Little Gym 2

Yesterday was Bren’s second Little Gym class. It started out pretty shaky since he wasn’t even willing to go into the gym for the first half of the class!!! We sat and watched the kids and parents do their thing through the windows. Bren had fun watching them and talking about it. Every few minutes one of us would ask him if he wanted to go in there and play too. No, no, no some more. About 20 minutes into the 45 minute class his answer was a hesitant no. Five minutes later, the owner (who was manning the desk) came over and asked him if he wanted to go play and he finally said yes. And then off he ran into the room to go play. We have always said he has a 1/2 hour warming up period and that has been so consistent through this past year.
Once in the gym, Darrell and I stood by where the rest of the class was enjoying a giant parachute. The kids were put on top as it was shaken, the parents held it up as the kids ran underneath it, then finally everyone got underneath it and sang songs. It was my favorite activity from my nanny Little Gym days and I was sad to see Bren not participate. I hope they do the parachute stuff again soon- it’s so much fun! He wandered around the empty half of the room instead of coming over to the crowded group area with us. I noticed within the first minute of being in the gym room that he put his hands briefly to his ears a few times like it was too loud in there. That got my initial attention but in only a few minutes the parachuting was over and he was beside us again.
After that, Bren seemed much more like any other kid there. He played on and with the different items and interacted with the other kids some (though his issue is not the kids, it’s adults and crowds in general). He continued to shy away from any adults but he didn’t get upset when one tried to talk to him- he’d just turn his face into me. They end all the gym classes with 5 minutes of playing with bouncy balls and then a couple minutes where the instructor blows bubbles. These are Bren’s 2 favorite activites! I figured out the bubble-blowing is to get the kids back to the group area for the end of class good-bye song. Very clever of them.
In the end, I was happy with his progress because of 4 things:
1. Once we were in the gym room, Bren allowed us to clap along with the class. He typically gets really mad at us if we clap or sing along. Could it possibly be a noise issue?
2. He didn’t cry and was happy just about the entire time we were there- greatly improved over last week. He was obviously excited to be there and enjoyed himself whether he was watching or participating.
3. He approached an instructor and gave her 2 balls when it was time to put them away. He got a booming “Good job, Brendan!” LOL.
4. At the end of class, an instructor approached us and told us she saw improvement already.
We have the rest of May in the Parent & Child class (4 more sessions I think) and we signed him up for the 10 week summer Child Only class, which is 3-5 year olds. Perhaps being among the youngest will give him some good role models. The summer session ends immediately before my due date.
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As for potty training, he goes and sits willingly on the potty at times (when it’s his idea) but hasn’t yet peed again.

TMI but hilarious Bren-bit, muffalettas

I was getting undressed for bed last night in our bathroom and just as I had my arms up and my clothes over my head, Bren walks in. He pokes me on a nipple, says “boooop!” and then proceeds to talk about how I have “chocolates”. I really tried to correct him but I was laughing too darn hard. What a shocker!!!
Bren is starting to branch out into more than basic words. For example, he has learned “wizard” from Dora, “witch” from Tom & Jerry and says other things now like “kitchen”. It is really nice to talk to him now because I really understand most of what he says. He is really into flashlights right now. Big ones, little ones, toys with lights, etc. We just bought him a Thomas toy that makes train noises and the face lights up when you push a button. He really likes it.
Little Gym #2 is tonight. Send patience vibes my way!
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24w5d. LBB had the hiccups the other night and DH got to feel some larger movements. That was fun! He is now kicking above the belly button here and there which always gives me a startle. He like to lie tranverse because I can feel a hard ball shape on my right side and the firmness extends sideways. It is so strange to be able to tell that!
Two days ago I was really sick and kept vomiting up whatever I ate or drank for the entire day. I was really worried about it but avoided total dehydration by a thread. By the next morning I was better. One small benefit though is that my body is working on replacing the fluids I lost and I haven’t had to get up in the middle of the night to pee the last 2 nights. Wheee! LOL.
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DH and I made the olive relish for muffaletta sandwiches last night. Here is what we used based on several recipes I found on the net. I’ll post about how it was after we try it. It has to marinate for at least 24 hours. We’ll probably eat some for dinner tomorrow night.
Muffalettas
Makes 4 quartered sandwiches
1/2 lb total of good ham, genoa salami and hard salami
1/2 lb of good cheese- havarti, provolone and/or mozzarella
1 1/2 lb round loaf italian bread
1 c olive relish (below)
Slice bread into top and bottom pieces. Warm bread for 3 minutes in 350 degree oven. Top each half with 1/2 c of olive relish, meats and cheeses. Heat til warmed through and cheese is melted.
Olive Relish
3.5 oz pouch green olives with pimientos, drained & minced
3.8 oz can sliced black olives, drained & minced
16 oz jar Mezzetta Italian Giardiniera (pickled veggies w/ cauliflower), drained & minced
1/4 c pepperoncinis, minced
1/2 c roasted red/yellow peppers, minced
2 T minced garlic
1 t celery seed
1 t oregano
1 pinch black pepper
1/3 c red wine vinegar
1/3 c canola + olive oil (you may want more oil)
Mix everything together in a bowl and allow to marinate for 24 hours.