Adjustments

Well, we're 5 months into parenthood as of last Tuesday.  The Bakker household has made some adjustments - some well, and some not so well.  I need 8 hours of sleep to function correctly, and haven't ever done okay on less.  However, I'm currently getting much less than 8 hours, and somehow make the commute to work each day without killing myself.  Katie has hit the realization that she won't ever get more than 2-3 hours of sleep at a stretch as she's nursing.  Together, we've established a nice bedtime routine for Tommy that's fairly realiable, so we can count on peace from about 8pm to 11pm each night.  Tommy's typically in a great mood, even though he doesn't sleep through the night and refuses to nap more than 20-30 minutes randomly through a day.  And finally, Mario has earned our trust to be near Tommy, albeit never unattended. 

One of the current struggles in our house?  Mario has given up on overt aggression towards the baby, in favor of passive-aggression. 




Passive–aggressive behavior
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Passive–aggressive behavior, a personality trait, is passive, sometimes obstructionist resistance to following through with expectations in interpersonal or occupational situations. It is a personality trait marked by a pervasive pattern of negative attitudes and passive, usually disavowed resistance in interpersonal or occupational situations.

It can manifest itself as learned helplessness, procrastination, stubbornness, resentment, sullenness, or deliberate/repeated failure to accomplish requested tasks for which one is (often explicitly) responsible.[1]

For Example, "Stay out of the #@$% trash, Mario!"

I installed a reverse-osmosis filter under the sink, so our trash can currently sits out in the kitchen.  It started about 2 weeks ago - he'd raid a greasy wrapper from the very top of the trash can.  Next, he'd fish that same wrapper from farther down in the can.  Next, he raided a messy diaper.  Tonight, we came home from grocery shopping to find Mario had strewn every last piece of trash all over the kitchen.  I'd throttle him, but he refuses to acknowledge his responsibility...

Weekend Update

Tommy's at the age where he doesn't play well with toys on his own, and he hasn't cared for his swing, play mat, vibrating chair, etc.  And since he doesn't nap cosistently, we're kind of desperate to find something he enjoys so we can steal 10-20 minutes to do the dishes, etc.  We didn't have a bouncy seat, but somehow knew he'd like them better than anything else.  I found a local 2nd-hand store called Kid-to-Kid and found the following:

After Tommy went to bed that night, we stayed up late disassebling and scrubbing them down so they'd be dry for the follwing morning.  They've turned out to be a hit!  I'm also hoping they exercise his leg muscles because he seems to have everything ready for crawling from the waist up...

We spent much of Saturday cleaning up and getting ready for winter.  Hoses & patio cushions were stowed, AC condenser was covered, lawns mowed one more time, leaves inhaled by my gas-powered vacuum, and all the powered yard tools were tuned up for next season.  Of course, nothing could be stowed for winter in our shed until it was re-organized and dejunked.

Even though I've been carefully putting garden tools away all summer, it somehow ended up looking like a bomb went off.  I must have squirrels or something getting in there when I'm not looking...

While I was trimming hedges and raking out the gardens, Katie had Tommy all bundled up while she reorganized the shed.  Mercifully he fell asleep for a while.

It's a little big, but Katie found this really warm snow suit at TJ Maxx.  It kind of reminds me of A Christmas Story...

Katie in her element - cleaning out and organizing.

And because nobody's complained about too many pictures of Tommy - here's a few more for fun.  This is his Bumbo which I refer to as his "Captain's Chair".  From his perch on the counter, Captain Bakker can survey the preparation of food items in his kitchen.

Captain Bakker approves.

I think this is actually a couple weeks old, but just came accross it tonight.

Tommy also really enjoys the Moby wrap - so much that he sleeps in it sometimes.

I noticed a flock of starlings in my poplars on Sunday.  I wish they'd carry all my leaves away...

Big Weekend

My mom came up for a visit this weekend to see her grandson (and us, but mostly her grandson). 

We went to a craft fair Friday morning in Ogden at Washington Heights Church.  It was crafty, but actually had some interesting things (not pictured here).

Tom had a good time.

I don't know this cute little girl, but had to take a picture of her with her baby dressed as a chicken.  Her mom said it's normally dressed as a chicken, and that it wasn't just for Halloween...

Later this weekend I converted Tommy's stroller from a "Pram" to a seat.  He's no longer satisfied seeing the sky, overhead power lines, and the occassional tree on our walk.  He's much happier being able to see the world at large - he's growing up!

My poplar trees are are turning.  I think they look like big torches.

This was also the first weekend Tom fit into his coveralls.  I have a couple wrenches just his size.

Having a good time!

Properly lubricating the wrenches - an old mechanic's trick.

A proud dad.

Checking the timing.  A good mechanic can tell a lot about an engine just by feeling it.

Helping Tommy with a little extra leverage.

We got it all tuned up!

A Saturday Adventure

I decided to take Patrick to Smith & Edwards last weekend to show him the tank & cannons they have in the junkyard. I also needed some new coveralls, but they didn't have my size (I will not publish any comments related to my Dickies, so don't bother...). Katie & Wiz came along with the babies.

I didn't have room in the van to take this giant aluminum antenna home...

Inside the tank

Driving the tank

It was raining and pretty cold, so after a while outside we were ready to go.  We heard about a restaurant in the area being a local landmark.  The first guy I asked in the parking lot said it had to be Maddox and gave us directions.

We'd heard it was some sort of diner.  It turned out to be diner, steakhouse, burger joint, wedding & reception hall, and drive thru...  Totally bizarre.  The parking lot was huge, the building looked like multiple additions stacked on each other (which turns out is true), and there were about 100 people waiting in the lobby for a table.  I was highly intrigued.  There's a cold display case in the waiting area where you can buy burgers, chicken fried steaks, bison, turkey fried steaks, etc.  They butcher onsight - in fact, there's a holding pen for cattle so you can see the cows about to be slaughtered for tomorrow's menu.  It's like a live lobster tank on steroids.  Somehow we only waited 15-20 minutes and were greeted with a basket of rolls that rival Little America's - a feat not easily achieved.  We all ordered fried chicken because they're famous for it.  They also have home made birch rootbeer on the menu.  I can't stop thinking about it, it was so delicious.

We'll have to take my folks there when they're back in town.

Bathtime Highlight Reel

Please ignore the dorky dad, and enjoy my cute little boy!

"Handouts"

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Several weeks ago I walked over to McDonald's for lunch by myself - just needed to get away from work for a minute. While I was eating my delicious quarter pounder, a homeless guy approached me and asked for some change so he could buy some food. I gave him my usual "sorry buddy, I don't carry any cash", which is true, I only use plastic money for the convenience. I don't ever give out cash. Having worked in the hotel/restaurant business for a while, I guess I've always felt like these guys should go get a job washing dishes or bussing tables. Besides, we've always tithed faithfully, plus given to Phoenix Christian School, World Venture, and many missionary friends/family. He can go to the soup kitchen if he's hungry.

My wife has challenged me in this area for a little while - so while I sat there enjoying my scrumptious hamburger, it struck me - in 33 years of life, I don't think I've ever missed a meal. In fact, judging by my slowly expanding waist, I basically eat whatever I feel like for every meal. Do I deserve such incredible blessing? Having been so loved by God as to never go hungry, why wouldn't I want to share that love with anyone who needed it, much more to someone who had the courage or desperation to ask for it?

I caught the guy before he left, and used my plastic money to buy him a meal. I don't know if he even needed it (I know a wealthy guy who walks around looking homeless, enjoying the occassional freebie...), but that's not the point. My cup overflows to the point of obscenity - why not share as often as I can? What do you think - do you share cash, buy meals, or do nothing?

Hurry - winter's coming!

Here's a little video of my last 2 outdoor projects before winter arrives.





I took a vacation day Friday - Katie's grandpa is in town and we finally installed Pat's patio. Tommy had his 4 month checkup this week too. He checked out okay - 75% for height, 50% for head circumference, and only 25% for weight - long and lean. He's been fighting a little cold, and got some immunizations this week too, so he's not himself in the next video. He's ahead of many milestones - rolls back & forth both directions, cooing (melts everyone's heart, I'll have to catch on video if I can), passing toys from hand to hand, laughing (non-stop). He's just shy of 13lbs. He's had a few rough nights because he doesn't feel well, but slept almost 2 hours today. This is a big deal because he typically doesn't sleep but for catnaps during the day.



That was Thursday night. We managed to stake the bed down with line levels to establish a sense of grade.



Pat bought a really cool cast aluminum fountain a couple years ago on sale. We're going to install on the patio once it's finished.







Dropping the sand on top of the road bed turned out to be as big a pain as I thought. You generally don't want stones in the sand - makes screeding a little tough.



Alan came over to help Brandon, Pat, and I. Patrick had a great time playing in the sand all day.



Well, the patio turned out fairly nice. After sweeping some sand in the joints, I ran the compactor over the top to settle everything a bit. I didn't think it would hurt anything, but the stones in the sand pushed some of the bricks askew - oh well. As Gordon pointed out, now it looks like it's been there 100+ years.

Tommy didn't sleep well last night at all. Because Katie's sick, I tried to take care of Tommy more than normal. Usually after feeding he's good for about 3 hours, but he really fussed and still isn't feeling 100%. The best sleep I got was about 2 hours on the floor of the nursery. Therefore, today I tried to rest and didn't start fall cleanup at home. I understand my sister-in-law is proud that I was able to flex my plans to accommodate life - whatever that means...