My friend Michelle had her twins on Monday. They weighed in at 7 lbs 11 ounces (that is Frick) and 8 lbs 3 ounces (that one is Frack). Both are healthy boys, and they'll be named next Monday at their bris (hence the continued use of their in utero nicknames).
HOLY COW. That is a lot of baby to be carrying around.
And to think my back hurt from wee little 6 pound Jellybean!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Green Eyed Monster
One of the most common questions M and I answer these days is how Monkey is behaving now that Jellybean has arrived. This question comes in many different formats and forms, but basically, everyone wants to know if Monkey is jealous.
And the short answer is, sometimes.
The long answer is that 98% of the time, Monkey loves being the big sister. She parrots the things we say but with her childish inflection and doe-eyed wonder at the world.....so things like "she's awake" and "look, Jellybean" convert from mundane sentences to the most adorable little vignettes of domesticity ever. When she tells you that the name of her baby doll is "jellybean" you want to just squeeze her tight and hope that her joy and wonder rub off on you - joy by osmosis!
But then, occasionally, things don't go quite as swimmingly.
Last week I was invited to participate in Monkey's school day for an hour - all the parents were invited to come in. They called it "work with your child" and it was a fun way to see what her life is like at school. Of course, being the dork that I am, all I could think about was the scientific principle (the name escapes me right now) that, by being present to observe the phenomena, you change it with your presence. But I digress.
Monkey and I arrived at school, and her day started. Taking off of coats and snowboots, putting her name on the fridge, putting away her lunch, all her normal chores. Then....books! (of course) Lots and lots of books.
Mama, read this. Mama read this. And this. And THIS. AND THIS. Sensory overload on books.
We were having a grand old time when her friend Nomi wandered over to give me a hug. Nomi always hugs me, so this is no big deal. But on this morning, Monkey was just.....not.....having.....it.
She announced, with a good deal of force, "no, walk away. MY mommy!" and then, in case her point was not clear, she took Nomi by the shoulders and showed her on her way. You know, with a polite shove.
She has to share at home. By god, she was NOT going to share at school, too.
And the short answer is, sometimes.
The long answer is that 98% of the time, Monkey loves being the big sister. She parrots the things we say but with her childish inflection and doe-eyed wonder at the world.....so things like "she's awake" and "look, Jellybean" convert from mundane sentences to the most adorable little vignettes of domesticity ever. When she tells you that the name of her baby doll is "jellybean" you want to just squeeze her tight and hope that her joy and wonder rub off on you - joy by osmosis!
But then, occasionally, things don't go quite as swimmingly.
Last week I was invited to participate in Monkey's school day for an hour - all the parents were invited to come in. They called it "work with your child" and it was a fun way to see what her life is like at school. Of course, being the dork that I am, all I could think about was the scientific principle (the name escapes me right now) that, by being present to observe the phenomena, you change it with your presence. But I digress.
Monkey and I arrived at school, and her day started. Taking off of coats and snowboots, putting her name on the fridge, putting away her lunch, all her normal chores. Then....books! (of course) Lots and lots of books.
Mama, read this. Mama read this. And this. And THIS. AND THIS. Sensory overload on books.
We were having a grand old time when her friend Nomi wandered over to give me a hug. Nomi always hugs me, so this is no big deal. But on this morning, Monkey was just.....not.....having.....it.
She announced, with a good deal of force, "no, walk away. MY mommy!" and then, in case her point was not clear, she took Nomi by the shoulders and showed her on her way. You know, with a polite shove.
She has to share at home. By god, she was NOT going to share at school, too.
Friday, February 6, 2009
No shirt, no shoes, no service....
My beautiful niece HP turns 2 tomorrow. Happy birthday!
And, it turns out, she's an insane toddler too. Guess it runs in the family.
What, you ask, is she up to?
Well, apparently she won't let her daddy, my brother N, read to her if he doesn't have a shirt on.
She'll pat his chest and say "no" or "wrong." Hee
And, it turns out, she's an insane toddler too. Guess it runs in the family.
What, you ask, is she up to?
Well, apparently she won't let her daddy, my brother N, read to her if he doesn't have a shirt on.
She'll pat his chest and say "no" or "wrong." Hee
A Norwegian Holiday
My mom was visiting this past week. M had to travel for work so she came out to help with the two girls. We had to beg, a lot, to get her to come out and visit, as you can imagine! She loved every minute of it.
Well, maybe not EVERY moment.
See, I took this opportunity to get a lot of work done around the apartment - basically, my mom went on a Norwegian holiday.
This, for those of you who haven't heard this expression before, is where you go visit a friend or family member....and they put you to work!
We:
* bleached the walls and ceiling in the bathroom
* primed the walls and ceiling in the bathroom
* rearranged the junk drawer
* wrapped and mailed presents for cousins HP and E
* did several loads of laundry
* had multiple doctors appointments (for me and also Jellybean, who has pinkeye - just like her big sister. ugh)
* did tons of other stuff
I am SO happy! We puttered around and really accomplished a lot! I know, I know, only someone as anal as me would be thrilled to do chores - but the ugly black mildew on the walls and ceiling of my bathroom is gone! My bathroom is pretty again! Wheee!! Thanks Grandma.
Well, maybe not EVERY moment.
See, I took this opportunity to get a lot of work done around the apartment - basically, my mom went on a Norwegian holiday.
This, for those of you who haven't heard this expression before, is where you go visit a friend or family member....and they put you to work!
We:
* bleached the walls and ceiling in the bathroom
* primed the walls and ceiling in the bathroom
* rearranged the junk drawer
* wrapped and mailed presents for cousins HP and E
* did several loads of laundry
* had multiple doctors appointments (for me and also Jellybean, who has pinkeye - just like her big sister. ugh)
* did tons of other stuff
I am SO happy! We puttered around and really accomplished a lot! I know, I know, only someone as anal as me would be thrilled to do chores - but the ugly black mildew on the walls and ceiling of my bathroom is gone! My bathroom is pretty again! Wheee!! Thanks Grandma.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
You'd think the view from the back would be better at a bris...but no.
This past Sunday Monkey and I attended the bris and simchat bat (baby naming for a girl) for the twin siblings of one of her best friends from school, an adorable little girl named Nomi.
M stayed home to watch Jellybean (no man is ever clamoring to watch a bris) and Monkey and I headed out for the ceremony and celebration. We got there early, and Monkey was thrilled to run around with Nomi.
We sat towards the back for the actual event, since Monkey was a little geeked up from running around and I needed to be able to make a quick exit in case she was too loud.
What I should have done was taken a seat in the first row of pews.
Then, I wouldn't have had to have Monkey stand on my lap so she could get a better view, and she wouldn't have yelled "what's he doing" at the precise moment the mohel leaned over to make the cut.....
oy, talk about timing.
M stayed home to watch Jellybean (no man is ever clamoring to watch a bris) and Monkey and I headed out for the ceremony and celebration. We got there early, and Monkey was thrilled to run around with Nomi.
We sat towards the back for the actual event, since Monkey was a little geeked up from running around and I needed to be able to make a quick exit in case she was too loud.
What I should have done was taken a seat in the first row of pews.
Then, I wouldn't have had to have Monkey stand on my lap so she could get a better view, and she wouldn't have yelled "what's he doing" at the precise moment the mohel leaned over to make the cut.....
oy, talk about timing.
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