We were lucky enough to have both Grandmas stay with us for all of January and most of February once Karen went back to work. It was important to us for him to have as much time at home as he could before we had to send him to daycare every day.
Here are some things that I learned... Both Grandmas took to Tommy like a puppy being left alone with a bowl of ice cream. Tommy told me that there were days where he go so many kisses his cheeks started to bruise. He tried to signal for a time out, but nothing could stop the kisses.
Also, both Grandmas have DVR needs that put a lot of pressure on us as a family. A LOT. Honestly, I dont know what we would have done without their help and Tommy was so lucky to spend so much developmenal time with his loving Grandmas. We love you Grandmas and we thank you.
After his nice stay at home, Tommy gets to go to Julie's now. Julie has been watching kids for 10 years or so, and there are 3 other kids there now throughout the week. Hopefully, Tommy learns about sharing and playing with the other kids. When I went to daycare growing up in New York, the woman who watched me had an 18 year old son who played the drums. I idolized him and sure enough, by the time I was 4, I had my own drumset. Julie has a kid in high school.
There will be no percussion in this house.
He is a big sucker. He sucks on anything he can get close to his face, which is something to probably keep an eye on as he gets older. His record is four fingers, but I'm pretty sure he'll get that whole hand in there before long. Also, his stance on nudity is unknown, but we think it's hilarious. One time, and one time only, I dressed him in matching colors for a day out.
We've also had a few minor medical issues over here. Tommy comes from two people with busted feet. Karen will tell you that she has perfect feet, and they are very pretty, but one of her toes is teeny tiny and it ain't the pinky. Look for it this summer, she doesn't mind!
I, on the other hand have broken down feet from 20 years of mediocre soccer playing. Each toe is exactly the right length mind you, but I won't be modeling flip flops any time soon. Anyways, Tommy has an ingrown toe nail. We acted appropriately I think, in driving 100 mph to the pediatrician, where we we told to go home and "put neosporin on it." We hope his foot troubles are behind him.
Also, my son needs a helmet. He's a big boy with a big head, but the back of his head is starting to double as a coaster when he falls asleep in my arms. The doctors tells us it's very common these days. Plus, he comes from a proud line of bespectecled, othodontia assisted people, so if he gets his awkward phase out of the way at 4 months we'll consider it a win. Nonetheless, doctor visits are concerning and we're very anxious to get started on the helmet project. It should make for cute pictures, don't you agree?
He really loves reading now, or being read to at least. While we're conviced that he's actually reading along, we have no verbal confirmation as of yet. He likes books about monkeys and feet and belly buttons. I started a little Nietzsche with him, but it was quickly waved off in favor of the monkeys. He grunts and laughs and coos all the way through them though, so somethings going on in there.
He has a book called Fox in Socks. Here is an exerpt.
"Duck takes licks in lakes Luke Luck likes. Luke Luck takes licks in lakes Duck likes."
This book is 50 pages long and it's full of nonsense like that. I'm convinced it's sole purpose is to get you to accidentally say curse words aloud to your children. Beware this book.
It's been a fun 4 months. The helmet thing gave me a little scare. Any time you hear "surgeon" when it's related to your kid, it can freak you out a little bit, but I think it will be okay. He's a happy little boy. Helmets are kind of cool. Batman wears a helmet, technically.
