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.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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.
Nice.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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)
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.
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.
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