Thank You, Batman

Or should I say, thank you, Joker.

We've done our best to shelter Kemper from stuff that might scare the bejeezus out of him. We haven't exposed him to movies with guns, or really much violence at all. (As I write that, I am reminded of his comment to the emerge doctor that he hurt his back "doing mixed martial arts"....) He does watch the UFC with his dad, but technically, fighting is a sport. I'm sure many disagree, but it's easier to explain limits and draw lines with MMA. Anywho, Kemper is 3. He has a tough time differentiating between real and make believe. I'm pretty sure he thinks that the friendly monsters on "Yo, Gabba Gabba" are real. We're doing our best to define to him what is real and what isn't, but as of late, have had a tough time.

While we were away with family about a month ago, Kemper got to take in *just enough* of the movie, "Batman, The Dark Knight". Now to try and paint the picture a little clearer here, Kemper doesn't want to watch the movie "The Little Mermaid" anymore, because Ursula frightens him. He will tell you that, and he will ask repetitive questions about Ursula, and "Why is she mean?"

Now, almost a month after the "Batman Incident", Kemper will no longer go to the bathroom by himself, not even for a pee; he won't go to his room alone, he wails and screams bloody murder if he is put in time out, because that is alone in his room... he actually comes flying out of his room and grips his arms around me and will say, "I'm sorry, mama! I'm sorry! I won't ever do that again!". If he is distracted when we are in a room together, and I leave the room, he peeks when he discovers I'm not there. He has not slept a whole night since, and either wakes up screaming or wakes up and runs into our room, or since he's been repetitively evicted from our bed, he now makes his way to Nana & Papa's bed, where eviction is a tad less likely.

So, needless to say, I'm a little nervous about another change this week, when he spends his first night in the new house. I think Kevin and I might have a roommate.

Call Me Selfish

I am so ready for this to be over. The whole hugeness, hurts to roll over, takes 2 minutes to get up off the floor, back achy, heart burny, hormonal sack of it.

I feel like tapping out, and I still have 5+ weeks to go.

Kemper has been listening much better lately, and I'm sure now that I've documented that, all hell will break loose.

The count down is on for *real* now. We are 8 days away from moving into our new pad. Eight days sounds so much more real than three and a half months. So, the repack begins. I'm starting to pack up stuff we shouldn't need over the next week, so that we are ready to roll next Friday.

Once we're in the new place, I'd love to say it'll be nothing but re-lax-ation once we are in, but I'd be totally b-s-ing myself. After all, the Wiggle Worm I'm growing will be here 4 weeks after, if all goes according to plan. So I'll have 4 *whole* weeks to freak out about rooms not being ready, not having my Christmas shopping done, yadda, yadda, yadda. Part of mommy-hood I suppose!

So, listen, have you got any healthy, easy (relatively), recipes for family friendly, non heartburn inducing eats? I'm struggling here....

These last few weeks have been a little frustrating.

For one, we are waiting for our new home to be completed so we can move in. Luckily, they have only pushed our closing date out one week, and they gave us about a months notice. For two, Kemper is in full blown toddler mode. Who ever called it "Terrible Twos" was sooooo wrong. "Terrible Threes" it is. So there. I think that everything is wearing thin on Kemp. We've been living with my parents for almost 3 months now, which has forced them to discipline Kemper way more than I'm sure they want, but have respected my "don't let him get away with any b.s." wishes. I've also been off work since early September, and despite taking him to the park, baking with him, and taking him skating; being with mom full time is getting old. He misses his friends at daycare. I still have 7 weeks left before the new little one comes, but I am already tired. Toting around the extra poundage and keeping up with Kemper has taken a toll. Because I'm already this tired, I'm starting to freak-out about what is going to happen when the kicking monster inside comes out? Am I going to have a child that is even more obsessed with Treehouse and Playhouse Disney? I hate how much he watches TV now.... what's going to happen when I'm exhausted with a newborn, and a three year old that no longer needs naps?

I remember the early days with Kemper. They were tiring, but also blissful. I remember just being with him. Just hanging out. If I needed to sleep, I did when he did. How will this work now, when I've got someone who is also going to need some of my attention?

I know, I know.... people all over the world have done it. Which is part of what keeps me sane, but I just don't want Kemper to feel left out. I'm married to an "older brother" so I know that being an older sibling doesn't have long term effect on a person, but seeing as I'm an only child, I naturally worry about ridiculous things.... especially when they concern my first born.

Choose Your Words

I never quite lost all of the baby weight after having Kemper. It could have something to do with adding an extra 65 (yeah, I said sixty FIVE) pounds to my 5'4" frame. It was quite embarrassing at the time, and I know it was all my own doing.

That is why this time, I've committed to myself to have a healthier pregnancy. I'm not going to deny myself the odd extra yummy, but I'm definitely being more cautious of what gets through the trap this time.

"They" say that weight gain, and growth happens quicker with subsequent pregnancies, but I didn't really document my weight gain weekly, or even monthly with Kemp, I just kept thinking, "Holy shit! I weigh what?" I know that I have been on a better pace with the poundage this time, and in turn feel better about the belly.

I've never been a small girl. Battled with weight as long as I can remember... (actually, I think that the battle was with food, not weight!) I don't ever remember being comfortable in my skin, until just recently. It was before I got pregnant this time, and I came to the realization that I'm never going to be 120 lbs (unrealistic for me), and that I'm a mother and wife, and on the upside of average. I could never find my size in stores, so that must have meant I was average! Right?

So why, when I am feeling quite good about my pregnant growing belly, does someone who doesn't really know me, or matter all that much to me, saying something as simple as, "You're due in December? WOW! You're big! You're going to be HUGE!" bother me so much?

Just like that.

Just like that we are packing up our little 3 bedroom bungalow.

Just like that I scored 94% on my first Phase of Real Estate.

Just like the "Blundell 3" is turning into the "Blundell 4".


Our house sold within a week of listing it, which is great, but frightening. We will be staying with my folks (lucky them!) for the time being, until our house is finished being built.

When I found out I was expecting baby number 2, it was an ignition of "the fire under our asses" to get our stuff together so we could list the house. In the mean time, we found our dream home, which we put an offer on, and now are waiting to be built for us. I found out a few days after I wrote my first exam that our little family was growing... now what? Continue on with the Real Estate? Absolutely. Being that we have been over the top busy, I had to reschedule my exam for October, since August came creeping up so quickly. Hopefully, studying will be easier once we are settled into ma and pa's.



F.Y.I. I'm scared out of my wits to parent two children.

It Takes a Village

I have recently embarked on a new challenge. This challenge will benefit my family, by eventually giving me more time with them, and potentially a larger income, and will benefit me by allowing me to spend more time with my boys, and ensuring that I will be able to make it to Kemper's first hockey game.

It has been 9 years since I've forced my brain to consume anything other than how to fit 275 people into a hall for a wedding reception, or how to fit Mega Bloks together to make a beautiful castle. I had been talking about it for a while, and finally called and registered for Real Estate College.

It's been about a month now, of juggling a full time job, managing a family and finding time to absorb what the basics of REBBA 2002 are.

Kevin and I have been fortunate since the birth of Kemper, (and before even, ask my mom & dad about having their daughter move back in while she's on bed rest, and her husband is in school 2 hours away, full time!!) to have tonnes of help from our parents. If we even need a night of peace and relaxation, someone is sure to scoop him away for the evening.

Since Mom's been hitting the books, Kemper's been whisked away to Gramma & Grampa's for a weekend, and had a couple of sleepovers at Nana & Papa's so I can focus on my studies.

I miss the wee man while he's gone, but 100% appreciate all of the help!

Thank you, my little village!

Perfectly Imperfect

Kemper and I are both Aries. We are both *Rams*. Our relationship reflects our star signs and can be rather interesting. Whether it is because we both have a fiery nature, or because I'm an only child, and sometimes we battle like siblings more than parent and child. None the less, we butt heads almost on a daily basis. I use our little squabbles to judge my own parenting skills. I try to be firm, yet understanding, and I try to make him understand through reasoning with him. This can be a challenge, when you are dealing with someone who is only two.

I'm loud by nature. Loud. Our walls are thin. We share a driveway with our neighbor, who is great, but must by now think that I am an absolute horror as a mom. When Kemper does something he was asked not to, inappropriate, or just doesn't listen, I shout. Some may call it yelling. Yes, I will call it yelling. I hate that I yell. He's not by any stretch a bad kid, and usually only gets the business when he wants my attention, which is usually when I am on the phone, or making dinner. I've started letting him help me in the kitchen when the stove isn't involved. His favorite recipe: ceasar salad; his favorite ingredient: croutons.

My question to you, do you have any kid (toddler) friendly recipes?

For Kevin Sakes!

Little big man is an observer. A listener (most of the time). A repeater.

We threw out the *Nuk* a couple of months ago, which I must say, was easier than I thought. I think I was more attached to it than he was. We're lucky because he understands and comprehends most of what we tell him, so when it *disappeared* I told him that the little babies needed it, and since he was a big boy, he got big boy toys. These big boy toys have become his favorite toys. He's got an obsession with the movie Cars, so I got him a *Mack* from the movie. That was all he needed. Easy. Wow.

Now, every time anyone tells him that he's such a big boy, he of course, must tell them that "I'm a big boy, cause I don't need a Nuk anymore, and I get big boy toys." This is still a big deal to him. A few weeks back he was really sick with a bug, and he asked me, "Can I have my Nuk please mom?" When he was told it was gone he said, with a puffed out bottom lip, "But I want it back...." *sighs* If I gave in then, I'm sure he would talk me into it again at some point. He lived through the flu without the Nuk. So life does go on.

Yesterday Kevin took the front rail off of Kemper's crib, and made it into a toddler bed. He has since had two naps and one full nights sleep in it.... without falling out.

This morning, I awoke to the same old, "maam. Maam. Maam?" I don't think he fully understood that he could get out on his own. This morning, I just laid in bed and called him to get out on his own. And he did, and crawled into bed with us. Hopefully, next weekend will involve a little bit of snuggling before the "maam" stuff starts.


In other news, in trying to be toddler friendly with our words, Kevin said last week,
"For heaven sakes." And Kemper asked him, "Are you for Kevin sakes?"

2 cups Cute + 2 cups Smart + a dash of Attitude = Kemper

28 months.

Wow. I know I've said it before, but time goes by so fast!




We've been busy working around the house. Kitchen reno has taken about two months longer than we expected. We are almost there now, just the dreadful finishing... eck. I was happy as long as I had working plumbing, and luckily I am married to a plumber, and I had a *functional* kitchen for pretty much the whole reno. We've pretty much taken our time, and enjoyed the summer as much as we could.

As for Kemper, he is smarter by the day. Seriously.

He sings "Oh, Canada", and alway's says "and then we play hockey". He is so

his fathers son.

His personality is fabulous... most of the time. He has a problem with mommy some days, and it really does break my heart that he has fits at me. People say its normal, but my sweet little angel has developed a temper that he can switch on like nothing. He is testing his limits, and we're trying to make sure that we are setting clear boundaries.

Kemper has been out of diapers for a little over a month now, and we are *so* proud of him! Hooray for Big Boy Underwear!




.... working on the kitchen, just like daddy!

Because He's Two.

I've been saying that a lot lately.

Making excuses I guess.

He's a full blown *toddler* now.

We have our moments. Probably because he's gone from "mommy's precious little angel" to "daddy's little devil". He's not really that bad. He's not really bad at all, it's just a big change going from a little person who wants to know so much from you, to a little person who is telling you how things are, and is daily trying to gain more independence.

We are starting to see new found fears in our little man. The other night Kemper and I were having a shower (sometimes it's just easier to do two showers at once), when Kemper started losing his mind. He was crying hysterically. Tears and shakes and screaming about something. He was telling me something went down the drain, but when I did a scan of the bath tub toys, they were all there.... hmmm..... then I noticed that the sliver of soap that was left on the edge of the tub was MIA. Ah ha. When I finally (after about TWO minutes) got him to stop sobbing, I explained to him that the soap went down the drain, but it's okay, cause the fishies will sure like that we shared our soap with them. Okay. We made it through that one.

"Where's the soap, mommy?"

This has been pretty much a daily question since the soap incident. I make him tell me where the soap is. He's pretty cool with that.

Unfortunately, now that he has figured out that more than just soap can go down the drain, shower and bath time has been much more interesting... We're hoping we can keep his fears to a minimum, and I find it rather unfortunate that something he used to love, is almost stressing him out now.

We'll just keep reassuring him....


On a brighter note, one of his first full sentences was the following:

"I watch daddy play hockey on Saturday."

And he pretty much tells everyone... ladies at the grocery store, people walking by, his baby-sitter..... The last time he watched Kevin play hockey was almost two months ago...

Don't Leave Home Without One

Today my friend Tab and I got together for the first time in over a year.

Tab called yesterday and asked if Kemper and I wanted to go to the Sweet Water Festival at the Wye Marsh. And I thought to myself, "it's supposed to be a great day tomorrow," so I said sure.

The morning started out great... I got to sleep in until 9:30(!!!) this morning. It was great. But then, I had a late start to getting ready for our adventure. By the time I got up and dressed and Tab got in to town, it was a little after 11.

We finally made our way to the Wye Marsh. Maybe I am naive, because I never think anyone goes to any of those things. Perhaps its because I'm a local and I always take these places for granted.... There was no parking in the parking lot. The parking was about a 10-15 minute walk away from the actual entrance.

No big deal, right?

So how about when you are with an almost 2 year old (next week!), and your forgot to bring a half decent stroller, and you are creeping up on nap time.... time to turn around and get the three wheel stroller....

The stroller at our house was locked in our shed, with the key on Kevins key ring, it the change room at the arena..... so we picked the next best place and stopped at Nana and Papa's.

By the time we rounded up a stroller and made it back to the Wye Marsh, I was actually a little suprised Kemp was still awake!

We managed to push through the crowds (we pretty much avoided the whole maple syrup production) and make it to the trumpeter swans. Watching Kempers amazement at the swans made the whole ordeal worth it.

A great way to end the week.

No More Excuses.

We bought a computer.

Finally.

We just couldn't put it off anymore. And when I say we, I mean me. I've wanted a laptop for a while, and it just makes sense for us, so two weeks ago I bit the bullet and went out and got one. After a couple of long phone conversations with Be11, I am finally online.

So really, no more excuses on why I haven't been sharing Kemper's growing with everyone.

Latest and greatest, we are right into the potty training. We've started a neato chart for Kemper to stick stickers on when he has successes. He's been doing well with peeing on the potty, and has been working on number twos. We tell him he's "like daddy", which makes him very excited.

He talks like a telemarketer. Just rambles on... the only difference is, I can understand most of what he's saying to me!

Until next time....

Of Shift Work and Potty Training

It's been months, I know. I think about posts all the time. But when you are lacking a home computer (just not the top of our priority list right now), there just isn't the time to sit and blurb out all the goodies.

So here we are.

Kemper is now a little over 21 months. And he is smart. Like, scary smart. Our daycare provider calls him "her little parrot". You say something: Kemper repeats.... so it better be something nice. Unless, ofcourse, you think it is appropriate for an almost 2 year old to say, "holy crap". I guess I'll have to cut that one out too. I've had to minimize my potty mouth. And I do have a potty mouth. I work with all men, and I know that's no excuse, but I also encounter truck drivers on a daily basis.

While we're on the topic of potties, Kemper has been peeing on the potty for the past couple of months. It's not every pee, but he's asking to go, so it's a start. We've had a few #2 successes, but I think he's afraid to poop on the potty. We're not pushing the issue right now, but we're putting him on when he wakes up and before bed and bath time. It's good. We still say "yes" and give high fives everytime we hear the tinkle in the potty!

He loves hockey. Is passionate about hockey.... and goalies. So I guess my hopes of him not following in the skate marks of his goalie dad, are dashed. Santa brought him an indoor mini net. The other day, he brought me a stick and ball, and went and sat in net and said, "goalie." So like any good mom, I proceeded to pepper him with shots! *L*

He is the biggest little Leafs fan, and I suppose this is his right through birth. His favorite player is "Tuckaaaah", just like his mommy.

Kevin is finally all done trade school, and I'm working 3 shifts, but we finally seem to have some sort of normalcy at home. All to be scraped away when we list our house and start house shopping late spring/early summer. I'm sure a move will make life interesting, but with a little one, life *is* more interesting.

Yes, it has been too long

and I say every time that I miss posting for a while that I will try to post more often. But as we all know, life is busy!

Kemper is a little over 19 months now, and I can't get over how smart he is. We are probably a little biased being that he is our offspring, but seriously, he's a tiny little mimic machine. You say it, he says it. This has been more than amusing in some cases; how many 19 month olds do you know that "Raise the Roof" *woot woot*, or say "Alright, diggity"? (That may only be humorous to those of you who watch The Family Guy). It has also been a real whip on my potty mouth. I work in a receiving department, in a factory. I drop more than the occassional F* bomb, and I know how awful and unlady like it is, but at work, it's almost second nature. I've been doing very well at home, due to two words (that will remain unmentioned) being repeated by Kemper.

He loves hockey. I mean LOVES it. He loves reading daddies "Hockey News" magazines, and pointing out the "Goagies". If he sees the Toronto Maple Leaf symbol he says "Hotee" over and over until you acknowledge that "yes, it is hockey". He says "GOAL" and "YES!" and points at the TV when his favorite team, The Leafs score. It's actually quite a riot!

We will be slapping the blades on him next weekend for the first time at my works Christmas party. It should be interesting.

It's been so long that I have about 12 chapters to catch everyone up on; so I will do my best to post again before Christmas!!!

All That's In Between

It seems like time skips along quicker and quicker these days. I guess that's partly because Canadian summers are so short.

I apologize for the lack of updates. We've been busy.

Kemper is 16 months now. Everyday is something new and great. He says new words almost daily, and is more mobile that I thought a sixteen month old could be. He inquires about everything he sees by pointing and saying "uh?" When you tell him what it is, he does his darndest to repeat it back to you. He knows lots of names of people now and everyone is thrilled everytime they hear him say their names.

Kemper loves Loops at Gramma's. Papa loves sharing red slush puppies with him, and Pops let's him serve himself crackers. Everything he eat's gets followed by a "mmmmmmmmm", almost like it's the greatest thing he's ever tasted.

Our sitter is on holiday's for the next couple of weeks, so his Gramma has joyfully voluteered to keep him. He'll be spending 3 nights at Gramma's house, (first time for that length of visit without mommy and daddy) and then Gramma will take him back for another night. Nana and Papa have voluteered to give Gramma Friday off and take him for the day. And as of Friday at 2:30, I'm on holidays!

We're heading to some friends' place in Stratford that we haven't seen since thier wedding in August '03. A lot has changed since then. They have two girls now, and we've since gotten married and had Kemper. We're so looking forward to spending some time with them. We don't really have any other solid plans, but I'm sure we'll do some day trips here and there.

I'll let you know how many times I've called Gramma's house when his visit is over!

As We Celebrate

Canada's birthday, we enjoy some downtime at Kevin's family's cottage. Kemper's second visit, and most active one. We tried swimming and playing with the hose and just enjoyed the outdoors.

We've had success in the daycare department. She is wonderful. And Kemper loves her, and the kids that she cares for. Third times a charm I suppose. It certainly makes being back at work much easier.

Here are some pic's from the weekend, enjoy.

Head and shoulders.....

head, head, head!

This is one of the newest rhymes that we are learning. Kemper's definitly got the head part down! He pats his head repeatedly until near the end of the tune when he starts either pulling his ears or poking his nose. So smart, my little monkey!

I know I haven't posted much lately, but being back at work full time takes up a lot more time than I though. I'm not really sure what I was thinking; it's forty hours a week out of the house, that have to in someways (lunches, diaper bags, etc.) be prepared for. I've also been going through a heck of a time with day care lately. I've been through two providers in the two months that I've been back at work, and I've been two weeks without any at all. Well, when I say *any at all*, my mom has once again, saved my day. I really am lucky to live this close to my parents, and to have them do pretty much anything for us.... but that's another post all together.

Kemper has made so many changes lately. He walks. Like crazy. He's all over the place. He doesn't crawl much at all anymore. It's wonderful, and sad all at the same time. I mean, I'm so proud of my little man! You're walking! Look at you! But wait, you're walking away from mama.... *sighs* He's growing up so fast. He's learning so quickly. He loves playing "Itsy-Bitsy-Spider" (he doesn't the up the water spout part), and "Patt-a-Cake" (he pats and marks it with a B), and daddy's favorite- "SCORES!" when he will throw his arms in the air and then pat whoever's head is nearby (most recently he's been patting his own head!), while daddy says, "Waytagoboys, waytagoboys!"

Needless to say, Kevin and Kemper are making out quite well together while I'm working afternoons. I'm pretty sure that we're ready for me to go back to both day's and afternoons (I've been on afternoons for three weeks while trying to solve the daycare issues). We're excited to have family time in the evenings again, starting next week, when Kemper starts at his new babysitters! Yay! I met Gayle last year at a Wilton Cake Decorating course, but didn't know she was doing daycare until recently. We did some interviews in the past couple of weeks. Nothing really jumped out though. I think you should get a warm fuzzy feeling, and not fuzzy from the dirt on the floor fuzzy. (One of the places was disgusting and I wouldn't send my dog there. And he rolls in dirt.) When we went into Gayles today, I got that feeling. It was an internal sigh of relief. My heart has hurt lately with the thought of him not going to a daycare where it's wonderful, and fun, and sunny and great. So anywho, we will try for a couple of weeks, (she want's to make sure she can handle him with everyone else since he's the youngest) and see where it goes. I have a good feeling though. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

I have so much to say, but not much time these days, I will post again as soon as I get a chance!

Happy(?) Birthday Kemper

What a week.

I thought I was being a smarty pants by taking last Friday off to prepare for my boo's first Birthday. He and I would have all day to do the things we needed to do. Get stuff together, bake his cake, get in a little playing here and there and so on. Well, smart in taking Friday off. I also had to take Thursday off. When I took Kemper for his 1 year Birtday pictures on Wednesday, something didn't seem right. He seemed a little off, but everyone has their days, so we went on that. Wednesday at lunch time, I dropped him off at his sitters, and a few hours later Kevin picked him up. He played with his friend AJ for a bit on Wednesday and then Kevin took him home. Dinner time came, but didn't work out so well for Kevin. Kemper projectile vomitted everything he had eaten all day, all over Kevin. And then came the diareaha poops. Kev tried to get a hold of me at work, to no avail. Sunofa... When I got home at a quarter to eleven, all I could smell was puke and poop. My bathtub was filled with clothes, both Daddy's and Kemper's, and my men both looked worn right out. Thursday, filled with more puke and poop, and a red sore bum. My poor boo. Thursday night, spent in the ER, "This could last for 5-7 days...." Great, nothing else you can do for us? Thanksalot. Kemper and I returned on Friday to the ER. "He hasn't kept anything down for days...." Same doctor, same response. Thank you for wasting my time, I guess. By the time we left the ER I felt like ass. Probably not eating all day, quick fix, Drive Thru at McNasty's.

By 4:00 on Friday afternoon we started making phonecalls to postpone the Birthday party until next weekend.

Back to Work

....and the chaos that follows.

It's been an interesting past couple of weeks. I'm now back at work full time. My day starts around 4:30 am, when I get up to get ready for work. Sometimes I can hear the wee man in his room before I leave, so I get to give him some kisses before I leave at 5:30. I stayed at my parents the first week back, because Kevin was supposed to be in school. Teachers ended up going on strike, but I think I was just to lazy to move everything back to our house when we really didn't know when Kev would be back in school. Not yet anyway. Second week, my babysitter is on holidays, so between Nana and Gramma, Kemper has been spoiled all week. I have been cranky lately. Kevin has been cranky lately. I'm just tired. I feel like I'm not giving Kemper enough. I feel like he's not getting as much time as I wish I could give him. I'm not horribly upset about being back at work, cause the money is nice, but I wish it were part time. These hours are kickin' me in the bum right now. One of the guys that I work(ed) with got the axe on Tuesday. For me, this means no midnights until they hire someone to replace him. It also means a third week of early mornings next week. I like that we have dinner and bath time together, but I really do miss everything else....

On a *much* brighter note, the first steps were taken this week. He took his first step towards daddy on Tuesday morning, and took 6 from Mommy to Gramma on Tuesday night. He's doing well now, taking steps here and there. I'm a little sad, because he's not mama's little baby anymore, but on the other hand I am sooo proud of him. He looks so smart standing all on his own!

Well, it's about my bedtime, so I will do my best to keep a little more up to date now!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Kemper's First Day at Daycare..... and the Projectile Vomit

Not related, but both happened this week.

With my days as a stay at home mom quickly nearing an end, we figured we should get the wee man into daycare, so it's not complete craziness when I return to work. I often said while I was off on Mat leave that I didn't know how our mom's did it when they had to return to work after only a few short months with us. I think now I have figured it out. We didn't know that our mommies were leaving us, so it didn't matter quite as much. I've just gotten so used to being with Kemper every day, all day. Back in the day, you knew that soon you'd be back to work, and among the sleepless nights and poopy diapers, you'd be adding either part or full time employment into that mix. Now that Kemper is starting to make strange, and be clingy, ofcourse, it is time to leave him with someone he does not know. Not to mention, all of the children. He sees other kids pretty much only once a week now, when we go to our play group. I know that being surrounded by the other kids will be beneficial, but he's the smallest, and I'm secretly scared he'll get picked on. I know that our sitter wouldn't let that happen, but it's one of many scenerio's that I've made up in my head... and when I say many, I mean many.

His sitter said that he did not bad. He cried off and on all day, and made strange here and there.

As I walked up the stairs away from him, my heart hurt. I was just hoping that he didn't cry.... please don't cry. If he cried, I'd have to go back down and get him. Pick him up. Love him. He needs his mama. But he didn't. He was fine. As I got into my car I looked in the rearview mirror, Isaw his little mirror, his car seat, his blanket... I backed out of the driveway and headed towards the store. My heart hurt a little more. I thought, "I can't do this! I can't go back to work! I can't be away from him for more than eight HOURS a day! I'm quitting work! That's it!" But I went into my mom's store, and I started to work. I thought about him all day. I refrained from calling, because I knew if he was crying when I called, I would have to save him. When I finally bailed on the store 5 hours (yeah 5 hours) later, I couldn't get to the sitters quick enough. I didn't speed or anything, I have pretty much stopped speeding and driving like a moron since I've had Kemper. I was so excited to see him. And he was so excited to see me too! I couldn't stop hugging and kissing him for the rest of the night. I put him in his car seat, I'd kiss him.... I'd take him out of his car seat, I'd kiss-kiss-kiss him. I'd give him some dinner, and kiss him. I guess this is really no different than any other day, I just appreciated these kisses that much more.

That was our Wednesday.

Thursday, we hung out all day, and looked forward to Thursday night with daddy. Since before Christmas, before Hallowe'en I guess, Thursday nights have been daddy and Kemper nights. I go to the store for three hours and they get to have "Man Night". I enjoy this time out of the house alone, and I know that he's in good hands. When I got home, he came crawlin' whinin' towards me. I just thought this was the same reaction that he'd give me when I'd leave him, the "where did you go with out me?" reaction. It wasn't. He wasn't feeling well. He wanted his mama.

Kevin says to me, "He puked. A lot."
Me: "Was he crying again."
Kevin: "No, he was having a bottle on me. He just barfed. All over me."
Me: "Poor baby doesn't feel well."
Kevin after going to get his puked on shirt, "See?"
Me: "Gross, it stinks!"

He continued to play and then come back to see me. Play for a bit, where's my mama.... and then it came, and came and came. I have never seen that much of anything come out of a little person. It was everything that he had in him, and it was on me, and it was all over him. I picked him up and we went into the bathroom. I stripped off both of our puked covered clothes, and I put my jammies on and started running the bath water for him. He started shivering. He never shivers. What-the-friggin-heck? He was pastie. Pastie white. With black eyes. My God, one day in day care and he's friggin sick? Ofcourse, this was the first thing that both Kevin and I thought, and ofcourse said. All Thursday night he would fall asleep on me, and I would put him down and he would wake up.... vomitting. Babies shouldn't vomit! They should *spit up*, not carry on like a grown person who's drank too much. Sweet-Mother-of-Mercy. I didn't sleep too much Thursday night. We pulled our mattress into the living room floor, which is usually saved for Friday night movie nights. The whole purpose was so that Kemper could sleep in his play-pen which won't fit in our room. We wanted to be close to him to hear if he was being sick again. Not five minutes after I put him in there he was sleep-puking. What-the-hell. I put him in between Kevin and I. I had earlier talk Kevin that we should take him to the hospital. Kevin said it's probably just the flu. I didn't care. I didn't end up taking him in, but at 1:30 decided if he was sick anymore I was calling the ER to see if I should bring him in. He wasn't sick anymore. Thank God. It was awful. I know that he'll be sick again in the future at some point, but what I wouldn't give for it to be when he's 16 (wishful thinking) and he's drank a few beers. *sighs*

On a brighter note, he seems to be back to his old, and by old I mean young, self again.

Side Note: We really don't spend that much time in the bathroom, bath time just seems to be photo op time.