Kindermusik Classes

So after a lot of back and forth, on my part. Yus and I finally went to a Kindermusik class. We arrived early (which calmed my nerves) with enough time for a diaper change and for him to get to know Joan, the teacher, a bit before the other kids came.

There was a drum in the center of the room with sand discs and zig zag discs for the kids to use to bang on the drum. As the kids started coming in the class, Yus kept playing on the drum and then started interacting with some kids that were his size (or what he thought were his size). The kids ranged from 3 months to 7 years old and there were about 7 kids in the class. Some new like us, others old pros. 

Yus & Ms. Joan

The class started with a Hello Song, rhythm movement, and then the Good Bye Song. Our first class was an hour long and Yus had a blast! I'm pretty sure all the classes are about an hour. The next 11 weeks should be tons of fun and the class also includes a Kindermusik instrument set for fun play at home. We will mostly likely sign up again, and again, and again.

 

I guess this starts my mommy taxi days.

Click here for more info on a Kindermusik near you.

nkoyo

We Are Pacifier FREE!!!!

Yes you read that correctly, today makes 1 week of NO bow-bow.


pics on Sodahead
I decided, I had waited long enough and there was no time like the present. Since October he's not been allowed to have his pacifier at school. So, Yus would walk in the door, hand his pacifier to his teacher and keep on moving. He took a nap without it, played without it, everything. Like I've said before, Yus is smart and knew that he could only use his bow bow at home. Now if I was a genius, I would have nipped it in the butt then, but I wasn't ready. Clearly I needed the bow-bow more than he did.

With my new job, our new schedule and the New Year, I decided it was time. I started slowly, no bow-bow in the car, and 2 days into, only bow-bow at night, a light bulb went off. "It's so rude of me to tease Yus with the bow-bow at night." He goes all day without it, let's just go cold turkey. And last Thursday night was rough but after milk and what felt like 10 minutes of crying he was sleep. Sweet Success and Victory all in one. Friday night was a little better, he only cried for 5 minutes and to sleep he went. Saturday night he was plan exhausted after a fun filled day of playing with his cousins. A little toss and turn and he was out. Sunday night was a breeze and we haven't looked backed since.

Next, we will conquer toilet-training... 

NOTE: Yus is teething AGAIN (when will this end) so what I call success my husband is still wishing for the bow-bow. HAHAHAHA! But I know all he needs is a little orajel and he's fine...

How did you break your child from the pacifier? 

nkoyo

Well Visits: Cold & Flu Season

Dr. Anderson is an awesome doctor

Yes, it's that time of year again. Two years ago a flu shot was not on my radar. It was for parents and my great-grandma and I was neither. Now, I am all for the flu shot - up to a certain age. 

Have you had your flu shot yet? 

I had mine and Yus had his yesterday along with his other 15 month-old shots. I had to work so, James took Yus to the doctors. Of course pictures were taken to document the moment and Yus was a trooper!

I still believe in the thought that too much medicine will not allow your body not to fight back as hard as it should. So, we try not to give Yus medicine every time his nose runs. Our immune systems are set up to fight and repair. I like to think I'm the female version of Wolverine, the self healing body, a little shake of the head, exercise, orange juice and vitamins does a body good. 

Hope your home is prepared for cold and flu season. Here are some things we added to our grocery list: 

• disinfecting wipes 
• honey liquid cold medicine (I still can't swallow pills to well)
• throat lozenges and spray 
• tissues w/ aloe and Vic's (AMAZING!)
• orange & cranberry juice 
• peppermint tea 
• honey 
• apple cider vinegar (mixed w/ warm water and a bit of salt - shake or stir and gargle - on hand in case you run out of throat spray)

What's on your list this cold and flu season?

nkoyo

Update: Put Down the Pacifier

This is just too cute! Click here to get tips and more videos of Elmo helping kids to be a big kid.

nkoyo

Happy Halloween: Dupage Children's Museum

I was able to take Yus to the Dupage Children's Museum for the Halloween event. The museum is amazing! We stayed about an hour and I had to pull Yus away. He enjoyed playing with the blocks, the music room and I think his favorite was the water and wind area.

Thank goodness the museum provides clothes covers for the water area, otherwise Yus would have been completely soaked. We will definitely be back again soon since we didn't get to see the entire museum. I had to pry Yus away from everything just for him to get through the first floor.

Happy Halloween!!!! Be safe and have tons of fun.

nkoyo

Play Time: Q-Tips

Seriously, I'm starting to wonder if we should even buy toys for my son anymore. He would rather play with Q-Tips. I can get so much done when he has a box. Laundry, dishes, a shower, you name it!

Moms I know you can agree, there is that one commonly used item that your child would rather play with than their toys.



Yus loves his Q-Tips!


nkoyo

Fall Season Excitement: Sonny Acres Farm Adventure

This past weekend Yus and I headed out to Sonny Acres Farm. We arrived at about 11:30am and the farm was hoppin'. Not too crowed but just enough to make it an adventure. He had taken a nap on the car ride over so the first 15 minutes was wake-up time. Not so bad, since I had to get my barrings and get tickets for the pony ride and kiddie koral.

The farm is amazing to say the least. It truly does cater to families and has something for everyone. Since, I knew Yus wasn't going to last long. I only purchased 6 tickets, $6. Just enough for the pony ride, 3 tickets and the kiddie koral, 2 tickets per child and 1 ticket for adults (but if you have more than 1 child the adult doesn't need a ticket). 



Mr. Pony



Yus was a little hesitant with the pony. It was funny, the girl that took our picture said, "He's not too impressed with this pony." Hahahah! The ride wasn't too long and I was glad I decided to wear my sneakers instead sandals. Not a good look to have pony poo in the toes.

He walked/ran around the kiddie koral. It's like a small gated obstacle course for the little ones, I'd guess for ages 1 - 7. Yus went through a tunnel, that I thought was dark, but my little man has no fear, so I wasn't stopping him. He also thought it was a good idea to touch everything. We both learned he's not a big fan of hay.





Kiddie Koral



By the time we did those two things and I took pictures of him by the pumpkins it had already been an hour and half and we were both tired. Sonny Acres does have a petting zoo but I thought he was a little too young for that. Next time I'll add it to the list of to do's.

Suggestions:

~ Do take a stroller - they do offer wagons for older kids

~ Do bring sanitizer and hand wipes - they have Porto-potties and an outdoor changing area for little ones - not sure if there is an indoor changing area for chillier/colder days

~ Food is carnival style - tons to choose from and moderately priced - although we didn't eat

~ Do take a picture by the scare 'How Tall This Fall' it makes for a great height chart and can become a tradition



'How Tall This Fall' 2 feet



All in all, it was a lot of fun and we'll definitely be returning next year.

nkoyo

Weekend Grove Music: What I Am

Every morning this past week Yus has watched a Sesame Street DVD. He really loves them and it's funny to watch him talk to the TV. I know this weekend will be filled with more Sesame Street and fun outside if weather the permits. So here's Will.i.am's Song "What I Am".



Yus at the park last weekend!



Have a safe and fun weekend!

nkoyo

Fall Season Excitement: Sonny Acres

Can you smell the crisp fall air? I'm so excited for this holiday season. Yus is older and I feel this holiday season will officially begin his holiday excitement. I absolutely LOVE the holidays and can't wait to share them with my family.

Fall brings, Halloween, Thanksgiving and house decorating. So, if you live in the Chicago Suburbs or surrounding areas I'll be venturing out to some fun harvest time places.

First stop: Sonny Acres Farm early October

This is a family owned pumpkin farm by the Feltes', located in West Chicago on 29W319 North Avenue. I am really excited to go. This will be our first time and from what I hear this will mostly likely become a family tradition.

Entrance is FREE to the public. There are rides and tours that do cost, so bring cash, according to the website. There is a list of Fall Things to do and I'm really excited about taking Yus to the Kiddie Koral and the Petting Zoo so he can interact with the animals. I also want to check out the Harvest Barn for Fall farm stand items.

Yus is still a little too young to carve pumpkins but I think seeing them and touching them will be lots of fun.

nkoyo

Headbanger - Hold the Heavy Metal

Dr. Mom appeared again last night. This is time I diagnosed Yus with a concussion. It's amazing how Sunday night J and I were just talking about how we have to be really careful where we place Yus now that his *'spaz-out'* moments are starting to happening.

I sat Yus on the kitchen floor, so I could get him some milk (big mistake) and he decided that's not where he wanted to be. It happened in an instant but here's the slow-mo version.

I sat Yus on the kitchen floor, reached for the sippy cup on the counter, turned to the fridge for the milk and then I noticed 'Super Dad' jump from the couch and I heard this bang. I turned and Yus was SCREAMING and J was picking him up.

It happened so fast. I finished getting his milk and went over to check on him and his eyes were droopy (in my opinion). I told J he had a concussion and that we should head over to Elmhurst Immediate Care. I'm telling all this to a man who has had 5 count them 5 concusions in his HS football career. He politly said, "I think he's fine. In an hour if he hasn't perked up we can call the nurse and head over."

In short, we didn't have to go to Immediate Care and J's judgement was spot on. An hour later he had finished dinner and was playing around like nothing happened. I did do the follow the finger and eye test just to make sure before he went to sleep 5 hours later. :)



*'spaz-out' moment - noun. akward movement, tantrum; verb. to lower one's self to the ground in order to get their way*

nkoyo

Mental Game Plan

Heading to see my family over the Labor Day weekend!!!! whoop whoop! Most of our trips these days are by air since driving more than 2 hours with a 12 month/1year (I clearly don't know which to use - another post to come) is crazy in my book. I made my list of clothes, accessories, and toys for the suitcase as well as those for the diaper bag. I can't live without my travel lists.

Anyway, I must say I'm more nervous this time around. Yus, is a seasoned flyer having hit New Jersey and North Carolina at 6 weeks and 8 months respectively and Texas at 6 months. Each trip was a little more adventurous than the next and learning experiences. On the 6 week old trip I got over my fear of nursing in public to avoid the scream that would ensue if Yus didn't get his milk on YUS TIME. The 6 month trip proved that traveling with my husband made things a bit easier if he did it my way! :-) The 8 month trip we learned that mommy can't meet daddy at the airport because he'll forget something - the stroller... who forgets a stroller, my handsome husband does. AHHH! But anyway, I'm gearing up mentally for this trip. Role playing how things could go now that Yus is a mover & shaker. Each smile, cry, and bottle throw down to the spaz-moment and to the Speedy Gonzales crawl/walk, down and up the aisle of the plane.

It makes me feel better to be prepared for all the 'what ifs' or this 'could happen' moments. In my head the trip is currently playing out like this:

Airport drop off. Check bags, slow walk through security (remember socks). Yus slightly awake since flight is early in the morning. Ready milk cup, diaper change, adjust diaper bag so snacks and blocks are on the top. Speak with attendant for stroller gate check-in, receive tag, fold up stroller, put stroller in gate check bag, board plane. And this repeats in my head with the occasional fuss for milk/snack and wanting to cruise the terminal. --- Repeat for brief 45 minute layover. While on the plane my current vision is that Yus doesn't sleep and wants to roam the aisle. Throws a block (soft block) at the person sitting in front of us, spills milk/water on mommy (remember to pack an extra shirt), and finally once we descend he falls asleep. --- Repeat for final destination. Ahahahaha!

nkoyo