Ouch

No stitches required and healing nicely after a fall on the chin a couple days ago.

Kids in Small Spaces

After swimming at the JCC of Northern Virginia. (Great pool and recreation center by the way for those local.)
Cooking in the kitchen peek-a-boo style.

Goatie the Fish

We volunteered to take the Beta fish that lives in Mia's class home over the holiday break. Zoe knows the fish too because her Kindergarten class meets in Mia's classroom after lunch time. Mia's class named him "Goatie the Fish". I don't know the story behind that, but it works for him. Our job now is to keep him alive until they return to school on January 3rd. Please, let us be successful.

Since Mia is the resident expert on Goatie the Fish, we asked her what the instructions were for taking care of him. Here is her list:

Don't eat him.

Don't poke him.

Don't bite him.

Don't eat him. (She said this twice for emphasis.)

Be friendly to him.

Feed him.

Give him medicine.

Clearly Mia is concerned for Goatie the Fish's safety in our house. We'll do our best not to eat or bite him. Every time Goatie the Fish moves, the girls alternately proclaim: "He's drinking water!" or "He's thinking!". When he's not doing either of those, they let us know he's resting. We're hoping he ends his week resting happily, aka, not belly up at the top of the vase. Good luck Goatie the Fish. We've always been better with dogs and cats, but we're going to try really, really hard to keep you safe and happy.

Zoe Speak

Zoe: I was building the Eiffel Tower, but it wasn't "Eiffelly enough" so I had to add more blocks.

Sophie - Nine Months Old

It's official! You can crawl. Shortly after you turned 8 months, you began sitting up steadily. We had to lower your crib because you could easily grab the top sitting up. Now, you can easily get up on your knees and elbows and crawl several paces before being distracted and collapsing to put something in your mouth.

I don't blame you for wanting something in your mouth at all times. The pediatrician said that we are likely to see several teeth erupt any time now.

You crossed the 15 lb mark this month and are at about the 7-10%ile for weight. At 28 inches tall you're in the 75%ile. That's pretty consistent with your sisters. Luckily we don't fret about weight and know that you are incredibly healthy. In fact, at your 9 month well visit, after the doctor looked you over and said that you were in tip top shape, she suggested she look in my ear and discovered that I was the one with an ear infection!

You tried many more new foods this month: Couscous, asparagus, whole wheat bagels, pear, cauliflower, black beans, kale, flax seed, banana, and beets. You've gotten pretty good at raising a spoon to your mouth, drinking from a cup, and picking up finger foods.

Your sisters are still your favorite play mates. They work hard to entertain you. Fortunately, when it's time for you to nap, they leave you alone and try to keep everyone quiet. We really appreciate that.

We had lots of family visitors this month. Uncle Brad, Grandpa and Grandma Levine, and Grandpa and Grandma Moret all came for Thanksgiving. There were no shortage of doting adults wanting to hold and cuddle you.

Who knows what you'll be up to this time next month? Can't wait to find out.

Love you.

Mom

Roller Skating

For those of you who live in the D.C. metro area, I highly recommend family skate night at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. We had so much fun, Scott and I will probably go back for the older people skate on our own one night. From 6:30-8:30 PM, the huge gymnasium is turned in to a full scale roller skating rink with a D.J. There are also a couple moon bounces and a cafe. Skate rental and entry fees are both incredibly cheap. The music is full-on 80's fare and we saw a few adults dressed for the occasion. From 9-11, it's teen skate. I couldn't have predicted how much fun we had.

Kid Speak

On the way out today, we stopped to put gas in the car. When Scott got out to pay, I asked Zoe and Mia if they had any ideas for presents we could get Scott for his birthday. First, Zoe explained to me that we'd asked him recently and he probably didn't have a new answer yet, and it was too soon to ask him again. Perhaps she won't be a nudge as she gets older? Then the following conversation ensued.

Mia: We could wrap him hugs.

(Enjoy the beauty of that answer.)

Zoe: No we can't. (Pause) Let's just get him firewood. (Longer pause) ...or maybe some hot chocolate. (Pause) But if we get firewood, we can get him a fireplace too. (Then whispering) When he comes back, let's say "I love you."

Mia: Yes! Loud! (Leaning towards Sophie) Sophie, say it too.

Once they had their plan, all patience was lost. The next minute or two encountered no shortage of "where is he?", "it's taking too long.", "where is he!"
_______________________________

When we arrived, there was a woman walking around with a flashlight and shorts on. This is pretty unusual because it's less than 20 degrees outside. I asked her if she was ok, and she explained that she'd dropped her watch and quickly rushed back to look for it. Zoe and Mia missed the details of this conversation. As we walked inside, Zoe asked me what had happened.

Mom: She dropped something.

Zoe: Did she drop her pants?

_______________________________

Mom: Mia, do you feel ok?

Mia: My tummy is sick. It doesn't feel good. It's crying.

(That's one sweetly expressive little girl. I'd take a wrapped hug from her anyday.)

Wordless Wednesday: Bath Party

Parental Ramblings

I used to ask clients from time to time to tell me, if their life was a book, what would the title and chapter headings read.

I'll be interested to know what my "book" and chapter titles will read 20 years from now. Skipping past my life pre-kids, I know that my first two chapters post-kids would likely be Intimacy and Relentlessness.


When Zoe was born, I was awe struck by the absolute sense of intimacy that parenthood brought me. There was something so completely raw about it. Everything was up for open discussion, and in our near sleep-deprived state, we actually saw each other at our barest and our best, rising to the occasion despite all the physical, emotional, and psychological pulls of early parenting. The act of having a child with someone, parenting with someone, quadrupaling the number of daily life choices to be made with that person, and recommiting to each other and the family over and over again was incredibly intimate.


The first year I frequently found myself daydreaming about how relentless parenting can be. The cycles of eat, sleep, play, and poop seem to go on and on and on endlessly. I realized that I may not have the luxury of sleeping past 7am for years...literally. I just could not seem to get over how endless it felt. There simply was no break.

Fast forward four years, and parenthood for me today is a cocktail of ingredients. On any given day, I'm thinking about school, nutrition, sleep, sibling issues, bullying, religion, family support, birthdays and on and on and on. It's a different brand of "relentlessness" entirely. It's just life. And, while I don't enjoy being awake every.single.day by 5 AM, I don't fret over it anymore either.

Looking forward to seeing how this journey continues to unfold.

Party Planning Again

Today, randomly, it occured to Zoe and Mia that the next birthday in our family was Scott's. At that point, they decided that he would really enjoy a dress up party. He could wear his mask and they could wear their dress up dresses. They also drew up a guest list.It included all their friends, and afterwards, they offered that he could invite their friends' fathers so he had guests his own age at the party. Such thoughtful kids!

Use Your Words!

If I had a bumper sticker, I think this would be it! I can't count how many times I've said this in the past 48 hours. Seriously little people! We haven't even hit the "hormone years" yet! I hate being such a cliche, but I can't think of something else to say that captures the immediate need better when a little person is thrashing around or erupts in whines like a Smurf volcano. Of course, I say more than just "use your words!", but it's often my intro line.

That said, we had a very nice family cuddle this morning. That counts for something. And, it will be my turn to "wine" later. That counts too.

Not a Day Too Soon

Farewell to NaBloPoMo! I blogged everyday in the month of November, and I am apparently all blogged out based on my posts the last few days. Glad to have blogged each day, and also glad for a little break.

Random Photos

A few drawings/writings from Zoe:"I had cereal and milk today."
"I am going to be a princess for Halloween."
Loved this game when I was a kid. So far they do too. Little arms and legs make it much harder though!

Thanksgiving Visit - 2010

Pool time for daddy and Mia.
Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mickey at the Botanical Gardens with Zoe and Mia. We were lucky that the train exhibit was open and not very crowded. Afterwards, we went outside to feed the birds. Sophie loved that!
Grandpa Steven and Zoe watching football.
Zoe and Grandma Bette.
Zoe and Uncle Brad.
Mia snuggling with Grandma Mickey.
Sophie giggling with Grandpa Randy.
Hunter and Catherine.
Kids table: Mia, Zoe, and Anna.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Book on Worry

Two books I've read by Gavin DeBecker, The Gift of Fear and Understanding the Gift, have really helped shape my thinking about safety and about the value of fear in general. I was inspired to read them after hearing some parent chatter about how many parents had taught their 3, 4 and 5 year olds a variety of safety rules, e.g., stranger danger, etc.

At the time, I was grossly behind this particular parenting curve and wondered what is appropriate to be teaching. I've had my own experiences with safety and fear that led me to take self defense classes while in college. I also offer disaster response services through the Red Cross so I'm fairly up to speed on having escape plans, severe weather plans, having copies of important documents and child needs on hand, and the need for everyone to know our names, addresses, and phone numbers. But, I had not given much thought at all to when to begin to teach about safety and what exactly to teach to my kids.

These books brought me back to school. I felt like I should be taking notes (not an unusual feeling for me because my memory is lousy), but especially because I wanted to be able to refer to this content time and again.

One of the main points for me was the value of our instinct. When undistorted, it's such a finely evolved warning signal. I used to say sometimes to clients that if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. DeBecker would likely add that if something doesn't feel safe, and you haven't screwed up your natural instinct, it probably isn't.

You see, for many of us, he argues that we screw up our natural fear instinct by worry. Anytime we devote energy towards worrying about something when no action is going to be taken or is needed and there is no dire situation, we blunt our ability to decipher and use fear. For others who have read any of his books, if I've gotten it wrong, please chime in. Nonetheless, it was an important reminder for me that not only can worry prove futile, but it can also be harmful in dulling our instincts, reducing our ability to have pleasure, and distracting us from more productive areas.

In addition to very practical tips about the use of fear, the distraction of worry, how to evaluate situations, etc., he also has several interview templates for parents to use in a variety of situations. For example, he suggests that parents ask schools if all of the adults who come in contact with the students have had background checks. We did this when we interviewed and hired childcare providers at home but hadn't considered it for school.

As far as teaching safety now, we role play a few scenarios when the timing is ripe, and we continue to practice name, address, and phone information. They really enjoy this and seem to feel a lot of pride in knowing their information.

Great Design Resource

About a week ago, I won a generous award from Primed4Design (P4D). Their company launched an online competition with the reward being a sizable gift certificate to CSN Stores. I had never shopped with CSN Stores before, and have been impressed with their huge variety. P4D has partnered with them on other occassions as well to help get the word out about their business. Given their goal, I'd like to use this post to help spread the word.

Primed4Design was started by Jen Page and Chrys Limardo. It was launched as a blog in 2008 to bring fun design ideas to your home with interesting decorating tips, chic but affordable solutions, do it yourself projects, and lots of photos of stylish interiors designed by pros and decorating enthusiasts. I know Chrys personally and can attest to her professionalism, sense of humor, and dedication to design.

Based on their readers' needs for design help that is fast and affordable, P4D launched its online design consultation services. Primed4Design Decor Boards are an affordable and time efficient way to get design help without paying for traditional in-home design services. You can find them at http://www.primed4design.com/.

Simple Play

Zoe making banana bread. In this picture, she's sprinkling her last ingredients on top and talking to it before it goes in to the oven.

Mia playing baby and ready to be put in a baby car seat.

Blessings

At school, Mia's class sang the following song as they prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday:

There are many things I am thankful for,
You can find them near and far.
There are many things I am thankful for,
Let me tell you what they are.

I'm thankful for... (child response).
I'm thankful for... (child response).
I'm thankful for... (child response).
And I'm thankful to be me.

When it was Mia's turn, she sang:

"I'm thankful for Zoe."

Made my heart melt to read that when the teacher sent it to me.

Holiday Feast

Zoe and Mia's classes are preparing a holiday feast at school. The kids are making carrot soup, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, homemade butter, bread, popcorn, and more. They have been working away for a week.

I knew something was up when Zoe came home with band-aids on her hands two days in a row last week. Apparently grating and chopping potatoes and apples can be perilous.

We get updates every day on the progress of their feast. The excitement is at a near frenzy. The big day has arrived. The thrill has mounted to a cresendo.

Sitting Pretty

You've been practicing for some time with decent success. As of Saturday November 20th, you can proudly sit unassisted. If anyone or anything is nearby, however, you immediately grab on and try to pull up in order to start bouncing your legs.

This is you both sitting and practicing your now favorite "scrunchy-face". Imagine this face with the sound of snorting and giggles at the same time. (Echoed loudly by Zoe and Mia who can't resist mimicking this expression.)And, of course, teething too. Everything goes in the mouth.

Ballerina Revisited

We made our second and final trip this season to watch the Nutcracker cast conduct a story time and then dance several small pieces from the ballet. The thrill apparently had not worn off from last weekend. Zoe and Mia both loved it and had their eyes glued to the stage the entire time.

Post-Halloween Dress Up

This is Zoe in Halloween costumes we have for one, two and three year olds. Looks like they don't ever get old...

Sugar plum fairy:

Monkey:

Sophie - 8 Months

Sophie, we're slowly inching towards a one year birthday! I can't believe it. Time is flying by.

This month you are mastering the art of balancing on all fours and trying to lurch yourself forward. I see crawling in your future. You can sit somewhat - still a little tipsy turvy. Your hair is growing more now and is just about ready to tolerate a barrette.

Lots of new foods on the menu too: garbanzo beans, lentils, green beans, tofu, potato, Oatio's, broccoli, summer squash and tahini. We nurse five-six times each day, and you've gotten really efficient. It only takes you 10-20 minutes maximum to nurse.

We had visits this month from Grandma Barbara who came to help celebrate Zoe's birthday, and then later from Grandpa Ed. Uncle Brad also came to visit us. You continue to be warm with visitors and new people. You are happy to be held or play nearby.We celebrated your first Halloween this month too. You were very cuddly in your baby chick costume. Luckily the weather wasn't too warm for it, and you were happy to wear it in two parades and on Halloween night.

You really enjoy story times, especially when music is involved. You babble and "talk" to let us know just how much you like it.

Happy eighth month Sophie.

We love you!

Mom

Art

Mia and I have started taking an art class together one afternoon each week. It's been good for her in more ways than I could have imagined. She loves the little story time, the relatively independent art time, the music time that follows, but most of all she loves the one-on-one time with me. I feel the same way.

Here is one example of her art. This is a turkey in honor of the holiday ahead. It was really cool how they set the project up. They used little droppers to pick up and apply the paint.

Mia Speak

Mom: Mia, you know what?

Mia: What?

Mom: I love you.

Mia: Mom, you know what?

Mom: What?

Mia: I took my horseshoe home. (Referencing a horseshoe she had taken to school about a month ago and brought back home a few days ago.)

Mia: Mom, why are you laughing?

Mom: I thought you were going to say you loved me too.

Mia: Oh, I love you mom.

Cuteness Has No Limits

The giggles below were inspired by extreme jumping in the contraption she's in here. She can really get going now that her legs are so strong.

Fall Play

While Zoe and Mia both proclaim to be "done" with Autumn and eagerly awaiting a first snow, you'd never know it from the fun they have with the leaves. Lucky for them, our house gets dumped on by leaves each Fall and there are plenty to go around.

Ballerina Bliss

For the past several years, a ballet studio (Ballet Nova) puts on a large production of the Nutcracker. They also produce a Nutcracker Tea for little kids which is a shortened version of the ballet accompanied by a tea service at a local hotel.

To market these events, they host three story times accompanied by mini-dances at book stores around the region. The performers come in full costume, read several books to the awe-struck kids, and then perform tid-bits from the ballet. We stumbled upon this last year and Zoe and Mia were inspired. This year we hope to visit two of their bookstore visits. Below you'll find Zoe and Mia close enough to kiss the stage. The ballerina even let them touch the decorations on her costume. Joy would be an understatement.
The next and final showing is at Barnes and Noble in Tysons on Saturday the 20th at 10:30 AM. It's worth confirming the details first if you plan to head out there. You'll find us there I'm sure.

Soccer Saturday

A little soccer with some pals from school...

Zoe Speak

Mommy, you don't take your earrings off when you eat because you put forks in your mouth, not your ears.

We should live in this restaurant. (Pointing to a booth) We could sleep there.

Random Odds and Ends

Thank you Grandma Barbara for coming to help celebrate Zoe's 5th birthday. It was great to have you here. (And, yes, that is my arm in the role of kick-stand to help keep Sophie upright below.)

My kids completely rejecting the new Wasa crackers I bought. Apparently being large and super crunchy are not enough to win little people's hearts and minds (and tummy's).

Last bit of randomness, I think it's interesting that my soap opera-esque post about marriage got so much more attention than the one on discipline. People - I was looking for some brain power on that one!