is transitioning to no nap now that I'm feeling better, and although today wasn't one of my stronger days, we had a full and fun day together. With the sun shining, we headed out to get a treat at Starbucks and then off to Fairhaven Park. Thomas remembers that this is the "fountain" park, and we talked about how great it will be when the weather changes to summer and the fountains come on again. It was 38 degrees as we walked to the playground. Very chilly for any extended time out, but enough to run around, do some climbing, get some swing time in and play a little Diego and baby Jaguar together. From there we dropped off paperwork at the doctor's office and headed out to find Drew a birthday present at Mt. Baker Moto Sports. It was so fun to see all their new quad bikes and Thomas enjoyed climbing up and testing them out, as I enjoyed watching him get to much out of sitting on them, turning all the switches, playing with the levers and testing me on my knowledge of engines. "This is cool," he said, bouncing on one seat and reaching for the clutch, or something that resembled one anyway. When did my baby start saying "cool"? I could only chuckle and agree with him, wishing and taking an extra glance at the smaller kid-size version on the floor of the showroom. How I'd love to get him one! It was a good thing that it didn't take me long to find the BMX shirt that I wanted to get Drew, because on the way to the clothes we spied a mini snowmobile, just waiting to be checked out. Thomas wanted nothing to do with clothes at that point. Having our fill of the snowmobile, the mini quad bikes and the big quads, we filled our hands with candy from the machine and headed out. I get such joy out of hanging out with him and I'm so proud of him at times like this. He didn't whine and fuss about leaving. He didn't throw a fit to stay longer. We simply said goodbye to the bikes and headed out. No big deal. It makes it such a treat to take him out and about. Somewhere in the back of my mind is the toddler in Walmart that we've all seen, working up a big fit in the busy aisle.

In saying that, there are times when he will press me. When I say no, he's apt to respond with, "Ah, man!" and "I can't?" in this unbelieving voice. There are also times when he'll go to the other parent, saying, "Mommy says no," with big tears filling his eyes. Or he'll say, "you want to play" or "you want to" do this or that, what ever it is he's trying to do at the time. Who can deny that? I may be in the middle of something, but when I hear the words, "Mommy, you want to play with me" followed by "come on" I'm a puddle of mush.

As we drove away I heard the call for O'Donell's from the backseat and we quickly stopped in for a fry. When we got home we made a quick lunch for the beach and headed down, delighted by the actual warmth in the sun. It was great to sit down by the beach and enjoy our time down there once again, leading me to believe it's actually not that far off until we can truly be back down on the beach spending out time outside instead of cooped up figuring out which Tractor Tom we have yet to watch today.

Jenny and the kids came down to play at the beach, but by the time they got here a freezing wind was blowing across the lake so we stayed inside as well. By 4:45 it was time to head out to soccer, although I wondered if Thomas would manage to stay awake for the short car ride. I literally had to drag him off the couch and into the car, his eyes drooping the whole way. John met us there, and although he made it for about 40 minutes, it wasn't his most attentive soccer day ever. He did a lot of running around and laying on the ball today.

Funny Comments for January 07

Just last night, when I was trying to wrestle, Thomas squirms away and says, "No mommy, daddy wrestles." I snuggled up to him again, tickling and smooching on him, only for him to yell, "No, no mommy, daddy wrestles me." I asked, "Well, then, what do mommies do?" Without missing a beat, he replied, "You cook." After a moment digesting this, I burst out laughing. How funny that he should think me, of all mothers, cooks! Has he not noticed that I HATE to cook? Has he not noticed that John and I eat the same meal again and again and struggle to make sure we're feeding him lots of different stuff, however much it wouldn't be our choice? My feelings were a bit hurt, considering I think I spend a fair amount of time playing, taking him on outtings, trying new activities with him and even wrestled him before the belly got too big for it to be safe. John mentioned that he should feel hurt, considering he does a lot of the cooking around this place, including many breakfasts, coffee breaks and dinners for all of us. I just had to think about the professional mothers everywhere who would be aghast at his innocent comments. Maybe in the 50's but certainly not NOW!!!

"Take my Bi-per off, please!" when he's got to go potty or he thinks it's wet. "My Bi-per is wet, by bi-per is wet," he'll cry out, still refusing to wear his underwear or pullups. The other day, when John told him he could he could go poo in his toilet just like he goes potty, he says, "No, put on my bi-per. I go hide in my room." He likes to hide behind things, like his door, in the closet, behind the plant or in another room when he does his business. We've made progress, though. Just today he came out of his room with his diaper on and told me he needed to go to his bathroom. That's the first time he's told me he wants to go even with his diaper on. Still refuses to wear the pullups or underwear, but at least we're making small baby steps.

"You okay, mommy. You not sad."

"Mommy, look at the boats racing" while watching swimmers in the pool doing laps in their lanes. When a rather large woman came into the pool area and started for the stairs to the pool, Thomas says to me, "Mommy, look. Super, super, super big ship coming."

"Mommy, I want to cuddle you."

Sleeping in the boat bed for the 1st time-Nap

Today, despite a meltdown about having to take a nap (which re-enforced the need for a nap!) Thomas was able to take a nap in his new bed. Now, this might be the one and only time it happens, as he is letting us know he certainly has no plans to give up his crib, but at least it was entertaining to John and I. It was also a sobering moment of realization. By sleeping in a big bed instead of a crib, he truly takes that "next step" from the baby we have had. Seeing in his bed, I realized that I am in no hurry at all to rush this process along. If I have to buy a second crib for the new baby, so be it. Thomas can stay in his crib as long as he wants.

Upstairs Bathtime

Boat Bed Constructed

We kept a close watch on a much loved boat bed that Pottery Barn kids has had for several years now. It was our thought that eventually either John would make it himself in the shop or we'd break down and make the purchase. Lucky for us, Costco came out with a much cheaper yet just as nice version, and although we missed the first shipment, we called every day awaiting the next shipment. The work paid off, and the morning I raced to Costco found us buying the 4th of 6 beds....all before noon. I was so thankful, to say the least. They flew out of the store. Tonight John spent time constructing it, and it was the first time that Thomas even hinted that he might actually let the baby sleep in his crib while he slept in the bed. Of course, at bedtime, he was all about the crib, but it was fun to have the bed in the room and fits really well. It was also nice knowing we saved about $1500.00 on this purchase as well.

Boy Band-Johnny, Sam and Tommy

The Next Generation of Cousins Gather

Lots of us Whipples, Pohlmans and Hutchesons gathered for Grandma's Memorial Weekend. Before the house passes into new hands, the game of Dark Hall was passed down, a boy band was created and time was spent enjoying each other's company and catching up.

Growing the Moose-6 months!

Today I went into the doctor's for the monthly checkup and he checked to see if my placenta has move up and away. Time has worked well in my favor and I don't have placenta previa, which would have been an automatic c-section. Although I fear the impending labor and delivery trauma, I wasn't relishing the idea of a six week abdominal recovery time, considering the level of activity there is with a 3 year old in the house. My insatiable hunger has resulted in a 22 pound weight gain at this point, though, so that's a bummer. He told me that I could gain 8-12 more pounds and still be at a reasonable weight gain. Good idea, doc, but then I reminded him that I gained 50 plus pounds with Thomas and told him that I hoped to just stay below that. So far I have about 30 more pounds to play with. My goal is to stay 10 pounds under that and I'll be proud of myself. Very proud. Bring on the moose!

Grandma Bernice Joins her Family in Heaven

Even at 96 years of age, it still comes as a shock when a loved one dies, and although there were small changes in the daily lives of Grandma, Bruce and Lil, indicating her time might be limited, it was still shocking to hear Lil's voice calling for me down the stairs, calling out that they thought Grandma might be dead. Of course I fell apart heading up the stairs, wanting to help out, trying to figure out what I needed to do but somewhat stifled by my tears and attempts to hide my sobs. Having to do nothing really, except somehow pull myself together as I imagined what was going on in the house next door, I tried to entertain Thomas, who said to me as I tried to hold back my sobs, "You ok, Mommy? You got something in your eyes?". No resuscitation was authorized, although there was concern that it would be forced, and in that was finality. Her body was still warm, but Bruce was certain it was over and nothing more should be done. With her feet still in her kitchen, heading towards her chair to watch the Christian programming for the evening, Grandma went to join her husband, son and daughter with the Lord. My last memory of her was on Wednesday as Thomas and I visited briefly outside her sliding glass door and marveled at the snowstorm blowing across the lake. It was a beautiful morning, the snow falling so hard visibility was very limited, and she was sitting at her table in her pink housecoat with Polly. She waved to Thomas, who smiled big and waved back, and remarked about how pretty it was. Polly thought it would be nice to make a snowman outside for her to see. We said our goodbyes and plowed through the deep snow, not realizing it was our last time with her. When John asked me if I wanted to go over that night, I most definitely did not. I did not want my last memory of her to be in death, on the floor. I would prefer to remember her smiling at us in the doorway, in her pretty pink housecoat, so warm and loving till the very end. Thomas loved her very much, and although a lot of his time spent over there was with Bruce and Lil on their trips over to visit her while I was at work, I remember Thomas asking to go visit Grandma Bee-niece. I was amazed the first time at their exchange, as they appeared to have their own communication worked out and their own routine established. Thomas would take a tour of the house, looking here and there, pulling things open, peering inside, then moving on, all the while Grandma would be fishing around for something. I was quite the stranger in this little dance, but I sat back and watched them, fascinated. Thomas ended up at the little table by the couch, pulling open the drawer and rummaging around inside. I feared Grandma would chastise him for touching any breakables inside, but she simply shuffled her way towards him, smiling, a box in her hand. The dance continued as he pulled out the bell and she set out the little figurines that she'd found. He would shake the bell, she would talk to him, then he would pull out the coasters, and she would line up the figures just the way it was supposed to be. "He likes to float them around," she explained to me, and I realized the coasters were the boats and the figurines animals in the boats. They then played together, words very brief, just time together. She didn't seem concerned about her stuff, didn't worry about his little hands on her treasures. It just seemed like they were enjoying what must have been their little ritual. My heart was touched at the gentle way she had with him, the love she showed towards this little boy. In all his life, there was nothing but love from her, even when he was rubbing her nylons up and down her legs, swinging around her cane, running naked across her lawn or launching himself full speed through her house. I'm so thankful for the time he had to know her and pray that the time he had with her, however short, will be as meaningful in the foundation of his life as it has been in ours.

Dierks Adventure #3-Vancouver, BC

After much thought, deliberation and a bit of prayer, John's enthusiasm won out and we headed for Canada. Bruce and Lil once again corraled Thomas for the afternoon and evening, giving us a welcome night out together, which was such a blessing.

The night belongs to John, though. After braving the cold outside Pacific Coliseum, John raced through security checkpoint #1 (the body search) and was roadblocked at the stairwell leading down to the floor. By the time I caught up, he was racing down the stairwell and jumping the divider to security checkpoint #2 (ticket check #2) where he was FIRST to get a floor General Admission bracelet allowing access to the floor. I briefly saw him, but was trying to avoid falling after multiple pushes from the teenybopper white teeshirt brigade squealing and pushing their way to the front of the line. By the time I had my own bracelet, he had passed through security checkpoint #3 (bracelet check) and was FIRST to the stage, amazingly securing not only front row but CENTER STAGE, exactly where we were hoping to be. I'll tell you, this whole thing has been a blast to experience. After all the concerts we've been to, to be blessed with three front row shows has been unbelievable. To have John enjoying the whole thing made the night so much more great, and without his excitement, I would have baled and pushed Andrea to take the tickets. Being in the front row is crazy. It's the absolute best. It's great to be able to see all the action, to be that close to the artist, to see all that goes on up there. Unfortunately, it's also very strange. Although John and Dierks bonded over a shared Bud Light in Everett and a tossed drumstick in Vancouver, plus numerous high fives (some stolen from my outstretched hand), I really have no interest in actually touching the man, caressing his leg, petting his boots, collecting his sweat drips, or climbing the back of someone in front of me just to get a brief touch. Numerous times, as Dierks leaned over me to touch hands of those behind me, I was inches from his body, and could not dare look up for fear of looking directly at inappropriate areas of his body. John and I had to laugh as we hugged the stage to allow others behind us to reach up to the stage, letting those behind us get a chance that we were obviously passing up. I kinda felt guilty in a way for not participating in this love fest, as if it is somehow expected that I'd be swooning at his feet, which were inches from my face a lot of the night. John was busy snapping shots of his thumb next to his boot, turning around to get a shot of his body inches from Dierks, and the like. It was so much fun, and I have a hard time believing we will ever again have such a great concert experience. I enjoyed spending time with John without worrying about Thomas, enjoyed our time having fun at this show, and truly appreciated all the work he went to in making this a very memorable night with Dierks!

Funny Quirk #1 Developing

As Thomas nears three years of age, he is showing signs of little quirks developing. One of these came about while on the farm at Christmas. It is no secret that the Whipple kids don't like animals, particularly dogs. Big breaking news came through when Stephen and Barb convinced the kids that Gunny wouldn't hurt them. It appears Thomas may also carry on the family name in this way, as he's not too eager to get close to anything that isn't human and lacks much interest too.

He did show some interest in meeting the puppies, but as he neared them, he quickly started to back away, gagging as he went. "Too stinky!" he cried, trying to overcome the dog smell, inching forward, but gagging all the way. We erupted in laughter, not quite believing what we were seeing. Little Thomas, not used to the farm smells, was actually dry heaving at the smell of the puppies.

Since coming home, it appears his gag reflex remains super sensitive, and I've found him gagging from a dirty diaper in the car, gagging on a tomato that he didn't exactly like (he loves tomatoes!) and gagging when he goes into the bathroom to flush the toilet (one of the things he loves to do!)

Quirk #2-Noises

The second quirk that Thomas is displaying involves sound. Now, I write this trying to convey a sense of humor through it all. We find these little things about our boy pretty amusing at this point, and can only laugh at his antics. Now, if he's 12 and doing this, it won't be so funny.

Thomas refuses to let someone flush the toilet around him, and he only wants to flush the main toilet downstairs. Apparently the other toilets are too loud for his sensitive ears to handle. When we forget and go to flush one of the other ones, he's quick to cry, grab a hold of us, shoo us out and say, "That too loud, mommy, that too loud," at the top of his lungs, with huge tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He's very serious about this. A recent trip to the restroom at Macy's resulted in a meltdown in the stall, only ending when I covered his ears tightly with my hands and flushed it with my foot, praying that the loud sobbing wasn't prompting a call to Child Protective Services.

As demonstrated by the picture I posted above, when cooking, Thomas asks for his helmet (thanks Lily!) to put on because the mixer is too loud, and he was also photographed upstairs cooking with Stephen-helmet securely strapped on.

Just a funny little boy developing a very interesting personality.