"Other" Kids

So, I know I give Noah a hard time for being so rough and for being generally fussy (even at age 3!).  But, this weekend I really had my eyes opened to stuff I already knew but needed to be reminded of.  

Last night after dinner we went to the local dairy farm for ice cream and to play on their nice playground.  Noah was climbing up and down and all over just like normal.  There were 2 other boys about his exact age playing as well (we don't know them).  One of the little boys (Gregory) was afraid to go down the big slide and was just sitting at the top.  The other little boy (Matthew) came up from behind and tried to push him, which I have seen a bunch of times.  Gregory started crying and Matthew pinned him down and jumped on him and started trying to wrestle him and hurt him.   Gregory's grandparents grabbed him off of the playset.  Matthew's parents started screaming at him.  Matthew's mom said to Gregory (who was 2-3!).."Hit him back, push him, he deserves it.  I'll push him if you don't"  and then when she tried to grab him off and he ran away she yelled across the playground "I hate him! He's so embarrassing."  She finally yanked him and drug him to the car.  

I was completely shell shocked at the whole thing.  Noah can push his way through the play ground but I always try to make it better and have him resolve things.  I certainly drag him to the car enough and get frustrated, but to say that I hate him?  My goodness.  

Then today we went to a tractor show at Noah's school.  There were these great trees to climb on, very low to the ground with lots of branches.  Another boy who might have been four was on the tree and kept calling Noah a "poophead" and blocked his way when he tried to climb.   I told the boy it wasn't okay and that he had to move and he just said "no!" and kept getting in the way.  Finally he moved and I helped Noah climb up.  He wouldn't let Noah get any farther though and when he wanted to get down he just said "Noah, move!"  Noah got right out the way and I was amazed at how easily Noah listened to this bully! 

I just got so sad at the thought of how mean kids are to each other.  I know all the teachers out there know this all too well, but I wish it didn't have to be that way!!!  I sometimes wonder if it is innate or if kids absorb it from their parents and television and surroundings.  And the sad part is that there is nothing you can really do to protect your kids from it, is there?

So, today (for a brief moment) I am happy that Noah is genuinely loving and is known for his hugs and kisses and compassion.  Everyone always says how sweet and kind he is.  I'm proud of that, especially in light of how many kids at 2 and 3 are so mean already!!!!  

That's just a little rant on my part.  

 

32 Weeks... ugh.

Well, here I am, just a few weeks away. 8 months pregnant. Ugh is all I can say! I had an appointment last week and the doctor wants me to stay close to home. Paul and I have Broadway tickets for May 23 and I have instructions to go in and be checked before we go unless I want to deliver in Manhattan. I'll only be 34 weeks at that point, but with Noah I was 5cm dialed at 35 weeks and she doesn't want to take chances. (neither do I!).

Everything is going just fine. I was having some blood pressure/headache issues and the doctor was starting to suggest leaving work early but I asked for a second chance to reduce some stress and she agreed. My headaches disappeared and my bp came right down.

It's a very weird feeling to be 32 weeks, because if I think about 37 weeks that's only 5 weeks away and that totally freaks me out! But if I think 40 weeks then 8 weeks seems like a lot more time. Overanalyze much?

I have definitely entered bigdom and it totally sucks. No matter what I wear or how I sit I just feel large. And I am sooooooooo tired. Yesterday I didn't think I was going to make it through the day. I don't remember feeling this tired with Noah but I am completely wiped out to the point of extreme fatigue. It also doesn't help that Noah is beginning to fight his nap which is normal for a 3 year old and many of his friends don't nap anymore at 3. But for a pregnant momma who can't manage to store up any energy, a wired and overtired 3 year old is an arch nemesis!

So, slowly but surely we keep pecking away at baby stuff. I made this bulletin board from the fabric I bought and I really love the way it turned out. I also got the buttons from etsy.




I got this cool bank from artfire:


And I bought some blinds for the room finally.

Last night some friends and I sat down and made a mobile which isn't finished yet, but I am totally in love with it and I'll post pictures soon. We also have had some friends lend us some hand me downs and so we feel good about having enough clothes ready. I'm still struggling with stroller decisions and what will work best. It stinks because there is no way to know what I will like until I use it! I'm leaning toward a sit and stand and a double jogger (I use my single jogger allllll the time) Any suggestions in that department would be appreaciated.

Noah is also beginning to show some less favorable signs about the baby coming. He begged for a high chair today after resisting one for the past 14 months. He was asking for diapers when I got them out. Today he sat in the bouncer and kept mumbling baby noises and refused to use words. And yesterday I was holding a friends baby (which I do all the time) and he lost it. He immediately wanted to be picked up and wanted to go in the baby swing at the park. So, I'm not sure how to do all of this since he is 3 and really aware of what's happening. Not that I've ever been sure how to do any of this!!!!!! But.... in the next 2-3 months we'll figure it out, won't we!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We had a great mother's day weekend here. Friday Paul and I went to an amazing string quartet performance in town by the Wisteria Quartet (YoYo Ma has played with them!!!). Noah hung out with some of our friends and then we went over to all hang out later on. Saturday Paul had a work day at church and Noah and I went to some yard sales and to Kilby Cream where my good friend Yaz bought me chocolate covered ice cream bon bons and a gorgeous wildflower bouquet. I got home and Paul and Noah gave me a variety of flower bulbs to plant as my mother's day gift.

Today Noah slept until 8:15 and then we headed to church for the morning. My parents came and we went to lunch and then Paul's mom came and hung out after dinner. It was a very nice chill weekend for all of us. Here's me and my little monster....



making silly faces....