So you never really know what you're dealing with as far as intelligence goes until it is demonstrated so plainly that there is no question. We're dealing with a genius. No doubt about it. This child is incredibly smart. By 18 months, she already knew her alphabet. She knew all of her primary, secondary, and tertiary colors by 22 months, as well as how to count to ten. My sister even taught her the shapes beyond the typical circle, square, triangle (stuff she knew since about 18 months) and taught her octagon, hexagon, and trapezoid.
Tonight, she yet again wowed me with her ability to think in more abstract ways. I told her, as per our usual bedtime routine, to go pick out ONE book.
She chose the one with five stories in it. Little stinker!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Single Parenting...
...Even on the temporary (which is the case for me), is INCREDIBLY hard!
Every spouse who stays at home with their children while their Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine is deployed for a year or more, every mom or dad who has to go it alone for one reason or another, I salute you! After walking a mile in those shoes after a mere 3 months of it, I realize that single parents have the hardest job of anyone.
They also have great time management skills, can multitask like nobody's business, and probably live on like 18 minutes of sleep a night.
To all you single moms and dads out there (whether by marital status or geographical location), YOU ROCK.
Every spouse who stays at home with their children while their Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine is deployed for a year or more, every mom or dad who has to go it alone for one reason or another, I salute you! After walking a mile in those shoes after a mere 3 months of it, I realize that single parents have the hardest job of anyone.
They also have great time management skills, can multitask like nobody's business, and probably live on like 18 minutes of sleep a night.
To all you single moms and dads out there (whether by marital status or geographical location), YOU ROCK.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sibling Needed
Our toddler is adorable. A biased mother can say so. And even though I hear her talking to herself, her toys, me, her imagination, or the cats from inside her bedroom when she should be sleeping, I know deep down I cannot be upset with this child just yet. One thing, however, is very clear to me: she needs a sibling. And soon.
Sharing is something she's learned at daycare, but at home she believes that everything is hers (perception is reality, of course, because EVERYTHING seems to be hers). She acts less polite, more unruly, and more defiant at home. At daycare, her teachers report that she's a marvel, a wonder, well-behaved, well-read, and highly entertaining to them and the rest of her peers. She LOVES to be the center of attention.
This, however, is also a problem. More than just a personality trait, if this child isn't the center of attention ALL THE TIME, I fear she'll become destructive and engage in behaviors totally unbecoming of her (and totally embarrassing for me). Therefore, she must have a sibling. Besides, I love my sister and am so glad to have her. She needs a brother or sister, too. Like, now.
Let the planning phase begin!
Friday, January 1, 2010
E is TWO
Two years ago today, E was born. She is our first child. She is probably the most wonderful, creative, imaginative, perfect representations of both my husband's and my best (and worst) qualities.
With toddlerhood (and more importantly, two-year-old-ness), comes the magic word we have come to understand as "NO!" No nap, no lunch, no milk, no clean up, no Mama, no Daddy, no come here, no bye-bye, no-no-no-no-no. All of these are fashionable for a toddler to try on. The best we can hope for is that she will tire of it quickly.
The majority of her antics are on full display around naptime or bedtime. These are some of the more creative adventures we've had in recent weeks with our very own "little monster" :
With toddlerhood (and more importantly, two-year-old-ness), comes the magic word we have come to understand as "NO!" No nap, no lunch, no milk, no clean up, no Mama, no Daddy, no come here, no bye-bye, no-no-no-no-no. All of these are fashionable for a toddler to try on. The best we can hope for is that she will tire of it quickly.
The majority of her antics are on full display around naptime or bedtime. These are some of the more creative adventures we've had in recent weeks with our very own "little monster" :
- While my mother (who snores) was lying down beside E to help her fall asleep, my mom accidentally fell asleep also. On the first snore to escape Mom's lips, E sat BOLT UPRIGHT in bed and (very seriously) asked, "Who farted?"
- When she was supposed to be napping, my mom went to check on her and caught her sitting with her back to the door. When asked what she was doing, E responded, "E is a bad girl." On closer inspection, she'd taken all of my mother's post-it notes (like 24 pads) out of cellophane and began sticking them all over everything in sight.
- When she was supposed to be in bed, we found her asleep on the floor, with a sock on one hand, a boot on one foot, and the other foot bare.
- On waking from a nap, she yelled down the hall from her room (which is protected with a baby gate). She wanted to be taken out, so she yelled, "Anybody? Hello? I want to get out of this gate."
E is quite a little charmer as well, and has tried everything to prolong the bedtime routine. She asks for the cliche "drink of water" as well as for "just one more book," and has also been more direct in stating that she wanted to "go back in there [living room] and play with toys."
Her speech is quite amazing for someone so small, and her vocabulary is vast and rapidly expanding. She says some of the craziest things, like, "Oh, my Lo-o-ord!" and "Careful, Mama!" when you have to hit the brakes really hard in the car because of other maniacs on the road. She is also a backseat driver, telling me when there's a red light, and that it means stop.
She is a clever little one, and definitely the most fun and challenging little thing I've yet faced. Can't wait for the rest of this year and whatever is next!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
E is Six Months Old!!!
Wow, who can believe half a year has already passed! I really think I'm starting to figure this whole motherhood thing out. E has learned a lot, but she's also taught me a lot.
1. Babies give the worst "purple nurples" of anyone. Cut the nails.
2. Eating solid food means less pumping/breastfeeding.
3. Eating solid food also means the cute poopy diapers of breastfeeders is replaced with rotten dingleberries that smell like death.
4. Sitting up for the first time is good.... until the falling-over for the first time.
5. Playtime encompasses many more activities now than it did at three months!
6. Teething means even more drool than I ever thought possible. I have to pack at least 5 bibs for every outing of one hour or more.
7. Babies do not have "allergies" - or at least, it can't be detected until after one year. If she has a snotty nose, it's because she has contracted some vile illness from the cesspool they call daycare.
8. Babies suck on everything. This includes (but is not limited to) bottles, pacifiers, boobies, fingers, toes, stuffed animals, blankets, car keys, plants, real animals (if they get close enough), and germ-infested toys from daycare.
9. Although she thinks it's hilarious, do not let E stick her hands in your mouth or you will get sick (see number 8).
10. She is, despite any disgusting diapers, vomit, drool, infestation of disease, anger, tears, or sneezing directly in your face, the CUTEST little thing ever.
Next is baby-proofing the house in anticipation of pending independent mobility. She has not yet decided to crawl anywhere, but she watches us with those eyes that seem to say, "I'm waiting for you to look the other way, and when you look back, I'll be halfway down the street." I'm SO looking forward to that.
1. Babies give the worst "purple nurples" of anyone. Cut the nails.
2. Eating solid food means less pumping/breastfeeding.
3. Eating solid food also means the cute poopy diapers of breastfeeders is replaced with rotten dingleberries that smell like death.
4. Sitting up for the first time is good.... until the falling-over for the first time.
5. Playtime encompasses many more activities now than it did at three months!
6. Teething means even more drool than I ever thought possible. I have to pack at least 5 bibs for every outing of one hour or more.
7. Babies do not have "allergies" - or at least, it can't be detected until after one year. If she has a snotty nose, it's because she has contracted some vile illness from the cesspool they call daycare.
8. Babies suck on everything. This includes (but is not limited to) bottles, pacifiers, boobies, fingers, toes, stuffed animals, blankets, car keys, plants, real animals (if they get close enough), and germ-infested toys from daycare.
9. Although she thinks it's hilarious, do not let E stick her hands in your mouth or you will get sick (see number 8).
10. She is, despite any disgusting diapers, vomit, drool, infestation of disease, anger, tears, or sneezing directly in your face, the CUTEST little thing ever.
Next is baby-proofing the house in anticipation of pending independent mobility. She has not yet decided to crawl anywhere, but she watches us with those eyes that seem to say, "I'm waiting for you to look the other way, and when you look back, I'll be halfway down the street." I'm SO looking forward to that.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Babbling
Pregnancy seems like a lifetime ago. My baby will be five months old in a mere 6 days. She was so small and you could easily cuddle her completely within your arms. Now an arm or leg tends to dangle beyond my embrace. Sometimes she pulls my hair or pinches my flesh (the non-muscular part just above the elbow on the back of the arm, for example). Sometimes she slaps me in the face or scratches my eyes. She's going to be the devil incarnate someday. For now, she's a sweet little angel and I can't get enough of her.
Tonight when I put her to bed, she "talked" to herself for no less than an hour. I think she finally passed out about fifteen minutes ago. She babbles, coos, giggles, belly-laughs, grins, drools, chews, and does something that sounds like a heavy breather on the other end of a phone line. She also does that noise that young Forrest does when his principal leaves his home after some school-admission coitus with Mommy. She keeps us laughing all the time.
These are some milestones:
1. Laughed aloud.
2. Rolled over (completely by accident, four times in a row, and not since).
3. Held head up while on tummy.
4. Took a few pretty nasty face-bumps while on tummy... but survived.
5. Copied Mom and Dad sticking out their tongues and making noises.
6. Giggled when tickled.
7. Smiled for the camera (and now will not STOP being a ham in front of one).
8. Scooted in reverse (only once).
9. Kicked so hard the crib dropped down to the lowest level (this was scary, and the crib manufacturer should put out a warning).
10. Went to daycare and did super.
11. Had some photos taken by someone OTHER than relatives.
12. Flew to NC.
13. Rode 10 hours in a car over 2 days and didn't squall.
14. Was able to ride face-out in the front carrier.
15. Learned some cause-and-effect (i.e., if I push this button, animal noises come out).
These are just a few. We're so proud, as if you couldn't tell. Maybe if life stops being so... dominating... I can post more about postpartum stuff. Here's a picture for now. Not super-recent, but she's so sweet and dreamy I couldn't resist.
Tonight when I put her to bed, she "talked" to herself for no less than an hour. I think she finally passed out about fifteen minutes ago. She babbles, coos, giggles, belly-laughs, grins, drools, chews, and does something that sounds like a heavy breather on the other end of a phone line. She also does that noise that young Forrest does when his principal leaves his home after some school-admission coitus with Mommy. She keeps us laughing all the time.
These are some milestones:
1. Laughed aloud.
2. Rolled over (completely by accident, four times in a row, and not since).
3. Held head up while on tummy.
4. Took a few pretty nasty face-bumps while on tummy... but survived.
5. Copied Mom and Dad sticking out their tongues and making noises.
6. Giggled when tickled.
7. Smiled for the camera (and now will not STOP being a ham in front of one).
8. Scooted in reverse (only once).
9. Kicked so hard the crib dropped down to the lowest level (this was scary, and the crib manufacturer should put out a warning).
10. Went to daycare and did super.
11. Had some photos taken by someone OTHER than relatives.
12. Flew to NC.
13. Rode 10 hours in a car over 2 days and didn't squall.
14. Was able to ride face-out in the front carrier.
15. Learned some cause-and-effect (i.e., if I push this button, animal noises come out).
These are just a few. We're so proud, as if you couldn't tell. Maybe if life stops being so... dominating... I can post more about postpartum stuff. Here's a picture for now. Not super-recent, but she's so sweet and dreamy I couldn't resist.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Motherhood, the joys and woes
E will be three months old tomorrow. Three months, and wow, have I learned!
1. Child care is expensive and popular. Put your name on the wait list before your baby is born or else you'll be on a year-long wait list for the inexpensive place while you have the privilege of paying $1,000 a month for the alternative.
2. Once you hit the 2-month mark, you get to see smiles that are directed at you, and not just those cute dreamy ones they have by accident.
3. If you don't want your baby to be addicted to TV, don't let him or her near it. The moving colors and lights are too attractive to ignore. My baby loves March Madness. Let's hope college basketball isn't too damaging to her developing mind.
4. Air travel with an infant can be scary, demanding of your marital relationship, draining on all your mental and physical resources, but rewarding when you get complimented on the unexpectedly quiet and reasonably good behavior of your little traveler.
5. Moving with a baby sucks, but if it's a local move and you have friends who will help out, it's not so bad.
6. Some Easter bonnets are better left in the 19th century with Little House on the Prairie.
7. Jealous cats will poop on your rug unless you pet them once in a while.
8. The generosity of friends and loved ones will never cease to amaze me!
9. Once babies get "grabby" it might be a good time for a shorter hairstyle. Or lots of updo's, ponytails, or other devices to avoid torture.
10. Keep those little fingernails trimmed, or someone might call Social Services and report you for the little scratches all over your baby's face.
These are only a few. Today was E's first day in a child care facility. It almost broke my heart to let her go, but she was really good. She wasn't fussy, she didn't get upset when I left her, and apparently was quite content during her five-hour stay. I will take her again tomorrow, and then it's her daddy's turn. I somehow think he will not handle it as well. As my grandmother said, "He's foolish over that baby." And she's right.
1. Child care is expensive and popular. Put your name on the wait list before your baby is born or else you'll be on a year-long wait list for the inexpensive place while you have the privilege of paying $1,000 a month for the alternative.
2. Once you hit the 2-month mark, you get to see smiles that are directed at you, and not just those cute dreamy ones they have by accident.
3. If you don't want your baby to be addicted to TV, don't let him or her near it. The moving colors and lights are too attractive to ignore. My baby loves March Madness. Let's hope college basketball isn't too damaging to her developing mind.
4. Air travel with an infant can be scary, demanding of your marital relationship, draining on all your mental and physical resources, but rewarding when you get complimented on the unexpectedly quiet and reasonably good behavior of your little traveler.
5. Moving with a baby sucks, but if it's a local move and you have friends who will help out, it's not so bad.
6. Some Easter bonnets are better left in the 19th century with Little House on the Prairie.
7. Jealous cats will poop on your rug unless you pet them once in a while.
8. The generosity of friends and loved ones will never cease to amaze me!
9. Once babies get "grabby" it might be a good time for a shorter hairstyle. Or lots of updo's, ponytails, or other devices to avoid torture.
10. Keep those little fingernails trimmed, or someone might call Social Services and report you for the little scratches all over your baby's face.
These are only a few. Today was E's first day in a child care facility. It almost broke my heart to let her go, but she was really good. She wasn't fussy, she didn't get upset when I left her, and apparently was quite content during her five-hour stay. I will take her again tomorrow, and then it's her daddy's turn. I somehow think he will not handle it as well. As my grandmother said, "He's foolish over that baby." And she's right.
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