So it's about 11:00 pm on New Year's Eve and I'm about ready to tuck myself in and drift off into needed sleep. How sad is that? Has counting down to the new year lost it's luster since entering into parenthood? I guess so. The last time I truly remember celebrating the new year was when we rang in 2005.
But I still wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope 2008 brings you days of hope, joy and peace.
I feel so lame skipping out on the countdown, but hey if you had 7 hours in the car with this, you'd be tired, too.
Bear: Mommy!
Me: Yes!
Bear: Mommy!
Me: What is it?
Bear: Mommy! Mommy!
Me: Yes! Did you want to tell me something?
Bear: Mommy!
Me: Okay, yes, that's my name.
Bear: Mommy! Mommy!
Me: Are you going to tell me something or what?
Bear: Mommy! Mommy!
Me: Aargh!
12.31.2007
12.18.2007
Strong Impression Made
We haven't written in a while...mostly because we've been sleep deprived. So when choosing to nap or blog, uh, well, I'm sure you know what the answer is. Bear has been having some sleeping issues...we don't know why, although we've been over many possible theories....but that's not why I blog today.
Actually, something interesting happened yesterday while the three of us were out doing some Christmas shopping. We were standing in line waiting to pay for a box set of DVDs when Bear caught the attention of the 2 women standing in front of us (usual occurence for our little attention getter). They started smiling and waved at Bear. Bear smiled back with her teethy grin and said, "hi!" Then one of the women said that she remembered seeing Bear before. Her exact words were, "Yeah, I remember seeing her about a month ago at [a restaurant] where she was thoroughly enjoying a plate of fruit...I remember that smile of hers too."
How odd is that? We weren't anywhere in the vicinity of that restaurant at the time, and it was true, we were at that restaurant a month previously. Apparently, Bear leaves some strong impressions. Amazing.
Actually, something interesting happened yesterday while the three of us were out doing some Christmas shopping. We were standing in line waiting to pay for a box set of DVDs when Bear caught the attention of the 2 women standing in front of us (usual occurence for our little attention getter). They started smiling and waved at Bear. Bear smiled back with her teethy grin and said, "hi!" Then one of the women said that she remembered seeing Bear before. Her exact words were, "Yeah, I remember seeing her about a month ago at [a restaurant] where she was thoroughly enjoying a plate of fruit...I remember that smile of hers too."
How odd is that? We weren't anywhere in the vicinity of that restaurant at the time, and it was true, we were at that restaurant a month previously. Apparently, Bear leaves some strong impressions. Amazing.
12.01.2007
Conversations with Toddlers
As Bear continues to develop, I've been finding that conversations with her are becoming more interesting. Sometimes there is actually some substance to our "chats."
For example, yesterday...
Me: Bear, do you need to use the potty?
Bear: No, pah-yee(potty)...change die-ber(diaper). I yike die-ber.
Me: But you're becoming a big girl. You're still my baby girl, but there will be another baby soon and you'll be the big sister.
Bear: Baby? (and proceeds to rub my belly) My Baby?
Me: Yes, the baby will be yours, too.
Bear: (pointing to her belly) Baby here?
Me: No, you don't have a baby. Only mommy has the baby.
Bear: Eji Tales?(Veggie Tales?)
Me: Uh, okay, you can watch some Veggie Tales.
Okay, so she changes the subject quicker than a fox jumping over a lazy dog, but hey, this is the closest to a heart-to-heart chat we've ever had. I'll take what I can get.
For example, yesterday...
Me: Bear, do you need to use the potty?
Bear: No, pah-yee(potty)...change die-ber(diaper). I yike die-ber.
Me: But you're becoming a big girl. You're still my baby girl, but there will be another baby soon and you'll be the big sister.
Bear: Baby? (and proceeds to rub my belly) My Baby?
Me: Yes, the baby will be yours, too.
Bear: (pointing to her belly) Baby here?
Me: No, you don't have a baby. Only mommy has the baby.
Bear: Eji Tales?(Veggie Tales?)
Me: Uh, okay, you can watch some Veggie Tales.
Okay, so she changes the subject quicker than a fox jumping over a lazy dog, but hey, this is the closest to a heart-to-heart chat we've ever had. I'll take what I can get.
11.27.2007
Thanksgiving Weekend
Hope that all of you out there had wonderful holiday weekends.
I was trying to think of a way to cleverly sum up our weekend, but as I have been Mrs. Scatterbrain lately, cleverness just isn't my thing. Other than that, I'm sure that Matt will tell you that I have been "nesting" to full capacity...at least until a week or so ago when I hit a wall...and now I've just been doing a lot of complaining.
But back to Thanksgiving weekend...
After watching my mom madly shop for and cook mass quantities of eats, we had a wonderful dinner with family. Bear managed to eat half of the grape tomatoes on her own and half a box of tangerines. As usual, she entertained everyone with her silly antics. Pictures will have to come later.
Saturday was Bear's first trip to Disneyland to help celebrate Auntie R's birthday. She had this look on her face most of the day:
Bear was overwhelmed and couldn't believe that she was seeing her cartoon heroes in person. She managed to give Goofy, Mickey and Minnie a kiss. She even shared Sonja with Mickey. That lucky mouse.
We managed to get on a few rides. Surprisingly, Bear can ride more rides than I can at this point. We stuck with the ones that we all could ride. Here she is "Finding Nemo" and riding the "Choo Choo."
That was our weekend in a nutshell.
I was trying to think of a way to cleverly sum up our weekend, but as I have been Mrs. Scatterbrain lately, cleverness just isn't my thing. Other than that, I'm sure that Matt will tell you that I have been "nesting" to full capacity...at least until a week or so ago when I hit a wall...and now I've just been doing a lot of complaining.
But back to Thanksgiving weekend...
After watching my mom madly shop for and cook mass quantities of eats, we had a wonderful dinner with family. Bear managed to eat half of the grape tomatoes on her own and half a box of tangerines. As usual, she entertained everyone with her silly antics. Pictures will have to come later.
Saturday was Bear's first trip to Disneyland to help celebrate Auntie R's birthday. She had this look on her face most of the day:
Bear was overwhelmed and couldn't believe that she was seeing her cartoon heroes in person. She managed to give Goofy, Mickey and Minnie a kiss. She even shared Sonja with Mickey. That lucky mouse.
We managed to get on a few rides. Surprisingly, Bear can ride more rides than I can at this point. We stuck with the ones that we all could ride. Here she is "Finding Nemo" and riding the "Choo Choo."
That was our weekend in a nutshell.
11.19.2007
Emotions
There are those people in life that no matter how angry or mad you get, they always seem to turn it around in an instant.
Bear is like that. She has this way of making anger and sadness melt away.
Like any human being, I do get angry...at her, especially when I've asked her 10 times in a row not to touch something, or when I'm trying to keep her away from something potentially dangerous and she just chooses to endanger herself again and again.
But she has this way of always turning those situations around...and somehow I end up laughing with her, hugging her, enjoying the moment where a few minutes ago I was ready to pop out a vein.
Throughout our day together, I have to keep myself from bursting out laughing because of all the silly things she does when she thinks I'm not looking. Her most recent antic is to yell "Abre! (is that how it's spelled?)" at the most random times, imitating her favorite tv character Dora when she wants things to "Open" like the door, a book, or even at laundry as she throws it up in the air.
Other times when I'm feeling blue, she tries to cheer me up in her own special ways. Often that means offering Sonja or her cup of juice to me. Sometimes if I have to cry, she sits in my lap and cries with me. Once she even offered Sonja's hand to me, because for her sucking on Sonja's hand is comforting.
And I feel for her when she cries...Somehow a broken dish or spilled milk all over the floor just doesn't matter when your child is whimpering and feeling bad for what she did. The comforting hug always comes first...clean up comes later.
So wiping up all sorts of biological messes, finding irreversible pen marks on favorite books, waking up in the middle of the night of an already shortened sleep, is nothing. Realizing that your child needs you and you love your child, is absolutely something.
Bear is like that. She has this way of making anger and sadness melt away.
Like any human being, I do get angry...at her, especially when I've asked her 10 times in a row not to touch something, or when I'm trying to keep her away from something potentially dangerous and she just chooses to endanger herself again and again.
But she has this way of always turning those situations around...and somehow I end up laughing with her, hugging her, enjoying the moment where a few minutes ago I was ready to pop out a vein.
Throughout our day together, I have to keep myself from bursting out laughing because of all the silly things she does when she thinks I'm not looking. Her most recent antic is to yell "Abre! (is that how it's spelled?)" at the most random times, imitating her favorite tv character Dora when she wants things to "Open" like the door, a book, or even at laundry as she throws it up in the air.
Other times when I'm feeling blue, she tries to cheer me up in her own special ways. Often that means offering Sonja or her cup of juice to me. Sometimes if I have to cry, she sits in my lap and cries with me. Once she even offered Sonja's hand to me, because for her sucking on Sonja's hand is comforting.
And I feel for her when she cries...Somehow a broken dish or spilled milk all over the floor just doesn't matter when your child is whimpering and feeling bad for what she did. The comforting hug always comes first...clean up comes later.
So wiping up all sorts of biological messes, finding irreversible pen marks on favorite books, waking up in the middle of the night of an already shortened sleep, is nothing. Realizing that your child needs you and you love your child, is absolutely something.
11.06.2007
Bear's Rules to Live By
1) TV Theme songs are for dancing.
2) When playing with toys, it's more fun to pour out the whole box of toys and then pick one.
3) Stickers are for adorning the front door.
4) When traveling from room to room, I must carry Sonja, a blanket, a cup of water, and Snoopy.
5) When I find something new to play with I will drop Sonja, blanket, cup of water and Snoopy.
6) If mommy does it, I must do it too.
7) If there's a mess, just leave it. It magically goes away when I wake up the next morning.
8) Food is more fun to eat when it gets all over the place.
9) Things that happen on Dor@ the Explorer are what really happens in life.
10) What mommy and daddy tell me to do are just guidelines, there's always a loophole.
2) When playing with toys, it's more fun to pour out the whole box of toys and then pick one.
3) Stickers are for adorning the front door.
4) When traveling from room to room, I must carry Sonja, a blanket, a cup of water, and Snoopy.
5) When I find something new to play with I will drop Sonja, blanket, cup of water and Snoopy.
6) If mommy does it, I must do it too.
7) If there's a mess, just leave it. It magically goes away when I wake up the next morning.
8) Food is more fun to eat when it gets all over the place.
9) Things that happen on Dor@ the Explorer are what really happens in life.
10) What mommy and daddy tell me to do are just guidelines, there's always a loophole.
11.02.2007
Thankful for 30
Now that I'm thirty, here's 30 things I'm thankful for:
1) A wonderful husband who always knows when I need a hug.
2) Bear, who makes me laugh on a daily basis.
3) Waking up each morning knowing that it's another day God has blessed me with.
4) My family who knows all of my quirks and still seem to keep me around.
5) The friends near and far that have each touched my life in one form or another.
6) Baby Lee who we can't wait to meet in February (or possibly January).
7) Lots of pillows that I can wedge myself into bed every night.
8) A place that we can call "home" even if the ceiling falls in every now and again.
9) The fact that I always cry on the last scene of "M0nster's Inc."
10) My mom who taught me everything "crafty" as I was growing up...who knew they'd come in handy so often.
11) My artsy sister who if I didn't have her around growing up, I'd always walk out of the house wearing 2 different colors of black.
12) My brother who without I would not know anything about anime, Pl@ystation, or good cheesecake.
13) My 5th grade teacher, who encouraged me to be myself, and still remembers my name to this day when I run into her.
14) Binder clips...I like binder clips...they're so handy.
15) Avocados...yum.
16) Craft stores, of which I could spend hours perusing items I don't need.
17) My guitar, my piano, and for music that helps to soothe my soul.
18) Rainy days, because everything is always so clean after the downpour.
19) Bear's pediatrician, who really knows her stuff, and truly cares for Bear.
20) Quarters...of which without we wouldn't have clean laundry.
21) Noisy neighbors, who help me understand the joy of peace and quiet.
22) People who are extremely down to earth...especially when their position in life would generally cause them to have their head in the clouds.
23) My childhood memories of fun times that I think back on and hope Bear will have a chance to experience.
24) My church, all the good and the bad, and the things I learn week after week.
25) My memories of teaching, my memories of my students, and the things they taught me each week.
26) Those moments when I actually get a chance to brush my hair.
27) Books of all sorts...that I can read to learn or read to relax.
28) God's creativity, that I see everyday, in everyone and everything.
29) My fears, that keep me on my toes, but don't consume me.
30) The trials and challenges in my life, the tears and heartaches, and the joys and sorrows that made me into the person that I am. Thanks.
Of course, I'm thankful for a lot of things...but these are the first 30 that I thought of...I'll close with a picture from Bear's October 31st fun.
1) A wonderful husband who always knows when I need a hug.
2) Bear, who makes me laugh on a daily basis.
3) Waking up each morning knowing that it's another day God has blessed me with.
4) My family who knows all of my quirks and still seem to keep me around.
5) The friends near and far that have each touched my life in one form or another.
6) Baby Lee who we can't wait to meet in February (or possibly January).
7) Lots of pillows that I can wedge myself into bed every night.
8) A place that we can call "home" even if the ceiling falls in every now and again.
9) The fact that I always cry on the last scene of "M0nster's Inc."
10) My mom who taught me everything "crafty" as I was growing up...who knew they'd come in handy so often.
11) My artsy sister who if I didn't have her around growing up, I'd always walk out of the house wearing 2 different colors of black.
12) My brother who without I would not know anything about anime, Pl@ystation, or good cheesecake.
13) My 5th grade teacher, who encouraged me to be myself, and still remembers my name to this day when I run into her.
14) Binder clips...I like binder clips...they're so handy.
15) Avocados...yum.
16) Craft stores, of which I could spend hours perusing items I don't need.
17) My guitar, my piano, and for music that helps to soothe my soul.
18) Rainy days, because everything is always so clean after the downpour.
19) Bear's pediatrician, who really knows her stuff, and truly cares for Bear.
20) Quarters...of which without we wouldn't have clean laundry.
21) Noisy neighbors, who help me understand the joy of peace and quiet.
22) People who are extremely down to earth...especially when their position in life would generally cause them to have their head in the clouds.
23) My childhood memories of fun times that I think back on and hope Bear will have a chance to experience.
24) My church, all the good and the bad, and the things I learn week after week.
25) My memories of teaching, my memories of my students, and the things they taught me each week.
26) Those moments when I actually get a chance to brush my hair.
27) Books of all sorts...that I can read to learn or read to relax.
28) God's creativity, that I see everyday, in everyone and everything.
29) My fears, that keep me on my toes, but don't consume me.
30) The trials and challenges in my life, the tears and heartaches, and the joys and sorrows that made me into the person that I am. Thanks.
Of course, I'm thankful for a lot of things...but these are the first 30 that I thought of...I'll close with a picture from Bear's October 31st fun.
11.01.2007
For Some Reason...
It's 11 pm and for some reason Bear is still up and running around.
She was fast asleep and then the neighbors upstairs made a horrific noise (sounded like a bookshelf fell over). Ever since then we've been wondering when she'll go back to sleep. She is currently running around the livingroom with a flashlight saying, "Yight Aw (Light On)."
Fun.
She was fast asleep and then the neighbors upstairs made a horrific noise (sounded like a bookshelf fell over). Ever since then we've been wondering when she'll go back to sleep. She is currently running around the livingroom with a flashlight saying, "Yight Aw (Light On)."
Fun.
10.26.2007
10.23.2007
3 Years...
So it's been 3 years since Matt and I have been married...I can't complain. It's been a good 3 years (with all the ups and downs). We have our 1.5 kids, a cluttered apartment, and lots of happy memories. It's good.
It's kind of weird to think though that it was about 11 and a half years ago when we met (did I do the math right?). He claims that I "picked him up." Well, I did, but I picked him and 3 other people up to drive them to an on-campus fellowship event. After that we went through 4 years of friendship, 4 years of dating and now 3 years of marriage.
Happy Anniversary, Padawanlee!
It's kind of weird to think though that it was about 11 and a half years ago when we met (did I do the math right?). He claims that I "picked him up." Well, I did, but I picked him and 3 other people up to drive them to an on-campus fellowship event. After that we went through 4 years of friendship, 4 years of dating and now 3 years of marriage.
Happy Anniversary, Padawanlee!
10.10.2007
Traditions...
I've been pulling my hair out trying to decide how to dress Bear for Halloween this year. The reason being that I would love to continue to make Bear's costume again for her. So needless to say, time is running out to make a decision. Last year she was a darling little piggy. This year (only being her second Halloween) I'm stumped.
The reason I'm so adamant about wanting to make Bear's costume myself is because most of the costumes I wore growing up were handmade by my mom. She labored every year at the sewing machine so that my siblings and I could dress up as we pleased. Some of the costumes I remember were quite intricate...the pink flapper dress, the angel costume complete with satin wings and a halo, even the baby bumblebee and wings that my sis wore. So since I now have my mom's old sewing machine, I would love to continue the tradition of homemade Halloweens.
Matt and I have been going back and forth over how to dress Bear. He really wanted to dress her as a Jawa. I wasn't so enthused. He also came up with the idea to dress Bear up in a Sonja costume which most people laugh at the idea (I laughed too - hey, it's funny). Other suggestions are to dress her as some kind of animal, like a bear, a jedi (so I don't have to dress her as a Jawa but it's still Star Wars related), some kind of ballerina or princess to appease her girly-girl nature, or I could just dress her in her purple fairy skirt and wings although I may have to censor her.
So I'm looking for suggestions...any ideas?
The reason I'm so adamant about wanting to make Bear's costume myself is because most of the costumes I wore growing up were handmade by my mom. She labored every year at the sewing machine so that my siblings and I could dress up as we pleased. Some of the costumes I remember were quite intricate...the pink flapper dress, the angel costume complete with satin wings and a halo, even the baby bumblebee and wings that my sis wore. So since I now have my mom's old sewing machine, I would love to continue the tradition of homemade Halloweens.
Matt and I have been going back and forth over how to dress Bear. He really wanted to dress her as a Jawa. I wasn't so enthused. He also came up with the idea to dress Bear up in a Sonja costume which most people laugh at the idea (I laughed too - hey, it's funny). Other suggestions are to dress her as some kind of animal, like a bear, a jedi (so I don't have to dress her as a Jawa but it's still Star Wars related), some kind of ballerina or princess to appease her girly-girl nature, or I could just dress her in her purple fairy skirt and wings although I may have to censor her.
So I'm looking for suggestions...any ideas?
10.01.2007
Times sure have changed
Matt and I went to a wedding last weekend. It was great. We got to see a good friend from college tie the knot with his longtime love. Beyond that, we also got to see some other friends from our college days, some we haven't seen since college.
You have to understand, we had some interesting college days. I won't go into details, but some of the people we knew were legendary in a sense. They weren't necessarily a legend, but the stories about them were. For those of you reading who went to college with us, you know the people and you know the stories. Some might say "crazy," but to us they were the stories that made us laugh over dorm meals.
Yet, there we all were sitting at two tables at a wedding. Some of those old stories did come out again for us to chuckle over. This time was a little different though. Proud dads were pulling out their phones and PDAs to show off their baby boys and girls. Others shared how they became doctors, businessmen and assistant principals since we last saw them. There were some who moved far, some who bought homes, and some who became newly engaged. Times sure had changed.
I was totally bewildered when I witnessed a group of guys sitting around recommending books on baby sleep training...
...and then they started talking about how excited they were for Starcraft II to come out and discussing when they could get together for a LAN party.
I guess times haven't changed that much.
You have to understand, we had some interesting college days. I won't go into details, but some of the people we knew were legendary in a sense. They weren't necessarily a legend, but the stories about them were. For those of you reading who went to college with us, you know the people and you know the stories. Some might say "crazy," but to us they were the stories that made us laugh over dorm meals.
Yet, there we all were sitting at two tables at a wedding. Some of those old stories did come out again for us to chuckle over. This time was a little different though. Proud dads were pulling out their phones and PDAs to show off their baby boys and girls. Others shared how they became doctors, businessmen and assistant principals since we last saw them. There were some who moved far, some who bought homes, and some who became newly engaged. Times sure had changed.
I was totally bewildered when I witnessed a group of guys sitting around recommending books on baby sleep training...
...and then they started talking about how excited they were for Starcraft II to come out and discussing when they could get together for a LAN party.
I guess times haven't changed that much.
9.28.2007
Being One's Own...
The most common comment we've gotten recently about Bear is "She's soooo independent!" This being said as she is running away from us and running towards other people to say "hi" and show off her Sonja doll. Like today, we went to the mall and she just had to go through the red door (T@lbots). She even started waving to people who were trying to enter or leave the store probably hoping one of them would let her through. Earlier at brunch, the waitress came to take our order and Bear promptly pointed to the menu and told her "Meat...Wice(rice)."
What can I say? She definitely has her own opinions. As much as people tell me that it's a good thing, I find myself battling her day by day. "Do you want to wear the pink or the blue shirt today?" "NO BOO (Blue), NO PICK (Pink)...Dess(Dress- pointing into the closet)." "Eat your sandwich, Bear." "NO, EAT APO-DOS (applesauce)." My cousin even bought her this really cute purple fairy style skirt with wings, and Bear loves it, but she insists taking everything else off in order to wear them. So Bear runs around practically naked with a see-through skirt, a diaper and a pair of wings. So I've been trying to take a picture of her in her little outfit, so I can send it to my cousin, but uh...yeah.
As I've spent the greater part of my life trying to find and accept my own opinion, to avoid being so wishy-washy, it's such a weird concept to me that Bear is just so innately opinionated.
I would never want to squash her opinions, nor the charisma she has. I mean seriously, it took me almost 30 years before I could find my own voice. Although I do realize that my opinions were always there, I just never expressed them because I was just afraid of what people thought of me. So I guess it took me 30 years before I realized that no one really cares, and if they do, then well I shouldn't care. I am just trying to be my own.
And that is something that Bear has shown me well...It's important to just be your own...and not lose yourself to others. And it's important to appreciate others as they are. Otherwise, what's the point of God creating us each so differently?
What can I say? She definitely has her own opinions. As much as people tell me that it's a good thing, I find myself battling her day by day. "Do you want to wear the pink or the blue shirt today?" "NO BOO (Blue), NO PICK (Pink)...Dess(Dress- pointing into the closet)." "Eat your sandwich, Bear." "NO, EAT APO-DOS (applesauce)." My cousin even bought her this really cute purple fairy style skirt with wings, and Bear loves it, but she insists taking everything else off in order to wear them. So Bear runs around practically naked with a see-through skirt, a diaper and a pair of wings. So I've been trying to take a picture of her in her little outfit, so I can send it to my cousin, but uh...yeah.
As I've spent the greater part of my life trying to find and accept my own opinion, to avoid being so wishy-washy, it's such a weird concept to me that Bear is just so innately opinionated.
I would never want to squash her opinions, nor the charisma she has. I mean seriously, it took me almost 30 years before I could find my own voice. Although I do realize that my opinions were always there, I just never expressed them because I was just afraid of what people thought of me. So I guess it took me 30 years before I realized that no one really cares, and if they do, then well I shouldn't care. I am just trying to be my own.
And that is something that Bear has shown me well...It's important to just be your own...and not lose yourself to others. And it's important to appreciate others as they are. Otherwise, what's the point of God creating us each so differently?
9.26.2007
The Fun Stage
I guess each stage of development has it's fun. Sometimes I find myself longing for those days when Bear would just sit there and I wouldn't have to run after her nor clean up her messes. Having a toddler is fun though...there's so much more we can do with her now.
The Beach - She played in the water, dug in the sand and amassed a collection of "smooshed" sandcrabs. Poor sandcrabs, never had a chance.
The Fair - We went to the County Fair and Bear really loved looking at all the farm animals. She just kept saying, "Mor Dow! (More Cow)" and would "Baa" at all the sheep. She also took a liking to roasted corn and fake snow (yes, one building had fake snow that she got to play with).
Facing Fears - Bear faced her fears this weekend and picked her very own avocado from a tree in a family friends' backyard.
She was so excited, she ran around the yard yelling "tado!" and then would throw the poor thing onto the concrete like it was a football.
So it's been fun with Bear these days...she enjoys all the activities just as much as we do.
The Beach - She played in the water, dug in the sand and amassed a collection of "smooshed" sandcrabs. Poor sandcrabs, never had a chance.
The Fair - We went to the County Fair and Bear really loved looking at all the farm animals. She just kept saying, "Mor Dow! (More Cow)" and would "Baa" at all the sheep. She also took a liking to roasted corn and fake snow (yes, one building had fake snow that she got to play with).
Facing Fears - Bear faced her fears this weekend and picked her very own avocado from a tree in a family friends' backyard.
She was so excited, she ran around the yard yelling "tado!" and then would throw the poor thing onto the concrete like it was a football.
So it's been fun with Bear these days...she enjoys all the activities just as much as we do.
9.18.2007
Long Weekend...
I teetered back and forth about writing about this especially in such a semi-public way. But I concluded that as much as I'd like for this blog to be light-hearted and filled with Bear's silly little antics, it's also a place where I've been writing about the lessons I've learned as a parent.
As my mom said, we grew an extra layer of skin this past weekend. I'll spare you all the details mostly because I'm sparing myself some tears upon remembering each moment as it happened.
Bear came down with a fever this past weekend...it escalated to the point where she had a febrile seizure. Although I've read about it in books and even as a teacher who is supposed to be trained in dealing with instances of any kind of seizure, I just wasn't prepared. I never felt so at a loss in my life.
I appreciated the people who tended to her (nurses, doctors, paramedics), but I didn't appreciate their constant repetition of the same few phrases...This kind of thing happens all the time...We can't really do much because it's not that big of an emergency...Don't worry, she'll be fine. As much as someone tells you not to worry, it doesn't help...sometimes you just have to worry. Sometimes you just need to feel scared.
So after our brief stint in the hospital, Matt and I were carefully monitoring our sick little girl. I don't think either of us wanted to leave her side at any moment. Even she wouldn't let us leave her sight unless she knew where we were going. We spent the day at home half sleeping, half awake...constantly keeping one eye on Bear.
Monday morning she woke up with a smile, no fever, or any other sign of sickness. She grabbed her doll, her blanket, her cup of water and came to sit in the livingroom just like it was any other day, just as if nothing had ever happened.
Kids are so resilient. I wish I could say the same for myself.
(Bear is fine. We went to the pediatrician on Monday [a wonderful doctor who didn't say anything of the sort like the people at the hospital] and everything checked out fine. Her temperature was normal and there's no sign of an infection. She must have just caught a random virus and unfortunately has the genetic predisposition towards febrile seizures. She is once again her happy-go-lucky self...and possibly a bit more chatty).
As my mom said, we grew an extra layer of skin this past weekend. I'll spare you all the details mostly because I'm sparing myself some tears upon remembering each moment as it happened.
Bear came down with a fever this past weekend...it escalated to the point where she had a febrile seizure. Although I've read about it in books and even as a teacher who is supposed to be trained in dealing with instances of any kind of seizure, I just wasn't prepared. I never felt so at a loss in my life.
I appreciated the people who tended to her (nurses, doctors, paramedics), but I didn't appreciate their constant repetition of the same few phrases...This kind of thing happens all the time...We can't really do much because it's not that big of an emergency...Don't worry, she'll be fine. As much as someone tells you not to worry, it doesn't help...sometimes you just have to worry. Sometimes you just need to feel scared.
So after our brief stint in the hospital, Matt and I were carefully monitoring our sick little girl. I don't think either of us wanted to leave her side at any moment. Even she wouldn't let us leave her sight unless she knew where we were going. We spent the day at home half sleeping, half awake...constantly keeping one eye on Bear.
Monday morning she woke up with a smile, no fever, or any other sign of sickness. She grabbed her doll, her blanket, her cup of water and came to sit in the livingroom just like it was any other day, just as if nothing had ever happened.
Kids are so resilient. I wish I could say the same for myself.
(Bear is fine. We went to the pediatrician on Monday [a wonderful doctor who didn't say anything of the sort like the people at the hospital] and everything checked out fine. Her temperature was normal and there's no sign of an infection. She must have just caught a random virus and unfortunately has the genetic predisposition towards febrile seizures. She is once again her happy-go-lucky self...and possibly a bit more chatty).
9.11.2007
The Cry from the Bathroom
Matt usually takes care of bathtime and bedtime. It's his time of day to spend with his little girl. These days I've been using bathtime as clean up time.
Tonight I was in the kitchen tidying up some dishes when I heard Bear start crying. I was a little concerned, but I thought, hmmm, she probably doesn't want to come out of the bath yet.
What actually happened: Matt informed me that Bear looked at her pruney hands, tried to wipe away the wrinkles, even tried to pick them off, and then started crying because they just wouldn't go away.
After her bath, she came running out to me holding out her hands and whimpering. She pointed to the pruney wrinkles and started tearing up. She ran over to the sink and said, "wsh hans(wash hands)" and started to cry again when I told her that it wouldn't help. So I hugged her and assured her that her hands would be okay once she dried off.
Poor kid. I hope this doesn't deter her from taking baths.
Tonight I was in the kitchen tidying up some dishes when I heard Bear start crying. I was a little concerned, but I thought, hmmm, she probably doesn't want to come out of the bath yet.
What actually happened: Matt informed me that Bear looked at her pruney hands, tried to wipe away the wrinkles, even tried to pick them off, and then started crying because they just wouldn't go away.
After her bath, she came running out to me holding out her hands and whimpering. She pointed to the pruney wrinkles and started tearing up. She ran over to the sink and said, "wsh hans(wash hands)" and started to cry again when I told her that it wouldn't help. So I hugged her and assured her that her hands would be okay once she dried off.
Poor kid. I hope this doesn't deter her from taking baths.
9.05.2007
Wee!
Here's a conversation we had at a friend's house recently.
Bear: Wee wee!
Friend: Uh, Matt? Does Bear need to use the bathroom?
Matt: Why do you ask?
Friend: She's running around yelling "Wee wee!"
Matt: Oh, no. She's actually saying, "Wii wii." She wants to play the Wii.
Friend: Only your kid would have "Wee" refer to the "Wii."
Bear: Wii wii!
Bear: Wee wee!
Friend: Uh, Matt? Does Bear need to use the bathroom?
Matt: Why do you ask?
Friend: She's running around yelling "Wee wee!"
Matt: Oh, no. She's actually saying, "Wii wii." She wants to play the Wii.
Friend: Only your kid would have "Wee" refer to the "Wii."
Bear: Wii wii!
8.30.2007
No Way!
Me: Bear! It's time for a nap!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: Bear! Pick up your toys!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: It's time to change your diaper!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
I'm not quite sure where she picked up this phrase...but she sure has been using it a lot. What happened to just "no?"
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: Bear! Pick up your toys!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: It's time to change your diaper!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
I'm not quite sure where she picked up this phrase...but she sure has been using it a lot. What happened to just "no?"
8.18.2007
Haircutting 101
So can anyone out there tell me how to properly cut hair? Especially the hair of a squirmy, squiggly toddler?
A few months ago, I managed to cut Bear's bangs, but it took me three days to get it right. In the end, I cut it a little too short, a little too straight, and my baby looked liked one of those dolls you get from the Americ@n Girl Company.
Now her hair is growing out again into and over her eyes. I've been attempting to chop it here and there, but it's just becoming a jagged mess.
Help.
A few months ago, I managed to cut Bear's bangs, but it took me three days to get it right. In the end, I cut it a little too short, a little too straight, and my baby looked liked one of those dolls you get from the Americ@n Girl Company.
Now her hair is growing out again into and over her eyes. I've been attempting to chop it here and there, but it's just becoming a jagged mess.
Help.
8.15.2007
Mommy got ditched
Last Saturday Bear and I attended the "Saturday Party" celebrating the end of VBS week at our church. This is the day where all the kids invite their families to come and watch them perform songs, view a slideshow of the week's activities, and then enjoy a lunch together. I wheeled Bear to the front once the performance started and within a minute she said, "Dow (Down)."
A minute later she saw one of the moms (we'll call her J) who helps out in the nursery, pointed at her with a smile and said, "Heeeey!" Then Bear promptly ran over to where J was sitting with her daughter and husband climbed up onto the pew next to her and sat there for the remainder of the performance.
So I sat all alone. Bear ditched me. Actually, it is quite funny, so I'm not upset even if you are laughing at my misery.
One time, I thought she was returning to me, so I held out my arms to her. She quickly grabbed Sonja from the stroller and ran back to sit with J. Ha ha.
So I watched her as she applauded each of the kids. I watched as she screamed in enjoyment at the slideshow. I watched as she attempted to dance to each of the songs, but I watched all of this from afar.
I'm glad that Bear is so comfortable running up and sitting with other people (people she knows...not strangers). Lately, she has been much more comfortable at church, too. I often lose her because she's visiting other friends and families. I think she mingles at church more than Matt or I ever do.
So even if I do get ditched by my own daughter, I always know that in the end she'll come running back to me asking to be picked up and held. I will gladly oblige.
A minute later she saw one of the moms (we'll call her J) who helps out in the nursery, pointed at her with a smile and said, "Heeeey!" Then Bear promptly ran over to where J was sitting with her daughter and husband climbed up onto the pew next to her and sat there for the remainder of the performance.
So I sat all alone. Bear ditched me. Actually, it is quite funny, so I'm not upset even if you are laughing at my misery.
One time, I thought she was returning to me, so I held out my arms to her. She quickly grabbed Sonja from the stroller and ran back to sit with J. Ha ha.
So I watched her as she applauded each of the kids. I watched as she screamed in enjoyment at the slideshow. I watched as she attempted to dance to each of the songs, but I watched all of this from afar.
I'm glad that Bear is so comfortable running up and sitting with other people (people she knows...not strangers). Lately, she has been much more comfortable at church, too. I often lose her because she's visiting other friends and families. I think she mingles at church more than Matt or I ever do.
So even if I do get ditched by my own daughter, I always know that in the end she'll come running back to me asking to be picked up and held. I will gladly oblige.
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