It's not all about Elmo, all the time

That's what I caught myself saying to Corbin this morning. I swore it wouldn't happen. I swore my kid would not buy into this crazy toddler obsession known as Elmo. I can't stand the monster. But really, who over the age of 8 can? The annoying whiny womanchild voice, the speaking in the third person, the Elmo's World song... no thank you. And at first, Corbin agreed with me. He really could care less about anything on Sesame Street. He was a Yo Gabba Gabba boy all the way. We supported that. Yo Gabba is fun, has crazy characters, silly songs, and teaches good lessons. Their musical guests are indy bands like the Ting Tings and the Aquabats. They even have Biz Markie teaching the kids how to beatbox! How could it get any better than that?

But then it started... Elmo toys, Elmo toothbrush, Elmo's world... now when I go to get him in the mornings, more often than not the first thing out of his mouth is "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHMO!!" Oh dear.

The obsession has now spread into all Sesame Street characters. The kid only says 20 or so "words", and 5 of them are Sesame Street characters. Lately it's all about "ERRRRRRRRRRNNNIE!" We got him a little stuffed Ernie from Walmart, and it's his new buddy. He give him lots of hugs, pets his hair, and plays this "up, up, up, down, down, down" game with him that I have always played with Corbin.

When Nate says "Daddy loves you!" to Corbin, he responds with "Ahmo". Nate has to say "and Elmo, yes." When I get him up from naptime, it's "Ehrrnnie? Ahmo? Bbbbbbbrrrr? (Bert)" Yesterday he spotted an Elmo stuck in the corner of claw machine at Walmart, and freaked out.

While we were up in Marquette visiting, Grammy got Corb an Elmo cookie from the bakery. He saw it, but wasn't allowed to have it till after lunch. A small freak out ensued. All the way through the store "Ahmo? Ahmo!!", all the way home "AHMO!!!". There was sobbing. Once we got back to the house and he ate his lunch, he got to have Elmo. He was a little confused at first, but eventually ate the whole thing. His face was all red, his belly full of cookie...and when I got him upstairs and settled in for his nap he very quietly looked at me with pleading eyes...."Ahmo?". Um, yeah, you ate him kid. So much for loyalty.

I'm a real mom

This week I had a very real introduction to an aspect of motherhood that I had been lucky enough to avoid. I woke up to a very unhappy kiddo and crib covered in vomit. Somehow, in a year and a half, I've been able to scrape by with very minimal puking from Corb. He spit up sometimes as a little guy, and has thrown up twice in his carseat (once was on the way home from his surgery...can't blame him for that!), but he's never had the pleasant experience of waking up covered in it. I walked in and thought "that's it, I'm a real mom now, no turning back". And then I silently cursed this stupid apartment for not having a washer and dryer (none in the whole building. Curse them!!).
The vomiting turned into what we commonly refer to as the "pukey-poops", and it's been going on for days now. Blah. Poor little bug is hurting and tired and screams bloody murder when I change his diaper. He's had more baths in the last 4 days than he usually has in a couple weeks, and watched more cartoons that he ever knew existed. Thank goodness Amy and Becky have been coming over and taking the dirty laundry home to wash. We would've run out of towels and sheets long ago.
Today I am starting to feel icky. It just keeps getting better. Nate doesn't have a day off until Tuesday, and we will be in Marquette then for his CNA test. It's gonna be a loooooong week.

Oh, also, I joined Weight Watchers a little over a month ago and so far I've lost 13 pounds! Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. 13 down, about a billion left to go. :P

Christmas Dos and a Goofy Video

First of all, here is the newest video of Corbin showing off. It's dark and grainy because it was taken with our (totally junky) camera, but you get the idea. He shows off some body parts, does some animal noises, and dances a little. He's learning new things every day, it's so awesome to watch how quickly he catches on to some things. He's still a little confused with some animal noises... in Corbin's world cows say Baaa and hippos make some sort of strange aboriginal clicking sound. Also oranges are called Cheeeeeeeeeeese, regardless of how many times we correct him. Goofball. :P

Secondly, how are things going around here? Well, the biggest excitement lately was on Friday when Nate hurt his knee at work. He was moving a patient or something (and by patient I mean "resident" and by moving I mean "ambulating" or whatever fancy word they use there) and twisted it funny. He suffered through that night and the next day, and finally went in to the Urgent Care clinic yesterday. They put him on a "sit only" restriction for work, and told him he probably tore his meniscus. So he's off for a couple days, and may or may not be returning to work later this week (they might stick him in the HR office for a few days, if not, he is on worker's comp). So yeah. He's on the couch now. His knee hurts. Corbin, of course, insists on climbing on it. Poor Nate. :(

Thirdly, a recap of our Christmas in Kentucky. Long story short, we had a blast! Nate drove Corbin and I down to Lansing to meet my parents, and we took off from there. It was snowing, icing, or raining constantly on the way down. It was really an awful drive, and we were lucky to make it to the hotel in once piece. Thankfully the next day was much better, and all the way home we had smooth sailing.

We arrived at the cabin/house we rented on Christmas Eve. It was a full house with Corbin and I, my parents, Breanna, Christopher, Micah and Quinn, Sylvia (Breanna's mom) and Rich (Sylvia's husband), Viola (Sylvia's mom), and Trevor (Breanna's brother). Oh, and Molly (my parent's dog) and Samson (Sylvia's dog). It was a full house, to say the least. Corbin had a great time getting attention from everyone, playing with his new presents, and tormenting Micah by trying to steal her toys. ;) Poor Micah!
We laughed and laughed, talked, played some games, laughed some more, argued a teensy bit (varying political beliefs in that house!), shopped (a bit), opened gifts (for hours and hours!!), ate, and laughed again. It was so great seeing everyone. They are all family to me, and I love them to pieces. I'm so glad Corbin is going to be able to know them as well, and make friends with Breanna's girls. I hope our family's friendship continues into their generation. The only bad part was that Nate wasn't able to come. I know he would've had so much fun. Hopefully he'll be there next time.
Here's a few pictures from our trip (warning, pic overload!).

Quinn and I...



Santa even came! (does he look familiar???)



Corbin opening his Band in a Box (doesn't really seem like a good idea, does it?)



Corbin attempting to steal some of Micah's toys...


Chris and Quinn...



Corbin and Micah on their new couches...



Quinn (isn't she gorgeous?!?!)



On our way home... Corbin with his new lion.



I realize I didn't take any pictures of Breanna or Trevor or, well, pretty much anyone but the kids. Oops. :P Next time we'll have to take a family shot. Hopefully it won't be too long from now.