What Happened?

And so the temper tantrums begin... I had no idea that an almost one year old could throw a temper tantrum, but they have begun for Evan. I thought those came with the "terrible twos", giving us a whole 'nother year to prepare.

Evan has always been a bit on the high-maintenance side of things...but this past week has been a challenge. This morning he had a meltdown because he ran out of snacks in his snacky-cup...and was quick to inform me (in grunts, screams, moans, cries, and flailing appendages...) that he was out. If I didn't know any better, I really think he was cussing me out... He's been sick...had him at the doctors a few days ago...and I think he may be cutting his molars. I dunno.

He's been very defiant also. He hates going into his high-chair. He hates eating. We've been trying to introduce big boy food - food we eat - but he fights us on it. He doesn't care to self-feed, although we are trying to encourage it, and would much rather throw his food over the side of his high-chair and watch Truman or Frank scramble to get it. It's frustrating...

We let him roam around and explore the living room and dining room on his own. He knows what "no" means, at least I think he does...but when we tell him no when he goes near things he's not allowed to touch or be near (the TV, curio cabinet, lead-stained glass fireplace screen, carbon monoxide tester, Truman and Frank's food bowls, the computer desk, power cords, etc)...and try to distract him with his toys or books...he fights. When we pick him up and try to play with him, he makes a beeline right back to what it was we told him not to play with.

The past couple days, he's been in that mood where he's not happy doing anything. He'll crawl over to me and it seems he wants to be held. So I'll hold him...but then he'll scream and fight. When I put him down, he'll cry and fuss because I put him down. When I try to play or read to him...it's hit and miss.

For the past couple months, Linda has been carrying a heavy work load, working 10-12 hour days. Half the time, I feel like a single father because of Linda's work demands. I feel bad, once she comes home from work, I pretty much pass Evan off to her, not really giving her a chance to take off her jacket or sit down. I really do not know how single parents do it. Don't get me wrong, I love and cherish every moment I have with Evan...just some moments are more challenging than others. This past year is proof that time really does fly by... It only seems like yesterday when we got that positive pregnancy test result - and that was over a year-and-a-half ago!

I'm hoping this is just a phase and his grumpiness will pass. I know it will...but sooner, rather than later.

On a positive note...Linda & I will be taking a cruise this fall, hopefully around our anniversary! I won a cruise through a raffle at work. We are exploring our options...neither one of us have been on a cruise before. We've got our eye on a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise - with stops in CocoCay, Bahamas, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. (I'm trying to talk Linda into upgrading to a stateroom with a balcony...) I think we both deserve a much needed, relaxing break! Evan will probably be staying with his Nena and Poppa Gene, or maybe an aunt or uncle, for that week. We still have to iron out those details, amongst other things.

This Past Month

Geez, it's been over a month since either one of us blogged. It really is tough to get a post typed out without interruption when we are chasing around a very active 11 month old boy. But here's a quick update since Evan is still sleeping. (Daylight Savings has thrown him off kilter with his sleeping schedule...)

We have a walker now! Evan took his first steps the day after Valentine's Day. I'm so glad that Linda was home to see him take his first steps. I worried about that since I'm the one home with him most of the time and Linda has been working some crazy long hours at work. I think Evan was saving this momentous occasion for when both of us were home. But yeah, he took his first steps from the coffee table to the couch in that little drunk man fashion. Since then he's been getting really great at this whole walking business and steadying his balance. Pretty soon he's gonna be running, I'm sure!

I would love to brag that his eating is getting better...but it's not. We've tried to introduce him to self-feeding, but it's more of a novelty to him. He does great with snacking on the Gerber Graduates Lil Crunchies, or very small pieces of fruit... But when it comes to meal time and getting what he needs for nutrition...he'd rather throw it on the floor and watch Truman or Frank rush to gobble it up. I'm so nervous though when he does eat regular food...afraid he's gonna choke. I hover over him like a hawk, ready to yank him out and perform the Heimlich...although I've never taken a course on how to properly perform that maneuver. Evan's pediatrician gave me a crash course on how to administer that though...

We are in the process of planning Evan's first birthday party. Hard to believe it's a few short weeks away. We are gonna go with a Dr. Seuss themed party. Can't wait, but I had no idea planning this would be so much work! Also have his 1st birthday photography session scheduled too!

That's about it in a nutshell. It's just difficult to get these plunked out when we are chasing him around the house. He's into everything. Wants to play with everything he's not supposed to... By the time I get a quiet moment when he's napping or down for the night, my brain is too fried to put together a coherent sentence. I will try to do better!