Speaking of which...

I was sorting through our pictures the other day, and I happened to find something rather disturbing...



I had to confront the guilty party at once (ahem...Dad) and ask him why there were pictures of Bear playing St@rcraft.

He said he needed to get her started early.

Busy...busy...summer

I know most people look forward to the summer. I don't. I think I tend to look forward to the wintertime. Summertime has always been just too busy for me. Even when I was teaching, although I had my summers off, it just felt busier. Isn't that weird?

This summer is no exception. I'm not sure what it is. I'm not complaining though...just making a casual observation.

A Lesson in Manners

Bear: Ma ma! Muuuuhhhh! (Bear comes running into the livingroom from the kitchen with a bag of uncooked macaroni)

Me: No, Bear. It's not cooked, you can't eat it.

Bear: Muh?

Me: No. Go put the pasta back.

Bear: Path-da (Pasta).

Me: Yes, put the pasta back on the shelf.

Bear: Bahk? (Back?)

Me: Yes, put the pasta back in the kitchen, on the shelf.

Bear: (Looks mom squarely in the eyes and says...) PEEZ!

Me: You want me to say "please"?

Bear: (nods) Peez.

Me: Okay, you're right. Will you please put the pasta back?

Bear: (Scurries away to the kitchen to put the pasta away)

Perhaps she's getting me back for all the times that I've been having her "ask nicely" for things lately.

Bear Speaks

Lately, Bear has been extra verbal...we don't always understand what she's telling us, but she's trying to tell us something. If we don't get it, she waves her arms around and yells louder. That still doesn't help us. Nor does it help with her impending frustration.

She has always been fairly expressive vocally. Her voice raises an octave when she talks to Sonja or smaller babies. When she's angry, she yells. When she is really hungry and yelling for "muuuuuhhhhh!"(more) she will roar like a tyrannosaurus rex. Seriously.

She just started stringing words together. Yesterday in the car, I heard, "ma ma, peez bhup" (Mommy, please cup). Today she told me, "boo boo pah-ee" as she was sitting on her potty. This morning she said, "sid chae beow" (sit chair bear) when she found her pooh bear sitting in her booster seat or "boon bap" (spoon rice) when she was shoveling rice at lunch.

I just need to learn to be patient to listen to what Bear is trying to tell me...or I need to hire a translator. Anyone out there speak Baby?

Things I'd love to learn...

1. ...how to take proper photos
2. ...how to organize my home
3. ...how to play the drums
4. ...how to do brush calligraphy
5. ...how to cook better Korean food
6. ...how to sing jazz
7. ...how to start my own business
8. ...how to cover a couch
9. ...how to drive a manual transmission car
10. ...how to decorate a cake

Physical Therapist Daddy

Yesterday, we had this conversation:

Bear: "Sduhk!" (Stuck!)

Daddy: "Um, Bear is trying to lift a 5 pound bag of potatoes."

Mommy: "What? That's like a fifth of her weight!"

Bear: "SDUHK!"

Daddy: "Bear! Lift with your legs, not your back!"

How in the World?

These past couple of days have been kind of a nightmare cramming for potty training. I wasn't planning on potty training for a while, but somehow...and Matt and I are just so confused about the whole thing...somehow Bear decided to start potty training herself. Seriously. No joke. Not even exaggeration for effect.

A couple of days ago, as I was changing Bear's diaper, she told me she needed to go. I was taken aback. After a couple of seconds I snapped back to sense and ran her to the potty. After a minute or two, she happily held out her hands and said, "aw dun" (which means "all done"). And sure enough her potty was full...(number 1 if you must know).

I was stunned...and totally UNPREPARED! I was trying to decide what to do next. So I firmly told Bear to stay seated and ran to get a diaper and wipes. Of course, when I returned 5 seconds later, I found Bear standing up with one foot in her potty (ew!).

Okay, so she's not fully potty trained or anything, but this wasn't a one-time-only performance and number 1 hasn't been the only thing I've found these past couple of days. And in the meantime, Matt and I are just watching with astonishment...mostly because we're not sure what to do next...or how she learned about using the potty in the first place.

So if you catch us in the next couple of days and we have these befuddled looks upon our faces, you'll know why.

In the News today... "My life for Aiur" (by Padawanlee)

I very rarely post or blog, Momma Bear seems to have this blogging all under control. I guess I'm not much of a blogger unless something random catches my attention...like a story about an unlucky nectarine or what inhabits the freezer. Today as I was getting my daily fix of news I came across this article that invokes memories from my college days...well, what I can remember of them. I shared this article with Momma Bear and all she had to say was "I guess I won't see you for a while". Now why on earth would she say that?

Well anyone who knows about or is a fan of (or shudders) at zergling rushes or remembers the declaration of a "Nuclear Launch Detected" will eventally hear about the announcement of the unveiling of St@rcraft 2. Until it actually does come out (who knows when), Momma Bear and all the other significant others who lost their loved ones to the original game, can rest assured that they will still be able to see us as much as they want...at least for the time being.

Parallel Universe

My sister and I used to ask each other what we thought our life would be like if we were in a parallel universe. I used to joke with her that I would have been a rock star or a songwriter or something of that sort. She would then tell me what she would have been in a parallel universe (I won't tell you what that was...you can ask her yourself).

The other day I was thinking about this question again, and you know what I came up with this time? A paper sculptor. I know! You're thinking, "what in the world!?! (or possibly, "what a dork!")", right? But I realize that I really like paper. It's just a piece of paper, but it can become all sorts of things...cards, sculptures, books, origami, etc...Paper can be quilled, folded, ripped, dyed, shredded...Paper is just so much fun! Hee hee...but yeah, keep in mind I'm still talking about a parallel universe here. :)

So how about you? What would you be doing in a parallel universe?

Mother's Day Weekend

This past weekend we flew to visit all the grandparents. Remember how worried I was about Bear's first plane trip? Well, here she is after getting off the plane.



No sign of unhappiness at all. The only problem was that her mommy got a little queasy on the flight home. Bear Cub got compliments all around from nearby passengers on how "good" she was. Figures. I worry over things that needn't be worried about.

On to Mother's Day weekend...

My sister (with the help of her sous-chefs) made a wonderful brunch...very fancy shmancy...Bear practically ate half of the baked brie on her own. Pictured here are the yummy apricot tarts.



Bear spent her whole weekend traveling up the stairs at her grandma and grandpa's house.



When she wasn't traveling upstairs, she was following her grandpa around saying "pa-pa" or opening and closing the door saying "doh!"

The funny thing was that I forgot that I was a mother, too. Whenever someone wished me a "Happy Mother's Day" I thought they were talking to someone else at first. Ha ha. I guess even after 2 Mother's Days, I still haven't quite gotten used to being "mommy."

Hope all of you out there had wonderful Mother's Days, too.

Fear of Flying

The title should read "Fear of Flying with a Toddler."

We haven't taken Bear on a plane ride yet. This Friday will be the first time. We're a little wary. Of course, I shouldn't worry too much seeing how most of my fears in the past were abated because of our worry-free, happy-go-lucky child...but nevertheless, I worry.

I don't do well on planes. Never have. My mom tells me horror stories of my plane rides. I remember living some of those horror stories. I must have had terribly bad inner ears, because I could not stand the pressure change going up and down on the plane. Add on top how easily I succumb to motion sickness, and plane rides were never easy.

But so far, Bear has proven that although she may look a lot like me, she doesn't act a whole lot like me (and we're still trying to figure out who she does act like). I am an introvert. She is a total extrovert. She loves pink, fluffy things. I don't really enjoy pink & fluffy too much. She loves putting on jewelry and socks and carrying purses. I just don't have that knack for accesorizing.

So perhaps she'll be just fine on the plane...she'll eat snacks, drink some juice, make friends with the rows of people around her, and arrive at our destination happily...and I'll have worried for nothing.

Toddler Strategy

Matt and I have been more and more tired these days. Raising a toddler sometimes feels like you are raising a herd of wild animals. But not just any wild animals...wild animals who strategize and game plan. We've come to familiarize ourselves with some of Bear's tactics.

The Bait & Switch: Once bathtime is over, we have a toddler who does not want to come out of the tub. Her tactic, when we reach in, she quickly pulls the switcheroo by grabbing our hands and pushing a rubber ducky in instead.

Misdirection: Bear knows which household items she shouldn't play with (namely: the bathroom cabinets). Her strategy is to point us towards her room as if she wants to play there. Once we enter, she asks us to retrieve an item. Once our back is turned, she makes a beeline for the bathroom cabinets. Tricky.

Misinformation: This is similar to misdirection, except it involves the phone. Bear hands me the phone, cries out "Da Dee" (yes, she finally started calling daddy something other than his first name). After asking about 10 times, I call Matt, but by the time Matt answers, Bear is halfway across the apartment making mischief. And I feel like a sucker.

Emotional Manipulation: I don't know how she does it, but this kid can get about anything she wants. She seems to know the right emotion to "act" for each person she comes in contact with. With "Da Dee" she gives him the "oh-so-cute" smile and giggles, races up to the door to greet him when he comes home, and promptly will ask him for something that I just told her "no" to about 5 minutes ago. With Auntie R, she is utterly persistent. She will repeat herself over and over again, until Auntie finally gives in. With Granny, she gives the hugs and kisses - and somehow Granny always seems to show up with little gifts for her. With Grandma & Grandpa, she does the "fake cry" whereupon Grandma & Grandpa will instantly swipe her out of our hands to comfort her and give her whatever she wants. Even with the general public, she pretends to be shy and gives this mischievous smile, shows them Sonja, and says, "Doh Dya"...and I always hear how "she's such an angel"...And somehow she works her charm and by the time we leave a restaurant, all the surrounding tables are waving and saying goodbye to Bear (seriously! It happens all the time!).

So beware, take heed and don't fall for her "evil genius" strategies. And if you are one of those out there who have been victimized by Bear's charisma and charm, we sympathize with you for being duped by our toddler...If you haven't yet...uh, don't say we didn't warn you.

Boo!

I haven't posted much in the past couple of days because our family has been under the weather. Baby Bear, who got the bug first and therefore is recovering first, has been running around our apartment as she pleases (sometimes you lose the will to parent when your head feels like it's going to implode). I was sofa-bound. Sitting or standing was dizzying for a couple of days there. I've been feeling better, but sometimes I still have to sit down for a spell.

Today she meandered over to the kitchen, played with some of the plasticware and returned to where I was sitting, pointed to her diaper and said, "Boo!"

I thought Nah, she couldn't be telling me...

So I changed her diaper, and sure enough she had "Boo."

I told my mom what happened. She replied, "That means it's time to start thinking about potty training."

What?! Oh "Boo."

Yogurt

I admit it. I let Bear feed herself most of the time. I realize that it usually means there will be a horrible mess to clean up, but I figure that she's going to have to learn sometime. Although I guess it might have gotten a little out of hand today.



I gave her a bowl of yogurt, a spoon, and a couple of graham crackers. This is what resulted. I'm guessing the yogurt exploded.

Turmoil...

I had to turn off the television. Every news channel has this story plastered all over. It's weird because the other day when Matt and I were watching The @pprentice I was commenting on how Asians were starting to appear more mainstream on television. I guess that has to include the bad news, too.

So I turned off the television because I couldn't watch anymore. And I heard yelling outside our door and our window. Van man has been asked to leave quite a few times. Our building manager has come to talk to him. His ex has come over and yelled at him a few times (of which he responded with a few expletives). His sister came over and yelled at him (of which he responded with a few expletives). A guy friend of his ex has come and had discussions with him. Seriously, I'm not eavesdropping...they're just that loud. I try to ignore it, but when they're yelling right outside your doors and windows, it's hard to tune out. At present, he is yelling at someone...I don't know who.

So I turned the television back on. Maybe I'll find some old Cosby show reruns.

Tidbits...

I realize that I haven't been posting as much as I would like to. For those of you faithful readers out there, I'm sure that you're bored seeing the same thing on our site day after day. I just don't like writing any old thing...I strive to have purpose and thoughtfulness in my writings. Unfortunately, today is not one of those days. Here are some tidbits...

CRAFTSY

Lately I've been finding myself being "craftsy." In some ways it's a release for me. After running after a toddler all day, I find I have this need to create...so lately, I've been knitting, sewing, papercrafting, cooking, etc. I probably would be playing my guitar as well if it wouldn't wake up Baby Bear. I know it's not that out of character for me (for those of you who do know me), but seriously I actually recovered a chair. I crocheted a small hammock so I could hang up all of Bear's stuffed toys. I knit a dress for Baby Bear, and I'm considering creating a wall hanging for Bear's room. Perhaps I've finally gone insane.

NOT SO BABY BEAR

Baby Bear is no longer a "Baby." I'll probably have to start referring to her as "Bear Cub" or just plain "Bear." She's toddling around, talking up a storm (of which we understand a quarter of it), and asserting her independence here and there. I catch Matt every so often looking at Bear and saying, "She's not a baby anymore," with a sad look in his eye. *Sigh*

TODDLER TRAUMA

Last week Bear had a traumatic experience. We were in a parking lot when Bear lost her grip on Sonia. Sonia fell flat on her back into a mud puddle. Bear just looked at her muddy Sonia and started crying. Matt took the doll inside to wash her off, but as she was still dirty, we couldn't return Sonia to Bear. So the whole car ride home she cried, intermittently shouting out, "Doh-Dya!, Doh-Dya!" Poor kid. So needless to say we did some laundry that afternoon, and by bedtime Sonia was back into Bear's waiting little arms...

Neighbors...

I have these faint memories of the couple who lived next door to us as I was growing up. They were nice, helpful, and hospitable. I remember their little fluffy dog named Muffin. I also remember their garden, of which my sister and I would water when they were away.

Ah, how I miss them...

We've had interesting neighbors come and go from our complex. There were the twenty-something musician types who changed their apartment number from "6" to three 6s. There was the guy above us who was an in-home tattoo artist who had visitors at all hours of the night, plus two large dogs. We have the family across the way who barbecues and invite extended family to eat with them on cardtables in the driveway (wouldn't be a problem if the smoke wasn't flooding into our apartment). But I think our most recent addition is by far the oddest.

Currently I'm having an allergic reaction to incense. This neighbor apparently received a large package of incense, and although it's put away, our whole complex smells like sandalwood. Yuck. Our livingroom smells like aromatherapy gone wrong. Even with our windows and doors closed, the aroma has wafted it's way into our home seeping into everything we own.

This same neighbor is also living in his van in the garage. We suspect that "he's in the doghouse." I haven't seen hide nor hair of his pregnant girlfriend or 3 year old son in the past few days.

A couple of nights ago, there were these strange noises coming from the direction of his van. It sounded like a loud radio being turned on every once in while. We found out that he's putting together a studio in his van (although I'm not sure what that means). He has a cable line running into the van from upstairs as well as a power cable running out of the van.

Our other neighbors have called the police on him twice. We only know this because the "van man" asked Matt if he was the one to call the police.

Every time we leave our apartment he's out there, hanging by his van, eating his meals by the dumpster, pacing up and down our driveway, yelling at the handyman who is fixing the 2 empty apartments...

At this rate, there will be 3 empty apartments.

Snow Day

This past weekend we took a little family outing to the snow. I was so excited to take Baby Bear to play in the snow...It wasn't too cold outside, so we made sure to put on some mittens and a jacket. When we placed her down to walk in the snow, she promptly started crying. Then she tried to take a step, but ended up falling. When she had pulled herself up again, her mittens were covered with snow. When she cries she tends to rub her face...so poor kid got another surprise when she felt that cold snow against her face. Needless to say, she wasn't too happy with the snow.

So we let her carry Sonja...and she seemed a little bit happier. She wouldn't walk around though, she just stood in one spot.



Perhaps she'll have more fun next season.

Dolly...er Baby Bear

Matt claims that Baby Bear is my clone. I keep reminding him that I am physically unable to just spawn another human being on my own. He likes to joke that the genes from my side of the family are just too dominating. What do you think?





Uh, if you can't tell, I'm the baby on the top and Baby Bear is the cutie on the bottom.

Prunes

"Baby Bear, it's time to come out of the bathtub."

"Moe." (translation: no)

"You've been in there for twenty minutes now. It's time to come out."

"Duhk!"

"Yes, you have a duck. You can take it with you, but it's time to come out of the bath."

"Moe."

"All right, but I bet your feet are prunes now."