I picked Quinn up at 11:30 a.m.
Dry Panties.
Big Smile.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Panties at Pre-School
Fitting that this week at school Quinn is learning about the letter P. Today is her first day wearing panties at pre-school. I'm worried. I really want her to succeed. I know it doesn't mater, but I still want her to win.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Quinn and Mommy ... and the flu
Yes, it is actually McKenna and Mommy who have the flu, but this post is about Quinn and Mommy and the flu.
There is something about being sick that is really good for me. It slows me down. It makes life simpler. It actually makes me happier. Is that crazy?
And it always brings Quinn and I closer together. We become the best of friends, and the real Quinn and the real mommy reunite.
I had noticed since Quinn started school and I went back to work, she wasn't talking as much. She didn't seem to want to do anything with me. We never read. We never learned new letters or did any of the other fun stuff she liked to do before. It make me sad, but I just chalked it up to a new stage or a new Quinn.
But after this last week of me staying home from school, the old Quinn is back, and she is 3 months smarter. We are having so much fun together. This morning we just cuddled in my bed talking and laughing. She is talking about letters and songs and books again. She started using the potty again. She started talking, playing with new things, listening to my opinions and getting along. It is amazing, and it is very eyeopening.
Just today in the car on the way to the nanny's house, she told to go the other way (toward home) so she could get her things. We had forgotten her doggy and paci at home. She didn't flip out. We just talking about it, and we agreed that she would be fine without her things, but it would be better if we stopped at a store to get a paci. No fussing. No crying. Just talking and hugs and kisses.
So that is it: My Quinn needs more attention and more love. And the best part is I think I would really enjoying giving her more attention and more love. The feeling is mutual.
I forget that being a working mama does come with a cost.
Quinn hasn't been changing. I have.
There is something about being sick that is really good for me. It slows me down. It makes life simpler. It actually makes me happier. Is that crazy?
And it always brings Quinn and I closer together. We become the best of friends, and the real Quinn and the real mommy reunite.
I had noticed since Quinn started school and I went back to work, she wasn't talking as much. She didn't seem to want to do anything with me. We never read. We never learned new letters or did any of the other fun stuff she liked to do before. It make me sad, but I just chalked it up to a new stage or a new Quinn.
But after this last week of me staying home from school, the old Quinn is back, and she is 3 months smarter. We are having so much fun together. This morning we just cuddled in my bed talking and laughing. She is talking about letters and songs and books again. She started using the potty again. She started talking, playing with new things, listening to my opinions and getting along. It is amazing, and it is very eyeopening.
Just today in the car on the way to the nanny's house, she told to go the other way (toward home) so she could get her things. We had forgotten her doggy and paci at home. She didn't flip out. We just talking about it, and we agreed that she would be fine without her things, but it would be better if we stopped at a store to get a paci. No fussing. No crying. Just talking and hugs and kisses.
So that is it: My Quinn needs more attention and more love. And the best part is I think I would really enjoying giving her more attention and more love. The feeling is mutual.
I forget that being a working mama does come with a cost.
Quinn hasn't been changing. I have.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Potty Training: Day 4...?
You'll probably remember that last May right when I should have been sitting on my but doing nothing, I took on the challenge to get Quinny potty trained. I used a 3-day method that was really wonderful. We had two major set backs, though. Quinn is not one to wake up dry, one, and she she got real pissed after McKenna was born ans stopped using the potty for pee-pee all together, two. A few months later she stopped using it for poop. A few months after that we switched from Pull-ups all the way back to diapers.
Well, I have the swine flu right now. I feel like crap, and so does McKenna. I thought we were better yesterday, but I woke up feeling as bad as ever. I was not sure how I could get through the day. Next thing I knew Quinn was cuddled up next to me, and together we were watching NBC's series "Trauma."
Um, after the third severed limb, I had to admit this is not an appropriate show for my 2 year old to be watching. I had to think of something that was all about Quinn so I could be motivated to not be the world's worst mom. I just needed something small. But here comes my sister and my favorite line, "Why under do what you can over do?"
Just then Quinn got a wedgie with her diaper and her dance clothes, so I turned to her and said, "Diapers are yucky. Let's throw them away and wear panties."
Quinn said "Ok," and off we went. After about 3 minutes, she flipped out and wanted diapers. She started screaming at me. But the whole thing was working out well because I had just enough energy to be excited for her if she succeeded but not enough energy to care if she failed. Then she started hitting me. She really hit hard, but I was too tired to care.
And then I decided to just roll with it and bribe her with a sucker. She loves suckers. She knows how to pee, so this was just a motivation thing to get the routine down again. And again, I was too tired to care that I might be screwing her up with gifts of sugar.
The day went great. She had some accidents, but that sucker was a magical motivator. Tonight she has run the bathroom and gone without my help at all like 4 times. She gets on the big potty, does her business, wipes, and moves on with the day. Most of the time she forgets about the sucker which she is allowed to hold and lick for 3 minutes every time she goes pee.
Anyway, sometimes when under-doing something is not an option, it is sometimes fun to over do it.
I'm so proud of my little angel. And it is just like I felt when I was ready to pop out McKenna the first time we potty trained; I love the closeness and bonding it takes to watch her and teach her. We baked all day. We read. We played. We laughed. We got along.
The pee-pee saved this horrible day.
And it really is surprising how many loads of wash a sick mom can get done in one day when she has to.
Well, I have the swine flu right now. I feel like crap, and so does McKenna. I thought we were better yesterday, but I woke up feeling as bad as ever. I was not sure how I could get through the day. Next thing I knew Quinn was cuddled up next to me, and together we were watching NBC's series "Trauma."
Um, after the third severed limb, I had to admit this is not an appropriate show for my 2 year old to be watching. I had to think of something that was all about Quinn so I could be motivated to not be the world's worst mom. I just needed something small. But here comes my sister and my favorite line, "Why under do what you can over do?"
Just then Quinn got a wedgie with her diaper and her dance clothes, so I turned to her and said, "Diapers are yucky. Let's throw them away and wear panties."
Quinn said "Ok," and off we went. After about 3 minutes, she flipped out and wanted diapers. She started screaming at me. But the whole thing was working out well because I had just enough energy to be excited for her if she succeeded but not enough energy to care if she failed. Then she started hitting me. She really hit hard, but I was too tired to care.
And then I decided to just roll with it and bribe her with a sucker. She loves suckers. She knows how to pee, so this was just a motivation thing to get the routine down again. And again, I was too tired to care that I might be screwing her up with gifts of sugar.
The day went great. She had some accidents, but that sucker was a magical motivator. Tonight she has run the bathroom and gone without my help at all like 4 times. She gets on the big potty, does her business, wipes, and moves on with the day. Most of the time she forgets about the sucker which she is allowed to hold and lick for 3 minutes every time she goes pee.
Anyway, sometimes when under-doing something is not an option, it is sometimes fun to over do it.
I'm so proud of my little angel. And it is just like I felt when I was ready to pop out McKenna the first time we potty trained; I love the closeness and bonding it takes to watch her and teach her. We baked all day. We read. We played. We laughed. We got along.
The pee-pee saved this horrible day.
And it really is surprising how many loads of wash a sick mom can get done in one day when she has to.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
oink, oink
So, I guess I have not had the flu for years. I was all talk about how everyone should relax about the swine flu and move on with their lives. I figured we'll just all get it and be done with all the Swine flu drama.
No so true.
The flu sucks.
I started with a sore throat, and within a few hours I could barely stand up. I took a day to rest, and then I thought I was fine. So, I went to work and almost died. I'll home again today not going on training walks, not filling out grade school applications and not doing anything. I'm so mad.
But I did take a bath with my baby, who is also sick.
And right now my man is making french toast for dinner with my homemade bread.
I really feel horrible. I can't get up. My head is throbbing. My throat still hurts. I congested.
But were all together.
Still. The swine flu sucks.
I probably should have been waiting in that vaccine line instead of mocking the people in it ...
No so true.
The flu sucks.
I started with a sore throat, and within a few hours I could barely stand up. I took a day to rest, and then I thought I was fine. So, I went to work and almost died. I'll home again today not going on training walks, not filling out grade school applications and not doing anything. I'm so mad.
But I did take a bath with my baby, who is also sick.
And right now my man is making french toast for dinner with my homemade bread.
I really feel horrible. I can't get up. My head is throbbing. My throat still hurts. I congested.
But were all together.
Still. The swine flu sucks.
I probably should have been waiting in that vaccine line instead of mocking the people in it ...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Other people crack me up.
Here is a one line post from my Canadian friend's blog this morning. Love the TV reference.
"Guess who rolled over for the first time today!!!! He went from his back to his front (while trying to get a better view of the tv, but, whatever)
"
LOVE IT!
McKenna does her most twisting and turning to try to see "things," and yes, often that thing is the TV. She hates to be on her tummy, so the only reason she would ever roll over would be a similar accident.
"Guess who rolled over for the first time today!!!! He went from his back to his front (while trying to get a better view of the tv, but, whatever)
"LOVE IT!
McKenna does her most twisting and turning to try to see "things," and yes, often that thing is the TV. She hates to be on her tummy, so the only reason she would ever roll over would be a similar accident.
Lizza's essay about motherhood
Sorry, Lizza, I love to steal gems from your blog. I love this essay so much. I love what it means for everyone, and I love the honesty from this dear, dear friend ... who I promise I will eventually name a baby after. It just has to be the right baby.
Here is Lizza's answer to "What does motherhood mean to you?"
Parenting had an essay contest. This is what I submitted.
Motherhood means wondering “Is this what I really want out of life?” but by then it’s too late. And then it just comes.
Motherhood means never being skinny enough or rich enough or talented enough but so perfectly whole when my baby saves her first smiles for me.
Motherhood means whispering apologies and promises into sleeping child’s ears because I’m too ashamed to admit to her face that I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m so scared she’ll hate me for it.
Motherhood means everyone wants something from me and my emotional bank account is on permanent overdraft.
Motherhood means thinking in the same evening “I can’t wait to get a break from my kids” and “I can’t wait to get home to my kids.”
Motherhood means being jealous of a non-mom’s freedom and crying with a friend because she’s infertile.
Motherhood means letting go when I can’t and holding on when I don’t want to. It is the original paradox.
Motherhood means I resist the urge to call my kid a doofus out loud and resist the urge to punch the kid who called my kid a doofus.
Motherhood means being a shadow.
Motherhood means all the incessant “Mommy, why? Mommy, why?” are instantly forgiven with one, “Mommy, I love you.”
Motherhood means giving exhausted, blank stares to the grandma at the grocery store who says, “Treasure this time; it goes by so fast,” and then checking on my daughter before bed and thinking, “Where was I when you got so big?”
Motherhood means my bad days are worse and my good days are truly glorious and then I don’t wonder anymore if this is what I want out of life.
Here is Lizza's answer to "What does motherhood mean to you?"
Parenting had an essay contest. This is what I submitted.
Motherhood means wondering “Is this what I really want out of life?” but by then it’s too late. And then it just comes.
Motherhood means never being skinny enough or rich enough or talented enough but so perfectly whole when my baby saves her first smiles for me.
Motherhood means whispering apologies and promises into sleeping child’s ears because I’m too ashamed to admit to her face that I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m so scared she’ll hate me for it.
Motherhood means everyone wants something from me and my emotional bank account is on permanent overdraft.
Motherhood means thinking in the same evening “I can’t wait to get a break from my kids” and “I can’t wait to get home to my kids.”
Motherhood means being jealous of a non-mom’s freedom and crying with a friend because she’s infertile.
Motherhood means letting go when I can’t and holding on when I don’t want to. It is the original paradox.
Motherhood means I resist the urge to call my kid a doofus out loud and resist the urge to punch the kid who called my kid a doofus.
Motherhood means being a shadow.
Motherhood means all the incessant “Mommy, why? Mommy, why?” are instantly forgiven with one, “Mommy, I love you.”
Motherhood means giving exhausted, blank stares to the grandma at the grocery store who says, “Treasure this time; it goes by so fast,” and then checking on my daughter before bed and thinking, “Where was I when you got so big?”
Motherhood means my bad days are worse and my good days are truly glorious and then I don’t wonder anymore if this is what I want out of life.
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