Energetic

Energetic is definitely a word I would use to describe Bennett. When he is done eating now, this is often what he does at his tray. He is also always crawling around now, NOT content in the swing and isn't quite pulling up to stand, but will get up on his knees and reach for things. I tried to buy a baby gate from our magazine-delivery service (yes, i order diapers, wipes, toys and other things from a service that delivers for free! I love it) but they no longer have them. Hmmm, containing him or entertaining him is my new, constant job. He is napping, but they are getting shorter (about 1-1.5 hours twice a day). He also continues to "head-butt" the side of his bed over and over again when he is unhappy in bed. Yesterday he moved the pack-n-play all the way across the room to the door this way. So, any suggestions for what a low-key, not high-energy mom is to do with a boy like this? Just try to keep up I guess. He is sweet and snuggly and smiley too though and I sure do love him. :)

Broccoli

My boys love broccoli. It is amazing but they both really do. Austin has liked it for a long time, especially Chinese broccoli. It is his favorite dish that Xiao Ji (my helper) makes. Dinnertime conversations often go like this:

"Austin, if you want to have more broccoli, you need to eat all your chicken."

or "Austin, if you want some more broccoli, you need to drink some milk"

Maybe we have a budding vegetarian, because it is hard to get him to eat meat sometimes, but he loves fruit, bread and many vegetables. He even likes salad (pronounced "sa-yed"). Plain lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, he loves it and often asks for more.

Bennett was just recently introduced to broccoli and he loves it too! He seems to like most things I have given him, however I think he is partial to broccoli. We have (thankfully) mostly moved past all his meals being pureed or blended and he is onto table food. He now eats pieces of bread and pasta, rice, steamed pieces of vegetables, egg yolk and often still rice or oatmeal cereal. I recently steamed some broccoli and gave it to him in little bite-sized chunks and he ate it all. Most of the time now, half of his meal ends up on the floor and half in his mouth. But not the broccoli. Just today I gave him some steamed broccoli as part of his lunch, and guess how much ended up on the floor? One little piece. He somehow knows to be very careful with broccoli so he can eat as much of it as he can. I guess I am lucky that my children like vegetables. Now if I could just get Chris to like broccoli, we would be set. (They did NOT get their love of broccoli from their dad, though he will eat it raw).

(In case you think we are always super healthy, Austin also loves McDonalds, pizza, ice cream and just about any dessert. We don't just eat vegetables, but I am glad it is not usually a battle to eat them!)

Singin' in the Rain

We have had a lot of rainy afternoons here lately. Yesterday, it started raining and Austin wanted to go out in the rain. I decided, well, why not? It's summer and it wasn't lightening. So here are the highlights.

There were a few Chinese ayis (aunts) standing around several of the entrance doors, watching. Most of them watched in horror I think, that I would let him run around in the rain and risk "gan mao" (getting a cold). One of them asked me if he would get a cold. I boldly proclaimed he would not. But one of them watched with great amusement and -maybe I was imagining it- but even envy. He did have a great time and 24 hours later, does not have a cold. :)

Austin convinced me to join in with him after awhile, b/c he wanted help looking for snails. Most of the time Bennett was in the stroller and we watched Austin from the door. No snails though- they sure like it after it rains, but I guess they don't like a downpour. After we went in, Austin wanted to "take a shower by myself". I turned on the water and let him hold the shower head and spray himself. He stayed in for 10 or 15 minutes. He definitely likes to play with water!

Happy Birthday, Nai Nai!

Today is Nai Nai (otherwise known as Jean or Chris' mom)'s birthday. We wish we could be there to celebrate with you. But since we cannot, here is a little song for you from Austin.



Thank you Nai Nai for sending great packages, giving great hugs, being silly on SKYPE, for all your acting with Doogan and Spike and for all your love. Have a great day celebrating you.

Love, Austin, Bennett, Chris and Leah

Quotes of the Day

These are all things that Austin said today...it is amazing what can come out of a toddler's mouth all in a day.

"Mommy, you don't put gas in the potty" (so he did not have to poop, that time)

Austin "Mommy, I like playing with these little cats. And Bennett"
Me "Bennett likes playing with cats too?
Austin "No, I like playing with real animals and Bennett and doggies" (I guess Bennett is sort of like a pet to Austin at times)

"I pee peed Mommy" (in his pants, quite a few times of both kinds of accidents today. I guess some days are better than others)

"Hen in a hat. Hooray! Hooray!" (anyone know which book this is a direct quote from?)

"Mommy, I have a snowblower in my bed" (apparently this was what he was pretending during nap (or lack thereof) time).

Recent happenings

We took a "celebrate Austin's potty success" trip to the donut shop. It was a big hit, except that it scarred Austin from wanting to use the public potties...not the intention of the trip. He was scared of both the hand dryer noise and the squatty toilet and the squatty flushing and refused to use it. WE then tried a tree outside, but that didn't work either. He stayed dry till we got home, but I guess slowly exposing Austin to public bathrooms will be our next potty training goal.

An escaped snail. It has rained a lot lately - which means lots of snails. This one crawled out of our box.

Thank you Nai Nai and Grandpa! We got a fun package today that included this Thomas outfit. Austin has been taking it on and off all day. Bennett enjoyed pulling things out of the box.

More play...Austin built a mountain and "climbed it" and then wanted Bennett inside the mountain too.

Are we having fun or what?

Living in the zoo

I have felt a little like we live in a zoo lately. We have a guest staying with us for three weeks (who is working with Chris for a short time and is very nice and helpful and babysits), Bennett sleeps in our bathroom which means the rest of us use the guest bathroom, we are potty training Austin, Bennett crawls around and gets into everything and we have had quite a few dinner guests and a music practice here. BUT, this reference to the zoo is about Austin's new favorite past time.



Both he and Bennett get in Austin's crib and Austin pours all of his stuffed animals in with them (plus a sleeping bag and his animal container) and says that they are in the zoo. One day he went fishing in the zoo for fish and cake (he got this idea from a Curious George book), he often pretends he is "Mr. Noodle" of his Elmo video and does silly things like stand on his head and pretend that he and Bennett are animals. Bennett mostly goes along with it and laughs at Austin (and sometimes cries when Austin is a tad too affectionate or yells when he is frustrated). But it is fun to see them playing together and it even allows me to leave them (for very short periods) to chop vegetables or put away laundry. I am looking forward to the day they entertain each other for hours. :)

Here is an action shot - Austin likes to somersault off the red container or sit on it to "fish"

In potty training news, it is going GREAT! I am so surprised and impressed. It is Saturday and Austin's last accident was on Wednesday. He now pees in the potty (or the grass outside) every time, except for sleeping times when he still has a diaper. Still no poop, that seems to always happen at nap, but it is really going well. We have barely left the house though so I don't know if we are ready to go out in public yet when the nearest bathroom may be hard to find or non-existent. I don't know how long he can hold it yet. But a great week still.

I could not resist this photo - Austin stripped completely down for this potty break and then went to wash his hands, which he now likes to do "all by myself".