Dylan update

As you know if you've been around Dylan at all in the last two months, he had a birthday on October ('bachtober') 30th. (Yes, I'm a bad mommy blogger for not acknowledging it earlier.) This was his first birthday that he knew what was going on (presents, party, etc.). He even blew out his candles all by himself. We had a great day - opened presents, went to Cox Farm, napped, had dinner at IHOP cut short because Dylan wanted to go back home and play with his toys, and mommy played "Happy Birthday to You" on the piano. Dylan received so many birthday presents. I think his favorites are the scooter we got him and he cars from the Cars movie from my sister. On Halloween, we had a party for Dylan - only one friend could come because of illnesses in our family and others but it was still lots of fun for Dylan.

On the 5th Dylan had his 3 year check up at the doctor. He did the eye exam for the first time. He saw all the pictures and did such a great job telling the nurse what he saw. He also got his blood pressure taken for the first time. The doctor said he looked great. Dylan weighed 28 lbs (with clothes and jacket on - 20th percentile) and was 35 and change inches tall (10th percentile). I asked the doctor about the fact that Dylan can not give a thumbs up. He confirmed that that was a little strange and recommended a pediatric orthopedic doctor. I was a little concerned because Dylan seemed to be having trouble dressing himself and I thought the thumb thing might have something to do with it. He seems to be doing okay now so I'm not sure if we'll take him to the specialist. He started giving thumbs up with some practice and is dressing himself with guidance.

One big thing that I've noticed in the few months leading up to Dylan turning three was how his imagination took off. Suddenly, everyday items like string were transformed into tow-cables, fishing poles, capes, etc. I noticed how Dylan was making so many connections in his world. One of his favorite phrases is "...just like..." as in they have a gold car just like we do, I have brown eyes, just like you do, they live in Virginia, just like we do. And he wants to know everything's name (as in everything is personified). We are walking down the street and Dylan wants to know "what's that dog's name, mommy?"

Dylan also has really good balance. It's amazing sometimes how he stands on one of us or on the backs of couches or other precarious places.

Dylan is still a small and picky eater. (Although he did eat pizza for the first time tonight!) He could eat raisens and cheerios all day long however. But they have to be in "nnuter bowl." Keeping him seated at the table is probably the most challenging part of the meal these days though. We have a few dinners lately when Dylan stayed seated until we were mostly done with our meal and we did get to have a 1 minute family worship time. After only a couple of those he memorized two Bible verses "A...softer turns a-way RAT!" (Proverbs 15:1) and "Children obey your parents."

Dylan has also been singing a lot lately. He's learned a few Thomas the Train songs and "Life is a Highway" from the Cars movie, and the Sesame Street theme song.

We've been trying to potty train Dylan for a few months now. It is very slow going. I started having him go naked and he would do okay with that but as soon as he had pants, with or without underpants or a pull-up, he would go in his pants. We could only practice that at home too. Bushra was trying to potty train Dylan at her house so we had to keep it up. He was doing okay there. He's getting better but still a lot of accidents. He now will ask to go even if he has pants or a pull up on. He can do it, which he has proven, so there is no going back, but it's just going soo slow and Mommy has had to clean up a lot of messes. Very humbling. Most of the accidents occur when he's busy playing. We have been giving him "nem nem ems," as an incentive but now only if he asks for it afterwards. Recently Dylan has proven that he can go on potties at other people's houses and at public potties. Not sure I'm going to stop buying pull ups yet though. We were at a cousin's house yesterday and I took him once on the potty and the second time he found the bathroom again by himself and somehow climbed on the toilet and went by himself. He comes out in the living room to proclaim "I did it!" - we all look at each and think, did what?! But then today he pooped in a pull up and peeped while outside wearing underpants.

Dylan is still napping on most days. The three hour naps are becoming more the exception than the rule though. I think he's averaging 1.5-2 hours these days. Still awesome. As long as we can get him to be still enough to fall asleep then he's good. He still takes a pacifier for sleeping. I've noticed that he grinds his teeth when the pacifier isn't there. I'm no longer in a rush to wean him off the pacifier. Maybe after potty training. Actually it will probably be easiest when he drops the afternoon nap. Unless the dentist tells me differently before then. Dylan went to the dentist for the first time in September. He did pretty good. They didn't get to do much but the dentist said he had good spacing between his teeth.

I've heard that the "3s" are worse than the "2s" especially if the "2s" weren't that bad for your kid. We're only a month in but I suspect that we'll end up deciding that the "3s" were worse. In a lot of instances, Dylan seems to want to do the opposite of what you want him to do these days. Counting to 5 seems to be working a little bit for me these days, even if I forget to threaten him with what happens after 5. He just doesn't like me counting. And sometimes when we tell him to do something when he doesn't want to, he tells us to "go to work, Mommy" or "go to work, Daddy." But as with most kids, especially 3 year olds, I've heard, he can switch and be really sweet too. He says I love you to us unprompted and gives hugs and kisses unprompted. He also asks us "howsz oour day, mommy?" (sometimes before breakfast!). And he loves family hugs! When we put him to bed we all go into his room and the four of us give each other one big hug!

Factors Contributing to the Stickiness of the Floor in the Proximity of the Kitchen Table in a Vienna Home

{This posted is contributed to the Sweet November by our resident researcher}



Since the recent purchase of their new home, the adult population has noticed a significant increase in the stickiness of their kitchen, mostly in proximity of the kitchen table. 100% of the adult population polled, which coincided with the residents most likely to clean up the stickiness, agreed with this statement. Of note is that this population had previous lived in a condo where the only dining area was carpeted. This paper is offered to summarize the research and conclusions made to determine the factors contributing to the stickiness.

Data Collection and Analysis

There were two main means of collecting data employed here:

1) Floor observations
Over the 9 week study period, numerous floor observations were made. These were made by sampling the area with intervals as short as one day to as long as one week. These samplings generally coincided with cleanings of the floor and were frequently tied to 1) the quantity of sticky substances on the floor, 2) whether guests would be visiting and 3) how much motivation there was to clean the floor.

2) Meal observations – during and shortly after
A striking trend was noted over this period. During the first 7 weeks of the data collection, an overwhelming majority of the stickiness was attributed to oatmeal and raisins. At this point, the observers began to cross-reference the food types found on the floor with the diners’ menu selections. Over this period, one diner (Dylan) was observed to have chosen oatmeal with raisins nearly every day with minor exceptions given to Saturdays when eggs or pancakes were eaten.

The following graphic shows the stickiness composition over the period:





However, during the next few weeks of observation, the addition of another child at meal time had significant affect. Cheerios began to show up on the floor in outstanding fashion. The following graphic shows the stickiness composition over the next period:

When these contributions are plotted over time, one can see a dramatic change in the contribution of each diner. Clearly, Lydia began to quickly contribute to the floor stickiness: Note that over this period, the quantity of sticky substances on the floor continued to increase. Dylan’s overall contribution did not decrease over this period, however the addition of Lydia’s substances brought his percentage down.

Conclusions

Factor #1: A rambunctious young boy


The energetic nature of this boy contributed significantly to the stickiness of the floor. The analysis of food particles and meal observations show this rambunctious boy as the largest contributor to floor stickiness. In fact, estimates place this factor as contributing 90-95% of all stickiness between 7/1/09 and 10/1/09. When asked for comment, he merely replied, “The floor is sticky!”

Factor #2: A less coordinated baby girl
The introduction of a child who is developing a pincher reflex and has little coordination is a significant contributor to floor stickiness. In a short while, she has managed to rival that of Dylan.

Mitigation Plan: As Dylan and Lydia have not demonstrated a willingness to change their menu selections, the only means of preventing the stickiness are:
· Continue to refine Dylan and Lydia’s coordination to ensure that 1) food gets to their mouths and 2) food stays in their mouths
· Just put a tarp on the floor