Violet was pushing a grocery cart around the play kitchen at preschool. "Where's my list? What do we neeeeeeed.... beer!" I handed her a gigantic yellow lego, playing along, and said "Here Violet, here's some eggs. Do you need eggs?" "Those aren't eggs, mommy. That's a lego!" Well then.
While driving a little car around the preschool playroom, she got herself stuck. A little boy was in a car behind her. She turned around and said, "There's traffic."
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Preschool and Sleep
Violet* turned a corner a few months back. She was taking a long time to get down to sleep which I attribute in part to not nursing her to sleep any more. I would sit with her for an hour or more before I could get away. But what I got in return it seems was full nights of sleep. FULL NIGHTS. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be tired. I mean, haven't-slept-all-night-and-taken-care-of-a-toddler-all-day tired. Now it's just the toddler-tired part. THAT is doable!
But I was getting frustrated with the long bedtime "routine" of sitting with her until she was totally asleep. I know, I know. Seasoned moms and dads will scoff. That's just where we were at. So I changed it up. Did the usual stuff (pajamas, stories, warm milk with mom and sometimes dad too) but then I rocked her for a bit in the chair, put her in bed and kissed her goodnight. We also got a little nightlight turtle that projects stars on the ceiling which I think was a good transition-helper. It took several tries. Still does. But it works. It works! She can and does fall asleep on her own. After some (many) reassurances that I won't go anywhere. "You won't go to exercise so you can be healthy?" Oh lordie. That's a tough one to agree to but no, honey, I won't go exercise. I don't exercise at night anyways but that one seems so defeating to agree to!
So, we were in a great place for sleep. And then preschool hit! She has been so excited about preschool. We've had these meltingly adorable moments of her walking up to other kids, leaning over and cocking her head to the side so she's right in their face and saying, "You know I'm going to go to preschool? Like a big kid?" Wonderful! And then the night before her first day it began. Waking up at 1 and 2 and 3. A.M. that is. I spent at least the first half of her life awake at those hours. Sometimes I still wake up at those hours weather or not she does. I've been trained and I suppose it's training that will stick. I am confident this was excitement about preschool because she's still happy to go and was even sad when I told her she would not have preschool on Friday. I told her that on Thursday evening. And you know what? She slept all night. And every other night before non-preschool days. Ha! Not often do I feel like I actually understand something that's going on in my kid with regards to sleep but this one, I think I got.
Even though she's been dog-tired she's been a trouper at school. We had a few days of clingy and one day of tears but it seems as though things are evening out. And this new routine of school and a few hours to myself and then the excitement of picking her up again is lovely. Life is shifting once again. Will have to reflect more on that later...
*I realized I switched from writing this to Violet to writing this about Violet. And I sometimes switch mid-post. I'm not sure where this will land but for now I'm going to stick to writing this about Violet... and about me and Matt and our lives. It's a record. It's not a letter.
Stories of Today - Thursday, January 16th
I took Violet on a walk tonight and she made it two miles before she wanted to get in the stroller. Yay! She got that walking gene from mom and grandpa! I have to condition my girl for many long walks in our future, hopefully in many places around the world.
While I was making dinner she told me she wanted to wrap a present and needed some paper. I found some pink tissue and she went to work wrapping up a puzzle (for me) that she'd just gotten from Lisa as a late Christmas present. I was in the kitchen and decided I'd dole out pieces of tape one at a time while she ran between me and the dining room where the wrapping work was being done. After handing over what seemed like an entire roll of tape, she brought her present into the kitchen and presented it to me. Beautiful! Amazing! Better than my usual wrapping, for sure! "Here mommy. Hold it. It's a present for you." I set it on the table and after dinner she helped me open it and we did the puzzle together. Several times.
Her dinner tonight was a chicken sausage and bun, corn on the cob and some pickle slices. While eating she said again, "This is my favorite!" And looking me right in the eye with the sincerest expression, "Thank you mommy. Thank you. Are you happy?" Oh my goodness. The happiest. Where did this kid come from?
I have not been writing here for so long but instead posting things to Facebook. And occasionally reflecting on our day at the end of it in a journal. But so many things happen every day that I just can't bear the idea of forgetting... I want to begin collecting them here again.
While I was making dinner she told me she wanted to wrap a present and needed some paper. I found some pink tissue and she went to work wrapping up a puzzle (for me) that she'd just gotten from Lisa as a late Christmas present. I was in the kitchen and decided I'd dole out pieces of tape one at a time while she ran between me and the dining room where the wrapping work was being done. After handing over what seemed like an entire roll of tape, she brought her present into the kitchen and presented it to me. Beautiful! Amazing! Better than my usual wrapping, for sure! "Here mommy. Hold it. It's a present for you." I set it on the table and after dinner she helped me open it and we did the puzzle together. Several times.
Her dinner tonight was a chicken sausage and bun, corn on the cob and some pickle slices. While eating she said again, "This is my favorite!" And looking me right in the eye with the sincerest expression, "Thank you mommy. Thank you. Are you happy?" Oh my goodness. The happiest. Where did this kid come from?
I have not been writing here for so long but instead posting things to Facebook. And occasionally reflecting on our day at the end of it in a journal. But so many things happen every day that I just can't bear the idea of forgetting... I want to begin collecting them here again.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
First Days
Today was a day full of firsts. This morning we went to a music class at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community center just two blocks from our house. You're familiar with the place already as we go to the park and/or playroom there almost daily. The class today was small, only four kids all together, and was held in a room with a stage and wall of mirrors. Those two items kept the kids as entertained as the music itself did! You were the youngest one there but you did a great job of playing little instrument that went from one kid to the next while the group sang to each one. You waited (almost patiently) for your turn and then played like a pro. I was so proud of you! You enjoyed the end of the class most I think when the big box of musical instruments came out. You seemed to rock out with the large bells you could play and the cymbals. You're doing such a great job of listening to mom when we need to share with other kids or at the very least not grab things out of their hands! At one point the teacher was standing and singing a song. You hopped out of my lap and walked right up to her and put your arms up. Ha! Friendly little thing you are! She obliged and picked you up. Then when she sat with the group for another song you went over and sat in her lap. My goodness! You've never really done that before. I think you also enjoyed being at the front of the group!
After class we came home, had some lunch, and I eventually got you down for a nap. You slept for a while before you woke up screaming. What?! I actually thought maybe you'd been bitten by something or scared by something you saw in your room but no... I do believe it is simply the molar that is taking FOREVER to come through. You have a big, painful looking bump on your lower left gum. I managed to get you back to sleep and you slept all the way until we needed to go for our first day of preschool!
Before we moved away from Capitol Hill, we registered you for a Tots class at the Capitol Hill Co-Op Preschool. Today was your very first day! Normally we will go two days a week from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Since it's a big change we start the first week with just one day. What fun you had! It was mostly a lot of open play and exploring the space. Some of your favorites were the huge bear in the reading area, the grocery carts in the play kitchen area, and painting! At one point you simply took off and walked circles around on the carpet with your arm in the air. I think you were expressing some joy!
When there is a toy that you enjoy, you are very determined to have and keep it. As a mom, part of me struggles to encourage good behavior when playing with other children but a bigger part of me is truly pleased that you are not shy or inhibited to go after what you want even when you are the youngest or the smallest in a group! Hopefully we will later channel this determination into a motivation to achieve and not simply acquire!
Your first molar coming in has made for some rough times the last weeks (maybe months!) but you are also becoming more and more sweet, loving, affectionate. You regularly show this affection for mom, dad, friends, random children on the playground, dogs, and a variety of stuffed bears by leaning your head against them. Sometimes there's a hug or a gentle pat but usually first comes you leaning in and touching them somewhere with the top of your head or forehead. I love having this glimpse into your person, seeing what you are attracted to and have feelings for. You continue to love music and dancing. Someday I hope to hear you singing! Your walking skills have improved quickly and people often comment on how well you're doing. You regularly now will simply come up to me or Matt carrying your shoes in your hands. The message is a very clear, "put these on me!"
I got a little sad the other day thinking about this year that has passed. It has been just simply, wonderfully incredible. You have become this shining, smiling person with an immense personality! So much has happened and I wish I could keep each moment in the front of my mind to revisit over and over for the rest of my life. But then I realized that it has ONLY been ONE YEAR! One year of your long life ahead! I started to think about your fist days in school and all the summer vacations and holidays to come. Thank you for bringing so much anticipation and excitement to our lives, Violet. Living life with your perspective to think about makes it rich and beautiful beyond imagine.
After class we came home, had some lunch, and I eventually got you down for a nap. You slept for a while before you woke up screaming. What?! I actually thought maybe you'd been bitten by something or scared by something you saw in your room but no... I do believe it is simply the molar that is taking FOREVER to come through. You have a big, painful looking bump on your lower left gum. I managed to get you back to sleep and you slept all the way until we needed to go for our first day of preschool!
Before we moved away from Capitol Hill, we registered you for a Tots class at the Capitol Hill Co-Op Preschool. Today was your very first day! Normally we will go two days a week from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Since it's a big change we start the first week with just one day. What fun you had! It was mostly a lot of open play and exploring the space. Some of your favorites were the huge bear in the reading area, the grocery carts in the play kitchen area, and painting! At one point you simply took off and walked circles around on the carpet with your arm in the air. I think you were expressing some joy!
When there is a toy that you enjoy, you are very determined to have and keep it. As a mom, part of me struggles to encourage good behavior when playing with other children but a bigger part of me is truly pleased that you are not shy or inhibited to go after what you want even when you are the youngest or the smallest in a group! Hopefully we will later channel this determination into a motivation to achieve and not simply acquire!
Your first molar coming in has made for some rough times the last weeks (maybe months!) but you are also becoming more and more sweet, loving, affectionate. You regularly show this affection for mom, dad, friends, random children on the playground, dogs, and a variety of stuffed bears by leaning your head against them. Sometimes there's a hug or a gentle pat but usually first comes you leaning in and touching them somewhere with the top of your head or forehead. I love having this glimpse into your person, seeing what you are attracted to and have feelings for. You continue to love music and dancing. Someday I hope to hear you singing! Your walking skills have improved quickly and people often comment on how well you're doing. You regularly now will simply come up to me or Matt carrying your shoes in your hands. The message is a very clear, "put these on me!"
I got a little sad the other day thinking about this year that has passed. It has been just simply, wonderfully incredible. You have become this shining, smiling person with an immense personality! So much has happened and I wish I could keep each moment in the front of my mind to revisit over and over for the rest of my life. But then I realized that it has ONLY been ONE YEAR! One year of your long life ahead! I started to think about your fist days in school and all the summer vacations and holidays to come. Thank you for bringing so much anticipation and excitement to our lives, Violet. Living life with your perspective to think about makes it rich and beautiful beyond imagine.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Walking, Talking, and Stacking, Oh My!
What a huge day it has been... You've been standing and walking with our hands holding yours for a few weeks. Today something shifted in you and you took off. Over and over again you pulled off of whatever you were holding onto and took steps towards me. So thrilling! I could see in your eyes that you knew you were onto something big. You were so excited and I was so crazy thrilled for you. I know it is nothing compared to what is to come but there is this strange, uncomfortable and yet excited feeling when I see you at the park staring down the big kids doing all sorts of things you want to do but can't just yet manage. I know the struggle is how you'll grow but it's hard to watch you... wanting to do something you can't yet do. Well, today, that distance between desire and ability started to dissolve. Well, at least when it comes to walking!
Other developments: We got you a set of blocks many months ago and your primary interest in them was to bang them together to see what sort of sound they'll make. You would occasionally knock down a tower that I build but you move on pretty quickly. I've been wondering when you would stack blocks, having read that ability comes at a certain developmental point. Today you did it! You carefully placed one block on top of another. Mommy is so excited! This was not the end of your block-related skill-building either. Your blocks of different shapes that fit through the top of the box they're kept in held your interest for a while today. And for the first time you tried to put them through the top. And you did it! Here's a video:
You are also communicating much more effectively these days. We're seeing a lot of pointing and you're imitating words all day! You're getting really good at trying to say "doggie" and now you're making the "bok bok" sound we say when we're looking at a picture of chickens or even the real thing. A house a block over has chickens in their front yard and it's become part of our routing to walk by and say hello. You are a master of sound effects actually... you click and dong and breath through your nose loudly imitating mommy smelling something. You smelled my mint plant today and I think you really get that you're smelling!
But today, as wonderful as it was, also illustrated what Matt and I have been learning about being parents: the highs are so crazy high but the lows are soooo low. Not low as in horrible but low because we're exhausted and emotional and you're also at times tired and emotional and frustrated. And there's just no break and sometimes we could really use one!
Upcoming: Preschool starts next month! Capitol Hill Cooperative Preschool. You have no idea what's coming but mommy is so darn excited! We'll go Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for an hour and a half. You are so eager to explore and learn and interact with other kids that I'm hoping it will be a fun experience. That will be back in our old neighborhood and our friends Cecile and Isaac will be there too. But today I signed us up for a couple classes at the community center just a couple blocks from our house, Ravenna-Eckstein. We'll have a World Music class starting in September for a few weeks and then in November we'll start a mom and toddler dance class. Ha! I though November would give you a chance to start walking but clearly I didn't need to worry!
Other developments: We got you a set of blocks many months ago and your primary interest in them was to bang them together to see what sort of sound they'll make. You would occasionally knock down a tower that I build but you move on pretty quickly. I've been wondering when you would stack blocks, having read that ability comes at a certain developmental point. Today you did it! You carefully placed one block on top of another. Mommy is so excited! This was not the end of your block-related skill-building either. Your blocks of different shapes that fit through the top of the box they're kept in held your interest for a while today. And for the first time you tried to put them through the top. And you did it! Here's a video:
You are also communicating much more effectively these days. We're seeing a lot of pointing and you're imitating words all day! You're getting really good at trying to say "doggie" and now you're making the "bok bok" sound we say when we're looking at a picture of chickens or even the real thing. A house a block over has chickens in their front yard and it's become part of our routing to walk by and say hello. You are a master of sound effects actually... you click and dong and breath through your nose loudly imitating mommy smelling something. You smelled my mint plant today and I think you really get that you're smelling!
But today, as wonderful as it was, also illustrated what Matt and I have been learning about being parents: the highs are so crazy high but the lows are soooo low. Not low as in horrible but low because we're exhausted and emotional and you're also at times tired and emotional and frustrated. And there's just no break and sometimes we could really use one!
Upcoming: Preschool starts next month! Capitol Hill Cooperative Preschool. You have no idea what's coming but mommy is so darn excited! We'll go Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for an hour and a half. You are so eager to explore and learn and interact with other kids that I'm hoping it will be a fun experience. That will be back in our old neighborhood and our friends Cecile and Isaac will be there too. But today I signed us up for a couple classes at the community center just a couple blocks from our house, Ravenna-Eckstein. We'll have a World Music class starting in September for a few weeks and then in November we'll start a mom and toddler dance class. Ha! I though November would give you a chance to start walking but clearly I didn't need to worry!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sweet Moments
When I'm laying with you nursing you to sleep... sometimes you hold my hand. Which in itself makes mom tear up just a bit with how sweet it feels to have my baby hold my hand. But then sometimes you bring my finger you've got a grip on up to your cheek and actually move my hand to stroke your cheek. It was something I did when you were much younger and I was trying to calm you during our bedtime routine.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
"Dough!"
People say all the time that they wish they knew what was going on inside a baby's head. I haven't really wished that so much... until now. You've been pointing a lot lately and now you point at a great variety of things and say, "Dough!" "Dough!" "Dough!" You are trying to express something (you are often quite excited about!) and direct my attention to these things. I do truly wish I knew why! We went on a stroll around the neighborhood yesterday just before bedtime and I think you pointed at a tree, "Dough!" I said, "Yes Violet... that's a tree!" For the rest of our walk you pointed at trees. We stopped to touch the bark of a few trees!
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