Normally we start getting ready for teeth brushing, the bath, and bedtime at around 8 or 8:15 pm. First, we stall for time by playing a game.
Matthew gets his second wind at around this time and lately, he has stayed up until 10:30 or 11 despite attempts to get him to go to sleep. His staying up late doesn’t work for us.
Curtis read somewhere a suggestion that we should start earlier and avoid that second wind, so two nights ago we went upstairs at 7:30. He was asleep by 8:15, which is a record for the entire last year. We had time to finish cleaning the kitchen, feed the dogs, watch TV, and still go to bed by 10:30. Clearly, we had not read this section of the manual. Last night we tried it again and it wasn’t quite as successful, but he was asleep by 9. We’ll take it.
I have been dreading taking him to a restaurant. There’s one nearby that isn’t too formal but has food he likes. I’ve been thinking that sometime this spring we’ll take him; after all, if he starts walking around during the meal or flinging food, we can pack up and go, right? On Saturday the nanny sent us a video of Matthew having breakfast with her at a local place, being civilized, and using utensils to eat food.
It was astonishing—how did our son learn all this? The only possible explanation is that he is responding to superior parenting.
Normally he doesn’t eat very well. You have to chase him down to get him to finish a few apple slices. So imagine my surprise one morning this week when he picked up the frozen waffle I’d made for him and he casually ate the whole thing, hoovered up some apple slices and a piece of bacon, and then asked for another waffle. I don’t even know him anymore.
I have mentioned before that he has a friend at the local park named Nora. I’m sure Nora is nice but I keep telling Matthew that he can date when he’s 34 and not a day before. Yesterday, Nora’s mom sent me this photo, which must have been taken over three weeks ago (before a haircut). When he dates, he can bring home a nice girl or boy and I’ll be completely happy for him, once I’ve carefully vetted his choices. Here’s a hint: some barefooted hippy flower child isn’t gonna cut it.
We’re also seeing changes in the twins. They love baths, and are enthusiastic with the splashes.
And they love the park.
I came home from Costco yesterday and they were happy to see the toys I brought them, such as a box of diapers. And they have vowed to finish the box by next week so I’ll bring another.
Last week was the first week in forever that we didn’t have an appointment to see a doctor, physical therapist, or a specialist. It was weird to not have to be three places at once.
Love the photos! Thanks!
I dunno…little Nora looks like a barefooted hippie flower child to me…