Today was the second time that Colton trotted on his pony. The first time was a couple of days ago when his friend Colin came to visit. They both rode Colton's pony Mustang Mini. I think Colton was trying to be brave, or show off (or a little of both) as he asked to trot. He only went a few strides (as that was all I was ready for). 

Tonight - he trotted and trotted and trotted. Mini was so good. They are a good little pair. They even shared several carrots. :)

Colton has been ill for nearly a week. He started with sniffles last Tuesday. I left for a conference in Binghamton on Wednesday. This means daddy had to take off from work and watch him Wednesday through Friday night. 

When I got home around 9 p.m. on Friday Colton was glued to me. His sniffles and respiratory issues were continuing and now he eeeeked in pain every few minutes noting that his bobby (tummy) was really bothering him.

He then brought up a new term, and you know how it is when you don't understand a toddler and they are sure that you should. He squeezed my nose and asked if it was rusty. Well...

He kept talking about how his nose was filled with rusties... Got it. Crusty boogers = rusties. Problem figured out, but unfortunately not solved. My poor bubby. 

Yesterday Colton had his six-month dentist check-up. They noticed something I've been wondering about. His back two lower molars seem to be a different color than the rest of his teeth.  The hygienist (Rachel - she's awesome) and the dentist both said it's not from anything we've done, but from something that most likely happened (or did not happen) in the womb. Oh the trials and tribulations of having a preemie.   

Apparently those two teeth do not have the same level of protection (enamel) as his others. Since he was five weeks early they most likely were not fully formed. He had a filling placed in one of them the last time (without Novocaine!) we visited. They decided to put a sealant on them (all four back molars, lower and upper) this time. Little dude was so good about it and even commented, "I like the bubblegum water." In regards to the flavored fluoride they put on top.

The hygienist also noticed a small gap forming and asked if he was a thumb sucker. DAMN IT! Sorry for swearing but that darn pacifier, NUK, Bink, whatever you want to call it has been bugging me for a while. You read about how they can force a change in the child's mouth and gosh darn it, it's true. I saw it.

We discussed it a little with Rachel and she made the suggestion that Colton give his Nuks up for Christmas and give them to babies that need them. He didn't seem to be paying attention, but I know my kid. I know he was processing every word (while watching Little Bear on the TV). 

We talked about it a little when I picked him up from daycare. He asked me for his Nuk Please. I told him that mommy never has Nuks in her car and that we should give his to baby's that need them. When at home (during the football game) he said, I'm still a baby. I reminded him that he's a big boy. And that's where the story ends.

He went to sleep without mention of the NUK that he's "Needed" every other night of his talking past.

Let's hope he's in the giving spirit again tonight.

Selfishly I was hoping to wait to stop this NUK thing until after our plane trips to and from Minnesota. But I know this is the best thing for him. 

Last week we had a report that Colton sat on his friend, not once but twice. There was nothing malicious, he didn't push him to the ground. He simply sat and the lain atop him. 

Yesterday, after a lengthy stressful dentist appointment, he got reprimanded four times after putting his hands up in the faces of his friends.

When discussed with him he knew it wasn't the correct thing to do, yet he continued doing it.

I talked with him about his day (while watching the Green Bay Packers first half tromping of the Falcons). It didn't "hit" me until after he had gone to sleep (sans NUK!!!!!!) that the higher viewing levels of footbal on tv,l and watching live basketball and hockey, may be the reasons he's having more frequent physical contact with his friends.

I'll have another talk with him the next time we watch football about how the players are nice to their friends and the other players while they are on the sidelines (and in commercials), and how they only hit or tackle their "friends" when they are on the football field or ice. 

The Jockey brand blue terry cloth training pants finally arrived. I put them on Colton and put him to bed. I totally forgot about them until I got to work the next morning. I forgot to tell George. 

I got home to find that Colton slept through the night, and lasted all the way until George changed him, without an accident.

** Update, this was a one-time occurrence. The next three nights following he wore the pants while watching Dora (with his backpack) and peed at least once each night. But eventually it will come.

We are using the backpack as a motivator. Big boys get to use backpacks because they don't have to bring diaper bags. He gets it, he's just not ready to take that leap.