Whew! Finally completed the moving process. Word of advice to all mothers considering moving with a toddler....DON"T DO IT!!!!!
When we finally pulled into our apartment, my daughter was thrilled with her new environment. She turned circles with delight on the plush carpet. Then she sat down and gave me a look that said, quite clearly, "This was fun. Let's go home now."
Ah, were it only that simple. From that point on, she whined, cried, and fussed more than she ever has in the entirety of her existence on Earth. To make matters worse, she decided that sleep was something we could all do without.
The dark cloud finally lifted when we were finishing the last of our unpacking. I noticed that she wasn't trailing me with tears and protest, per usual, but was instead scurrying from the bathroom to her bedroom. Her little forehead was furrowed with intense concentration as she busily traveled back and forth. What is she up to? I wondered. I quietly observed, not wanting to break this time of happy employment, and noticed her pull something from the bathroom drawer and march to her room. I followed her, turned on the lights, and found little nests of tampons scattered across the room. She sighed with contentment as she placed the file tampon in it's little pile. She looked up at me as if to say, "My work is finished."
Now, I must admit that I'm a little OCD about certain things. I'm not the type of person to allow a brand new box of tampons to be dismantled and scattered about my living space. However, as my daughter happily continued this process each time I replaced the tampons in their right and proper place, I discovered a new truth of mothering. Things don't have to be perfect!!!! If it takes the re-organization of my most embarrassing products to keep my child happily employed while we unpack our assortment of knick-knacks, than so be it!!
And that's my advice to all mothers moving with a toddler. No matter what you do to prepare, it will not go off without a hitch. Someone will get sick, refuse to sleep, bump their head, cry continuously, or beg for Elmo piteously while you search every box and realize he was left behind. But it's ok--because this will pass and you will still be a good mother. In fact, you'll be a better mother. Moving with a toddler is the kind of mothering that puts hair on your chest. And what mother doesn't need that?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Final Five Proofs
Random Thought of the Day:
You can't put fun in a box for kids. However, if you give a box to my kid, you've given her instant 'fun'.
Quote of the Day:
I never watch tv...it's too trashy even for me.
--Oscar the Grouch
Dirty Word of the Day:
Fluff: (n.) the odoriferous passing of human or animal gas worded in such a way that children are not tempted to say the ugly word that rhymes with 'hart'.
The following is the completion of a previous post outlining the ten proofs that Matthew and I have truly been married 10 years.
6. When we were dating, I naively came to the conclusion that he was one of the few human beings who never fluffed (refer to above for definition). HA!! I kid you not---the other morning he fluffed three times and matched pitch with do--re--me. He was quite proud of himself.
8. After moving several times in our married life, some aspects of sentimentality have disappeared. For instance, when he hollers during the process of packing, "I found another sweet note that you sent me in high school. Where should I put it?" I respond, "Chunk it!"
9. A romantic gesture has become scrubbing the tub.
10. Antiques roadshow is a source of bitter contention on Monday nights. How can I compete with a set of Circus toys circa 1910?
Well, there's the proof--sure, we still get accused of being college kids. Yes, I still have the same hairstyle and,thank goodness, he still has all his hair. But there have definitely been subtle changes. The biggest change of all---I love him with even more intensity than when we first said 'I do'. Sorry--I felt obligated to end on a sappy (but truthful) note.
You can't put fun in a box for kids. However, if you give a box to my kid, you've given her instant 'fun'.
Quote of the Day:
I never watch tv...it's too trashy even for me.
--Oscar the Grouch
Dirty Word of the Day:
Fluff: (n.) the odoriferous passing of human or animal gas worded in such a way that children are not tempted to say the ugly word that rhymes with 'hart'.
The following is the completion of a previous post outlining the ten proofs that Matthew and I have truly been married 10 years.
6. When we were dating, I naively came to the conclusion that he was one of the few human beings who never fluffed (refer to above for definition). HA!! I kid you not---the other morning he fluffed three times and matched pitch with do--re--me. He was quite proud of himself.
8. After moving several times in our married life, some aspects of sentimentality have disappeared. For instance, when he hollers during the process of packing, "I found another sweet note that you sent me in high school. Where should I put it?" I respond, "Chunk it!"
9. A romantic gesture has become scrubbing the tub.
10. Antiques roadshow is a source of bitter contention on Monday nights. How can I compete with a set of Circus toys circa 1910?
Well, there's the proof--sure, we still get accused of being college kids. Yes, I still have the same hairstyle and,thank goodness, he still has all his hair. But there have definitely been subtle changes. The biggest change of all---I love him with even more intensity than when we first said 'I do'. Sorry--I felt obligated to end on a sappy (but truthful) note.
Friday, June 4, 2010
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Random Thought for the Day:
What magical power is contained in those plastic woven baskets overflowing with triangles of fried corn? I enter the restaurant in a state of restless discontent and leave enveloped in a warm blanket of tortilla-contentment.
Word of the Day:
Freck-u-late (v.) The process of producing enough freckles that they merge into a tan when viewed from a distance. Refer to Anna's shoulders at present for further illustration.
Quote Of the Day:
Poor Mr. Noodle. He tries so hard.
Elmo
Ten Proofs that Matt and I have Now Been Married Ten Years
1. When offered a chocolate covered doughnut for teacher appreciation, he grunts and shakes his head, "Better not. I'd rather skip the sugar crash." This from the man who brought me 12 fried rings of delight along with my engagement ring ten years ago! We finished them off in minutes before announcing the news to the fam.
2. Rather than sleep in till 10 (a former joy of mine) we enjoy a cup of coffee on our couch at 6am and debate over which of The Wiggles is the better dancer (Anthony, without a doubt).
3. I now receive free highlights in my hair. Silver, wiry highlights--but free none the less. I don't believe that misnomer about plucking them--yet.
4. In our married life, we've raised a skunk and two squirrels, along with owning and loving six domestic beasts while pouring money into my equine companions....now we've come to a point where one cat and one dog is just the perfect number of wildife for us.
5. We finish each other's sentences and sometimes.....weirdly enough.....dream eerily similar dreams in the same night.
For the final five, check out my next post!
What magical power is contained in those plastic woven baskets overflowing with triangles of fried corn? I enter the restaurant in a state of restless discontent and leave enveloped in a warm blanket of tortilla-contentment.
Word of the Day:
Freck-u-late (v.) The process of producing enough freckles that they merge into a tan when viewed from a distance. Refer to Anna's shoulders at present for further illustration.
Quote Of the Day:
Poor Mr. Noodle. He tries so hard.
Elmo
Ten Proofs that Matt and I have Now Been Married Ten Years
1. When offered a chocolate covered doughnut for teacher appreciation, he grunts and shakes his head, "Better not. I'd rather skip the sugar crash." This from the man who brought me 12 fried rings of delight along with my engagement ring ten years ago! We finished them off in minutes before announcing the news to the fam.
2. Rather than sleep in till 10 (a former joy of mine) we enjoy a cup of coffee on our couch at 6am and debate over which of The Wiggles is the better dancer (Anthony, without a doubt).
3. I now receive free highlights in my hair. Silver, wiry highlights--but free none the less. I don't believe that misnomer about plucking them--yet.
4. In our married life, we've raised a skunk and two squirrels, along with owning and loving six domestic beasts while pouring money into my equine companions....now we've come to a point where one cat and one dog is just the perfect number of wildife for us.
5. We finish each other's sentences and sometimes.....weirdly enough.....dream eerily similar dreams in the same night.
For the final five, check out my next post!
Friday, May 21, 2010
No Escaping Elmo
Matthew and I are doing a lot of praying right now. Really, that in itself is nothing new... but lately, are pleas have been shorter, more urgent, and punctuated with several more soulful sighs. We have two possible futures at present: a) continue with current job and live securely b) uproot in order to dabble in further education and flirt with poverty. Hmmm.....I know it looks like it should be an easy choice.
The other day we sat down heavily to our chicken dinner, bowed our heads, and remained silent. Our toddler slapped her palms together and eyed me impatiently. Finally, I simply said, "God, help us. And thank you for our food." We remained quiet, heads bowed, perhaps each of us continuing with our private petitions. Lila noticed that something was missing from my succinct plea. She tipped her folded hands forward and solemnly ended our prayer with the word"Elmo."
"Elmo?" we asked, laughing. "Do you mean 'amen'?"
"Doh," she replied, which means 'yes' in Lila-language.
We got a good chuckle out of her attempt at prayer. I imagine God did too.
The other day we sat down heavily to our chicken dinner, bowed our heads, and remained silent. Our toddler slapped her palms together and eyed me impatiently. Finally, I simply said, "God, help us. And thank you for our food." We remained quiet, heads bowed, perhaps each of us continuing with our private petitions. Lila noticed that something was missing from my succinct plea. She tipped her folded hands forward and solemnly ended our prayer with the word"Elmo."
"Elmo?" we asked, laughing. "Do you mean 'amen'?"
"Doh," she replied, which means 'yes' in Lila-language.
We got a good chuckle out of her attempt at prayer. I imagine God did too.
Friday, May 14, 2010
All Things Nasty
My daughter loves all things nasty. Let me clarify that--my one year old is attracted to all
things scum-covered, germ-infested, moldy or otherwise stinky. Not that my house is filthy--it's actually rather clean about 95 percent of the time. But somehow--she finds it. This morning I decorated her nursery floor with a myriad of toys. Blocks, butterflies, rocking giraffe, books galore, .....if it's been created, somebody has graciously given it to my adored child. Feeling that I had provided her with sufficient entertainment, I left to cleanse both face and teeth in record time. She was quietly playing when I returned--quietly playing with the balled-up sopping diaper in the pail. It doesn't stop there. Toilet seats are apparently objects of sensory delight. Her pacifier is most delectable when its been dropped numerous times on the floor. If she truly loves a toy....like her fuzzy snow leopard..... she dips it in the dog's water while I'm cooking and sucks the droplets off while I rush over to rescue her from herself.
Well, I got to thinking--as I threw Snow Kitty into the wash for the third time this month---that humankind as a whole isn't much different. How many times have you seen something disgusting or totally morally deplorable and been surprised to find out that it's a favorite with the crew at work? Or...like me. ...find yourself stuck to the tabloids in the store line like a fly on tape. Sure, it's all rampant lies that are possibly damaging super-star lives---but can you believe that they really did that? I mean, maybe they did and that's why their famous rich marriage is breaking up. But I digress--I think we've been attracted to the wrong thing since Creation. In time, my daughter will understand when I shriek, "don't touch that dog doo!" and will listen and obey. What about when she's fifteen? When I tell her that a certain song is nasty, will she listen and turn the station?
things scum-covered, germ-infested, moldy or otherwise stinky. Not that my house is filthy--it's actually rather clean about 95 percent of the time. But somehow--she finds it. This morning I decorated her nursery floor with a myriad of toys. Blocks, butterflies, rocking giraffe, books galore, .....if it's been created, somebody has graciously given it to my adored child. Feeling that I had provided her with sufficient entertainment, I left to cleanse both face and teeth in record time. She was quietly playing when I returned--quietly playing with the balled-up sopping diaper in the pail. It doesn't stop there. Toilet seats are apparently objects of sensory delight. Her pacifier is most delectable when its been dropped numerous times on the floor. If she truly loves a toy....like her fuzzy snow leopard..... she dips it in the dog's water while I'm cooking and sucks the droplets off while I rush over to rescue her from herself.
Well, I got to thinking--as I threw Snow Kitty into the wash for the third time this month---that humankind as a whole isn't much different. How many times have you seen something disgusting or totally morally deplorable and been surprised to find out that it's a favorite with the crew at work? Or...like me. ...find yourself stuck to the tabloids in the store line like a fly on tape. Sure, it's all rampant lies that are possibly damaging super-star lives---but can you believe that they really did that? I mean, maybe they did and that's why their famous rich marriage is breaking up. But I digress--I think we've been attracted to the wrong thing since Creation. In time, my daughter will understand when I shriek, "don't touch that dog doo!" and will listen and obey. What about when she's fifteen? When I tell her that a certain song is nasty, will she listen and turn the station?
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