Talent, redux

Each child is as different as a snowflake.

The second time around it is different.

Everything old is new again.

Dear g*d, this again? Seriously?

So, when Jellybean arrived, everyone told me it would be different. That I would be able to rely upon the things I had learned, so yes, it would be easier, but that I shouldn't expect #2 to be the same as #1. That I would need to be patient, and see where Jellybean's talents lie....to not expect her to take after her sister.

Which is why I really had to laugh when, at the library this morning, my friend T watched Jellybean move around and try to climb EVERYTHING in sight and blurted out "oh dear g*d, you got another one?"

Yes, dear reader - I do. I have another monkey.

Jellybean learned how to crawl a mere 6 weeks ago. Three days ago she dragged a chair across the floor at school, stood up on the chair, and then tried to hoist herself into the sink. That same day, she climbed up on top of a table at school, and then - sans support - stood up. (Needless to say she's freaking her teachers out and they are watching her like a hawk)

Yesterday, she was balancing on the stablization bar underneath her highchair. And today? Today she screamed like a banshee (rage and disbelief) when I wouldn't let her balance on her toes on top of a Radio Flyer "bike."

I have packed bandaids and Neosporin in my purse. Again.

Sleeping beauty

The other night M came out of Monkey's bedroom with a smile. So I snuck in to see her before turning off her light.

And there she was, asleep, with a doll (Felicity from American Girl), next to her on the pillow. Their brunette hair was mingled, tangled in slumber.

If I could have taken a photo I would. Instead the sight will have to linger in my memory. My sleeping beauty.

Playing Favorites

So I have a confession to make. I suspect that Jellybean is one of her teacher's favorites. And I can't help but think - OF COURSE she is!

When I dropped her off at school yesterday morning (yes, the day I had POOP on me), she had fallen asleep in the Ergo baby carrier. She was snuggled in and snoring gently. Ah, so cute.

But everyone knows how cranky a baby can be if you wake them up. So, I slipped my shoes off, walked quietly into her room, and attempted to extricate Jellybean from the Ergo in order to gently place her on her napping spot. And....she woke up.

In a great mood! She rubbbed her eyes, looked around the room, and smiled her toothy little grin. And then waved! Like - hi teachers! Howdy!

Now, mind you, at that moment in time every other baby in the room was crying. Or screaming. Take your pick.

One of the teachers looked at Jellybean, looked at the other little ones (the bright red in the face SCREAMING little ones), and said - "oh, she's so easy." With more than a little bit of relief in her voice.

Mind you, they are too kind (and professional) to ever say anything that would indicate they have a favorite.

But in my mind, I think they do. Just a little bit. Because she's just so damn happy, my 'lil bean.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm hidden pooooooop.

That was the text I got back from my little brother, when I texted him to say I was headed home to change my shirt because it had poop on it.

Nice.

Sisters

On the ride home from school today, an adorable little boy and his father boarded the bus and sat down by us.

Monkey perked up and said "hello Paul" immediately. The father and I shook hands and figured out that our kids were in class together, and as as our brief conversation faded away the two kids were giggling and chortling and playing a silly word game that - really - didn't make any sense to us. But they were having a blast.

They laughed and giggled and leaned into one another, resplendently unaware of how every single adult on the bus was watching them. When Paul and his father departed the bus, Monkey knelt on her seat to press her face to the glass and say goodbye over and over again. Meanwhile Paul was waving furiously at us as the bus drew past him. An elderly woman across from me caught my eye and smiled.

As Monkey settled down from the excitement of seeing her friend, she leaned in a bit closer to me. And Jellybean, nestled against me in her Ergo baby carrier, did something I have never seen her do before.

She leaned away from me, closing her eyes and resting her cheek against Monkey's back, snuggling against her sister. It was unbearably tender. Jellybean doesn't really "kiss" people - she shows affection by gently touching her forehead to you. It is a benediction, a moment of grace. And she's never done that to her older sister before. Until today, on the bus, as her sister's cheeks were flushed with excitement from frolicking with her friend.

I think these two are going to be great friends.

Sometimes, commuting is the best part of the day. (Sometimes)

A few random stories....

Ok, where to start?

SOO much is going on. These girls, they just blindside me with all their growing up! I need to freeze each moment in time, and every day they do something that makes me think “oooh, this MUST go on the blog” and then……they do something else…..and then suddenly it is hours, if not days, later and I can’t remember half of it.

So, a few recent vignettes:

Jellybean is one tough cookie. This weekend she: 1) wiped out in the tub and bumped her noggin against the drain thing-a-mah-jigger hard enough to raise a lump; 2) got walloped on the other side of her head by her sister who was swinging a bucket of chalk around and around; and 3) got a third nipple in the form of a pinch/bruise on her chest from her pacifier clip attached by – oh yes – me. Ow.

And yet? She’s in a great mood. Man, she’s tough! Maybe her new nickname should be “timex.” (oh come onnnnn, you remember – it takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’ don’t you?)

_________

Monkey? Also tough. And perhaps learning some caution. Perhaps.

Last night she fell off the couch and hit her head hard enough to raise an egg and break the skin. After some snuggling and some very anxious moments for me as I waited to see if her pupils looked funny or she got nauseous or dizzy, she was finagling more goldfish crackers and two books before bed (instead of one) – we think she’s juuuuust fine. But I’m still going to watch her.

M asked me if I was worried last night. And I told him yes – as in “yes, that’s my job.” And it is. Best job, ever.

__________

So this past Monday I was doing my schlep and carry routine (aka getting the two kids to school, plus diapers, and wipes, and formula, and 12 jars of babyfood, and Monkey’s spare sweatshirt, and her lunch, and her water bottle, and apples for the classroom, and and and and you get it – LOTS of HEAVY STUFF. Ugh).

I got the seats directly across from the exit in the back of the bus, which is prime real estate, and was very happy that I wouldn’t have to waddle/struggle/swim like a salmon going upstream to get me, the two girls, and all that stuff off the bus in a timely manner. We pushed the button requesting the stop, the bus stopped at our stop....and then two seconds later left.

Back into traffic before I could even stand up! And let me tell you, I am quick on the bus to avoid this very situation! I mean COME ON you MF’ing busdriver – are you kidding me? He didn’t stop for even three seconds!

I called out “stop please” and my call was taken up by everyone at the front of the bus. The hue and cry had his attention because he looked back and then, in the quintessential “whattya gonna do about it” attitude of poorly paid civil servants across the world.....he shrugged and kept driving. I was pissed. He couldn’t have cared less that he was doing a shitty job.

And then, I did it. I muttered “asshole” under my breath. Only it wasn’t quiet enough. Yeah. I was *that* mother this morning....the one that teaches her kids to curse. Sigh.

I'd feel worse if the label wasn't appropriate.

Ok, seriously, my last photo post today (I swear!)

And yet even more....................PHOTOS!

Aannndddd MORE photos!

Long overdue photos

On langauge (yes, I know I've used this title before - deal with it)

So, two fun things happened in the last 24 hours:

Jellybean said mama! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!! Of course, I’ve been unable (FAIL!! ROAR GNASH SOB) to get her to repeat it. But still. My heart about triples in size just thinking about it! SO proud of my little bean! God, do I love that little girl. I smooched her incessantly on the bus ride to school this morning, murmuring “say mama, say mama…” in between kisses on her soft blonde hair.

But no, she was silent. From the grins she kept giving me, I think she likes the attention and might withhold the next mama just to keep me focused on her – the stinker!

Not to be outdone by her little sister, Monkey has started writing “notes” to her daddy, presently traveling for work, “because she loves him.”

Which is why there is a small parade of hot pink (bien sur!) post-it notes stretching across the wall by our bed. She’s putting them there “to keep” in his absence. She’s so earnest, this is just endearing. Especially since the notes are comprised solely of a few random scribbles. Our budding novelist…..

Memories

Yesterday was 9/11.

For the first time in eight years I wasn't sad on this day.

I didn't focus on all that we lost.

I didn't focus on all that we could lose.

I was just happy to be alive.

I don't know if time heals all wounds.

I don't know if that wound should ever heal.

All I know is that I love my two girls, my husband, my friends and family and beloved cat Ollie.

And that's how it should be.

The things she says, they don't always make sense (to me)

Monkey is funny. Sometimes she knows it, but even better is when she doesn't.

For example, in the airplane on the way home from Minneapolis, she told M "I"m have"....after being told to "behave".....

When I was attempting to dress her for school this past week, after she took her pajamas off (but before she put her clothing on), she danced around the kitchen saying "I'm a naked monkey" and walking like an orangutan. I can never tell if she remembers that her nickname is Monkey when she does this sort of thing....or if its just some sort of Martha Graham modern dance mood....

And her stories are hilarious. Today, when we were eating lunch at the Museum of Natural History, she told me that Santa got lost in outer space looking for a soft, blue planet that he could take home. Yeah, um, I got nothing. No clue.

The girls are back, the girls are back

Remember that song, The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy? (the boys are back, the boys are back….) I’m humming it, but with my own words because the girls are back in school, the girls are back in school….and it’s a good thing.

Wednesday was the first day back. We dropped Jellybean off first (her classroom is closest to the entrance of the school) and boy was that easy. She smiled at her teacher and practically leapt into her arms. No separation anxiety there. M has been known to make the ribald comment that Jellybean’s definitely a second child – “she gets passed around like a cheap trick” – and only rarely will she object to someone other than mommy or daddy holding her.

I worried that it might be tougher with Monkey, but she was fine, too! And, she helped her best friend Caleb out. Caleb was having a rough time – when he got to school none of the kids or teachers he knew were in the room. When we arrived he was sitting on the floor with his back to the door, bawling loudly and slumped over a toy he was picking at idly (his poor mom, my friend, was standing outside listening with a pained look on her face.)

When he saw Monkey walk into the room though he gave one last shudder, wiped the tears from his eyes (with a quick glance back at Monkey to see if she’d noticed), and sat there with the “who me? naw, I wasn’t crying!” look. Ahhh, the positive effect of peer pressure. It gets you every time!

Vitals

Each girl had a check up recently. Jellybean for the 9month mark, and Monkey for three years (gulp - how did that go by so fast?).

Jellybean:
*In great health.
*Eating well and on track developmentally.
*Can add more foods to her repertoire of items to cram in her mouth.
*Weight: 15lbs 4oz, OMG about the 7th percentile - woohoo!!!!
*Height: 27” so about the 30th% in height.

Monkey:
*Mulish and stubborn but in great health (as far as we can tell - see below)..
*May be deaf - refused to do hearing test (can hear just fine, NO REALLY)
*May be blind - refused to do vision test (SAME).
*Weight: 30lbs so in the 25-50%
*Height: 37.5inches so the 50-75%

But those are just their vital statistics.

You ask their parents, or their grandparents (or godparents)? They're perfect. The end.

What is your favorite synonym for stubborn? Me, I like mulish.

Monkey had her 3-year check up this morning and, if I hadn’t been there to assure the doctor otherwise, the pediatrician might have thought the kid was blind, deaf, mute and practically immobile, considering the pig-headed, mulish stubbornness she exhibited in her refusal to: (1) answer any questions, including what is your name; (2) exhibit any physical skills other than shrinking backwards; (3) acknowledge that the dreaded headphones on her ears were emitting a series of beeps; or (4) acknowledge that she could both see and identify the shapes on the wall in the vision test.

Now mind you that when she is NOT in the doctors office she is: (1) a freaking chatterbox that asks more questions that you can answer and engages in a running dialogue with her friends and/or toys, whomever is closest; (2) running and jumping and saying “mommy watch me do this trick” as she endangers my health with her fearless acrobatics on the playground; (3) able to overhear every single conversation and (bad) word we want her to miss; and (4) able to spot the smallest Elmo a million miles off and then beg for it (see #1, above).

Sigh.

She is the walking definition of stubborn.