Monday, June 16, 2008
The H-Bomb
It's not all sunshine and butterflies. Today, Claire uttered the three little words that no parent wants to hear: I hate you. To me. Her mother!
What offense brought out this vitriol in such a sweet-natured child, you ask? Prepare yourself.
I didn't do her potato right.
First I cut it squares but she wanted it "big like yours". Then she wanted it "spread out" and "flatter". I cut the other piece of potato, spread it out and flattened it as directed, under her watchful eye, but I just couldn't get it right. As punishment, out came those three short words.
And with that, just like the potato, my heart was cut, spread out and flattened.
I asked her what she just said. (Why I wanted her to repeat it, I don't know anymore...disbelief?) She told me she was feeling very frustrated. OK, and what did you just say? Mama...I hate. (Note the absence of the third word...) What did you say? Mama, I hate. Mama I have to go potty. (Crying all the way.) Me having internal discussion about what to do next and trying to remember what the hell "Supernanny" would do at a time like this. Sniffles from the loo...no reminder needed to flush and wash hands...Sniffles.
"Mama! I am sorry!"
No request for apologies required, she offered it up on her own. Small mercies! We hugged and I told her that what she said made me very sad, and not to say it again. I think I handled it well. She knew I was upset, but I didn't blow my top or cry or anything. I think she got it from stupid (another word I ask her not to say...leading by example here...) Finding Nemo. Damn you, Disney.
I probably use the word hate 20 times a day for mild irritations like "I hate traffic", "Ooh! I hate it when that happens", " I hate this 100 degree weather in June" etc, etc. Somehow coming from her it sounded so awful. OK, I'll say it: I hated hearing it. I wonder how I will feel when a real 4-letter word spills out of her mouth!
As consolation, I will try to keep in my mind what she said, just minutes prior to the H-word:
"Mama...I love you as much as a dinosaurs neck!"
What offense brought out this vitriol in such a sweet-natured child, you ask? Prepare yourself.
I didn't do her potato right.
First I cut it squares but she wanted it "big like yours". Then she wanted it "spread out" and "flatter". I cut the other piece of potato, spread it out and flattened it as directed, under her watchful eye, but I just couldn't get it right. As punishment, out came those three short words.
And with that, just like the potato, my heart was cut, spread out and flattened.
I asked her what she just said. (Why I wanted her to repeat it, I don't know anymore...disbelief?) She told me she was feeling very frustrated. OK, and what did you just say? Mama...I hate. (Note the absence of the third word...) What did you say? Mama, I hate. Mama I have to go potty. (Crying all the way.) Me having internal discussion about what to do next and trying to remember what the hell "Supernanny" would do at a time like this. Sniffles from the loo...no reminder needed to flush and wash hands...Sniffles.
"Mama! I am sorry!"
No request for apologies required, she offered it up on her own. Small mercies! We hugged and I told her that what she said made me very sad, and not to say it again. I think I handled it well. She knew I was upset, but I didn't blow my top or cry or anything. I think she got it from stupid (another word I ask her not to say...leading by example here...) Finding Nemo. Damn you, Disney.
I probably use the word hate 20 times a day for mild irritations like "I hate traffic", "Ooh! I hate it when that happens", " I hate this 100 degree weather in June" etc, etc. Somehow coming from her it sounded so awful. OK, I'll say it: I hated hearing it. I wonder how I will feel when a real 4-letter word spills out of her mouth!
As consolation, I will try to keep in my mind what she said, just minutes prior to the H-word:
"Mama...I love you as much as a dinosaurs neck!"
Saturday, June 07, 2008
First Meal (besides milk)
Gavin has taken to eating "solid" food like a Claire to swimming pool. He grabs for the spoon and gets mad, mad, mad when I take too long re-filling his bowl. So far it's just rice cereal, but new gourmet offerings to come - and quickly! Tonight he was trying to lunge for the peanut chicken we were cajoling, threatening, bribing and tricking Claire into eating!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Six Months
Life is on fast-forward and Gavin is already six months old. These are the things we know about him:
- He loves to eat cereal, a new development.
- He can roll over from front to back and back to front.
- He likes to pull his blanket up over his head while he is sleeping, a habit that has earned him the nickname "Superman" at daycare, because it kind of looks like he's wearing a cape. (although technically, if the real Superman wore his cape over his head and face, Lex Luthor would prevail...)
- He is prone to ear infections.
- His sister can always make him laugh.
- He likes kicking his feet, especially in the bath.
- He likes to put his hand on my arm and gently stroke it when I am holding him.
- He only cries when he is mad, which is not often.
- He weighs almost 16.5 lbs.
- He can sleep in his crib all night long, although it's hard for me to let him.
- He looks great in red.
- His hair is not dark, dark brown anymore.
- His eyes are still changing from blue to brown, despite that the Dr said that after 2 months they don't change anymore.
- He and his dad can trade silly noises for an hour.
- He likes to wait until he has a freshly changed diaper to poop.
- He can lay on a play mat happily at daycare for ages...at home: 30 seconds max.
- He is a laid back baby, and I've stopped knocking wood every time I say it.
- He is the coolest, sweetest, cuddliest boy ever and we are so lucky.
- He has made our family complete.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tidbits
From her dad:
The other day Claire and I were driving for our Friday Starbucks trip and listening to John Lee Hooker. She asked some questions about who was talking, she obviously hadn't heard anything like that before. Eventually she said "I don't think he is talking to me."
From mom:
We were swimming on Monday and Claire had a diving toy that looks like a rocket and I asked her where it was going and she said “To Planet Veggie Booties!”. I guess I should have given her a snack beforehand??
The other day Claire and I were driving for our Friday Starbucks trip and listening to John Lee Hooker. She asked some questions about who was talking, she obviously hadn't heard anything like that before. Eventually she said "I don't think he is talking to me."
From mom:
We were swimming on Monday and Claire had a diving toy that looks like a rocket and I asked her where it was going and she said “To Planet Veggie Booties!”. I guess I should have given her a snack beforehand??
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