Butwin Family Adventures

Warning: The following paragraph contains poop talk. If you are sensitive to matters of poop skip through the next couple of paragraphs by simply keeping your eyes unfocused until you see the bold print again!

William's little bum continuously had a rash. The rash was more than uncomfortable for him. Mommy knew that it was caused by two things: (1) his super soft poops and (2) his avoidance of any kind of diaper change after he pooped. He didn't want to change it because it hurts to be wiped and he doesn't understand that the longer he waits the more difficult it will be to wipe clean.

Mommy called the pediatrician. The nurse said to decrease the amount of milk he drinks (he drinks A LOT), give him canned fruits and veggies instead of fresh and limit wheat! What? Daddy had the same thought Mommy did, "Eliminate everything healthy?" He is starting gradually by cutting back on milk and staying away from juice (not that he

drinks much to begin with) and red sauce. Anything acidic he is going to cut back on, but it is summer and the Butwin garden has a lot of veggies and fruit that William loves to eat. Case in point...photos below!

William doesn't currently have a rash, but the problem has not been solved in the least. Still soft as ever. Just trying to be extra vigilant on diaper changes!

Madelyn also has some poop news. Ever since she has been eating rice cereal more regularly her poops have been a lot more consistent too!

All done with poop talk.

Below Madelyn is eating rice cereal by herself. She takes the spoon from Mommy then throws it when she wants more. Mommy and Daddy are starting sign language with her and asked William what he remembers.



Preparations for Jessica's shower have been full throttle. Daddy came home early on Wednesday to do some work and aloud Mommy and Madelyn to fun some errands.

Thursday Mommy wanted to bring William and Madelyn to music, but William was adamant on not going. He answered, "NO!" every time Mommy answered and when they went out quickly to Dunkin' Donuts he said, "No music" as they were driving. He made up for it at home.



And this is what happens when William takes control of the camera!



This was also the day when the stress started: rain in Saturday's forecast! Mimi came over after school to talk about a back-up plan. They had a plan, but Mommy was still nervous about potentially having the shower in the house.William and Madelyn were on totally opposite schedules. William would go in for his nap and Madelyn woke up! Mommy had to wait until bed time to really focus on work.

William trying to convince Mommy that Twizzlers are fruit, or at least taste like it.



Friday, William went out with Kathleen and Ed for breakfast and a trip to Ellicott Creek. He wasn't dressed until 10 minutes before Kathleen and Ed picked him up. He has been been testing the limits constantly lately. He doesn't want to do what is asked of him and when he does he wants to be independent and do it himself, but a lot of time he is unable or he works in slow motion.

Mimi, Jessica and Chris came over in the morning to help Mommy clean the house in case the shower was moved inside. Ed and Kathleen stopped in when they brought William home. He loved giving them a tour of the backyard.

William did not nap Friday and Mommy was nervous that he may have been moving towards dropping his nap. Not the case. He definitely still needs it, he is just trying (and some times succeeding) to push limits.When Daddy came home he started working right away trimming, mowing, planting pots and freshening mulch. After Madelyn and William were in bed Mommy came out and swept up the leaves and took some photos. The yard looks great. The garage on the other hand...

Mommy was pretty positive Saturday morning that the shower was going to go on outside. She was in a happy and excited mood. Everything was running smoothly, set up was starting. At 9:30 or so it started to sprinkle! Oh, boy! Only sprinkles. But the sky wasn't very bright either. Every weather website and tv channel was visited to see what the possibility of rain was. It changed from 20% to 50% to 70%. Mommy was in a bit of a panic. Set-up stalled and Daddy started to prepare the living room and dining room for an indoor shower. At 11:15 Mommy decided that it was going to take place outside. As long as lunch was served and eaten quickly they could move inside to the family room to open gifts.

Set-up continued and it was chaotic: Madelyn was hungry, Mommy needed to change; she was too hot, water had to be poured, food had to be put out, pens, on and on.

Finally, it was ready, just in time. Aunt Dolores was the first to arrive. Mommy had two glasses of wine punch and relaxed a bit.The shower was a great success! Mr. Gizzo, Papa, Chris, Daddy and William had man time in the family room. Kathleen even visited them for awhile while enjoying a nice cold beer.

Mommy was happy it went off with out a hitch and is very thankful to Daddy. He did a great job for two weeks preparing the yard and helping Mommy with whatever she needed to make the party special for Jessica.

Of course, Mommy was unable to take any pictures during the shower and neither did Mimi because she had no memory left on her camera. Mimi took pictures using Jessica's camera so Mommy will patiently wait for those!

Now the Butwin yard looks amazing! The deck floor does need another coat of stain and there are some touch ups needed in the kitchen, but it will get done when it gets done!William didn't nap again on Saturday, but this was planned by Mommy and Daddy so he would fall asleep quickly at night. Well, he had a bit of a tantrum and it was very difficult to just get him in his crib. He was left crying and yelling all of which nobody but he could understand. Madelyn didn't go to bed until 8:15. Her schedule was off the previous couple of days.

Nana and Aunt Carol came over to watch Madelyn and William so Mommy and Daddy could go to Mimi and Papa's for a late dinner with Jessica and the Gizzo's. Everyone was so thankful for them. It was nice for Mommy and Daddy to be able to visit after bed time.Sunday morning Mommy, Daddy, William and Madelyn got dressed and made it to church just after it started. Not bad seeing it was a last minute decision to go. After they headed over to Mimi and Papa's for a nice brunch with everyone and Natalie too. Everyone said their goodbyes. It was a nice weekend. Time for Mommy and Daddy to relax while William and Madelyn napped.

William has been talking in complete, full sentences. It is so cute. He replaces "mine" with "yours" and "me" with "you." William had the music on and he wanted it turned off while he ate lunch. Mommy asked, "Who do you want to turn it off? You or me?" Oh, how confusing this conversation was! He said, "you." Mommy said, "me, Mommy?" "No." You get the picture. William wanted to turn off the music.

Madelyn is becoming much more social. She usually smiles and sometimes giggles at people and then turns her face shyly into Mommy. So cute. She also does this crazy animal-biting-into- its-prey head shake when gnawing on certain toys. When she is excitedly watching William or Duke run around and Mommy is holding her she turns to look to the front and to the back really quickly while slapping Mommy in the chest to maintain her balance. She loves watching William. It is actually becoming a bit of a problem, she is so distracted by him that Mommy sometimes has to leave the room in order for her to focus on nursing. The interaction between the two of them is fascinating. Mommy loves it!

Today, Monday, William didn't want to get out of his pajamas. Oh, well. He didn't have anywhere to be so Mommy didn't fight it. He has been asserting his independence whenever and wherever he can. Mommy let him have this one. There will be bigger battles, she must choose wisely.

Here is William practicing the Pledge of Allegiance for the 4th.

It was a quiet day, no errands, besides bringing Kathleen her birthday dinner. William, Madelyn and Mommy stopped by to say happy birthday to Kathleen. They had a nice visit.