Jayden's World

It's the End of the [Jayden's] World As We Know It...

2007-10-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world, Sean Gabriel Oksner! Born on Tuesday, October 09, 2007, weighing in at a whopping 8 pounds, 1 ounce, baby is now home and Jayden seems to be adjusting really well, all things considered.

The poor dog, on the other hand, is entirely another story. . .

Now that our world now revolves around another little person, we decided to move our blog to a more family-focused location. It won't be updated nearly as often - at least until Peanut is sleeping through the night - but I hope to pop some new pics up there soon.

Come visit the Oksners of AG at our new blog, "Chronicles of Oksnernia," at http://oksnerfamily.blogspot.com/.

And thanks to everyone who has been a loyal reader of Jayden's World!

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

2007-10-07T21:14:00.002-07:00

Nope, no baby yet.

Thanks for asking. For a Type-A person, the waiting seems interminable! If he doesn't come by Tuesday, my doctor said we will have to start "discussing options" in terms of induction. I am REALLY hopeful that it doesn't come to that.

While you wait with us, enjoy this short clip my dad took while playing in the backyard with Jay Jay. Our orange tree, which should really be put out of its misery, sheds unripe rotten oranges with painful regularity. Since my dad was already making our yard look beautiful, he decided to involve Jayden in the process. They set up a trash bucket and practiced tossing fallen oranges inside. Except the Little Man tended to cheat, walking right up to the basket and saying, "1, 2, 3 BASKET!" My dad tried demonstrating by example how to toss the oranges in from afar, but no dice. Oh, well.

Make Yerself Useful, Kiddo...

2007-10-05T02:32:00.001-07:00

As we all continue the endless waiting game, our posse of parents has been working their collective tails off all week. Staring at my belly wondering when the action will start was getting kind of old (yeah, tell me about it!), so Grandma and Nana have been alternating the cooking, cleaning, laundry, watching Junior, etc. Meanwhile, my dad mowed the lawns, washed the cars, etc. [Yes, I am extraordinarily lucky.] I have been waddling around trying to help where I can, whenever that does not involve bending, lifting, or otherwise doing what normal people have to do day-to-day.

The main challenge: Anywhere Grandpa happens to be, so too goes Jayden. He desperately wanted to help - and while mom was able to hold him at bay during the lawnmowing portion of the day, carwashing was a different story entirely. So after soaping and washing, my dad tossed Junior a rag so he could help dry. And Nana happened to be nearby with a camera. At left, they are working hard to clean what was a very dirty car.

In the photo below at right, Jayden is polishing the sideview mirror with meticulous care. It really is a crackup to see him so focused. He loves to help, be it emptying the dishwasher or sponging off his place at the table. The trick is to find things he can accomplish fairly easily without making more of a mess. I sense this will become second-nature once baby arrives and I need a diaper, a bottle, whatever.

Miss Melissa noticed yesterday that Jayden hasn't totally been himself lately in class. He flatly refused to help with clean-up time and she chalks it up to all the pending changes in his life. Dunno if that is the case or not, but I find it amusing how his behavior at home is usually the mirror opposite of how he behaves in school: desperate to help at home and refuses at school, or like the other day, she commented how he said "please" automatically (no prompting) and that very same morning he demanded that I get him a bottle. When I prompted him to say please, he refused (and when I likewise refused to give him the bottle, an epic meltdown ensued).

Basically, he has been alternating between Angel and Terrorful Two Year-Old. My dad captured him as the former during recent backyard play:

What a Wonderful World...

2007-10-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I cleared off the camera in trying to make room for new baby photos. (Yes, assuming the new baby decides he wants to come out of his cozy lil' sac and join us here in the Real World).

The one on the right is from Liora's recent birthday party at the gymnastics studio in SLO. Aunt Wendy and Dada took Jayden during Wendy's recent visit, and Mommy stayed home in bed. Seems to be the pattern lately, just lying around, listening to my uterus doing NOTHING as we all wait wait wait for labor. *sigh*

When my parents last came up for a visit, in August, we all took Jayden to Supercuts for a long-needed trim. My stylist, Stacey, did the honors. We made sure to bring Jayden's Backhoe - his comfort object, if you can believe that - and he was quite the trooper. He actually could use another trim, but I think his world is about to be rocked enough without adding more angst into the mix.

Eviction Notice

2007-10-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

Spent Sunday at the hospital with contractions coming every 4-6 minutes but no progression of labor. Called my parents, who came up immediately from the OC. We were sent home Sunday afternoon and have been in a waiting waiting waiting pattern ever since. I am done with this pregnancy. Not really looking forward to labor, but looking forward to mostly having my body back.

That's the latest. Jayden doesn't seem to mind that baby brother hasn't arrived - his grandparents are here and that is enough entertainment and excitement, for now.

The pool continues as people guess if this little guy is also waiting for his due date, like big brother. That would be Thursday. I hope hope hope that that is the case. If not, I have already written an eviction notice. Just need to have it notarized and presented to the little guy:

Dear Baby #2,
Please accept this as your written notice that you are to vacate the premises within 24 hours. You should begin packing your things at this time. While you have been a good tenant, we feel it is time for you to move on (and out). You have simply outgrown your residence and frankly, you are making others (mainly your mommy) very uncomfortable.

We will however offer you another place to stay. We have a wonderful place designed with just you in mind, it's called the nursery. Please start the process to remove yourself and your belongings no later than 24 hours from the date of this notice.

Thank you.
Mommy & Daddy & Big Brother Jayden

The Turtle Days of Summer

2007-09-23T11:01:00.001-07:00

About a year ago, while tootling around the neighborhood on one of our daily walks, we came across a house with the biggest turtle pets imaginable, meandering and munching the grass. Seriously, the Santa Barbara Zoo has nothing on these turtles.

We soon made that house a stop on our daily walks. We got to know the owners and their involvement with the Too SLO Chapter of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club.
They know that Jayden is a huge turtle fan. So they introduced us to Sultan, Smiley and Rocky (the three biggie turtles), and the menagerie of other animals in their abode. They even gave Jayden a turtle toy that he promptly named Murray (after his favorite Wiggle) and continues to bring with on our walks.

Last week, as we were on our way to a playdate, we stopped by the Turtle House (as we have so dubbed it) and met a whole new crop of baby turtles. Jayden got to hold and pet and play with one of them. I'll admit, I have never seen such a small creature before! Here is a photo of Jayden and his new friend.

Aunt Wendy Visits!

2007-09-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

No baby yet, thankyewverymuch for asking! I am heading into week 38, with the occasional low-back twinge and more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions. We keep wondering, "is this it?" "is this it?" It could literally be any minute. There is apparently a pool to see when family and friends think Baby #2 is going to arrive. I wish I could offer some insight. This whole natural labor thing is a challenge for we Type-A's!

Lucky for us - and for Jayden in case I go into labor - Auntie Wendy is visiting from San Diego for a long weekend. I can't even express how great it is to have all the family help. She stays down at Nana's house and comes over for a full day of play and Jayden time. We've had her here since Friday or thereabouts and it has been awesome - for all of us! Today, she and Dave will take Jayden to a birthday party at the gymnastics studio while I rest up. Yesterday, she watched Little Man while Dave and I ran errands, then Dave cooked dinner and I got off my aching, swollen feet. Yes, I know I am very lucky.

Here she is reading a night-night story to Jayden and Rita. Well, actually, Jayden was doing much of the reading. The book is one of many trucks-and-construction-based tomes that he has and she was blown away by how many types of vehicles the kiddo can identify. As was I, initially, but now it is old hat. I explained that for entertainment, we often head over to a construction site, bring a snack, and just watch. I never thought in a million years I would know or care the difference between a backhoe and a bulldozer. But there you have it. One of the many, many surprises that parenthood brings.

While Dave and Wendy are out exercising the children, I will post some more pics. Stay tuned!

Grammar Lover's Edition

2007-09-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

My friend Lisa keeps a blog about her young 'un, Audrey. I remember when Audrey was first learning to talk: Lisa would marvel about the development in Audrey's grammar. You would think that as an English major, I would be totally excited by such a thing. In reality, I was too busy chasing my not-talking toddler at the time to pay much attention.

And now that he has begun to communicate regularly, I think back to her posts and couldn't agree more with her assessment that "there are no downsides" to a child learning to talk. Not only is it amazingly cute, but being able to communicate back and forth is totally amazing. No more screaming and crying and hair-pulling (on my part, anyway!) trying to make out what Junior is saying.

Jayden is now saying "my" to indicate almost all possessive forms of a phrase. So "I'm hungry" is "my hungry." But sometimes he comes close to accurate, as when I say "who is my Boo Boo Bear?" and he responds, "I Boo Boo Bear!" and points to himself. It really is adorable.

Just something to note. We have been spending every second joined at the hip lately, as I desperately cling to this time we have together. It is going to be gone so soon, and a newborn will be taking much of my attention away. I know that ultimately it will be great for our complete family (well, except for the dog, of course...) But it is going to be quite an adjustment for us all.

Our Little Picasso

2007-09-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

Or more like Julian Beever.

Jayden has been crazy about chalk this summer. We have a big bucket of chalk and our patio has been transformed time and again into a splash of color. Dave and I have both been accosted and told "draw great big turtle!" It is almost like a rite of passage for anyone who wants to hang with the J-man. Dave has even branched out into cats, butterflies and 3-D turtles, while I have been known to bust out the occasional balloon, attempt at human likeness, or a flower. Oma got into the act with a house and a heart. Moma even drew a line or two. But always, always he demands a turtle. I have drawn turtles in every shape, size and color.

During a recent visit, my mom called me outside and pointed to a small corner of the patio. Dave snapped a shot of Jayden's first drawing that actually resembles something noticeable. Can you figure it out?

Yup, it's a turtle! See the shell? He explained when he drew the eye, the feet, etc. We were fairly impressed.

Getting Ready for Baby

2007-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

For what it's worth: I am at 37 weeks and considered full-term, which means if baby comes before the Oct. 4th due date, he would likely not need the NICU [neonatal Intensive Care Unit] . I am also already dilated 1 cm according to my weekly OB appointment. Labor usually starts around 3 cm - and I was at 3 cm for a week with Jayden. So the fact that I am dilated at all doesn't mean much other than at some point in the next three weeks or so, this child is going to come into the world. I hope we have a name ready for him when it happens. *sigh*

Here is a pic taken this week. We haven't been religious about taking pictures of my blossoming belly. My older sister says that this - among other things - makes me a traitor to second-children everywhere. I can't really disagree. But really, how different does a pregnant belly look from one gestational period to the next?! You can compare the photo above (taken at 37 weeks) with the photo taken at 39 weeks when I was pregnant with Jayden. I am getting bigger and bigger and it is harder to move around. Poor Dave! He wins Husband of the Year for coming from a long, monotonous day of coding and instantly cleaning, lifting, and generally doing. Pregnancy is so much more challenging with a toddler to tend!

The house has been a whirlwind of chaos and activity. Either we have baby stuff in boxes waiting to be cleaned and put away in the nursery, or we have stuff being moved from room to room needing to be organized, or we have Jayden's new room in need of something.

Jayden is having some issues adjusting to his new big boy bed. Which means we are up right with him at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., whenever he wakes up and freaks out about his "new" surroundings. To add insult to injury, his preschool class has changed in the last few weeks with the start of the new school year and he misses his old classmates.

But he seems excited about his baby brother. And his baby brother's toys! We had to hide this bouncy seat because Jayden kept climbing in, playing and falling over in it and we were afraid he'd break it.

We have been reading books about little baby brothers. We have been visiting with Jayden's friends who have new baby siblings. We talk about baby. Today Jayden said, "mommy eat baby," when he pointed to my belly. I almost laughed out loud. I explained that the baby is in my tummy, but I didn't eat it. Kids say the darnedest things!

All's Well in Big Boy Land

2007-09-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it may be a fluke or we may have the easiest kid on the planet to raise.

Jayden was admittedly really tired tonight. We spent the better part of the day making his room even more homey, by moving his armoire, bookshelf and book collection in there. We even brought in a LaZBoy recliner, but that will be leaving shortly as it is far too big. Then we took a family trip (minus the dog, of course, which is somewhat of a given these days...) to the swimming hole in SLO. Dave got to toodle around the 1'9" shallow pool with Jay Jay and take him into the scary deep (4') part. I got to float, weightless, along with the countless other pregnant mommies with toddlers who frequent the place. It was a really nice day, actually, capped by a night that seems to be going our way.

When night night time came tonight, we did the usual routine. When the actual bedtime part came to pass (after I stalled with extra stories), kiddo curled up in bed with his favorite comfort object (a backhoe, if you can believe that) and turned to us and said, "Jay Jay cry. Baby Brother sleep Jay Jay crib." But rather than threatening or breaking down, he was really just processing. Dave once again reiterated that the crib is for babies and that Jayden is a big boy who gets to sleep on a big boy mattress.

We left, went into the living room to have some ice cream and talk about the day, and realized that he was silent. Totally silent. He had just fallen asleep right there in his big boy bed.

Man, I love that kid!

Transitions

2007-09-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

I will have to post a photo of Jayden's new big boy room. I got all kinds of cool sports-themed stuff, from his comforter and toy hamper to a little table and chairs set. He has been helping us get the room ready and saying "my room! Big boy room!"

Last night was his first night in his big boy room. But since the Oksner in-laws were here for a visit (including Goga and Ray Ray Cannon and Oma's mom, Pauline), Jayden was EXHAUSTED by bedtime and passed out without any fanfare. He woke up somewhat spooked by his new surroundings, but he napped today and we didn't think much of it. Figured just another phase of life that he would weather like a champ.

Fast-forward to tonight. We did the usual nighttime routine and ended it with him on his bed, happily playing with the astronomy turtle that Goga and Oma got for him. We kissed him good-night and left the room, thinking that we had it knocked.

Suddenly, he started screaming for me. That was followed by more screaming for me. It was then close to two hours of him getting progressively more hysterical as he wailed and cried, "MY CRIB! JJ SLEEP IN MY CRIB!" We have never had to endure the Cry it Out Method with him - thank goodness - but we knew we had no choice here. We set the timer for 5 minute intervals and went in to re-assure him that all was okay. He was completely, totally, incoherently hysterical by the last check.

He just couldn't bear the thought of not being in his comfy usual surroundings. It was fairly agonizing. We have never had much of a problem with the kid about anything, so having to deny him such a simple wish was a challenge, to say the least. I don't know how Dave did it, but he finally got Jayden to calm down enough so that he could pass out.

And now, with my nerves shot, I think I shall do the same.

Nana says that this could very well go on for a few nights running while Jayden adjusts to this new situation about which he has no control. Toddlers like routine, familiarity and the ability to control what little they can. My fear is that once he adjusts, baby will be here sleeping in his crib and we'll have to deal with it all over again.

Whomever said that parenthood is easy must've been selling something. . .

Name that Baby

2007-08-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

So, we are still at a loss for what to name Baby #2. We have a list of potential names, but neither of us are madly in love with any of them. Jayden insists on calling him Dewey, after a vivacious dog he met a few months ago (!) I will run various names by him, but he is steadfast in his support of Dewey as a name. He named his doll Dewey in homage. I am thrilled he chose that over other potential sibling names - like Poo Poo Head, for instance - but there is no way Dewey Oksner will be a viable contender. Sorry, Jay Jay!

I was perusing my bookmarked blogs this morning and came across The Baby Name Wizard blog, by Laura Wattenberg. She is the one who wrote The Baby Name Wizard book, from where we got Jayden's name. And our favorite little boy's name in the whole world was again a hot topic on her blog. Scroll to the entry labeled "Which comes first, the origin or the name?" and find an entry all about the biblical beginnings of the name Jayden (okay, really Jaden or Jadon, but I am a fan of phonetical spelling!). I decided to reprint it here because it'll scroll off the page all too soon:

Which comes first, the origin or the name?

I field questions about baby names every day. They run the gamut from the profound to the silly, the deeply personal to the can-you-settle-this-bet. The variety is boundless, but one familiar question comes up again and again:

I made up this name for my child, can you tell me what it means?

On its face, this might seem like one of the silly questions. If you created the name yourself then surely you know where it came from. It's a new twist on a popular name, or a combination of your grandparents' names, or the catchiest arrangement you could make out of your Scrabble rack. That's its origin and thus its meaning, right? But the fact that this question is asked so often suggests there's more to it. Think of it as a call for connection in an era of extreme individuality in baby naming. We all want to go out on a limb, but with the comfort of knowing the tree's roots are still down there somewhere keeping us grounded. So parents choose a name first, then hit the books to reassure themselves that the name is "real."

Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of this post-hoc search for meaning is Jaden. Jaden is a biblical name. Don't take my word for it, look it up in an online name dictionary. You'll learn that Jaden is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard," from Nehemiah 3:7. Granted, the Biblical version is Jadon and it isn't pronounced to rhyme with Aidan, but close enough:

Next to them repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite--the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah--who were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the province Beyond the River. (Ne 3:7)

Nehemiah 3, if you're curious, chronicles the vast construction project of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. You read of the many men (and a few unnamed women) who replaced bolts, rehung doors and repaired roofs. In fact, it may be illuminating to see the full range of names mentioned in this chapter. Due to space concerns, I'll limit myself to the first half, verses 1 to 16:

Eliashib
Zaccur
Hassenaah
Meremoth
Uriah
Hakkoz
Meshullam
Berechiah
Meshezabel
Zadok
Joiada
Paseah
Besodeiah
Melatiah
Jadon
Uzziel
Harhaiah
Hananiah
Rephaiah
Hur
Jedaiah
Harumaph
Hattush
Hashabneiah
Malchijah
Harim
Hasshum
Pahath-moab
Shallum
Hallohesh
Hanun
Machijah

A fashion goldmine this is not. As recently as 15 years ago, when the revival of Old Testament names like Ethan and Hannah was already in full swing, not one of the dozens of names in Nehemiah 3 cracked the top 1000. Even the best known of the names, Uriah (familiar through a different character in the book of Samuel), was a relic. But Aidan and rhyming names like Hayden and Braden were rising fast. A few Jaydens and Jadens -- not Jadons -- crept in around 1994. Then in 1998 Will and Jada Pinkett Smith named their baby boy Jaden. Open the floodgates! Overnight, Jaden was red-hot in every imaginable spelling, just like Aidan, Hayden and Braden. And parents of Jadens, Jaydons and Jaidens were explaining to friends that they chose it because it's a biblical name.

Are those parents wrong? Delusional? Not really. If they cite the biblical connection, I assume it's legitimately important to them. It may not be the real reason behind the choice, but it's a lasting justification. Knowing a biblical Jadon is out there gives parents a reassuring glimpse of the roots of a tree of fashion that we're climbing dizzyingly higher every day. Thousands of years after his first job, Jadon the Meronothite is performing another round of maintenance work: helping parents stay happy with the name they chose.

[back to Jayden's World]:

While I don't see the list of names from Nehemiah providing any further inspiration (Zadok or Harumaph, anyone?) I am fascinated by my first baby's name getting such prominent attention! And it is interesting to know some background (although in choosing Jayden's Hebrew name, pronounced Ya-don, I did a little bit of nosing around similar information). I scrolled through the comments after the blog post and found one person particularly vitriolic about the name Jayden. People sure are passionate about names!

Back to the drawing board...

Meshullam?
Paseah?
Dewey?

*sigh*

Playdates Galore

2007-08-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

We can feel the summer slipping away and it is such a bummer! We are now frantically trying to cram all the awesome warm-weather activities we can into the weeks we have left. Preschool starts a whole new school year after Labor Day and now we are a part of the Back to School hustle and bustle. Amazing.

We recently hoofed it up to Templeton to visit May-May and family (sometimes Jayden calls her Meggie, but lately they have been known as May-May and Jay-Jay. Perhaps they will take it on the road and become some kind of novelty act?)

Kibbe has annual passes to the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero. That place is great: in 20 minutes, one can traverse the entire zoo twice over, even taking Toddler Time into account. Jayden talked of nothing else for days: "Jay Jay see animals! Jay Jay see tiger and animals!" He was particularly excited to see the tiger. Miss Melissa has been reading them a story in preschool about a tiger and Jayden is becoming obsessed with them. Not turtle-level obsession, but still, he is very intrigued by tigers.

The Atascadero zoo recently experienced a tragedy when one of the two tigers in its care mauled the other (not sure if it was a lovers' quarrel or sibling rivalry. As Kibbe said, "welcome to North County!") Anyway, we saw our first animal sighting outside the gates of the zoo: a marble statue of a tiger perches over a pond. And Jayden was so ecstatic, it was hard to get him into the zoo.

Once inside, he immediately raced over to the tiger exhibit. Took one look at the lazing Bengal inside its cage, and promptly freaked out. "MOMMY HOLD JAY JAY!" he cried as he clawed at my legs, my waist, whatever he could reach. I picked him up and he put his head on my shoulder, refusing to look anywhere near the tiger. I thought the day was sunk, but we managed to see the turtles without any fuss. Some flamingoes. A few mouthy parrots. And still, when we got home, he talked excitedly that he got to go to the zoo and see the tiger.

Jayden had a blast hanging out at May-May's house after the zoo. He rode her tricycle around the house, watched the Wiggles until his heart's content, and sat on the deck with her bitchin' Play Doh set. Zack even got to watch for some time while we mommies sat and gabbed. All in all, it was a great day!

You can see more playdate photos on Jayden's Photo Page. The first four on the page are from a playgroup at Liora's house. Her mom got a bounce house, the most amazing water table ever, and a sizable pool. The day was chilly and Jayden was wearing sweats, but that didn't stop him from belly flopping, fully clothed, into the pool. He is a water baby indeed! I had a heck of a time eventually getting him out. Luckily I have a couple of pool days and beach days planned in the weeks ahead. Never enough, though!

The other photos on the page are from our Day at the Rubins', and the final two shots are of Jayden and Ian holding hands at the park, walking towards the swings.

Have I mentioned it has been a great summer?

Family Time

2007-08-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

The clock is ticking: I am at 34 weeks this week, with only 4 more to go until baby is totally viable outside the womb. Eeeeeep! That means that household projects have taken on a frantic pace as we try to renovate the den into Jayden's new room, get the nursery ready once again for a newborn, and organize our den stuff into a new space that isn't nearly ready. Oh, and no name yet for baby, either. No pressure, of course! (Although the doctor at my ultrasound recently indicated that perhaps it is time to get rolling on that...)

So, dear readers, if I have been a bit lax in updating this blog, you now know why. And can expect more of the same. My laptop is now so slow that what once took 30 minutes now takes twice that. And the minutes simply aren't there to spare anymore.

In addition to projects around the house, we have also been trying to cram in as much quality family time as we can, while we can. Jayden is at an age where he can communicate, he can walk, he can behave himself, and we can really enjoy ourselves more than we've ever been able. [Why are we starting over from the beginning again??]

Yesterday we went out to breakfast and then to San Luis Obispo "International" Airport for Airport Day. There was a bounce house, lots of private airplanes and helicopters on display, and free snow cones! Jayden had his first taste of the cold yummy stuff. We didn't get to go on the tower tour, but we had a great time, all the same.

The other benefit of making sure we do lots of intensive activities: it is the only way to get Junior tired enough to nap!

To see more photos of recent Family Time, head over to Jayden's Photo Page.

Catching Up...

2007-08-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile. Don't quite know where to start ... the ear infection dragged on for about a week and now he is all better. The time together, cooped up inside, gave me some insight into planning constructive play for toddlers (thanks again for the book suggestions, Lisa!) The problem was that Jayden didn't feel well enough to run and frolic - and his friends didn't really want to be exposed to him - but he had more energy than with a run-of-the-mill cold.

We did new things, like making colored ice.

We did old things, like watching hours of videos.

And Jayden used his imagination like never before: he took a pie plate, a wooden whisk, and some plastic rings, and made pies and cookies. He would plop his stuff on the piano bench and carefully stir, then "cut," then explain what he was doing and ask if I wanted some. It was adorable to watch, really, and helped while away the time until wellness was back upon us once again.

Seriously, how Rachael Ray does he look? Watch out, Emeril! You may have competition in couple decades! [The pie was yummy, by the way, but the cookies had a relatively plastic-y taste...]

JJ Jumped!

2007-08-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

He did it!

We have been anxiously waiting for Jayden to make the big escape attempt from his crib. I tried to dissuade him, seeing as his crib is the last safe place for him to be confined so that I can take a shower some mornings. But apparently my need for cleanliness pales in comparison to his need for freedom. Finally. I don't have to wonder and worry anymore if he is going to attempt it and whether or not he'll be injured in the landing. Because it just happened tonight!

Picture it:

I had collapsed in bed by 8 p.m. tonight, so tired was I from chasing him around the house all day. He is still battling the last vestiges of his ear infection/cold, so he isn't quite 100%. Which means he is crabby and bored, but not able to frolic as usual. He didn't nap. It was a long day. Did I mention that it was a long day?

Anyway, Dave and I were talking in our room when we heard the unmistakable THUMP of a body hitting the floor. Followed immediately by wailing. We raced into his room to find Jayden sitting on the floor next to his crib. Thank the Deity above that he was okay. Hopefully he landed on his padded butt. He calmed down enough to say, "baby jump. Baby owie!" We figured if he had landed on his neck, wrist, or any other delicate body part, the damage could have been much worse.

So, the frenetic race to get his new room ready continues. Dave was actually washing and spackling walls today (hence my need to keep junior away from the excitement) and tomorrow D will be priming and painting. Hopefully we can get the Little Man moved into his new digs - and big boy bed - before any further escape attempts are made.

They grow up so fast, don't they?? It feels like only yesterday that he was a squirming gelatinous mass incapable of much more than crying and...well, crying. And today he is a virtual skydiver!

Morning Musings...

2007-08-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, Jayden got a cold that turned into an ear infection this week. He has been getting up regularly around 4 a.m. and just when I drift back to sleep after giving him pain meds, changing his diaper, or generally figuring out what is wrong, he wakes up again. It is 5 a.m. I am so bleary-eyed I can barely make out the words on this page. But I have now fallen asleep twice, only to be woken right back up again by pitiful cries of "MAMA? MAMA!" I can't take much more of this! ARGH! But I know the poor kid is suffering. He didn't feel up to going to preschool yesterday, so I know he isn't well.

While I try to eat enough, sleep enough, and generally deal with life, enjoy these photos taken by Audrey's dad, James Kim, during their recent stop at Chez Le Oksner. Aren't Audrey and Jayden adorable?! I like the photo of Dave holding Audrey. Audrey was one of the first babies that Dave ever held: they visited when Audrey was 3 months old, mere days after I found out I was pregnant with Jayden and Dave wanted to get in some baby-holdin' practice. Amazing how much we have all changed in the ensuing years! [Oh, and a note to Megan about a different photo entirely: um, just skip over the pic that looks like Jayden is leaning in for a kiss. Total illusion. He would never think of doing that to anyone but May-May!]

More soon...

Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer

2007-07-25T05:44:00.001-07:00

July has been kind to the Oksner family. Between two mornings a week of preschool, swimming lessons and playdates, we have been happy busy. Jayden is such a kick now with his blossoming communication skills. And as social a butterfly as I've ever seen! We recently had no less than three of his friends (Megan, Jean-Luc and Ian) hanging out at one time and he had a ball.

Jayden's verbal development continues to astound us. He will just bust out with new words all of a sudden, as if they had been waiting for months in his mouth to be let free. One day he pointed to the bag of fruit our neighbor brought over and said, "apricots, please." We didn't even know he knew what they were! He looked at me sadly last week and said, "grandpa, grandma far away. Mama, Dada, Baby drive Mama car, see grandpa, grandma." How sweet is that?

He has been referring to himself in the third person as "baby" up until yesterday, when he said "Jayden" for the first time. Now he will say "JJ" or "Jayden" when prompted. He even did it for Miss Melissa at preschool.

His two classmates are potty trained and that has been cause for endless conversation (not action, just conversation). I have not bothered to press him on the potty training issue. We have three potty-themed books and a miniature potty for him. Sometimes he will sit and we'll read for awhile, then he'll get up and pee all over the bathroom cabinets.

I figure even if I successfully train him at this point, he could very well regress once baby comes and I don't want the potty to be a power struggle. His pediatrician said not to bother. So I'll wait awhile. During our recent playdate, he sure enjoyed putting Megan's Elmo doll on his potty. Jayden even sat on Elmo's potty himself, but I couldn't get the photo taken in time before he toppled over.

We had the pleasure of a quick visit with James, Lisa and Audrey on Friday. They were heading to her parents' place down south and we have always been a good pit stop along the way. We may very well return the favor if we can make it up to see my grandparents in the North Bay sometime. The quiet, shy child I recall from their last visit has been replaced by a social little creature! She and Jayden had an absolute ball dancing and screaming and jumping and playing.

Kibbe has driven down an average of twice a week for playdates, which has been deeply appreciated. Our weather in the South County is really fantastic and we have met at the beach, the park, and our own backyard. We even took a trek up the Grade this week to see the Rubins in their natural habitat of North County. The atmosphere gods smiled upon us, as the projected 102-degree heat didn't happen and we got muggy and drizzly instead. It was a fun afternoon! [My favorite moment was when Megan grabbed Jayden's sandals and tried putting them on his feet while he quietly watched the Wiggles. "Are you trying to get a job in retail at Macy's shoe department, Megan?" Kibbe asked sweetly. "I think they're the only shoe store left that has people wait on you like that..."]

Baby #2 continues to develop and now keeps his mommy awake most nights in preparation for the sleep deprivation to come. We still don't have a name, although our efforts in trying to find one have been doubled. We have a short list, but we aren't madly in love with any of the names. As when we found Jayden's name, I had hoped the Heavens would open, the angels would sing, and the child's name would be proclaimed between us with the same confidence and joy. Maybe it'll still happen. Maybe we'll be sitting in the hospital, filling out the birth certificate in a panic, and just slap any ol' name down.

Or maybe I need more sleep...

Bye Bye Urta

2007-07-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Well, our baby is growing up. Yesterday he said "Rita" instead of "Urta" and it seems the babytalk is lessening. Which is bittersweet, really, because as desperately as we want him to have proper language skills, it is so darned cute when he uses words like "Urta."

On Monday during snacktime at a playdate, he said, "more graham cracker, please, mommy" as clear as day! Not only had I never heard him use the term "Graham Cracker," but I wasn't used to him saying "please" without being prompted.

Preschool, by the way, is the greatest invention in the history of parenthood. He loves it, I love it, and he is clearly learning new skills and having adventures on his own. And I get to try and accomplish something on the mornings he is there.

Things are going very well!

Birthdays Galore

2007-07-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today Jayden is 2 years, 1 month old. 25 months. Wow, time flies!

Today also happens to be Nana's birthday. She is older than 2 years, but we won't say by how much. Tee hee. Last week, Jayden asked for cake. I explained that since Nana had a birthday coming up, we would have cake on her birthday. I baked cupcakes at 3 p.m. He started asking for and demanding his piece of the proverbial pie as soon as they came out of the oven. I held him off for two hours, when Nana showed up for dinner. But Dada wasn't home yet. The kid waited very patiently, and then got his very own half-cupcake. And then he adorably proceeded to ask for more cupcake. He had been so patient, and his Nana the Softie was over and decided he could have more. So he got another quarter cupcake. With homemade chocolate frosting. YUM!

He asked for more again and we mentally assessed upcoming birthdays. August will be a jackpot with both Goga and Oma having birthdays. September also has double cake potential, with two of his little friends having birthdays. October will mark his brother's day of birth (although it is highly doubtful that cake will be forthcoming). And then of course the gluttony of the holidays. One piece of cake per month hopefully won't spoil the kid. Too rotten, anyway.

Nana got him on video polishing off the last piece of cupcake, then grabbing a large glob off the table of what he thought was cupcake, but was actually spilled rice from dinner. Bwahahahaha.

Hanging with Geogi

2007-07-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

Aunt Shelley is visiting this week and today I got some desperately needed R&R for my aching back while she took Junior to the Mustang Water Slides. They had a ball. The toddler pool, at 2 feet, was shallow enough for him to be able to walk anywhere he wanted without fear of drowning. He pleaded "more pool!" at the end of the afternoon.

See more photos on Jayden's Photo Page.

It's Not a Party Until Something Gets Broken...

2007-07-04T22:17:00.001-07:00

...luckily, the nosey isn't broken, just smushed.

We went to a Block Party tonight for the 4th. The inhabitants of the street (near our own) have children ranging in age from 2 years to like 8 years and they invite their friends and block off the street for barbecue, games, and fireworks. We sedated the dog in the hopes that she wouldn't totally lose her mind with us gone and all the noise in the 'hood and headed out around 6 p.m.

Jayden had a ball. The kids who live on the street brought out all their toys and it was a free for all. Toys ranged from a basketball arcade-type game, to toy swordfights and chalk drawings and tricycles and Lord-only-knows-what-all-else. The funniest moment was when Jayden climbed aboard 5 year-old Parker's automatic toy All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and managed to hit the throttle. We were eating when it happened and as soon as he took off racing, his dad followed in hot pursuit. Dave caught up to him quickly and the look on Jayden's face ("WHOA! How the hell did that happen?!") was priceless.

The problem came when Jayden was standing on a stepstool to shoot baskets and popped the stool upside-down. I didn't see it happen, but the aftermath was pretty scary: he scraped and bruised his nose and there was a little blood coming out of his right nostril. He recovered really quickly (quicker than my heart, anyway) and refused the ice pack I kept trying to hold on him. A firefighter neighbor checked it out and said he didn't break anything, but his nose is definitely swollen and the kid sounds nasal. :-( We checked that his nasal airways are clear, per Dr. Sears' Baby Book (thanks again, James & Lisa!) but I will likely take him in to the pediatrician tomorrow, just to be certain. Tomorrow after preschool, of course.

*sigh*

As for the fireworks: Jayden didn't like the popping noises but seemed impressed by the sight. He would name off, "white! Pink! Orange!" as the various fireworks exploded. We came home early to find the dog anxiously awaiting our return. She hasn't left my side since.

Not my favorite holiday, for sure. Tomorrow, alas, Dave goes back to work. It was a nice vacation while it lasted!

First Day of School

2007-07-03T21:29:00.001-07:00

Today was Jayden's first official day of preschool. Dave is still on vacation, so we went together to drop him off. The kids start off the morning with play in a confined courtyard filled with nifty toys until everyone is present and accounted for. We came in through the gate and off ran our son, without so much as a backwards glance. (How can a mom and dad compete with a sandbox, train table, water table AND playhouse?!)

I found his teacher, Miss Melissa, and gave her a bag of extra clothes in case Jayden got soaked by the water table. Then I asked what we should do. "Well, go ahead and say good-bye and then you can go." She made sure to watch in case of any waterworks.

We wandered over to where Jayden was happily playing in the sandbox. "Bye, honey, mommy and dad are leaving but we'll be back later," I said. He didn't even look up! I gave him a kiss. He didn't stop play for a second. Dave did the same as I had and as we were leaving, Dave tried peeking over the gate to see if Jayden at least noticed we had left.

When we picked the little bugger up at the end of the morning, he had paint streaks all over his clothes and was running from one play apparatus to another. He didn't even acknowledge us. Miss Melissa said that he asked for us once, about 30 minutes after we'd left. And didn't seem particularly concerned when she explained that we would be back later. She handed me a report card (one wet diaper, snack at 9:30 a.m., and very good, mellow behavior all day), a stack of paintings he had made, and sent us on our way.

Let's hope everything goes as well on Thursday!

The Vacation Continues...

2007-06-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

Last week marked two milestones: Dad got to come to swimming lessons at Teacher Jennie's house and we signed Jayden up for pre-school! Eeeeeep! Other than that, mellow has been the word of the week, lounging and relaxing as much as possible with an active toddler running about.

Swimming lessons were a blast. Since mom isn't tall enough to take Jayden into the deep end of the pool without drowning, Jayden got an extra treat when Dada swam him all around the pool. The kid amazed us both with his ability to hold his breath ever-longer. Teacher Jennie took a diving stick and put it pretty far under the water and Jayden dove (while being held, of course!) and caught the thing! You can see more photos of the swimming lesson (thanks to family photographer Nana for coming along to take pics) at Jayden's Photo Page.

As for preschool: Tuesday, July 3d will be his very first day. It is two mornings a week in a class with a 1:4 teacher to student ratio. We both really liked the teacher and watching Jayden on the day we signed him up was a hoot. The kid ran off towards the boys and girls and mountains of toys without so much as a backwards glance. And when he saw us both standing in the corner of the classroom observing him, he ran over and said emphatically, "BYE Dada. BYE Mommy." So much for thinking he needs us around 24/7!

A whole new phase of life begins, as my baby is growing up!

Do You Know the Way to Monterey Bay?

2007-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Dave is on vacation this week, which means I am on vacation! Yay!

We decided that any ol' couple can spend their wedding anniversary doing romantic things like going out to dinner. We decided to take Jayden to the Monterey Bay Aquarium! And it answered the question of why it is we don't go away overnight very often. And why we won't again anytime soon!

Seriously, my mom's cousin George and his wife, Temby, ought to be on the fast-track to sainthood for letting us spend the night. Their "little one" will start her sophomore year of college in the fall and thus they haven't had the joy of a rambunctious, sleepless toddler to contend with for a couple decades. But visiting with them has always been a blast - plus they gifted us with guest passes to the Aquarium - so it was well worth the sleep dep.

And the amusement factor. Jayden was thoroughly confused when I told him we were visiting "Moma's Cousin," but then no Moma was forthcoming upon our arrival. George does bear a striking resemblance to Dave's dad, so Jayden asked tentatively, "Papa?" when George approached the car. But Temby clearly wasn't Oma, so the kid was stuck. He went into the house looking for Gizmo, Oma & Papa's cat. And got irritated when his suspicions were correct: these are not the people he thinks they are! I think it put him in a bit of a foul mood to start things off.

Because we had a 5 a.m. wake-up call on Monday, we were able to get to the Aquarium before its opening time and thus had the run of the toddler "Splash Zone" for as long as Jayden wanted it. What an amazing place. I had no idea just how many hands-on activities the place has geared towards little ones. I don't know who had more fun exploring - Jayden or his Dada, who can be found "guiding" the little man in most of our photos.

And for a hydrophile like Jayden, it couldn't have been a better experience. From sea turtles to jellyfish (which he called "Geogi" - likely because "jelly" sounds remarkably like "Shelley"), he oohed and aahed and walked his way around the whole place. He held our hands and behaved remarkably well.

Although getting there was arduous, I can understand why people take toddlers to new experiences like the Aquarium, or Disneyland, or other exciting places. I admit, I got choked up when we saw the Outer Bay exhibit - a million gallon tank filled with some truly enormous sea creatures - and Jayden's awed expression. He kept saying, "Mama! Big tur [fish]! Little tur! WOW, MAMA!"

He collapsed, exhausted, by noon in his stroller. We had seen all we wanted to see and headed back to the car, in a nearby parking structure. Dave transferred sleeping baby successfully. And then some nimrod decided to lay on his horn. Which woke sleeping baby up. I begged Dave to let me go find and maim the person - it would be justifiable - but we took the high road and drove away instead. Jayden stayed awake the entire drive home - which is more than I can say for his mommy - but Dave said the two of them just sat silently as the miles whizzed by.

All in all, a really great trip. And a wonderful anniversary.

Click here to visit photos of the Aquarium trip on Jayden's Photo Page.

The Lazy Days of Summer

2007-06-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! And with it comes backyard water fun. We bought Jayden an inflatable swimming set exactly like his friend Ian has, complete with inflatable ball, dolphin, turtle, raft and ring. The turtle arrived with a hole in it and the other items fill up the pool with no room for Junior. So far, he throws everything out of the pool, including himself, then leaps high in the air and yells, "WHEEE!" or some derivation thereof before jumping back in with a SPLASH. He loves to throw water around with his hands, too.

Good news: Jayden wears his hat and sunglasses now, unprompted! Thank you to my dad (Grandpa with the Hat) - for modeling good hat-wearing behavior - and to Carter's for their killer hat product line! And to Moma for getting several pairs of snazzy sunglasses.

Sarah and Ian came over today and Ian was less than amused by Jayden's splashy antics. Sarah couldn't help laughing at Jayden's unbridled glee and said that she has never seen a child more in love with water play than Jayden. I agree. It has gotten to where he doesn't think he needs me in the pool for our swimming lessons. "BYE, Mommy!" he says with irritation as he attempts to untangle my hands from around his waist. Um, yeah, you might think you're Mark Spitz, but honey, you're only 2 and don't know how to float or swim on your own. Nice try, though! [This week will be an extra special swim class because Dada is on vacation

Another joy of summer is the need for our North County friends (namely the Rubins!) to escape the heat. What better place to escape to than Arroyo Grande? Earlier this week, Kibbe brought Megan and Baby Zack over to play.

It took several attempts to convince Jayden that Zack cannot play and in fact needs to be left alone (he put a pacifier in the baby's mouth and covered his head - er, face - with a hat in attempts to be "helpful". Heaven help me!) Finally, Kibbe came up with the good idea for Jayden to substitute his baby doll in place of Baby Zack. So Jayden took his baby and snuggled up in Zack's baby carrier. He rocked like in a chair. He had a grand ol' time.

May his nurturing instincts continue for good when his own baby brother makes his appearance!

And Megan, meanwhile, is really good at entertaining herself. She grabbed a nylon bag that holds the tubing from Jayden's crawling toys and started to do a potato sack race - by herself! You GO, girl! As you can see, Jayden loved jumping along with whatever she happened to be doing at the time.

He calls Megan "D" for reasons that are totally unclear - the kid doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to nicknames for people - although Kibbe thinks that maybe because Megan will say "D" for "yes" or some other word. I think it is kind of cute that he already has a "pet name" for her - one that undoubtedly no one else will ever use. He is always calling, "D! D!" and she of course doesn't respond because that isn't her name. Ah, already they are acting like married people...

And then, exhausted from their day together, the two crashed in our new temporary playroom, which basically houses a mountain of stuffed animals and toys. Here you can see Jayden patting Megan's head and closing her eyes so that she might go to sleep. But no such luck. She got into the car ("Bye, D! Bye, D's Mommy!") and left for home.

They'll be back.

BIRTHDAY PHOTOS!

2007-06-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally had a chance to download three CDs worth of photos and videos from my dad and mother-in-law, edit them, and put them on Jayden's Photo Page. So far, it is only photos on that page. At some point, perhaps I can point to some video clips.

The cake at right was my own choosing from the options available at Albertson's. Initially I was going to have a full-fledged construction theme, but when I realized that buying paper plates, napkins, tablecloths, orange cones, construction pylons, and hard hats would be ridiculous and not at all cost-efficient, I decided to just go with a construction-themed cake. I was so proud to pick this one out, with the requisite "digger," "dumper," and "backhoe" toys for Junior. And what was the first thing he said when I showed him the cake?

"TURTLE"!

*sigh* Maybe next year, kid.

Anyway, the cake was marble with fudge filling and chocolate whipped cream frosting. Yum!

Also, for those inquiring minds who wonder what a BOB super spiffy double stroller looks like, Jayden climbed into ours and made himself at home. He pointed to the empty spot next to him and said, "BABY!" which I found interesting.

Before any of us are ready, kiddo, I've no doubt he'll be here...

Anyway, enjoy the bday pics!

The Big 0-2

2007-06-10T21:20:00.001-07:00

Today is Jayden's 2nd birthday! I had been forewarned by my friends that the morning of a child's second birthday, he or she will wake up inhabited by the Devil himself. By 8 a.m. this morning, Jayden had already been up for three hours and been in Time Out at least once, so I feared the prediction had come true. But luckily, that did not seem to be the case. He just was energetic or something. Must have known cake was forthcoming!

I am not 100% sure the kid totally understood what a birthday means - other than cake, of course - but he seemed delighted to have many of his friends over for food and play. We had Megan, Ian, Jean-Luc, Talia, Liora, Ellie, Zoe and their families. Dave manned the barbecue and Moma, Baby-ah and Nana helped with set-up, hosting duties, watching Jayden, and clean-up. It took a village but I think we all had a really good time because of all the pitching in (less work for any one person!)

Anyway, I cannot believe that it has been two years since the Little Man came into our lives. In some ways, it seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital bringing him into the world. In other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. He amazes us more each day with his curiosity, his perceptiveness, his sensitivity, his sweetness and his all-around happiness. We love you, Little Man!

Photos will hopefully be forthcoming of the day's festivities. We were all kinda busy running around like chickens with our heads cut off and thus we didn't have a lot of time for photos. Unfortunately. Although he didn't smear cake all over his face like he did last year, so the photo opps weren't quite as impressive, anyway!

The REAL surprise of the day came at gift-giving time: Mark and Cindy (Zoe's parents) coordinated a group gift from friends we have known since college via a computer forum we frequent - and they wheeled a BOB Revolution Duallie Jogging Stroller into the house. Pregnancy hormones being what they are, I burst into tears. It was really exceptionally thoughtful of our friends (not to mention extremely generous!) for them to kick in money like that. The BOB is the creme de la creme of strollers - and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of our price range. I have a couple of friends who have them and I have always admired them from afar, never in a million years thinking that I might be pushing one someday!

Luckily, Jayden seemed delighted and climbed right in. He pointed to the empty seat next to him and said, "BABY!" He probably remembers when we walked with Megan and her baby brother recently and they both sat side-by-side. I had been a little nervous that he might cry and refuse to sit in the stroller, as Megan did. But he actually refused to get out. Which is good, because walking might be my only way of leaving the house the first few months after Baby #2 is born!

Stay tuned for more info and photos!

In the Family Way

2007-05-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

We have had so many family members visiting of late, Jayden's head has been spinning! After Jayden asked and sang and talked about them nonstop for days upon days, Oma and Papa came by almost as soon as they got off the plane from Israel (thanks again!) and brought along their puppy dog, Kiwi. Jayden is still talking about it. He even made up a little song that goes, "Om-ah, Pa-pah, CAT!" (Yes, they have a cat, too, but they couldn't bring poor Gizmo because Rita has a thing for cats. They taste just like chicken!) It was so nice to see them! Just today, more than a week since their visit, Jayden woke up and greeted me with, "Oma, Papa, brown Urta [Rita/dog]." So clearly the visit made an impact upon him.

This week, Aunt Shelley is visiting. And then over Memorial Day weekend, Nana's sister Lynn came down from the wilds of Oregon to spend some quality time. Jayden called her "Ina" for reasons that are still unclear, but seemed perfectly content to hang out with her.

Assuming all goes well, my folks will be up again for the big 0-2 (that's Jayden's second birthday to the uninitiated!)

And yes, I think I might be more spoiled than the boy by all this time to get stuff done. He might be showered with attention, but I get to do laundry, go to the bathroom and even shower without an audience! If I can shake this cold, it would be even better...

More soon!

Bouncing Baby Boy

2007-05-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Haven't updated in awhile. I managed to catch a cold this week and am slowly recovering. Luckily, Aunt Shelley decided to spend some time up in these parts for her birthday this week, so she is spending quality time with her nephew while I recuperate. Being sick while pregnant seriously stinks.

The Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival came to town and we got some pics [click on "view pictures"]. That oughta keep Jayden's fans occupied until I can upload more photos.

Meanwhile, we had our main ultrasound and the doctor confirmed: we have, by all accounts, a healthy baby boy due on or about October 4th. We'll have to get a newborn onesie that says "Little Brother" and a (gasp!) 3T shirt that says "Big Brother" for the occasion. Jayden seems pretty excited. I've no idea if he truly grasps just how much his life is about to change...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

2007-05-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

I get that Jayden is too young to spell at this age. But tonight gave me pause for thought. Nana was over babysitting so that Dave and I could have some adult time - our first date in two weeks! When we got home, Nana was bathing Jayden and was relaying to me about their evening. The kid is obsessed with the moon and every night he wants to see it, regardless of how cold and foggy it is outside or how recently he bathed.

Not wanting to get him excited, Nana said that right before bathtime Jayden wanted to see the "M-O-O-N" and they went outside, but it wasn't there. Jayden looks up from his play in the bathtub and said sadly, "no moon." I looked at Nana and she looked at me, wide-eyed. Oh, my, that kid is quick!

And a shout-out to my hubby is necessary here. He surprised me big-time before our date tonight with a dozen red roses and a gift certificate for a prenatal massage. I have been so focused on getting Mother's Day cards and what-not for the various moms and grandmoms in my life that I kind of forgot that I am included in that illustrious club now! Almost times 2! What a good Dada Jayden has. I love you, baby!

My Fair Baby

2007-05-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

Today we had family day and man it was awesome!

We trooped up to SLO again, this time to Mission Plaza for the Birth & Baby Fair. Every year, the local Birth & Baby Resource Network hosts a day with vendors, booths, games, etc., to inform parents about resources available for childbearing & rearing in the county. We missed it the past couple of years and knew friends who were going to be there, so we thought we'd join 'em.

Jayden got a fire hat from the local Fire Department and the chance to jump in a Bounce House. He had a blast! We met up with Kibbe, Brad, Megan & Zack; and Mark, Cindy & Baby Zoe and we all headed over to Mo's Barbecue for lunch. That was chaotic but fun - and Jayden went nuts over the enormous fiberglass cow that hung from a wall for decor. He kept saying, "Brown Cow, Mama!" and I thought he was having flashbacks from our farm visit until I looked up. Observant kid!

When we got back to the fair, Jayden declined a sticker from the nice CHP patrolman, but did point at him and say, "OMA!" all excitedly. I explained to the confused man that Jayden's Oma is a Commander in the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. It was really cute. [It should be noted here that Jayden has been on an Oma & Papa kick this week. He mentions them daily, along with noting that they have a cat. Looks like a trip to the 'nard will be in our future...]

It was a lot of fun. We had a hard time getting him down for a nap, but he eventually crashed hard. A successful day all around!

Moo, Baa, LaLaLa

2007-05-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

This past Friday found us on our way to San Luis Obispo to visit the Dairy Unit and Equine Unit with Miriam and Jean-Luc's Parent Participation class. Kibbe, Megan and Baby Zack joined us, too.

We wandered through the empty milking area (cows are milked from 3 to 6 a.m. and p.m., so we weren't privy to watching that process), the pens where pregnant cows lie in wait for labor, and the baby pens. I have felt kinship with cows since nursing Jayden - and was mighty impressed by the industrial-strength pumps that extract the milk.

After seeing the babies in their pens, I can see why activists avoid veal like the plague. Picture lots of amazing land: rolling grass, endless hillsides, greens and browns blending in natural harmony. Then picture two rows of the teeniest, tiniest pens you can imagine for the baby calves. They are separated from their mothers 24 hours after birth and then penned in these cages for 2 months to prevent the spread of disease. [Do I sound like an ad for PETA yet? Maybe the kid is on to something...]

For his part, Jayden was quite terrified of the cows and climbed up almost to my head as we walked through the dirt trails. He got down long enough to see the baby cows and talked about them quite a bit afterwards. And liked to name the colors he saw ("brown cow, white cow, black cow!") He got somewhat close to a brown cow just long enough for the instructor to snap a photo.

Overall, Jayden seemed fairly unexcited by the Dairy Unit. Personally, I was actually somewhat sickened by it. We couldn't get into the cars fast enough to drive over to the Equine Unit.

Once there, we hauled all our lunch/picnic stuff into my stroller (which is unfortunately too small for my ginormous son now) and I wheeled it up the hill while carrying the little guy. We wandered into the horse pens and he again couldn't climb high enough on my person.

Admittedly, the horses were much closer to us than the cows were, and they are large beasts - especially from the bird's-eye view of a 2 year-old. But I thought he might at least want to pet one! No dice.

Miriam managed to snap a pic of us with a white horse before Jayden totally melted down. For his part, Jean-Luc had a blast. He took off running in any given direction and even ate hay off the ground at one point. Poor Miriam is starting to show her pregnancy (she is due in August) and had trouble keeping up with him.

When it came time to feed the horses, some of the brave parents did it, but I think Megan had the smartest idea of all: she took a handful of baby carrots, showed them to the horse, then chucked them in the pen so she didn't have to risk a wayward nip of her hand. Bright girl!

After getting our fill of horse-watching, we wandered up the hill to the Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum, a beautiful area where Ornamental Horticulture students practice their skill-building on a variety of lawns, plants, and other flora. It is really breathtaking and the kids had the chance to run through plant mazes, dance in gazebos, play on the lawns, and meander along a creek. Miriam and I spent the majority of lunch running after our respective sons. Kibbe got the enviable task of perching on a bench with her demure little girl, eating and watching the scenery. But she also had the chance to take some photos, which was nice.

There are some additional photos on Jayden's Photo Page.

FIRST SENTENCE!

2007-05-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have photos to update here of recent playdates as well as our field trip today to Cal Poly's Dairy Unit and Equine Unit. Dunno when I'll get to them, though, so I had to write something quickly. Jayden has been having lots of fun and mommy has been totally exhausted running after him.

But the biggest, biggest news of today: HE SAID HIS FIRST COMPLETE SENTENCE!

I thought I misheard him at first, but he repeated when Dave got home. Ready?

"Cows eat hay."

We saw lots of cows today and lots of hay, but at no point did I point out the hay or even say what it was. Dunno where it came from or why a boy from city-fied parents would make something so very rural his first sentence. As evidenced by his all-consuming fear today of all things cow or horse, he doesn't seem to be much of a country boy...

It's Not Easy Being Cheesy...

2007-05-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Kibbe & Co. shlepped down the Grade again today so that Jayden and I could have some company (are we lucky or what to have such cool friends?!)

During a lunch when he snarfed everything in sight and then some, he undoubtedly ended up wearing as much as he got in his tummy. The orangey mess around his face is the remnants of
Annie's Deluxe Creamy Shells & Cheese. It's smooth and rich like Velveeta, but much better for you - organic and everything!

I didn't have many cravings that I can recall when I was pregnant with Jayden. This time around, when I was a bit worse for the wear during the first three months, I had uber-cravings for Annie's. To the degree that I called Dave on a Friday and demanded that he stop by Von's on his way home from work to pick me up some. I ate it and it alone for meals on end. While I am glad I am over that particular culinary need, I found a box in the pantry today and decided to make some for old times' sake.

And it was good!

Thanks to Kibbe for the pic.

Super Secret Park

2007-05-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Kibbe led me earlier this week to a spot that we are dubbing The Secret Park. She was simply told the name of the street where the park resides and we drove all over a neighborhood or two searching for the mythical place (it is a loooong street). I even doubted for a second that such a place exists.

And then we came upon it.

Seriously, unless you know to look for it, you would never find it. Nestled in a highly upscale neighborhood with twisty-turny streets in San Luis Obispo, the park has lots of grass to run and play, a toddler playground, climbing walls, sand, swings, trees, benches, and stairs. The equipment is brand-spanking new and the whole place looks like it has yet to be used. We spent a good couple of hours letting Jayden and Megan run and play and climb and eat. Jayden immediately rocketed to the top of the BIG KIDS playground and wanted to go down the climbing wall in the wrong direction (as in, headfirst from top to bottom). That kid is seriously going to stop my heart one of these days.

In the photo at right, he is at the top of the toddler climbing wall.

Megan, meanwhile, in her ever-so-dainty fashion, sat herself down for a spell - legs crossed - on a nearby bench. Kibbe and I had to get a photo of the 2-going-on-12 kiddo.

Seriously, both kids got a lot of mileage out of that park.

And since much of their time together when not playing seems to be spent either hugging or eating, there was plenty of bread broken at the picnic tables. Jayden might very well be heading into another growth spurt. He seems to be snarfing as much food as he can manage at snacktimes. Even lunch, which used to consist of him not really eating, has become a time for him to eat and eat. My mom was even amazed when he sat for 20 minutes last week and ate the whole time. I try to make his meals and his munchies healthy. A quick informal poll among my mom friends shows that I am doing better than most, but clearly not as good as some (ah, such is life, really).

Incidentally, Jayden clocked in this week at 36-1/4". Yes, that would be a smidgen over three feet tall. Which is at least an inch or so more than his daddy was at that age. Which might very well mean that Jayden will be TALLER than his old man (who is already considered a Giant in my family of Lilliputians).

And since the mythical neighborhood where Secret Park resides isn't far from Costco, we packed everything up and headed over to have lunch in the food court. Megan downed a good chunk of hot dog (okay, admittedly, I did, too) and Jayden got to indulge in some of his mommy's frozen yogurt.

All in all, I would say a highly successful afternoon!

A Weekend to Remember

2007-05-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Jayden's Ginsburg grandparents came by for a visit this past week/weekend. Which means that not only did Jayden get attention 24/7, but his mommy got some time to herself - AND a date with daddy! We were tempted to head to Mexico for a spell, but decided that going to a friend's wedding in San Luis Obispo, having a nice dinner, and generally indulging in adult conversation was "good enough." Yes, by golly, it was!

This picture symbolizes just how poetic life becomes when the grandparents come to town. Our next-door neighbors have a phenomenal rose garden and Jayden now makes a point of noticing all the colors and scents as we walk by. The fact that said neighbor gives cookies freely doesn't hurt, either.

Jayden can identify every color of the rainbow, even though his rendition of "purple" sounds remarkably like "poo-poo." Otherwise, we've got red, white, blue, green, yellow and "Ernie" (or orange to the rest of us). My mom asked him to name the color of their car, which is gold, but we haven't yet gotten into the more elaborate color schemes. I guess I should start working on chartreuse.

Jayden had a really good time with his grandparents. Up until now, they weren't keen on labels. I tried to get everyone on board so that all the grandparents would have their own unique names (hence "Nana" for Dave's mom; "Oma" for Dave's step-mom; and "Papa" for Dave's dad). My parents wanted to be plain ol' "grandma" and "grandpa." But Jayden is not one to be swayed when it comes to nicknames. Thus, his Ginsburg grandparents were dubbed "Moma" and "Baby-a" on this trip, much to their chagrin.

Moma - that's pronounced "Moe-Mah" as in mo' mama, or the acronym for the Museum of Modern Art - makes some sense. But Baby-a?!

Why he calls his Ginsburg grandpa Baby-a is anyone's guess (as is how to spell it, really). Therein sparked a game: Jayden would yell "HI BABY-A!" to which my dad would reply, "grandpa! Can you say grandpa?" And Jayden would respond, "No. Hi Baby-a!" And then he would be tickled. But still, no "grandpa" was forthcoming. Dunno what we'll have to do to nudge the kid along. He seems to have a bit of a stubborn streak. I say it comes from his father, but my parents don't seem to be backing me up on that one.

*sigh*

Playing Big Brother

2007-04-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

I think if I stand sideways on my head and hold my breath, you can see just a smidgen of belly. Most likely, you would never know I am pregnant from just looking at me. [Other than the voracious appetite, fairly persistent exhaustion, and complaining, of course!] We are at 17 weeks now and I see the OB today to again hear the heartbeat and check in with her. Meanwhile, Jayden is ecstatic about baby. Every morning, he greets me with "BABY!" and pulls on my shirt so he can pat my belly and kiss it. I ask him what to name the baby and he enthusiastically responds, "BABY!" (No, he will not have a say in naming this one, I am happy to report!)

Jayden still loves getting a bottle of milk several times a day (upon waking, before nap, and at bedtime). We tried gently weaning him from the bottle by using a sippy cup instead. I got the sippy cup and brought it into his room as if it were a bottle, for him to sip while we cuddled in his rocking chair. He took one look at the cup, one long look at me, and wordlessly climbed down from the rocking chair, walked into the kitchen, and pointed at the cupboard where his bottles live. When I just stood looking at him, he insistently pointed and made grunting noises that sounded similar to "ba" (as in "bottle").

On a positive note, he doesn't need me to cuddle with him when he has a bottle. So one recent day, I set him in a chair with his bottle and baby doll and he proceeded to snuggle with baby while drinking from his bottle. Then he very thoughtfully offered some to the doll. It was so darned cute, I had to snap a pic.

Plus, it is so rare for him to be sitting still, I can't always capture the moment on film.

Anyway, even though Jayden is in love with all things baby-related, it will be interesting to see how long the amore lasts once a squalling creature lives in our house. Up until now, a baby might visit or we might visit a baby. Jayden spends the entire time trying to hug, hold, and otherwise handle the baby. Then either we leave or the baby leaves before he ever has to hear any major crying.

It should be interesting. Although if Megan and Hunter are any indication, I am guessing it will all go swimmingly.

Hunter's a Big Brother!

2007-04-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

If you are going to volunteer to watch a friend's toddler while said friend has her second baby, it would be wise to ensure that friend is one Sarema Wooldridge. I called her at 4:30 p.m. to see if her cramping/labor-like pains from the morning had gotten worse and whether or not I should cancel tonight's plans in SLO.

She answered the phone sounding as breathless and pained as I did when I was at 8 cm with Jayden. She also believes in laboring at home for as long as possible. But you see, this time she may have overshot her mark a bit. By the time they called the doula, decided "this is it" and I raced over, apparently baby Sara was on her way. They made it to the hospital with 15 minutes to spare before the baby came out. Read the birth stats on Major Wooldridge (aka "the dad")'s website. So instead of having to pull an all-nighter or watch Hunter all day long, it was seriously a quick evening! [And chalk up another fear for Dave. I only labored at the hospital for four hours with Jayden, you see, and the second baby typically means labor time cut in half. Dave has said he is whisking me to the hospital at the first contraction this time around, so that I am not giving birth on the 101 to San Luis Obispo.]

Hunter is freakin' adorable, by the way. We had a pretty good time together, all things considered. We played in the backyard, watched "Dora the Explorer" until my eyes crossed, observed the fish in their tank, and had a fairly nondescript dinner. He was laughing and having a grand ol' time. It wasn't until bedtime that he decided he had truly tired of me and wanted his mommy. A Thomas the Tank Engine video managed to zonk him out for a short while. Luckily he was only awake screaming for about 15 minutes before Rob came home to rescue me. The funny thing is how polite and assuredly verbal Hunter is. While screaming and wailing, he still said "please" and "thank you." It cracked me up. Dave and Jayden, meanwhile, got some quality bonding time at home.

What an exciting evening - and an honor to help the family out. Congrats to Sarema, Rob and Hunter on Baby Sara!

Our Social Butterfly

2007-04-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

I suppose that with two parents as outgoing as Jayden's, the chances of him being a reclusive wallflower were pretty slim-to-none. Which is good, really, because as I told a shy friend of mine recently, "I wouldn't know what to do with him if he was shy and uncomfy around people!" Lately, there have been so many playdates that my head spins. Yesterday morning, I said excitedly to Jayden, "guess who is coming over today?!" and he looked at me quizzically. I then realized he had no idea. Ian? Megan? Jean-Luc? Hunter? Aidan? The possibilities, truly, were endless.

This week Ian and his mommy Sarah very kindly came down to AG because Jayden and I had had a long night and I didn't want to "lose the nap" (e.g. he falls asleep in the car ride home from Los Osos and is awake when we get home). The kid is hitting a growth spurt, I think, so he tends to wake up in the wee hours of the morning these days demanding food. I even heard his tummy growl angrily once. It wasn't pretty.

Anyway, Jayden and Ian play extremely well together. They are both very mellow kids. I hope they remain friends well into their teen years, because I think Ian would be a good influence. I could totally see them lounging in Jayden's room, listening to music and just relaxing. That's kind of what they do now: just lounge in one house or another, playing quietly. I have never seen cooperation like that at this age, either. They both sat in the sandbox, each holding a pail and a shovel, quietly scooping sand and dumping into the other one's receptacle. They didn't fight, they didn't throw sand, they didn't argue over "mine." May this last well into the "terrible" twos!

At our last visit to Los Osos, Sarah put a sweater on Ian and I excitedly noted that Jayden had the same exact one! For this visit, I managed to get Jayden to put on said sweater (how I did that when it didn't have Cookie Monster on it is beyond me). As it turned out, Ian showed up in the same one! They were twinsies! Cute!

Here is the photo of them both playing quietly in the sandbox.

Awaiting the Stork...

2007-04-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

'07 has been a fruitful one for my friends. Just about everyone from our Lamaze class, mom's group and other acquaintances will be producing Baby #2 sometime this year. We felt the peer pressure, folks, and are anxiously awaiting our turn in October (we are, by the way, currently in week 16 and into the second trimester! Yay!)

The Wooldridge family recently moved right down the street and Sarema is due any second with Baby #2. We are on-call to watch Hunter when the need arises, so the phone is always nearby and I am trying very hard not to "harass" Sarema with calls of "anything yet?"

To stem any anxiety Hunter might have about waking up to a stranger in his house - or needing to spend all day with someone he hardly knows - we have been hanging out over there for little bits at a time. The boys seem to get along well. While at the park recently, Jayden did his usual wander over and hug bit and Hunter seemed quite suspicious. Sarema explained that at their previous digs in Morro Bay, boys tended to be fairly aggressive and anyone moving in that close was more than likely going to push or hit. She likes the idea that Hunter will know a gentler soul in his midst! Jayden seems to love playing "tag" with Hunter - the boys chase one another and squeal, then switch between chaser and chasee. Whatever works!

And Hunter has some pretty cool toys, from the train table to bubble machines. At this age, going to someone else's house is like playing in a toy store - so many options, so little time!

We are hoping that labor and delivery go smoothly and quickly for the whole Wooldridge family. Stay tuned!

Our Little Picasso

2007-04-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

Jayden loves to draw. Kibbe very smartly suggested that I turn his highchair into an "art station" and it has worked beautifully - keeps him confined while allowing him to draw freely.

When Jayden gets excited and says, "MAMA, HEART!" I know he wants to draw (usually, coincidentally, hearts). So I get out the special drawing paper Nana bought along with the washable markers I bought on Nana's suggestion. [Might I add here that parents of toddlers should ONLY buy washable art products?!] The reasoning is clear from the photo you see here. Jayden got bored of using paper, like most kids do, and also tired of drawing on his clothes and skin. So while my back was turned to him and I was doing dishes in the kitchen, he managed to turn around in the highchair, draw all over the back of it, and then proceeded to "paint" the wall behind him.

It only took a damp paper towel to clean the wall. And I am a washable marker devotee forever!

The Constant Gardener

2007-04-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

I read in one of my many child-rearing tomes that age 2 is a good time to start introducing the little one to the gardening process. This is easier said than done when Dave and I clearly do not have the greenest of thumbs.

Dave is fairly consistent with lawnmowing, though, to the point that whenever Jayden sees a lawnmower or a man mowing the lawn, he points and says, "Dada!" He once got so excited when a gardening crew was working on someone's house (a total stranger's house, might I add) that he pointed excitedly and said, "DADA!" to the surprised man. Here, Jayden is emulating his dad by pushing Jean-Luc's lawnmower across their lawn. We need to get him a lawnmower and then take a picture of Jayden pushing his mower next to his dad. There is a similar such photo of Dave doing the same next to his dad. And the tradition continues!

So, I decided to get in on the action. Knowing how desperately my son loves blueberries - and how expensive they are right now, at $3.99 for a tiny pack - I decided to grow some!

Our friendly neighborhood nursery had a sale on blueberry plants. The kindly gentleman insisted that it is easy, easy to grow them. I explained that I have never really grown anything successfully but weeds - and those are so successful that they have taken over our lives - but he really insisted. So I bought the blueberry plant, a gopher basket to put around it, and some special mulch. He said to water every other day, put it in full sun, and come May or June, we'd have plump, juicy berries.

Jayden has taken his new gardening skills to heart. When we are outside - which is quite often these days - he says, "Mama, wa bluh" which in Jayden-speak means, "Mama, water blueberries!" So we do. He helps me carry the blue watering can over to the spigot in the yard, fill it up, and then carry it over to the blueberry plant, gently tip it over, and hopefully get some water on the plant. Here is a photo of him doing what he loves in the yard. And the blueberry plant does seem to be thriving, no?

We'll see if our little project bears fruit, so to speak.

Story about a Non-Story

2007-04-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, Jayden was up at his usual ungodly hour. Around 7 a.m., I heard incessant barking which, for once, was actually coming from our dog in our backyard. I was getting Jayden's morning bottle of milk, so I had him in my arms when I trooped out to the backyard to investigate:

There, at the back fence, Rita was barking at a black-and-white cat that had the absolute audacity to stare at her through the slats from the alley behind our house. I told Rita to can it, the cat hissed a pissy little meow at her, and took off running.

And Jayden, clearly, was traumatized from the incident.

Rick, the next-door neighbor who plies Jayden with cookies at every opportunity, was out in his jammies and slippers getting the paper. Jayden never misses the chance to ask for a cookie. This time, he looked stricken and wide-eyed as he frantically relayed to Rick, "Urta meow! Urta meow!"

I explained to my confused neighbor that Rita barked at a cat, who meowed and ran away. Rick gave Jayden his cookie and went on his merry way. And for the next hour solid, no matter what activity we did, Jayden would say, "mama? Urta meow. Urta meow. Meow bye."

At first, I agreed wholeheartedly. "Yes, honey, Rita barked at a cat and the cat went bye-bye." Then I tried to reassure him. "Yes, Jayden, Rita barked at the cat, but the cat went bye-bye and is just fine. Rita is fine. We're all fine. It's OVER." Then I got annoyed. One can take only so many, "MAMA? MAMA? Urta Meow!s" before one's head explodes.

So when Jayden managed to bang open our bedroom door to inform his sleepyheaded dada about the morning's events, I was only all too happy to sit at the table, read the paper, and wonder what real news had transpired in the world. [As it turned out, the non-event in the backyard was far preferable!]

By nightfall, Jayden couldn't sleep, so worked up was he about "Urta meow. Meow bye." The next day, he mentioned it a few times. By now, I think it has all faded into a distant memory. And as Dave says, thank goodness he didn't see anything really happen or Lord knows we'd be processing it forever. Since Rita apparently killed a housecat before we adopted her, we have always known to keep her the heck away from them.

Yeah, no kidding!

Dinner & Play with Megan

2007-04-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

With the weather so beautiful, we decided it was high time to spend an afternoon with friends. So on Sunday we trooped up to Templeton to "christen" Brad's new barbecue. He does a great barbecue. We had some of the yummiest (turkey) sausages I have ever had: sundried tomato or mango flavored, grilled to perfection and coated in Trader Joe's garlic mustard aioli sauce. I guess the nausea for me is indeed lifting as I head into the second trimester. Finally. And yes, we hope to eventually return the favor, since hosting guests seems like it would be a bit much with a new baby and we would like Brad & Kibbe not to have to cook for once!

Baby Zack is doing well. He slept most of the time we were there. He spit up once - while I was holding him, of course - but otherwise seemed pretty mellow. That didn't stop Brad from informing us "you're screwed," but it's kind of late to back out now! Kibbe continues to make mothering a toddler and an infant look like a cakewalk, so I will cling to that carefully crafted illusion to get me through the duration of the pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Jayden got to spend the evening with his love. We picked up an Elmo and a Cookie Monster t-shirt at Toys R Us, so Megan seemed pretty happy to see us. She showed us her Elmo Goes Potty doll, her Elmo Dress Me Up doll, her Tickle Me Elmo doll, and even let Jayden hold her little Cookie Monster doll (the only one he cared about, really). The two of them jumped around the living room to the Wiggles DVD, occasionally hugging one another and "slow" dancing. It was amazingly cute. Megan was super generous with her toys, letting Jayden play with whichever ones suited his fancy. That includes the outdoor and indoor toys.

As soon as we arrived, Jayden took one look at the new water table set up on the deck and beelined for the backyard, without even saying hello (yes, I know - rude child!) That kept him busy for some time. Kibbe and I are competing for Best Backyard award for summertime fun. So far, I think she is winning with a dirt mound, a serious climbing/slide cube, a turtle pool and the water table. But we are all winners, really, because it only means that whichever house we choose to gather at this summer, children will be entertained!

For indoor festivities, at one point, Jayden hopped into Megan's little red wagon and the two of them were pulled around the house. They played with Megan's spiffy wire/bead toy and otherwise kept one another entertained.

There are a few additional photos of the evening on Jayden's photo page. None of Megan's mom, dad, or brother, unfortunately. I have to work on capturing all aspects of any given moment. It seems that chasing the toddlers around with a camera is work enough these days!

Happy Birthday, Hunter!

2007-04-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

We scored an invite to Hunter Wooldridge's second birthday party this past weekend. Since they are literally a stone's throw away from our house now, it was great to get to see the new digs and help the family celebrate.

I was fishing around for photos from Hunter's first birthday, at their home in Morro Bay. Rob was serving in Kuwait then, and he couldn't be there. So not only did Hunter have his dad with him this time around, but Hunter had spent all last week in the hospital with a staph infection (note the bandage on his neck) and had only been discharged the day before the party. With Sarema due in 3 weeks with Baby #2, there was a lot to celebrate this weekend. Rob even managed to sneak in a surprise baby shower on top of the birthday fun.

Rob does a mean barbecue - and while we had to get our food "to go" after Jayden melted down spectacularly and smacked the birthday boy- we still sent shout-outs of thanks for the mouthwatering yummies provided.

Sarema looks totally fantastic and adorable with her lil' bump. We are on call to watch Hunter when she goes into labor. Don't think we're totally being altruistic - we may very well need the favor repaid in the fall!

Anyway, Hunter very graciously shared his toys with Jayden and the other kiddos. Jayden particularly got a kick out of the Thomas the Tank Engine train table. Only problem was that he didn't quite understand how it worked and kept trying to move the tracks instead of moving the trains. Ah, well, he has a few months to catch up to Hunter in the play train department.

And, lest I forget, another VERY important birthday also happened on Friday, March 30th. While the Rubins have their hands full in Templeton with family celebrations, the day didn't go unnoticed around these here parts. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEGAN!

I am grooming Jayden now to learn a lesson his father never did - a woman's birthday is to be feted and honored and celebrated. So, to Jayden's little woman on his behalf: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Flying Chickens & Megan Time

2007-04-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

We are all huge fans of Sandra Boynton here. My mother bought us "The Going to Bed Book" and "The Barnyard Dance" (which, by the way, really ought to be set to music because it is so darned catchy). Then I picked up "Moo Moo Baa Baa La La," "The A to Z Book" and "Blue Hat, Green Hat."

Well, Jayden's Nana took it to the nth level by picking up a bunch of the Sandra Boynton books we don't have yet, a few musical compilations, as well as some of the plush characters that go along with the stories. Jayden's favorite, of course, is the chicken. [He calls them "Bock Bocks" and refuses to eat them. Again, I am calling PETA to see if they need a spokesbaby.]

Whenever we go over to Nana's house now, we take turns holding the chicken, then chucking it across the room screaming, "FLYING CHICKEN!" Jayden even gets in on the fun - and his strength is pretty amazing, if not his aim. Next we ought to figure out how to best launch the dog and pig across the room, too. It's a veritable barnyard of Boynton!

What else do we do for entertainment around here besides abuse poultry, you ask? Well, it isn't a complete week without a visit with Jayden's girl! Megan's mommy, being the brave and put-together soul that she is, has volunteered to shlep down to us in AG more than a few times - even making the trek when baby Zack was only two weeks old!

This past week, deciding that perhaps I ought to venture out of the house instead of having Kibbe & Co. come to us, we took advantage of the sunshine and met at Mitchell Park in downtown SLO, followed by lunch at our favorite haunt, Woodstock's Pizza, for their cheapie lunch special. It was a blast. The kiddos chowed down at the park and it was really funny. Kibbe was off nursing baby Zack, so I took some of the bounty of snacky foods and gave them to Jayden and Megan. Jayden, apparently staring down another growth spurt, chowed so fully and completely that he looked like a mini-Bluto Blutarski from "Animal House." Seriously, he was double-dipping his veggie sticks and smearing hummus all over the place. [Okay, so a mini, yuppier version of Bluto Blutarski. You know what I mean...]

Megan, ever the lady, perched delicately on the bench and looked at my poor baby totally disgusted. Like, "dude, you are so gross to be chowing down like that!" But it didn't stop her from partaking and her mommy was MOST impressed that she ate, too.

Following lunch, the kiddos got to lounge in their rides while Kibbe and I walked back to the park. We stopped at a restroom so the pregnant one could use the facilities (*sigh*) and while there, Megan & Jayden got a kick out of the downtown SLO lunchtime crowds. Aren't they cute?!

If the weather holds, we will have to do another day like last week. It was fun!

Hanging out in So. Cal

2007-04-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

While we were staying in Southern California, my sisters both drove up to Camarillo to spend the afternoon with their favorite nephew. I only got pics of him with Wendy, for some reason. Not sure why, because Shelley ("Gogogi" to Jayden) was there, as well.

Anyway, we played with the bubbles Grammy bought and Aunt Wendy brought her Thanksgiving gift for Jayden, which had been languishing at my parents' place in the OC for the past many moons because our car simply didn't have room for it then. It is a flying Tigger airplane. Here, Aunt Wendy is giving Jayden some flight lessons. Where is Ray-Ray when you need him?!

And here is Aunt Wendy and Jayden dressed up in their funeral finery. It was a lovely service and even though Jayden didn't sit through any of it (poor Dave had to run after him around the grounds instead), he did get to see his extended family and myriad of Ginsburg cousins.

Okay, 'nuff said about the trip. I am bummed I don't have more photos, but what can you do? It didn't much lend itself to photo opportunities.

Ultrasound Results...

2007-03-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

Too bad I didn't get the ultrasound on DVD, cuz then I could post images here! Suffice to say, fetus is healthy and very active. Being the nervous motherly type, I kept asking if maybe the constant movement could be attributed to some kind of genetic anomaly? The doctor, whom I know personally, said, "my, we're an anxious mom-to-be!" You would think the second time around it'd be a cakewalk, but I think I won't be able to relax entirely until the little one makes its entrance into the world.

Anyway, he thoughtfully stared at the monitor and I tried not to interrupt his train of thought. I finally blurted, "um, if you see something wrong, you'll say something now, right?" And he said, "absolutely." And then spoke sporadically, pointing out the healthy spine, the normally developing brain, the nasal bones (which are not usually not there on Down's babies) and the perfectly beating heart. Yay!

Oh, and speaking of using gender-neutral pronouns, I'd been told by my OB that it is entirely too early to know the baby's sex (being 12 weeks and all). I asked the ultrasound doctor if he could possibly see and he said, "well, I have been cocky about knowing the gender this early before and have been proven wrong. So long as you don't take it to the bank, I can tell you." And he spun his magic ultrasound wand around, flipped baby's legs open....

...and there, plain as the nose on my face, was the start of a little scrotum and penis. While he may not be 100% accurate all the time, I would think that things wouldn't disappear, you know? Had he said girl, I wouldn't be surprised if something formed before the next ultrasound in May. But I am acting fairly confidently on the notion that it is, in fact, another boy.

May he be as delightful and loving and wonderful as his brother.

Let the naming commence!

Home Again

2007-03-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Pardon the lack of updates on here. We just got back over the weekend from a funeral in Southern California. Jayden's first! He did well, if you consider being removed immediately "well." *sigh* Anyway, Dave had Jayden duty while I stayed close to the family. And while a funeral is not the ideal place to reunite with long-lost family members, I will take what I can get. It was good to see everyone again.

We stayed at Grammy & Ray's in Camarillo and Jayden had a ball. He calls them both "Ray Ray" so far as we can tell. Their home is large enough that Jayden ran throughout the house, getting into everything he could, and it tired him out. Yay! Aunt Shelley & Aunt Wendy drove up from southern California for some quality Jayden time, too, and that was particularly cool (largely because Dave and I got an additional afternoon off from duty!)

We also saw Papa & Oma Oksner for dinner one night. Papa made his famous BBQ Tri-tip and Jayden turned up his pert little nose and said disdainfully, "meat." He has been offered corned beef, chicken and even (*gulp*) bacon since that day and has refused each in turn.

Perhaps PETA has a need for a spokesbaby?

Today, at week 12 of gestation for Baby #2 (oops, there I go again - rolling this baby's milestones into its brother's blog!) I am doing a special newfangled ultrasound. Apparently they can gauge the chances of Down's Syndrome and some other genetic disease by measuring the width of the fetus' neck. Can you imagine? I am just eager to see the lil' ball of cells. I got to hear the heartbeat last week and it was strong and very audible.

That's it for now.

The Girl Next Door

2007-03-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Not that Megan has anything to worry about, but Jayden has made a new friend - an older woman. Our next-door neighbors (those of the cookie-wielding variety who have Jayden's eternal devotion for their sugary treats) are grandparents extraordinaire. And often members of their brood visit from points far-flung (Sacramento to Salt Lake City). This past week was no exception, as their 8 year-old granddaughter Taylor visited for an extended stay.

Jayden adores Taylor.

On the first weekday morning of her visit, we stopped by and invited her to walk to the park with us. She pushed Jayden on the swings, made sandcastles that he demolished, and generally kept him out of trouble. His mommy really dug the extra help, too! She stayed for lunch and then later in the week, after an intense evening of bubble-blowing and airplane throwing in the backyard, she joined us for dinner.

It was good practice to have all four chairs filled at our dinner table. It was fun to have Taylor around to keep Jayden entertained. And we really got a kick out of her, too.

Here is a pic of her playing Jayden's little toy piano. More importantly (the part you can't see) is that she is keeping him busy while I clean up the dishes and otherwise get stuff done.

This whole "Mother's Helper" thing really has merit, you know?

Taylor is back home now with her family, but we look forward to her next visit! [Just don't tell Megan..]

Is it Summer Yet?

2007-03-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

Last week found Kibbe in the hospital having her baby (welcome to the world, Zachary!) and Miriam still in Germany. But with spectacular weather and Jayden's good buddy Ian, we certainly managed to stay busy!

We moms marvel at just how well the boys get along. They have very similar, mellow temperaments. They like similar foods (although in truth, I would really love it if Jayden would adopt more of what Ian eats in his daily repertoire!) And just as importantly, their mommies both get along really well, too. Last week we hung out at Avila Beach and this week we went to Pismo. I marvel at how lucky we are to live here and be able to enjoy the weather and the beaches and just getting outside!

It was adorable to see Jayden offer his snacks to Ian and be extremely concerned when a small wave knocked Ian off his feet. Even though at this age they are still more into "parallel play" (as in, playing near each other more than with each other), I like how Jayden seems compassionate and sensitive and willing to share with his friend.

Of course, Jayden is not yet 2 years old. I guess we'll see what happens when that magical age hits. He continues to amaze and surprise me at every turn, but I am always wary of what's around the bend...

In the meantime, though, we are sure having fun! Can't wait to see where we end up next week!

Hit the water!

2007-03-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so spectacular on the Central Coast that Teacher Jennie decided to start up swimming lessons again. YAY! Today was a "drop-in" class for anyone who could make it. As luck would have it, Jayden and I were the only ones. We got a very private lesson and Jayden had the chance to show off his stuff.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't give me the satisfaction. He has been blowing bubbles in the bathtub, much to my delight, and I was bragging to Jennie that he can do it. But when the opportunity arose today, he turned up his pert little nose and refused. *sigh*

He did, however, take advantage of his favorite pool toys: the little watering can (in the photo at upper left), the little animals that float, and best of all, the floating noodles! He loves the noodles, so Jennie took all of them and let Jayden play. He floated and fanned and generally had a great time. Next week regular classes begin and the other students will probably start showing up. But it was fun to be the first! And I personally think this is a great shot of Teacher Jennie corraling her rambunctious little student.

Jayden was so energized from class that he wanted to drive home. I had my arms loaded with towels, 30 pounds of kid, wet swimming suits, etc., so I set Jayden down on Jennie's driveway, right next to the car to unload my stuff. He immediately climbed into the driver's seat and grabbed the wheel. It struck me how funny it is that he could barely reach the wheel with the seat pushed almost all the way forward (for his short mommy to reach the wheel and pedals). No doubt that someday all too soon, he is going to be uber-tall like his daddy and needing to push the seat all the way back to make room for his long legs and lanky body. But for now, it was fun to see him mimic my driving movements (at one point, he smacked the gearshift thingie just because).

Watch out, other drivers! 14 years will go by in a flash...

Where a Kid Can Be...Disappointed!

2007-02-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday was my morning to watch Jayden while Dave got to catch up on his Zzzzzzs. Seeing as he let me sleep in until 9:30 on Saturday morning (unheard of laziness for this morning person!), I decided to do whatever I could to keep the house quiet on Sunday and return the favor. Since it was drizzly out and I didn't want to do my usual power walk, I decided to finally take Jayden down to Santa Maria and check out the relatively new Chuck E. Cheese's.

For those not in the know, Chuck E. Cheese's is a kid's pizza place, complete with obnoxiously loud characters who sing and dance, lots of video games, and crappy food. I have some great childhood memories from the Garden Grove Chuck E. Cheese's. The place was so fantastical that it currently only exists in my mind - having been razed to the ground to make way for a mega foodstore and other moneymakers in the strip mall where it used to live.

My sister pointed out that perhaps my memories don't quite reflect reality, seeing as I was fairly little when we went to Chuck E. Cheese's and now I am an adult with a whole different perspective. The ENORMOUS rooms of video games may not have been as enormous. The place may not have been the wonderland that I recall. Which would help to explain why I felt so disappointed at the Santa Maria Chuck E. Cheese's experience.

Firstly, Jayden is probably too young. The place is one large room, basically, and the "toddler area" consists of a small slide apparatus and about four car-shaped "rides" that bounce and make noise for a token. Jayden loved climbing on the slide apparatus, but became bored very quickly of the other toddler "rides." But the other stuff was a bit too much for him. And since there wasn't room upon room of games and attractions like I remembered, we didn't last very long.

The animatronic animals I recall from yesteryear were also replaced - by video screens. The MTV fast-moving videos and clips and music are probably more hip to today's ADD generation than the painfully slow puppets I recall. *sigh* That's progress, I guess...

Another interesting item of note: parents now are stopped at the entrance and given a "kid check" - identical handstamps for parent and child that are again checked before they are able to leave. It is probably a smart and necessary safety maneuver to make sure the people who brought the child in are in fact taking them out, but sad in my mind that it is in fact necessary.

The funny part? Jayden's favorite thing about Chuck E. Cheese's was the discarded helium balloon he found in a corner. He played with that more than he played with the video games. Maybe he's on to something...

Do you want fries with that?

2007-02-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

Today was a FUN day. Kibbe is counting down to Thursday, March 1st, when her baby boy (who has yet to be named) will make his entrance into the world. I felt honored that she wanted to spend one of her last "free" days with us. So Jayden and I drove over the Hill to the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero to meet Kibbe & Megan. Jayden had on his Cookie Monster finery and Megan looked equally stunning in her Elmo garb.

Tonight, when recapping our day for Dada, Dave asked us if we saw any elephants at the zoo. Nope, it's not big enough. He made a comment about the gorillas. No gorillas, either, it's not big enough. "What kind of zoo isn't big enough for gorillas??" He asked in surprise.

The Charles Paddock Zoo is really cute. It is so tiny that we could traverse it twice in less than an hour - and that accounts for toddler doddling time. We saw flamingos and turtles and lemurs and porcupines and an emu and a snake and gila monsters and meerkats and a pig and a lonely little tiger. And we fed the sheep. Well, Kibbe, Megan and I fed them. Jayden was too timid.

Basically, most of the animals are in small pens or glass compartments or a little aviary. The pens are grouped in areas with benches and walkways and other landscaping perfect for little feet and hands. While the small pens are kind of sad, the animals aren't much bigger. It is a little zoo. 'Nuff said.

Jayden seemed kind of "out of it" today - lethargic and not altogether himself. We suspect it is either the continued saga of his incisors coming down (and slicing the gum in their wake) or possibly the start of his two year molars making their appearance. Either way, Children's Motrin is our friend! And regardless of what took the zip from his step, the important thing is that he and Megan got along beautifully from minute one. Must have been the lack of territorial issues. Anyway, it worked out very well.

And Jayden perked up considerably when we left the zoo entirely and played at Atascadero Lake Park. They have a really great playground and swings and hilly area to run and frolic. Unfortunately, we had to leave in a jiffy when a groundskeeper at the park was spraying some chemical around the trees, right in the windpath of where we were standing. *sigh* One aspect of being newly pregnant that I don't relish: worrying about the effects of various environmental factors on baby's development.

But there is a silver lining to this cloud: as it was lunchtime, Kibbe suggested that we go get lunch. And therein lies the most exciting part of the day: JAYDEN'S VERY FIRST FAST FOOD EXPERIENCE! We haven't purposely kept him away, we just don't really eat fast food ourselves and thus haven't gone out of our way to give him the experience. (Thank you, Morgan Spurlock).

I chose In-N-Out Burger over McDonald's because food still repels me in virtually any form (gotta love the first trimester!) and In-N-Out offers grilled cheese sandwiches which for some odd reason didn't sound abhorrent to me. So off we went.

I ordered my grilled cheese sandwich and a vanilla milkshake, while Kibbe got a fries and burger and shake. Jayden was fairly nonplussed by the whole experience. I had brought food for him, which he happily ate. He turned his nose up at my grilled cheese sandwich and when I offered him a french fry, he wanted nothing to do with it. What kid doesn't eat french fries? Or burgers? Or pizza?? I am not sure why this is, it just is. I am happy to report that he refused to give me back my vanilla milkshake when I offered him a sip (see him above, drinking from my cup). So he sucked down a good portion of that. And his introduction to the American Way of Eating was complete. Sort of.

More to come!

"Terrible" Twos

2007-02-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

Every child is different. I get that. I am sure that Baby #2 will be different from Jayden in many ways [please Lord let sleep habits not be among them!] But when it comes to the "Terrible Twos," I have only heard of ONE child who is improving with age when it comes to turning two.

Jayden has apparently turned the traditional two a bit early. He has always been mellow and easygoing and happy. That is one thing that people say about him: he is so happy all the time! Bubbly, outgoing, energetic and happy. Very little phased him and I found myself only stymied by his energy levels, not at all by his attitude. Lately, though, four months shy of his second birthday, I am finding myself the mother of a challenging 2 year-old.

Megan came over today. And while this usually has been a cause for celebration, lately the two of them have been difficult together, to say the least. Fighting over toys. Pushing. Whining. Shoving. Despite Jayden ooogling Megan's picture at every meal and at bedtime, when she finally arrived today in the flesh, things weren't picture-perfect. Jayden initially seemed okay to share his toys and play, but she wasn't as eager to play together. So he got mad. Among other acting-out behaviors, he pushed her and ended up throwing his toy at her head. Time-out and removing him from the situation worked, I think, but it was painful getting there.

Later, while at the shoe store, he was kicking and screaming and flailing while I desperately tried to put sandals on his feet- just to see if they fit! I ended up exasperated and frustrated from the new experience of struggling with him. Diaper changes, washing hands and wearing a bib have been sparking similar tirades. He just goes supernova. I am worried that one of these days he will kick and flail and jab his little sibling squarely in my belly. I am sure he won't be the first toddler to do it. But I hope to nip the problem in the bud before we get there.

ARGH.

My mother called me tonight after she got home to find this message from me on their answering machine:

"It does get easier...eventually...right?"

Rocking Jayden's World

2007-02-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Jayden has been obsessed with all things baby of late. Our friends down the street recently had a baby and Jayden often says "BABY!" and points in the general direction of their house. He loves to ooh and aaah over their baby. He even attempted to pilfer a stroller and doll at the park.

So, I bought him his very own baby doll and baby stroller on Friday. The stroller was his favorite toy for at least 48 hours - he would push it all over the house, up and back - until he broke the fabric trying to climb on it. And he seems to like the baby all right. He holds it and cuddles it and carries it and only occasionally drops it on its head, smacks it hard, or stuffs it in a box.

I am glad that Jayden is using his new doll for practice. Hopefully he'll have the whole nurturing thing down by October, when, God willing, a real-life baby sibling will join the baby doll in Jayden's World.

Although we still can't quite wrap our heads around the idea of being up all night with baby and up all day chasing Jayden, we are certainly excited. And maybe this one will be a sleep champion like his or her big brother.

Right now we're still smack in the middle of the first trimester, but time does fly. Before we know it, Jayden's World will be rocked off its axis. And don't even mention Rita. As John Grogan said in "Marley & Me": she will go from top dog to second fiddle to not even in the orchestra.

Meanwhile, we have lots to do to get the house and all its inhabitants ready for Baby #2's arrival. Not the least of which is to figure out how to handle the whole blog situation. As a second child myself, I bristle at the idea that we can just keep this blog and roll Baby #2's milestones into it. But managing two blogs simply isn't gonna happen. Maybe we'll change the whole focus to OKSNER'S WORLD: All Things Oksner, All the Time.

Or not.

Comments and suggestions welcome!

One for the Baby Book...

2007-02-12T04:28:00.000-08:00

Today Jayden said "Rita." He said it once before and my dad got it on film. He hasn't said it since. Now he says "eat-a" or "beet-a" but it is clear to whom he is referring. It is really cute.

Something not so cute at this hour of the morning is his inability to sleep. Allow me to recap:

Dinnertime: Jayden picks at his dinner and eats maybe four bites total. We are trying to have him eat what we're eating, rather than always providing him with special food. Unfortunately, he doesn't like what we're eating. The pediatrician says not to give in, to just set the food out and if he doesn't eat it, then that's fine. Great advice, especially when she doesn't have to get up with him in the middle of the night because he is hungry. [Now you know why macaroni - his favorite food - usually figures into every meal.] She said to give him a bottle of milk when he wakes up in the night.

1:45 a.m.: Jayden wakes up whining. I go in to find his pajamas off and him jumping as high as he can in the crib. He does the sign for "eat." I go get a milk bottle. He drinks it down and I put him back to bed. I retire to bed.

2 a.m.: I am dozing with the monitor to my ear. I hear him making quiet sounds. I hope he goes to sleep.

3 a.m.: A piercing scream for "mama! mama! mama!" I go in to his room to find all his clothes off - including his diaper - and thrown on the floor. And he peed all over the mattress. Change linens, change baby, put soaked linens in wash. Come in from garage to find Dave standing in Jayden's doorway while Jayden screams and jumps and is generally more wired than during the day. I tell Dave to put earplugs in, it's gonna be a long night.

3:30 a.m.: I feed Jayden, finally. He eats cottage cheese, string cheese, apple, blueberries and has more milk. I clean up the kitchen while he plays.

4 a.m.: Jayden is running around the living room, playing with his toys and yelling "mama! mama! mama!" or "dada! dada! dada!" I explain that dada is sleeping, like all Oksners should be doing (although in truth, I think Oma Oksner is up by now ready to face her own day. I should have called over there to say hello..)

4:15 a.m.: Jayden rubs his eyes. I decide enough is enough and put him to bed.

4:25 a.m: I come in to blog while making sure he is finally asleep (going to bed and having to get out again is beyond annoying to me. I'd rather just wait until I know sleep will be uninterrupted).

4:30 a.m.: I am going to bed now. I promised Dave I would wake him when his alarm goes off at 7 a.m. I hope I can go back to sleep then. I think I am going to have a case of the Mondays today.

Beaches

2007-02-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

We recently spent an afternoon at the Pismo Beach Butterfly Preserve with the San Luis Obispo Parent Participation program. Basically, Kibbe and Miriam (e.g. Megan and Jean-Luc) are in a class together and we tagged along since the field trip was happening so close to our house.

The kids couldn't care less about the butterflies - Jayden and Jean-Luc played tag and raced along the paths as fast as they could, barely missing the delicate little monarchs that fluttered all around their clumsy lil' toes. Afterwards, we all trekked to the beach. It was a lot of fun. Jayden ended up playfully hugging and competing with a little boy for Megan's affections (I've no idea who that kid was, so I don't imagine that he poses a threat) and digging in the muddy sand along the waterline. As long as he had his super Cookie Monster sweatshirt, he figured it would protect him from any harm.

Afterwards, Megan came over to our house and played and we all had lunch. Even though Megan and her family moved to what seems like the other end of the Earth (Templeton, to be exact), we are really doing pretty well about keeping in touch. We talk just about everyday and get together at least once a week. It has been so nice to stay in touch. If Jayden and Megan are going to get married (Kibbe and I are already picking out the location and china pattern), then they need to stay in touch!

And I just got a call today from Hunter Wooldridge's mommy. It seems they are moving practically across the street next month. It can't hurt to have additional babysitters - er, I mean friends - nearby! :-)

Entertainment, AG Style

2007-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

It is a fowl world out there, and we have taken full advantage.

Here in Small Town, U.S.A., we don't need any fancy-pants forms of entertainment like they have in big ol' honkatooty cities. Awhile back, people started dropping their roosters and chickens on the main strip of Arroyo Grande and the population has, well, taken roost ever since. CNN even picked up the story awhile back.

Dave even told me that he was late to work one day because traffic was stopped in both directions on the two-lane road while the chickens crossed the road.

The "cock a doodle doos!" echo all over the Village all day long. This is a total delight for the toddler set. Since Jayden has come down with a cold and playdates are pretty much not happening, we simply set out each day in our preferred mode of transportation (either the little red car or stroller, depending upon who wins that day's battle) and visit the "bock bocks" downtown. We will come upon a large grouping and just sit and watch while Jayden points and says "BOCK BOCK!" a few times, just to let the birds know that he sees them. Jayden still insists that they are all chickens, even though mom thinks that they are mostly roosters (and often can't tell the difference, anyway).

And did you know that roosters can fly? We often see them perched on branches high up in the trees. What a cool way to have free entertainment each day, so close to home. We often come across other moms and strollers along the way. I guess we're not the only ones with this idea...

I love living in Small Town, U.S.A.

Whipper Snapper

2007-02-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

Jayden got a haircut recently. His first haircut back in November involved four people and a very patient barber. This time, I thought I would be smart and go to a specialty place for kids' haircuts. I shlepped all the way to Orcutt, south of Santa Maria, because I had heard such phenomenal raves about this children's haircutting place, truly an Eden for children's haircuts.

Can you say "sucker"?

Perhaps older kids, ones who understand the concept of a haircut, can greatly appreciate going to a place like this one. A place with chairs shaped like airplanes and cars; a place with DVD players and toys galore; a place with balloons and lollipops and Lord-knows-all what else.

My son, however, wanted no part of it. It seemed like a good idea when he pretended to fly his little airplane chair. He even embraced the little white cape. But as soon as the totally, completely incompetent "hairdresser" approached him with scissors, he lost his mind. Completely. The whole experience was miserable and traumatic. When I called later to complain to the manager because I was completely shocked at just how bad the hairstylist was, the manager said that the woman was their best stylist and had been "intimidated" by me and that she was "morally opposed" to cutting the hair of a child screaming like that. Even though when I had asked her to stop the haircut midway, she insisted on finishing to "even it out."

*sigh*

The best laid plans and all that...

So, Jayden's hair looks pretty darned bad, in my opinion. Like a blind drunk came at him with a razor. With bald patches and uneven bangs...the works!

I learned my lesson: no more haircuts unless I have reinforcements and we are at a competent barbers. And maybe, just maybe, someday when they hire a competent hairdresser we will go back to Whipper Snippers. Until then, my little Samson can let his hair grow freely...

A Case of the Mondays

2007-02-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

Jayden woke up sick this morning. Most likely he caught the coughy cold from his best friend, Jean-Luc. I decided some fresh air would do us all some good, so I planned a trip to the post office and dry cleaners, both in downtown AG. I had the best of intentions. We saw the "Cock-A-Doodles" downtown (the main strip of AG is overrun with roosters), meandered near the creek, and passed by a favorite park in the course of our errands.

And Rita managed to throw up and have diarrhea before I made it home. :-(

I am not sure what has affected the dog so badly. We went into the backyard as soon as we got home and I saw a good chunk of our nearly-new lawn torn to pieces in what was likely hot pursuit of a gopher. Maybe she caught it and it gave her some heinous disease? Maybe she is just totally over her herring-and-sweet potato dog food? Maybe it is a desperate cry for attention?

Well, anyway, it has been a day of ill Oksner children and one very tired mommy and daddy.

Downward Facing Dog

2007-01-31T20:12:00.000-08:00

So, the other night when Jayden and I sat down to dinner (dada was at the gym), Rita came through the kitchen as usual and plopped down in her spot right at the kitchen's edge. Usually I have to "remind" her by saying sternly, "Rita, DOWN!" that she doesn't belong IN the kitchen while we're eating.

Well, in this particular situation, Rita did as she was supposed to without being reminded. But that didn't stop Jayden from looking at her haughtily from his booster seat perch at the table and yelling, "DOWN!!!!!!!" as if she were floating on the ceiling. She was already down, but I had to chuckle at how serious he was. He is at this point learning and repeating a word a day. Clearly "DOWN!" was the word of that day.

That poor dog.

Likes...

2007-01-24T23:33:00.000-08:00

Since recovering from the stomach flu, Jayden has been growing like gangbusters. He eats about every hour, but just a nibble and usually he will only eat Trader Joe's blueberry cereal bars, bananas, apples, cookies (any cracker that I can convincibly pass off as cookie) or yogurt. Picky kid. Wonder where he gets it??

Words are also advancing rapidly, it seems. Today was "glove" and "elephant." He has certain phrases like "baa baa" that we eventually identify (in this case, "cereal") or "bluh" (blueberries). Animals are still identified by sound: cats are "meows," chickens are "bock bock," and ducks are "quack quacks." It seems that specific words are generally more forthcoming these days. And it never, ever ceases to amaze me when a new one busts out.

His ultimate like seems to be cookies in any form. If he is hungry, he does the sign for "eat" and then says "Cookie" regardless of what we are having. The kid is obsessed (hm, wonder where he gets that?) His Great-Grammy bought him a Cookie Monster sweatshirt and a sweatsuit with Cookie, Grover and Elmo on it. Damn if that bright blue Cookie sweatshirt isn't the only thing he wants on his person morning, noon and night. Every morning when I ask what he wants to wear, it's COOKIE! I can convince him to wear the sweatsuit if I point out that Cookie Monster is on it. I bought another one off eBay so that I don't have to launder quite so often. First this, next Abercrombie and Fitch. What is a mother to do? *sigh*

And last, but certainly not least: sandbox and racing toys. Hmmm...I won't even ponder...

He is a ball of energy and stubbornness and excitement and sensitivity and joy. He is the perfect blend of both his parents. Now if we could just keep on this really cool trajectory of growth but somehow skip the challenges of the "Terrible Twos," we'd be set...

Busy January...

2007-01-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the plague seems to have lifted (yay health!) and we have wasted no time jumping back into the swing of things. Dave has gone back to work and Jayden and I have been going on frequent but monitored playdates to provide fun and socialization without (hopefully!) too many unwanted germs. When things were still kinda iffy, we wandered over to Nana's to harass her and her clock. That was a nice break.

Once the germies were totally gone, we went to the Okadas' place. Jayden and Ian get along so well, it is amazing (Ian's mom Sarah is pretty darned cool, too, so the mommies like these playdates as much as the boys do!) Jayden has seen Megan twice, and we've done park walks and house (horse?) play with Jean-Luc and his mommy. All in all, the weather and the baby have been cooperative and it has been a wonderful week. The rest of the month stank, but this week has been great!

Today we went to the special Wednesday music program at Boo Boo Records in SLO. It is a free hour of singing, dancing, and other movement-type stuff. It was too crowded and noisy for us, though, so we wandered around downtown SLO and then met up with Kibbe, Megan, Miriam, Jean-Luc, Rashmi, Gunnika, Becky and her daughters at a pizza joint for a yummy lunch. Jayden can now drink with a straw, so he is angling to get mommy's beverage whenever he can. I rarely drink soda, but my lunch came with one today, so I gave Jayden a full cup of ice water (with lid!) and straw, while I put the soda in his water cup and made that mine (hey, smaller portions for me but still decadent!) It was the only way to keep it from spilling and keep him from screaming.

I am really digging our new Kodak C743 camera. It is small, easy to use, "smart" and fun. Hopefully I can keep snapping pics as they happen. It is SO HARD to capture those kids because they never sit still!

Tomorrow we head to Whipper Snippers, a kiddie haircut place fairly close by. I am told they have specialty chairs equipped with DVD players. This I gotta see. Then Friday we are going on a field trip with Miriam and Kibbe's Parent Participation class. I hope to get some good photos of that and our picnic on the beach afterwards. Hope for good weather!

To see more photos of our January thus far, Click Here. Comments, as always, welcome!

Our Claim to AG Fame

2007-01-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

Jayden and I love to frequent Trader Joe's. The stuff there is pretty inexpensive, all things considered, and you can get so many varied things that are usually pretty healthy. Plus, Jayden gets a balloon whenever we go in! And snackie stuff! What's not to like?

My mommy friends call me The Queen of Trader Joe's. So, being the shy and retiring type, I asked a cashier what it takes to become "Customer of the Month," a photo and profile posted monthly on the wall. "Do you want to do it?" she asked. I had planned to write letters, lobby, speak, whatever it took. She just took my name down, asked me some questions, and took our photo. I don't know how long it'll be up on the wall, since it has been almost a month now. But from Jayden's swim instructor to random mommies on the online community I frequent, I have gotten more comments about our photo than anything in recent memory.

We're famous!

Thanks Again, Britney Spears!

2007-01-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

Since the Oksners are still down with the nasty bug (our house may have to be doused in bleach from roof to foundations to kill all the germs), we have no new photos to upload.

But I did want to emphasize that Jayden is a far more popular name than we'd ever imagined. When my parents visited us in the hospital the day we had Jayden, my dad marveled that he had never heard the name before in his life and suddenly in one day he heard it twice (someone in the hospital had the same name, spelled Jaidyn, apparently).

Anyway, The Tribune newspaper in San Luis Obispo wasn't about to let a trend like this get away! So Sunday's features section (my old haunting ground) published a story. I include an excerpt:

Users of Babynames.com picked Aiden as 2006’s most popular male name. The similar-sounding Jaden, also spelled Jayden and Jaiden, is shared by the sons of pop star Britney Spears and "The Pursuit of Happyness" actor Will Smith.

Paso Robles residents Jacob and Dawn Beckett chose another variation, Braydon, for their 6-month-old son. Before naming the boy, the only Braydon they knew of was a professional surfer.

"It’s such an easy, natural name. It seems to roll off the tongue," said Jacob Beckett, a sales representative at Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles. "I think in the next couple years it’s going to become really popular."

He’s got reason to think so.

After his birth, Braydon Johnathan Russell Beckett and his mom occupied a bed vacated by another baby Braydon, staff at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton told the family.

The author failed to mention Jaden, son of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. The story could have delved further into the science of baby naming. For instance, Laura Wattenberg, the woman who gave us the idea for our son's name, has a blog to analyze the process. I shudder to think about what other random things are out there in the blogosphere.

Oh, and another glaring omission in the story: perhaps not the most famous, but certainly the most darling, sweet and amazing little boy I know, Jayden Oksner.

Jayden and his Woman

2007-01-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

On that fateful Tuesday this week when I desperately tried to get Jayden new shoes but ended up eventually getting him sick (at least, I think that is when it happened), we actually had a really fun afternoon. We met Megan and her mommy and Gunnika and her mommy at a park in downtown San Luis Obispo. We all walked (or in the case of the other two, very pregnant, mommies - waddled) over to the shoestore, then to a pizza joint for a yummy and cheap lunch out.

At the end of the excursion, Megan conked out in the stroller and Jayden and Gunnika had fun running in the park, taking and posing for pics, and trying to rouse Megan from dreamland.

According to Megan's mommy, Megan does in fact read this blog frequently. She likes to look around at the pics, shout "JAY!" numerous times at the screen, and otherwise check out what's going on in her man's life. [Or, in the case of this post, make sure he isn't cavorting too often with other little girls].

See the look of concern on his face in this photo, Megan? Not to worry...Jayden still thinks you're #1.

But meanwhile, even Megan would have to admit that this is an adorable photo of Gunnika:

I have a few invites from his little guy pals to get together for a playdate. But I assume that all involved would prefer that the Oksners be back to robust health before that happens. So, here's to crossing our fingers that the flu is short-lived!

New Pics

2007-01-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

I added some visuals to the entry about our visit to Splash Cafe and Jayden attempting to drink from an adult cup. Check it out!

And now maybe Aunt Shelley won't have to nag me to upload them...

Hanukkah Revisited

2007-01-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

While trying to clean out the ol' camera card, I found some cute photos from Hanukkah. Yes, I still have photos from all the December holidays, but I got a bit overwhelmed and haven't had time to edit, upload, etc. So these I am putting up here unedited.

We were down in The OC for Hanukkah and Jayden spent time with his Ginsburg Grandparents, his Aunties, and Baby Einstein's Things That Go: Riding, Soaring and Sailing. It is his all-time favorite DVD (well, for the time being). He has watched it more often than Baby Van Gogh's World of Colors, which was a daily favorite for a looong time. I've no idea where we would be without those Baby Einstein DVDs, but I can assure you it would not be nearly as pleasant. Especially with baby feeling so sick, I have watched Baby Neptune, Things that Go, and even Baby MacDonald more times over these past few days than I would care to admit!

But back to Hanukkah: Jayden also brought one of his current favorite books, "Old MacDonald." It is an adorable illustrated romp through Old MacDonald's farm and Jayden loves saying "quack quack" or "bock bock" when the song demands it. We are working on our moos and neighs currently. Here on the right is a pic Grandpa Ginsburg going through the farm sounds with Junior.

Before we left for The OC, we had a little Hanukkah with Nana and our place. Jayden got a crawl-through tent set that even I can fit through!

Not for the Faint of Heart

2007-01-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Parenting is a daredevil, "Fear Factor" kind of job. Take yesterday, for example. Getting vomited on twice, followed by mopping up copious quantities of diaper diarrhea, is not for the faint of heart. Today since Jayden was feeling somewhat better, but not well enough to go anywhere, we wandered over to Nana's. [Have I mentioned how much it rocks to have family close enough that we can wander over for an hour?] And then she had the good fortune to clean up some of the same. That off-white carpet probably wasn't the best idea, after all...

Yes, Jayden caught the flu going around. My best guess is that I didn't clean his hands quickly enough after he played with the [*shudder*] communal toys at the shoe store. So we have no shoes and a sick kid to show for the outing. *sigh*

Taking a Poll

2007-01-08T19:24:00.000-08:00

Inquiring minds want to know:

When do you think Jayden will take the leap out of his crib?

At 18 (almost 19!) months now, he has a penchant for climbing on anything he can and he can get himself out of his Pack N Play when the mood strikes. He hasn't done it in a month or so, simply because he hasn't felt like it, I suppose. When I put him in the Pack N Play against his will, he often cries and reaches for me rather than hightailing it out of there.

But just yesterday, when I put him down for a nap he didn't want to take, I saw his little leg settle on top of the crib rail before he decided it was too far of a drop and the leg came back down by his side.

We know it is only a matter of time. That any day now, the little guy will suddenly appear out of his room when we least expect him.

Thoughts? Click on comments below and tell me when you think he'll take the plunge?

Well Baby

2007-01-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

Today was Jayden's 18 month check-up at the doctor. We walked into the room and he immediately did the baby sign for "I want" and pointed to the door. Repeatedly. Trying to distract him somewhat, I kept saying, "that is the DOOR. You want to go out the DOOR." So he looked at me, did the "I want" sign and clearly said "door." Is that not genius?

We didn't leave right then, of course. The assistant did the usual measurements: Jayden clocked in at 34 inches, 90th percentile for height (yeah, like that happens in my side of the family); and 70th percentile for weight at 26.7 pounds. He was amazingly subdued through the whole ordeal. He stood on the scale, looking at the numbers (every other time he has screamed and clawed at me to be picked up) and generally just hung out in the room during my conversation with Dr. Teaford. Of course, perhaps the fact that Nana was there letting him play with her keys helped. Immensely. In fact, I don't think I have had that prolonged a conversation with the doctor, like, ever. Normally he is wailing and crying and losing his mind. [He can say "Nana" now, too, by the way, and I got confused at dinner last night when he kept saying "'nana," "'nana" over and over. I finally bought a clue and determined that he really wanted a banana. But I digress...]

He is healthy [KNOCK WOOD] and developing just fine. Dr. Teaford fired off questions about what milestones he (should have) reached: At least a dozen vocabulary words? Check. Able to climb stairs? Check. Able to use a spoon? [He can get it from food to mouth, even if it is upside-down for much of the time. Close enough.] Check. Able to stack objects? Check. Able to run? Yeah, like triple-check. Able to use a drinking cup himself? *pause* Hmmm....now, we still use sippy cups or I hold my glass up to his mouth. I've no idea. Something to explore more later...

At the end of the appointment, I bit the bullet and had them give him a vaccination for MMR (Measels/Mumps/Rubella). The vaccine is controversial and I had been very concerned about giving it, but since he has a clean bill of health and a mommy recently told me while at Trader Joe's that her daughter sitting in the shopping cart had measles right then, I decided it high time to protect the lil' bugger. So now he is pretty much up to date on his shots.

After the tears were shed and the nifty blue Band-Aid applied, I decided to take Jayden out for some fun. We went to the beach. It was a spectacular day and he had a blast running out to the water and back again. He let me put sunglasses on him. He ate some crackers. He played in the sand. Then I took him to Splash Cafe for lunch. We don't really eat out, so it was a big deal. He was so good. He sat quietly, wide-eyed, in the high chair, looking around at all the murals on the walls and hustle and bustle about him. I had brought apple pieces and crackers and ordered a grilled cheese sandwich for him and some world-famous clam chowder for me. He refused to touch any of it. He nibbled on the apple and though he motioned for a bite of chowder, he got really upset when it touched his lips. Great. So being the self-sacrificing mother I am, I ate his sandwich and the clam chowder.

And have had a stomachache ever since.

But back to the scene at hand: Jayden asked for "wawa" (water), so I got some ice and water in a take-out cup and gave it to him to see if he did indeed have that skill. Like an expert, he took it in both hands, put it in the general vicinty of his mouth, and tipped it. Ice cold water got all over his chin, his shirt, and his lap - and some in his mouth! He was so proud. As was I. Then he proceeded to pull out the ice, piece by piece, and eat them. It was so funny.

So, can he drink from a cup by himself?

I'd say check.

A successful day all-around...

New Stuff to See...

2007-01-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I give up. I just spent the past hour downloading a program that will let me convert .mov files to .mpg files so that Jayden's beloved readership can view some really nifty videos that Aunt Shelley took over New Year's Eve. But somehow it didn't work out quite right and now the videos appear somewhat wonky.

Give it a shot yourself: wander on over to Jayden's Photo Page and click around on the latest links. Tell me what you found and if you have any suggestions for how I can fix it. And anyone who happens to know how to set the parameters on a Kodak EasyShare C743 camera so that it defaults to .mpg files, PLEASE clue me in! [Otherwise I have to RTFM].

For those who would rather see good old-fashioned still pics, those are there, too. And to explain some of them: the first one is of Aunt Shelley in a Bentley at a Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles event. [That didn't happen over New Year's, but I thought it was a really good pic].

Then we have Jayden and his Mommy playing with his new-to-us turtle sandbox. He loves that thing! We picked it up at a sweet garage sale for a fraction of the cost new. We also snagged a Little Tikes picnic bench. Jayden will rush outside, climb up on the little bench seat, and pat the table as if to say, "Oh, Mother! I am ready for a beverage now!" Then he'll wander over, pull the turtle shell lid off the sandbox and start digging! This summer is going to ROCK in our backyard. . .

Then we have photos of Jayden and Megan playing on New Year's Eve. Jayden's Nana got him an "Interactive Maze Craze" for Hanukkah that includes two huge crawling tunnels that connect to a teepee and dome tent. So we set them up for the kiddies to play into, on, and around. They are so huge, even Mama can fit inside!

Speaking of Hanukkah, I have been remiss on updating holiday photos. But after spending an hour on this stuff, I gotta get something else done around here...

Stay tuned!

[Not so] Happy New Year!

2007-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

I have officially decided that New Year's is not for me. Last year around this time, I got a severe headache that landed me in an MRI machine and ended up with my hypothyroid diagnosis. This year, I got The Flu [Note the caps - it was THAT bad] on New Year's Eve and spent January 1st literally on the bathroom floor. I didn't see my baby for the whole day, but luckily (for us, anyway!) Aunt Shelley was here and took care of Jayden all day while Dave took care of me. The Flu is finally over, but I have a sprained neck muscle that has been misery personified.

As Dave said, "well, so far 2007 sucks!"

May it only get better...

As for Jayden, he seems to be doing okay (knock on wood) and has spent lots of time with Aunt Shelley (who went home yesterday) and with his best friend Jean-Luc while I have been recuperating. Today I noticed that he is much thinner than usual and he does look a smidge taller. We have been VERY bad about keeping up with his measurements, so I don't know how much he grew since the last time we checked. But we weighed him today at 28 pounds and his height is 34 1/4". Dunno what percentile that is, but we'll know when we go in for his 18 month well visit at 19 months (the pediatrician is further behind than we are!)

Stay well.

Jayden & Megan Sitting in a Tree...

2006-12-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

Before I tackle the mountains of photos from the holidays, I thought I would upload the pics Kibbe took from our spontaneous playdate in early December.

I called her from SLO while doing a last-minute errand, not expecting to see her in a million years on such short notice. But she was already in SLO! So we met at Costco, had lunch, and went to a park nearby. The kids had a ball. And I have to say that we mommies enjoyed ourselves, too...

Since SLO is approximately halfway for both of us, we figure more park dates are in our futures. But first I have to shake this nasty cold.

And while I am on the subject of Megan, a cute little anecdote to share:

Our mantel is lined with holiday cards we received from family and friends. Yesterday, Jayden climbed on the couch, scanned them all, then frantically began pointing and whining. I picked him up and carried him over to where he was pointing, and he grabbed straight at the Rubin family holiday card. He held that photo as tenderly as an 18 month-old is capable of doing, grinning like crazy at little Megan's smiling visage.

As of this morning, he was still carrying it around with him wherever he went. It is looking a bit worse for wear, but nothing can deter him from being close to little Megan. The pic will have to suffice for the time being...

Here is a pic of Jayden going solo down the slide. Don't you love the whole "biting his lip in concentration" thing? The kid is wise beyond his years...

Sigh of Relief

2006-12-28T06:33:00.000-08:00

The December holidays are OVER! I would say we survived relatively unscathed, but since I am in the throes of a nasty cold, that wouldn't be entirely true. I have a CD of no less than a million photos (okay, perhaps that is a SLIGHT exaggeration!), a pile of thank you notes that need to be written, one cheesed off dog who still hasn't forgiven us for "abandoning" her for a long time, and a little man requiring buckets of time.

So that's my excuse for the lack of updates and I am sticking to it!

I have photos from before, during and after the holidays to upload and link in.

Patience, dear readers!

Belated Updates....

2006-12-24T18:31:00.000-08:00

It has been far too long since I have updated Jayden's devoted readership as to his doings. We are right now at Great-Grammy and Great-Ray's house in Camarillo, where Jayden has been breaking bread at the big people's table with the adults. His special toddler utensils weren't cutting it, so to speak - the rounded fork tines were only eliciting frustration whenever he would try to spear, well, anything - so Great-Grammy gave him his very own, miniaturized fork with real tines. As soon as he is convinced that it only should be used for food and not, for example as a hairbrush, we'll be in good shape!

The photo was edited using Microsoft Picture It! which Grammy has but I don't, so don't get used to such cutesy image-making...

Let's see...obviously a lot has happened in two weeks and we have lots more photos to upload. But it's not gonna happen 'til we get home. Then Aunt Shelley will be visiting long enough to watch Junior so that I can get important things like blogging done. [Tee Hee]

Patience, dear Readers, patience!!!

See you soon,
Jayden's Mommy

Giving Thanks in the 'nard

2006-12-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

I realized (with the help of some Astute Readers) that I never posted pics from the Oksner/Cannon Thanksgiving in the 'nard! (Well, Camarillo to be exact, but I just love saying "the 'nard"). By the end of the week, we were pretty spent, so we handed Jayden off to his Oksner grandparents. We turned off the baby monitor and gave the grandparents instructions to get Jayden in the morning. So they did. For like an hour while we just slept in.

Click here for a few more pics.

That's the jist of our Thanksgiving Celebrations '06.

Now on to the December holidays...

Hangin' with the Boys

2006-12-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

Today we had a playdate with Jayden's "twin," Aidan, and their friend Ian. Aidan is 9 hours older than Jayden and they were roommates in the hospital. His mom, Cheryl, and Ian's mom, Sarah, were all in Lamaze class with me and Dave. We have all kept in touch and since the boys are so close in age and temperaments, we thought we'd get together. We had LOTS of fun. The boys took turns torturing Rita, reading truck books, and playing with various toy cars. No, I sense no pattern here, either. Here is a photo of (l to r): Aidan, Ian, and Jayden:

In other news, our dear friends down the street are currently in the hospital in SLO, one month ahead of their baby's due date, with the mommy being induced due to some serious pregnancy complications. We have them in our thoughts and Dave is with them right now at the hospital.

Eeep.

Holiday Card?

2006-12-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

We aren't sending out holiday cards this year. Time just flew by me, and while I normally get it all set up in October or November, this year it seems I didn't plan far enough in advance. We have plenty of photos of the three humans in our immediate family, but that isn't a true family portrait, now, is it? We need our four-legged fur child, Rita, to make it a complete picture.

Last night while hanging out for a FABULOUS dinner at the swanky new Rubin pad in Templeton, we took family portraits of one another. The one at right came out pretty well. But alas, no Rita!

So for those who have been keeping track of our lives via this blog, you really don't need a card! Might I wish you a Happy Holidays from our family to yours? There, done.

I even saved $ on stamps!

A shout-out of thanks to Megan and her mommy & daddy for a fun evening. As always. See you guys on Friday for another big date night!

Only in California...

2006-12-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

...could we be swimming in a warm December! Class ends this week, unfortunately, as we have been enjoying just phenomenal weather. Really warm and comfy inside the pool and out. We are going to be taking a few months off as the weather gets cooler and wetter, but boy am I going to miss it!

We populated the class with a group of friends from our mom's group.The photo at right is Miriam, Jean-Francois, Jean-Luc, Jayden and me. Each week, we had like a semi-private lesson since only a few people would show up at a time. And Jennie's pool is not to be believed! 93 degrees, big and comfortable and with a canopy that shields the wind! Amazing.

Hopefully Jayden will be just as comfortable with the water when we start up again in March. I joke with the instructor that we have Olympic hopes for the kid, but truthfully he just really enjoys the pool and seems to have a knack for moving in the water.

Here is a photo at left of me and Jayden goofing around in the water. We play games and practice certain skills. He is great at being dunked under water, at plopping into the pool from the side walls, and at balancing by himself on a bench step that isn't too deep for him to stand on.

Fun fun fun!!

Fare Thee Well!

2006-12-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Megan and her mommy, daddy and soon-to-be brother have moved away. Only to Templeton, really, but it feels like the other end of the world. (The Cuesta Grade provides a mental block as much as a physical divide between North and South SLO County).

We spent the day before their move playing at the park, testing out the family's new double stroller, and having one last lunch date. We are going to visit the new digs tonight for dinner, but with an hour-plus travel to get there and back, I am afraid there won't be nearly as many playdates as before. *sigh*

Anyway, here is a pic of their "limo" ride to the park and back.

We miss you guys already!!

Kneeding No Help

2006-11-30T22:55:00.000-08:00

Jayden doesn't seem to need much help in getting words out these days. My mom promised that he should be talking by December and she wasn't kidding - it seems that he says at least two new words each day!

Today was "cookie" (see post below) and "knee." He pointed to those fat little knobs in the middle of his legs and very clearly said "KNEE!"

And I slapped mine with excitement.

One Smart Cookie

2006-11-30T22:49:00.000-08:00

Jayden comes from a long line of sweet-toothed relatives. I even have a "fat tooth" that longs for chocolate on top of the sweet siren song of other sugary goodies.

So it should surprise no one that Jayden busted out with a new word today. And that word, my friends, was "cookies."

Our next-door neighbors, of the grandparently variety, have taken to offering Jayden and Rita cookies whenever they are in the backyard. It has gotten so that Jayden waddles over to the fence between us and the Cookie People next-door and knocks on the wooden beams in anticipation as soon as he gets outside.

Well today we were taking a leisurely walk and ended up out in front of the Cookie Man's house. Jayden pointed and said very clearly, "cookie!"

This has translated into other uses, such as reading a book featuring Cookie Monster. Jayden can now point to the cookies and loudly - and happily - identify them to anyone who will listen.

Yes, I am sure he will be able to say "quinoa" next. Right.

Thanksgiving in The OC

2006-11-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last week was a whirlwind. We drove more than 300 miles down to La Jolla/San Diego and back, with plenty of stops in-between. Jayden, while crazy from the stimulation and attention, seemed to thrive on the change in environment. Such as the deck at Aunt Wendy's pad:

There are more photos from the trip. Oh, boy are there photos! We have photos from San Diego, Orange County, Camarillo and Oxnard. HUNDREDS of photos, in fact. I stayed up way too late tonight editing and uploading the first batch, which took us to [*gulp*] WEDNESDAY of last week. So we still have the Oksner half of the week to edit and upload.

Meanwhile, enjoy the pics from Jayden's photo page of our Orange County/San Diego adventures.

And let us catch our breath while we see what Jayden is up to next...

ELMOPALOOZA!

2006-11-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

While I am sorting through photos, check out what Jayden's Aunt Shelley has been up to:

That is the one and only REAL LIVE Elmo on her shoulder. She met him at a Make-A-Wish Foundation event in L.A. Pretty cool, huh?

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

2006-11-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

Well, once again we arrived at Home Sweet Home! We have hundreds of photos to edit and upload and lots of blogging to do to keep Jayden's fanbase updated. Key notes for this Thanksgiving week:

Jayden got a haircut! He went with my dad to an old-fashioned barbershop and got a professional looking 'do. And yes, he screamed as if being murdered the entire time.

Jayden got to hang out with family up the wazoo! First it was Grandma & Grandpa Ginsburg, then Aunt Shelley & Aunt Wendy, then his Ginsburg Great-Grandparents, then on to Grandma & Grandpa Oksner's place, and then finally to his Cannon Great-Grandparents. He saw koi fish and rambunctious labrador retrievers and got a snuggly teddy bear. He stayed up way too late, got everyone up way too early, and generally had a grand ol' time.

Now we have to recover before doing this again in December...

More pics soon!

Road Trip!

2006-11-22T20:20:00.000-08:00

My little sis has a sweet pad! She has raved about it since moving in more than a year ago, but like most things in life, it has to be seen to be believed.

She is in a condo overlooking the ocean in La Jolla. Similar places in her neighborhood have sky-high mortgages - like, unattainable for the bulk of us - and she and her roommate somehow swung a not-to-be-believed deal on the rent.

The view from the balcony alone makes the place priceless.

But of course for entertainment value, they added an air hockey table and lots of beautiful decor. PARTY! So my old man rented a minivan and the fam trooped down the 405. It was a blast. And Junior did pretty well. Of course, you would too if you showed up at a place overlooking the ocean and were feted with countless presents, food, and attention every waking moment.

My "little baby sister" (she is 27) put out a spread of food, gifts for baby, and general enthusiasm to make the shlep from The OC to La Jolla worth our while.

And did I mention the view?

We all sat on the "Lanai" as I like to call it and watched the sunset while sipping red wine. It was hard to break away at the end of the night. I told her that perhaps I would come back solo sometime, maybe when Dave hangs out with his friend.

And leave it to mom to remind me that we have a baby who needs tending.

Oh, yeah. Right.

Well, then we will always have the memories of a fun day. And the photos!

Escape Clause

2006-11-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Well, it happened. At 17 months and some days, the event for which we have been waiting with breathless anticipation (dread?) happened. I put Jayden in his Pack N Play in the living room and went to the kitchen to do dishes. And moments later, I heard the soft padding of feet on the linoleum as Jayden wandered in, acting as if nothing earth-shattering had just happened.

Oh, but it had, dear readers, it had. And nothing shall ever be the same...

I had him re-create the crime later that day and it seems that Officer Bear, he who has been entrusted to uphold the law, acted as an accomplice of sorts. Jayden propped Officer Bear against the side of the Pack N Play, then placed a small boxed toy near our favorite cop. And climbed on them both to land softly on the couch, against which the Pack N Play was pushed. He even climbed back IN to the Pack N Play to demonstrate how adept he has become at the maneuver.

Could the crib be next?

Well, we are trying to prevent that at all costs. I now put the Pack N Play in the center of the living room, away from the couch. He hasn't tried to escape again. But just in case, I removed all objects save my old nursing pillows from the general crib vicinity. If he is going to fall, at least he should have a soft landing.

Meanwhile, Rita has taken to being in Jayden's room while he falls asleep. We offer her to leave when we do, post-bottle, post-sleepy baby, but she steadfastly refuses. Dunno why. Maybe she knows he's gonna jump and wants to be that soft landing pad?

We all know it is just a matter of time.

More Swim Pics

2006-11-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

Since the weather is still so warm, I thought it a fine time to link to the swim slideshow of photos that Dave took with our friend Kathey's camera at a recent swim lesson:

Click to see swim photos

Not sure if this'll work, so lemme know if it doesn't.

I LOVE MY NEW PANTRY!

2006-11-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

When it comes to hobbies such as woodworking, some people fiddle around for fun, whittling twigs into bird shapes or attempting to fashion something recognizable out of a log. Some are talented enough to fashion furniture or other useable objects - often when there is a kit or other do-it-yourself aid involved. I gave up after seventh grade woodshop, when my flying bird was so lopsided that it looked permanently disabled.

My father-in-law, however, has a gift.

He is one of the most talented woodworkers I have seen. He made us matching end tables for our wedding and we were blown away by the craftsmanship. They are sturdy, attractive, and clearly of astounding quality. They sit on either side of our bed, reminding us nightly of his skill and abilities. So his talents are no surprise to us: we watched him turn wood pieces into dizzily spinning tops during the Ventura County Fair. We have breathed in the sawdust of his home workshop and oohed and aahed over the furniture and carvings he has produced.

But with this, his pièce de résistance, he has topped it all.

My father-in-law built us a pantry. Not just any pantry, but a custom-made, jaw-droppingly beautiful pantry that has the most spectacular drawers, the most roomy storage area, and the most amazing craftsmanship. If we ever move, we are taking this one with us!

Visit Jayden's Photo Page to see for yourself. And be sure to come by and visit sometime - we have room in our kitchen now to actually cook!

HEAT WAVE!

2006-11-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

Editor's Note: I am not sure what happened, but I did a full entry using Picasa and it seemed to have evaporated into cyberspace. If there are two of the same entries on here, then that would be why...

We love living in California! Despite exorbitant housing costs, earthquakes, and the general cost of living, we think there is no better place to live on Earth. And while some may argue that global warming isn't anything to enjoy, Jayden sure took advantage of the recent heatwave. We spent a day playing and picnicking at Avila Beach park with Megan, Gunnika and their mommies. I updated Jayden's photo page with more pics of the afternoon.

Later in the week, with the sun still baking, Jayden got out the hose and pointed it at his water table. I bought the table on a whim when I saw it in a Toys R Us ad in May. I rationalized it would make a fun birthday present. Man, what a smart buy! Jayden loves it! All we have to do is fill it with hose water, get out some cups and toys, and voila! He can stand around the edges and scoop and drip and splash all he likes.

Except he decided that he would rather have a wading pool and climbed in recently, shoes and all. He was a dripping mess. But he had a ball! The next-door neighbors had their 8 year-old granddaughter, Taylor, visiting, and she came over to play and help out with Jayden. You can see a photo of them on Jayden's photo page.

More soon...

Breathtaking Day in the Neighborhood

2006-11-06T19:09:00.000-08:00

Today dawned absolutely spectacular (is that grammatically correct?) It was just warm enough to be comfortable, with a strong breeze, and meant shorts and sunscreen and late afternoon strolls. In November. Is there any wonder that we plan never to leave California??

I had planned this week to try and get Jayden back on his nap schedule/daily routine (which has fallen by the wayside since the trip to Napa) and just as I was preparing to go on a long, lonely morning walk with baby and dog, my phone rang. My friend Sarah from Lamaze class was calling to invite us over for a playdate. Rita unfortunately got the raw end of the deal - no walk, after all - but Jayden and I hopped in the car and drove out to Los Osos to join Sarah and Ian. Schedule be damned, I was excited for a change in scenery!

Their home overlooks the bay, with a spectacular view of Morro Rock. We took our jogging strollers to the Elfin Forest - which I had long heard about but never made the trek out to see - and had a nice, leisurely stroll. Jayden, unfortunately, fell asleep (his only nap for the day), but I got to see the breathtaking views.

When we got back, Junior woke up with renewed energy and he and Ian really had a great afternoon. They ate on the deck, played with Ian's scooter, climbed on the furniture, hugged one another repeatedly, and generally got along smashingly. While sitting on the deck for a moment before dashing in the house after Jayden, I basked in the life that we lead here. It was only a moment, though, because Jayden simply refuses to stand still. At all. A few more pics from the day available on Jayden's Photo Site.

When we got home, the weather was still simply amazing, so we spent the majority of the day outside. To the degree that when I finally brought him inside to attempt dinner, he threw a tantrum. Those are becoming more frequent these days, unfortunately. I know he is frustrated by the inability to communicate (I assure you, it is just as frustrating to me and Dave not to be able to understand him!) but the tantrums are not the answer.

Since his nap went from 11 a.m. to noon, it was a long, long haul to bedtime. I was totally exhausted by the time Dave got home. I essentially handed baby to him and collapsed in a chair.

Tomorrow, we are heading to Avila with Megan and her mommy. Perhaps I should try a bit harder to re-implement his old routine. Afternoon naps - LONG ONES - are sorely missed!

More wedding pics

2006-10-31T06:25:00.000-08:00

I really like this photo that my friend Andrew took at the wedding this past weekend. It was taken before the ceremony started, when Jayden was sitting quietly on my lap. For that reason alone, it is a monumental photo: he rarely sits still!

Oops, she did it again (after we did)

2006-10-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

For those who want to let us know that Britney Spears named her son Jayden, I assure you, we are well aware. A handful of people have left messages on our answering machine, emailed us stories, and otherwise teased us.

But remember folks, we had our baby first!

We chose the name because we wanted something unique. We both liked the name Jacob, but that is the #1 most popular boy name today. We also liked the name Aidan, but that was #2. We scoured baby name books and couldn't agree on a name. We finally came across Jaden, a hybrid of the two names. Celebrities like Andre Agassi and Will Smith popularized the name for their offspring with the spelling Jaden. We added the "y" because I am a fanatic about phonetical spelling.

My folks were not alone in never having heard the name before they met their grandson. We got a lot of "wow! how unique!" and "oh, I love that name!" from people. We didn't meet too many other Jaydens. Just a few, here and there, boys and girls with variant spellings. I just love saying his name (which is good, because I say it all the time). And for all the times that I get a "Jason" from people referring to my son, I am still thrilled with the uniqueness of his name.

And now, thanks to Mz. Spears and K-Fed, the name is IN THE TOP 15 MOST POPULAR!

In a million years, I never thought we'd be trendsetters.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

2006-10-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

We are so glad to be home! This past weekend, two of our dear friends got married in Glen Ellen, near Napa. We wouldn't have missed their wedding for the world, so we geared up for the long drive. And thanked our lucky stars that Megan's mommy & daddy have a mobile DVD player that they were willing to loan us for the trip. [A serious shout-out to the Rubins, without whom we'd still be somewhere on the 880 freeway with a screaming baby...] RCA oughta give them a commission or something.

We left home on Friday around noon for parts north and finally got to our hotel in Santa Rosa at 10 p.m. [Another quick shout-out to Audrey Kim and her parents for feeding us dinner and giving us a place to run around and break up the trip.]

Jayden's first hotel experience was draining, to say the least - he finally fell asleep around midnight and we had to check out in time to make it to a 9 a.m. wedding on Saturday morning, 30 minutes away from the hotel. If it hadn't been for our large group of friends helping us pack everything up, we'd probably still be there.

After the lovely wedding, we went to see Jayden's Wishnak Great-Grandparents in San Rafael. He hadn't seen them since he was 16 weeks old. On this visit, my much older baby "helped" his great-grandma prepare dinner by pulling all the pots and pans out of the cabinets and on to the floor. But that's okay - she repaid him later by giving him chocolate cake and cookies. [Okay, the chocolate cake was for his mommy, but I digress].

We left San Rafael after dinner and sloooowly wound our way across the Bay, down the east side, and eventually back home. We are still somewhat recovering from the experience.

For those who have patiently been waiting for Jayden's Photo Page to be updated, you've got your wish! Check it out to see more Pumpkin Patch photos and more photos of Jayden with his great-grandparents.

And thanks for visiting!

Look Out, Bart & Nadia...

2006-10-30T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow is the first Tuesday in a month or so that we won't have gymnastics class to attend. I am not sure yet how sad that makes me. While the energy outlet for Little Man was unsurpassed, the staff at the gym and their guided activities really drove me buggy. From "circle time," where the kids were supposed to sit quietly and sing nursery rhymes, to the obstacle course that never seemed to have enough equipment for all the kiddies in the class, I couldn't understand why they attempted such structure with toddlers too young to comprehend it. I complained often that I wasn't paying a small fortune to sit and sing nursery rhymes, which we do for free at home; I paid a small fortune to use the gymnastics equipment.

I can't say they are sorry to see us go, but what they don't know is that several moms complained to me about the very same issues and praised me for talking to management, but never spoke up themselves. Which made me seem like a lone complainer.

Oh, well. That likely won't be the last time!

Here is a photo Megan's Mommy took of the awards ceremony last Tuesday. Jayden refused to come anywhere near me for the duration of class. I would race after him, all over the gym, imploring him to come to me so we could do the activities with the class. It wasn't until the awards ceremony, when I wanted him to sit by himself, that he clung to me and refused to let go. He ripped his little medal off his neck as soon as "Miss Jessica" put it on there.

*sigh* We'll have to practice before the 2012 Olympics if he wants to make his country proud...

I took a photo of Megan getting her medal. She was proud as punch and rightly so! She mastered the foam pit, the art of climbing and sliding, and surviving Jayden's crushing hugs on the trampoline...

Not only is she sitting quietly on the podium, but she even joined her mommy in applauding her skills. Yay Megan!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins everywhere!

2006-10-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

We spent last Sunday visiting the Avila Valley Barn's world-famous Pumpkin Patch! We joined every other family in the greater San Luis Obispo area, apparently, as it was a total madhouse just one hour before closing time. We ran into some good friends of ours who were visiting from the Bay Area and they took some adorable photos of the Oksner family (minus Rita, of course) cavorting among the pumpkins. One sample is at right.

Apparently, this time of year is a busy one for pumpkin patches. We took a hayride on a tractor out to the patch at the Barn and found a pathetic smattering of pumpkins, strewn sadly along the dirt, clearly picked over and left for dead by the hungry Halloween hordes. We figured that we did our parently duty by simply taking Jayden to a pumpkin patch. When it gets closer to Halloween, we will actually buy a pumpkin, probably at Trader Joe's or somewhere similarly cheaper. I doubt he minded not purchasing a pumpkin at the time. He mostly ran from gourd to gourd, thumping or pushing happily until he saw another in the distance. He knows what to look for in a pumpkin, clearly, so he'll be an asset when the time comes to finally get one.

Anyway, the Barn itself is a big wooden structure where they sell wholesome fruits and veggies and baked goods. There is an ice cream shoppe (note the double ps and the e on the end - means it is spendier, more higher-end stuff, and evocative of a simpler time when kids could get an ice cream cone without fretting about cholesterol or transfats), a petting zoo, and then the tractor/hayrides out to the fields. Jayden and I went to the Barn once before to pick ollalieberries with our Parent Participation class. It is a real treat to have somewhere like that to go as a family - for free! - and enjoy the season.

As for the myriad of photos, I tried editing, vetting out the crappy ones, and posting to Jayden's photo site, but I am afraid with a pending "vacation" (long weekend trip to Napa to see some dear friends get hitched) it just isn't gonna get done this weekend. Sorry, folks! Stay tuned for more pics from the patch as soon as I can get 'em done!