A Couple Fun Stories

The first of these stories happened this morning. Rudy and I were coming in to "wake up" Jason. (Jason waits in bed for us to get him, 'cause Rudy takes such delight in finding him.) When Jason stirred, an ugly hairy spider went scurrying up the wall. In the best non-alarmed voice I could muster under the circumstances, I sang, "Jason, there's a bug crawling up the wall." (Rudy is often touchy when he first wakes up, and I didn't want to trigger a melt down by having him clue into the fact that I was alarmed. He's quite a suggestible kid when it comes to emotions.) Anyway, Jason went after the beast and eventually nailed it under a scratch piece of paper. When the spider did not appear out from under the paper, Rudy, with arms in the classic query pose, shouted, "Where? Where? Where?"
Oops. I hadn't thought about what he would think of witnessing his first murder. Up to this point in his little life, we have always made a big deal out of being gentle, kind, and respectful to all living things. Jason's actions absolutely flabbergasted him. Luckily, he didn't see the spider's broken body, so we just told him the spider needed to go bye bye, and we all waved good bye as Jason gently set the paper with the spider "hiding" inside it into the trash. It was about an hour before Rudy stopped intermittently asking "Where?" Oh well. Rest in peace, you hairy beast you.
The other story happened yesterday.
We have come to realize that in all our safety training of Rudy, we have omitted a rather large skill-coming when we call. (Yes, I know it sounds like I'm training a dog.) I haven't really thought of teaching him this skill, because up until a couple days ago, I've been content to follow him around like a shadow. For whatever reason, I am no longer happy to do so. Anyway, Rudy's not keyed into the idea at all, so the last few days I've been doing little training sessions with him, where I call for him, and if he comes I make a big deal out of it, and if he doesn't he has to sit in my lap for a minute or so. Thus far, I've not noticed any significant progress, but whatever-it'll come, I'm sure. Yesterday, during one such training session, Rudy stopped, when I called, but did not turn around to come back. Breaking down my expectations for him, I told him "Turn around." He looked over his shoulder at me with a look that seemed to say, "Are you serious?"
"Turn around, Rudy," I said more firmly, at which point Rudy turned around and continued walking in his previous course, just backwards. I really think he was trying to please me by following my instructions, not being sassy. He looked at me like, "Ok, Mama, whatever floats your boat!" It was hilarious, and it reminded me that I need to be clear in my expectations and instructions, so Rudy will at least have a shot at success. :)

Rainy Days

We've been having an unusually large amount of rainy weather this month. It's been great--keeping things cool and green when they are typically sun scorched and yellow by now. Here's some videos of one of our adventures into the wet world.

Rudy doing his usual Rudy thing. :)

I decided to video this after he'd been standing motionless for quite some time. He just stood and watched- hypnotized by the water running out of the spout. I don't think he budged until a car starting ripped him from his serenity. :)

Puddin'

I'm not a big "keep your kid clean" kinda mom, and as we get closer to tubby time, my cleanliness standards drop big time. I think to myself, "Heck (yes, I live in Utah), I'm gonna be washing this kid from head to toe in an hour, so why bother to keep him clean or do any major clean up sessions?" Here's the hour before bedtime tonight:

Hmm...I wonder how Rudy knows how to "lick the bowl"?

Here's my sweetie coming over to share a lick with me. The funniest part of it was when he accidentally got some pudding on my cheek on the way to my mouth. He was super concerned at the blemish and kept pointing at it and saying, "Uh oh! Uh oh!" I didn't have the heart to tell him he had pudding all over his own mouth, cheeks, eyebrows, and elbows.

Rudy looks like he's trying to grow a beard like his Daddy.

Now it's off to the tub with our little chocolate bearded impersonator.

Slurpee

On Saturday, I initiated Rudy into the Slurpee drinking world. This may seem insignificant to most, but for me, it was sorta a big deal. You see, drinking Slurpees meant one thing, always, when I was growing up. It meant that I was with Vati. Mutti hates Slurpees just about as much as she hates those hostess pies and root beer. Lucky for me, I have an American father to introduce me to such vital parts of my culture. :)

All I have to do is sip on a Slurpee and hoards of memories come floating up through that straw. Memories of Fed Ex runs with Vati, or whatever other errands he had invited me to come with him on. I'd always happily come, mostly 'cause it was a chance to have Vati to myself and I knew he'd ask me about life and give me good things to think about, but also because I had a constant hope that perhaps we'd stop at 7Eleven on the way home. As we would near the turn off to go to 7 Eleven, I'd silently hope (sometimes not so silently) that we'd slow and turn. When we did, I was absolutely delighted. I might as well have won the lottery. We'd saunter in, test all the flavors, finally make our selections, and then head back to the car. Vati had this impressive way of being able to shake his Slurpee down so that he'd never run into the problem of having to find more tastiness in the cup. I'd constantly be fishing for undevoured pockets of sweet nectar. I loved the Slurpee, but I think I may have loved the straw even more. How cool is a straw with a SPOON on the end of it? (Pretty darn, if you're seven. ;) ) I'd always be sure to save the last little bit to scoop up with my straw spoon.

Anyway, as I shared my Slurpee with Rudy in the car on the way to visit my parents, I took great satisfaction in Rudy's delight with the cool, sweet, tingly experience. I hope that Rudy will harbor as many sweet memories of his childhood Slurpees as I do of mine.

Orem City Carnival

Last Friday, we took Rudy to the Orem City Carnival. What a blast! Rudy loved to watch the rides spinning around with people shrieking in delighted terror. I thought he may get concerned for them, but he seemed to understand just fine that these people were happy to be hurled from one spot to another.
Probably his favorite part of the Carnival was the vehicles on display. They had a bunch of old army trucks, a helicopter, and a snazzy car competition. Rudy was in heaven.

Springville Balloon Fest

Yesterday, for Rudy's half birthday, I took him to see the Springville Balloon Fest. Jason had to work, so it was just me any my little man. I kinda liked sharing that special time with him, actually. Jason came with us later in the day to visit the Orem City Carnival. (All the city's are having their big celebrations this month-it makes for lots of cool free entertainment.) Now-back to the balloons.
The event started at 6:30 am. Rudy and I had no trouble getting up for the event, since Rudy's usual wake up time is about 5:30 am. For once, I was grateful. As we pulled up to the Springville Jr. High field, the balloon crews were just getting them all laid out and ready to inflate. What a trip to get to watch these awesome balls of bright color take shape in front of our very eyes! I've always LOVED hot air balloons, so this was kinda like living out a childhood dream. With all the motors blowing air into the balloons, trucks hauling them here and there, and then of course the blasts of flame to give the balloons lift, and think I'm safe in saying Rudy was delighted as well. :) We ran around in a sea of ever growing fantastic rainbow orbs, poking and prodding them as we wished. The air was filled with country music being blasted from loudspeakers, laughter (and a few tantrums) of small children, and the sweet smell of dew covered grass. It was glorious.
As the balloons started taking off, they would through candy and small prizes out to the kids. Rudy tried holding out his hands a couple times, but he was no match for the 5 and older kids who could scramble, jump, and dive for the prizes. No matter, Rudy seemed to just enjoy watching all the commotion. There must have been at least 200, maybe even up to 500 people there at the peak of it all. After all the balloons but one were up, they tethered that one and let every single person who wanted to have a short tethered ride. Unfortunately, Rudy tapped out before it was our turn...oh well, it's a good excuse to go back next year. :) I took tons of pictures; here are just a few.

Newurse?

Rudy is so cute. His latest word: nurse.
Poor little man is really having a tough time letting go of nursing. Every morning about 8:30 or so, he comes to me requesting a nip. I tell him, "Nope, we don't nurse until the afternoon now. But you can still nap, just not nurse." (Most of the time, he says something like, "nap? nurse?" as his request.) A meltdown follows, in which I am holding him, attempting to rock him, and he is writhing in the agony of not nursing.
That part's not the cute part. (In case you were wondering about the opening statement of this post and when it would become relevant to the rest of the story.)
The cuteness factor comes in when he asks to nurse. He'll be in full writhing mode, and then decide to try a second (or 52nd) request. Absolute calm, sweet, tear filled eyes peer up at me, and he says in his cute raspy little voice (he's had a yucko cold for about 5 days) "Nurse?" Only it comes out more like "New-urse?" It melts me, but I have to stay firm. The whole meltdown usually lasts less then 10 minutes before he's happily snoozing in my arms, and crib there after.
So, weaning is not going too great, but napping is picking up (hooray!), even if it takes a 10 minute battle to get him there, and even if he only sleeps for 30 minutes or so. (Progress is progress, right?)