Tyke Talk

Ronan had his appointment at Tyke Talk today. Other than his speech, he is right in track developmentally, even ahead in some areas! Unfortunately, there is a 6-8 month wait time for a therapist, so we are at a bit of a standstill. The woman we saw today said that it was great that he was in preschool and that in the meantime, we should work with him in different ways to encourage him to talk. Things like giving him choices and playing games where he has to speak. Luckily, he doesn't get frustrated when he can't get his point across so he doesn't have tantrums that often.

In other news, Keegan is getting so big! Him and Ronan are playing so well together and he just loves his big brother.

Preschool

My big boy started preschool today. When I dropped him off, he said bye, gave me a kiss, and ran over to the train table without even looking back. When I picked him up, he was sitting in a circle with the class singing a song. He looked at me and smiled, then went back to his song. All in all, he had a good first day.

After we drop him off on Thursday, I'm going to take Keegan to story time at the library. When Ronan was a baby, we went every week, but I haven't taken Keegan before. It should be fun and it works out nicely that it starts right after school starts.

Tomorrow we are going shopping in the states with Vallerye. I'm almost done my Christmas shopping so I (probably) won't be buying much!

Its been a while...

I have been meaning to update for a while now, but I haven't seemed to have any downtime since thanksgiving. Kevin and I got iPhones this week so now I can update from my phone. I'm nursing Keegan and writing a blog post right now!

We went up to the cottage for thanksgiving and it was great. We hadn't been up since Ronan was a baby so it had been far too long. It was such a gorgeous weekend so him and James spent most of the weekend playing outside and throwing rocks in the water.

Since then, we have signed Ronan up for preschool and he starts next week. He is also going to see the speech pathologist on November 21.

Keegan is up to 17lbs and is pretty quick getting around now. He seems to be so much bigger than Ronan was at this age but in actual fact they were the same size.

On Friday we are going skating with our playgroup. It has been a few years since I have been on skates so we will see how that goes. Keegan is going to hang out in the stroller in the penalty box with the other babies while we skate.

Next up, Halloween!

What a Great Start to October :)

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

We have been part time potty training Ronan, meaning that we have been taking him to sit on the potty whenever he has a diaper change, but not really in between. On Friday, I noticed that he was dry in between diaper changes and consistently peeing every time I put him on the potty. We didn't have any plans for the weekend, so I figured it was as good a time as any to try and get him out of diapers. Saturday morning he woke up dry and immediately had a huge pee in the toilet. I put him in a pull up and we went from there. He did great! All day, he stayed dry and I was taking him approximately every hour to try and pee. He has yet to poop on the potty but we will get there in time. Also, he isn't saying he needs to go yet, but, baby steps!

Saturday night, it was really chilly but we decided to go for a walk to the park after dinner. When we got back, hot chocolate sounded like a really good idea. Ronan had never had it before, and boy, was he happy!

The other big thing that happened on Saturday, was that Keegan started pulling himself along the floor. He is officially on the move, and its only a matter of time before he is fully crawling.

Sunday, we had a lazy day, but kept up with the potty training, and Ronan helped me make some yummy cupcakes! 

Monday, we had our friend Christine over and her 2 boys Jacob and Logan. They are the same ages as Ronan and Keegan so it works out perfectly for play dates.

It is now 5pm on Tuesday and Ronan is still dry and has had only 2 or 3 "accidents" all weekend. I got him some Thomas underwear in a size 2 but his little bum is too small!

Friday, we are off to the cottage for Thanksgiving. We haven't been since Ronan was a baby, so it should be fun!

Baking the Alphabet

Yesterday, as I mentioned, we made gingerbread cookies. My mum had given me a mix that was about to expire so I had to use it. We also had alphabet cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma and since it's too early to make gingerbread men, we made gingerbread letters!

Ronan is such a good helper in the kitchen now. As soon as I put my apron on, he runs over and grabs his and he knows its baking time! He loved the cookie cutters and said each letter as we cut them out. We had exactly enough dough to do every letter in the alphabet once, so it worked out really well!

Pouring the mix in (The Sherry is for the fruit flies!)

Mixing it all up

A glass of milk while the cookies are in the oven

They were delicious!

Pasta Bake

I made pasta bake for dinner last night and since I have had a few people ask me for the recipe, I thought I would post it here.

Pasta Bake

• 4 cups Rotini pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/3 cup green pepper, diced
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

- preheat oven to 350
- cook pasta until al dente
- saute beef, onion, and grenn pepper until beef is cooked
- combine with pasta sauce and pour into casserole dish. Stir in pasta
- bake 30 minutes
- remove from oeven and top with cheese
- bake an additional 10 minutes



It's so easy and so delicious. I think it's one of Ronan's favourite foods.

We went to the park today and Ronan has decided to be a dare devil and climb up the ladders on the play structure instead of the stairs. I didn't get a picture because I was too busy hovering over him making sure he didn't fall!

Today we are making gingerbread cookies and chili. Kevin's mum is coming over for dinner and she hasn't seen Ronan in a while, so it should be fun!

A Busy Week

We have had a pretty busy week around here. On Tuesday, I went to Stratford so I could take my road test to get my G license and I passed! Yay for no more road tests and cheaper insurance! Kevin started his new job this week, so he couldn't come with us, so my dad came over to the drive test centre and watched the boys for me. Afterwards, we went for dinner to celebrate and Jonny met up with us for dessert. Ronan was very good about sharing his ice cream. He would take a giant spooonful for himself, and then just dip the tip of the spoon in for Jonny.

Thursday night, I went to a workshop put on by Childreach called Positive and Practical Discipline Strategies. It was a free seminar, and let's just say, you get what you pay for. There wasn't much talk about discipline strategies, she just talked the whole time about things that were pretty obvious, like not expecting too much of the child and to use age appropriate discipline,. but didn't really elaborate on what that would be. She didn't really talk to much about discipline strategies, mostly about her experiences as a parent.

She gave us a few handouts about what to expect at different age groups and how to deal with tantrums (again, it had obvious tips like don't give in, etc). All the handouts seemed to be photocopied from "The No-Cry Discipline Solution" so i might take that book out from the library and see if there is anything uselful. We haven't really had to discipline Ronan too much as he is a really good kid, but he's 2, and with 2, comes tantrums. They aren't very often, but I would like to know some strategies to avoid them at all.

I have been busy getting ready for the London Moms Fall Sale thats tomorrow at Lucas Secondary school here in London from 8-11am. I have a table set up with my Lisa May Designs stuff, and even though people are there looking for good deals on used stuff, they know that there are also business tables there, so hopefully they check us out. I did the sale last year, but didn't sell a single thing, so I'm hoping this year goes better. I have also been accepted into a Christmas craft show in November, but I will give you more deatils as I get them.

A New Job

Not much to report here. Kevin got a new job and started today. He was working at Roots, but he wasn't really enjoying retail anymore. The long hours for little pay and always having to work weekends were starting to get to him, so he was looking for something else. This summer, he played baseball with some old friends of his, and the team was sponsored by a company called Hose Headquarters, which also is partly owned by a guy on the team. Kevin mentioned that he was looking for a new job, and within a week, they had one for him!

Yesterday we went to Kevin's mum's house for dinner to celebrate his brother's birthday. We got to see James and Kennedy and Kevin's grandparents and Aunt Anne! What a great day.

The boys are getting pretty big. Keegan is loving eating solids and is so interested in the world around him.

I am part of a website for local moms called http://www.londonmoms.ca/ and they do product and service reviews for local businesses and yesterday they posted a review for Lisa May Designs. It was such a good review and will hopefully boost sales for the sale I am doing this coming weekend!

Off to clean and fold laundry on this rainy day!

Hearing Test

We took Ronan to do his hearing test today. The Dr said he is pretty sure his hearing is fine and he has no fluids or blockages in his ears. He can hear at all different decibels. Good news, right? Maybe. Apparently, he wants us to go to the university for further testing because he although he can tell that Ronan can hear, he can't tell if he is hearing clearly or muffled because he can't respond (because he can't talk, which is why we are there...) He says that the university has more specialized equipment and would be better able to tell. I'm confused, because we went to a place called Hearing London, which is a hearing clinic and only does hearing stuff, so how come they don't have this equipment.

Whatever. I am going to talk to the pediatrician and see what she says

Also, Keegan doesn't like sweet potatoes.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is mine and Kevin's wedding anniversary. I can't believe its been three years since that beautiful day. The weather was perfect, the venue was perfect, and overall it was a perfect day.


We didn't do anything special today, except we had Ronan's appointment with the pediatrician. She thinks he is fine and that his speech is only a little delayed. By 21/2, he should have around 50 words and be putting them together to form 2-3 word sentences. He has 36 words and no sentences. She is sending him for a hearing assessment to be on the safe side. From there, we will go to Tyke Talk for speech assessment and therapy. I'm happy with that, because now 2 doctors (our family dr and a pediatrician) have said they think he's fine.

Other than that, not much to report. Keegan is sitting up and loves carrots!

Good day for Keegan

We had Keegan's doctor's appointment today for follow up on his bloodwork. Turns out, the new receptionist didn't know that if the doctor signs off on something, then it's fine, so we went in for nothing. His levels are perfect and everything is fine! So no more worrying about his thyroid.

While we were there, I asked her if we could start him on solids. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends waiting until at least 6 months, but he was showing all the signs of being ready, and Ronan started at 4 months, so I thought it didn't hurt to ask. She said that we know him best and to follow his cues, so we are good to go!

When we got home, I figured there was no time like the present, and away we went. I put him in the high chair and mixed him up some rice cereal. The first spoonful, he was a little confused, but then he really liked it.

What am I doing in Ronan's chair?

It's kind of fun up here!

What was that?

That's not so bad after all!

Are you done taking picture yet?

Gimme that!

I can do it myself!

A Visit with Grandma

On Thursday, my Grandma came to visit. She took the train in from Toronto, and we picked her up from the train station around 3pm. Once we got home, we had a few hours to relax before Bryan dropped James off for the evening. Kevin and Bryan do a fantasy football league every year, and Thursday was draft night. As I have said before, we love seeing James and Ronan just adores him. He stayed for dinner, we went for a walk to the park, and the boys played hard until about 10pm.

Friday, we met Michelle at the park near her work for lunch, and Keegan went in the swing for the first time. He fell asleep after about 10 seconds! The park is right next to the water and Ronan loved feeding the ducks. He thought they were hilarious and was losing it from laughing so hard. After we fed the ducks, we went on a nice long walk along the trails. It was really pretty, and even though we go to that park all the time, we never do the trails. I think we will start doing that more often. That evening, Grandma went to Michelle's for dinner and got to see her new apartment. She was supposed to send home some peach cobbler for me, but she forgot! Grandma bought us some peaches at the market on Saturday, so I might have to make it myself.

Saturday morning, Ronan wasn't feeling well so we left him in bed with Kevin and went to the Farmers market and the antique store. After we got home, Ronan seemed to be a bit better, so we all went over to Vallerye's house for tea.

Sunday was a quiet day, and we just stayed at home lazing around until I had to take her to the train station for 3.

It was a wonderful 4 days, and I'm glad she came. The boys just loved having her there (I did too) and I can't wait to do it again sometime.

Fingers Crossed

I took Keegan back to the Drs yesterday to be weighed and so he could get his 4 month needles. Our Dr was called out of office for an emergency so they sent us to the walk in clinic across the hall. I was shocked to see only 2 other people in the waiting room and I only had to wait about 10 minutes! I'm used to Toronto walk ins where there are 50 other people and you are there for hours! We got in to see the docotr and he said that Keegan looks very healthy and happy and he weighed in at 16lb 5oz. He gave him his needles and my little trooper didn't even cry! His face crumpled a bit, but that was it. As I was getting back in the car, our family doctor called and said they had the results if the bloodwork Keegan had done a few weeks ago, and they want to see us next week. We have an appointment on Wednesday, so I am keeping my fingers crossed until then. I just have to remind myself, that I was the one who wanted to redo the bloodwork, and that this is exactly why. To make sure that his levels are still okay, and that if they aren't we can make sure it's treated.

Keep your fingers crossed for Keegan!

Teeth, Toilets, and Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Yesterday we went to Kevin's brother Bryan's house in Cambridge. He had run in the last election and was having a thank you bbq for all his volunteers. We always love seeing them, and Ronan just adores his cousin James! We also got to see their new baby girl, Kennedy, who we hadn't seen since Canada Day. She is 2 months younger than Keegan and I can't believe how much she has grown! When we got home, I happened to put my finger in Keegan's mouth, and there was a tooth! I couldn't believe it! Ronan didn't get his first tooth until about 7 months, so I was not expecting this yet!



Buddies!

The babies

We have started potty training with Ronan. I got him a potty seat that goes on top of the toilet, and I was planning on easing him into it, and just getting him used to the idea of it, but the first time I put him on it, he went! He really likes Gummy Bears! He is going pretty consistently each time I put him on, but he hasn't figured out that he needs to tell me when he has to go, but that will come in time. I'm not forcing him to do anything he isn't ready for.

He helped me make chocolate chip cookies today, and I think he enjoyed eating the chocolate chips more than anything. He was a good helper though, and was dumping the ingredients in without much mess! (But what's baking without a mess?)

Adding the chocolate chips

What a good helper!

Yummy!!!

Sleep

So this is how Ronan has been falling asleep every night for the past week or so. See that little hand? It breaks my heart. He seems to be going through some sort of separation thing at night. He has always been such a good sleeper, but now, he gets into bed, we read a story, he lays his head down, and then BAM! As soon as we leave the room, he gets up and starts crying at the door, sticking his hands under for dramatic effect. If we go in, he just walks back into bed, no problem, and it starts all over again, until he falls asleep on the floor and we put him in bed. Last night, it seemed that the boys had forgotten which one was the baby, because Keegan slept from 10:30pm until 7:30am and Ronan woke up at 4am! Hopefully, this is just a phase and he gets over it soon enough. We have actually brought Keegan back into our room so Ronan doesn't wake him up.


We went to the park today, and I realized what a big boy Ronan is becoming. He didn't need me at all. He was doing his own thing the whole time. He even went up one of the ladders to get to the slide instead of using the stairs! Of course, Keegan just loves watching him run around. I can't wait until he is big enough to go in the swings. Hopefully by the fall!