01 June 2007
29 May 2007
All Before 8AM
Read a book, ate bo-nana, cleaned up cereal, watched a backhoe and a bobcat in action.
Never knew that holding my boy in my lap, outside, on a muggy morning, could be so beautiful.
Never knew that holding my boy in my lap, outside, on a muggy morning, could be so beautiful.
01 May 2007
06 November 2006
Job-related Risk
Every job has its hazards, but none so humbling and dangerous as this:
I was grooming my son's toenails last night when a shard landed in my eye.
I was grooming my son's toenails last night when a shard landed in my eye.
24 October 2006
Happy DiDi, Mama!
On Saturday I turned one-quarter of a century. 25. I'm not feeling too old, in case you're wondering. In fact, I feel just about right.
John and Tommy made french toast for breakfast that day, and John worked pretty hard to get Tommy to offer birthday congrats. What came out was, "Happy DiDi!!" Pretty close.
Then, this morning, we had waffles with syrup, which Tommy confused for french toast. "Happy DiDi!!" he exclaimed. After all, syrup must mean it's my birthday again.
I like the way this kid thinks...
John and Tommy made french toast for breakfast that day, and John worked pretty hard to get Tommy to offer birthday congrats. What came out was, "Happy DiDi!!" Pretty close.
Then, this morning, we had waffles with syrup, which Tommy confused for french toast. "Happy DiDi!!" he exclaimed. After all, syrup must mean it's my birthday again.
I like the way this kid thinks...
23 October 2006
Materialism: The Reason for the Season
I have to admit I'm already pretty well prepared for the gift-buying season. I have a list of what I'm buying for who, and (to toot my own horn a bit) I have already figured out what I'm getting for those my most difficult-to-shop-for category.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Tommy, of course. I can barely go into a toy store or think about Christmas without wanting to buy him just about every toy out there. Ok, I am exaggerating a little. First of all, I definitely do not want to buy him any of the Noisy Toys out there, and that's almost all of them. Second of all, I do have a pared-down sense of what is needed, compared to most parents, so I don't think I'm going overboard. Still, I haven't bought him a thing yet. I think the longer I wait, the less likelihood of excess...
And also, days like today come when I realize that getting him more toys won't occupy him any more than those he already has do. In fact, he has spent the last 45 minutes playing on the living room rug as quietly as a mouse with just 3 items:
1.) A cup,
2.) A brush, and
3.) A rubber duck.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Tommy, of course. I can barely go into a toy store or think about Christmas without wanting to buy him just about every toy out there. Ok, I am exaggerating a little. First of all, I definitely do not want to buy him any of the Noisy Toys out there, and that's almost all of them. Second of all, I do have a pared-down sense of what is needed, compared to most parents, so I don't think I'm going overboard. Still, I haven't bought him a thing yet. I think the longer I wait, the less likelihood of excess...
And also, days like today come when I realize that getting him more toys won't occupy him any more than those he already has do. In fact, he has spent the last 45 minutes playing on the living room rug as quietly as a mouse with just 3 items:
1.) A cup,
2.) A brush, and
3.) A rubber duck.
20 October 2006
Are You Mischievous? Are You Curious?
There's nothing in the world like making your kid squeal with delight. Especially when all it takes is cutting a picture of his favorite cartoon from the paper.
"Monkme! Monkme! Monkme!"
13 October 2006
Occupational Responsibilities
Things to Add to my Resume
(Or, what I have been doing since I haven't posted in forever)
*Scrubbing chocolate chip cookie residue out of every orifice of Tommy's body
It's shocking how much talent it actually takes to do this when your toddler is running away from you.
*Teaching Tommy the ABCs.
So far, he can get to D.
*Working out at the Best Gym Ever.
Let me remind you that it is heavenly for a mother to drop her kid off for an hour of relaxation and know he is safe. And, can I get an extra round of kudos because I somehow drag my pregnant self out of bed for this, against all odd?
*Avoiding finishing touches around the house.
We still don't have window treatments or hand towel hooks or the painting hung that has been sitting on our bedroom floor for over 2 months.
*Covering pumpkins in very fine glitter.
I got this idea from Martha Stewart, and since I like to christen a house by getting as much glitter around the place as possible, it was fitting.
(Or, what I have been doing since I haven't posted in forever)
*Scrubbing chocolate chip cookie residue out of every orifice of Tommy's body
It's shocking how much talent it actually takes to do this when your toddler is running away from you.
*Teaching Tommy the ABCs.
So far, he can get to D.
*Working out at the Best Gym Ever.
Let me remind you that it is heavenly for a mother to drop her kid off for an hour of relaxation and know he is safe. And, can I get an extra round of kudos because I somehow drag my pregnant self out of bed for this, against all odd?
*Avoiding finishing touches around the house.
We still don't have window treatments or hand towel hooks or the painting hung that has been sitting on our bedroom floor for over 2 months.
*Covering pumpkins in very fine glitter.
I got this idea from Martha Stewart, and since I like to christen a house by getting as much glitter around the place as possible, it was fitting.
02 September 2006
Back to Me
One of the difficult things about just having ONE child* is that children are not fools: they covet your attention 100% of the time. At least, this is what I find with Tommy. He will NOT sit quietly and read books so I can fold the laundry. He will NOT play with trucks so I can take a shower. No, he must explore the dangerous laundry room by my side or peek his little head in through the shower curtain, leaning himself into a stream of water.
Mostly this attribute is exasperating, but sometimes it is endearing. Yesterday, for instance, Tommy sat on my lap while I was watching the 5 o'clock news and realized my attention wasn't on him.
And then he grabbed my chin and physically turned my head back toward him as if to say, I am the main attraction here, Mama.
*So, if you suffer from this persistent annoyance, like me, you could just have two children. For that reason. Haha. Or you could rent two cousins from down the block. They are also quite distracting.
Mostly this attribute is exasperating, but sometimes it is endearing. Yesterday, for instance, Tommy sat on my lap while I was watching the 5 o'clock news and realized my attention wasn't on him.
And then he grabbed my chin and physically turned my head back toward him as if to say, I am the main attraction here, Mama.
*So, if you suffer from this persistent annoyance, like me, you could just have two children. For that reason. Haha. Or you could rent two cousins from down the block. They are also quite distracting.
24 August 2006
23 August 2006
Ode to Shel Silverstein
Family for sale,
Family for sale,
One certified, drama-ful family for sale.
You can't be too choosy,
You can't be too booze-y
to handle my lunatic family for sale!
Family for sale,
One certified, drama-ful family for sale.
You can't be too choosy,
You can't be too booze-y
to handle my lunatic family for sale!
16 August 2006
Honey, I'm Home
We're finally in our new place.
It feels a little empty here in country suburbia. We have beautiful sunsets and lovely farmland and a bonified old-school downtown.
We have new paint and light fixtures, squishy carpet, and a dining room table I'm afraid to eat on.
We need some pictures on the walls, though. And maybe just that sense of "home" that takes time to build in a place. How many dinners or walks to the park? Or maybe we just need Eunice's window treatments.
It feels a little empty here in country suburbia. We have beautiful sunsets and lovely farmland and a bonified old-school downtown.
We have new paint and light fixtures, squishy carpet, and a dining room table I'm afraid to eat on.
We need some pictures on the walls, though. And maybe just that sense of "home" that takes time to build in a place. How many dinners or walks to the park? Or maybe we just need Eunice's window treatments.
07 August 2006
03 August 2006
Grown Up
I have been watching more than my share of daytime talk shows this week. What else are you supposed to do between constant eating, sleeping, and puking? Anyway, the Opera show today actually had a one-liner worth thinking about:
You're grown-up when you love someone else more than you love yourself.
How many people can really love others more than themselves? Can you only love one person that much, or can you be so mature that you even love your enemies that much?*
I know I wouldn't be so foolish as to believe I'd attained this maturity in any sort of high regard. Truly, I love my husband and son and parents and siblings that much, but how far the love goes...I don't know. Would I be or am I really there for others around me when they need comfort? Am I more worried about others' welfare than my own?
I don't know a lot of grown-up people my age, using this definition. There are a few, but there are a lot more who seem to be concerned about their own success, their own time, their own agendas. Sometimes I wish I could be more like that... It would be easier, less painful, I think.
*And if, like me, you wish more people understood that kind of love in relation to YOU...are you the opposite of mature? Or do you just need love?
You're grown-up when you love someone else more than you love yourself.
How many people can really love others more than themselves? Can you only love one person that much, or can you be so mature that you even love your enemies that much?*
I know I wouldn't be so foolish as to believe I'd attained this maturity in any sort of high regard. Truly, I love my husband and son and parents and siblings that much, but how far the love goes...I don't know. Would I be or am I really there for others around me when they need comfort? Am I more worried about others' welfare than my own?
I don't know a lot of grown-up people my age, using this definition. There are a few, but there are a lot more who seem to be concerned about their own success, their own time, their own agendas. Sometimes I wish I could be more like that... It would be easier, less painful, I think.
*And if, like me, you wish more people understood that kind of love in relation to YOU...are you the opposite of mature? Or do you just need love?
01 August 2006
Bonkers
Everyone is bonkers at this house. Me, being driven crazy. Mom, being driven crazy by me. Tommy, bonking his own head repeatedly into any hard object he can find.
Yes, you read that correctly.
My son chose this week, the week I want to show him off to a bunch of friends and also present him to John's coworkers and clients, to start Head Bonking Syndrome. If he is mad at me or just frustrated in general, he whacks his forehead fairly ceaselessly into the ground.
Incidentally, head bonking is not that rare amongst kids his age. Wouldn't you know that boys are 3-4 times as likely to do it than girls? We would never want to distort our complexion more than nature already has.
I guess I'm supposed to trust that Tommy won't hurt himself too badly, and I'm supposed to ignore his behavior as attention will be his desired result.
Good times. Maybe I should find some baby-scented cover-up for his gigantic bruise.
Yes, you read that correctly.
My son chose this week, the week I want to show him off to a bunch of friends and also present him to John's coworkers and clients, to start Head Bonking Syndrome. If he is mad at me or just frustrated in general, he whacks his forehead fairly ceaselessly into the ground.
Incidentally, head bonking is not that rare amongst kids his age. Wouldn't you know that boys are 3-4 times as likely to do it than girls? We would never want to distort our complexion more than nature already has.
I guess I'm supposed to trust that Tommy won't hurt himself too badly, and I'm supposed to ignore his behavior as attention will be his desired result.
Good times. Maybe I should find some baby-scented cover-up for his gigantic bruise.
23 July 2006
Bliss
It was a long day. Every day is that way when you're pregnant. I was so tired I stumbled to wash my face and pull my flannel pajamas onto my worn-out body.
There was just enough room in the moment for one perfect sentence.
Even in the dark, I can see you're beautiful.
How does he get it right?
There was just enough room in the moment for one perfect sentence.
Even in the dark, I can see you're beautiful.
How does he get it right?
The Great Jade Caper
Grandpa always is the kind of person who solves his own problems. Too little space in this house? Knock out a wall! Too few bathrooms? Install a hallway sink! Missing phone calls while you're on the porch swing? Answer a telephone-on-a-pole as you while the hours away. This is the mentality which still kept ahold Grandpa when, several years ago, the Great Jade disappeared.
It was a large plant, the kind it would take two or three or four men to carry. It was expensive, too: a jade that had multiplied and flourished through years of care by an expert gardener. It sat there on the busy street of buzzing traffic, protected by fencing but apparently not unseen by jealous neighbors.
And then it was gone. Grandpa awoke one morning to note that the jade had mystically disappeared. Who could carry that mammoth pot away in the dark of the night? As Grandpa stood on his front stoop marvelling the strength of the thieves, he noticed the jade had left a clue: a trickling path of dirt and leaves heading off the property!
That's all it took for the caper to unfold.
Grandpa must've had a quickened step in his leather loafers that morning, chuckling to himself at the idiocy of whomever made away with his Great Jade. The trail of plant life led a block or two away to a few apartment units of questionable status. And when Grandpa looked up one, two, three floors, it was there. The Great Jade stood, a trophy upon a third floor balcony.
Grandpa shook his head and walked amusedly home.
"Well, let's just march up there and get the plant!" A neighbor said.
"Are you a fool?" Grandpa replied, "Whoever took that plant is stronger than you and me and we aren't gonna face him. I already called the police. That jade will be mine again."
And so it was. And so it was.
It was a large plant, the kind it would take two or three or four men to carry. It was expensive, too: a jade that had multiplied and flourished through years of care by an expert gardener. It sat there on the busy street of buzzing traffic, protected by fencing but apparently not unseen by jealous neighbors.
And then it was gone. Grandpa awoke one morning to note that the jade had mystically disappeared. Who could carry that mammoth pot away in the dark of the night? As Grandpa stood on his front stoop marvelling the strength of the thieves, he noticed the jade had left a clue: a trickling path of dirt and leaves heading off the property!
That's all it took for the caper to unfold.
Grandpa must've had a quickened step in his leather loafers that morning, chuckling to himself at the idiocy of whomever made away with his Great Jade. The trail of plant life led a block or two away to a few apartment units of questionable status. And when Grandpa looked up one, two, three floors, it was there. The Great Jade stood, a trophy upon a third floor balcony.
Grandpa shook his head and walked amusedly home.
"Well, let's just march up there and get the plant!" A neighbor said.
"Are you a fool?" Grandpa replied, "Whoever took that plant is stronger than you and me and we aren't gonna face him. I already called the police. That jade will be mine again."
And so it was. And so it was.
13 June 2006
03 June 2006
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