I spent this morning switching out the clothes in LP's and AK's dressers. Apparently fall crept up on me and I didn't even notice! Yesterday, I sent the girls to school in summer clothes! Nothing screams "inattentive mom" like kids in shorts in 65 degree weather.
The only way I could accomplish the drawer updating was to send AK to school. On my train ride home from a loooong day in NYC for work, I decided that I would treat myself to a day alone. My original intention was to get a mani-pedi, but the weather is so miserable, and the dressers were in such disarray that I had no choice.
It took more than three hours to empty AK's dressers, replace it with items from the 12-18 month bin of hand-me-downs from LP, refill the bin with 6-12 month clothes, empty LP's dresser, refill it with newly purchased 4T clothes and 3T clothes leftover from the spring, and fill another bin with 2T and 3T summer clothes.
It was actually a very useful exercise. Especially since I went to look around at the Gap after lunch and I was able to resist buying on sale, very adorable 12-18 month clothes for AK. She has way more clothes than LP. Poor thing will never get new clothes. Which is good - because I don't have room for them!
I did treat myself to lunch at our local Indian takeout joint, so that was good. And I do have a sense of accomplishment. Even if it wasn't how I intended to spend my 33rd birthday, I will survive. And my children will be weather appropriate.
Not to worry, dearest readers! The birthday celebration is not over! I did get birthday songs, kisses, cards and wishes from my two favorite ladies, the Hoos and a whole host of friends. All is not lost yet! Tomorrow we head to the Norwalk Oyster Festival and Sunday is a Connecticut Sun game up at Mohegan Sun. I am looking forward to both and hope to have a full report next week.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Keeping Up
Thanks to JM for this fabulous picture of my little bunniesSee those little kids up there? They rock my world.
LP just cracks me up from head to toe. The other day she spent half an hour singing a made-up song "Rosh Hashana is the New Year." She also is just the best big sister when she isn't harassing her sister. One of her new things is this sort of football block move, where she runs in front of AK and sticks her arms out and tries to fence her poor little sister in to prevent her from escaping. AK is not amused. Except when she is and she laughs and laughs at her sister as if she is the funniest thing on the planet.
AK has really started to come in to her own. Over the last two months or so she has really become a person. She is incredibly silly. She has taken to putting things on her head - the other day it was mini mozzarella cheese balls. She just sticks them in her hair, runs up to you and smiles, waiting for you to notice. She also really really likes attention. If I am holding her but talking to LP, AK will grab my face and pull to focus right on her and then smile the world's biggest, goofiest, most fantastic grin.
It is so hard for me to remember precisely when LP started doing things to be able to see how AK matches up. Not that they need to be on the same timeline, but LP is my best developmental reference. This blog helps me keep track, which is good, because my mind is useless. I can't really remember a time when LP wasn't talking. And I am pretty sure she didn't run nearly as much as AK.
For example, when LP was 13 months old we went to the same house in Cape Cod that we went to this year. While there, LP started walking in earnest. Exactly two years later, guess who duplicated this accomplishment?
On the other hand, my September 10, 2007 blog post complained about people commenting on LP's size. No one really comments on AK's size. Occasionally I get someone who says something about how she is tall - which is just bizarre, because she isn't - but it is generally acknowledged that AK is smaller than LP. I also know this because in Summer 07 LP was wearing size 18 month clothing. Some 12 month size clothes fall down on AK! All of those hand-me-downs, useless...
There are also people that point out the similarities between LP and AK. Strangers, friends, family, lots of people tell us that they think the girls look alike. There are also some people that say they look nothing alike, but these seem to be in the minority. I am not sure if as I parent I am more keyed in to the differences, letting my girls establish their own identities, or if the people who say they are similar are just crazy. What do you think?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match...
When you are a little kid and you make friends, it is mostly by proximity - your neighbor, the kids in your class, kids involved in activities your parents sign you up for, kids of your parents' friends...
Yet as you grow and evolve, friendship becomes infinitely more complicated.
You get in a relationship. While existing friends get grandfathered in, forming news requires a complex new dance. You want to find people that like your spouse, and that your spouse can at least tolerate but preferably genuinely enjoy. Adding to the crazy is that you are likely finding friends in a couple. So, instead of just two people getting along, you have four different personalities coming together.
I think the Hoos and I complement each other very well. We have strengths that bring out the best in one another (most of the time). I am the more outgoing, and the one more likely to stick her foot in her mouth. Until you get to know him, he is the more reserved, and the one more likely to think before speaking. I have a stellar memory, which makes me ideal for attending his work events, tutoring him before we arrive on the names of his colleagues' spouses and children.
However, there are times when we need to sell each other to and on prospective friends. Some of this is likely a gender thing. Other than poker night, sporting events and my friend MLH's husband, it isn't often that guys just get together to go out for dinner. In college, the Hoos and his buddies would invite me out for ice cream so that they wouldn't look less than manly (I know, I don't get it either).
Kids are the cherries on the friendship sundae quagmire. Now instead of four people needing to get along, eight people have to make nice. And as much as can try to manage my children, sometimes they aren't on their most stellar behavior. LP just might be the one teaching bad words to her friends (although I hope not!). And AK DOES NOT STOP MOVING, inspiring for some, exhausting for others.
Being hermits and keeping to ourselves just isn't an option. Fortunately we have found some really nice friends, with whom we have lots in common. Now we just have to coordinate our schedules, and those of our kids, to actually spend time together. Oh, and restaurants or other venues big enough to accommodate us...
Yet as you grow and evolve, friendship becomes infinitely more complicated.
You get in a relationship. While existing friends get grandfathered in, forming news requires a complex new dance. You want to find people that like your spouse, and that your spouse can at least tolerate but preferably genuinely enjoy. Adding to the crazy is that you are likely finding friends in a couple. So, instead of just two people getting along, you have four different personalities coming together.
I think the Hoos and I complement each other very well. We have strengths that bring out the best in one another (most of the time). I am the more outgoing, and the one more likely to stick her foot in her mouth. Until you get to know him, he is the more reserved, and the one more likely to think before speaking. I have a stellar memory, which makes me ideal for attending his work events, tutoring him before we arrive on the names of his colleagues' spouses and children.
However, there are times when we need to sell each other to and on prospective friends. Some of this is likely a gender thing. Other than poker night, sporting events and my friend MLH's husband, it isn't often that guys just get together to go out for dinner. In college, the Hoos and his buddies would invite me out for ice cream so that they wouldn't look less than manly (I know, I don't get it either).
Kids are the cherries on the friendship sundae quagmire. Now instead of four people needing to get along, eight people have to make nice. And as much as can try to manage my children, sometimes they aren't on their most stellar behavior. LP just might be the one teaching bad words to her friends (although I hope not!). And AK DOES NOT STOP MOVING, inspiring for some, exhausting for others.
Being hermits and keeping to ourselves just isn't an option. Fortunately we have found some really nice friends, with whom we have lots in common. Now we just have to coordinate our schedules, and those of our kids, to actually spend time together. Oh, and restaurants or other venues big enough to accommodate us...
Saturday, September 5, 2009
To Someone, It Matters a Lot
I have employer-sponsored health insurance. I am going to guess that most of my readers have this in common with me. Is it the best plan? No. Does sometimes making a $25 co-pay several times a week to diagnose and treat a single ear infection suck? Yes. Does it bite that I have to pay $40 extra for antibiotics for LP because she maybe, could be, who knows, is allergic to amoxicilin? Yah.
But you know what sucks worse?
Having to pay full price for taking a child - or yourself to the doctor. Have you ever looked at the bill from the insurance company where it tells how much they covered (and got discounted because they are a huge conglomerate that wields lots of power)? For AK's one year well child it cost $520. I paid $25.
There are lots of people that don't have health insurance at all. Many people have to lose money and take off from a minimum wage job to pay hundreds of dollars they don't have or have slated toward the bare necessities to take care of a sick child.
I don't know a lot about the Obama health care plan. What I can imagine is that it likely won't impact me too much. Sure, I might have to pay more, or my employer may have to make tough choices regarding benefits and coverage...but to some people, it might make a world of a difference.
But you know what sucks worse?
Having to pay full price for taking a child - or yourself to the doctor. Have you ever looked at the bill from the insurance company where it tells how much they covered (and got discounted because they are a huge conglomerate that wields lots of power)? For AK's one year well child it cost $520. I paid $25.
There are lots of people that don't have health insurance at all. Many people have to lose money and take off from a minimum wage job to pay hundreds of dollars they don't have or have slated toward the bare necessities to take care of a sick child.
I don't know a lot about the Obama health care plan. What I can imagine is that it likely won't impact me too much. Sure, I might have to pay more, or my employer may have to make tough choices regarding benefits and coverage...but to some people, it might make a world of a difference.
Wake Up and Make Up
Recently we have been trying to convince LP that it is time to stop sleeping in pullups. She is completely toilet trained during the day and very rarely has an accident. For hygiene and a host of other reasons it is time.
While she didn't sleep in underwear last night we did tell her to try not to pee in them and to come and wake mommy up if she has to pee in the middle of the night.
Fast forward to 7:40 this morning.
tap, tap, tap. "Mommy, I have to pee."
While I certainly don't want to get up before 8 on a weekend, it is better than be awakened at 3 with "Mommy! I peed myself!"
And later...
Me: What's on your face?
LP: I don't know.
Me: How did it get there?
LP: I put it there.
Me: Probably not a good idea to put something on your face if you don't know what it is.
LP: Yeah.
It didn't come out so well in the picture, but LP's mouth is ringed in grey eye shadow. I don't even wear eye shadow, let alone grey eye shadow...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Struck by the Fear of Dog
LP is scared silly of most animals. She loves the concept of them, she likes to see them, but heaven forbid they get too close, even when they are behind a fence, she FREAKS out and starts insisting on being picked up.
AK, on the other hand, loves animals. She will touch a goat on the nose, poke a dog in the face, and giggle hysterically at the sight of a friendly dog.
The other day at the playground a woman walked by with two small fluffy dogs on leashes. After another friend confirmed that it was okay to touch them, AK wriggled out of my arms, grasped my hand and walked forward, fingers outstretched.
LP was giggling a bit maniacally and stood away with her hands over her ears. Mind you, neither dog had barked at that point, or even jumped (amazing considering they were surrounded by a half dozen kids). In fact, they didn't bark the entire time. But LP still let out an amazing sigh of relief when the woman continued on with her pets. AK ran after them, shouting and waving her arms. She might have escaped the playground if parents and other kids hadn't gotten in her way.
The Hoos and I have no idea why LP is so scared of animals. Neither of us expresses fear of them in her presence, and, despite my disdain for pet stores (especially the smell) I willingly bring the girls to them so they can look at the reptiles, hamsters, and fish. I think most of the issue is that she feels a lack of control. You have no way of knowing or controlling what an animal is going to do next (kind of like children).
Other than having a dog, what have you done to help your kids overcome their fear of animals?
AK, on the other hand, loves animals. She will touch a goat on the nose, poke a dog in the face, and giggle hysterically at the sight of a friendly dog.
The other day at the playground a woman walked by with two small fluffy dogs on leashes. After another friend confirmed that it was okay to touch them, AK wriggled out of my arms, grasped my hand and walked forward, fingers outstretched.
LP was giggling a bit maniacally and stood away with her hands over her ears. Mind you, neither dog had barked at that point, or even jumped (amazing considering they were surrounded by a half dozen kids). In fact, they didn't bark the entire time. But LP still let out an amazing sigh of relief when the woman continued on with her pets. AK ran after them, shouting and waving her arms. She might have escaped the playground if parents and other kids hadn't gotten in her way.
The Hoos and I have no idea why LP is so scared of animals. Neither of us expresses fear of them in her presence, and, despite my disdain for pet stores (especially the smell) I willingly bring the girls to them so they can look at the reptiles, hamsters, and fish. I think most of the issue is that she feels a lack of control. You have no way of knowing or controlling what an animal is going to do next (kind of like children).
Other than having a dog, what have you done to help your kids overcome their fear of animals?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Is it Me? Or Them?
I just had a conference call that makes me rethink myself.
My supervisor let it be known that I had caught something that we felt really needed to change on a draft of an all-staff message. I thought it was indelicate myself and we tried to tell them that we would alert them to the offending remark via email. But they wouldn't let it go. So I had to say it out loud:
An [XYZ] Member is Coming
As I said it I turned bright crimson.
The people on the other end of the phone laughed, "Yes, it is awkward, like 'The British are coming! The British are coming!'"
My colleagues and I looked at each other in disbelief. Were they naive? Were we pervs? Or were they just giving me an out for being obviously keyed in to the double entendre?
What do you think?
My supervisor let it be known that I had caught something that we felt really needed to change on a draft of an all-staff message. I thought it was indelicate myself and we tried to tell them that we would alert them to the offending remark via email. But they wouldn't let it go. So I had to say it out loud:
An [XYZ] Member is Coming
As I said it I turned bright crimson.
The people on the other end of the phone laughed, "Yes, it is awkward, like 'The British are coming! The British are coming!'"
My colleagues and I looked at each other in disbelief. Were they naive? Were we pervs? Or were they just giving me an out for being obviously keyed in to the double entendre?
What do you think?
Outstanding Questions
In the last few days I have been asked some parenting questions. Not the "Dear Abby" kind, because lord knows I am no advice columnist, but on a more personal level.
The other day a colleague with two daughters similar in age to LP and AK asked me, "Honestly, isn't it so much harder than you thought it would be?"
Not really. But mostly because I didn't put any expectations on the job. I just wanted to be an awesome wife and mother. When my kids are trying or difficult or thriving and fabulous I remind myself, "This is what I signed up for." Being a mom means taking the good with the bad. It means glowing in a brilliant move made by your progeny and shielding them from the flames of others (and focusing your own on them) when they do something unacceptable.
When I am not complaining about my daughters, and even when I am, I love them. I always wanted to have children and be a mom and I often feel like the luckiest person on the planet (okay, maybe not on Monday). Which leads me to the second question:
Are you going to go for three?
I have been blessed with two happy, healthy little girls. Munchkins that are now getting really good at playing together and entertaining one another. I can see the end in sight for diapers. With each classroom promotion at day care, I see my bills decrease. Our family fits perfectly into my CRV and there is even room for me in between the car seats if need be (the same can't be said for the Hoos' Accord unfortunately). Sure we are outgrowing our house, but everyone has their own bedroom.
I am also worried about pushing our luck. AK was born with a knot in her umbilical cord. In the delivery room, when we asked the doctors what that could mean, they said, "Nothing. Now. It is good luck." Only recently did I learn just how lucky we were.
I am not closing the door on having another child. But it is a complicated decision that we are not yet ready to answer.
And, to respond to a final question, NO! we do not feel like we "need to try for a boy."
The other day a colleague with two daughters similar in age to LP and AK asked me, "Honestly, isn't it so much harder than you thought it would be?"
Not really. But mostly because I didn't put any expectations on the job. I just wanted to be an awesome wife and mother. When my kids are trying or difficult or thriving and fabulous I remind myself, "This is what I signed up for." Being a mom means taking the good with the bad. It means glowing in a brilliant move made by your progeny and shielding them from the flames of others (and focusing your own on them) when they do something unacceptable.
When I am not complaining about my daughters, and even when I am, I love them. I always wanted to have children and be a mom and I often feel like the luckiest person on the planet (okay, maybe not on Monday). Which leads me to the second question:
Are you going to go for three?
I have been blessed with two happy, healthy little girls. Munchkins that are now getting really good at playing together and entertaining one another. I can see the end in sight for diapers. With each classroom promotion at day care, I see my bills decrease. Our family fits perfectly into my CRV and there is even room for me in between the car seats if need be (the same can't be said for the Hoos' Accord unfortunately). Sure we are outgrowing our house, but everyone has their own bedroom.
I am also worried about pushing our luck. AK was born with a knot in her umbilical cord. In the delivery room, when we asked the doctors what that could mean, they said, "Nothing. Now. It is good luck." Only recently did I learn just how lucky we were.
I am not closing the door on having another child. But it is a complicated decision that we are not yet ready to answer.
And, to respond to a final question, NO! we do not feel like we "need to try for a boy."
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
STOP Moving
Do you see the cuteness in this face? Would you be willing to buy her? Before you call CPS, I am truly joking...at least right now. Yesterday you might have had yourself a bargain though!Even though it was a work from home day, it was such an exhausting day. Originally I intended to send AK to day care so I could catch up from our weekend away, but she has a cold and I wanted to give her some extra time to recuperate. Not that she at all acted like she was under the weather. She spent the ENTIRE DAY moving. She woke up at 7:15 and was running in circles constantly.
Several times I tried to put her down for a nap and each time she cried incessantly and showed no signs of stopping. The last straw was when I took her for a walk (the weather was beautiful after all) to lull her to sleep and she squirmed and screamed most of the time. I then decided to take her to the doctor to see if her cold had proliferated into an ear infection.
It hadn't. But we likely gave everyone in the office a headache as she ran around like a Loony Toon with me calling, "AK! AK! Stop being a nuisance" after her. Seriously, she pulled a little wagon in to the exam area as I attempted to check in, climbed up and down on a little play platform shaped like an airplane about four million times, smiling the whole time and directing attention to all of the adults in the waiting room in an effort to get them to love her. They all did. Even me.
She finally fell asleep on the trip from the pediatrician's office to the day care center where we had to pick up LP. Fortunately, my friend DM showed up right in the nick of time and went and picked LP up for me so I could leave AK sleeping. After about a half hour nap I tried to move AK into the stroller so we could join the gang on the playground (plus it was really really hot in the car), it didn't work. She woke right up and insisted on getting down and dirty with the other kids.
After finally leaving the playground, I had to make good on a promise to LP to get her ice cream at Stew Leonard's. The girls actually shared nicely while watching the animals and we were even able to get some shopping in. From there we went home and my neighbor arrived to install our new hot water heater. His wife and adorable 10-month old daughter came over to visit while he worked and I think we probably made them both dizzy with the level of activity and madness. AK's nuttiness was likely an excellent form of birth control as well.
FINALLY around 8:00 AK was bathed, medicated (Benadryl to dry up the snots - NOT to knock her out, I swear!), and peacefully sleeping. Instead of passing out, I ate my first real meal of the day, folded the laundry that I had hoped to take care of earlier in the day when AK was SUPPOSED to be napping, made the girls' lunches and put them in their new lunch boxes (how cute are these? LP has the tiger and AK has the dog), caught up on some email, and straightened up the house. Around 9:30 I was able to sit on the couch on watch a DVRd episode of Top Chef.
The point of this post was mostly to whine. Sorry if it exhausted all of you. Just writing it made me want to take a nap!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Please Put Me in Time Out
I am just back from a long weekend in Vermont and all I can say is that I need a vacation. The girls had fun with their cousins, LP enjoyed catching "pickle fish," as her cousin Y calls them, from the row boat with her daddy, and AK liked searching the house we stayed in for her favorite animal - ducks.
When I returned I had an offer in my inbox for free tickets to a Connecticut Suns game. The Suns are the WNBA team that plays up at Mohegan Sun. Considering the Hoos and I haven't been anywhere near a casino since having the girls, I thought it might be a good time. In fact, the tickets are for the entire family. It never occurred to me that there was family fun to be had at a casino, but I will check it out and report back.
We saw the Globetrotters back in the winter and I think it would be nice for my daughters to see that girls can be athletic and competitive too. Plus, we are bringing my parents so maybe there will be an opportunity for the Hoos and me to sneak off during half time and put some quarters in the slots.
If anyone else is interested in checking out the Suns, my ticket came with an offer for my loyal readers: $18 seats for $10; $22 seats for $18; $27 seats for $23. Just go to this site and enter special promo code: WNBABLOG. If you go, let me know how it is!
As I type I am listening to AK scream from her crib. I guess those peaceful nap times are a thing of the past. Boo! Hiss!
When I returned I had an offer in my inbox for free tickets to a Connecticut Suns game. The Suns are the WNBA team that plays up at Mohegan Sun. Considering the Hoos and I haven't been anywhere near a casino since having the girls, I thought it might be a good time. In fact, the tickets are for the entire family. It never occurred to me that there was family fun to be had at a casino, but I will check it out and report back.
We saw the Globetrotters back in the winter and I think it would be nice for my daughters to see that girls can be athletic and competitive too. Plus, we are bringing my parents so maybe there will be an opportunity for the Hoos and me to sneak off during half time and put some quarters in the slots.
If anyone else is interested in checking out the Suns, my ticket came with an offer for my loyal readers: $18 seats for $10; $22 seats for $18; $27 seats for $23. Just go to this site and enter special promo code: WNBABLOG. If you go, let me know how it is!
As I type I am listening to AK scream from her crib. I guess those peaceful nap times are a thing of the past. Boo! Hiss!
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