My daughter gets to enjoy the joy that I had growing up.... experiencing the fun of having her grandma (my mom) living next door to my grandparents (her great-grandparents). I always enjoyed being able to run next door anytime I wanted. (And there was always a nice neighbor to get a cup of flour or a couple eggs!) So here are a couple fun stories from yesterday. My little stinker was causing havoc at both houses.
We went to Grandma's house first. Grandma fed her a banana, cheerios, and milk. Well since it has been a few years since Grandma had to deal with babies she has forgotten a few of the essentials. Like, if you give the baby food and don't sit by, a BIG mess will be made. Well that mess meant the little lady got a bath. So my mom undressed my baby, including taking off her diaper, THEN decides to run the bath water. (If you have never bathed a baby, she did that backwards, water should be ready before the diaper comes off). Well I don't know why my mom thought the baby would just sit next to her while she got the bath tub ready, but she thought this. My little ornery angel decided to take full advantage of her new freedom and took a couple steps, then realizing that she could cover more distance faster on all fours, fell down to a crawl and took off like a greased pig after food. She made it out of the bathroom, down the hall, and halfway into the living room (a pretty good distance in this house) before my mom caught up to her. When I heard the unmistakable sound of the pitter-patter of little hands on hardwood I look in the direction it was coming from only to see my little angel in her birthday suit giggling, smiling, and crawling as fast as she could with my mom chasing after her saying, "Come back here you little squirt! Get back here! Come back! And DON'T PEE ON MY FLOOR!" She got her bath and fun playtime in the tub. She was in heaven!
Later we walked next door to play with the great-grandparents. She crawled loads of laps around the house, giggling, and generally having fun. When everyone was trying to watch the Saturday college football games, she kept trying to change the channel. You see my daughter has learned to push the buttons on the remote and phone. She had made 6 phone calls from my phone the day before (that was before I took the phone away from her). Well at grandparents' house, she kept trying to get the remote, so my uncle gave her a remote from an old VCR player that was still in the house. She kept pushing the buttons, then would look at the TV to see what would happen. When nothing happened she got confused, yelled at me, then threw the remote. Later I gave her a plastic phone to play with. It took her about 5 seconds to realize it wasn't real, she yelled at me and threw it across the room. You see my little button pusher actually knows what happens when you push buttons and doesn't like it when she doesn't get her intended results.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Daddy thinks it's funny!
My husband has trained our daughter to do what I call her little "parlor tricks." He says "clap, clap" and she starts smiling, giggling and clapping. When he says "dance, dance." She starts bouncing up and down.
I have taught her to give kisses and hugs. Also, I have her trained to giggle when I shake my head.
This being said, tonight I was laying on my back with my daughter sitting on my tummy when her dad called saying he was on his way home from work. When I put him on speakerphone he said, "dance, dance," and she instantaneously started bouncing up and down.... ON MY BLADDER that wasn't exactly empty.
She started giggling. He started laughing when he found out what she did. It was cute though. She was excited to hear his voice and couldn't contain herself. It was so cute. LOVE!
I have taught her to give kisses and hugs. Also, I have her trained to giggle when I shake my head.
This being said, tonight I was laying on my back with my daughter sitting on my tummy when her dad called saying he was on his way home from work. When I put him on speakerphone he said, "dance, dance," and she instantaneously started bouncing up and down.... ON MY BLADDER that wasn't exactly empty.
She started giggling. He started laughing when he found out what she did. It was cute though. She was excited to hear his voice and couldn't contain herself. It was so cute. LOVE!
You get what breed
First let me say, I am not perfect. I make mistakes ... usually multiple times a day. But something has been bugging me a lot lately and has made me reflect on myself and how I am as a mother. I know two different moms that have out of control children, and I believe that they set themselves up for a tough situation.
Both moms routinely call their kids negative names (not curse words), but names like "Devil boy", "Little Monster", "P.I.T.A" - ok, so the last one is curse words. (Pain in the a$$ in case you didn't know that one) I asked both moms why they do this and they said that their boys are out of control and don't listen. Even when I pointed out that they have become what their moms expect of them, both said "oh just wait, your daughter will become just as bad."
Well I hope not. I think that by POSITIVELY reinforcing children they can be well adjusted. Now, that is not to say I don't call my daughter names that are not on her birth certificate. But lets look at some of these:
Little Miss Bedhead - This seems odd, but for someone with as short of hair as she has, she can root around enough when she is asleep to create some amazingly difficult bedhead to deal with. I sometimes take pictures of it to showcase her ability!
Miss Sassy Pants - She is not lacking in personality. Actually she is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. And I am not the only one that thinks this. With all this personality comes sassiness. It is who she is. She crinkles her nose and snorts, moves her face to right in front of yours to get your attention then giggles, things like this. She knows how to get a smile and does her little tricks to get the smile or laugh she wants.
Stinkerpants - This may seem negative, until you realize I call her this when she has a LOADED diaper. Everyone poops - it is a natural process. It isn't a degraded thing I say 24/7... and it is said jokingly. Whenever I am calling her this, she is giggling... it almost like she lies in wait for me to discover the surprise she has for me then giggles when I tease her about it.
And of course there are the uplifting ones:
Angel - She is our little gift from God.
Sweetie - Again, happy baby. Sweet hearted kid
Pumpkin - She was born in October. I looked like I had swallowed the Great Pumpkin when I was about to deliver her. She has been my little pumpkin since before she was born.
Cuddlebug - My little angel loves to snuggle. I think if she could get someone to carry her everywhere she might allow it to happen... that is until she wants to get down and play.
So my hope is that my positive reinforcement of my daughter leads to more angelic than demonic behavior. Don't get me wrong, my daughter isn't all sugar and spice all the time, but she is more sweet than bitter!
Both moms routinely call their kids negative names (not curse words), but names like "Devil boy", "Little Monster", "P.I.T.A" - ok, so the last one is curse words. (Pain in the a$$ in case you didn't know that one) I asked both moms why they do this and they said that their boys are out of control and don't listen. Even when I pointed out that they have become what their moms expect of them, both said "oh just wait, your daughter will become just as bad."
Well I hope not. I think that by POSITIVELY reinforcing children they can be well adjusted. Now, that is not to say I don't call my daughter names that are not on her birth certificate. But lets look at some of these:
Little Miss Bedhead - This seems odd, but for someone with as short of hair as she has, she can root around enough when she is asleep to create some amazingly difficult bedhead to deal with. I sometimes take pictures of it to showcase her ability!
Miss Sassy Pants - She is not lacking in personality. Actually she is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. And I am not the only one that thinks this. With all this personality comes sassiness. It is who she is. She crinkles her nose and snorts, moves her face to right in front of yours to get your attention then giggles, things like this. She knows how to get a smile and does her little tricks to get the smile or laugh she wants.
Stinkerpants - This may seem negative, until you realize I call her this when she has a LOADED diaper. Everyone poops - it is a natural process. It isn't a degraded thing I say 24/7... and it is said jokingly. Whenever I am calling her this, she is giggling... it almost like she lies in wait for me to discover the surprise she has for me then giggles when I tease her about it.
And of course there are the uplifting ones:
Angel - She is our little gift from God.
Sweetie - Again, happy baby. Sweet hearted kid
Pumpkin - She was born in October. I looked like I had swallowed the Great Pumpkin when I was about to deliver her. She has been my little pumpkin since before she was born.
Cuddlebug - My little angel loves to snuggle. I think if she could get someone to carry her everywhere she might allow it to happen... that is until she wants to get down and play.
So my hope is that my positive reinforcement of my daughter leads to more angelic than demonic behavior. Don't get me wrong, my daughter isn't all sugar and spice all the time, but she is more sweet than bitter!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Two simple words make all the difference...
Yes, I am going to talk about the two hardest words any person needs to utter.... "I'm sorry." Apparently people have forgotten how to say them!
Today the little lady and I went to the grocery store (not as easy when the one you are with is squirmy and wants to climb out of the cart....but I digress)... As I was getting her out of the car out of the corner of my eye I saw a large teenager who just happened to be Hispanic.... he was running towards me/my car and screaming. Well his intended target was his friend in the car next to us. He wanted to spook her, but instead he nearly made me pee myself. I almost dropped my daughter I was so frightened. Instead I kinda squeezed her a little harder than I intended and turned my back to him. When he started laughing at scaring his friend I turned around and in my very angry mommy voice screamed at him, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"
His lame response: "What, I thought you saw me."
Me: "I saw you after you scared the life out of me. What were you thinking? Were you even thinking? Did you not see me getting an infant out of the back of a car? Do you realize I almost dropped her? You need to be aware of your surroundings!"
Him: "Lady, chillax (I HATE THAT WORD! YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST RUN YOUR NAILS DOWN THE CHALK BOARD NOW!) I was just playing a harmless joke." Then he walked away from me leaving me very very upset.
So what did I do? Well since this young inconsiderate individual works at the store (yes, he did this in his work uniform), I decided to do what any good mom would do.... I tattled. It didn't hurt that the assistant manager was one of the first people I saw when I walked in the store. So I told him what his employee was doing (on property and in uniform no less), how upset it made me, and how unprofessional I found it to be. His response, "I will talk to him."
At no point did either of these gentlemen say they were sorry. The guy who scared the crap out of me and my daughter thought it was funny (but what do you expect from a teenager, right?). The manager (who I thought might understand my point because he was about my parent's age) didn't even seem all that concerned about it. I highly doubt anything is done about this. But I bet, had I actually dropped my daughter and I threatened a law suit there would be loads of people appologizing for the stupidity of one.... or maybe not....
Glad I didn't have to find out.
Today the little lady and I went to the grocery store (not as easy when the one you are with is squirmy and wants to climb out of the cart....but I digress)... As I was getting her out of the car out of the corner of my eye I saw a large teenager who just happened to be Hispanic.... he was running towards me/my car and screaming. Well his intended target was his friend in the car next to us. He wanted to spook her, but instead he nearly made me pee myself. I almost dropped my daughter I was so frightened. Instead I kinda squeezed her a little harder than I intended and turned my back to him. When he started laughing at scaring his friend I turned around and in my very angry mommy voice screamed at him, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"
His lame response: "What, I thought you saw me."
Me: "I saw you after you scared the life out of me. What were you thinking? Were you even thinking? Did you not see me getting an infant out of the back of a car? Do you realize I almost dropped her? You need to be aware of your surroundings!"
Him: "Lady, chillax (I HATE THAT WORD! YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST RUN YOUR NAILS DOWN THE CHALK BOARD NOW!) I was just playing a harmless joke." Then he walked away from me leaving me very very upset.
So what did I do? Well since this young inconsiderate individual works at the store (yes, he did this in his work uniform), I decided to do what any good mom would do.... I tattled. It didn't hurt that the assistant manager was one of the first people I saw when I walked in the store. So I told him what his employee was doing (on property and in uniform no less), how upset it made me, and how unprofessional I found it to be. His response, "I will talk to him."
At no point did either of these gentlemen say they were sorry. The guy who scared the crap out of me and my daughter thought it was funny (but what do you expect from a teenager, right?). The manager (who I thought might understand my point because he was about my parent's age) didn't even seem all that concerned about it. I highly doubt anything is done about this. But I bet, had I actually dropped my daughter and I threatened a law suit there would be loads of people appologizing for the stupidity of one.... or maybe not....
Glad I didn't have to find out.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Daddy's Little Girl
I like to watch my daughter. It is better than TV! She never ceases to amaze me. I have also noticed that she is kinda transitioning from a mama's girl to a daddy's girl. And why wouldn't she? He is the fun one. He sings silly songs. He has endless energy to bounce her (since he bounces his legs almost non-stop anyway as a side effect of his ADHD) He makes a great a great seat (I have a number of pictures of her sitting on his shoulders, head, arms, etc.) He's just a big teddy bear.
He took us to feed the ducks, geese, and fish at a local pond today (a favorite activity of both of us). It took awhile to wipe the grin off her face. She was bouncy, giggly, and all smiles. We even walked through a park and took some time stopping to smell the flowers.
How do you cap off a great evening? You come home, eat dinner, (get a diaper change of course), and then spend a couple hours singing Disney songs and bouncing on Daddy's legs.
We know you are jealous!
He took us to feed the ducks, geese, and fish at a local pond today (a favorite activity of both of us). It took awhile to wipe the grin off her face. She was bouncy, giggly, and all smiles. We even walked through a park and took some time stopping to smell the flowers.
How do you cap off a great evening? You come home, eat dinner, (get a diaper change of course), and then spend a couple hours singing Disney songs and bouncing on Daddy's legs.
We know you are jealous!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
What's wrong with the world
I have been hearing that my generation has gone to hell in a hand basket. (I guess I should say I am in my late 20s, my parents in their 50s and grandparents in their 70s). Supposedly we are spoiled, rude, and don't appreciate what we have. Also we are supposedly so self absorbed that we are stuck in the birth control/abortion mentality that our elders worry for the generations to come.
Well why I won't deny that many in my generation are like this, I maintain that this is learned behavior and it goes beyond our parents problem. Why do I blame those in the 60s (yes, half way between my grandparents and parents' age)? Well let me tell you:
I have been noticing how people treat my daughter and I when my husband is not around. Since I look like I am in high school, often times I can appear as a teenage mother. While I know that it has been over 10 years since I was a teenager (oh sweet merciful Jesus I feel old), I do realize that I was a teenage mother when the 70+ year olds were, I would have been sent off to some home or sheltered away with some random family member until the baby was born then adopted. I would have then returned home after a miraculously amazing vacation and no one would ask questions. All this is besides the point, because these men and women of this generation are the nicest to my daughter and me. They are always willing to make funny faces at her. She LOVES them. I never hear anything negative about being a parent from these men and women.
Well if you move on to those in their 60s you would think aliens had invaded the world and exchanged the brains of that generation with crazy-town brains. I blame the "free-lovin" and Roe v. Wade infection. What have both men and women said about me, my daughter, or both of us together that makes me think we live in a world of "Men in Black"? (and my responses)
"She's cute. It is too bad your birth control failed." (Yeah, she was and still is very much wanted and loved and I never took birth control)
"Why would you ever want to ruin your life for at least the next 18 years?" (My life isn't ruined, it is improved. She makes me love waking up each day to see what she can manage to do to make me giggle and love her even more)
"You are throwing your potential away." (No, I am living out a greater calling)
"Why would you want another kid? They are expensive. One is more than enough." (Umm.. as long as God is willing to grant us another kid, we are willing to be the best parents we can be. We say bring on the fun! Plus, our daughter needs someone to fight with.)
And these are just a few of the ones I could come up with off the top of my head. Oh, and not to mention the crabby lady at church who feels the need to scowl at my precious daughter. It is not my dear daughter's fault you can't see the face of God in a happy child who just wants to play peek-a-boo with you. She was not being loud, nor destructive, and was barely being distracting. Had you smiled at her, she would have moved on to her next object of attention.
There is a silver lining to my rant. I am noticing a return to common sense for our generation and those younger. There seems to be a growing appreciation for the respect for life movement. Maybe it is because we are young and haven't been completely sucked into the culture (for the record I don't believe this one), or it is that we have noticed what our parents did, realized it didn't work and want to return to a better time in history. Either way, as soon as people learn to realize that babies are a blessing, not a burden, the world will be made a better place.
Well why I won't deny that many in my generation are like this, I maintain that this is learned behavior and it goes beyond our parents problem. Why do I blame those in the 60s (yes, half way between my grandparents and parents' age)? Well let me tell you:
I have been noticing how people treat my daughter and I when my husband is not around. Since I look like I am in high school, often times I can appear as a teenage mother. While I know that it has been over 10 years since I was a teenager (oh sweet merciful Jesus I feel old), I do realize that I was a teenage mother when the 70+ year olds were, I would have been sent off to some home or sheltered away with some random family member until the baby was born then adopted. I would have then returned home after a miraculously amazing vacation and no one would ask questions. All this is besides the point, because these men and women of this generation are the nicest to my daughter and me. They are always willing to make funny faces at her. She LOVES them. I never hear anything negative about being a parent from these men and women.
Well if you move on to those in their 60s you would think aliens had invaded the world and exchanged the brains of that generation with crazy-town brains. I blame the "free-lovin" and Roe v. Wade infection. What have both men and women said about me, my daughter, or both of us together that makes me think we live in a world of "Men in Black"? (and my responses)
"She's cute. It is too bad your birth control failed." (Yeah, she was and still is very much wanted and loved and I never took birth control)
"Why would you ever want to ruin your life for at least the next 18 years?" (My life isn't ruined, it is improved. She makes me love waking up each day to see what she can manage to do to make me giggle and love her even more)
"You are throwing your potential away." (No, I am living out a greater calling)
"Why would you want another kid? They are expensive. One is more than enough." (Umm.. as long as God is willing to grant us another kid, we are willing to be the best parents we can be. We say bring on the fun! Plus, our daughter needs someone to fight with.)
And these are just a few of the ones I could come up with off the top of my head. Oh, and not to mention the crabby lady at church who feels the need to scowl at my precious daughter. It is not my dear daughter's fault you can't see the face of God in a happy child who just wants to play peek-a-boo with you. She was not being loud, nor destructive, and was barely being distracting. Had you smiled at her, she would have moved on to her next object of attention.
There is a silver lining to my rant. I am noticing a return to common sense for our generation and those younger. There seems to be a growing appreciation for the respect for life movement. Maybe it is because we are young and haven't been completely sucked into the culture (for the record I don't believe this one), or it is that we have noticed what our parents did, realized it didn't work and want to return to a better time in history. Either way, as soon as people learn to realize that babies are a blessing, not a burden, the world will be made a better place.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Welcoming committee chair in training
The little lady and I recently went to daily mass on a Friday at her Godfather's parish (and yes he was the presiding pastor). Well I didn't realize that NO ONE uses the "front" door of the parish and that everyone comes through the side door (stage left). Well we sat in the second to the front row where everyone would have to walk past us. I had her standing on the pew in front of me while I was kneeling in prayer (yes, I was holding on to her) and I couldn't figure out why it seemed like she was acting like a washing machine on the agitation cycle, so I opened my eyes and watched her. As each person walked in the door she would make eye contact, smile, and follow him/her to the respective seat choice to see if the person would smile at her. If she got a smile as her chosen target walked through the door, she would flap her "wings" (arms) and wait for the next person to walk through the door. Each person was welcomed with a huge smile - one that was irresistible.
Well today in mass (at our "home" parish) she decided to attempt to bring joy to everyone around us. There was a grumpy lady seated behind us. The little lady tried to play peek-a-boo, smile, giggle, and generally be adorable. While it didn't work to make the lady smile, everyone else in the rows behind us were smiling and enjoying her "antics". I even had an older gentleman came up to me after the recessional to tell me how much he enjoyed watching my happy baby.
Give it a couple years and she will be the church's welcoming committee chair person!
Well today in mass (at our "home" parish) she decided to attempt to bring joy to everyone around us. There was a grumpy lady seated behind us. The little lady tried to play peek-a-boo, smile, giggle, and generally be adorable. While it didn't work to make the lady smile, everyone else in the rows behind us were smiling and enjoying her "antics". I even had an older gentleman came up to me after the recessional to tell me how much he enjoyed watching my happy baby.
Give it a couple years and she will be the church's welcoming committee chair person!
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