Gage's Operating Instructions...

We're going out of town, and my son will be staying with my Mom for a few days.
She's asked me to write down things that she might need to know.
(you know--about him. I mean, obviously she's had a kid before..but she wanted to know routines, etc.) So...I got to writing them down...and then realized that I'd probably like to just have a copy of this...things that he does, or routines that we have for him at this age...that will inevitably change as he gets older...


Gage’s Operating Instructions….

Just so you know, he’s likely to “meltdown” at any moment.

He loves to brush his teeth. Put the toothpaste on there, brush them for him, and then just let him suck on the toothbrush. He will come to you for toothpaste refills. Mommy’s limit is 3….after that, I have to HIDE the toothpaste!

Bath time….with the Eczema, they say every other day….but if he’s dirty & needs it—by all means—clean my child.

Bedtime: socks & jammies. He is not dependent upon the rocking any more. He likes to sit on the end of the couch with me, in my lap. He usually has a sippy of milk with rice cereal (warm, of course) & a blanket. He plays with the edge of the blanket as he takes his milk. Sometimes he also has his car in his hand & spins the wheels. He will try to get down & play….I usually let him get away with this 2-3 times but…Daddy does not. Daddy can say, “You want to go to bed? Are you ready to go Night-Night” & he Ruuuuuuns to me. So…those are the magic words: Night-Night.
He likes to go to sleep WITH his sippy. Um, I fight this battle sometimes…sometimes it’s just not worth the fight.
At night, he has a thick white blanket with purple stars. I fold it up like a pillow for him.
Other blankets I just put over him, and close the door. He may cry, but not usually more than 10-15 minutes at the most. Bedtime varies between 7 & 8:30. Just pay attention to the sleepy signs (cries easily…easily frustrated….eye rubbing…you know what I’m talking about!)

Naptime: sometimes at my mother in law’s he does not take a nap.
Well…..on the weekends, whenever it’s us @ home…11am is naptime. Period. “Here’s your milk…we can snuggle first, or you can go right into the crib….your choice!” Regardless---you’re not getting up until after 12! He has been sleeping for about 2-3 hours during his naptime.

WARNING: GAGE HATES GETTING HIS DIAPER CHANGED!!! Um…this is ALL of our least favorite part of the day. Gage hates getting his diaper changed 99% of the time. He will kick, scream, & cry. Damon will sometimes pop his little leg. I try to do it on the floor as much as possible b/c he rolls & squirms & tries to get away. Cream—not necessary every time, but I like to apply it at night before bed.

No shellfish. Regular fish is okay.

Bowel Movements…usually one or more a day. Usually in the late morning, just prior to naptime. If he says, “Bobo, Bobo” then he likely has a dirty diaper.

He likes to play with his barnyard & farm animal magetic toys. It plays music, so he loves it.

Favorite toys right now: his broke-down red Hummer & a little blue car.

If out in public, he prefers to walk rather than ride.
If you are not prepared to have him walk the whole time, then don’t attempt to start the trip out with walking. Put him in the stroller by the car, and only introduce the walking when you are sure he can walk the whole time.
Stroller to walking =okay.
Stroller to walking to back to stroller=major public meltdown, and usually an abbreviated outing.

He likes his milk warm. Juice cold. Water with ice.

He likes to drink out of a cup, but as you know---is not very good at it.

If all else fails & Gage just isn’t happy---take him “’side”. (Outside.)

Um…don’t forget to feed him & water him.
I think that’ll make him grow.
And kiss him bunches & tell him how much his Mommy loves him & misses him.