While not officially attempting to potty train yet, Dagny has become quite interested in bathroom and potty activities of late. In general, mothers lack privacy the moment they give birth. Maybe when the kids go to college, privacy will return for most of us.
Going to the bathroom today with the door wide open, Dagny sauntered in and asked what I was doing.
Me: Well, what does it look like I'm doing?
Dagny: Going pee-pee! (stated proudly)
Me: Good guess. I'm going poopy. (offering her the words needed to describe her own bodily functions)
She ran around to the side of the potty and shouted, "I wanna see. I wanna see!"
After peering over the side, she shouted, "CHICKEN! MOMMY, LOOK CHICKEN!"
Oddly enough, we ate meat-loaf last night......
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
A few weeks ago, my girls started this bad habit of jumping on their beds. To absolutely no avail, I have tried to discourage this extremely dangerous exercise, largely because bed-jumping is the reason why most kids end up with a broken limb at the closest emergency room.
Last night, we put the girls to bed as usual. Within a few moments, we could hear the springs squeaking. Instead of running upstairs to attempt altering their behavior, I thought, "They'll get tired of it soon and eventually fall asleep." Let's just say, my motherly instinct was completely off-base this time. We all have bad days, right?
At 8:25pm, the creaking mattress spring suddenly halted. Then we heard a piercing scream from Dagny. At the same moment, Valerie panicked and screamed, "MOMMY, DADDY COME QUICK. DAGNY IS HURT. HELP! HELP! HELP!"
What felt like slow motion, Ken and I ran through the kitchen, up the stairs and through the hallway to their bedroom. I found Dagny screaming while sitting on her bed. Her hands drenched in blood, covered her nose and mouth. As parents, we wanted to do anything to take away her pain and to stop the blood. We offered cold cloths and ice to reduce the swelling.
Apparently, little Dagny jumped right into the headboard and smashed her face. By 10pm, the house was quiet and the kids were asleep. All night, I feared her nose was broken.
Fortunately, this morning, she looks better. Her nose is a little swollen and tender, but she is not black and blue. A couple of times, her nose has dripped a drop or two of blood, but she seems in pretty good spirits.
For those who allow their children and grandchildren to jump on the bed, I hate to say, "I told you so", but really it's not acceptable to teach children how to jump on beds. Our job is to protect them - not to teach them how to permanently maim and disfigure themselves.
I am just so thankful that she only hurt her nose and did not break a limb. Hopefully, this will be the last time they jump on the beds. I explained to Valerie that anyone who jumps on the bed in our house or who encourages jumping on the bed under our roof will sleep in the garage without bed privileges until further notice!
As the doctor says, "That's what you get for jumping on the bed."
Last night, we put the girls to bed as usual. Within a few moments, we could hear the springs squeaking. Instead of running upstairs to attempt altering their behavior, I thought, "They'll get tired of it soon and eventually fall asleep." Let's just say, my motherly instinct was completely off-base this time. We all have bad days, right?
At 8:25pm, the creaking mattress spring suddenly halted. Then we heard a piercing scream from Dagny. At the same moment, Valerie panicked and screamed, "MOMMY, DADDY COME QUICK. DAGNY IS HURT. HELP! HELP! HELP!"
What felt like slow motion, Ken and I ran through the kitchen, up the stairs and through the hallway to their bedroom. I found Dagny screaming while sitting on her bed. Her hands drenched in blood, covered her nose and mouth. As parents, we wanted to do anything to take away her pain and to stop the blood. We offered cold cloths and ice to reduce the swelling.
Apparently, little Dagny jumped right into the headboard and smashed her face. By 10pm, the house was quiet and the kids were asleep. All night, I feared her nose was broken.
Fortunately, this morning, she looks better. Her nose is a little swollen and tender, but she is not black and blue. A couple of times, her nose has dripped a drop or two of blood, but she seems in pretty good spirits.
For those who allow their children and grandchildren to jump on the bed, I hate to say, "I told you so", but really it's not acceptable to teach children how to jump on beds. Our job is to protect them - not to teach them how to permanently maim and disfigure themselves.
I am just so thankful that she only hurt her nose and did not break a limb. Hopefully, this will be the last time they jump on the beds. I explained to Valerie that anyone who jumps on the bed in our house or who encourages jumping on the bed under our roof will sleep in the garage without bed privileges until further notice!
As the doctor says, "That's what you get for jumping on the bed."
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Happy Camper
Today marked Valerie's first day of camp at her new school. I left her at the school this morning feeling a little apprehensive. The place seemed completely chaotic - kids, counselors and parents just milling about. I feared there would be little organization to the day.
Fortunately, I stayed long enough to see that Valerie was assigned to a particular group. She trotted off with her counselors and I still had an uneasy feeling.
The day passed very slowly. I watched the clock tick and waiting by the phone, expecting them to call me to inform me of her difficulty adjusting.
The only noise in the house besides Dagny and myself was the ticking of the clock.
As the time neared for me to fetch her from camp, I grew anxious. We had enjoyed such a nice day yesterday at the museum and I missed her so much. Surely she had missed me too!
As I drove through the carpool lane, I viewed her smiling through the rearview mirror, happily ambling toward the car with her counselor.
Once she was settled in her car-seat, I asked, "How was your day? Did you have fun?"
Valerie: Yes, mommy. Camp is SO fun! (with an ear-to-ear grin)
Me: Great. What did you do that was so fun?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: Did you make new friends?
Valerie: Yes (still beaming)
Me: What are their names?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: What are your counselors' names?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: Did you go swimming at camp?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: But, you had fun at camp right?
Valerie: Yes - I LOVE CAMP! Can I go again tomorrow?
I have no idea what happened at camp today, but I do know that I reside with a truly happy camper!
Fortunately, I stayed long enough to see that Valerie was assigned to a particular group. She trotted off with her counselors and I still had an uneasy feeling.
The day passed very slowly. I watched the clock tick and waiting by the phone, expecting them to call me to inform me of her difficulty adjusting.
The only noise in the house besides Dagny and myself was the ticking of the clock.
As the time neared for me to fetch her from camp, I grew anxious. We had enjoyed such a nice day yesterday at the museum and I missed her so much. Surely she had missed me too!
As I drove through the carpool lane, I viewed her smiling through the rearview mirror, happily ambling toward the car with her counselor.
Once she was settled in her car-seat, I asked, "How was your day? Did you have fun?"
Valerie: Yes, mommy. Camp is SO fun! (with an ear-to-ear grin)
Me: Great. What did you do that was so fun?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: Did you make new friends?
Valerie: Yes (still beaming)
Me: What are their names?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: What are your counselors' names?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: Did you go swimming at camp?
Valerie: I don't know.
Me: But, you had fun at camp right?
Valerie: Yes - I LOVE CAMP! Can I go again tomorrow?
I have no idea what happened at camp today, but I do know that I reside with a truly happy camper!
Monday, June 20, 2005
Stinky Dinosaurs
We went to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County today. The purpose of the visit was to see the Pavilion of Wings exhibit. The butterflies were a hit with the girls.
We enjoyed viewing the dinosaur bones, the sparkling rocks, the stuffed mammals and visiting the interactive Discovery Center. Valerie even pet a California kingsnake named Oreo. Dagny made me carry her through the dinosaur exhibit when she panicked realizing the immensity of these former beasts.
Prior to this morning's visit, I explained a little about our trip to mentally prepare my offspring.
Me: We are going to a museum today to see butterflies. There will also be big dinosaurs at the museum.
Valerie: Are they alive?
Me: No, not anymore. We will see the dinosaur skeletons because these animals are now extinct.
Valerie: (pausing) Why do they stink?
Me: (giggling) Honey, they don't smell. Extinct means that the dinosaurs are no longer living. It means the whole species has died out and no longer live here with us. But the words stink and extinct sound alike right? Can you say extinct?
Valerie: No. I think I want to only see the butterflies.
We enjoyed viewing the dinosaur bones, the sparkling rocks, the stuffed mammals and visiting the interactive Discovery Center. Valerie even pet a California kingsnake named Oreo. Dagny made me carry her through the dinosaur exhibit when she panicked realizing the immensity of these former beasts.
Prior to this morning's visit, I explained a little about our trip to mentally prepare my offspring.
Me: We are going to a museum today to see butterflies. There will also be big dinosaurs at the museum.
Valerie: Are they alive?
Me: No, not anymore. We will see the dinosaur skeletons because these animals are now extinct.
Valerie: (pausing) Why do they stink?
Me: (giggling) Honey, they don't smell. Extinct means that the dinosaurs are no longer living. It means the whole species has died out and no longer live here with us. But the words stink and extinct sound alike right? Can you say extinct?
Valerie: No. I think I want to only see the butterflies.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
The Gift of Father's Day
In the US, the person who decided to take time to celebrate fatherhood and motherhood had to be a woman. Really, whoever came up with these special days, often marked as Hallmark holidays, was truly a genius.
Mother's Day is a time for mothers in this country to celebrate their motherhood ALONE. Yes, it's great to send the kiddies off with the daddies and say, "Mommy needs a break".
Father's Day, too, I now realize, is a time for daddies to spend time with their kiddies too.
So, thanks Kenny for letting me get so much done today without having to referee the girls. Hope you enjoyed your time as the involved dad that you are.
Mother's Day is a time for mothers in this country to celebrate their motherhood ALONE. Yes, it's great to send the kiddies off with the daddies and say, "Mommy needs a break".
Father's Day, too, I now realize, is a time for daddies to spend time with their kiddies too.
So, thanks Kenny for letting me get so much done today without having to referee the girls. Hope you enjoyed your time as the involved dad that you are.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Aspirations for a Brother
As we drove to school today, the conversation turned to brothers and sisters.
Valerie announced: My friend Stephanie has a big brother. I want one too.
Me: Well, it's doubtful that you'll have a big brother or little brother at this point. Your daddy and I have decided that we're happy with just two kids - you and your sister.
Valerie: But, I WANT a brother....
Me: Sorry. Maybe you can borrow your friend's brother until you get tired of him. Or better yet, why don't you pretend you have a brother.
Valerie: (excited) When I grow up, I'm going to be a brother.
Me: How are you going to do that? You're a sister. Once you're a sister, you're kind of stuck - you don't have any options or choice in the matter.
Valerie: It's okay mommy, I'm going to be a brother when I grow up.
Me: Maybe you could dress up as a brother for Halloween. Try that first. Later, you can decide if you want to be a brother when you grow up.
The conversation reminded me of my own disjointed assumptions as a little girl living on 48th Street in Des Moines, IA. I clearly remember straddling the potty. I had to practice going potty like a boy so that I would be ready to "turn into a boy" on my seventh birthday.
How do kids come up with this stuff?
Valerie announced: My friend Stephanie has a big brother. I want one too.
Me: Well, it's doubtful that you'll have a big brother or little brother at this point. Your daddy and I have decided that we're happy with just two kids - you and your sister.
Valerie: But, I WANT a brother....
Me: Sorry. Maybe you can borrow your friend's brother until you get tired of him. Or better yet, why don't you pretend you have a brother.
Valerie: (excited) When I grow up, I'm going to be a brother.
Me: How are you going to do that? You're a sister. Once you're a sister, you're kind of stuck - you don't have any options or choice in the matter.
Valerie: It's okay mommy, I'm going to be a brother when I grow up.
Me: Maybe you could dress up as a brother for Halloween. Try that first. Later, you can decide if you want to be a brother when you grow up.
The conversation reminded me of my own disjointed assumptions as a little girl living on 48th Street in Des Moines, IA. I clearly remember straddling the potty. I had to practice going potty like a boy so that I would be ready to "turn into a boy" on my seventh birthday.
How do kids come up with this stuff?
Thursday, June 16, 2005
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