What the Teacher Says

I just returned from Lucy's playgroup, where several of the moms discussed recent parent-teacher conferences for their pre-schoolers. Don't teachers know that moms (especially first-time ones) get worked up about these information sessions? Don't they know we all want to hear a little bit of good about our children with the bad?

The theme of several of these conferences seemed to be turning introverted kids into extroverts. The moms involved felt badly, as if they hadn't done a good enough job socializing their child in pre-school preparation. What? Pre-school preparation? Taught socialization? Aren't some of these things supposed to be natural?

For moms out there with shy children, don't fret. You child is not alone, and is not even a minority in being shy. Almost ALL the kids in Tommy's pre-school class are introverted. They are little sweethearts who have to warm up to someone before answering questions or giving a hug. And this is not a bad thing.

I have often said my kids could use a good shot o' shy. They would walk away with any stranger who had candy or promised them a quarter to ride the mall fire engine.

Sigh. If only the teachers knew how much of our time is spent worrying. Perhaps they'd change their tactics...

Talking Phenom

Don't tell everyone I'm bragging, but Lucy really is a talking phenom. Here are some of the things she's said to me in the last 24 hours. Remember---she's only 21 months.

"I want Mommy's cereal! I'm hungry!!"

"Jimmy's crying, Mom. Why??"

"I want a drink!! All gone. Want more!!"

"Where Tommy go? Tommy's at school."

Seriously, people. Just sign her up for Genius Club.

Growing Up

The other night, Tommy and I went on our usual adventure to the library. Except it wasn't usual, because the winter had darkened the skies. And we were alone. We are rarely alone in the car, Tommy and I. Usually there's a Jimmy screaming and a snooking Lucy along.

Tommy was nervous about the darkness. "It's nighttime, Mom! The library will be locked." He was surprised when I grabbed his hand and we raced past the dried-up fountain into the warm light of an open library.

We read together, late at night. Tommy snuggled into my lap and chose a book about tigers and another about an umbrella. This second book was written unusually, in broken English, from the perspective of a Japanese immigrant. She wrote about her daughter's first umbrella, something she longed to use. Something she waited for and finally attained.

And then, in the end, the broken English revealed something that clutched at my heart: in using her umbrella the first time, this little girl had her first experience of walking up and down the streets without holding either her mom and dad's hand.

And then I realized that Tommy has already had that experience this fall, without me even consciously planning it.

Where does it go? How do kids make that leap from toddler to kid? He did it when I wasn't looking. He did it by taking screwdrivers to the underside of telephone cradles, to figure out how they worked. He did it by sneaking baking chocolates upstairs, not knowing his stealthy move wouldn't be tasty. He did it by running off to school each morning, unafraid, into Mrs. McDonald's room to learn about God and frogs and sharing.

He's a real boy now.

Cuatro

Dear Jimmy,

My sweetheart is four months old! I know you are growing because your strong legs have lengthened, and your skinny fingers seem almost as long as Lucy's. You are kicking and moving your arms all the time. You haven't rolled over since your first few rolls, but I bet you will be back to that in no time.

This month has been exciting for all of us, as you've become more animated and interested in the world around you. You laugh for Daddy, and you squeal when Lucy or Tommy run to your side. They love to sit by you when you're exercising underneath your new Scary Bear equipment. Of course, Mama is still your No. 1. I have that captivating affect on babies when I'm their sole nourishment. :)


While you've been practicing moving and making new sounds, the rest of the country has been preoccupied with the recent presidential election. Although Dad and I didn't vote for him, President-elect Barack Obama is surely making history in our nation as the first African American on his way to the oval office. We disagree with some of his policies, but we can not deny that this feat is an amazing step towards acknowledging the dignity shared by all human life. Hopefully that theme can continue on in many ways through his term.

The world has changed in many ways since your birth, Jimmy. People are worried right now for the future. The economy is in a slump unseen since the Great Depression. We don't really know how bad things could get, or when they will improve.

One thing that hasn't changed, though, is that the gift of life---in the form of a baby---can life spirits and bring joy. Wherever I take you, people sigh and smile to see your tiny form. Whenever you gurgle, you melt away a bit of discontent and offer us older souls a small, new beginning. I suppose this is reflected, too, in your Baptism.


It is late, my Jimmy. You are sleeping soundly upstairs, sucking your fingers and perfectly content in your bassinet. Daddy and Tom and Lucy sleep, too, and that I shall do in a moment.

But I love you, Jimmy. I want you to know that even when I'm exhausted and tired, my heart is beating for you. My little Jimster. It seems to go faster all the time.

Yours,
Mama

A Life-Changing Morning

From my Facebook status:

Anne just broke the news to Tommy. I tried to tell him Obama was a good man, but he claimed, "I don't WANT that man!! I want John McCain!!"

An Attempt

Sometimes I long for adult conversation during the day.

Me: So, Tom, who do you think will be our next president?
Tom: [sighs] I don't want to talk about it!!!
Me: [waiting to hear profound insight] Why not?
Tom: I'm eating these goldfish!!!