Posted in November 2008

Where did he go?

This is a favorite game DH and I play with our lil’ Monkey.  I’m sure plenty of parents do a variation of this game with their toddlers.  Put blanket or large hat on their head and ask, “Where did he go?”  You get the idea.

Well, now I’m asking this question for real.  Where did he go?  My sweet little baby boy?  The one who was so easygoing and smiled so much?  It seems someone replaced him in the middle of the night with a screaming, pouty, pissy pants toddler!

Boy! It seems like each day the tantrums increase and over the littlest of things.  I’ve been reading the Happiest Toddler on the Block and while at home, I do the “toddlerese” that Dr. Karp suggests but it just doesn’t seem to work.  Sometimes, if it’s a case of dropping something or not being able to perform a task to his liking, I can head off a tantrum with a well-timed “Uh-oh!” but even that’s been back firing lately.

Looks like the terrible twos have arrived early I’m sad to say.  However, on a brighter note, I do enjoy the massive amount of learning he has done in recent months.  His vocabulary is getting bigger, his comprehension is amazing and he’s getting way too good at climbing everything.  But progression is a good thing, right?

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Land of Facebook

So I’ve broken down and joined Facebook and LinkedIn.  Probably why I haven’t posted in a while.

It’s weird to have these virtual worlds all going at once.  I was really hesitant to join these online networking sites at first because I wasn’t sure I wanted to be “found”.  DH assured me that I can protect my profile and I have to extent but isn’t the whole point of these things to network?

Upon signing up, I debated on joining my high school group but I’m glad I did.  A couple of people I’ve lost touch with have contacted me and it’s been fun.  It’s interesting to see pictures of these people and interact with them.  I wasn’t able to attend 10 year high school reunion a couple years ago but I think in a way this is better.  Up-to-date and probably not as formal.

Anyway, the verdict on Facebook so far is good.  Now pardon me while I go update my status!

The road always taken

Three times a week, I take Monkey to daycare.  It’s not a center-based daycare but the in-home type.  His daycare provider, Miss D, lives off of a dirt road.  And this past summer and especially this fall, the drive to and from her house has contained some of the most peaceful and tranquil moments of my day.

Tranquil Road

Tranquil Road

To the right is a picture I took last week on the way to pick Monkey up from daycare.  Beautiful, isn’t it?  This past summer the leaves of the trees lining the road created a nature canopy and on really sunny days, little sunbeams would peak through the leaves.  I wish I had taken a picture of that.  Maybe next summer.

It will be a while before DH and I will be able to sell our house and move into a bigger one.  And a year ago, if you had asked me, I would have said I’d like to move into one of neighborhoods nearby.  However, after traveling back and forth to Miss D’s house, I’m starting to think I’d like something not so cookie-cutter, a little out of the way.  A house where the drive home would evoke the same tranquil feelings as this drive does so often.

American Bulldog Determination, Bengal Tiger Strength

This is one of the many things Bikram Yoga instructors say while you try to press your sweaty face against your sweaty knees simulataneously pulling your upper body down using the fingers you’ve placed under your feet.  I always find it funny but inspiring.  As I heard this mantra in a class this week, I realized maybe I should start applying it or others like it to life off of the yoga mat.

The one that I think will help me most with my toddler tantrum woes is “Mind over Matter.  It only matters, if you mind.”  Let’s see how good my recall is for that when the next time Monkey throws a fit and is grapping at my face!

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DC Play Group Meeting

This morning I received a call from one very sick Caramama.  She requested that I act as coordinator of the DC Meetup today.  At first I was a little apprehensive.  This is admittedly not my strong suit.  I’m usually not very outgoing and really only start talking to people I haven’t met before if introduced by someone else or they happen to strike up a conversation with me for whatever reason.  But I sucked it up and was determined to not let this deter my duties.

Upon arrival I met with Dana and Aria whom I know IRL.  We were the only ones there at that point.  Per the descriptions Caramama had given me of everyone who thought they would attend, I watched the door as much as I could but Monkey wasn’t in the mood to play in the playarea at first so I ended up feeding him his lunch early.  I missed Kate coming in but Dana pointed out that she might be apart of the group so I went over and asked and sure enough, she was!

After his lunch, Monkey felt better and was a little more eager to go into the playarea.  So I tried to chat with Dana and Kate and keep an eye on Monkey, too.  The Play Cafe had a few young girls there to watch the little ones but I think the ratio might have been too high to take your attention away from the playarea completely.  A little later, I saw someone I thought might have been Zaimee and her family so I approached them.  They confirmed and joined the group.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend much time talking to Zaimee and her husband because Monkey was getting a little too daring with some climbing things in the playarea.  But I think Dana had a chance to to talk with them so I’m glad they were able to chat it up and not feel left out.

Monkey was having a really good time as were the other kids but as Kate and I agreed, it was getting close to nap time and we would probably have to go.  Monkey had a meltdown when I took him out of the playarea (he’s entering the terrible twos already).  He had been up for 6 hours already and I knew he’d pass out on the way home.  Sure enough, he did and in rare form, I was able to carry him to his crib without him fully waking up.

I think Caramama will be happy to know that it went well.  We still missed her though!  Maybe next time!

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