Monkey is a creative little bugger. My parents always joked that if you want to know how to do everything, hire a teenager because they think they have all the answers. I think a reasonable addendum is if you need a negotiator, use a toddler. Lord, they work hard to get what they want!
The other night we were eating fish and chips (baked french fries) for dinner. Monkey ate all of her chips and two bites of her fish...and then wanted more chips. Of course.
So the haggling began. You know the drill - no more X until you do Y, yadda yadda. But Monkey resisted. She did not want to eat any more fish. So she'd ask again. She even sweetened the pot by tacking on the "puhleeze" without being reminded. Alas, her parents were stubborn and refused to give in.
So she switched tactics. She turned to me with her gorgeous doe-eyes, batting her long lashes, and with a sweet sweet smile she asked, in dulcet tones, if we could "share." Lord almighty, we about leaped out of our chairs with pride! Sharing!
But then - ahem - she offered her fish to ME and asked for my chips in return.
Oh.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Raw
These days my emotions are a little bit closer to the surface than usual. I noticed this after Monkey was born, too. No, not post partum or even the baby blues - my skin is just a little bit thinner than usual. I feel more sadness AND joy.
I find it harder to watch news about sick kids or lost puppies. When I"m nursing Jellybean often I'll catch a few minutes of daytime tv....and if the show has a lost, sick or dead child - I can NOT watch it. It makes me too sad. I remember after Monkey was born I was taking one of my first walks with her around the neighborhood, and when I walked past the homeless guy that "resides" on a nearby corner...I cried. All I could think was that he was someone's baby, too - someone's baby was sleeping on the street, dirty and hungry.
Some of it has to do with being tired from lack of sleep, But it is more than that. It is way more than that. It is about being close to the miracle of life. Watching my infant daughter breathe, in and out, in and out, makes my heart swell with love and wonderment. Listening to the joy in my insane toddler's voice when she yells "daddy's home!" and grins ear to ear makes me grateful to be alive.
When I was pregnant with Monkey, my father kept talking about the "miracle of life." I kind of wrote that off as something people say. And, truth be told, I was suffering from a bad attitude because I really don't like to be pregnant.
But the thing is? My dad was right. It really is a miracle.
I find it harder to watch news about sick kids or lost puppies. When I"m nursing Jellybean often I'll catch a few minutes of daytime tv....and if the show has a lost, sick or dead child - I can NOT watch it. It makes me too sad. I remember after Monkey was born I was taking one of my first walks with her around the neighborhood, and when I walked past the homeless guy that "resides" on a nearby corner...I cried. All I could think was that he was someone's baby, too - someone's baby was sleeping on the street, dirty and hungry.
Some of it has to do with being tired from lack of sleep, But it is more than that. It is way more than that. It is about being close to the miracle of life. Watching my infant daughter breathe, in and out, in and out, makes my heart swell with love and wonderment. Listening to the joy in my insane toddler's voice when she yells "daddy's home!" and grins ear to ear makes me grateful to be alive.
When I was pregnant with Monkey, my father kept talking about the "miracle of life." I kind of wrote that off as something people say. And, truth be told, I was suffering from a bad attitude because I really don't like to be pregnant.
But the thing is? My dad was right. It really is a miracle.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
The second child always gets treated differently. It is just the way of the world. Now, this isn't to say that they are loved any less....they just aren't as coddled.
And their baby albums are a lot lighter! (this is known as "2nd child syndrome" and afflicts grandparents across the world as they impatiently await baby photos of grandchild number two....only to realize they have no photos of their OWN second child! whoops)
When Monkey was born we treated her like she was made of spun glass. Fragile beyond comprehension.
When Jellybean was born we treated her like the precious, but tough, infant she is.
When I trimmed Monkey's teensy weensy fingernails and cut her finger, that single drop of blood was a dire emergency - sure to scar her for life and demanding round the clock vigilance and medical attention.
When I accidentally cut Jellybean's finger I smiled and wiped off the blood.
When Monkey was accidentally knocked in the face by a toy, I broke into a sweat and started to check pupil size...you know, to make sure she hadn't sustained an injury to her brain.
When Jellybean was accidentally knocked in the face by a garbage can tipped over onto her by her big sister.....well, we dusted both kids off and went on our way.
And their baby albums are a lot lighter! (this is known as "2nd child syndrome" and afflicts grandparents across the world as they impatiently await baby photos of grandchild number two....only to realize they have no photos of their OWN second child! whoops)
When Monkey was born we treated her like she was made of spun glass. Fragile beyond comprehension.
When Jellybean was born we treated her like the precious, but tough, infant she is.
When I trimmed Monkey's teensy weensy fingernails and cut her finger, that single drop of blood was a dire emergency - sure to scar her for life and demanding round the clock vigilance and medical attention.
When I accidentally cut Jellybean's finger I smiled and wiped off the blood.
When Monkey was accidentally knocked in the face by a toy, I broke into a sweat and started to check pupil size...you know, to make sure she hadn't sustained an injury to her brain.
When Jellybean was accidentally knocked in the face by a garbage can tipped over onto her by her big sister.....well, we dusted both kids off and went on our way.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Stay at home moms & dads, I salute you
Yesterday was MLK day, so Monkey's school was closed. M had to go to work, so I was home with the two girls all day long. And, since Jellybean is still not allowed into crowds....we spent the entire day in the apartment. We did not leave. We did NOT get to go out and play in the gorgeous snow. We DID get cabin fever.
But, we also had a lot of fun.
The morning was spent making cupcakes. Now, more batter ended up on the floor, the walls, and in Monkey's stomach than in the cupcake pans...but it was a success.
Then, naptime! And that wasn't a success. Monkey managed to spend over two hours in her room before she closed her eyes and finally, finally fell asleep. She was channeling the Beastie Boys.....you know, NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN and YOU GOTTA FIGHT, FOR THE RIGHT, To PARTY.....................trust me.
But eventually she slept.
And then, post-nap, her friend Daniel came over. Now, Daniel is Monkey's oldest friend. We met his parents in our birthing class. And Daniel is a lovely, well mannered and enjoyable kid. (His parents are awesome, too).
Daniel and Monkey shrieked and giggled and tore the apartment apart.....forts were built, cupcakes were consumed, and everyone had a blast.
M came home from soccor last night and put me to bed. I didn't get to nap with all the chaos and caring for both Monkey and Jellybean (during the brief time that Monkey slept, Jellybean ate....so no nap) so I was beyond tired. But this was an honest tired.
I was exhausted from having so much fun. And boy, am I impressed at all the parents and caregivers that are at home all the time. You guys work HARD!
But, we also had a lot of fun.
The morning was spent making cupcakes. Now, more batter ended up on the floor, the walls, and in Monkey's stomach than in the cupcake pans...but it was a success.
Then, naptime! And that wasn't a success. Monkey managed to spend over two hours in her room before she closed her eyes and finally, finally fell asleep. She was channeling the Beastie Boys.....you know, NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN and YOU GOTTA FIGHT, FOR THE RIGHT, To PARTY.....................trust me.
But eventually she slept.
And then, post-nap, her friend Daniel came over. Now, Daniel is Monkey's oldest friend. We met his parents in our birthing class. And Daniel is a lovely, well mannered and enjoyable kid. (His parents are awesome, too).
Daniel and Monkey shrieked and giggled and tore the apartment apart.....forts were built, cupcakes were consumed, and everyone had a blast.
M came home from soccor last night and put me to bed. I didn't get to nap with all the chaos and caring for both Monkey and Jellybean (during the brief time that Monkey slept, Jellybean ate....so no nap) so I was beyond tired. But this was an honest tired.
I was exhausted from having so much fun. And boy, am I impressed at all the parents and caregivers that are at home all the time. You guys work HARD!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
ARGH
Ok, so this week I've puked my guts out (and oh, that feels great when recovering from a c-section), had a fever of 103, then survived on a diet of bananas, rice, apples and tea since my intestines were on revolt, then popped a HUGE cold sore (first in 20 years) because the fever just freaked my immune system out, which caused all the lymph nodes on one side of my head to swell and ache like a mo-fo.......and then? then do you know what happened????? the insult that actually made me cry because I just HAD IT WITH THIS WEEK ALREADY?????
I killed my cell phone by dropping it into a nice, refreshing glass of diet coke.
I killed my cell phone by dropping it into a nice, refreshing glass of diet coke.
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