Oh Ya, He is 2

I am not sure if the "terrible twos" is a real developmental stage or just some erroneous term that parents made up to make themselves feel not so inadequate while rearing toddlers. Either theory you subscribe to, we are there. Jackson is acting terrible and I feel very inadequate.

We decided to make the big change to a regular bed before the baby comes (Only 4 and a half weeks left!) and oh wow, not pretty.

Not enough time spent here....

Led to sleeping here...

We did the usual routine of putting him back in bed about 20 times at bedtime and although that is not my idea of fun that was not the worst of it. He also got up 3 to 4 times a night. Not mad, just awake and kicking his door. We tried the side rail, then double side rail, taped his light switch off, and put away all books and toys. (Waking up to Thomas' whistle at 3 in morning is not pleasant.) But to no avail. He also was up for the day around six. Well, you can imagine the shear grouchiness that possessed his soul the rest of the day from utter exhaustion. We gave it a valiant effort for about three weeks and then threw in the towel and he is back in the crib in the baby's room. Now we can focus on the tantrums, how fun.

Any suggestions? Feel free to tell me that I am just being wussy and to gird up my loins and take it like the many generations of tired mothers before me. Maybe I am just rationalizing but it is hard to know what to attribute to autism, just being 2, or just plain tiredness. Not that it even matters but charting unknown waters makes one wonder.

On an unrelated note: During my brief stint of unemployment I got bored and painted anything that would hold still. I refinished a dresser for Jackson's 'big boy' room. I should have taken a picture of the 70's finish with golden eagle handles to get the full effect.

Halloween WT Style

This year we hosted a Halloween party but wanted to spice it up a little so a theme was added to encourage creativity: Come as your interpretation of white trash. Well, the attendees did not disappoint.
Here is the happy couple: Barefoot, pregnant, logo laden pajama pants, stained Earnheart t-shirt, and bangs for miles. Mark had rubber bands placed strategically all the way down his waist length pony.

Not sure why I suddenly went bull-legged to blow out candles. Must have been trying to stay in character.

Party Part 2

As mentioned before we had a separate party with Mark's family this month for the October birthdays. If you are a regular follower of this blog you may have wondered if Mark has a family. The answer is an astounding yes. In fact, he has a plethora of family, in fact you have probably run into them around town and not even realized it. He has seven siblings so it is bound to happen. It is my fault for not giving them equal time and exposure on the blog. Anyway, I digress.
Here is the Ninja in all his glory. I think his Chi was a little off this day because the grouchiness was overwhelming the inner harmony.
All the cousins dressed up and got to pick a pumpkin to carve from Grandma and Grandpa's pumpkin patch. The kids quickly lost interest and the adults took over.


And here is the homemade, yes homemade, cake made by Celeste. She was almost lost to the blazing inferno. And yes that is 8 month guttage overwhelming the left side of the photo.