In NC, snow means raids on the groery stores for bread and bottled water. I stocked up on snow peas. PIC stocked up on Diet Coke. You have to be prepared, y'know.
If you look in my backyard right now, you'll see lots of cereal bowls on my patio table because someone thought that we *needed* to have snow for breakfast tomorrow. I'll let you guess whose idea it was. So if you're in the neighborhood, come on over for a heaping, satisfying bowl of... snow. SNG has offered to fry it up in butter and crack an egg over the top.
Mom, dad, and Fairy Grandmother are coming to town on Monday-- I sure hope the ice has cleared up by then!!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Help Me Find This and Win a Luxury Trip for Two!
I want one of these. I really, really want one. I first saw it in Sydney, parked outside the Circular Quay ferry dock. It has a roof. It has 3 wheels. It has seats immediately behind the driver for passengers of any size. It has electric motor assist for tough hills. I do not want a surrey with fringe on top. I do not want a rickshaw trailer. I want this, or something very similar. WHERE CAN I GET ONE?????? Help please!
If you can come up with a source and I get one, I will reward you and a friend with a free ride around my neighborhood in it. Now, off with ye and find me a Pedapod of my very own!
If you can come up with a source and I get one, I will reward you and a friend with a free ride around my neighborhood in it. Now, off with ye and find me a Pedapod of my very own!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
postcards from the carseat
E-baby: At school today, Chloe and Sean were pretending to be animals and I took care of them. I was their vegetarian.
Me: Well, I'm sure they're very grateful you didn't eat them.
E-baby: What?
Me: Never mind.
A mommy's pleasures are simple.
Me: Well, I'm sure they're very grateful you didn't eat them.
E-baby: What?
Me: Never mind.
A mommy's pleasures are simple.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Long-Overdue Update
This week we've all been sick, and then sick again, and then sick again. Colds, stomach virus, whatever you pass around, we are getting it. So I am pleased to report that there are some happy things going on around here as well.
Jambuca has become much more communicative in the last few days, and it coincides with his improvements in mobility. He's still cruising, but could walk at any time-- he can stand unsupported-- and he climbs onto - or into - everything he encounters. He's often in the dress-up box with one foot behind his ear, grinning like a goof. That's a lot funnier than when he climbs up to the kitchen counter on a swivel chair and starts going after the coffeemaker.
He's been pointing and gesturing at things a lot more, and although he isn't speaking as such, he has been signing milk, water, and cheerio. It is a shame that we haven't really been able to focus much attention on teaching him to speak or sign, since e-baby pretty much steals the spotlight at all times. It's hard even to read him a book without interruption. I wonder if he'd be as precocious as she was, given the chance. But still, he is a lot better at entertaining himself than she was, and he can tile the roof if we need him to.
Last night in his bath, I had a rare opportunity to work on some signs with him. We practiced Ball, Duck, and Cup. He mimicked me signing Ball, which was great, and when I asked him where the (Cup, Ball, or Duck) was, he'd pick up the right toy. I was so excited I frightened him with my "YES! GOOD JOB BABY! YAAAAAY!" I might have to learn to bring it down a notch someday. :-) He got tired of the game WAY before I did.
E-baby has started taking a strange turn in her imaginative play. Now, instead of it always being happy-princess-land with the occasional naughty child being sent to time-out, she has bad guys, good guys, in-cliques, out-groups, fighting, and even killing of rude characters. Sometimes it's creepy, and I don't know if I like it, but I suppose you learn that stuff when you're in a class with 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Not sure how to handle that. So far I'm just sitting back and observing, and when she does ask me to participate, I casually mention that killing is wrong, and that if Farmer Emily is angry at Cinderella, then Farmer Emily should just stop being friends with Cinderella. I'm afraid that making a big deal out of it will just make a bigger deal of it. Any ideas??
She is otherwise still a very sweet, kind and energetic kid. I think the imaginative play is partly a way to try out different scenarios and roles that she can't try out in real life.
Jambuca is getting big enough to play with a little, but he's also big enough to really get into his sister's stuff, so we have an alternating attract-avoid thing going on most of the time.
In other news, we are planning a huge garden, and come summertime, I hope to be living off the fat of the land with fresh melons, peas, beans, chard, carrots, strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, and artichoke. Then we're also doing a bunch of flowers. Lots of work to do, but it'll be a fun family project. We'll also learn a lot about what'll grow and what won't in our yard.
Jambuca has become much more communicative in the last few days, and it coincides with his improvements in mobility. He's still cruising, but could walk at any time-- he can stand unsupported-- and he climbs onto - or into - everything he encounters. He's often in the dress-up box with one foot behind his ear, grinning like a goof. That's a lot funnier than when he climbs up to the kitchen counter on a swivel chair and starts going after the coffeemaker.
He's been pointing and gesturing at things a lot more, and although he isn't speaking as such, he has been signing milk, water, and cheerio. It is a shame that we haven't really been able to focus much attention on teaching him to speak or sign, since e-baby pretty much steals the spotlight at all times. It's hard even to read him a book without interruption. I wonder if he'd be as precocious as she was, given the chance. But still, he is a lot better at entertaining himself than she was, and he can tile the roof if we need him to.
Last night in his bath, I had a rare opportunity to work on some signs with him. We practiced Ball, Duck, and Cup. He mimicked me signing Ball, which was great, and when I asked him where the (Cup, Ball, or Duck) was, he'd pick up the right toy. I was so excited I frightened him with my "YES! GOOD JOB BABY! YAAAAAY!" I might have to learn to bring it down a notch someday. :-) He got tired of the game WAY before I did.
E-baby has started taking a strange turn in her imaginative play. Now, instead of it always being happy-princess-land with the occasional naughty child being sent to time-out, she has bad guys, good guys, in-cliques, out-groups, fighting, and even killing of rude characters. Sometimes it's creepy, and I don't know if I like it, but I suppose you learn that stuff when you're in a class with 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Not sure how to handle that. So far I'm just sitting back and observing, and when she does ask me to participate, I casually mention that killing is wrong, and that if Farmer Emily is angry at Cinderella, then Farmer Emily should just stop being friends with Cinderella. I'm afraid that making a big deal out of it will just make a bigger deal of it. Any ideas??
She is otherwise still a very sweet, kind and energetic kid. I think the imaginative play is partly a way to try out different scenarios and roles that she can't try out in real life.
Jambuca is getting big enough to play with a little, but he's also big enough to really get into his sister's stuff, so we have an alternating attract-avoid thing going on most of the time.
In other news, we are planning a huge garden, and come summertime, I hope to be living off the fat of the land with fresh melons, peas, beans, chard, carrots, strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, and artichoke. Then we're also doing a bunch of flowers. Lots of work to do, but it'll be a fun family project. We'll also learn a lot about what'll grow and what won't in our yard.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
e-baby's 10 Favorite Things, in Order
The library
Dollhouses
Mommy
Daddy
Purple ballerina dress
Cats
Dogs
"Bird and Squirrel TV" (our breakfast room window)
Jack's Big Music Show
Making up stories
Dollhouses
Mommy
Daddy
Purple ballerina dress
Cats
Dogs
"Bird and Squirrel TV" (our breakfast room window)
Jack's Big Music Show
Making up stories
Monday, January 11, 2010
Jambuca's 10 Favorite Things, in Order:
Food
Mommy
Remote controls
Water
Electrical plugs
Big Sister
Daddy
DOTi the dog
People's teeth
Shoes
Mommy
Remote controls
Water
Electrical plugs
Big Sister
Daddy
DOTi the dog
People's teeth
Shoes
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Cruisin'
Jambuca found e-baby's old ride-on cart and is cruising around the house behind it. I don't see much of him, but I know where he is by the SQUEE-guffaw-Yaaa! noises.
edited to add one more video. Those times when I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and haggared by the demands of 2 demanding children, I just need to watch this:
edited to add one more video. Those times when I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and haggared by the demands of 2 demanding children, I just need to watch this:
Friday, December 18, 2009
Australia Recap, part 1
In order to keep my dad from hacking into my blogger account and writing a recap himself, I'm putting some words to disk and starting out the story of our Big Adventure.
For starters, that was One Fun Trip. Every time we've done vacation with my parents (Colorado, France, Quebec, Marquette, Australia), it has been better than the last. I'm not sure whether it's because we're getting more accustomed to each others' ways, or we're getting better at planning activities we all enjoy, or we're better at making a liveable home-base for eating/sleeping/socializing, or we're getting older and mellower, or the kids are such a distraction that no one has a chance to notice anyone else's quirks. Whatever the reason, we had a better time than the last trip, which I thought was one of the best trips ever.
The trip to Australia was long. But really, we planned for the worst, expected misery, and were pleasantly surprised most of the time. When it was difficult, it was status quo. The only thing seriously stressful was the chance of missing connecting flights (twice).
As a shout-out to the best airline ever, we flew V Austrrlia from LAX to SYD and back. Otherwise we flew American and Virgin Blue. V Australia were awesome. Best airline I've ever flown, and I wish they'd fly everywhere I ever go. If you have a chance to fly them, do it. Don't bother with anyone else. Even if you don't get any points.
We had (expensive) internet access in Melbourne, and so I was able to post during that part of the trip. The hotel there was a 3-br, so the kids had their own room and everyone slept really well. Jet lag wasn't even a problem. To keep our health and our budget, we cooked our meals in for breakfast and dinner, and had lunch out most days. That means we had the best of local produce, lamb, seafood, and even kangaroo. Melbourne is a food destination, whether you shop at the markets or eat out at restaurants or go to the cake shops on Ackland St in St Kilda. Which, by the way, were walking distance from our hotel. Hee.
I assumed we'd have internet in Sydney, it being a modern city and all that, but no. We were at the only million-dolloar-view luxury apartment hotel with no high speed internet access in Sydney. We also only had 2 bedrooms, so the kids were divided among us and no one slept very well. Still, the hotel was terrific and it was worth paying extra for a view of Lavender Bay from the 15th floor. At the bottom of the street our hotel was on was the harbour bridge and a perfect view of the Opera House. Everything was accessible from a ferry that picked up right there and took you to Circular Quay.
I pretty much worked in Sydney all except for a couple of days, but everyone else had a grand time sightseeing. I did get to see some of the key points, though. SNG and I took the kids to Manly, a beautiful peninsual with a popular Pacific surfing beach. We went on the "Manly ferry"-- Go on, say that out loud and try not to laugh. I actually preferred Watson's Bay, which had protected harbour beaches because there was no riptide, shark, croc, or jellyfish threat to worry about. E-baby preferred that beach too, since I actually let her get into the water there.
I think that Sydney was a cleaner city, and strikingly beautiful. Melbourne was a more casual city, with very interesting architecture. It would be more fun to walk Melbourne and more fun to ride the ferries of Sydney. Taxis in Sydney are unreliable. Trams in Melbourne are brilliant. Either city is a great place to take children.
If I have the chance to go back someday, I want more time. I want a kitchen again. I want to go in springtime again. And I want to fly home without children.
Next time: The end of the Sydney trip, and the trip home.
For starters, that was One Fun Trip. Every time we've done vacation with my parents (Colorado, France, Quebec, Marquette, Australia), it has been better than the last. I'm not sure whether it's because we're getting more accustomed to each others' ways, or we're getting better at planning activities we all enjoy, or we're better at making a liveable home-base for eating/sleeping/socializing, or we're getting older and mellower, or the kids are such a distraction that no one has a chance to notice anyone else's quirks. Whatever the reason, we had a better time than the last trip, which I thought was one of the best trips ever.
The trip to Australia was long. But really, we planned for the worst, expected misery, and were pleasantly surprised most of the time. When it was difficult, it was status quo. The only thing seriously stressful was the chance of missing connecting flights (twice).
As a shout-out to the best airline ever, we flew V Austrrlia from LAX to SYD and back. Otherwise we flew American and Virgin Blue. V Australia were awesome. Best airline I've ever flown, and I wish they'd fly everywhere I ever go. If you have a chance to fly them, do it. Don't bother with anyone else. Even if you don't get any points.
We had (expensive) internet access in Melbourne, and so I was able to post during that part of the trip. The hotel there was a 3-br, so the kids had their own room and everyone slept really well. Jet lag wasn't even a problem. To keep our health and our budget, we cooked our meals in for breakfast and dinner, and had lunch out most days. That means we had the best of local produce, lamb, seafood, and even kangaroo. Melbourne is a food destination, whether you shop at the markets or eat out at restaurants or go to the cake shops on Ackland St in St Kilda. Which, by the way, were walking distance from our hotel. Hee.
I assumed we'd have internet in Sydney, it being a modern city and all that, but no. We were at the only million-dolloar-view luxury apartment hotel with no high speed internet access in Sydney. We also only had 2 bedrooms, so the kids were divided among us and no one slept very well. Still, the hotel was terrific and it was worth paying extra for a view of Lavender Bay from the 15th floor. At the bottom of the street our hotel was on was the harbour bridge and a perfect view of the Opera House. Everything was accessible from a ferry that picked up right there and took you to Circular Quay.
I pretty much worked in Sydney all except for a couple of days, but everyone else had a grand time sightseeing. I did get to see some of the key points, though. SNG and I took the kids to Manly, a beautiful peninsual with a popular Pacific surfing beach. We went on the "Manly ferry"-- Go on, say that out loud and try not to laugh. I actually preferred Watson's Bay, which had protected harbour beaches because there was no riptide, shark, croc, or jellyfish threat to worry about. E-baby preferred that beach too, since I actually let her get into the water there.
I think that Sydney was a cleaner city, and strikingly beautiful. Melbourne was a more casual city, with very interesting architecture. It would be more fun to walk Melbourne and more fun to ride the ferries of Sydney. Taxis in Sydney are unreliable. Trams in Melbourne are brilliant. Either city is a great place to take children.
If I have the chance to go back someday, I want more time. I want a kitchen again. I want to go in springtime again. And I want to fly home without children.
Next time: The end of the Sydney trip, and the trip home.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Home Again
We're back from Australia and it was AWESOME. The best part of the trip was Sydney, and our hotel had no internet access. So I have a lot to catch you up on. But first, here's a random find...
Steamed broccoli and baked apples, mixed together to make a lumpy baby food,
is
maybe
the
tastiest
thing
ever.
The kids will be lucky to get any of the leftovers.
Steamed broccoli and baked apples, mixed together to make a lumpy baby food,
is
maybe
the
tastiest
thing
ever.
The kids will be lucky to get any of the leftovers.
Monday, November 23, 2009
I Blog From the Land Down Under
OK, this is just a copy-paste from Facebook, but here's an update on Melbourne so far. First, here are pictures.
The trip here was LONG but uneventful, with a flight from RDU to DFW to LAX to SYD to MEL, with a long layover in LAX (6 hours) and 2 very, very short layovers that made us nearly miss connections (DFW and SYD). The kids were as good as you can expect a 9-mo-old and a 3-year-old to be. Better, really. Each of us got between 4-6 hours of sleep in that 36-hour period. The first day in Melbourne was a walking dream with sea legs.
Melbourne has more interesting architecture than I've seen anywhere. Even Barcelona doesn't really compare. I will take lots of pictures of the buildings and bridges and post them later.
The adult people are outstandingly friendly, and the teenagers are outstandingly surly. Must be some sort of caterpillar-butterfly thing to go from kid to adult here, because it's hard to imagine that these cursing, spray-can wielding, angry-looking people will eventually turn into the jovial and welcoming people who are just a few years older. But that's adolescence for you and that's why someone's teenage record shouldn't be held against them when they run for office someday.
Yesterday (today for you!!) we went to the Healesville wildlife sanctuary and pet some real kangaroos. We saw some of the world's deadliest snakes and got a lecture that made them sound sort of sweet and lovable. We also saw a birds of prey show, allthough I think that the birds of prey in the US are at least as interesting. We saw giant monitor lizards (Goannas, NOT Iguanas) eating giant possums (possums, NOT oppossums) for lunch. We saw platypus eating yabbies (yabbies NOT crawfish). Reptiles here are way cool and creepy.
We also went to the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere (Queen Victoria market) and I would believe that it is the biggest one in the whole world. The fishmarket section smelled like clean water. It was absolutely gorgeous. So far we've tried local snapper and basso. Australia also has TONS of free-range sheep, so the sheepmilk cheese is cheap and delicious. I hanker for some giant prawns. We will have lamb tonight. I love having a kitchen.
The hotel is a 3-bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms, a balcony, and lots of space to spread out. Kids share a room. Life is good.
We cooked up giant prawns and a hostile alien species called Moreton Bay Bugs for dinner. Google those. They're delicious, and ugly. No surprise, they don't have Zatarain's crab boil here. We made do with a bunch of salt and green Tabasco sauce.
I am continually surprised at what a foodie's paradise Melbourne is. The food porn here is unreal. E-baby just had some of SNG's almond croissant from the bakery downstairs and said "it's so good, I couldn't believe my mouth!"
The trip here was LONG but uneventful, with a flight from RDU to DFW to LAX to SYD to MEL, with a long layover in LAX (6 hours) and 2 very, very short layovers that made us nearly miss connections (DFW and SYD). The kids were as good as you can expect a 9-mo-old and a 3-year-old to be. Better, really. Each of us got between 4-6 hours of sleep in that 36-hour period. The first day in Melbourne was a walking dream with sea legs.
Melbourne has more interesting architecture than I've seen anywhere. Even Barcelona doesn't really compare. I will take lots of pictures of the buildings and bridges and post them later.
The adult people are outstandingly friendly, and the teenagers are outstandingly surly. Must be some sort of caterpillar-butterfly thing to go from kid to adult here, because it's hard to imagine that these cursing, spray-can wielding, angry-looking people will eventually turn into the jovial and welcoming people who are just a few years older. But that's adolescence for you and that's why someone's teenage record shouldn't be held against them when they run for office someday.
Yesterday (today for you!!) we went to the Healesville wildlife sanctuary and pet some real kangaroos. We saw some of the world's deadliest snakes and got a lecture that made them sound sort of sweet and lovable. We also saw a birds of prey show, allthough I think that the birds of prey in the US are at least as interesting. We saw giant monitor lizards (Goannas, NOT Iguanas) eating giant possums (possums, NOT oppossums) for lunch. We saw platypus eating yabbies (yabbies NOT crawfish). Reptiles here are way cool and creepy.
We also went to the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere (Queen Victoria market) and I would believe that it is the biggest one in the whole world. The fishmarket section smelled like clean water. It was absolutely gorgeous. So far we've tried local snapper and basso. Australia also has TONS of free-range sheep, so the sheepmilk cheese is cheap and delicious. I hanker for some giant prawns. We will have lamb tonight. I love having a kitchen.
The hotel is a 3-bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms, a balcony, and lots of space to spread out. Kids share a room. Life is good.
We cooked up giant prawns and a hostile alien species called Moreton Bay Bugs for dinner. Google those. They're delicious, and ugly. No surprise, they don't have Zatarain's crab boil here. We made do with a bunch of salt and green Tabasco sauce.
I am continually surprised at what a foodie's paradise Melbourne is. The food porn here is unreal. E-baby just had some of SNG's almond croissant from the bakery downstairs and said "it's so good, I couldn't believe my mouth!"
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Updates so I don't forget
Jambuca climbed the staircase at home today-- the whole thing, by himself (I was supervising, don't worry). It was hilarious because he, e-baby and I were playing in the foyer when he got this mischief-look on his face and went up the first step and then he really did laugh maniacally and went up the 2nd step, and he guffawed to himself, and then he roared up the next few, laughing his head off, and e-baby ran up the stairs to coax him from above, and he laughed and guffawed and squealed with delight as he made his way up, up, up. When he reached the top he belly-flopped onto the landing.
E-baby had her 2nd-ever dentist visit today and she was a CHAMP! They did the whirly toothcleaning, scraped her molars, everything except x-rays (she's too young for those still). She didn't even flinch. Afterwards we had the traditional celebratory Frosty from Wendy's and there was an excellent hook-and-ladder truck in the parking lot, just like the last time, so she's forever going to associate the dentist's office with Frosties (Frostys?) and fire trucks.
That's all. I just wanted these recorded for posteriority.
E-baby had her 2nd-ever dentist visit today and she was a CHAMP! They did the whirly toothcleaning, scraped her molars, everything except x-rays (she's too young for those still). She didn't even flinch. Afterwards we had the traditional celebratory Frosty from Wendy's and there was an excellent hook-and-ladder truck in the parking lot, just like the last time, so she's forever going to associate the dentist's office with Frosties (Frostys?) and fire trucks.
That's all. I just wanted these recorded for posteriority.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
title
Last Sunday I joined my cousin in doing the Fat Flush diet-- partly out of solidarity, because she wasn't ennjoying it much and partly because I need to lose this baby weight, and heck, I'm game for a new diet.
It was pretty UN-fun the first few days, but once I got into the swing of it, it's been fine. I actually really like the cran-water regimen, but I put stevia in it to make it taste better. I think it has helped to keep my blood sugar in check. The scale has only changed by a pound and a half, but my clothes tell a different story- I'm down one full pants size after a week. That's refreshing. I'm also really glad I went to the state fair last wekend and PIGGED out on all my favorite fair foods, because now I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
This weekend, the fall colors are really getting turned up. I love this time of year- it is my absolute favorite season in North Carolina. Out my back window there's a riot of orange, red, pink, yellow, purple and green. Flowers could never compete just for the sheer visual real-estate those colorful leaves occupy! The weather is nice and cool, too, which makes me more inclined to play outside with the kids. THis morning, e-baby and I practiced riding her pedal bike She still has a long way to go, but there's a mtivating factor-- if she learns to ride it by Christmas, then she can ask Santa Claus for a pink-and-purple princess pedal-bike. Yes, I know, I am the LAST person you'd figure would have a princess for a kid, but there it is. Evidence of the inevitability of princess-infusion. It's OK, she can be a princess and still win the Nobel in Chemistry someday.
Jambuca really wants to walk, really wants to talk, but hasn't got the hang of either. He will be walking soon, but the talking? He does a lot of rhythmic LALALA! but so far, no hard consonants. He did sign "Milk" a few weeks ago, which was cool. He also recognizes a few other signs but I think he'll probably talk on a more "normal" schedule than his sister did. He can pretty much get whatever he wants by smiling at people. Which is just fine with me. My dad calls him Cheerful Charlie, and he really is just that.
SNG is not faring as well as the rest of us. This terrible cough he has is turning into a bear. He seems to have torn a muscle in his ribcage, making it painful to laugh, cough or sneeze. I am trying to make him go to the doctor, but he isn't having it. If he's not better by Wednesday, he'll go.
And me? I feel fabulous. Just getting over another cold, lost my voice, but HEY! I lost a pants size! Nothing's gonna get me down.
It was pretty UN-fun the first few days, but once I got into the swing of it, it's been fine. I actually really like the cran-water regimen, but I put stevia in it to make it taste better. I think it has helped to keep my blood sugar in check. The scale has only changed by a pound and a half, but my clothes tell a different story- I'm down one full pants size after a week. That's refreshing. I'm also really glad I went to the state fair last wekend and PIGGED out on all my favorite fair foods, because now I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
This weekend, the fall colors are really getting turned up. I love this time of year- it is my absolute favorite season in North Carolina. Out my back window there's a riot of orange, red, pink, yellow, purple and green. Flowers could never compete just for the sheer visual real-estate those colorful leaves occupy! The weather is nice and cool, too, which makes me more inclined to play outside with the kids. THis morning, e-baby and I practiced riding her pedal bike She still has a long way to go, but there's a mtivating factor-- if she learns to ride it by Christmas, then she can ask Santa Claus for a pink-and-purple princess pedal-bike. Yes, I know, I am the LAST person you'd figure would have a princess for a kid, but there it is. Evidence of the inevitability of princess-infusion. It's OK, she can be a princess and still win the Nobel in Chemistry someday.
Jambuca really wants to walk, really wants to talk, but hasn't got the hang of either. He will be walking soon, but the talking? He does a lot of rhythmic LALALA! but so far, no hard consonants. He did sign "Milk" a few weeks ago, which was cool. He also recognizes a few other signs but I think he'll probably talk on a more "normal" schedule than his sister did. He can pretty much get whatever he wants by smiling at people. Which is just fine with me. My dad calls him Cheerful Charlie, and he really is just that.
SNG is not faring as well as the rest of us. This terrible cough he has is turning into a bear. He seems to have torn a muscle in his ribcage, making it painful to laugh, cough or sneeze. I am trying to make him go to the doctor, but he isn't having it. If he's not better by Wednesday, he'll go.
And me? I feel fabulous. Just getting over another cold, lost my voice, but HEY! I lost a pants size! Nothing's gonna get me down.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
All About Being Three
e-baby is three. She reminds me at every opportunity. She also reminds the checker at the grocery store, my colleagues, our neighbors, the mail carrier...
Being three means being able to DO IT MYSELF, DAMMIT, SO BACK OFF! (OK, those aren't exactly her words, but they're close) But really, she has a point. There are a lot of things that she can do and should be encouraged to do by herself. It's all good.
With three comes pre-school. She has moved up to the Children's House and within a day or 2, I could see changes. It's as if something clicks in a child's mind when they switch environments and bazillions of new connection form. I saw it when she moved into the 1- and 2- year old classes at daycare as well. The first and most dramatic clue I had was her artwork.
Exhibit A: Original e-baby art created maybe a month ago:
Exhibit B: Original e-baby art created after a week at Children's House:
Um- WTF? Wow, kid. You've been holding on me?
I don't suppose you really need those labels I put on the pictures, but I wanted to be sure I remembered which was whom.
So far, three is fun, but then that's no surprise. Every age has been fun. I'm looking forward to this next year.
I don't suppose you really need those labels I put on the pictures, but I wanted to be sure I remembered which was whom.
So far, three is fun, but then that's no surprise. Every age has been fun. I'm looking forward to this next year.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Angels at the Altar
Today was Baby Wisdom's baptism. I love baptisms. I love the little gowns, I love the Pass-the-Baby-Round-the-Congregation for blessings, but most of all I love the smell of a freshly-baptized baby. Makes me misty, every time. Peace was sweet enough to wipe a little of that anointing oil from Wisdom's head onto a cloth for me to put in my baby keepsake box. Because I was too drunk on baby-high to remember to do it when either of my kids were baptized.
Now, I shouldn't say so aloud, but we haven't been very consistent about taking the kids to church. E-baby pretty much thinks that church is for weddings, funerals and baptisms. Oh, and going to church is a HUGE treat to her. At the beginning of mass today, she caught my sleeve, looked up at me with wide eyes and whispered "Look! There's angels! Mommy, angels up there!" Being a little spook-able, I half-suspected that she was seeing some supernatural vision that only children can see (any of you with babies will KNOW what I mean when I say that it seems like small children see ghosts-- darn imagination makes the hair on your neck stand on end). So I looked at where she was pointing, and saw 2 altar girls, about 10 or 12 years old, flanking the priest. The girls in their robes and sandals made e-baby think she was seeing a heavenly vision.
It was so poignant, a moment of pure belief, from a mind that has no limits on what can be. The super-sentimental in me likes to think that what e-baby saw were, in fact, angels singing for Wisdom on her baptism day. Happy grace-day, Wisdom!!
Now, I shouldn't say so aloud, but we haven't been very consistent about taking the kids to church. E-baby pretty much thinks that church is for weddings, funerals and baptisms. Oh, and going to church is a HUGE treat to her. At the beginning of mass today, she caught my sleeve, looked up at me with wide eyes and whispered "Look! There's angels! Mommy, angels up there!" Being a little spook-able, I half-suspected that she was seeing some supernatural vision that only children can see (any of you with babies will KNOW what I mean when I say that it seems like small children see ghosts-- darn imagination makes the hair on your neck stand on end). So I looked at where she was pointing, and saw 2 altar girls, about 10 or 12 years old, flanking the priest. The girls in their robes and sandals made e-baby think she was seeing a heavenly vision.
It was so poignant, a moment of pure belief, from a mind that has no limits on what can be. The super-sentimental in me likes to think that what e-baby saw were, in fact, angels singing for Wisdom on her baptism day. Happy grace-day, Wisdom!!
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