Bye Bye Binkie

Well, we finally did it. Tonight is the first night without a binkie.

After several months of reading about "The Binky Box," a story Gramma sent us and making a binkie box, to no avail. We decided to take slightly more drastic measures. Cold Turkey was not an option. Especially for a two and a half year old. Sure, it worked for me over 10 years ago when I quite smoking, but this was something completely different. He showed absolutely no signs of wanting to stop. He really enjoyed the book, we read it at least once a week after the initial barrage and he had fun making the box but he wasn't having any of it.

A friend suggested we try a "binkie exchange" at a toy store. A "binkie exchange" works like this:

First, you talk up the idea of getting a new toy and "paying" for it with the binkies for a few days.

Second, you actually go to the store and meander around looking for the best toy around.

Third, your parents freak out when you pick a dump truck, digger combination, that is $75.

Fourth, you are asked multiple times if you are sure you want to give up your binkies for this particular toy.

Fifth, you ignore them and play with the Thomas the Tank Engine train table and trains.

Sixth, daddy spots some awesome airplanes and helicopters. Who knew!!

Seventh, you are asked again if this is what you want to spend your binkies on.

Eighth, you walk proudly up to the cashier and hand over your binkies, one by one. Three all together.

Ninth, you walk out of the store a very happy boy!

We made the day very busy, starting at the toy store. As we were leaving, both Terry and I felt horrible. Max could not have been happier. Which just made us feel worse. Was he ready for this? Did he really understand what had just happened? We would have to wait and find out. We had other errands to run and Max never let the helicopter out of his sight. He held it almost the whole morning. We may have pushed a little to hard because he didn't get to have a nap until 3. Way past the usual time. He didn't ask for a binkie then, but fell asleep with me holding his new helicopter.

After nap we played hard at the park and had dinner and a bath. Terry and I both worried about what the night would bring. It was kind of a late night to. In bed by 9, laid down with daddy for some snuggle time. Max told daddy, "no need binkie, Maxie big boy." They called down for me around 9:30 and we tag teamed. I laid down with Max until he finally fell asleep at around 10:30. He did ask me for a binkie, twice. I reminded him that we got some great new toys today and he could have one of them if he wanted but we had no more binkies. It broke my heart.

So that was night #1. Our friend said it took her 3 year old son 3 nights of crying before he finally gave up the ghost. I am pretty excited there wasn't any crying because I don't think either one of us, Terry or I, could have handled it without breaking down ourselves.

We would like to thank, White Horse Toys, a local, independent toy store in Issaquah for their help today. The woman behind the counter was reassuring and very good with Max. Even asking him if he was sure this is what he wanted.

I am a little sad, Terry too. It is like Max is really growing up and now we just can't stop it from happening. We will see what tomorrow night brings. Wish us luck!

Pizza Boy

Some of you may remember that Max's favorite food is Pizza. Or as Max calls it, "gaga." Not sure how that correlates, but it sure is cute. 

Here he is eating pizza like a big boy!

 Big piece.

 "Mmmm, Yummy."

It is really the only food that he will actually feed himself. Wether it is cut up or he eats it like a big boy. He doesn't even seem to mind the sauce on his face when it eats it this way. Now, if only every night could be pizza night!

Happy Easter

The city of Snoqualmie hosts a huge Easter egg hunt each year and last year was our first. Max had such a good time that we decided to do it again this year.  This year, I think he understood a little bit more about what it was he was there for and really enjoyed himself that much more.

Scoping out the best spot for the hunt.

Waiting for the Easter Bunny.

Looking...looking...here he comes...

...the Easter bunny! He officially starts the hunt.

On the hunt.

Another one.

Look daddy, "Lot, lot of eggs!"

Max and mommy checking out the fire engine that brought the Easter bunny to the hunt. They let the kids have a turn sitting inside the fire engine.

After the egg hunt we headed to old, downtown Snoqualmie for a trick or treat style egg hunt. Any of the businesses with a "treat" put out a balloon and the kids get more eggs. Some have candies, others are just little goodies like little rubber duckies, basically just junk. Max loved it!

Here are a couple of photos of Max as we walked around town. His new favorite thing is walking with his hands in his pockets. He looks like a little, old man. It is so cute!

 Headed to the train station to check out the engines. They are running again.

Happy Easter everyone! Hope you all had as good a day as we did!



Nature Boy

Max and I went for a walk, during a break in the rain, and he insisted on wearing his binoculars. You will notice something interesting about his technique. He uses them backwards. This causes certain problems, like objects being closer then they appear. That was the first problem on our walk. He walked right into the neighbors car before I could stop him. He fell back on his bum, kind of stunned and then burst into tears.

Not the best start to a walk, but we mustered and kept on going. The pictures that follow are of my nature boy. Sorry about the size, I only brought my phone, not the camera.

 We walked down our street to the private bridge over Kimball Creek.

 "Water, mama!"

 "Where's it going?"

 Getting a closer look.

Does it get any cuter?

Potty Training Update

This post should really be titled, The Not Really Wanting To Be Potty Trained post. Max has been showing great aversion to the idea of potty training. He doesn't even really want to have his diaper changed. Daddy has taken the lead in handling the training. This picture of Max, though not really clear, really says it all.

Yes, those are underwear on his head! He shows utter contempt for the idea of potty training.

I love my son, but somedays I think he may actually walk down the aisle wearing a diaper! I know eventually he will take to the idea of potty training. I am trying to not stress out about his lack of desire on this issue. Only time will tell.

Little Naked Gardener

Well, okay, maybe not naked completely. Max loves being without his pants, and without his diaper. On this one particular day, after weeks of heavy rain, there was a brief respite and Max went outside to water the plants on the deck. He loves to help with the watering.

 Got to love the Thomas boots! Thanks Aunty Judy, they finally fit.

 "More water, please."

A happy, little, naked gardener. Bring on the sunshine!

Visit to Daddy's School

Hi Everyone, sorry it has been so long since my last post. My apologies. We have all been under the weather here. Max got the worst of the deal. He was hit with 2 days of vomiting, and a week of fever, runny nose and cough. Daddy was pretty bad also with a fever, the chills, a sore throat and cough. Me, well just sinus congestion, pressure and one wicked headache that didn't budge for about 6 days. We all suffered through, Max being the biggest trooper. He would throw up and then go back to playing race cars.

There is nothing harder to watch then your sick child and being able to do nothing for him. We saw his doctor, who said that no antiboinics where necessary unless diarhea became one of the symptoms. YIPPEE!! Something to look forward to. That was a hard visit. On the positive side, at the time, he was 25 lbs. and 36 and 1/4 inches. He is stretching out like his momma. The doctor said not to worry, he had a little bit of reserves to live on if he wasn't eating. REALLY!!! From where? 25 lbs and only in the 5% for weight at his age. Sometimes being a mom is so frustrating.

Anyway on a more positive note, we went to visit daddy at his school  the week before his finals. Max had a great time. There are a bunch of airplanes and helicopters, in various states of disassembly. We got to climb into the cockpit of several different ones and Max had a blast.

 Inside a Cessna.

 Max and Daddy switching seats.

 "Welcome aboard MLJ Airlines, I will be your pilot today, while my daddy pushes the pedals."

Do not attempt this during flight!

Inside a M.A.S.H. style helicopter.

Inside an Air Force Transport plane. "Wow, look at all those buttons and switches!"

"I want in!" Outside there are some old fighter planes. Sadly, we could not get inside.

I am not really sure if Max or daddy had a better time. Daddy loved showing us around, taking a break from studying for finals and Max loved seeing all the airplanes.

We are also happy to announce that Daddy passed his finals with a 94%! It was a very rough quarter for him, having to learn trigonometry and lots of electrical mathematics. 

We are so super proud of you daddy! Good Job!!