Central Alaska is no Place to Raise a Toddler

Wow, didn't think about raising a child during winter, in NP. It has been a pretty consistent -20F every day this month, with lows in the -40s and highs in the -10s. Needless to say Gumba hasn't been outside for a very long time. My cutoff is -10F, and today it's finally gotten that warm. Plus, there isn't a lot to do with toddlers anyways. Gumba is bored and getting into mischief, I'm bored chasing him around saying no all the time and getting ignored. I've looked online for ideas, and short of read to your child, stack blocks with your child, there really isn't much else to do. And, these aren't even great ideas because they'll what, keep you child occupied for a total of five minutes? We're talking hours of free time here, not five minutes here and there. I think Husband and I are going to take him to the family swim at the pool next Saturday. Gumba has never been, and we've never been with a baby, so who knows how that will go. I'll keep in touch with you all about that. I also think we'll go to the library in town. The floors are probably decently clean and he'll have lots of new stuff to look at. Ugh, winter sucks big time.

The Value of a Shower

The value of a shower is maximized if your child is awake and someone else is watching him/her. I've always valued being clean, but haven't ever taken very long showers, now I'm a changed woman. It's great to be able to escape for just a little bit, knowing your child is in good hands, and you can relax. My mom used to go grocery shopping, but that isn't very relaxing for me, and we live forever away from town, so I'd be gone longer than I'd want to be.

Roller Coaster Ride - Gumba Update

Where's Gumba!

My precious first born has us on a roller coaster ride. It seems that he sleeps well for several weeks, then the next couple he doesn't. We are currently plummeting to our deaths. Gumba has been waking several times in the night to fuss loudly for no apparent reason, then starts my day at 5am. I say mine because let's be honest, Daddy's don't just jump out of bed that early in the morning, or at least Gumba's doesn't. This morning Husband got home from work at 9am and said good morning to Gumba and I, and I informed him it's actually our afternoon already. The last several days Gumba has fussed during his second nap as well, but it seems today he may have fallen asleep...keep your fingers crossed!

He are several cute things Gumba is doing now, all of which I think are indicators that he doesn't have autism. For those who know me well, I am a pessimist at heart, so this whole autism thing has been on my mind a lot:

- Comes to me, turns around, and then sits in my lap! It is one of the more precious things.

- Lets me read books to him! From beginning to end!

- Will go up to the dogs and gently lay his head on them to snuggle. Dogs don't appreciate this too much, but we're working with them.

- Laughs when we, or people on TV laugh (yeah, he's picking up social cues!)

- Smiles at me while I'm nursing him down for bedtime

- Started to bounce on the changing table when he's standing, and I'm holding him

- Likes to be tickled

- Understands "I'm going to get you" and crawls away, really fast

- Will rarely take two steps towards me when not holding onto furniture. This walking thing is taking way longer then I thought it would.

- Still gets very excited when I come home from work

Baby No Name Update

Heard Baby No Names' heartbeat today! Everything is going well as far as we can tell without ultrasounds, which we won't have another one. For all those who want to start guessing, it was in the high 140's, low 150's. Husband wasn't able to make this appointment either. The first one he was working and Gumba came with me, he was freakin' adorable. Gumba behaved very well, and when the heartbeat was detected he came up to the table with a big smile on his face and touched my hand! Who knows if this has any significant meaning, but it meant a lot to me regardless. But Husband and Gumba stayed home today because it was a chilly -46F outside. Yes, you read that correctly, the temperature outside of our house all day long has been -46F, and it isn't expected to warm up until the weekend or so. Everybody at work couldn't believe I came in, but once I reminded them I have a house with a garage they started to get it. In Fairbanks it sat around -35F. So, hopefully Husband will be able to make it to one of my many upcoming appointments, February is usually warmer than January. We're still hoping on having a birth center birth. The midwife today said that vitamin's C and E help strengthen the bag, so hopefully my water won't break three and a half weeks early this time. We won't be finding out the sex until the baby reveals itself on its birthday. We have plenty of unisex items since Gumba was a surprise as well, so no need to worry there. One of the midwives is due on June 4th, a women I work with is due June 7th, and our baby is due June 14th. A midwife told me today they already have 15 babies with due dates in June, so it'll be a busy month. Hopefully they'll have room in the "inn" for everyone!

Take care all and stay warm!

Happy New Year!

Husband brought in the New Year at a party while Gumba slept, and I tried to sleep. Today Gumba had spaghetti for the first time. Check out the video and picture of him. We are so lucky he likes solid food, and takes to most things we give him. I don't think he even got especially dirty this time around. It was eat, and then straight into the bath though!

Gumba threw his first real tantrum today. I see his head strongness will benefit him (in the long run) but will give his father and I many headaches. I ended up doing the dishes as Gumba cried in the living room. I figure I shouldn't stand around and "support" the behavior.

I'll tell you all I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that Gumba can have regular people food. It isn't because I'm being all sentimental, it just seems strange. All of a sudden his menu has expanded and I have no idea what to give him. I'd better think fast though, he's starting to pitch fits when we feed him because he wants to feed himself. Unfortunately for us all I have a freezer full of pureed food, and Gumba doesn't know how to use a spoon.

Have a Happy New Year everyone. I didn't make any resolutions. I figure if I have a hard time committing to 40 days and 40 nights for Lent, there's no way I'm making it a whole year!