The Last Day of Summer

[billroper]

It was the last day of summer, so after breakfast at Charcoal Delights -- where Katie was determined to steal Mommy's eggs -- we dropped Katie and Julie off at a friend's house and went down to Wrigley Field for the last game of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Cardinals lost which, in combination with the Phillies victory tonight, eliminated them from the playoff picture. Mind you, the odds were pretty long by this point anyway, but now I can root for the Cubs for the rest of the season with a clear conscience. :)

After we picked up Katie (who had skipped her nap) and Julie (who hadn't), we ran up to RAM for dinner. Katie was being moderately badly behaved, running away around the edges of the parking lot. This has been getting worse lately and is behavior we need to discourage right now. By the time we got home, Katie had worked herself up into persona non grata mode.

But first, she needed a bath, if for no other reason than to get the caramel from the apple dippers out of her hair. She was actually pretty well-behaved in the bath -- I suspect she realized that the limits of parental patience had arrived. We even managed to use the special bucket to rinse shampoo out of her hair without getting water in her eyes.

And then it was time to bathe baby sister. And the entertainment began.

	Helping Bathe Julie Katie had just had her bath, so it was time to bathe Julie. Daddy figured Mommy had enough help, so he retreated to the other room. And *then* he heard the commotion and realized it was time to grab the camera.
	Still Helping And now, the incredible flying baby trick. About this time, Gretchen said, "Was that a flash?"
	Whatcha Doin', Daddy? Taking pictures, dear, at great risk to my future health. Why do you ask?
	Let's Do It Again! Because climbing Mount Mommy *once* is apparently not enough.
	Hey! Look at the Baby! I can almost reach her from here.
	What Else Can I Do To Help? I'm thinking that maybe it's about time to put the camera away while I still have a chance of surviving...

Comments

[spiritdancer]

Twice in the last week, David's been sent to "rest" at around 10:30 am. When big brother is acting up as bad or worse than little brother, Mommy has taken to declaring nap time. And enforcing it with a threat of going in the crib, if he won't stay in his bed. A timer has been a big help (as in, "you can get up when the timer goes off, but you need to stay in bed and rest until it beeps").

I suspect Katie's shenagigans tonight were a bit like David's - no nap = wound up kid going faster and faster trying not to fall asleep (and making life miserable for Mom and Dad in the process).

And I am SO glad that David hasn't tried climbing Mount Mommy when we're in the bathroom. It may be due to my getting both boys in the tub at once, and letting David play while I get Michael washed, then doing David's actual soaping second.

[spiritdancer]

Oh, and the parking lot dash? I've taken to grabbing a fist full of shirt to put the brakes on the offender (and I've gotten pretty good at anticipating when it's likely to happen, so I can grab before he gets too far). Part of why I don't use button-up shirts on the boys, much. Bib overalls also make for "built in handles" in a pinch (daycare doesn't care much for 'em, what with potty training and all, but when David was younger, he nearly always was in an outfit with straps).

[artbeco.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, the parking lot dash. I took to using harnesses with leashes when out and about by myself, since I had two going in opposite directions at the same time. Man they were fast little buggers, with no sense of self preservation whatsoever. Thankfully they do grow out of it. Eventually. I keep telling myself that.

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

I used harnesses with leashes, too, and the bib overall "handle pants," and, heaven help me, the child's own ponytail to yank her out of traffic (which ended up with mad dash child *not* being hit by the oncoming ambulance, and the ambulance driver treating me for a dislocated shoulder.)

I also can show you a secure handgrip/wristlock that littles have difficulty twisting out of at OVFF.

The photos are priceless!

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

There's a great set of photos I took of Mere 'helping' Mommy babyproof the sink cabinets in our old apartment, and another with similar 'help' in doing some work on a computer. Then Susan took some of me being helped no end with packing up books when we were moving to the house we live in.

Oh, the endless help babies and toddlers can give. Thanks for the pictures.

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

You see, the reason that the lil' buggers don't get strangled early on is that they're just too cute to kill. Cuteness is a defence mechanism. I'm convinced of it. And the harder you had to work to get 'em, the more the cuteness works.