Sleepy-Eyed

While I am dreading having to go to work tomorrow, I am a bit excited about the possibility that Dylan will actually get a nap at daycare. The past two days have been more than a little difficult, as Dylan has not been napping (which is a big deal, since he usually takes a 3 hour nap at home). He's been standing at the baby-gate in his doorway, bouncing tiredly back and forth between hysteria and calling to mommy and daddy to come get him as if he's just woken up from a long and restful nap (of which he clearly hasn't!)
And tonight, after the second such day sans nap, he required at least an hour of rocking and songs and chatting with mommy (then daddy) to calm down enough to fall asleep. It didn't work with me trying to get him to fall asleep, as Dylan was adament that he needed to come to mommy's bed (which doesn't work because he gets so excited to be in my bed, that he begins bouncing around). I ended up having to call in Ryan to finish what I couldn't seem to do, because as soon as I walked out of his room, Dylan ran to the gate, hysterical once again for mommy.
And while I'm annoyed and disappointed about not being home tomorrow with my little boy, I know that he may just get that nap he so desperately has been needing. Something about daycare peer pressure. Gotta love it!

Love Thursday: TV Rediscovered

For those of you who know me, you know that I don't even know how to turn on our TVs unless Ryan is home to walk me through it (to my defense, there are about 4 remotes and it's a complicated ordeal and until now not worth the effort since we didn't have cable). But now we have Direct TV. Those days are over.
And Dylan and I are discovering the Sprout channel together, a PBS station for preschoolers. It's all the rage with 2 year olds. Now we are in the loop.
And after 3 years without cable, this is really going to take some getting used to. Plus, we have the DVR recording feature, which is the Direct TV version of Tivo. Thursdays are going to be SO awesome now!
And speaking of Thursdays, this week marks the start of a new season of our favorite shows: The Office and Grey's Anatomy.

(and for those like-minded souls out there, check out the Grey's writer's blog each week for their commentary on the episode here).

Oh, and guess who had a DRY diaper this morning after 12 hours of sleep? Then used the potty like a champ? And then later used it again before naptime this afternoon??!

fevin, eight, FIVE!

Dylan likes to make this new silly face.

Directions: Make a pukered up mouth and turn your eyes as far over to one side as you can. Await laughter, then bust into laughter yourself.

We now interrupt this program of Dylan bouncing on mommy's legs to recite a toddler's version of how to count to ten. (I love how he ends powerfully with FIVE, as if it's the best number and should end all digital sequences).

A Mad Scientist

What it looks like when Dylan and I go to meet Ryan for lunch at work:



Note the sounds of Dylan in the background, watching a Thomas the Tank Engine episode on Ryan's computer.

Hardwood Floors

The floors have been installed. And while this meant a lot of extra work for us to clean up the dusty mess covering the entire downstairs, we are VERY excited. And today I bought myself the Swivel Sweeper to celebrate (and clean, of course). Dylan brought out his toy mower and helped me clean the floors, copying my every move around the living room.

Chocolate Mice?

For Ryan's birthday, our friend Kathy sent him a gift - something "perishable" and overnighted to our door. We wondered what it could be, but never would have guessed.
She's probably the most creative gift-giver I know.
Check it out:
Yeah, it's a box of handmade chocolate mice, complete with silk tails, and shipped from New Hampshire.
And for those of you wondering why she sent him chocolate mice, it's actually quite simple and sweet. Ryan's research involves genetically engineered mice in a study related to nicotine addiction. And when I asked her how she found the idea for his gift, she replied, "the internet has everything!" - I guess she's right!

Ryan's brother meets Dubya

My brother Matt plays Division I Lacrosse for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, who recently won the national championship. Yesterday he and his teammates went to The White House and met the President. No matter what you think of him, its not too often you get to meet the President. Congrats again to the Jays!

Still Here

Yes, we are still here. Just a busy week (hardwood flooring getting installed and Ryan working like a mad-scientist with long hours each day). Hopefully things will slow down soon and we'll be able to produce a proper post again.
Ryan had his 29th birthday on Wednesday and we celebrated with his favorite meal and cake (Dylan helped and even added the sprinkles at the end!) and a few small gifts (wrapped in Thomas the Tank Engine wrapping paper - as it was all I had besides Christmas paper and Dylan was pretty excited about that!)
The flooring will be done today sometime and I'll get to clean off the 1/4 inch thick dust that currently lives on everything downstairs including my napkins, salt and pepper shakers, phone, stove, and bananas. I'm sure to be busy tonight and most of the weekend (neat-freak emerges).
The latest obsession of mine has been what to use to clean the new hardwood flooring. That, and how I'll get the smell of body odor out of my downstairs once the guys leave today! (any suggestions?)
My dear friend Rochelle (who started up the Stroller Strides in our area) is moving away next week and I'm fighting thinking about that, so being busy helps.
And I promise to post new pictures soon.

Camping

This past weekend we got brave and headed up north to Lake Lopez for a family reunion of sorts with my side of the family. We stayed with my parents in their tent, on very nice air mattresses (thanks guys for sharing!)
It proved to be a fun time for all. And there's nothing like a couple days without a shower to make you REALLY appreciate the comforts of home!

Here is our view of the lake from our tent.
Another pretty view of the lake.
Dylan and his Papa (my dad) over at the picnic table. I'm sure Dylan was VERY helpful!
p.s. That tent is the same tent we camped in when I was a kid! Crawling in it brought back a sea of memories of backyard campouts and Sequoia camping trips.
Dylan loved my cousin Tevin, following him around and playing in his shaddow as much as he could. And Tevin was the most wonderful role model for him, being sweet, helpful, and patient with him. (Thank you Tevin! We love you!!!)
My cousin Hayley, my mom, and I down by the lake.
Hayley, Dylan, and I hiking back up the hill to the campsite after an afternoon down at the lake with the kids.

Tub Time

There's nothing like a game of peek a boo with daddy over the side of the tub!
Dylan still loves his baths. And at times demands that mommy or daddy still gets in with him for the event. When I ran out of indoor things to do last week when Dylan was fussy and needed a nap, but didn't want to yet, I thought of bathtime... and it was a surefire hit. All you need is some bubbles and squirt toys and you're set.

This is your brain

Recently, Briana had a CT scan done, and she was able to obtain a copy of the results. I couldn't resist taking a peek at my wife's brain. Here are a few areas of her brain and what she uses them for.

1) Motor cortex. This is the area that she uses to initiate movement, like when she has to chase after a very energetic toddler.
2) Hippocampus. This area is critical for memory, like remembering where, when, and how often her husband needs a back rub.
3) Limbic area. This area is involved in emotion, anger, etc. I think this area is especially active during her fits of road rage, which is easy to have here in L.A. I think it is also active when chasing a toddler, and when husbands ask for back rubs.
4) Ventral tegmental area (VTA). This is the area that produces dopamine, and the area that is the focus of my research. It is the area where feelings of pleasure are started, like when she thinks of things such as her husband or a nice big bowl of ice cream (see below). I think the neurons here are much more active during thoughts about the latter than the former.
5) Nucleus accumbens. This is the area that receives input from the VTA and where cravings and addictions take root. This would apply for her ice cream, which you know - if you've met her - is something you don't get in the way of!

And this is her brain on drugs? Any questions?