Ferber fun

A big day in the Petersen household!!! Mommy, the board certified behavior analyst, was able to successfully let Wes cry it out. It seems I have been able to dish out the advice to any listening ear, but following said advice has not been so easy...until tonight! I managed to let him cry for 45 minutes without going in! At last he finally gave in, so we'll see how tomorrow night goes....

Last week I was watching Olivia. She and Wes were playing nicely on the floor. Distracted, I said to Olivia, "Nice job, now push him down so he can start all over." In my head I expected Olivia to push down the top to the pop up toy they were playing. All Olivia heard was "push him down," she looked at me like I had a million heads and then ok auntie...over to Wes she goes and down to the ground he plops...ahhh sometimes I forget how literal 2 year old can be!

xoxo
Erin

The times they are a-changin...

As I write Daddy is working on day 2 of Wes's new bedtime routine. Apparently sleep is overrated for 8 month olds! I gave my goodnight kisses as a naked bum was scooting quickly away from the waiting diaper, and shortly after Daddy came out holding a squirmy boy who needed help buttoning his jammies. This little bedtime boycott is just one of the crazy things happening over here in the Petersen household. Wes has really gotten into the crawling groove and he is all over the house...he may or may not have gotten to to the dog bowl...and he may or may not have gotten some in his mouth. I'm not fessing up to either. Apparently texture and taste of food are becoming priorities in Wes's life. When he did not got Cheerios on his tray at dinner time you would have thought the world was ending! Pieces of bread, cantaloupe, crackers, and shredded chicken have all been a hit...must be due to the 5 teeth he has now! Yep he busted 2 through last weekend, and one on Saturday night. Both nights of teething were at the most inopportune times, first we were away at a BBQ competition and I'm pretty sure the entire hotel felt that tooth rip through the gums! The second Ryan and I were out on a "date" and Nana Petersen and Auntie Kim were on duty...neither of whom I am expecting to agree to babysitting anytime soon. Early intervention is officially completed, and although we will miss our therapist Kathy, we are happy that Wes is on the right track...he is crawling like a maniac, pulling himself up to tall knees, and given the right equipment will go from tall knees to standing. My baby is growing too fast, I can't even write down the milestones before he completes another! Stay tuned....I'm sure there will be more changes to report on tomorrow!

xoxo
Erin

...and for all of you wondering Day 2 was not as successful, he's already back in the living room with that ridiculous grin on his face...for those of you that didn't get to see Burger laughing on Face book here is the link to a video that is sure to eliminate the sunday blues....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzO48ylUlDA

The boys of fall...

In our house that means 2 things football and BBQ! We spent this first glorious fall weekend celebrating another round of competition followed up by Wes's first official Patriots football game. Lucky for us the home team was victorious both days! Saturday was spent chowing down on Ribs, Chicken, Pork and Brisket. Show me your Rack BBQ took home first in everything but Brisket..they had to settle for second in that :)...they also took overall grand champs! After completely sweeping the competition we will see if they invite them back next year! Today was not necessarily spent watching the game...well Ryan watched it, but I was too busy posing Wes for his game day photo shoot!

The summer has definitely made its departure and we are enjoying a classic New England fall. Sixty five, sunny, and a hint of a breeze that turns your nose just the slightest bit pink. As I write I am enjoying a hot cup of sleepy time tea, cozy jammies, and a soft blanket....all the simple pleasures of the cooler weather. It seems the change in season is bringing on some changes on the home front as well...apparently wearing the #83 jersey gave Wes some confidence because he started crawling today!!!! I say finally and oh my goodness here in the same sentence because yippee he's developing, and oh no because he's on the move!!

xoxo
Erin

The pig cake I made for good luck!

Papa and Wes enjoying the day!

Liv jamming with the band...she loves to shake her booty...

 The winners...

Daddy and Wes enjoying the win! 

Wes cheering on his favorite Patriot...who might also be named Wes...

Oh and in case you weren't sure if we won this weekend...here is the payload...in all its cheesy gold glory...although I guess the goofy trophies are worth it when they are paired with all those twenties... 

Although this weekend was spent relaxing in the sun and huddling under a blanket to watch a football game, it did not go by without taking a moment to reflect on the tragedy of the September 11th attacks. The 9th anniversary brought along its bittersweet memories of grief and triumph. Stories were shared of where we were, how felt, and who we knew...but above all it was filled with the pride of how our country came together in a time of national tragedy. The country mourned together, and then came out stronger and more united than anyone ever thought possible. Thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who continue to fight to keep us free and safe to enjoy the weekend at a BBQ festival or in front of the TV cheering on our favorite teams....God Bless the USA...

S*#&! happens...

...and then it gets all over you. Seriously...I think I'm in for a quiet 30 minutes. Ryan is going to give Wes a bath, give him a bottle, and get him off to bed. All I have to do is take off his diaper...of course he had puked all over his clothes so he was only wearing a diaper...I think I'll cut some corners and take off his diaper while walking into the bathroom. As I pull off the tabs, I see poop so I scoot into his room and clean him up, drop him off to Dad, and I'm free right.... yeah not so much. Unfortunately it was about 5 minutes later I realize, because I rub my arm in it...that I am COVERED in Wes's poop! All over my arm, stomach, and shirt! I backtrack to all the rooms I've been too...poop on the ironing board, poop on the dresser...luckily I found it before I curled up in bed with my book! Luckily Ryan's dry heaving over the tub distracted me from realizing how absolutely gross the whole debacle was...I think he may have even said "leave, just get out, out of the room....oh my god I'm gonna be sick..." So much for my relaxing night...

xoxo
Erin