It looks like we'll have to add another tooth to Samuel's doppelganger pumpkin. After 5 LONG months of anticipation he finally has another tooth. We were beginning to think it would never happen and that he would head off to college with only 6 teeth. Today Allen manhandled his jaw, stuck a finger in (he's braver than me) and felt the lower right lateral incisor just barely poking through the gums.
He's one step closer to a steak dinner, although he's had no trouble chewing most foods with only 4 on top and 2 on bottom. Lately he's been chomping chocolate. His favorites are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and 3 Muskateers. Me too buddy, me too....
Friday, October 29, 2010
Troublemaker
I guess Samuel thought it would be fun to play an early Halloween trick on mom today. He sure did have me scared! Now that he has reached toddlerhood I am learning every day that I have to stay one step ahead of him to avoid disaster and today I just wasn't on my game.
I opened the front door to the porch to take a few of his toys down to the basement. He loves to stand and look out the screen door so I left the main door open. I was out there less than a minute when I suddenly heard the door close behind me. Since our home is historic it has a few quirks. One example is that our entry doors have a special button on the handle that has to be pushed in or the door will automatically lock. Guess who forgot to push the button in before I went outside? That's right! I was locked outside while Samuel was inside. Did I mention I was only wearing a sports bra and workout pants? My intention was to take the toys to the basement so I could then run on the treadmill down there while Samuel played.
I felt panic rising inside of me. How will I get back inside? What if he gets into something dangerous? What if something falls on top of him and he is injured? What if the gate blocking the basement stairs isnt secure and he falls down the stairs? What if, what if, what if.... I started to look around for something I could use to break the window. Nothing was available so I ran next door to see if our neighbors were home. My plan was to see if they had a hammer I could borrow.
Thankfully my neighbor was home and when I explained the situation to her she offered to call housing maintenance so they could come unlock the door. Hmmm.... that sounds much more reasonable than breaking the window. She was even nice enough to stand on the porch with me while we waited for them to arrive.
Samuel was very disgruntled that there was now a solid piece of wood and panels of glass blocking him from his mommy. He stood there looking up at me crying. I tried to explain that he locked me out and so he will have to be patient. His response was to start throwing my dirty laundry out of the basket that I'd left in the foyer on our way to the basement. A few times he wandered down the hallway and into the kitchen, I assume to see if I was coming through the back door to resuce him, but as soon as I knocked on the front door again and called his name he would return.
He was only locked inside for about 15 minutes, but it felt like so much longer. I do not like to lose control of a situation and feel so utterly helpless. I know every mother has stories of times that her kids did something crazy and got the best of her, it's almost a rite of passage, and I guess now I have my first!
I opened the front door to the porch to take a few of his toys down to the basement. He loves to stand and look out the screen door so I left the main door open. I was out there less than a minute when I suddenly heard the door close behind me. Since our home is historic it has a few quirks. One example is that our entry doors have a special button on the handle that has to be pushed in or the door will automatically lock. Guess who forgot to push the button in before I went outside? That's right! I was locked outside while Samuel was inside. Did I mention I was only wearing a sports bra and workout pants? My intention was to take the toys to the basement so I could then run on the treadmill down there while Samuel played.
I felt panic rising inside of me. How will I get back inside? What if he gets into something dangerous? What if something falls on top of him and he is injured? What if the gate blocking the basement stairs isnt secure and he falls down the stairs? What if, what if, what if.... I started to look around for something I could use to break the window. Nothing was available so I ran next door to see if our neighbors were home. My plan was to see if they had a hammer I could borrow.
Thankfully my neighbor was home and when I explained the situation to her she offered to call housing maintenance so they could come unlock the door. Hmmm.... that sounds much more reasonable than breaking the window. She was even nice enough to stand on the porch with me while we waited for them to arrive.
Samuel was very disgruntled that there was now a solid piece of wood and panels of glass blocking him from his mommy. He stood there looking up at me crying. I tried to explain that he locked me out and so he will have to be patient. His response was to start throwing my dirty laundry out of the basket that I'd left in the foyer on our way to the basement. A few times he wandered down the hallway and into the kitchen, I assume to see if I was coming through the back door to resuce him, but as soon as I knocked on the front door again and called his name he would return.
He was only locked inside for about 15 minutes, but it felt like so much longer. I do not like to lose control of a situation and feel so utterly helpless. I know every mother has stories of times that her kids did something crazy and got the best of her, it's almost a rite of passage, and I guess now I have my first!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Great Pumpkin (Balloon)
Is Samuel too young for me to be nostalgic about things? Today we were shopping at Albertsons and noticed the Mylar balloons. Much to my surprise they had the exact same balloon that I bought Samuel last year on Halloween to celebrate his first holiday. It's a big, orange jack-o-lantern face and it's very special because while playing with it he laughed for the first time.
I remember that we laid him on his back in the floor so he could look up at the balloon. We kept encouraging him to hold the string, but at only 2 months old his dexterity wasn't really advanced enough. Instead, we just ran the string through his fingers.
I went in to the kitchen to finish making Halloween Funfetti cupcakes (Allen's favorite) and before I knew it Allen rushed in to tell me that Samuel had laughed. Of course I dropped everything so I could see. Allen had been bobbing the balloon up and down in front of his face and he started to giggle. When I came in we started moving the balloon around again and he continued to laugh. It was the most wonderful sound I'd ever heard (and still is)!
Happily, the same balloon continues to fill his world with joy. We bought the big, orange jack-o-lantern face today and brought it home. He carried it by the string all over the house, laughing, and loved bobbing it up and down all by himself. He even learned to say a new word yesterday - bop! He got a huge kick out it when I tapped the balloon on top of his head. Now when I say bop he pat's his head.
He sure has changed a lot in only one year!
Then:
Now:
I remember that we laid him on his back in the floor so he could look up at the balloon. We kept encouraging him to hold the string, but at only 2 months old his dexterity wasn't really advanced enough. Instead, we just ran the string through his fingers.
I went in to the kitchen to finish making Halloween Funfetti cupcakes (Allen's favorite) and before I knew it Allen rushed in to tell me that Samuel had laughed. Of course I dropped everything so I could see. Allen had been bobbing the balloon up and down in front of his face and he started to giggle. When I came in we started moving the balloon around again and he continued to laugh. It was the most wonderful sound I'd ever heard (and still is)!
Happily, the same balloon continues to fill his world with joy. We bought the big, orange jack-o-lantern face today and brought it home. He carried it by the string all over the house, laughing, and loved bobbing it up and down all by himself. He even learned to say a new word yesterday - bop! He got a huge kick out it when I tapped the balloon on top of his head. Now when I say bop he pat's his head.
He sure has changed a lot in only one year!
Then:
Now:
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Adventures of Martian Mom & Robot Boy
Yesterday the Chapel Activities Center at F.E. Warren Air Force Base was invaded by a martian and her robot! There were also princesses, superheroes, witches, jungle animals, monsters and even a unicorn. All of the characters were there to attend the Spouses Helping Spouses Harvest Party. This group is the mom's club on base for which I am the Activites Director.
I had a lot of fun helping plan and execute the party and the event was a huge success. This was also the first party where Samuel was able to partake in the festivities. We had a good time and Allen even joined in during a game where the kids wrapped up dads like mummies!
We had a seperate room for babies and toddlers with age appropriate games and activities. Samuel's favorite was the "Tricky Treasure" bucket where he got to dig through millet to find prizes. He could have cared less about the prizes though. He just liked digging in (and throwing) the cereal.
Samuel did a great job pinning the nose on the pumpkin. As soon as I handed him the triangle he confidently walked right over and stuck it in the middle of the face. He knew exactly where the nose was supposed to go!
He even played some of the games for the older kids.... sort of!
Allen's favorite part of the party was conducting dry ice experiments in the kitchen with his friend Rich (another dad). Finally, they dropped it in the sink and added hot water. Samuel was fascinated by the "steaming" sink. He especially loved when Allen poured the steam over his head.
Next weekend we have more Halloween fun planned including a Goblin Walk at the Botanic Gardens, trick-or-treating at the base clinic, the Pumpkin Fair at the Cheyenne library, and a Halloween carnival at the base rec center. He should be pretty wiped out when it's all over. We may be going overboard, but it's so exciting since this is the first year that Samuel can actually enjoy the holiday. Also, I just love dressing him up in his costume - he's such a loveable little robot!
I had a lot of fun helping plan and execute the party and the event was a huge success. This was also the first party where Samuel was able to partake in the festivities. We had a good time and Allen even joined in during a game where the kids wrapped up dads like mummies!
We had a seperate room for babies and toddlers with age appropriate games and activities. Samuel's favorite was the "Tricky Treasure" bucket where he got to dig through millet to find prizes. He could have cared less about the prizes though. He just liked digging in (and throwing) the cereal.
Samuel did a great job pinning the nose on the pumpkin. As soon as I handed him the triangle he confidently walked right over and stuck it in the middle of the face. He knew exactly where the nose was supposed to go!
He even played some of the games for the older kids.... sort of!
Allen's favorite part of the party was conducting dry ice experiments in the kitchen with his friend Rich (another dad). Finally, they dropped it in the sink and added hot water. Samuel was fascinated by the "steaming" sink. He especially loved when Allen poured the steam over his head.
Next weekend we have more Halloween fun planned including a Goblin Walk at the Botanic Gardens, trick-or-treating at the base clinic, the Pumpkin Fair at the Cheyenne library, and a Halloween carnival at the base rec center. He should be pretty wiped out when it's all over. We may be going overboard, but it's so exciting since this is the first year that Samuel can actually enjoy the holiday. Also, I just love dressing him up in his costume - he's such a loveable little robot!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Bombs Away!
When I was in grade school my dad, after tireless persuading from the ladies in his life, agreed to participate in Take Your Daughter to Work Day. I thought it would be so much fun to see where my dad worked and what he did all day when he was there, but most of all I wanted an excuse to miss school. Since my dad had a pretty demanding job as a Project Manager at KBR/Halliburton, he didn't have much time to "show me the ropes" so he had me sit in an empty cubicle near his office and read stacks of civil engineering magazines and brochures. Pretty fun for a 11-year-old. I even got to write a report to turn in at school the next day. Needless to say I never asked to participate in that nonsense again. I'd much rather spend the day at school.
When Allen told me that his squadron was hosting a Missile Alert Facility Family Day, or Take Your Family to Work Day, I was pretty scared. I started having flashbacks of mind numbingly boring brochures and watching the wall clock tick seconds off that felt like minutes. Of course, once he told me there would be a barbecue I was sold. What can I say? I like hamburgers.
Thankfully, It turned out to be a fun and interesting experience, and I was only required to sit through one PowerPoint presentation which must be some kind of Air Force record. The tour itself was the best part so I'll just skip right over the rest. First we toured the above ground part of the facility which is where the military police and chef stay while they are on duty. Unfortunately for them (and their families) the shifts last 3 days instead of just 1 like missileers. That portion of the facility reminded me a lot of a fire house. There were a few bedrooms, a common living/dining space, a workout room and a recreational area complete with a big TV. The best part was the industrial equipped kitchen. They could truly feed an army if necessary!
Next we were able to tour the actual capsule where my beloved spends his time. Sadly, it's devoid of all the recreational perks and pseudo-homey vibe of the above-ground area. After a very rigorous security clearance process our group was finally allowed to go down the hatch, so to speak. On our way to the elevator Allen made sure to point out the stairs since that's they only way out in case the elevator is inoperable. On the way down in the elevator is there is an exposed wall that everyone signs after they work their "LFA" or Last F*cking Alert. Allen can't wait to have his name on that wall!
The elevator goes about 2 stories into the ground and leads to a hallway with a huge blast door. This is where I started to feel like I was back in Cheyenne Mountain (which I was fortunate enough to tour while living in Colorado Springs). The capsule is supported by giant shock-resistant springs and since its built into the ground there are still parts of rock exposed behind the walls and under floors. Behind the first blast door is a dead end. If you go right you are in the equipment room and right is another blast door which leads to the actual capsule room itself. We spent a few pointless minutes in the equipment room while Allen tried to explain the function of the big noisy machines but it was so loud that I had to wear earplugs so I have no idea what he was talking about.
Next we got to see the capsule room which I'm pretty sure should be called the time-capsule room since it looks exactly like the inside of an early 1980s space shuttle. I would know since I toured several as a kid at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. It makes sense that the capsule has a retro vibe since it's pretty likely that the equipment hasn't been updated since the 80s. I was almost expecting for a countdown to begin and for us to shoot right out of the ground and in to space. No such luck, but I did get to see the launch control panel which is not a big red button like portrayed in War Games. Instead, it is two key locks. One for each missileer and they have to be turned concurrently along with the keys of two other missileers in another capsule. It actually takes 4 people to launch a nuke. Who knew? Not me until I went on this informative tour!
The day was really interesting and I'm glad I had a chance to see where Allen works and what he does when he is there. Most of his job is top secret so I only get to know bits and pieces of the real mission. It makes it hard to understand and follow what it is that he actually does so the chance to see some of it in person was helpful. Of course, we didn't see any juicy, classified material but with all the security required to let us in to the site you would have thought we might be privy to some sensitive information. Nope, just a tour and some burgers. They wouldn't even let Samuel down in the capsule since they were worried that curious toddler hands might find some troublesome buttons to push that would cause a threat to national security, or something like that.
I sure am proud and impressed by my husband. He may not always like his job, and feel stress and pressure to never make a mistake, but very few people can say that they have had such an awesome responsibility. It's likely that he will never launch a nuclear missile but he does have the power to do so which makes him a total bad-ass in my book!
When Allen told me that his squadron was hosting a Missile Alert Facility Family Day, or Take Your Family to Work Day, I was pretty scared. I started having flashbacks of mind numbingly boring brochures and watching the wall clock tick seconds off that felt like minutes. Of course, once he told me there would be a barbecue I was sold. What can I say? I like hamburgers.
Thankfully, It turned out to be a fun and interesting experience, and I was only required to sit through one PowerPoint presentation which must be some kind of Air Force record. The tour itself was the best part so I'll just skip right over the rest. First we toured the above ground part of the facility which is where the military police and chef stay while they are on duty. Unfortunately for them (and their families) the shifts last 3 days instead of just 1 like missileers. That portion of the facility reminded me a lot of a fire house. There were a few bedrooms, a common living/dining space, a workout room and a recreational area complete with a big TV. The best part was the industrial equipped kitchen. They could truly feed an army if necessary!
Next we were able to tour the actual capsule where my beloved spends his time. Sadly, it's devoid of all the recreational perks and pseudo-homey vibe of the above-ground area. After a very rigorous security clearance process our group was finally allowed to go down the hatch, so to speak. On our way to the elevator Allen made sure to point out the stairs since that's they only way out in case the elevator is inoperable. On the way down in the elevator is there is an exposed wall that everyone signs after they work their "LFA" or Last F*cking Alert. Allen can't wait to have his name on that wall!
The elevator goes about 2 stories into the ground and leads to a hallway with a huge blast door. This is where I started to feel like I was back in Cheyenne Mountain (which I was fortunate enough to tour while living in Colorado Springs). The capsule is supported by giant shock-resistant springs and since its built into the ground there are still parts of rock exposed behind the walls and under floors. Behind the first blast door is a dead end. If you go right you are in the equipment room and right is another blast door which leads to the actual capsule room itself. We spent a few pointless minutes in the equipment room while Allen tried to explain the function of the big noisy machines but it was so loud that I had to wear earplugs so I have no idea what he was talking about.
Next we got to see the capsule room which I'm pretty sure should be called the time-capsule room since it looks exactly like the inside of an early 1980s space shuttle. I would know since I toured several as a kid at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. It makes sense that the capsule has a retro vibe since it's pretty likely that the equipment hasn't been updated since the 80s. I was almost expecting for a countdown to begin and for us to shoot right out of the ground and in to space. No such luck, but I did get to see the launch control panel which is not a big red button like portrayed in War Games. Instead, it is two key locks. One for each missileer and they have to be turned concurrently along with the keys of two other missileers in another capsule. It actually takes 4 people to launch a nuke. Who knew? Not me until I went on this informative tour!
The day was really interesting and I'm glad I had a chance to see where Allen works and what he does when he is there. Most of his job is top secret so I only get to know bits and pieces of the real mission. It makes it hard to understand and follow what it is that he actually does so the chance to see some of it in person was helpful. Of course, we didn't see any juicy, classified material but with all the security required to let us in to the site you would have thought we might be privy to some sensitive information. Nope, just a tour and some burgers. They wouldn't even let Samuel down in the capsule since they were worried that curious toddler hands might find some troublesome buttons to push that would cause a threat to national security, or something like that.
I sure am proud and impressed by my husband. He may not always like his job, and feel stress and pressure to never make a mistake, but very few people can say that they have had such an awesome responsibility. It's likely that he will never launch a nuclear missile but he does have the power to do so which makes him a total bad-ass in my book!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Bath Buddies
I've decided to hop on the Wordless Wednesday bandwagon! It seems like a great way to give a glimpse of what's new in our lives without writing an entire blog. Here is my first:
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