People always warn new parents of the change that will occur once their baby is mobile. It's cruel to say it to a new mother of a newborn - but her daytime hours are easier at that stage than they will be in a few months (nighttime hours are a different story of course). Once that little baby figures out that he or she can get around, cause trouble, investigate and has power over their own little body... well, it's a whole new ballgame isn't it. Things are never the same.
I have a theory, developed in light of recent events around here. I am coming to believe that once your child can talk (not just a few words, I mean, sentences, honest expressions of their wants, needs, OPINIONS) you are similarly entering into a whole new transformative realm, and there is no turning back. Previously your toddler may have attributed her frustrations to the fact that you didn't understand what it was she wanted (even if you were just pretending). But I think that, the Lion Cub at least, believed deep down inside that IF I understood her, she would find her every wish and whim catered to, that I would be a willing slave to her command - once she could efficiently command.
Nowadays it's a lot like living with a dictator, a somewhat articulate 2 year old. She has mastered the authorative "NO!" and the slow but menacing demand "I... want... COOKIES!!!" Complex expressions of disdain ("it's not funny mama") and even road rage: "Go lady! Go!" She believes her word is the law and relishes in her ability to claim a stake at "first!" "more!" "NOW!!"
Here's a good joke for ya. What's the difference between a 2 year old and a terrorist? You can negotiate with a terrorist. Ha ha. (sob)
Actually I am being a bit facetious with this post, because it's not all that bad really. Along with those other words come "I love you" and little songs. But there's no going back, it's another one of those ever changing times, a Turning Point. Another step further away from baby-ness and much more little girl. It's all good, though part of me still longs for a time when the Professor was the only one around here who could talk back. ;-)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
ABC's
I was busy figuring out whether to email this to the grandparents or not, and then realized: I have a blog for exactly this reason! Enjoy!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Cub's first shiner...
The Lion Cub ran and tripped and fell (face first) into the toy box. Like the BOX itself. Hence, her first ever black eye. It's pretty mild, so I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful (and somewhat surprised) that we made it this far in her young life before getting a black eye in the first place.
She makes for a pretty tragic figure around here and has milked it for everything it is possibly worth - including the Lamb's favourite toy puppy for snuggling (was it the only thing that would comfort her? or just part of her diabolical plan to pilfer the entire stuffed animal collection for herself? we'll never really know...) But people, don't be fooled...
it hasn't slowed her down one bit.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Four Things
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. I worked in a drycleaners for many years, not actually washing clothes, but taking them in & tagging them. Shout out to all you Brown's employees, almost all of us did our time there at one point or another, mainly so we could talk on the phone and do our homework in the back and get paid.
2. I worked in a magazine/smoke shop. Great job. We couldn't read magazines during our shift, but were free to bring mags home with us as long as we brought them back in decent condition. Obviously this is where my magazine obsession began.
3. While doing my masters degree I got a teaching assistant position. Great money. Brought a certain boisterous prof into my life who helped me out a lot - including helping me get that thesis finished.
4. Hardest job for least pay: stay-at-home-mom. Biggest rewards though.
Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Love Actually. My go-to feel-good movie.
2. Ocean's Eleven. Fun.
3. Bridget Jones' Diary. Chick flick.
4. Not that I have yet, but I see myself watching Juno many times. Very enjoyable.
Four places I have lived:
1. Born in Oxford, England. Lived there until I was 2.
2. Lived in the suburbs of O-town until I was 20.
3. Downtown O-town in 4 different apartments through my twenties.
4. Minnesota, in the Big Bad.
Four TV shows that I watch:
1. I am kind of a sucker for talent shows, as I have confessed before. Particularly singing ones.
2. Online we can access a few shows, full episodes so I occasionally download Ugly Betty or,
3. 30 Rock, both HILARIOUS.
4. Uhhhhh... Curious George?
Four places I have been:
1. Paris
2. Vancouver
3. Prince Edward Island
4. United Kingdom
Four of my favourite foods:
1. Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream
2. Starbucks Chai Latte, no foam
3. Sweet potato fries
4. a good seafood pasta
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. someplace warm
2. someplace with a foot massage
3. someplace with good friends/family
4. ultimately though, am quite happy here, having a lazy Saturday afternoon
Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. Kathleen's wedding
2. visiting O-town, being with friends and family
3. seeing the Lion Cub start preschool in September because I know she's going to love it
4. all the babies due this year (none of which are mine, by the way, those of you with suspicious minds)
1. I worked in a drycleaners for many years, not actually washing clothes, but taking them in & tagging them. Shout out to all you Brown's employees, almost all of us did our time there at one point or another, mainly so we could talk on the phone and do our homework in the back and get paid.
2. I worked in a magazine/smoke shop. Great job. We couldn't read magazines during our shift, but were free to bring mags home with us as long as we brought them back in decent condition. Obviously this is where my magazine obsession began.
3. While doing my masters degree I got a teaching assistant position. Great money. Brought a certain boisterous prof into my life who helped me out a lot - including helping me get that thesis finished.
4. Hardest job for least pay: stay-at-home-mom. Biggest rewards though.
Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Love Actually. My go-to feel-good movie.
2. Ocean's Eleven. Fun.
3. Bridget Jones' Diary. Chick flick.
4. Not that I have yet, but I see myself watching Juno many times. Very enjoyable.
Four places I have lived:
1. Born in Oxford, England. Lived there until I was 2.
2. Lived in the suburbs of O-town until I was 20.
3. Downtown O-town in 4 different apartments through my twenties.
4. Minnesota, in the Big Bad.
Four TV shows that I watch:
1. I am kind of a sucker for talent shows, as I have confessed before. Particularly singing ones.
2. Online we can access a few shows, full episodes so I occasionally download Ugly Betty or,
3. 30 Rock, both HILARIOUS.
4. Uhhhhh... Curious George?
Four places I have been:
1. Paris
2. Vancouver
3. Prince Edward Island
4. United Kingdom
Four of my favourite foods:
1. Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream
2. Starbucks Chai Latte, no foam
3. Sweet potato fries
4. a good seafood pasta
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. someplace warm
2. someplace with a foot massage
3. someplace with good friends/family
4. ultimately though, am quite happy here, having a lazy Saturday afternoon
Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. Kathleen's wedding
2. visiting O-town, being with friends and family
3. seeing the Lion Cub start preschool in September because I know she's going to love it
4. all the babies due this year (none of which are mine, by the way, those of you with suspicious minds)
Friday, April 18, 2008
our love of MJ
If you've spoken to me in the last 2 years you probably know that I adore the Lamb's preschool teacher, MJ. I do believe that we stumbled upon a true gem here in our little community, a woman who is smart, intuitive and who loves children and has a natural connection with them.
In those early days of preschool when the Lamb was unsure and scared, she went directly from my arms into MJ's where she would stay until she felt comfortable to walk around and play. In the classroom MJ keeps a 4-foot long sensory table in the classroom which we have found filled with shaving cream, snow, cotton balls, uncooked rice (on separate occasions, not all together). She and the kids hold a daily "meeting" where they sit around the table together and talk. They are learning how to hold a group conversation, how to wait your turn, how to listen to others and respect the time everyone is given to speak.
She is finely attuned to the collective psyche of her little class (8 or 9 kids) and lets them take the lead in what they would like to be taught. She just listens to their talk and watches how they play. She then arranges for appropriate guest speakers to come and talk. She takes out books from the library (with her own card) in accordance with class interest in each topic - which has been in turn, airplanes, construction and building, places in the world including China and Egypt.
In the fall she told us that she figured each child would be able to spell his or her own name by the end of the year. Not because she would necessarily "teach" them formally, she said, but because it would come naturally seeing as they are just "really into letters right now." And she was right. She maintains an orderly classroom where every child is greeted when they walk through the door, and no one ever runs or yells. Not because they are afraid of her, but because she asked them not to.
The other day we were talking about artwork. She said, I try never to ask a child, who has just shown me their artwork, "what is it?" How disrespectful to them, they've spent all this time on it, to them it's obvious what it is. Instead I ask them "tell me about your painting!" Then they can choose whatever detail is important to them, whether it's the colour or the story behind it, whether it's a tangible object, or an emotion that drives that particular piece of art. It opens up a lot more talk.
Well, if I have learned nothing else I am grateful for this, because we do a lot of art around here and the question "what is it?" has never sat quite right with me. Though I never knew quite why. Now I know what I will say instead.
In those early days of preschool when the Lamb was unsure and scared, she went directly from my arms into MJ's where she would stay until she felt comfortable to walk around and play. In the classroom MJ keeps a 4-foot long sensory table in the classroom which we have found filled with shaving cream, snow, cotton balls, uncooked rice (on separate occasions, not all together). She and the kids hold a daily "meeting" where they sit around the table together and talk. They are learning how to hold a group conversation, how to wait your turn, how to listen to others and respect the time everyone is given to speak.
She is finely attuned to the collective psyche of her little class (8 or 9 kids) and lets them take the lead in what they would like to be taught. She just listens to their talk and watches how they play. She then arranges for appropriate guest speakers to come and talk. She takes out books from the library (with her own card) in accordance with class interest in each topic - which has been in turn, airplanes, construction and building, places in the world including China and Egypt.
In the fall she told us that she figured each child would be able to spell his or her own name by the end of the year. Not because she would necessarily "teach" them formally, she said, but because it would come naturally seeing as they are just "really into letters right now." And she was right. She maintains an orderly classroom where every child is greeted when they walk through the door, and no one ever runs or yells. Not because they are afraid of her, but because she asked them not to.
The other day we were talking about artwork. She said, I try never to ask a child, who has just shown me their artwork, "what is it?" How disrespectful to them, they've spent all this time on it, to them it's obvious what it is. Instead I ask them "tell me about your painting!" Then they can choose whatever detail is important to them, whether it's the colour or the story behind it, whether it's a tangible object, or an emotion that drives that particular piece of art. It opens up a lot more talk.
Well, if I have learned nothing else I am grateful for this, because we do a lot of art around here and the question "what is it?" has never sat quite right with me. Though I never knew quite why. Now I know what I will say instead.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Stream of consciousness: Thursday night edition
So did you like that last video? Nothing like two kids going crazy over a tiny little red light so cruelly wielded by their prof dad. Actually, it *felt* cruel so we kept stopping, but the children would actually beg to continue the game, so.... on it went, for ages. Fun was had by all.
Everything is cool here. Looking forward to the WEEKEND. The first one in a while (a month or two) where we have NO PLANS. NO PLANS at all. Don't get me wrong, plans are great, and we've had some fabulous ones recently (J+E!) but man I am looking forward to doing nothing for a while. Nothing with my husband and kids, just hanging out. P.J.'s until noon sort of business. Our only goal is to assemble the patio furniture we picked up at IKEA this evening. I am prepping for a summer largely spent here in Minnesota, so it's about time we got a chair or two - I've been sitting on the back step for 2 years now whenever the kids are out to play. We did find a couple of chairs, and a child-size picnic table for the girls. I suppose they'll start wanting to eat all their meals outside soon. Am I crazy that I am not crazy for eating al fresco? I mean, I don't hate it, but I get so distracted. By bugs and stuff. Air, sunshine, breezes, you know.
It's the end of the day and I'm waiting for my tea. The Professor always makes the evening tea. He often makes the morning tea too (just a matter of who gets to the kitchen first), but always the evening tea. I don't know why I can't make tea at night. It's odd I know, but I've been serving children meals and snacks all day, running in and out of that kitchen, and now it's clean and done, I don't want to set foot in it again today. I'm quite happy to go without tea if he doesn't make any, but usually he does. It's just one of the many little kindnesses in this marriage of mine that I'm grateful for.
I went on a little ordering spree on Amazon.com recently, and am waiting patiently for some books to arrive... I had heard about this book from a couple of different sources and decided it was the time to bite the bullet and get it, The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule. I can't wait for this one. It's not just 'crafty' stuff, but a whole outlook that I really do want to impart to my children as they grow up.
This second one I ordered with the Lion Cub directly in mind, seeing as she is so interested in exploring her physical environment and loves the outdoors: I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature. This may come as a surprise (not), but I wasn't exactly an outdoor-sy kid. But my own kids are very comfortable outside and I'm impressed that they roll around on the ground and get muddy and stuff - even the Lamb in her finest clothes (I BITE my tongue every single day of my life not to say "don't get dirty!") So I would like to spend some quality time this summer actually teaching them something about nature and the world around them. But, as I found out this morning while trying to explain the sewer system to the Lamb ("THE PEE RUNS UNDER THE STREET????"), sometimes you need assistance. I am not an expert on everything. Or at least I am not expert enough to show them everything in a fun and creative way. Hence, book.
Third, and really I've wanted this book for them for a long time, and free shipping for orders over $25 was just the excuse to get it: Poetry Speaks to Children. It's a great anthology of poems for kids that I've read through many times on loan, but have coveted a copy for ourselves. It comes with a CD to listen along. I've included a poem from it here once or twice before. I'd love for them to have an appreciation for written verse. I secretly suspect that there lurks great poetry in the mind of our tender Lamb.
Did I order anything for myself? No, I did not. But I have Book Club tomorrow night with some neighbourhood ladies, and surely that will require a trip to Half-Price Books down the street or the library. We just finished reading a memoir by Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle. You can read more about it on Amazon, I found it fascinating and a good addictive read.
Well lovelies, my tea is completely finished and my eyes are starting to get heavy. I've missed blogging, hopefully we'll get back into it regularly again soon. Sweet dreams.
Everything is cool here. Looking forward to the WEEKEND. The first one in a while (a month or two) where we have NO PLANS. NO PLANS at all. Don't get me wrong, plans are great, and we've had some fabulous ones recently (J+E!) but man I am looking forward to doing nothing for a while. Nothing with my husband and kids, just hanging out. P.J.'s until noon sort of business. Our only goal is to assemble the patio furniture we picked up at IKEA this evening. I am prepping for a summer largely spent here in Minnesota, so it's about time we got a chair or two - I've been sitting on the back step for 2 years now whenever the kids are out to play. We did find a couple of chairs, and a child-size picnic table for the girls. I suppose they'll start wanting to eat all their meals outside soon. Am I crazy that I am not crazy for eating al fresco? I mean, I don't hate it, but I get so distracted. By bugs and stuff. Air, sunshine, breezes, you know.
It's the end of the day and I'm waiting for my tea. The Professor always makes the evening tea. He often makes the morning tea too (just a matter of who gets to the kitchen first), but always the evening tea. I don't know why I can't make tea at night. It's odd I know, but I've been serving children meals and snacks all day, running in and out of that kitchen, and now it's clean and done, I don't want to set foot in it again today. I'm quite happy to go without tea if he doesn't make any, but usually he does. It's just one of the many little kindnesses in this marriage of mine that I'm grateful for.
I went on a little ordering spree on Amazon.com recently, and am waiting patiently for some books to arrive... I had heard about this book from a couple of different sources and decided it was the time to bite the bullet and get it, The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule. I can't wait for this one. It's not just 'crafty' stuff, but a whole outlook that I really do want to impart to my children as they grow up.
This second one I ordered with the Lion Cub directly in mind, seeing as she is so interested in exploring her physical environment and loves the outdoors: I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature. This may come as a surprise (not), but I wasn't exactly an outdoor-sy kid. But my own kids are very comfortable outside and I'm impressed that they roll around on the ground and get muddy and stuff - even the Lamb in her finest clothes (I BITE my tongue every single day of my life not to say "don't get dirty!") So I would like to spend some quality time this summer actually teaching them something about nature and the world around them. But, as I found out this morning while trying to explain the sewer system to the Lamb ("THE PEE RUNS UNDER THE STREET????"), sometimes you need assistance. I am not an expert on everything. Or at least I am not expert enough to show them everything in a fun and creative way. Hence, book.
Third, and really I've wanted this book for them for a long time, and free shipping for orders over $25 was just the excuse to get it: Poetry Speaks to Children. It's a great anthology of poems for kids that I've read through many times on loan, but have coveted a copy for ourselves. It comes with a CD to listen along. I've included a poem from it here once or twice before. I'd love for them to have an appreciation for written verse. I secretly suspect that there lurks great poetry in the mind of our tender Lamb.
Did I order anything for myself? No, I did not. But I have Book Club tomorrow night with some neighbourhood ladies, and surely that will require a trip to Half-Price Books down the street or the library. We just finished reading a memoir by Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle. You can read more about it on Amazon, I found it fascinating and a good addictive read.
Well lovelies, my tea is completely finished and my eyes are starting to get heavy. I've missed blogging, hopefully we'll get back into it regularly again soon. Sweet dreams.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
it's all new
Welcome April!
Two months ago I wrote this post, basically in relief that the worst of the winter was presumably over. I was SO WRONG. But there you go, none of us knew how hard and long this winter would be. I guess I may have jinxed it. Sorry about that.
April Fool's Day today. Meh. Not big on that one, though I did consider surprising one or two friends, but they would see right through me. Not a brilliant liar. I thought about calling my engaged friend and fibbing some sort of wedding-related disaster... but I'll bet she was primed and ready for possible April Fool's jokes being the Queen of them herself (remember that time you "fainted" in the high school hallway? Classic babe.) So there we go, another "holiday" passed by the 'Loojee household without ceremony. :)
So did I tell you yet about the Lamb's dentist appointment? It was her first. Yes, I know that she probably should've gone last year, but I was really waiting for her to mature a little bit (ie. not be HYSTERICAL) before we went for a new (and possibly intimidating) experience. It went well. We took her to a pediatric dentist and they were kind, yet quick and efficient. They let her play with all the tools and play with the chair. They assured us that we could stop the appointment should the Lamb become uncomfortable or upset at any time, but (wisely) were so fast and quick moving that really I don't think that she realized she could arrest the momentum at any time.
As I thought might happen, I did have to sit in the dentist chair with her. Which was uncomfortable somewhat, but it kept us out of that crucial zone of paralyzing fear and anxiety, so it was worth it. Dentistry has changed quite a bit I think... I was expecting a small, sterile room with one chair but instead walked into the fast-food version of children's dentistry, at least six or seven chairs, each with a child and dental hygienist in attendance, and one dentist that hopped between them as needed. The Lamb's fluoride treatment was not a disgusting bumblegum flavoured goo in an over-sized mouth tray. (Remember sitting there for 10 minutes trying not to let the goo drip down your throat and gag you?) Her teeth were painted with a little brush (chocolate pudding flavour) within a minute. After it was all over they sent us home with the nifty Polaroid photo above and a loot bag.
The Lion Cub was very receptive to the experience and wanted to sit in the chair and have her teeth counted just like her big sister. Just as well that she was interested really, because the Professor and I stumbled upon this scene a day or two later:
The Lamb had pulled her reading light down from her bookshelf and they were Playing Dentist. A couple of things strike me about this scene. One is that I try to imagine the discourse leading up to it. Little Cub certainly didn't come up with the idea herself, so her older sister must have led her over to the bed, tucked her in and brought the light down. Obviously the game is understood between them both and it is a willing partnership. Everyone promised me that they would play together being close enough in age - alhamdulillah I think we have finally arrived at that stage. They have a relationship, interactions that do not necessitate me. It is lovely to watch most of the time. I wish I had been a fly on the wall watching this situation as it came about.
The second thing that I enjoy contemplating when I see this is how children make sense of their worlds through play. I see it constantly that new situations, snippets of dialogue, facts of interest make their way into their imaginative play every day. It's fascinating how something like this new experience at the dentist rolls around their minds for days, weeks afterwards, periodically popping up in conversation, their role playing, with their dolls, or the books they want to read. At this point in their lives they are not conforming to any one way of assimilating knowledge. And there's no rush, no test. They get to do it at their own pace, alone or with friends, standing up or running, exploring or quietly contemplating. Sometimes I wish they would be children forever.
Two months ago I wrote this post, basically in relief that the worst of the winter was presumably over. I was SO WRONG. But there you go, none of us knew how hard and long this winter would be. I guess I may have jinxed it. Sorry about that.
April Fool's Day today. Meh. Not big on that one, though I did consider surprising one or two friends, but they would see right through me. Not a brilliant liar. I thought about calling my engaged friend and fibbing some sort of wedding-related disaster... but I'll bet she was primed and ready for possible April Fool's jokes being the Queen of them herself (remember that time you "fainted" in the high school hallway? Classic babe.) So there we go, another "holiday" passed by the 'Loojee household without ceremony. :)
So did I tell you yet about the Lamb's dentist appointment? It was her first. Yes, I know that she probably should've gone last year, but I was really waiting for her to mature a little bit (ie. not be HYSTERICAL) before we went for a new (and possibly intimidating) experience. It went well. We took her to a pediatric dentist and they were kind, yet quick and efficient. They let her play with all the tools and play with the chair. They assured us that we could stop the appointment should the Lamb become uncomfortable or upset at any time, but (wisely) were so fast and quick moving that really I don't think that she realized she could arrest the momentum at any time.
As I thought might happen, I did have to sit in the dentist chair with her. Which was uncomfortable somewhat, but it kept us out of that crucial zone of paralyzing fear and anxiety, so it was worth it. Dentistry has changed quite a bit I think... I was expecting a small, sterile room with one chair but instead walked into the fast-food version of children's dentistry, at least six or seven chairs, each with a child and dental hygienist in attendance, and one dentist that hopped between them as needed. The Lamb's fluoride treatment was not a disgusting bumblegum flavoured goo in an over-sized mouth tray. (Remember sitting there for 10 minutes trying not to let the goo drip down your throat and gag you?) Her teeth were painted with a little brush (chocolate pudding flavour) within a minute. After it was all over they sent us home with the nifty Polaroid photo above and a loot bag.
The Lion Cub was very receptive to the experience and wanted to sit in the chair and have her teeth counted just like her big sister. Just as well that she was interested really, because the Professor and I stumbled upon this scene a day or two later:
The Lamb had pulled her reading light down from her bookshelf and they were Playing Dentist. A couple of things strike me about this scene. One is that I try to imagine the discourse leading up to it. Little Cub certainly didn't come up with the idea herself, so her older sister must have led her over to the bed, tucked her in and brought the light down. Obviously the game is understood between them both and it is a willing partnership. Everyone promised me that they would play together being close enough in age - alhamdulillah I think we have finally arrived at that stage. They have a relationship, interactions that do not necessitate me. It is lovely to watch most of the time. I wish I had been a fly on the wall watching this situation as it came about.
The second thing that I enjoy contemplating when I see this is how children make sense of their worlds through play. I see it constantly that new situations, snippets of dialogue, facts of interest make their way into their imaginative play every day. It's fascinating how something like this new experience at the dentist rolls around their minds for days, weeks afterwards, periodically popping up in conversation, their role playing, with their dolls, or the books they want to read. At this point in their lives they are not conforming to any one way of assimilating knowledge. And there's no rush, no test. They get to do it at their own pace, alone or with friends, standing up or running, exploring or quietly contemplating. Sometimes I wish they would be children forever.
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