Summer with my Little Buddy

Joshua has not been a baby for quite some time and I am really enjoying him as my little buddy. We go for walks and just explore the day together. I continue to struggle with the little recognition and sense of daily "achievement" in motherhood. Recently however Joshua has helped me out - he has started saying "what a great day! We did . . . " and then rambles off all the things we did today through his perception. Those 4 words have made parenting so much more rewarding and fun.
On Thursdays he rides his tricycle down to the library for story hour. If we leave early enough
(or mommy needs coffee badly enough) we stop at the coffee shop along the way where he gets his favorite chocolate chip cookie. All the ladie sknow him, and stop whatever they are doing when he comes in no matter how busy it is.


So what has the little man been up to in the last couple of months . . . well he most definitely loves the proximity to Buffalo and will ask for trips to Buffalo to see his grandparents. he has also climbed into a canvas bin and said "taking trip to Buffalo." The grandparents don't seem to mind one bit.



This picture is from Memorial Day. We were down at the river and Joshua started fishing with a stick like the girls next to us.


Joshua and I also made the Buffalo News one night after the Buffalo marathon. My mom and, stepdad, Michael, and Joshua were waiting about 100 yards from the finish line, when I saw my little man I grabbed him and ran to the finish line with him in my arms. He loved it!!! The wind was blowing his ever growing blond locks and he couldn't stop smiling. At the finish line he took my medal and said "My medal for running the race with mommy." He also painted me some signs earlier that morning that are now hanging in my office.

We make it to many parks, and even to Conneaut Lake where he plays at the beach and has taken much love to sand toys especially construction vehicles. He said to me the other day "take off my shirt, take off my pants, take off my underpants . . . I want to go in the water. He refused a bathing suit (must be a Mehler thing) and we were walking through the water until . . . . (eerie music playing) he stepped on seaweed . . . then heaven forbid the enjoyment was over!!! " I don't like step on seaweed. Seaweed a little bit slimy." It was hard to comfort him when I was laughing so hard.

Other big accomplishments - the man is potty trained!!! He wears a diaper at night but wakes up dry every morning . . . except that one night I thought he could go without . . . go figure. Joshua like every child initially did not want to poop on the potty, but is now so proud when he does he must find me and show me the poop in the potty (follwed by the poop in the potty song and dance) before he flushed the toilet . . . such and Angelino!!!!


My biggest challenge now seems to be getting him outside - you think that wouldn't be hard in gorgeous weather but some days that kid just wants to sit and play quietly . . . so I know that doesn't sound horrible but after 6 months of winter and being trapped I need sunshine and warm fresh air!!!! Not to mention he still requires my presence to validate his "discoveries" which means I still can't get anything done. I was able to sneak away to Richmond for a long weekend for time with the girls. Before I left Joshua said "I go with mommy to Virginia" It broke my heart because on some level I think (hope) he misses it as much as I do.


That being said, when he does want to go outside there is no stopiing him "I running and running and running. I run up the hill and down the hill. I galloping. I knock Mommy over." We play tag . . . be he seems to want to be caught. We have even log rolled down dome hills together - all that great summer time stuff.

So coming up is a week belated Father's Day at a baseball game with Michael and Papa, a couple of parties to celebrate Joshuas' 3rd Birthday, and then a trip to Saratoga, NY to visit cousins as well as our favorite twins - Zach and Eden.

He has already told me he wants a Batman cake - how does he know Batman you ask? they are his favorite underpants - ha!

Oh Honey

Joshua is amazing me with his comprehension of the world around him and his ability to articulate it. I knew from the time I was pregnant with him that Joshua was sent to slow me down. That continues to challenge me everyday. When I am not doing something or talking to someone I am bored so naturally I assume Joshua must also be bored. Wrong!

Joshua will often stop in the middle of playing or running and just look around. I assume he's bored and wants something else to do so I quickly try to find a new game or conversation to engage him. He continues in his own little world.

The other day he was looking off and then says, "baby crying needs a nap." He heard a baby crying across the room (we were gettign ice cream for a successful poop on the potty) and he didn't see the child but he heard her and was able to articulate that not only was she crying, but therefore needed a nap. NOTE: Joshua has not taken a nap in 7 months nor do we talk about taking a nap - I was also impressed that he remembered the concept.

He is also a little mimick. He saw a little boy fall sown at story time and he rushed up and said "oh honey" . . . I wondered where he got that form until the other night when he was crying hysterically in his room for me and I busted in with "oh honey - it's ok mommy is here."

Honestly I fear what he hears during phone conversations and should be a little more careful not to drop words or phrases I don't want repeated . . . I'm taking this as my warning.

Oh Yes

That is Joshua's newest and cutest saying, "oh yes." Until now his affirmative answer would be to repeat what you asked him. This morning I asked if he wanted to go downstairs for breakfast - oh yes. "Do you love mommy?" OH YES!

We found a mommy and me gym class at the YMCA and thought we'd try it out. It was half hour of the kids wandering around the gym jumping, running, and rolling on all the equipment. There was no one leading this class. If they can charge for that I just need a bigger house and will charge people to let kids come over for half and hour and run around. Ok I would have to get a couple more playground balls, some hoola hoops, and a couple of mats, but we already have the bubbles and a large selection of stickers for goodbye prizes.

We did both enjoy getting out of the house and seeing other people, and getting the warmer sun on our faces. It is just shy of 50 degrees and we're on our way to check out the playground and hoping it's not too muddy . . . . that is if I can get him away from building a color coordinated lego tower.

time for another post

So I may check into Facebook daily but I am terrible at updating this blog. Mostly beacus eI find the need to post a picture each time, adn I much rather live the event than stop to figure out where the camera is, change the batteries and take a picture. What Joshua up to now?

Well he loves to do puzzles, and has the most impressive memory. He completes a 48 piece puzzle in the same order every time in less than 10 minutes.

Drawing, painting, and creating with play-doh are some of his favorite activities still. While he prefers to direct any adult into creating a masterpiece he will draw and paint on his own. Once his art is dry I tape it to the wall in his room and call it his studio. When he wakes up in the morning he looks around and will tell me about the paintings - the colors, shapes, compositions. Recently he has been spoiled with plenty of grandparent visits which means breaking them into the painting and drawing routine. When they can't seem to get the picture just how Joshua imagines it he says "I get picture. Hold on" and then he goes to his fish puzzle and finds the piece that has the fish he wants you to draw . . . not particular at all. I wonder where he gets his controlling, OC behavior (it couldn't be from his ICU nurse mom at all).

I have been working again for just over a month now. I enjoy the adult time, but Joshua has definitely noticed the change. He wasn't too excited about losing the 100% mommy time at first, but has adjusted well.

And while all our friends in the south are happy ot have gotten snow, we want the spring to come already. We have been walled up in the house too long this winter. Come late afternoon Joshua and I both look at each other rather bored . . . so we turn on some Laurie Berkner or some Disney soundtrack and have a dance party.

What's to come? Joshua will spend his first weekend away from home and his parents in 2.5 weeks when Michael is at a conference and Sara is running a marathon. Grandma and Papa couldn't be more excited to have him all to themselves (although they have to share with each other). Despite what they may think I am also excited. It will be nice to get away for the whole weekend and relax knowing he is also having a "vacation".

So there's our update without a picture. I will get some soon . . . yes his hair is even longer. He refuses to let us get it cut as well as refuses to use the potty. I'm not fighting him on either. There are too many things in life greater than longer hair and diapers!

Christmas

Ahh Christmas - the time we swore we weren't going to travel . . . but we did. It's hard to resist all the Mehler boys being in one place for a holiday, and the house full of cousins jumping on the bed downstairs, running through the house screaming, and tearing into presents when it was their turn.

The travel started with a couple of cancelled flights and much time on the phone with multiple airlines - but the bright side is that we had a day in Pittsburgh at the Children's museum and joined the rest of the Chicago crew early the next morning.

The concept of Christmas clicked for Joshua this year and he started looking for more boxes to open. He is still singing Christmas songs - Santa Claus is coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Dancing and singing pantless - what could be better?

Some of the best photos follow.

OH the Mehler boys in their matching pajamas - how cute. Better yet (and not posted here) are the pictures of the boys holding up their speedos their mom had saved since junior high. You're welcome guys!!!

The cousins of course had to have a picture together - little did they know they had to sit for dozens of shots. Don't they look so enthused? What don't you see - my on the opposite couch jumping up and down singing songs to get the kids to smile.

Another group shot of the cousins.

Nana has a giant stuffed giraffe - Tara, and she is so huggable.

A chicken hat - just what he always wanted. This picture doesn't help the boy/girl confusion Joshua gets.

Making funny faces with Uncle Ray and Annaliesa.

Tia Maureen and Joshua wrapped in his Super J cape/towel.

Oh Christmas can be so rough . . . . so rough Joshua fell asleep sitting up while eating a bowl of Cheerios. Poor guy - it took him a week once we got home to catch up.

New Years at Noon

I was so overwhlemed with the numerous choices for New Year's Eve festivities in Meadville I decided to escape it all and throw a New Year's and Noon party for the kids. Luckily my mom was still in town and we had a great time in Walmart shopping for all the art supplies to make hats and noise makers. Not to mention the wine drinking and sample hat making the night before.

The kids all had a blast and were quite into hat making when noon was approaching- so we just wound back the clock a couple of times to give us an extra 15 minutes.

My mother was the official photographer of the event and I am promised pictures soon. The highlight really was Jim Bullman making my hat for the event - classic Jim style. I only hope the picture is close enough to capture the detail.

Chocolate Liss

So Joshua thinks he is sly. He comes into the kitchen while I am washing dishes and slides the step stool into the dining room. I go to follow him and he puts his little hand up, "no mommy. stay kitchen. wash dishes. mommy go kitchen." He then closes the door between the dining room and kitchen. Of course I give him a moment and then peek through the door. There he is up on the step stool with the bowl of hershey kisses. By the pile of wrappers he had already consumed 3. He turns to see me peeking through and gives me a melted chocolate mouthed smile. I am not sure what I appreciate more - his love for chocolate or his train of thought in securing the coveted treat.

Gobble Gobble Gobble

This Thanksgiving we did something totally different - we stayed put and hosted Thanksgiving dinner for Mama, my mom (Ga) and Tim (T). Mama showed up the day before for some extra time with Joshua. I heard Mama reading with Joshua his alphabet book - enjoy the video.

Ga and T stole the show Thanksgiving when they brought in a bucket of FISH!!! Joshua spent the rest of the day watching his 5 fish swim around in their new home. Until we got the cover on Joshua tried to pet the fish.

We had a great visit and way too much food. We all did the stairs many times as Joshua led us up to show us his fish - perhaps that helped burn off all the apple raspberry pie . . . or not.

We also loved being able to see our California family via the computer.

The first Thanksgiving in Meadville was wonderful! Hmmm . . . . maybe we won't travel for Thanksgiving from now on.

More Snow!!!!!

Ok so the real snow started - in 24 hourse 10 inches of snow had fallen. Knowing the snow was coming we stopped at the Boot Box the afternoon before to get some snow supplies - snow pants, boots, gloves, and a sled. Joshua wandered around the Boot Box observing the stuffed bears, deer, moose, and whatever else can be shot in the woods.

Well they didn't have snow pants out yet but Joshua found the gloves he loved - they were purple and sized for a 6-18 month old. Of course I tried to convince him that they were too small for him, but he insisted on the purple gloves. Once they were paid for he tried them on and had a melt down for the 20 minutes saying repetatively "purple glops too small, purple glops too small!!!!" Prior to this he was upset that the purple crocs were too big - so we purchased red crocs instead. The chant continued, "Purple glops too small, purple shoes too big!" Trip to Walmart it was - once we found the toddler sized glove Joshua refused the purple ones and settled on pink gloves instead. Ever since - whenever he puts on his gloves he now says "purple glops too small, puprle shoes too big!"

The next morning prooved to be as snowy as the weather forcasted. We layered up in our warm clothes grabbed the sled and went to the backyard. Joshua thought the snow was awesome until it spilled over into the sled and got onto his gloves. So don't be fooled by these photos - he is not enjoying the winter wonderland . . . he was screaching to go back inside.

Pumpkins

So the little man never made it to go Trick or Treating but he did help carve pumpkins. He was not sure if he liked pulling the slimey pumpkins guts out or if he didn't like it stuck to his hands.

Glenn Falls

We also stopped at one of our favorite places - Glenn Falls in Williamsville. Joshua sat and watched the falls for a long time before we were interrupted by the ducks.


We waddled over to see the ducks. We seemed to be the only ones abiding by the "Don't Feed the Ducks or it will attrack rats" rule. Joshua felt left out so he did the next best thing - tried to feed them rocks. These savy ducks were not fooled - they knew the difference.


After such a long day the little guy was so tuckered out. He was sound asleep when I pulled him out of the car and placed him in Ga and T's bed. He didn't move for the next 2 hours.

Trip to Buffalo

This October Joshua made a trip to Buffalo - the 'since we are closer now let's visit' trip. One day while we were there Joshua and Papa went to the zoo while I ran in Delaware Park. On what we thought was our way out we saw the elephants coming out for a walk arounf the zoo. At first Joshua was more interested in his goldfish cracker snack.

Trick or Treat

Joshua played a Trick on us all - he napped through Trick or Treating. In Meadville they set trick or treating for the day before Halloween and Joshua, the boy who no longer naps, decided to nap. I think he heard about his certified organic banana outfit and was peacefully protesting. I could almost hear him talking in his sleep, "no more stupid costumes mom - are you trying to scar me for life?"

Really the trick is on him. When we head up to Buffalo this week (yeah!!) for Bill's wedding I am bringing the costume and along with Ga, and JJ we are getting him into the costume and taking pictures. I am anticipating pouty shots, but how many more years can I put him in a crazy costume and take pictures to save for his high school friends?

On Halloween we went to the park and he learned how to, and insisted on, swinging on the monkey bars by himself. He would direct me to a distance well beyond my arms reach and then he'd reach for the bars and swing once or twice. I was terrified he was going to fall and would always rush up to be there just in case, but he swung himself safely back to the landing.