Posted on November 21, 2008
I have been bouncing this idea around my head, and I am not sure what to do about it. Chloe, at this point, really doesn’t have an idea who Santa Claus is. I just recently busted out the Christmas DVD’s my mom gave us last year, and she has been obsessively watching “Frosty the Snowman.” At the end of the movie, Santa shows up to save Frosty, and Chloe turns to me and says, “Mommy, what’s that?”
Last year, we didn’t tell her Santa brought presents, and we have never explained to her that if you ask him for something for Christmas, he just might bring it. I think it was just easier, considering the likelihood of us EVER spending a Christmas at home, to just skip over that part of the myth so we didn’t have to answer any questions as to how Santa Claus knew she was at Mama and Papa’s house.
I think this would be the year to introduce it. She’s a lot more aware of things, her memory is improving, and we are going to be home on Christmas Day.
But, I have to admit, I never really believed in Santa, and it didn’t bother me. I still enjoyed “playing” for my sister who did believe. We still got what we “asked Santa” for, and I always loved the stocking presents. Now, as a parent, I have a hard time lying to my child. I have heard stories of kids who found out Santa was a myth and they would be angry. For the first time, they realized that parents lie, and they had a difficult time trusting their parents after that.
We’re not religious people, and I already have a hard time with Christmas in general. I have to admit that I feel like a total hypocrite. I justify by telling myself that we celebrate the meaning of family on Christmas. That we celebrate loving and being loved, and all the trappings are just symbols of that. We don’t believe in ghosts, but we celebrate Halloween. We don’t believe in saints, but we celebrate Valentines day. We’re barely Irish but we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. So, Christmas is just another holiday that is an excellent excuse for everyone to get together.
Santa is definitely an important part of the Christmas tradition. But I am still on the fence. I think we could go one more year without having to include the “he brings you presents” part of the myth, but some day we are going to have to discuss this with Chloe, and I am just not quite sure what I am going to say. Thoughts? How important is Santa Claus? And if we tell Chloe the truth, how likely is it that she will ruin it for some other child who does believe?
Posted on November 9, 2008
Phew. I made it another year. Of what? You ask. Life.
And here is where I am at.
Birthday’s were WAY more exciting when I actually wanted tangible recognition of age. This is no longer the case. Now that I have officially reached so called “adulthood” (as if) it is WAY more exciting for me to enjoy the new experiences of my daughter.
Therefore:
We spent my birthday at Playhouse Disney.
John was able to get FREE tickets through work, otherwise we wouldn’t have gone. But free is free, and Chloe LOVES the Little Einsteins with a fiery passion.
Much to our surprise, there are many OTHER characters in the Playhouse Disney line up. We don’t watch live TV. The only TV show Chloe watches is the Little Einsteins because we record it. She has a couple of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofey, and Tigger stuffed toys. But, other than being at a friend’s house when it was on, has NEVER seen the shows. I think it is possible we saw a Winnie the Pooh show at Mama and Papa’s house, and I am positive she has NO IDEA who Hanny Manny is. So, she was overjoyed to see the Little Einsteins characters, but was a little confused by the rest. When Pooh came on, she said, “Wook, Mommy, a bear!”
All in all, she loved it because it had dancing, pretty lights, and lots and lots of music. But, I am trying to decide how I feel about that fact she didn’t recognize the other characters. Part of me feels a sense of pride because she has latched on to a show that I feel has actual merit. The other part of me, again, worries that she is missing out on a very important level of pop culture.
Seth loves Diego. I think it is safe to say that Chloe has never seen a Diego show. Jacob is infatuated with Mickey Mouse and Goofey. Again, I don’t think that Chloe has ever seen a Mickey Mouse show from start to finish. Julia wants to BE Minnie Mouse, and WAS for Halloween. Chloe decided to be a pirate.
It amazes me, still, how different our children’s lives can be depending on what we choose to show them on television.
I am not going to say Chloe doesn’t watch TV. Because, that would be a bold faced LIE! But, she watches movies. We have an extensive selection of Disney, Dreamworks, and Pixar movies. She has probably seen movies that most children her age have never seen! (Cough: Incredibles, one of John and my ALL TIME FAVORITES)
Therefore, she can’t sing the title song to Mickey’s Clubhouse, but she can sing along with Ariel.
And, she was beside herself to see the Einstein’s Live! All the other kids where like: “Look, its MICKEY MOUSE!” Chloe was like, “Wook, Leo! Mommy, Wook ANNIE, Mommy wook QUINCY! Mommy, wook JUNE!” Then Rocket appeared on stage and I flashed back to when I saw Micheal Jackson for the first time. Yeah, it was that dramatic.
So, no. I didn’t celebrate me on my birthday. What I did was WAY better.
Posted on November 3, 2008
After much hemming and hawing, hours of research, and weeks of second guessing, its all over. We have begun the potty training process. (dun tuh duh.)
I have to be the first to admit that I am not completely convinced that Chloe is ready. She is only exhibiting about half of the signs, but half is better than none, and I am TIRED of diaper rashes, poopy diapers, and her laziness. And I have decided, in my infinite wisdom, that’s what it is.
So, we spent our entire day in the bathroom. Wee! On Ellen’s advice, I bought some cloth training pants, and I found a “Potty Monkey” while I was doing research. (The potty monkey tells us every thirty minutes that he has to go potty. He comes with his own little “potty,” where when you put him on it, he thanks you. Then he asks if you are also going potty.)
She did extremely well in the morning, we only had one accident before her nap. I was so proud of her! I have to admit there is a weird level of pride when your child figures out something that is considered a pretty big step towards growing up.
Then, after her nap, she decided she was done for the day. She refused to sit on the potty, the poor potty monkey had several “accidents” and, well, so did she. One of which was while she was sitting on my lap. Yuck!
But, after awhile, she decided she was back on board. Unfortunately, this meant that once she was ready to sit on the potty, she wasn’t going to get back off until after she peed. She literally sat there for an hour waiting to pee! (We read books, blew bubbles, sang songs, played with her toys, drew pictures on her chalkboard. You would be amazed how easy it is to entertain a two-year-old even though they are sitting in one spot!)
Our final moment of triumph was right before her bath. I told her, “Your going to sit on the potty while mommy fills the bathtub.” She said, “Okay, Mommy.” Sat down, and let it rip. I have never been so happy to hear the sound of someone peeing. (and seriously, how often can you say that?)
Chloe was really proud of herself for peeing on the potty all day. I feel kind of silly for holding off for so long. I think it wasn’t just Chloe’s laziness, it was mine too. I really didn’t want to deal with “accidents” and having to run to the potty when we were out in public. Not to mention the upcoming road trip in Italy, where who knows where we will find facilities?
But, it’s time, and we have taken the leap. She will wear pull ups for nap time and nighttime, but other than that, she will be wearing big girl panties from here on out.
So, I guess, start the count down…five…four…three…two… one. Or something.
Posted on October 22, 2008
As I sit here, on my slightly stained sofa, I look around at the chaos that one two year old, two cats, and two adults can create if things aren’t kept in check. I have toys littering the floor (even though we picked up before naptime) laundry waiting in the laundry basket, dishes waiting in the sink, and a plan to order pizza for dinner. My house looks like a tornado ran through it.
Now, I know Ellen is not going to believe me, she always insists that my house is always so clean. But, if she were here right now, she would understand that even I, organization queen and self confessed type A, can have an off week. Or an off month. Sigh.
When I was about seven months pregnant, John and I decided to hire a maid. Our house responsibilities are pretty equal, we always had this understanding that he took care of the outside of the house and any of the general maintenance, and I took care of the laundry and cleaning. Cooking we shared until I became a SAHM. But, when I was seven months pregnant, we decided we were going to move to New Jersey and put our house on the market. There was NO WAY I was going to be able to work full time, and keep the house in the condition it needed to be to “show” well during open houses and random realitor visits when I was as large as a planet.
I loved Mary. To me, she was more than just a hired maid, she was a miracle worker. She could clean my entire house up to the standards that I felt it should be in two hours flat. The exact level of cleanliness that it took me four to five hours to do by myself. I always joked about how I wanted to follow her to see exactly how she did it.
It’s no longer a joke. I really wish I knew all of her “trick’s of the trade.” When I deep clean my house, it takes me HOURS and I just don’t have the energy or the time to devote to keeping it up. And yet, here I am again, annoyed that things aren’t exactly the way I want them. Wishing I had enough money to justify the cost of a monthly maid. And knowing that this is all on me.
Sigh. Okay, I am done feeling sorry for myself. Here’s a moment of levity:
Chloe is “sharing” her animals with Legolas. She threw this cow at him because she was afraid to get to close.
Posted on October 19, 2008
In several aspects of typical toddler behavior, we are extremely lucky with Chloe. She is generally mild mannered, very sweet and cuddly, her “fits” don’t last long and are easily controlled through hugs and threats of “time out”, she is skilled in basic manners, and seems to enjoy learning new things.
However, her eating habits are the stuff of nightmares. Now, I am willing to take quite a bit of blame with this personality trait. I mean, I am a vegetarian primarily because I never really liked the taste of meat. Her daddy is also picky when it comes to food. Together, we created one heck of a picky eater.
This being said, I never really worry about Chloe’s nutrition. Our pediatrician has assured me that she is getting everything she needs (and this is even after I described what she is willing to eat in detail.)
She gets all of her fruits and vegetables by pure deception on my part. I give her juice laced with vegetables (the product is called “Vruit.”) I sneak fruits and vegetables into pancakes and muffins because the ONLY meal she is adventurous with is breakfast. I am lucky, she’ll eat any kind of pancake, muffin, waffle, and cereal. (She’s been known to enjoy a snack of Frosted Mini Wheats, sans milk. She just crunches away!) I recently discovered “Veggie Crisps,” chips made with vegetable puree. And the only mac and cheese she will eat is geared for the toddler pallet, and has carrots in it.
When it comes to protein, she gets everything she needs from milk, yogurt smoothies, cheese, chicken nuggets and fish sticks. That’s it. I never intended Chloe to be a vegetarian, so I have tried various other meats, but she won’t even TRY them.
It is just so frustrating that the child will not TRY anything new.
I can’t tell you how many people have given me suggestions on how to improve the variety of her diet. And, I have been more than willing to attempt a majority of these suggestions. Our latest (and thus far failed) attempt is to only cook one meal for dinner, and she is given what we are eating. Our child is a rare breed of stubborn, and she will opt to go to bed hungry then even take a SINGLE bite of what we offer her. Then, she eats like a maniac the next day, only to refuse to eat dinner again that night.
I have limited or omitted any snacks after 3pm (we eat dinner around fiveish.) As I mentioned, she is only offered what John and I are eating. And all we ask is for ONE bite. My philosophy has always been: One bite, and then “No, Thank you.” She has, thus far, refused. I even tried my somewhat pushy method of getting some of the food on her finger or on her lips so she has to lick it off, and still, she refuses.
So, this is my question: Should we just accept that she is going to be a picky eater, and try to get the nutrition into her that we know she will eat, or do we continue to push food with the hopes that eventually, one day she’ll give in and try it)? And if we should keep pushing it, any suggestions on how to make this more successful?
My gut tells me that Chloe is WAY too stubborn, and will only do things when she is ready. But, I also don’t want to bring up a child that is allowed to “call the shots.” And, quite frankly, I am tired of making two dinners every night.
Posted on October 15, 2008
In my effort to lose the last of the ten pounds I regained, I decided to join the Mom’s walking club. It seemed easy enough. On Mondays, I will walk with them on a trail near Chloe’s school, so I can drop her off and go work out. On Wednesdays, until I add another day of school, she can ride in the stroller while I am walking.
We were on a different trail last Wednesday, and her stroller made it difficult, but it certainly wasn’t an issue. (We have a Maclaren umbrella stroller that folds up quite nicely for all of our travels.) Today, we walked on the exact same trail I did on Monday without her. On Monday, I added another lap after all the other mom’s were done, because they were pushing strollers and they ran out of steam. I was like, “This is so easy!”
Today, with the stroller, I was the one huffing and puffing, struggling to get her oh so fancy and lightweight stroller through the not so forgiving sand. Two of the mom’s had all terrain jogging strollers, and they left another mom and myself literally in the dust. Ellen was one of the mom’s with the jogging stroller, and she switched with me for a couple of seconds so I could see the difference, it was unbelievable! They barely even had to push!
I just don’t understand why someone can’t invent a decent priced all-terrain stroller that is also light weight and can easily fit in a small stroller bag for travel. I mean, come on people! We’ve sent humans into space, for pete’s sake! How difficult can it possibly be?
For now, I have the following options: The huge and cumbersome travel system stroller that you can snap your carseat into when you child is small, a light weight umbrella stroller that travels easily, or a all terrain jogging stroller that takes up the entire back of your car. In a perfect world, I would love to have all three! I just am not sure I want to invest another $100 or more on a jogging stroller just so my work out is easier.
Oh, and then if we decide to have another kid, we’ll probably end up buying yet ANOTHER stroller that will hold two kids. It never ends.
Next Page »