Finally, Spring....then *poof*

So last weekend Spring finally sprung. It was in the sixties and sunny! My grass grew up to my knees I think...I had to raise the lawn mower up on Monday just to cut the lawn. Of course since then, its been raining cats and dogs. But back to the weekend. Z and I didn't really get outside much to enjoy the weather on Saturday. Dad had some time available so he and I went to Costco to look for a tv. I found a really great deal. But we wasted some time because we took my Liberty to Costco and the tv would not fit in the car. So we had to go back home and get his truck. Then we spent the rest of the time we had putting up the tv mount on the wall. Anyway, that blew most of the day. But, Zander and I did play outside Sunday afternoon after church. I got his new little T-ball set out so he could play with that. I put it together and showed him how to hit the ball. However, he was more interested in how to set up the "T". He loved running around in the yard though. He would run and laugh til he got tired, then would sit down and take a drink of water....then run and laugh again. He loved playing with Daisy through the fence. She is the dog next door. She is very gentle and I think she has a crush on Anakin...I don't know why though. He is a LOT shorter than her and I think he is kind of rude to her...but I don't know what they say to each other, so what do I know! But Zander thinks she is pretty cool (I think that made Ani a little jealous too).

A new phase has begun with Zander.....its the "I'm-not-going-to-sleep-no-matter-what" phase. I REALLY do not like this phase. The last few nights I've had to put him in his bed and let him cry because he will either not go to sleep or if he does, he wakes up when I lay him in his bed. He hasn't learned to go to sleep on his own yet, so I guess its time to learn this. The first 2 nights he did this I let him cry for about 30 minutes. It was after 10:15 both times and I'd been trying for about 30-45 minutes to get him down. At that point I was tired and still had not gotten ready for bed myself. So I let him cry while I did my nightly ritual so I could get to bed. Now, he was still crying when I went into his room 30 minutes later, so at that point he still had not cried himself to sleep. He was standing in his bed with his arm on the side of the bed and his head leaning down on his arm and sobbing pitifully. If I hadn't been so tired it would have looked kind of funny. So, those 2 nights, he won....I put him in my bed so I could go to sleep. However, the next couple of nights, I got him to sleep and tried to put him in his bed. He wouldn't let me lay him down. He would wake up and cling to me crying. He is one strong little boy, let me tell you! Finally on the third time, I put him in the bed and hurried out. He cried for a couple of minutes and was out for the rest of the night. In fact, he slept in his bed all night. So, once I can get him to sleep, he's good. Its just becoming such a chore every night. We start at 9:30 and it seems like we fight back and forth for an hour. I guess I'll have to start earlier.
I was talking with Robin at church on Sunday. She is Brady's mom and is also a dental hygienist. Brady is just about 6 months older than Zander. I was telling her how whiney Zander was lately and that I thought he was getting another tooth, but it seemed like he had all he was supposed to have now. So she put on the plastic gloves (we were in the toddler's class so they have gloves for changing diapers) and Z let her feel around in his mouth. She said he has all but his 2 year molars....which since he got his 1st tooth at 4 months, he was probably getting his molars in early. Sure enough, tonight, as I was putting some Orajel on his gums (gotta be quick in and out or you'll lose a finger) I could feel a bulging gum on the back lower left. He is back to biting and chewing on everything now. So we're back to the Orajel and Ibuprofen. We should own stock in those companies....I bet despite the poor economy they are doing well.
Despite all of these complaints I just listed he is getting so funny. Well, he's always been funny, but now he purposely tries to make me laugh. I love how he wants to be the focus of attention, I love his hugs and kisses, I love how he doesn't act like he wants to stay with Grandma over me when I go to pick him up (at least not all the time), I love how he is starting to interact with the tv shows when Diego or Dora ask questions, I love how he dances to the Backyardigans. I love how he wants to cook all the time and now wants to use spices too. I love how he'll tell me that I need to pick up the dog bowls and put them on the stove, or that I need to put up the baby gate...which I've only ever done these things to keep him out of the dog food and water or to keep him out of a specific room. Yet, he feels the need to remind me to do it. I love how he loves his kittys and his puppy (even though we're still working on being "gentle" with them).
Grandma and Grandpa are spending the night tonight so my Dad could help me with some things around the house. Mom has been trying to get Zander to sleep for over 45 minutes now, but guess what? He won't let her lay him down without crying.....and I don't want him to wake up my Dad.....so, guess who is laying next to me now.....little stinker!!!!