![[a bar of photos of Jamie's face]](/images/jjc4/design/face-bar.jpg)
Back to Vol. 2 No. 8, or up to Jamie Chew's Web Log Archive. or forward to Vol. 2 No. 10.
2007-11-06 21:37 (Kristen) Jamie was up at 7 AM this morning, which I barely registered as he kissed me good morning and went off to play Otto Matic. I got up around 8, when he came back to tell me that he was hungry, and to wake up Liam in the process. Grammie took Jamie to school in the wagon, and I stayed behind to be with Liam. Liam was tired early on, and spent about two hours in total in utter tears, clinging to me like a limpet, and refusing to spend time with Grammie. Separation anxiety? Teeth? Missing his dad? All three? Who knows. It was a loooong morning, despite more Advil and Ambusol. At lunch, we drove to the school to pick up Jamie, who had a hard time translating himself from Jackman to Hakobune. He melted down, Liam continued to melt down, and it was a loooong drive in the car until both kids fell asleep five minutes away from the daycare. Jamie woke up as soon as I took him out of the car, and was utterly disoriented. It took a long time to get Jamie calmed down enough that he was willing, even with Sensei's help, to go inside. Of course, I left feeling like utter misery, but Sensei said afterwards that he went to kamishibai* (at the local library) with a smile on his face, and he was very happy for the rest of the afternoon.
Liam was a whole new man after a two hour nap, and went with us cheerfully to Hakobune to pick up Jamie. The kids raced about and played, particularly with a girl named Julie, and had a good time before it was time to go home (Jamie, of course, didn't want to leave). It was a quiet afternoon until dinner, and more fits from Liam until we got him fed. He then spent the rest of the evening climbing up onto chairs and standing until we got him down..what a great game! Bathtime at 8:15, in bed at 8:45, and both boys asleep by 9:20. I need a spa day. Thank goodness my mom is here, or we would all be living in a smoking crater. I love my kids; I love my mom. John: make sure you come home safely!!
2007-11-06 24:45 (John) Over breakfast here in Mumbai I was temporarily without my WiFi connection, so I browsed back local copies of old blog entries, using the 'back 1017d' link above. There I noticed that on 2005-01-23 Kristen noted that Jamie will pick up a book and sit in her lap when he wants to be read to; by way of comparison, Liam's preferred technique is to whack you on the nose with the book until you read it. To be fair, there is some possibility that he is just trying to hold the book in front of your face, and missing.
2007-11-07 23:10 (Kriten) The boys were awake a little before 8:00, and we got the day off to a mooth start. Grammie took Jamie to school, and I worked a little and cleaned a little after she got back. Liam continues to be very clingy, but can be bought off with a nurse or some food if headed off early enough. I had a snack ready for Jamie to lure him out of the playground. It wasn't so very hard, as most of the mothers were tired of freezing as they waited for their kid, and had dragged them home. I saw my first snowflakes, which was depressing, but Jamie was happy to see the snow.
We dropped Jamie off at Hakobune, and went out for lunch. Liam fell asleep in the car five minutes before we reached the restaurant, and slept through lunch. He woke up in Treasure Island as I ordered loot bags for Jamie's party, and played a bit there before we picked up a pie for dinner tonight and went to get Jamie. Jamie was happy but manic, and took a little convincing to come home. At one point, Kai-kun had "Jamie no okaasan" (me) in a fort of cardboard blocks being inundated by toy car after toy car. It was fun. Jamie thought it was funny too, and contributed to the pile of cars. We came home, and waited for our friend Leslie, Peter, and Simon to show up. Jamie was particularly excited that Simon was coming over as he wanted another child to play with. Peter and Leslie brought Uighur food, which was cool and yummy, and Jamie ate well before deciding that he neede to be with Gary for a bit. Liam ate lightly, then needed to play too. We had a good time, and then Peter, Leslie, and Simon left and it was time for the bath and bed. Liam has had a hard time settling, and Jamie was very excited about his Hakobune party tomorrow, but he still fell asleep in short order. I'm exhausted!
2007-11-08 22:17 (Kristen) Jamie woke up around 8:00, and we got Jamie ready for his party at Hakobune from then. Liam has been having a severe case of separation anxiety, which is exacerbated by his teeth and John being away. Consequently, I got Jamie's lunch and cupcakes finished off with Liam in a sling as he would not go with my mother. The life of a mom. We dropped Jamie off at Hakobune, and came home to get some supplies before going out for coffee at the Second Cup. before heading home. Liam had a great time playing Godzilla with one of our favourite baristas, and stretching his legs. He was a very happy Liam, as long as I didn't go anywhere. If I got too far, then I had to pick up a crying Liam until he was appeased and would go off again to explore.
Liam slept for about 90 minutes, and woke up in plenty of time to go and pick Jamie up at Hakobune at 4:00. He was in a good mood, and very happy to play with me before we left. He ate well (kabocha and sausage), and was happy in the car. Jamie was in a fabulous mood when we got to Hakobune, and it sounds like he had a good party. The cupcakes (chocolate with vanilla icing and four smarties apiece) went over very well, and I'm glad that I sent 22 because 15 kids and a few more staff ate them all. We came home, played for a bit, and Jamie read his Chirp magazine and did some of the puzzles in it. He pounced on Gary for a bit, and we went to Browning for dinner, because Ken and Tami won't be around tomorrow. Liam flipped back and forth between me and Tom, which was very unusual, because normally I give him to Tom and don't see him again for hours. I didn't see Jamie for hours, although he did come to eat all of his dinner before he headed back out to do whatever it was that he was doing. Liam nibbled here and there, and I think that he got enough food into himself. We came home around 8:30, got the kids into the bath, and then into bed by 9:15. Liam fell asleep quickly, but Jamie took until 10:00 before he could calm down enough to sleep.
2007-11-09 24:30 (Kristen) It was my dad's birthday today, and the official start to Birthday Week around here. Liam was up, inexplicably, at 7:30, and Jamie was up at 7:45, but wouldn't get out of bed until Grammie was up too. Fortunately, Grammie was up soon afterwards, and we all were up then to meet the day. Grammie, Liam, and I walked Jamie to school, then came home to do this and that until it was time to go back to get Jamie. Liam is happy as long as he gets to nurse as much as he wants, which is frequent: at least three times a day more frequently as usual. However, he's much easier to deal with if I let him, and so I do. Both molars are through on one side each, and we're waiting for the eye teeth and the pointy other side of the molar for both. Poor guy. He just doesn'st stop moving when he's awake, and is constantly shaking his shape sorter pieces all over the place. He's also hiding pieces in odd places, and the pieces to one are utterly gone, including its lid. I haven't found them yet, and I am only sure that they are not in the rice bad this time, because that's where his last cookie was and I've searched there.
We took Jamie to Hakobune, which went well, and then took Liam to Lowblaws. Liam had slept between 10:30 and 11:30, and was perky but hungry, as he had refused most food until that point. He hoovered a few pieces of Cailfornia roll in the store in quick order, and nibbled through the rest of the shopping. My mom let me do some driving practice in the parking lot, and Liam enjoyed it immensely, laughing when I was in the driver's seat (I choose to interpret this as pleasure, not amusement at the oddness of it), and liking that he could see me so clearly while we were both in the car. I practiced for ten or fifteen minutes, and then gratefully went back to being a passenger. A walk in the Annex later, and we picked up Jamie to come home.
Once home, Jamie did the rest of his Nisshu Gakkuin homework with Sai, who brought some fish over for dinner. Both boys hoovered back grouper, and some spaghetti squash, spinach, and parmesan risotto for dinner. Jamie played with Gary, and Liam happily played in between nursings. Bedtime was a little rough, as Jamie was very keyed up, and kept waking up Liam, but both boys were finally asleep around 10:00.
2007-11-10 24:05 (Kristen) Jamie woke up wondering if it was his birthday yet. He is so wound up about it, it's amazing. He spent the whole day asking questions about his birthday: he spent five minutes gazing at his cake, and asking questions about when he could eat it, and if there would be balloons (tomorrow I get them). He has been watching Backyardigans, with the surprise monster party episode ein particular, so he wants a surprise tomorrow. I'll have to work it out somehow.
He got off to Nisshu Gakkuin today on time, thanks to Junko, and was very well behaved. Liam spent the morning being alternately happy and uber-clingy. Grammie, Liam, and I drove up to get Jamie, and Liam fell asleep in the car. I used this as a chance to get Grammie to drive me around and get all sorts of things done. Jamie was patient, and Liam slept until we got home at 1:30. Liam took a break from his separation anxiety to play with Ayami and Jamie upstairs, but still cries if I leave the room too suddenly (or at all). We puttered about, getting ready for tomorrow, until it was time to leave to go and buy a card and present for Tai-tai before dinner. Jamie needed coaxing to walk to the Danforth, but was good once we were there. At one of the card stores, he was helpful to one of the staff, and was given three shiny frog stickers. He wore them, pleased, on his gloves and coat to dinner. Tai-tai was happy with dinner and her presents, and she and Jamie spent time discussing and practicing writing in hiragana. Liam kept himself amused all through a long dinner with the musical book of happiness, and both boys stuffed themselves full of chicken, broccoli, and tofu of various kinds. They amazed us, actually, with how much they ate.
Jamie and Grammie have a good time together. Jamie's been very helpful and good lately, and Grammie loves his sense of humour. They call each other "sweet knees," and both laugh themselves silly over it.
2007-11-11 19:32 (Kristen) Jamie woke up at 7:45 or so this morning, wanting to eat his birthday cake. I explained in some detail, as a lip was starting to tremble, the course of the day, and that cakes were eaten after candles were blown out in front of friends. He spent the rest of the morning playing Marble Blast, watching Backyardigans, and waiiting for his friends to arrive. Mom and I spent the morning cleaning and arranging furniture like mad things. Liam was good today, and wasn't so very clingy as he has been. In fact, when I ran out of the car into It's My Party to get balloons, he fell asleep without a peep in his carseat. Wow. He stayed asleep until his brother and his friends woke him up with earthshattering shrieks of joy and mayhem around 12:45. He was too wound up to sleep again for the rest of the day, and is blithering right now as Jamie watches Teletubbies .
The party included five of Jamie's classmates--Jake, Dylan, Sabine, Charlie, and Parker--and Jake's little brother Charlie. Michelle, Charlie and Jake's mom, stayed to help (the only parent to do so, and she was marvellously helpful). The kids ran about like mad until the Whimz lady arrived with the animals. Whimz is a company that sends a person with eight animals with them, and the kids just love these parties. After careening around with utter mayhem on their minds for half an hour, the kids settled down quietly to meet with Josh the Rabbit, Sonic the Hedgehog, Smartie the Longhaired Hamster, Noah the Dove, Bubba the Dwarf Hamster, Zack the Flat-tailed Gekko, Maggie the Chicken, and Diego the Chinchilla. I have much video, and lots of digital pictures; my mom took a good deal of pictures, as did Gary, later on, and we'll upload them as time and technology permit. The animals are passed from child to child, and each can pat them and hold them (or not) as they like. The best part was when Diego the Chinchilla sat on the children's heads (and chinchillas are even softer than you can imagine). Jamie liked Josh the rabbit the best. After the animals we had a Thomas the Tank Engine ice cream cake from Dairy Queen, which went over very well, and opened presents (list to come). The children were all gone at 3:00, and John's parents (who ahd dropped by for cake) stayed a little longer to see Jamie receive his new Wii from all of us. Jamie is very happy with the Wii, but also very tired and a little (ok, a whole very lot) wound up. He also opened his present from Grandpa Rod and his fiancee Liz (a very cool desk lamp in the shape of a jet fighter), and his aunts Nobuko and Tomoko came by with a book for him and for Liam. Jeff and his girlfriend Anna Mae came by, as did my aunt Millie (and an Indigo gift certificate). Liam and Jamie have taken a real shine to Anna Mae. Jamie had her playhing video games, and Liam went to her to play, which was a surprise and a relif to me, as Liam has not been much into visiting anyone but me, with some Ayami and a bit of Grammie too sometimes.
After everyone left, we've had a relatively quiet evening, the three of us. We ate dinner, and are just playing quietly or watching television. It's an early night for both boys tonight, and Grammie should be back soon from dinner to help put them into the bath and bed. We're on snack this week, and I have some vegetables to chop up before bed tonight!
When Jamie and Grammie are driving together, Jamie's job is to tell Grammie how fast to go. He reads the signs, and says "Go 40 fast, Grammie!" or "You can go 70 fast, Grammie!" It's very sweet, and Grammie is coming to rely on Jamie for constant speed updates. Liam is full of smiles and laughter, and is pushing every button within his reach. If we clean up, he tips something over. He's very attached to his brother, and tries to play with him by tackling his legs. Jamie is past the stage where he is capable of listening to me or remembering what I said, so we're going to bed Very Soon.
Addendum: Jamie wanted desperately to play before bed with me, and so we built (at Jamie's choice) a Lego police car that Charlie had given to him. He had a great time doing it with me, and has asked to do it again tomorrow. He also declared that he really loved his Gigi Cat t-shirt, and would like to wear it again tomorrow. His favourite part of the day was his cake, and his second favourite was when his friends came over.
2007-11-12 23:19 (*Kristen) After asking a few times when his next birthday was going to be, we drew the curtain on Jamie's birthday. He woke up on his own this morning, a little disoriented, and regressing slightly (wanting to be carried downstairs, and so on) which often happens just after a birthday. We got Jamie to school in time, where we also handed over the snack (we are in charge of snack this week). I took Liam home, and we puttered for the morning until it was time to pick Jamie up. We decided to go for lunch at Wimpy's, and drove there as the weather was threatening. We're glad that we did, because the heavens opened up as we were eleaving. Jamie had a kid's burger and a strawberry milkshake, and ate a great deal. He liked going out for a milkshake.
Once home, we had a quiet afternoon. Jamie played with Gary, and they unlocked the cow racing game (which pleased them both no end). My friend from grad school, Mike Cichon, came by with his wife Lisa and baby Signy (who \is very very cute), and visited for a bit. Liam woke up in the middle of the visit (he'd had a half-hour nap) and was somewhat worried about the new baby but didn't get upset after he realized that I wasn't going to put him down to pick her up.
Dinner was at Browning, and Jamie played for a while somewhere in the house while Tom and Liam played. Liam was very clingy on Friday, but today Tom regained his clear number one status, and Liam (for the first time in a week and a half) let Tom take him around and played with him without wondering where I was every few minutes. Yay! We came home to bed a little later than usual, and Jmie fell asleep quickly (as did Liam). I will be in bed myself in a moment.
* For the benefit of Scrabble players, words that are not in the Scrabble dictionary are marked with an asterisk.
Back to Vol. 2 No. 8, or up to Jamie Chew's Web Log Archive. or forward to Vol. 2 No. 10.