Potty Training Update

I'm close to saying Leon is potty trained.  He pretty much goes diaper less all day long except for naps.  He refuses to wear diapers.  He really loves the whole "pee-pee papa!"  Translation, peeing daddy style.  He also has long given up his pato (potty in shape of a duck) and uses the actual toilet.  And he is fairly consistent with #2 in the toilet too.

I'm quite proud of him.  Maybe people told me that potty training a boy was really difficult and that I probably shouldn't even attempt until he is 2 and a half or older.

But potty training isn't easy.  He uses the bathroom all the time.  I walk him to the bathroom, pull off pants (I can't just pull them down, they sometimes get wet with me...but not the nanny), help him balance on the step, help him push his body forward, then help him put the pants back on, help him up the steps to wash his hands (one of his favorite parts), try to convince him his hands are clean, usually lift him away from the sink, try to dry his hands, and walk him out of the bathroom.  All that in place of just changing a diaper every couple of hours.  ((Also, don't for get I'm 30 weeks pregnant with a huge stomach and an aching back))

But it is nice to know that when #2 arrives there will only be one in diapers.

My son the Carnivore

When I was pregnant with Leon I searched for books on how to raise a vegetarian child. I always figured I'd go back to being a 100% vegetarian when I was pregnant because it was the healthier thing to do, right? I was a vegetarian (but not vegan, so I ate dairy and eggs) for almost 10 years before I became a pescatarian (mostly vegetarian diet with fish/seafood). Then at some point in the last three years I started eating vegetarian with a little bit of everything else.

I was quite surprised when I was pregnant to come across this book "Real Food for Mother and Baby." Instead of finding a vegetarian book to bring me back to my senses, I read Nina Planck's book about how everyone but especially pregnant women, nursing women, and babies should eat meat and other "real foods." Her basic belief is that there are no true natural vegan societies and that even in vegetarian societies (not talking about San Francisco, I'm talking about people who lived centuries ago or "natives" now) pregnant women and children are giving meat-based supplements. She thinks that we eat too much fat free/sugar free/chemically created and processed foods instead of real butter and foods that our ancestors ate.

I agree with her that it's probably more important for our health that we eat organic, whole foods than processed foods, including meat free processed foods. I try to feed Leon everything and let him decide what he likes the best.

Though at some point I'd love to be a self-sufficient vegetarian again. Or at growing most of my own food that isn't purchased at some organic market (definitely one reason I would love to move back to the U.S (or Europe/South Africa) is to be able to buy all organic diary and meat products.

Some day soon!!!!

Gender Wars

Is it a girl or boy? Do you want a girl or boy?

I get those two questions all the time. I got them last time too.

Tonight my nanny said that Leon was hugging on me more these days and that is a sign that I am having a girl.

Many have said because I haven't gained that much weight yet (I am about 10 pounds behind where I was last time) is proof that I am having a girl.

Others say I'm having a boy because of the position of the baby.

It's funny how many people won't just take "I don't care what I'm having" as an answer. They all really want me to say which one I want.

Let's see. A girl would be cool. Of course. I have a boy. So I girl would be cool. I could do her hair, dress her up, etc.

A boy would also be cool. Leon would have an instant playmate (not that he can't play with a sister but it's different). One woman with three boys said to me, boys are easier since when they get older they never steal your clothes, they never steal your makeup, you never have to worry about their hair, and they usually end up doing "male bonding" things with dad so you get more free time.

Jeff would like to know now. I think it's better to wait until it comes out.

What do you think?

Pez!

Leon loves sea life. I would highly recommend a trip to the San Francisco and Monterrey Aquariums if you have kids and are in the Northern California area!

Leon Screams, Leon Screams, Leon Screams for Ice Cream

Leon LOVES ice cream. A few weeks ago when I came home from work he said, "helado (ice cream)" and then went to his drawer got a bowl and spoon and walked with me to the freezer. I had to give him some because I was so impressed by his actions.

Weeks later he is tormenting us! He says, "helado" as soon as he wakes up in the morning (twice, once in CA and once in Venezuela I gave him helado after thinking he had a sore throat or fever), when we are driving, when we are at restaurants, every where. He doesn't just say ICE CREAM he says, "helado, alli, alli". Ice cream over there! Sometimes he is right other times he is pointing to an auto shop or a library.

We've had ice cream quite a bit in San Francisco. In this picture Leon, Jeff, and I shared a Ghirardelli peanut butter and chocolate ice cream sundae. I 'm pretty sure Leon had more than Jeff and I. Once we were done he of course said, "mas, mas."

I am worried that we are over indulging him or that he is going to become obese. But we also have been hiking and walking a lot and it is hard to imagine that a child formed from the union of Jeff and I (living with us etc) would become obese (without some medical problem).

So for now I won't worry about Leon's obsession with ice cream.

California Dreams

We are enjoying a much needed vacation in California. Leon had Burmese food today and Japanese the other day. Everyday has not only been a culinary adventure with blueberries and strawberries for breakfast, but also a feast of sights and sounds. We been hiking, petting goats at children's zoos, and checking out fish and turtles at aquariums. Traveling always has its pluses and minuses. On travel day Leon was up for almost 20 hours with ZERO sleep. I'm saying no nap on his two long flights, on the layover, and he was up when we landed. Making sure Leon gets enough sleep ( and #2, cough, cough me) with all the new adventures is tough. Back in Venezuela Leon is on a two nap a day and goes to bed (after dinner, play, and bath) around 7:30-8:00 pm. On vacation he has been napping at least once for two hours and going to bed relatively by 8-9 pm. It's tough though because I don't want to be the super anal mom but then I also feel so bad when I look at him and I know he is so tired.

Best Laid Plans

I had the perfect afternoon planned for Leon. By the time he woke up from his nap, I felt like super mom. During his nap I was able to fix dinner (broccoli, mac n cheese, and cubed avocado with cubes of baked chicken), prepare his post nap snack (ww toast with sunflower butter and cantaloupe), prepare his post bed snack (apples), clean the house, wash three loads of clothes, and shower and dress. I also had a play date planned at our house for the afternoon. When Leon woke up I went to get him and noticed that his cheeks were red, and his body felt hot all over. I gave him something cold to drink and his snack. I turned on his favorite song (that is all about jumping). I grabbed the thermometer. I told myself that I was overreacting but I had it just in case. Then when the song says, "jump, jump", Leon jumped once and then lay on the floor. "Oh no!"

I took his temperature. 100.6. The door bell rang and his friend was here. I told the mom that Leon has a temperature and we should probably cancel the date. She took one look at Leon and quickly scooped up her son. I think she was as shocked as me to see him looking "dazed and confused" and not the life of the party as usual. Jeff was out of town.

I called his doctor and was told that if he had no other symptoms that to give him some Tylenol and wait and see if he gets better. So we watched the Sound of Music. Several hours later, Leon´s temperature was gone and he was sleeping soundly.

I had hoped for a TV free day. I had hoped he would have his play date and I would have adult time. But sometimes you gotta go with the flow. Sometimes you have to sing "Do Ra Me" and let your child eat in front of the TV.

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry.