4 month check up

It's been a while.  Life's been a whirlwind since last Tuesday when we found out Brian's grandpa died in a bicycling accident.  I'm still not ready to write that post, so you'll just have to skip forward in time for now and I'll revisit it later.
Callum had his four month check up today.  Poor kid had to get shots on top of having some nasty allergy congestion.  Luckily, he only gets two shots at a time per our schedule, so it wasn't so bad.  That little boy turned as red as a summer tomato after the second poke and I swear wouldn't breathe for at least ten seconds.  He was quickly over it though, sucked on his nuk, and promptly went to sleep (see that Oxford comma there?  That's right.  I love them.  They shall never die!).
Our little guy has leveled out on the height chart which leads me to believe that we're probably in for a big growth spurt soon (see how I don't worry?  I've learned.).  He's still right up in the 50th for weight (15 lbs, 12 oz) and his head is following the curve nicely too.  He must just look gigantic because I'm the one holding him.  :)
The doctor decided that Cally likely has allergies too as he didn't show any other symptoms of a cold or infection.  Poor baby got more than just looks from me.  Even the nurse commented today that Callum is looking less like his big brother now.  Don't get me wrong, the two look like brothers for sure, but Callum is starting to get his own look, which is more like my side of the family.
Now, since you know I'm always right (heehee), this won't come as a surprise to you, but I was right.  Since before Callum's two month check up, I've been a little concerned about his head shape.  He doesn't have a flat spot as much as his head just seems sort of misshapen.  Brian told me I was imagining things and at the 2 month check up, the doctor said it would probably still even out.  Well, lo and behold, today the doctor decided his head was not a normal shape and we got a referral to physical therapy where there is a therapist who is knowledgeable in head shape and issues thereof.  I really hope my babe doesn't end up needing a helmet during the hottest time of the year, but I'd really like to make sure he's a-ok too.  That appointment is in two weeks, so for now it's just waiting time.
In Everett news, we have been bestowed with some massive fits the past few days.  Granted, the kid is probably a bit sleep deprived and out of whack from a long weekend of traveling, meeting new people, traveling, staying in a hotel, traveling....but the fits.  They are doozies.  Right about dinner time every night, he's just had it.  Nap or no nap, he is done.  One night, it was because he couldn't decide if he wanted to sit in the highchair, next to daddy, mommy, grandma, or someone else altogether.  Oh, and he had to pee.  (Life's hard when you're two, you know.)  Last night, after I told him no, he continued to try and get Auntie Christy's phone out of her purse to play games, in the process dumping the entire contents of said purse and just COULD NOT say sorry.  For about a half hour of screaming, wailing, crying, and begging for "mommy uppy up!" I just shook my head and tried to very succinctly tell him that I would hold him all night AFTER he said sorry to his Auntie.  He finally did and all was well with the world, but OMG toddler fits are something to behold.  I try to follow the advice in The Happiest Toddler on the Block (still haven't finished it, but I'm slowly gleaning).  I try to show Ev some respect and let him know that I'm listening by repeating back what he is screaming about.  I let him know that yes, I will do/fix/get that thing, but first _______.  It's slow going, but he does seem to respond much better when I do the repeating and try "time-ins" rather than "time-outs."  This means that I remove him from the situation, but I go with him.  This is the time that I do the repeating and try to communicate to him what we need to do to move on from the tantrum.  That Karp guy isn't totally nuts.  His advice, and the way he writes, sound crazy and stupid, but apparently he knows more about toddlers than your average joe.
So now.  Everett is likely missing nap time while spending time with his grrma and gunka, aunties and new best friend, Guillaume (Auntie Janelle's boyfriend from France), on the boat.  It was so different to run errands and go to the doctor with a baby and not a baby PLUS super energetic, must push all limits to see juuuust how far they stretch toddler.  And now baby is sleeping off those nasty shots and I have a quiet house.  Besides the fish tank....which needs it's water changed....and the house needs picking up....and vacuuming....and dusting.....grrrrr.....I think I need a nap!  :)
Here are a few shots from our trip to Ohio this weekend.

Playing in the awesome water fountains in Lima.

At the COSI in Columbus

Love. water. table.

About to go on the centripetal generotor.  Ick.

My two things

"I help Callum look!"

Half a week's meals

Since this week is a big mess of "I don't know if we'll be home or traveling or whatnot," here's a half week of meals.

Dinners for June 20-27

Monday, June 20 –  Roasted beet salad with grilled chicken and rice

Tuesday, June 21 – Cheeseburgers, sweet potato fries and salad

Wednesday, June 22 – Summer veggie and pesto tart

Happy Father's Day

 Because he's probably the greatest daddy ever, a medley of Brian as daddy pictures.

 

New pictures

 Callum

Everett

 Beautiful brothers

General family updates

Good evening blog readers.  My brain is pretty blank at the moment so this likely won't be very thought-provoking or life changing here.  Brian got back from Milwaukee on Friday afternoon, we left Everett with sisters and took Callum out for an anniversary dinner.  We got to dine next to the congressman and his gazillion children, so that was thrilling.  This weekend has been pretty full of to dos.  We now have a swingset again, much to Ev's delight, our garden is just about ready for planting, we got some new garage sale stuff, and did our weekly grocery shopping.
Since there's nothing exciting going on, I'll just give you a general update.
Brian is still working a bunch but finding time to play too.  He's been very busy at home with various tasks I find for him (build swingset, weedeating, fix rain barrel, etc.) along with his own projects like rebuilding a commuter bike.
Everett is now officially two and a half.  He still has a lot of tantrums, but is getting better at dealing with them.  He talks up a storm and says some very cute stuff.  He's working really hard right now to figure out me/my/I.  I can still see the wheels turning in his head when he's trying to figure out something linguistic.  He sort of scrunches his eyebrows and gets this look of great concentration and I have to stifle my giggles.  He's still a great helper with Callum (when he's in a listening mood).  Anytime I comment on Callum getting bigger, Everett gets very excited and asks, "Callum play my toys me?!" and I have to say that, "no, he's not quite that big yet but someday he will be."  Everett loves drawing, play dough, bubbles, tinker toys, trains, fishing, building, and riding his bike.  He is totally pottytrained and I've even contemplated not lugging around an change of pants for him (but since I overpack for everything, I still do).  He loves doing things that daddy can do and reminds us daily that he's a big boy.
Callum is 3.5 months old (and I refuse to accept it) and teething.  He is still my sweet laid-back baby, but has definitely learned how to wail when something's wrong.  It's almost always that his diaper needs changing or he is so tired, he can't fall asleep.  Most of the time though, I just smile about him.  On Wednesday morning, Brian stayed home for the morning before leaving town and we were sitting on the front porch watching Everett ride his bike.  As we sat there, Callum was relaxing in Brian's lap, watching everything, and he started looking a bit sleepy.  Next thing I know, he's fast asleep.    The teething isn't horrible yet, but he has become a drool monster.  Nuks do not solve his world's problems, which gives me hope that it won't be bad to take away when the time comes (but he still likes them when he's sleepy).  He is enormous (at least 15 pounds now) and wearing some 6 month clothes.  He absolutely adores his big brother and his little aunts and uncles. He gives them big, gummy smiles and lets them carry him around (I realized today why people gave me such terrified looks when, at age 7, I carried around my baby brother Jakey...).  Callum has never received a lot of bottles and the other day, I realized that he's not too fond of them, so I may start doing a pumping every few days and feeding him a bottle, just to keep him used to it.  I really like having the ability to leave him for a few hours (like I ever do, though) and to do that, he needs to be ok with bottles.
As for me, I'm still here.  I did my first week of day care and it was a handful.  I'm supposed to meet a guy tomorrow about two other kids, so we'll see if that pans out.  I'm not in a huge rush, but it'd be nice to have some more income.  I've been reading a lot of fiction novels and playing a lot of angry birds during nursings.  I am in love with my new phone (even though it's price dropped this week...) and so is Everett.  That boy seriously has a knack for touchscreens.  I'm also in love with my anniversary present, a woven wrap.  I need to get some pictures taken...will attempt that tomorrow.
And finally, the week's menu:

Dinners for June 13-19

Monday, June 13 – Nachos

Tuesday, June 14 – Chicken stir fry

Wednesday, June 15 – Couscous black bean salad and Pitas

Thursday, June 16 –  Turkey and quinoa meatloaf with rice

Friday, June 17 – fish sticks and rice pilaf

Saturday, June 18 – steaks and salad

Sunday, June 19 – leftovers/dinner out