Vini vidi vici.
We came, we saw, we conquered: what’s the children’s version of that one? Because Monkey and Jellybean had one hell of a good vacation! They had both sets of grandparents’ wrapped around their pinkies. And that is as it should be.
Some highlights:
Jellybean rapturous with joy and wonder, watching ‘Andpa play the guitar
Monkey screeching for joy when Granddad or Nana turned the sprinkler on for the bounce slide & pool combination
Monkey begging for one more Grandma-made muffin “for the road”
Jellybean leaning out of the arms of whoever was holding her, anytime Nana or Grandma walked by…just begging to be cuddled one more time
Jellybean mastering the stairs (up only) and climbing them again and again at ‘Andpa and Grandma’s house
Monkey climbing up on the piano bench and pounding away at both grandparent households
Me taking so many photos I (first time ever) ran out of space on the CF card!
Photos to follow, I promise. As soon as I catch my breath.
Monday, August 31, 2009
On Milestone Charts
Milestone charts were a secret obsession of mine when Monkey was little. I read them ALL THE TIME to make sure Monkey was doing OK. Or to obsess because she *might* be delayed, or better yet gloat because she *might* be ahead woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gentle readers – no one will know, you can nod your head in silent recognition of your version of this common malady…..
No, really - go ahead, I’ll wait a moment................
..............
................
OK, we can move on now.
This time around, I might remember to check in once or twice, but I now realize their value. They are truly helpful at…………driving traffic to those websites. Aaaaaaaand, that’s about it.
Because really, sometimes they are SO wrong it is pitiful.
To wit: one popular website (cough cough cough BabyCenter cough) lists 16 months as the point that “most” children have temper tantrums when they are frustrated.
Jellybean already does that. She’s 8.5 months old.
Yeah, um, so I don’t know if I want to gloat about my baby being “advanced” on that one. Kind of feels like a karmic bite in the ass, if you know what I mean.
Gentle readers – no one will know, you can nod your head in silent recognition of your version of this common malady…..
No, really - go ahead, I’ll wait a moment................
..............
................
OK, we can move on now.
This time around, I might remember to check in once or twice, but I now realize their value. They are truly helpful at…………driving traffic to those websites. Aaaaaaaand, that’s about it.
Because really, sometimes they are SO wrong it is pitiful.
To wit: one popular website (cough cough cough BabyCenter cough) lists 16 months as the point that “most” children have temper tantrums when they are frustrated.
Jellybean already does that. She’s 8.5 months old.
Yeah, um, so I don’t know if I want to gloat about my baby being “advanced” on that one. Kind of feels like a karmic bite in the ass, if you know what I mean.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Time keeps on slipping, slippin' slippin'... into the future
Today is Monkey and Jellybean's last day of summer camp at school.
For Monkey, it marks a transition from "toddler" to early childhood. Jellybean will continue in the infant room, but she's going to walk (sooner than later, to keep up with her sister). And this feels like a big deal to me. I know, it's not exactly graduation from college, but it is a moment in time that needs to be marked never the less.
Mostly because OH MAH GAWD when did they grow up on me? Seriously? They are this big ALREADY? But.....they are my babies!
I remember sleepless nights with Monkey thinking dawn would never break. I remember cradling Jellybean's tiny little hands in my hands, wondering at how a creature so beautiful and durable could be so small and fragile.
And now I have these two KIDS.
Ok, granted, Monkey is barely 3 and Jellybean hasn't even hit 9 months yet, but boy do the days fly by.
Monkey haggles like a senior litigator, sleeps like a teenager, and wants to paint her fingernails red. Jellybean shows her teeth when she grins, desperately wants to walk, and knows how to work a room. They are impossibly small and yet impossibly grown up.
And I love them both dearly. Not a day goes by where I can't believe how lucky I am to be their mom. And how grateful I am to have M as my husband and their father.
For Monkey, it marks a transition from "toddler" to early childhood. Jellybean will continue in the infant room, but she's going to walk (sooner than later, to keep up with her sister). And this feels like a big deal to me. I know, it's not exactly graduation from college, but it is a moment in time that needs to be marked never the less.
Mostly because OH MAH GAWD when did they grow up on me? Seriously? They are this big ALREADY? But.....they are my babies!
I remember sleepless nights with Monkey thinking dawn would never break. I remember cradling Jellybean's tiny little hands in my hands, wondering at how a creature so beautiful and durable could be so small and fragile.
And now I have these two KIDS.
Ok, granted, Monkey is barely 3 and Jellybean hasn't even hit 9 months yet, but boy do the days fly by.
Monkey haggles like a senior litigator, sleeps like a teenager, and wants to paint her fingernails red. Jellybean shows her teeth when she grins, desperately wants to walk, and knows how to work a room. They are impossibly small and yet impossibly grown up.
And I love them both dearly. Not a day goes by where I can't believe how lucky I am to be their mom. And how grateful I am to have M as my husband and their father.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Great Paper Chase
Otherwise known as the pre-K admission process in Manhattan.
Next week we go on vacation. There’s a family reunion for my mother-in-law's family, a celebration for my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary, there’s a party for my family (both my dad’s and mom’s) to meet Jellybean for the first time….and oh yes, while we are there we also have to write our essay answers for Monkey’s pre-k school applications.
That's right. Essay answers. On applications for pre-K. Seriously. But these are pre-Ks associated with schools that continue, some through 8th grade and others all the way through 12th grade, so I understand.....but still. Gah!
I was (after a glass of wine) imagining the most horrible answers I could write:
Please describe the adults that are important to your child:
Well, there’s the wino on the corner named Kevin. Monkey loves to wave hello and make him smile each morning as we pass him on the way to the bus stop; it’s only when we get too close that she wrinkles her nose and comments on how he smells funny. They share a common love of ice cream, flirting with strangers, and bugging mommy for quarters to buy a treat.
Um, yeah. So maybe it was more than one glass?
Next week we go on vacation. There’s a family reunion for my mother-in-law's family, a celebration for my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary, there’s a party for my family (both my dad’s and mom’s) to meet Jellybean for the first time….and oh yes, while we are there we also have to write our essay answers for Monkey’s pre-k school applications.
That's right. Essay answers. On applications for pre-K. Seriously. But these are pre-Ks associated with schools that continue, some through 8th grade and others all the way through 12th grade, so I understand.....but still. Gah!
I was (after a glass of wine) imagining the most horrible answers I could write:
Please describe the adults that are important to your child:
Well, there’s the wino on the corner named Kevin. Monkey loves to wave hello and make him smile each morning as we pass him on the way to the bus stop; it’s only when we get too close that she wrinkles her nose and comments on how he smells funny. They share a common love of ice cream, flirting with strangers, and bugging mommy for quarters to buy a treat.
Um, yeah. So maybe it was more than one glass?
A ha!
I figured it out.
Monkey wanted her toes painted because Bunny had her toes painted when she visited us!
Oh lordy. Keeping up with cool kids, already.
Monkey wanted her toes painted because Bunny had her toes painted when she visited us!
Oh lordy. Keeping up with cool kids, already.
Twinkle Toes
Monkey has been bugging me to paint her toes for a while.
So, last Monday night I painted her toes. A bright iridescent reddish pink. Just like mommy! (You Rock-apulco Red! by Opi, if you must know...)
She was grinning, ear to ear, like I've never seen her grin before. You'd have thought I just handed her the keys to heaven....or daddy's heart. Daddy, by the way, groaned and claimed he'd gotten older, just watching his baby girl morph into a teenager before his eyes......
Turns out that Tuesday at school, when they went to the playground to frolic in the sprinklers, she wouldn't get in. This, from the girl who usually LEADS the charge into the sprinklers! Plus that day it got into the 90s and was super hot and muggy.
But no. She told Jenna, her beloved teacher, that she "didn't want to get her toes dirty." Apparently it took over 30 minutes to break down her resolve!
Grandma Larson is going to bond with Monkey on our coming vacation. She, too, LOVES to have pretty toes.
So, last Monday night I painted her toes. A bright iridescent reddish pink. Just like mommy! (You Rock-apulco Red! by Opi, if you must know...)
She was grinning, ear to ear, like I've never seen her grin before. You'd have thought I just handed her the keys to heaven....or daddy's heart. Daddy, by the way, groaned and claimed he'd gotten older, just watching his baby girl morph into a teenager before his eyes......
Turns out that Tuesday at school, when they went to the playground to frolic in the sprinklers, she wouldn't get in. This, from the girl who usually LEADS the charge into the sprinklers! Plus that day it got into the 90s and was super hot and muggy.
But no. She told Jenna, her beloved teacher, that she "didn't want to get her toes dirty." Apparently it took over 30 minutes to break down her resolve!
Grandma Larson is going to bond with Monkey on our coming vacation. She, too, LOVES to have pretty toes.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Magic
The stories inside Monkey's head are magical. Full of laughter, and imagination, made up words and wacky strangeness.
I understand why the Dr. Suess stories are so appealing to her.....her brain thinks like that, too.
This morning she lagged behind on the way to the bus stop, because, as she put it, she needed to lock the door so the polar bears wouldn't get out while they were sleeping. This was in reference to a padlock hangling idly on the side of a window...
Yesterday she left the room and shut the door because..... I was at the dentist, and I didn't need to go with her because she's older than me.
She has mentioned repeatedly that Jellybean needs to share her teething toy, Sophie the giraffe, because she (Monkey) needs to teach her how to talk (by squeezing the toy and making it squeek).
She cooks dinosaurs with carrots....
Elephants live in trees.....
Princesses are known as dancerinas....
Life is very, very interesting to a three year old!
I understand why the Dr. Suess stories are so appealing to her.....her brain thinks like that, too.
This morning she lagged behind on the way to the bus stop, because, as she put it, she needed to lock the door so the polar bears wouldn't get out while they were sleeping. This was in reference to a padlock hangling idly on the side of a window...
Yesterday she left the room and shut the door because..... I was at the dentist, and I didn't need to go with her because she's older than me.
She has mentioned repeatedly that Jellybean needs to share her teething toy, Sophie the giraffe, because she (Monkey) needs to teach her how to talk (by squeezing the toy and making it squeek).
She cooks dinosaurs with carrots....
Elephants live in trees.....
Princesses are known as dancerinas....
Life is very, very interesting to a three year old!
Monday, August 17, 2009
I knew there had to be a catch....
The downside to a highly intelligent, verbal child, is that they use your words (and methods) against you.
To wit:
Last night, M was giving Monkey a bath. When it was time to depart the tub, she declined. After much negotiation, M initiated the "count-down" to a time-out. (As in, I'm going to count down from 5 and if you haven't done [whatever] by the time I finish, you get a time-out). Usually this works like a charm.
But, last night it didn't work.
Upon hearing his pronouncement, mid-count, Monkey turned to M and said:
"I appreciate [your offer of a time-out], but I'm not done with my work here."
To wit:
Last night, M was giving Monkey a bath. When it was time to depart the tub, she declined. After much negotiation, M initiated the "count-down" to a time-out. (As in, I'm going to count down from 5 and if you haven't done [whatever] by the time I finish, you get a time-out). Usually this works like a charm.
But, last night it didn't work.
Upon hearing his pronouncement, mid-count, Monkey turned to M and said:
"I appreciate [your offer of a time-out], but I'm not done with my work here."
Monday, August 10, 2009
And oh crap we need to babyproof - and now!
Because Jellybean is on the move!
On the move.... from MamaCarter on Vimeo.
CHOMp chomp
And. and. and.....
Not only is Jellybean crawling....she has TWO teeth!
CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
Not only is Jellybean crawling....she has TWO teeth!
CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dinosaur Fricassee
Two week ends ago our best friends visited. We had a wonderful time, despite the psychotic NYC weather; hot, then rainy, then hot, then rainy
ButWhyMommy, Bubs and Bunny all stayed with us. Yes, there were 7 people (and one cat!) in our apartment. Sleeping arrangements were....a bit different than we had anticipated, but now we know that Bubs can sleep on the carpet if tired enough. (And for the record, NO. I do not make a habit of making my guests sleep on the floor..but look, when their OWN KID kicks them out of bed, whattaya gonna do? But I digress).
Bunny is obsessed with dinosaurs. She has a lovey stuffed animal Triceratops, and another one with some sort of a duck bill she calls Machine (my own knowledge of dinosaurs fails me here), and again - she LOVES dinosaurs. A lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. Which is why she was so happy to see that Monkey has a collection of small plastic dinosaurs.
Unfortunately, Monkey has a very slightly different idea how to play with these dinosaurs. Which is to say that she was cooking them on her play-kitchen,"with carrots."
This was not acceptable to Bunny.
And by not acceptable I mean that Bunny was bound and determined to rescue the dinosaur AT ALL COSTS; she snatched that dinosaur out of Monkey's hand and (no surprise) was then chased by Monkey around the room until Bunny was literally standing on the couch, with her hand stretched up into the air, trying to get the dinosaur as far away from Monkey's outstretched hand as humanly possible.
You know, to save it from extinction a second time.
ButWhyMommy and I intervened, and there was a discussion about sharing. Bunny apologized to Monkey, and Monkey.....well, she went back to cooking the dinosaur as if nothing had happened. (hoo boy is she stubborn. Yes, yes, pot meet kettle. I know.)
I imagine twenty years from now this story will have a well-worn feeling, from being trotted out again and again, and rehashed under the "do you remember when" rubric of storytelling that helps tie friends (and family) together. I can't wait to accumulate the stories these two friends will have.
ButWhyMommy, Bubs and Bunny all stayed with us. Yes, there were 7 people (and one cat!) in our apartment. Sleeping arrangements were....a bit different than we had anticipated, but now we know that Bubs can sleep on the carpet if tired enough. (And for the record, NO. I do not make a habit of making my guests sleep on the floor..but look, when their OWN KID kicks them out of bed, whattaya gonna do? But I digress).
Bunny is obsessed with dinosaurs. She has a lovey stuffed animal Triceratops, and another one with some sort of a duck bill she calls Machine (my own knowledge of dinosaurs fails me here), and again - she LOVES dinosaurs. A lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. Which is why she was so happy to see that Monkey has a collection of small plastic dinosaurs.
Unfortunately, Monkey has a very slightly different idea how to play with these dinosaurs. Which is to say that she was cooking them on her play-kitchen,"with carrots."
This was not acceptable to Bunny.
And by not acceptable I mean that Bunny was bound and determined to rescue the dinosaur AT ALL COSTS; she snatched that dinosaur out of Monkey's hand and (no surprise) was then chased by Monkey around the room until Bunny was literally standing on the couch, with her hand stretched up into the air, trying to get the dinosaur as far away from Monkey's outstretched hand as humanly possible.
You know, to save it from extinction a second time.
ButWhyMommy and I intervened, and there was a discussion about sharing. Bunny apologized to Monkey, and Monkey.....well, she went back to cooking the dinosaur as if nothing had happened. (hoo boy is she stubborn. Yes, yes, pot meet kettle. I know.)
I imagine twenty years from now this story will have a well-worn feeling, from being trotted out again and again, and rehashed under the "do you remember when" rubric of storytelling that helps tie friends (and family) together. I can't wait to accumulate the stories these two friends will have.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Octagenarian Toy
So apparently there is an 80-year old toy-mouse that lives in my stroller.
What’s that you say? An octogenarian toy mouse? Yes, yes, you heard (*read*) that correctly.
How else could you explain the fact that Monkey named the mouse finger-puppet "Ira?"
I mean, seriously! Only grandpas are named Ira. Not that there is anything wrong with that.*
*kudos if you get that reference!
What’s that you say? An octogenarian toy mouse? Yes, yes, you heard (*read*) that correctly.
How else could you explain the fact that Monkey named the mouse finger-puppet "Ira?"
I mean, seriously! Only grandpas are named Ira. Not that there is anything wrong with that.*
*kudos if you get that reference!
Monday, August 3, 2009
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