The boy is growing up - fast. In addition to the constant five and six word sentences, and the barrage of questions about his surroundings, and the many, many mini battles concerning boundaries and limits in a day, he has started to show some signs of going to sleep on his own.
The real change has come at nap time. In the past at nap time, one of us would take up the generally melted-down Wiggle and put him in his bed, at which point we would leave the room and sit outside the door. We would also open the laundry room door against his door to blockade him in because otherwise he would endlessly come out. He would alternate between playing and trying to come out or lure us in, and then would melt down again for one or two minutes before he would fall asleep on the floor. This had been progressing to no melt downs, but still trying to get out, mixed with playing. But this week, I have taken him up, put him in his bed, given him a kiss, walked out, and then gone to my room down the hall. When I hear him open his door, I give a shout to go back in because it's nap time, and lo and behold, he has gone back in to quietly play. Today he was asleep in less than five minutes from when I put him in. Wowza!
At night, things haven't progressed quite as much, but still they are coming along. While he still sometimes comes in for a few minutes in the middle of the night, he goes back into his bed with no trouble as soon as he falls back to sleep. As far as going to sleep, we have a good routine that works, but it relied on us being in the room with him until he falls asleep, generally with me rubbing his back or C snuggling him. Tonight, after the stories and songs and kisses, I said I was going to sit at the door while he went to sleep. He seemed to think that was fine and drifted off quietly within a few minutes.
Now, if we could only move his wake up time a little later in the morning...
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Coming Out of Hibernation
I still haven't felt like writing lately. I have felt the beginnings of a number of posts, but can't seem to sit down and do the actual writing. Truly, I haven't been able to sit down and follow through on a lot of things lately. By nature, I am a researcher, or maybe a better description is an investigator. I like to find things, especially things that are hard to find. What this means in my daily life is that I get sidetracked a lot. A simple task like putting toys away leads to finding every puzzle's missing piece (and ignoring the many cars littering the living room), which leads to an internet search for the next size-up of puzzle for Wiggle to tackle, which leads to a search for vintage wooden puzzles on ebay, which leads to me being mentally tapped, Wiggle being frustrated, and the house still being a mess. Most of my family has ADD and would probably categorize me as ADD too, but I think my frenetic-ness is more about having a lot of bad habits and little self-control than a brain-wiring issue. What I do know is that I would like to spend more time living in the immediate present. I want to stop thinking about what I will do when I next have free-time, or when I go to the grocery store, or when I'm cleaning - I just want to do when it is time to do. Unfortunately, this will mean some advance planning which I have a hard time controlling, but I think I am going to take some of the advice I have given C and use a timer, so that I can't spend endless hours derailing. I have a strong desire to feel calmer, at peace, instead of the frustrated ball of pent of energy that I generally am.
We had some really wonderful sunny and warm weather this weekend, and it felt fantastic to be outside in the sun and feel the warm air. Tonight I walked to campus to a coffee shop and it was raining a little, but in a pleasant, gentle way, and the air just smelled amazing. I always love the smell of rain, but in Chicago, I now realize how much cement I could smell, the rain here smelled so much sweeter, fuller. And I can see stars from my back porch, actual constellations, not just a random star that has burned through all of the pollution to shine. I mean, I know there is still pollution and cement here, but compared to Chicago, it feels like being in the country. Maybe I just need to spend more time taking "the cure, " nineteenth-century style, taking long walks and sitting out on a deck in a lounge chair with a blanket tucked around me up to my neck. Some hot springs would be nice too.
It is my intention to post more frequently, but I have to figure out some balance between trying to write more and just doing some kind of rudimentary updates about our lives.
Just know, I haven't forgotten and I'm working on it; I promise.
We had some really wonderful sunny and warm weather this weekend, and it felt fantastic to be outside in the sun and feel the warm air. Tonight I walked to campus to a coffee shop and it was raining a little, but in a pleasant, gentle way, and the air just smelled amazing. I always love the smell of rain, but in Chicago, I now realize how much cement I could smell, the rain here smelled so much sweeter, fuller. And I can see stars from my back porch, actual constellations, not just a random star that has burned through all of the pollution to shine. I mean, I know there is still pollution and cement here, but compared to Chicago, it feels like being in the country. Maybe I just need to spend more time taking "the cure, " nineteenth-century style, taking long walks and sitting out on a deck in a lounge chair with a blanket tucked around me up to my neck. Some hot springs would be nice too.
It is my intention to post more frequently, but I have to figure out some balance between trying to write more and just doing some kind of rudimentary updates about our lives.
Just know, I haven't forgotten and I'm working on it; I promise.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tick-Tock Goes the Clock
What can i say? We've had an ankle injury for me, Wiggle's birthday,a couple of snow days, my birthday, a wonderful visit from my mom. I haven't had the time or inclination to write.
The ankle thing isn't major for my ankle, except that I have to wear Frankenboot everywhere, but I've had to stop running completely for now. I am allowed to do 15 minutes on the bike or some water aerobics until it gets some of its strength back. So frustrating! I went to the gym tonight, and even though I wanted to do so much more, it still felt good to get any exercise at all. A couple of old swim buddies from high school and I are going to train for a triathlon in the fall, so I'd better get this ankle thing squared away soon.
We went and looked at open houses this weekend while my mom was here, and I think we've settled on Takoma Park as the area we'd like to live in. Now to get a realtor and start looking in earnest.
Also, I've been going a little stir crazy in the house so much. The snow, combined with my ankle, combined with a toddler who often requires the work of two adults to put pants on, has put a hitch in my going out plans on many a day as of late.
In other news, I still plan on sitting down and thinking about some personal goals for the year. I know we are already a month in, but time has been a rather precious commodity to me lately, and when I do have it, my mind tends to be racing with the thoughts of the day. Adding the thoughts of tomorrow to my cluttered head would just be torture much of the time. I need a clean head space to think about the future, so for right now my goal is to clear out a small closet in my head. If only I could take all that mental clutter to Goodwill or have a garage sale. Anyone want some mild anxiety regarding medical expenses or indecisiveness regarding a potty training method? I could make you a really good deal.
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| Frankenboot |
The ankle thing isn't major for my ankle, except that I have to wear Frankenboot everywhere, but I've had to stop running completely for now. I am allowed to do 15 minutes on the bike or some water aerobics until it gets some of its strength back. So frustrating! I went to the gym tonight, and even though I wanted to do so much more, it still felt good to get any exercise at all. A couple of old swim buddies from high school and I are going to train for a triathlon in the fall, so I'd better get this ankle thing squared away soon.
We went and looked at open houses this weekend while my mom was here, and I think we've settled on Takoma Park as the area we'd like to live in. Now to get a realtor and start looking in earnest.
Also, I've been going a little stir crazy in the house so much. The snow, combined with my ankle, combined with a toddler who often requires the work of two adults to put pants on, has put a hitch in my going out plans on many a day as of late.
In other news, I still plan on sitting down and thinking about some personal goals for the year. I know we are already a month in, but time has been a rather precious commodity to me lately, and when I do have it, my mind tends to be racing with the thoughts of the day. Adding the thoughts of tomorrow to my cluttered head would just be torture much of the time. I need a clean head space to think about the future, so for right now my goal is to clear out a small closet in my head. If only I could take all that mental clutter to Goodwill or have a garage sale. Anyone want some mild anxiety regarding medical expenses or indecisiveness regarding a potty training method? I could make you a really good deal.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Preschool Blues
I have gone to three preschool open houses this week. The first one was thoroughly mediocre and had me a little scared that it would be hard to find a good one. The people were all very nice, but they kind of did a hard sell for a cooperative preschool which just seems to be the wrong way to go, to me.
Then on Tuesday, I visited a wonderful preschool in Fairfax. I wanted to start going there myself. They had a huge room with different activities and the theme this week is dinosaurs, so there were dinosaurs everywhere. Very cool. The only problem? It's in Fairfax, and I don't really want to be here next year.
Today I went to visit another cooperative preschool in Silver Spring, around where we would like to buy a house. It was a mixed bag. The kids seemed to be having a great time, and the rooms and teachers seemed cool, but the parents... They were nice, but I have never felt so underdressed and overdressed at the same time before. I was wearing a cherry red sweater set, small gold earrings, and jeans. I also had a tan, plain purse and a black and white ginko print jacket. I felt I had adopted a fairly conservative look that would be at home in a place where I do have to apply to get in, but where I also might get tempra paint on me while there. I should also mention that I was wearing make-up, which is relevant because nobody seemed to even have as much as chapstick on. Also, their clothes were all various shades of mud. Now, I happen to like shades of mud and think they can even look chic, but these all looked shapeless and drab and severe. I felt very out of place, and when I was telling C about it, he said "You felt very Dallas, huh?" And he was right, I felt that they were looking at me and seeing Texas big hair, pageant make-up, and flash. I felt like I was wearing sequins, when I thought I was projecting pearls. And that is a feeling I don't think I have ever had before.
Admittedly, I don't know if all the moms are like that, but really, there was shockingly little make-up around, especially considering the women all seemed like they were in their late thirties or early forties. You need make-up in order to look decent when you start aging; if I don't wear make-up it looks like I just got out of bed, all day. Or that I just finished a not-so-short stay in the hospital. Believe me, mascara and lipstick are with me before I check to see if I have extra diapers. After all, I can always pick up extra diapers, or even borrow one if I have to, but I can't just pick up a new lipstick on the fly.
I have another preschool open house to go to next week, but we may have to wait another year until we're settled to snag a spot at someplace we want. In the meantime, he could really go anywhere, I know I'm a good mom, and he's getting what he needs at home, he just needs some extra socialization, especially some without me there, so most places will do the trick, if it comes to that.
Then on Tuesday, I visited a wonderful preschool in Fairfax. I wanted to start going there myself. They had a huge room with different activities and the theme this week is dinosaurs, so there were dinosaurs everywhere. Very cool. The only problem? It's in Fairfax, and I don't really want to be here next year.
Today I went to visit another cooperative preschool in Silver Spring, around where we would like to buy a house. It was a mixed bag. The kids seemed to be having a great time, and the rooms and teachers seemed cool, but the parents... They were nice, but I have never felt so underdressed and overdressed at the same time before. I was wearing a cherry red sweater set, small gold earrings, and jeans. I also had a tan, plain purse and a black and white ginko print jacket. I felt I had adopted a fairly conservative look that would be at home in a place where I do have to apply to get in, but where I also might get tempra paint on me while there. I should also mention that I was wearing make-up, which is relevant because nobody seemed to even have as much as chapstick on. Also, their clothes were all various shades of mud. Now, I happen to like shades of mud and think they can even look chic, but these all looked shapeless and drab and severe. I felt very out of place, and when I was telling C about it, he said "You felt very Dallas, huh?" And he was right, I felt that they were looking at me and seeing Texas big hair, pageant make-up, and flash. I felt like I was wearing sequins, when I thought I was projecting pearls. And that is a feeling I don't think I have ever had before.
Admittedly, I don't know if all the moms are like that, but really, there was shockingly little make-up around, especially considering the women all seemed like they were in their late thirties or early forties. You need make-up in order to look decent when you start aging; if I don't wear make-up it looks like I just got out of bed, all day. Or that I just finished a not-so-short stay in the hospital. Believe me, mascara and lipstick are with me before I check to see if I have extra diapers. After all, I can always pick up extra diapers, or even borrow one if I have to, but I can't just pick up a new lipstick on the fly.
I have another preschool open house to go to next week, but we may have to wait another year until we're settled to snag a spot at someplace we want. In the meantime, he could really go anywhere, I know I'm a good mom, and he's getting what he needs at home, he just needs some extra socialization, especially some without me there, so most places will do the trick, if it comes to that.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Boring, Boring, Boring
I had been thinking to myself that I need to have more adult things to write about here, that I shouldn't be so focussed on Wiggle. Then I thought to myself, "hey, no one wants to read about whether I have a bladder infection." (I don't, BTW) How sad is that? The only thing I could think of off the top of my head that would qualify as adult content was a personal medical condition. I've got to get out of the house more. I need to do a little more reading and delve into some hobbies again. Otherwise, my life is becoming truly pathetic.
On that front, my family and I are reading A Midsummer Night's Dream together, which I am very excited about. Also, I am signing up for a charcoal and pastels class at one of the local rec centers. I have little-to-no artistic ability, but it should be a fun way to get out of the house for a few weeks.
I haven't been to the gym in a couple of weeks, which is upsetting, but I have some weird ankle pain, and I was trying to stay off of it, so it could heal. I'm going to make a doctor's appointment tomorrow, to try and get some physical therapy for it, so I can go back to the gym without making it worse.
Wiggle and I managed to have a very productive day, concerning both play and work. I got a little cleaning in, and we played with a bunch of different things without a lot of drama or aggression, which is wonderful. This evening I took him to the pool and we romped around until he got good and tuckered. It was a blast; the only reason we got out was that he was starting to shiver a lot, even in his wetsuit! (A wonderful freecycle acquisition)
My mom is coming out on Saturday, which is awesome for so many reasons, but I am especially excited because we are going to do some neighborhood scouting and house hunting. Fun!
On that front, my family and I are reading A Midsummer Night's Dream together, which I am very excited about. Also, I am signing up for a charcoal and pastels class at one of the local rec centers. I have little-to-no artistic ability, but it should be a fun way to get out of the house for a few weeks.
I haven't been to the gym in a couple of weeks, which is upsetting, but I have some weird ankle pain, and I was trying to stay off of it, so it could heal. I'm going to make a doctor's appointment tomorrow, to try and get some physical therapy for it, so I can go back to the gym without making it worse.
Wiggle and I managed to have a very productive day, concerning both play and work. I got a little cleaning in, and we played with a bunch of different things without a lot of drama or aggression, which is wonderful. This evening I took him to the pool and we romped around until he got good and tuckered. It was a blast; the only reason we got out was that he was starting to shiver a lot, even in his wetsuit! (A wonderful freecycle acquisition)
My mom is coming out on Saturday, which is awesome for so many reasons, but I am especially excited because we are going to do some neighborhood scouting and house hunting. Fun!
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| The soccer star! |
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| My husband, the sophisticate. |
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| Enjoying a snack on the go. |
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mini Me
Wiggle and I are currently embroiled in an epic battle for power and dominence, and I, of course, am losing heartily. I don't start the day thinking about campaigns and strategies, but there I am at noon screaming "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" and "if you don't pick up those toys, they are going AWAY!"
And there he is, unphased by the purple, throbbing vein in my forehead and the ever-higher pitch of my voice, grinning, Joker-style, while holding a crayon to the couch, ready to make his mark.
I am exagerating a little for effect jere, but it feels like high drama to me, and it's got to
stop. Today, while I was trying to take down the Christmas lights (don't judge me) from outside, he took the remaining Chrisas decorations from the neighbor's stoop and started smashing them on the ground with all of his might. I couldn't believe the look of abject joy he had on his face, as the plastic lawn stakes broke into smaller and smaller pieces.
When I was in second grade, there was this kid who lived down the street, Brad. Brad liked to throw rocks at the other kids on the block, and when I see Wiggle destroy things, a small part of me gets frightened that I am raising the next rock-thrower. Logically, I should not be worried by this- when some ofthe parents confronted Brad's parents about his behavior they expressed something like, "boys will be boys" or some such nonsense, and my horror at the thought of the same action in my kid means that the outcomes cannot be the same, but still, it is in a parent's nature to worry about these things.
Tomorrow, I'm spending some quality time at Barnes and Noble
in the parenting section. Also, I've got to find an indoor playground of some kind where he can run off some of this extra energy.
What can I say, it's been a rough week.
And there he is, unphased by the purple, throbbing vein in my forehead and the ever-higher pitch of my voice, grinning, Joker-style, while holding a crayon to the couch, ready to make his mark.
I am exagerating a little for effect jere, but it feels like high drama to me, and it's got to
stop. Today, while I was trying to take down the Christmas lights (don't judge me) from outside, he took the remaining Chrisas decorations from the neighbor's stoop and started smashing them on the ground with all of his might. I couldn't believe the look of abject joy he had on his face, as the plastic lawn stakes broke into smaller and smaller pieces.
When I was in second grade, there was this kid who lived down the street, Brad. Brad liked to throw rocks at the other kids on the block, and when I see Wiggle destroy things, a small part of me gets frightened that I am raising the next rock-thrower. Logically, I should not be worried by this- when some ofthe parents confronted Brad's parents about his behavior they expressed something like, "boys will be boys" or some such nonsense, and my horror at the thought of the same action in my kid means that the outcomes cannot be the same, but still, it is in a parent's nature to worry about these things.
Tomorrow, I'm spending some quality time at Barnes and Noble
in the parenting section. Also, I've got to find an indoor playground of some kind where he can run off some of this extra energy.
What can I say, it's been a rough week.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Post Holidays and New Year
We had a wonderful Christmas in Virginia with C's mom, aunt, and bro. Wiggle blissed out on trains and other various gifts. Santa brought an awesome digital camera and a book on trains (because he knew Wiggle was getting trains from his Aunt K and X-Man).
After Christmas, we drove to Dallas to see my family for New Year's. Thanks to some early morning help from both my mom and Uncle M, we have gotten to sleep in on more than a few days and finally get some much needed rest and relaxation.
We finally arrived home on Sunday evening. I miss all of our family terribly and wish we lived closer to them all.
I normally like to spend some time reflecting on the past year and making some resolutions for the new year, but I haven't had two minutes to think straight it seems in a little while. I am going to take some time this week though, and try to make some realistic goals for this year. I have a number of things I want to change and several new things I want to try, but I have a habit of shooting for the moon, when it might be better to aim for the ceiling.
Overall though, I think this year is going to be a good one!
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| The big pile o' loot |
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| Matching Monsters movies for Uncle B and Wiggle |
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| Daddy's new coffee accessory |
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| Perfume for me! |
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| Taking pictures with his new camera |
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| Mr. Serious |
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| Uncle B getting some work in on Christmas morning |
We finally arrived home on Sunday evening. I miss all of our family terribly and wish we lived closer to them all.
I normally like to spend some time reflecting on the past year and making some resolutions for the new year, but I haven't had two minutes to think straight it seems in a little while. I am going to take some time this week though, and try to make some realistic goals for this year. I have a number of things I want to change and several new things I want to try, but I have a habit of shooting for the moon, when it might be better to aim for the ceiling.
Overall though, I think this year is going to be a good one!
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