Train ride

On Sunday we decided to go downtown via the train. I wanted to hit H& M for their annual sale (yeah!), and though Pepe would enjoy the train ride and the playground in the Boston Garden. Pepe was very excited about going "Go on a train, that'd be fun". We drove there and parked the car in the garage. Pepe squealed when we got the ticket to enter the garage, and the gate went up. He was thrilled to take the escalator down the stairs, and use the Charlie pass to get into the trains station. He loved the train ride, though he kept talking about how "it does not go", bc the dark was creating an illusion. We had to take a bus from central to Park bc of constructions, and so Pepe got his wish - a bus ride. In the bus, he kept shouting "Look at that, a crane, and another crane, and a digger, look at that" and everyone was smiling in the train. We passed MGH, and I showed him where I work. At some point he grabbed the bag on pretzels and he did not want to let go of it, even though he did not eat any (this keeps happening, hoarding food). At Park street I hit H7 M for a bit and the boys hit the playground. I returned with coffee and bagels. Pepe was good, mostly. He did squeak a bit when he was not allowed to go on the playground without shoes, or under the sprinkler with shoes, but he was mostly good. The ride back was similar and Pepe had a blast. As we pulled out of the parking garage, I hear Pepe from the back seat : "Be careful, duckies, the gate is going up".

This morning, Pepe announced "I don't want to go to school, I want to go to work, to take the train".

He's been talking nonstop about the ride since yesterday and so we'll surely do this again soon!

the sweet and the tantrumy

We've learn some good lessons about Pepe's personality and style during the past few days. His mood can change in an instant. He loves to say "I don't want to" without questioning whether he actually wants or not to do an activity (this reminds me so much of Chris, who usually initially rejects whatever proposition that is outside of the usual routine). He does v well with warnings, like "10 more min, 9 more min" particularly when he is asked to repeat them. He loves kids. The other day at the rez he followed around this 3.5 y old girls imitating whatever she was doing. He is not easily distracted when it comes to the toys he loves. At the rez he followed an older kid with a funky digger around until the mom made him share. When he is overtired his mood becomes super labile. He is giving us the signs that he does not want to wear diapers anymore. It's a struggle to put them on. But, he is not eager to sit on the potty. He manages to get out of his car seat "I drive the car" and we might actually have to buy a new one. He is very affectionate. He continues to avoid the water and we continue to hope he will eventually learn to swim.

the consequences of not taking a nap

I picked Pepe up from school this afternoon, and did not make much of the teacher's comment "Pepe did not nap today". He was in a great mood, dragged me through the infant room, the tiny tot room, wanted me to read a book and listen to his playing the church piano. Off to the house we went to the neighbours' yard and Pepe kept busy with his diggers and excavators. Chris came home, I made dinner, we all ate together. As soon as Pepe was done, he jumped out of his chair shouting his well known "I all done". But his leg got banged a bit onto the chair, and this was the beginning of a loud evening... Pepe started screaming, nothing went his way, we could not comfort him. Chris took over and I let him take charge. We have very different styles, and I made a pact with myself not to interfere with what he does, unless he asks me to take over. He does the same with me. He asked for help. I asked for help. All became a team effort, and with help from a lollipop, Pepe is now in PJ's (hew), upstairs (hew), in bed (hew) and the house is nice and quiet (HEW).

***

This difference in parenting style can be tricky and I have not quite figured it out yet. It's still early in the game, as Pepe has only recently become so feisty and verbal, so both Chris and I are learning about our styles, what fits comfortable, our strenghs and weaknesses. It is amazing how much our styles are impacted by our parents' parenting of us. It's a nice opportunity for reliving, understanding and growing!

tuesday

My 12pm meeting was cancelled today so I sneaked in a bit of gym time before becoming in charge of pepe. chris put him down but pepe did not want to sleep. chris said he tried for 1 hour. so when i got home pepe was calling us "mommy,daddy". I said hi and told him he had to sleep. The huge box with the big boy bed was on the floor blocking the entrance - Chris said he heard a fall earlier but did not get concerned. As soon as I go in, Pepe starts telling me...

P: "I have books, read a book".
AM: Pepe, what happened with the box?
P: It fell off.
AM: Were you scared? (dumb question...)
P: Yes, I scared, I can't sleep, the storm is coming (little "fake put" on his face)
AM: Well, we can read a book and then you can read to yourself coz mommy has to sleep to.
P: OK
We read a book. I leave.
P: Mommy
AM: Yes (coming back)
P: I scared of the storm
AM: There is no storm, I promise
P; OK
I leave
P: Mommy
AM; Yes (returning).
P; Hi
AM: Pepe, I am going to nap, I am not coming back.
P: OK

10 minutes later, I am downstairs working on a paper.

P: Mommy, wake up! It's sunny out! Wake up,mommy!
This goes on for 10 minutes.

QUIET! 2 hours later I hear BOOM! I go in,the box is on the floor again, Pepe is happy jumping in the bed.
P: Hi mommy! I read books.
AM: Are you ready to get out?
P: No.
AM: OK, I'll go downstairs, you let me know when you are ready to get up.
P: OK.

1 Hour later.
P: I ready.
AM: OK

So easy! I love this independence.

During the afternoon we went to the res, a pool nearby,with a playground and lots of kids. We did not get suits coz it was not that warm. Pepe had a blast, talked to everyone, borrowed a truck from a little girl and made cement with it. I am so excited the res is open. Will be there everyday in the afternoon, have picnic dinners, yeah!

feedback from the child psych

The phone conversation was awesome. She observed Pepe today and got to see the positives - his amazing enthusiasm, verbal skills and humor, and the difficulties - transitions, and fine motor sills.

She had great suggestions about transitions - making a book with pictures of Pepe engaged in daily activities, in chronological order, so that Pepe gets some predictability and control over his day. We can do a similar one with things at home, boring things like getting dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed. She will also give us some exercises for Pepe's fine motor skills - she saw him struggle with eating with a fork, and preferring his hands.

All my worries about serious stuff were dissipated. Nice to be able to talk about them.

father's day

started with us sleeping in, recovering after tom petty's concert, coz pepe was with grandma for the night. pepe got picked up around noon, and he was happy to see us and his house. he had lots of pasta and told us all about his trip.

he delivered daddy's present - a home job t shirt (see picture in previous post) with inscription: "i love daddy. he is mine, i using him", a couple of hand made coupons which i am regretting just about now (kidding), and a home made vanilla and fruit cake (see picture in previous post)

papi, mary jane and jessy came over for an early dinner and pepe was charming eating his soy chips, playing with jessy, showing her his room. we all watched part of the cars video and pepe was laughing hysterically and we were laughing as well. a little pg after, more cars video, a haricut for chris and toe nail clipping for pepe, who did really well! he was very tired and went to sleep easily and we woke him up at 7 coz i had to leave for work.

a couple of pearls from last night.

(reading the digger book).
P. and when i am older, i drive a digger.
AM. how old do you have to be to drive a digger?
P. five.
AM. and how old are you going to turn in august?
P: three. i mean one, two, three, four five. i want five.
AM. OK: we'll put five candles on your birthday cake this year.
P; yes, and i'll blow them (tries to blow, but spits...)
AM: yes. what kind a cake you want?
P: a digger cake.

father's day

chec out the cake. no, the letters are not made of pepperoni, chris!!!