A few more months have passed and a LOT has changed since my last update. First of all, the Watsons have moved! We are now residing with the Watson Seniors as we try and sell our house. The extra help with Uly has been significantly beneficial for us--especially me--as I grow more pregnant and grumpy...
Uly is having a great time here. He almost never asks to go on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
BIG news
The end of summer is near. Although it's still hot, the outdoor pools have closed and we're starting to get the tiniest break in the season's hottest weather. Uly and I were able to spend about 20 minutes outside this morning without contracting heat-stroke or West Nile Virus from the thousands of mosquitoes that normally haunt the surroundings of our home. It was a very pleasant 20 minutes.
Uly is now fully weaned and has been so for several months. He's a very happy little boy who is talking pretty animatedly and who very much enjoys the company of his friends both young and old. He recently got a good dose of "Honey" (Gloria, Judie's long-time friend) and even though she's been back in Florida for several weeks he still talks about her every day.
Last week we made our first family trip together and had a really great time in Ashville, North Carolina. Uly handled the 2-hour car trip with near-perfect ease and slept in the hotel like a champ. There we met one of Gavin's dearest old-time friend, Todd, and his wife Georgina, whom Uly could not get enough of. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to get together again. Perhaps we'll get brave over the winter and try a flight down to Tampa. Ugh. My knees quake at the thought of flying.
The highlight of the Ashville trip was, for me at least, watching Uly chase pigeons while yelling "More chicken! More chicken!". It's an image I'll never forget.
Another big event that happened this summer is that Pop-Pop finally finished building his boat! Moe and Pop-pop launched it last week and are delighed to announce that it did not sink! Tomorrow morning we are going to take a little stroll in it and I will post some pictures.
And now for the biggest news to-date...
Uly is going to be a big brother! Sometime around the middle of March Uly will have his very own little brother or sister to shower with some of his abundant affection. We're all very excited, and we know Uly is going to be too. He loves babies and little kids. I've never known another little person to be so gentle with little ones. So exciting!
Uly is now fully weaned and has been so for several months. He's a very happy little boy who is talking pretty animatedly and who very much enjoys the company of his friends both young and old. He recently got a good dose of "Honey" (Gloria, Judie's long-time friend) and even though she's been back in Florida for several weeks he still talks about her every day.
Last week we made our first family trip together and had a really great time in Ashville, North Carolina. Uly handled the 2-hour car trip with near-perfect ease and slept in the hotel like a champ. There we met one of Gavin's dearest old-time friend, Todd, and his wife Georgina, whom Uly could not get enough of. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to get together again. Perhaps we'll get brave over the winter and try a flight down to Tampa. Ugh. My knees quake at the thought of flying.
The highlight of the Ashville trip was, for me at least, watching Uly chase pigeons while yelling "More chicken! More chicken!". It's an image I'll never forget.
Another big event that happened this summer is that Pop-Pop finally finished building his boat! Moe and Pop-pop launched it last week and are delighed to announce that it did not sink! Tomorrow morning we are going to take a little stroll in it and I will post some pictures.
And now for the biggest news to-date...
Uly is going to be a big brother! Sometime around the middle of March Uly will have his very own little brother or sister to shower with some of his abundant affection. We're all very excited, and we know Uly is going to be too. He loves babies and little kids. I've never known another little person to be so gentle with little ones. So exciting!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Time flies, seriously. I feel like I just wrote that last post, and already it's July 4th. I suppose Uly and I are having just way too much fun together this summer to take care to record every daily discovery and milestone. Talking is such a big deal. I knew it would be, but could never have anticipated the pleasure we'd both get from lengthy conversation. Uly now likes to talk about what's on his mind--past and present. Out of the blue he'll say something like "Blackberry, car, bye-bye" and I know that he wants to go pick some blackberries at Moe and Pop-pop's house. Alternately he'll say something like "Papa, 'tatos, do-lou" which translates to: let's go see Grampa Tom and feed potatoes to the dog and play with Granny Lou. He also likes to talk about the time he fell on his butt and it hurt.
Weaning is nearly complete. I waited a long time for him to be ready, and he finally is. He needed some nudging, but every bit of it kind and gentle and filled with lots of hugs and cuddles.
Happy fourth, everyone!
Weaning is nearly complete. I waited a long time for him to be ready, and he finally is. He needed some nudging, but every bit of it kind and gentle and filled with lots of hugs and cuddles.
Happy fourth, everyone!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Everything is so good right now I haven't even bothered to write about it. Uly is all about talking. He'll readily repeat any new word you ask him to try out, and although most of the time it isn't remotely correct he at least gets the syllables down and 100 points for actually trying. I love it!
Also new this past month or so--and I was VERY hesitant to discuss in case of jinxes--is that Uly is now following a respectable sleep schedule, more or less. He will now sleep almost 5 hours before waking up the first time, and now averages only two wake-ups a night. It's heavenly. I feel like a changed woman, and Uly seems to be in much better spirits too.
I'm really loving this age. He's so full of intent and sincerity. The other day I was trying to make dinner and he was growing increasingly agitated with the wait. He was hungry and waving a box of pasta at me trying to get me to open it so he could eat it. I explained that it was raw and needed to be cooked in the oven first. He just gave me this look like "well what the hell are you waiting for?" and then marched over to the oven (which was off), opened the door and shoved the box in. Priceless.
Summer is here, the lightening bugs are out and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves these days. I havn't been taking pictures much because we're back to the stage where if Uly even hears the camera turn on he's after it. Most of the pictures I've been getting lately are coming off other people's cameras and I will be posting some soon.
Also new this past month or so--and I was VERY hesitant to discuss in case of jinxes--is that Uly is now following a respectable sleep schedule, more or less. He will now sleep almost 5 hours before waking up the first time, and now averages only two wake-ups a night. It's heavenly. I feel like a changed woman, and Uly seems to be in much better spirits too.
I'm really loving this age. He's so full of intent and sincerity. The other day I was trying to make dinner and he was growing increasingly agitated with the wait. He was hungry and waving a box of pasta at me trying to get me to open it so he could eat it. I explained that it was raw and needed to be cooked in the oven first. He just gave me this look like "well what the hell are you waiting for?" and then marched over to the oven (which was off), opened the door and shoved the box in. Priceless.
Summer is here, the lightening bugs are out and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves these days. I havn't been taking pictures much because we're back to the stage where if Uly even hears the camera turn on he's after it. Most of the pictures I've been getting lately are coming off other people's cameras and I will be posting some soon.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Today's new words (so far...)
Thanks to little Ruby we now have "Ducky" and "Doggy". Thanks Ruby!
"Gammaw" also made it's first appearance this morning when I asked Uly, who was waving the phone at me, whom he wanted to call.
So many other changes have taken place for us over the past couple of weeks. Most importantly (to me, anyway) is that ULY SLEEPS!!! Naps have started earlier and are about 1/2 as long as before, and bedtime is now starting to hover consistently around 7-7:30 and lasting until about 6AM with only a few interruptions during the night instead of the previously typical 6 or 7 awakenings. HURRAY!!!!!
Behaviorly, Uly has definatly entered into a more confident/defiant phase. It will be interesting to see how these charactaristics evolve as we work with him on learning how to handle himself as he grows into a grown-up person. So far, the very swift, unemotional removal of little person from the object of misdeed has been extremely effective. The second I loose my cool it becomes a game, so I guess the same is true for adults and arguments. To me at least, NOTHING is worse than not getting a reaction...
On the Fun Front we are now able to enjoy all of the fun outdoorsy and wet places Oak Ridge and the surrounding area has to offer. We're eating tons of strawberries straight out of Judie and Bob's garden, and swimming in public pool and scouting bugs. The object I'm most excited about at the moment is my new bike trailer that I've been using to haul Uly around in. He LOVES IT. I don't think anything feels so good as to be cheered on by your kiddlet while peddling ferociously toward some destination. Win-win!
"Gammaw" also made it's first appearance this morning when I asked Uly, who was waving the phone at me, whom he wanted to call.
So many other changes have taken place for us over the past couple of weeks. Most importantly (to me, anyway) is that ULY SLEEPS!!! Naps have started earlier and are about 1/2 as long as before, and bedtime is now starting to hover consistently around 7-7:30 and lasting until about 6AM with only a few interruptions during the night instead of the previously typical 6 or 7 awakenings. HURRAY!!!!!
Behaviorly, Uly has definatly entered into a more confident/defiant phase. It will be interesting to see how these charactaristics evolve as we work with him on learning how to handle himself as he grows into a grown-up person. So far, the very swift, unemotional removal of little person from the object of misdeed has been extremely effective. The second I loose my cool it becomes a game, so I guess the same is true for adults and arguments. To me at least, NOTHING is worse than not getting a reaction...
On the Fun Front we are now able to enjoy all of the fun outdoorsy and wet places Oak Ridge and the surrounding area has to offer. We're eating tons of strawberries straight out of Judie and Bob's garden, and swimming in public pool and scouting bugs. The object I'm most excited about at the moment is my new bike trailer that I've been using to haul Uly around in. He LOVES IT. I don't think anything feels so good as to be cheered on by your kiddlet while peddling ferociously toward some destination. Win-win!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
More Words
Paw, peas, pasta, tah-toe (potato), pop, cook-ck (cookie), COCKHOE (popcorn), ker-rack-ck (cracker), uh-nana (banana), beans, corn, ha-hih-kle (bicycle), ike (trike), har (hair)...
and more and more each day!
He's also trying hard to use people's names. Judie is now Ma (his version of Moe, which is our nickname for her) and I am finally, properly named "Mama" instead of just "Nana", which is Uly's equivalent of boobs. Today he worked hard on Jessica, getting the "sica" part, but still using the sound of "H" in front of most multi-syllabic words.
Let me repeat, this talking thing is SO COOL!!!
and more and more each day!
He's also trying hard to use people's names. Judie is now Ma (his version of Moe, which is our nickname for her) and I am finally, properly named "Mama" instead of just "Nana", which is Uly's equivalent of boobs. Today he worked hard on Jessica, getting the "sica" part, but still using the sound of "H" in front of most multi-syllabic words.
Let me repeat, this talking thing is SO COOL!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Word for Word
Uly says stuff! I don't even know where to begin I'm so dag-nab tickled pink. He'll try and say almost anything now, if you say it first--slowly. It's amazing. In two days I've heard several brand-new first time words such as "pasta", "please", "peas", "popcorn (cockhoe--)", "cookie", "cracker", "water", "ham", and the list is about to go on. he's especially fond of multiple syllable words. I've never seen anything more amazing as the development of language. Go Uly!!!
ULY TURNS TWO, HAS FIRST KISS!
It really was a perfect day. The house was swarming with children of many ages and sizes, and pizza, cupcakes and cake completed the deal. Uly was most excited about some fruit roll-ups he was gifted by an older woman (3 year-old) who obviously has a line onto what two year-old boys desire most. In her gift bag she also included an interesting assortment of little cars which Uly now insists that I take with us everywhere... I love it! At the end of the day, when the crowd was gone but there was still one lingering, lucky lady, the *real* gift commenced. Skyler *ahem* (strumpet) allowed Uly a bona fide hug and kiss--his very first from a non-related girl. Regrettably I could not get a picture of the kiss, but I did get the hug! What a great day! Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a memorable occasion!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Uly learned how to open the porch gate that leads to the driveway and the road all by himself! What a big boy! I'm SO not going to celebrate this!!!
It's been a very difficult couple of weeks--I'll post more when I have the energy for it. He's learning so many neat things right now that I'm somewhat ashamed for not noting them...
It's been a very difficult couple of weeks--I'll post more when I have the energy for it. He's learning so many neat things right now that I'm somewhat ashamed for not noting them...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Finally Comfy
After several attempts at falling asleep in other positions, Uly finds the sweet spot.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Everything is going very well. Uly is saying something new it seems like every day now. recently I've heard him say "orange juice", "door", and several passable attempts at "daffodil". To hear that last one is a riot!
He's also discovered the joys of contrariness. Who would have guessed that that trait would show up in my son?
haha
He's also discovered the joys of contrariness. Who would have guessed that that trait would show up in my son?
haha
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What a WEEK!!!
This week Ulysses life is about to change, or has already changed, in a very big way. On Monday, Mommy's parents arrived here in Tennessee after an 8-day journey across the country in a 17' U-haul truck and are, at this very moment, snuggling themselves into their new home for what we hope will be a long and happy retirement here in the beautiful South.
Gavin made their travel arrangements, I found the house, and Judie stocked it full of delicious soup. Uly has done his part by renaming the dog "doh-doh" and by claiming my fathers lap and glass of milk for himself 20 minutes after having met him. Mom and Dad are resting up from such a long trip but are doing very well.
Pictures to soon follow!
Gavin made their travel arrangements, I found the house, and Judie stocked it full of delicious soup. Uly has done his part by renaming the dog "doh-doh" and by claiming my fathers lap and glass of milk for himself 20 minutes after having met him. Mom and Dad are resting up from such a long trip but are doing very well.
Pictures to soon follow!
Friday, February 27, 2009
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