At the park recently, Naomi was weeping and wailing over ducks -- who had, by that point, moved on to a less noisy location -- and I was trying to get her to settle back down and ride her tricycle. As she was weeping, she began saying, "It hurts, it hurts!"
I became alarmed, because I hadn't seen her injure herself, so I asked, "What hurts, Naomi?"
The dramatic answer: "My LIFE!"
One passerby laughed at that...I couldn't blame him for it, since I was having trouble not laughing, too.
Since then, though, Naomi's taken to saying this about things she doesn't like: "No, that hurts my life."
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The concentrated look
I wish I could have my camera on me at all times, because I would love to catch more of my children's expressions. Of course, Simeon is at an age when he sees the camera and smiles a huge smile in anticipation of grabbing it, chewing on it, and mashing all its buttons. I've never let him do that, but his face lights up every time with the expectation that this will be the time that I'll see how excited he is and just hand the camera over for his scrutiny. It's hard to break it to him that he probably won't see that day for many years. In the meantime, I get lots of great smiley pictures of him, which is lovely. I would like to capture, though, the look he gets when he's trying to figure something out. Or his little "o" face. So far, no dice. Perhaps he's waiting until I tell him, "Look, you let me get those expressions and I'll let you have the camera for 5 minutes." I mean, a kid can do a lot in 5 minutes.
Naomi is also a bit of a ham for the camera, although her smile for the camera tends to be a bit more...studied...or something. The other day, though, I let her loose with some new markers on the marker board, and she didn't notice as I began snapping away. (If you'd like to get really up close and personal with these photos, you can click on them and they'll get nice and big.)
I started a safe distance away, because I didn't want to tip her off and lose the concentrated look.
I got a little closer...can you see the slight pout with the lip? I love it! That's a signature part of the concentrated look for her.
She's so very into the markers. She was drawing a monster. Or fish? I can't remember. It's a bit tricky, too, because these days she draws lots of things. I have to ask her what it is, because to me they all look like little people. She does a great job with smiley faces and everything...but sometimes they're fish. Or monsters. But, looking at the photo, this looks more like it's just some swirls.
Ooop. She's on to me...but her concentrated face is still there.
Now we get the hint of a smile.
I've blown my cover now, so I may as well just move on in.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: THE HAM!!
Naomi is also a bit of a ham for the camera, although her smile for the camera tends to be a bit more...studied...or something. The other day, though, I let her loose with some new markers on the marker board, and she didn't notice as I began snapping away. (If you'd like to get really up close and personal with these photos, you can click on them and they'll get nice and big.)
I started a safe distance away, because I didn't want to tip her off and lose the concentrated look.
I got a little closer...can you see the slight pout with the lip? I love it! That's a signature part of the concentrated look for her.
She's so very into the markers. She was drawing a monster. Or fish? I can't remember. It's a bit tricky, too, because these days she draws lots of things. I have to ask her what it is, because to me they all look like little people. She does a great job with smiley faces and everything...but sometimes they're fish. Or monsters. But, looking at the photo, this looks more like it's just some swirls.
Ooop. She's on to me...but her concentrated face is still there.
Now we get the hint of a smile.
I've blown my cover now, so I may as well just move on in.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: THE HAM!!
Why pigs?
This morning, Hannah said to me, "Mom, I bet, to pigs, the shallow end of the pool is like the deep end and the deep end is like a pond and a pond is like a lake and a lake is like a sea and the sea is like an ocean and the ocean is like the whole world under water!"
I had to admit, she might be right about that.
I even can understand where the thinking about shallow and deep came in -- the girls had their first swimming lessons of the summer yesterday.
I don't know why she chose pigs, though. A mystery.
I had to admit, she might be right about that.
I even can understand where the thinking about shallow and deep came in -- the girls had their first swimming lessons of the summer yesterday.
I don't know why she chose pigs, though. A mystery.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
Well, I had hoped that we'd be able to do something fun like go for a hike or picnic for Father's Day. Instead, I'm sick, so I've spent most of the day in bed, and Michael has gotten to exercise his fatherhood all day long. He's even working on finishing up dinner right now.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Quite amusing
This description of a course from The Teaching Company was in my email today. I found it a funny (intentionally or unintentionally on the part of the writer?) thing to say to someone with small children. Especially the part that I've bolded. Or the very last sentence. I'm not sure I will click there, I think I've got enough of my own...
Chaos
by Professor Steven Strogatz, Cornell University
Chaos theory—the study of the behavior of sensitive systems over time—affects nearly every field of human knowledge, from the arts to zoology. Journey with Cornell University Professor Steven Strogatz to the heart of this revolutionary field and discover new ways to think about the world. From the surprising tale of how chaos theory was discovered, to the ways it can help us solve mysteries like the nature of consciousness, Chaos gives you a solid introduction to a fascinating discipline that has more to do with your life than you may realize.
Click here for Chaos.
Chaos
by Professor Steven Strogatz, Cornell University
Chaos theory—the study of the behavior of sensitive systems over time—affects nearly every field of human knowledge, from the arts to zoology. Journey with Cornell University Professor Steven Strogatz to the heart of this revolutionary field and discover new ways to think about the world. From the surprising tale of how chaos theory was discovered, to the ways it can help us solve mysteries like the nature of consciousness, Chaos gives you a solid introduction to a fascinating discipline that has more to do with your life than you may realize.
Click here for Chaos.
Friday, June 19, 2009
After the pruning
Hannah watched the pruning with great joy and expectation...until she realized that they were hauling away and chipping the things that they were cutting off the trees. This seemed a complete waste to her -- perfectly good nature going into the chipper! However, she reasoned that perhaps they'd leave something behind by accident, so she secured a promise from me that she could go treasure hunting after they left. Okay, that's not too difficult to grant.
She was right, they had left a couple of things behind. Not much, but she found the overlooked holly branch and an overlooked green monkey pine branch. The only ones we usually get to handle are the dead brown ones, so this was a rare treat.
H: Mom, can I use the kitchen scissors?
Me: What for?
H: I want to cut some stuff off this branch. Oh...it's all sticky here where it's broken.
Me: Um, yes, that's the sap. Please take it back outside until it dries. I don't really want to use the kitchen scissors on that...
H: Okay. I'll let it dry and then put it in my nature box.
Naomi, who had pretty much ignored the treasure hunt, awakened to its possibilities when she saw the green berries on the holly branch. She picked a whole bunch of them. She's always been a very eager picker of things, although she rarely eats them. In this case, that's a very good thing. I made it a point to explain to both of them that they could not eat the holly berries. This didn't diminish their joy in the bounty at all.
The joy of the treasures of nature for the young.
This joy does not extend to moths, though. I had to get one out of the room where Hannah has Quiet Time. It was very small, but Hannah wasn't about to go back in there with it.
She was right, they had left a couple of things behind. Not much, but she found the overlooked holly branch and an overlooked green monkey pine branch. The only ones we usually get to handle are the dead brown ones, so this was a rare treat.
H: Mom, can I use the kitchen scissors?
Me: What for?
H: I want to cut some stuff off this branch. Oh...it's all sticky here where it's broken.
Me: Um, yes, that's the sap. Please take it back outside until it dries. I don't really want to use the kitchen scissors on that...
H: Okay. I'll let it dry and then put it in my nature box.
Naomi, who had pretty much ignored the treasure hunt, awakened to its possibilities when she saw the green berries on the holly branch. She picked a whole bunch of them. She's always been a very eager picker of things, although she rarely eats them. In this case, that's a very good thing. I made it a point to explain to both of them that they could not eat the holly berries. This didn't diminish their joy in the bounty at all.
The joy of the treasures of nature for the young.
This joy does not extend to moths, though. I had to get one out of the room where Hannah has Quiet Time. It was very small, but Hannah wasn't about to go back in there with it.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
More pruning
The guys pruning our trees this morning are from Trees for Life. They did some pruning for us at our old house, too. They use a lot of climbing gear -- they hang in a swing-like contraption (I'm sure it has a technical name in climbing and tree pruning) and can raise and lower themselves in the tree and do their work.
I'm pretty sure, though, that the chainsaw held on with a clip isn't standard climbing gear...
I'm pretty sure, though, that the chainsaw held on with a clip isn't standard climbing gear...
This morning
we're watching the tree pruners at work on our monkey pine. It sure needed some help.
They're also pruning some of the holly tree's branches back from the electrical lines.
They brought out the chain saw, which meant that we had one move to the inside. Hello Dolly doesn't like the unmuffled sound of a chain saw. Her sister was willing to hold her hands over her ears.
But, once they started up the chipper on the orange truck,...
...everyone moved inside to watch.
I'm getting updates on how many big branches they're removing. Hannah's hoping they'll leave some stray branches behind: "As soon as they're finished, we'll have a treasure hunt in the front yard!"
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Port-a-potties
Hannah has conceived a fierce dislike of port-a-potties. She hates them with the fire of a thousand suns. Or something close to that. I think it's because they stink and they're not usually very clean. She also seems to fear falling in, although she'd have to work pretty hard before that happened.
The other day when we were strawberry picking, Hannah decided she needed to go potty. When we asked about an available bathroom, the kind woman pointed out a port-a-potty. Hannah wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I don't like to use port-a-potties!" She exclaimed.
The woman attempted to tell her that port-a-potties are the same as bathrooms. Hannah, thankfully, didn't share her thoughts on that kind of reasoning. WHAT was the woman thinking?!? After declining the use of the port-a-potty, we walked away again, and Hannah said, "Port-a-potties are pit potties!" Which for her is the crux of the matter: they are not like bathrooms, since they have a pit where waste collects, rather than flushing like civilized potties.
Today, she drew a logical conclusion from her ideas about port-a-potties: "In Heaven, there will be no port-a-potties!"
The other day when we were strawberry picking, Hannah decided she needed to go potty. When we asked about an available bathroom, the kind woman pointed out a port-a-potty. Hannah wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I don't like to use port-a-potties!" She exclaimed.
The woman attempted to tell her that port-a-potties are the same as bathrooms. Hannah, thankfully, didn't share her thoughts on that kind of reasoning. WHAT was the woman thinking?!? After declining the use of the port-a-potty, we walked away again, and Hannah said, "Port-a-potties are pit potties!" Which for her is the crux of the matter: they are not like bathrooms, since they have a pit where waste collects, rather than flushing like civilized potties.
Today, she drew a logical conclusion from her ideas about port-a-potties: "In Heaven, there will be no port-a-potties!"
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Crows
have been added to the "Animals to fear and run screaming from" list that Naomi is compiling. She wanted to leave the park this morning because of the crows. They were standing on a hillside several hundred feet from us. Menacing, you know. Naomi was on her tricycle, and I tried explaining that crows wouldn't want to come near her even if she was walking around, but with a bike they'd be even less likely to get her. Whatever that means.
Of course, on the way home, she was a baby crow, complete with sound effects. Please don't ask me to explain, I don't think I understand. But that might be because I'm a mama crow.
Of course, on the way home, she was a baby crow, complete with sound effects. Please don't ask me to explain, I don't think I understand. But that might be because I'm a mama crow.
Hannah
read Pippi Longstocking yesterday. The whole book. She had been somewhat skeptical about it when I put it into the library pile, but she has decided she likes it. She's reading it again today.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Confusion
Naomi doesn't seem to understand how boys' names and girls' names are divided. For instance, for a while she was telling us that Ermengarde is a boy's name. And Barnaby is a girl's name. Of course, then we figured out that she thought Barnaby was actually Barbie, so that explained a bit about that. But today she absolutely insisted, after we told her that it is the feast of St. Anthony, that St. Anthony is a girl. Hm.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sweet
On Michael's dresser is a little note:
"Please ficx my shel"
Under that was the shell that was found at low tide on Monday. Hannah discovered to her great sadness that it wasn't as strong as she thought, and a rectangular piece came out of it.
Complete faith that Dad could fix it was all that kept her from weeping bitterly.
This morning, on top of the note, is the shell which Michael had glued together again. Faith rewarded.
"Please ficx my shel"
Under that was the shell that was found at low tide on Monday. Hannah discovered to her great sadness that it wasn't as strong as she thought, and a rectangular piece came out of it.
Complete faith that Dad could fix it was all that kept her from weeping bitterly.
This morning, on top of the note, is the shell which Michael had glued together again. Faith rewarded.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Low tide
Monday we went with friends (including some relatives, but heck, they're friends, too) to a beach on the Sound to check out the low, low tide. We had a great time. I'd show you what a great time, but the only camera I had there was my cell phone, and it doesn't take great pictures. Enough to text to Michael and say Wish U were here, but not enough to do really anything else.
The others got there before we did (Sim's morning nap slows us up on some of these outings), but we still got to see some cool stuff. We saw a couple of crabs, a bunch of dogs (these inspired the usual terror in my older children), and lots of sand. Naomi spent the first part of our time avoiding getting her hands dirty. Once she actually got her hands in the sand, she actually came to like it quite a bit, building wet sand hills industriously. She didn't like that it stayed on, though. Hannah had a great time playing Paul and Maureen with her older boy cousin. That's from Misty of Chincoteague, you know. It was the perfect venue for it.
Simeon was not terrified of the dogs; he found them quite compelling. He also wanted to get down and play with the sand and rocks, but I've seen what he does with anything he gets his hands on, and I don't think he needs sand in his digestive tract. At least, not that much!
When asked by Michael later what she'd done in school that day, Hannah responded, "Nothing! Well, I guess the trip to the beach counts as a field trip. Does it, Mom?" We only have a couple of math lessons to go before school's officially out for the summer, but we'll continue with field trips like that, for sure!
The others got there before we did (Sim's morning nap slows us up on some of these outings), but we still got to see some cool stuff. We saw a couple of crabs, a bunch of dogs (these inspired the usual terror in my older children), and lots of sand. Naomi spent the first part of our time avoiding getting her hands dirty. Once she actually got her hands in the sand, she actually came to like it quite a bit, building wet sand hills industriously. She didn't like that it stayed on, though. Hannah had a great time playing Paul and Maureen with her older boy cousin. That's from Misty of Chincoteague, you know. It was the perfect venue for it.
Simeon was not terrified of the dogs; he found them quite compelling. He also wanted to get down and play with the sand and rocks, but I've seen what he does with anything he gets his hands on, and I don't think he needs sand in his digestive tract. At least, not that much!
When asked by Michael later what she'd done in school that day, Hannah responded, "Nothing! Well, I guess the trip to the beach counts as a field trip. Does it, Mom?" We only have a couple of math lessons to go before school's officially out for the summer, but we'll continue with field trips like that, for sure!
Vacation Destinations
Because Hannah is so interested, we're going to try to go here this summer for a visit. I find myself looking forward to it quite a bit, too! What a change of pace!
We also already have plans to visit here -- for the camping, not the lodge. The lodge is ridiculously expensive and doesn't allow people under 16, so it's certainly not for our crowd. But we're going with several other families and our friend Fr. Jerome, and we're going to swim, hike, nap, and have fun.
Today is turning into a looooooooong day, and it's helping me to think of some of the fun that's around the corner...
We also already have plans to visit here -- for the camping, not the lodge. The lodge is ridiculously expensive and doesn't allow people under 16, so it's certainly not for our crowd. But we're going with several other families and our friend Fr. Jerome, and we're going to swim, hike, nap, and have fun.
Today is turning into a looooooooong day, and it's helping me to think of some of the fun that's around the corner...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Fun with Picnik
I discovered the website Picnik through Alice Cantrell's blog, and I've been having some fun with it the past couple of days. I'll put some of the pictures I've been playing with up so you can see. I've been having fun with B&W...
This one was especially fun, since Naomi's bike is about her favorite place in the world, so I imagine this is a bit how she sees life:
This one was especially fun, since Naomi's bike is about her favorite place in the world, so I imagine this is a bit how she sees life:
Monday, June 8, 2009
Vacation destinations
Because Hannah is so interested, we're going to try to go here this summer for a visit. I find myself looking forward to it quite a bit, too! What a change of pace!
We also already have plans to visit here -- for the camping, not the lodge. The lodge is ridiculously expensive and doesn't allow people under 16, so it's certainly not for our crowd. But we're going with several other families and our friend Fr. Jerome, and we're going to swim, hike, nap, and have fun.
Today is turning into a looooooooong day, and it's helping me to think of some of the fun that's around the corner...
We also already have plans to visit here -- for the camping, not the lodge. The lodge is ridiculously expensive and doesn't allow people under 16, so it's certainly not for our crowd. But we're going with several other families and our friend Fr. Jerome, and we're going to swim, hike, nap, and have fun.
Today is turning into a looooooooong day, and it's helping me to think of some of the fun that's around the corner...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
MORE!
We have done Baby Sign with Hannah and Naomi, and we've started signing to Sim. He's hilarious about it, he smiles huge smiles whenever we show him a sign. I think it's because he's really attuned to movement. And he loves it when people talk to him.
Yesterday at dinner Michael and I were taking turns feeding him and Michael was signing "more" in between bites as we usually do, accompanying the sign with the question, "More? Do you want more?" Well, what do you know, but Sim signed MORE! It wasn't exactly like the grown-ups' sign, but that's the way it is with babies and signing. We could still tell that he was watching Michael's sign and repeating it.
Everyone was thrilled. The girls both got down from their chairs and rushed over to his high chair and began signing "more" repeatedly while saying, "More? More, Sim? More? More, Sim?" I think Sim was a bit overwhelmed. He did sign "more" a few more times during the meal, but I had to ask the girls to go back to their seats so as not to completely smother Sim with the "more" sign. But really I was as excited as they were!
Yesterday at dinner Michael and I were taking turns feeding him and Michael was signing "more" in between bites as we usually do, accompanying the sign with the question, "More? Do you want more?" Well, what do you know, but Sim signed MORE! It wasn't exactly like the grown-ups' sign, but that's the way it is with babies and signing. We could still tell that he was watching Michael's sign and repeating it.
Everyone was thrilled. The girls both got down from their chairs and rushed over to his high chair and began signing "more" repeatedly while saying, "More? More, Sim? More? More, Sim?" I think Sim was a bit overwhelmed. He did sign "more" a few more times during the meal, but I had to ask the girls to go back to their seats so as not to completely smother Sim with the "more" sign. But really I was as excited as they were!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Biking
We went to the park again today to bike. The girls both love it now. Hannah's training wheels are now adjusted properly (thanks to a visit from grandparents; one noticed why they weren't even, despite looking like they should be, and the other fixed the problem) and she's taking off on her bike. Which is good news. Naomi, of course, still loves her tricycle, and Simeon would give his eye teeth to be able to get down and move that fast. Of course, it's not an option. First, he doesn't have his eye teeth yet, and second, he's not so great on the sitting up on his own bit yet. He can do it, all right, but he then throws himself backwards or sideways, and that's just not good on a bike.
Hannah turned into a biking nature watcher now that she doesn't have to pay so much attention to the actual mechanics of biking.
Me: Hannah, I told you to turn around at the trash can up there. Why did you go past it?
Hannah: Oh, Mom, I just had to check out that little tree there.
**
Hannah: Mom, I'm going to go look at those geese.
Naomi: NOT GEESE! I DON'T WANT GEESE! NO!! NOT GEESE!
Me: Naomi, the geese aren't going to hurt you. They'll stay away, especially if you're on your bike.
Naomi: Okay. Oh, look, that's the mama goose and those are all her children.
**
Hannah: Look, Mom, I found this huge clover!
**
Hannah: Mom, can I bike down and look at that dog that's swimming in the water?
Naomi: NOT A DOG! I DON'T LIKE DOGS! IT'S NOT ON A LEASH! WAAAAHHHH!
Me: Naomi, you just bike over here away from the dog.
Naomi: Oh, okay. I'll bike up that hill and then come down.
Me: Okay, but don't forget about your hand brake.
**
Hannah: Mom, look at these purple flowers! Aren't they pretty? What kind do you think they are? They look a little bit like clover, but they're not round.
**
Hannah: Mom, I'm going on a duck nest hunt.
Since this park is right on Lake Washington, we usually have at least one break from biking to throw rocks in the water. Today we got to watch a seaplane take off and land a few times -- apparently they were practicing. A duck came over to check out whether we were going to feed it.
Naomi: NOT A DUCK! NO! I DON'T WANT IT NEAR ME!
Me: Naomi, I will not let the duck get you. Look, it's a boy duck because it has all those colors. Let's ask if he has any children.
Naomi: He's not a boy duck, he's a girl duck.
Hannah: Hi duck, do you have any children?
It occurred to me as we were throwing rocks in the water that my children looked like some sort of hyper-vigilant parent's kids, since they were wearing helmets to do a *dangerous* activity like throwing rocks in the lake.
This thought was then followed by the thought that this wasn't as strange as it could have been. The last time we were here, Naomi was throwing rocks in the water with her helmet and her Hello Dolly dress on. Besides, you never know when those ducks are going to turn on you.
Hannah turned into a biking nature watcher now that she doesn't have to pay so much attention to the actual mechanics of biking.
Me: Hannah, I told you to turn around at the trash can up there. Why did you go past it?
Hannah: Oh, Mom, I just had to check out that little tree there.
**
Hannah: Mom, I'm going to go look at those geese.
Naomi: NOT GEESE! I DON'T WANT GEESE! NO!! NOT GEESE!
Me: Naomi, the geese aren't going to hurt you. They'll stay away, especially if you're on your bike.
Naomi: Okay. Oh, look, that's the mama goose and those are all her children.
**
Hannah: Look, Mom, I found this huge clover!
**
Hannah: Mom, can I bike down and look at that dog that's swimming in the water?
Naomi: NOT A DOG! I DON'T LIKE DOGS! IT'S NOT ON A LEASH! WAAAAHHHH!
Me: Naomi, you just bike over here away from the dog.
Naomi: Oh, okay. I'll bike up that hill and then come down.
Me: Okay, but don't forget about your hand brake.
**
Hannah: Mom, look at these purple flowers! Aren't they pretty? What kind do you think they are? They look a little bit like clover, but they're not round.
**
Hannah: Mom, I'm going on a duck nest hunt.
Since this park is right on Lake Washington, we usually have at least one break from biking to throw rocks in the water. Today we got to watch a seaplane take off and land a few times -- apparently they were practicing. A duck came over to check out whether we were going to feed it.
Naomi: NOT A DUCK! NO! I DON'T WANT IT NEAR ME!
Me: Naomi, I will not let the duck get you. Look, it's a boy duck because it has all those colors. Let's ask if he has any children.
Naomi: He's not a boy duck, he's a girl duck.
Hannah: Hi duck, do you have any children?
It occurred to me as we were throwing rocks in the water that my children looked like some sort of hyper-vigilant parent's kids, since they were wearing helmets to do a *dangerous* activity like throwing rocks in the lake.
This thought was then followed by the thought that this wasn't as strange as it could have been. The last time we were here, Naomi was throwing rocks in the water with her helmet and her Hello Dolly dress on. Besides, you never know when those ducks are going to turn on you.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Dental visit
This morning was Hannah and Naomi's dentist appointment. It was Naomi's first time. This is what the kids were saying this morning:
Hannah: I LOVE going to the dentist! I LOVE going to the dentist!
Naomi: It won't hurt. It's not going to hurt.
Naomi had to be reassured often on this count; why she thought Hannah would LOVE something that hurt is beyond me, but Hannah also likes things like brussels sprouts, so Naomi can't necessarily trust her judgment, I guess.
Hannah went first and did very well, no cavities. Naomi watched and decided she didn't like the look of the rinsing, so when it was her turn, she began to panic. I had luckily put the stroller in the car this morning, so I got it and put Sim into so I could hold Naomi's hand and reassure her that it would be okay. We started with just having the hygenist look in her mouth with the mirror, and once she got found that didn't hurt, she did very well and didn't even mind the rinsing. She doesn't have cavities either, so they're both excited about that.
PLUS, they got balloons and a little toy and new toothbrushes and floss and flossers. They were quite happy with their loot. Naomi, since it was her first time, also got a pen (her "dentist pen," she calls it) and a booklet for me to read called Your Child's Teeth or something like that. I haven't read it yet, because Hannah took it and spent the ride home reading it, walked into the house reading it, and spent the time I was getting Sim down for his nap finishing it up. When I looked in at what she was reading, it was a section on dental emergencies. Good reading.
So after the dentist, here's what they were saying:
Hannah: I wish we could go to Dr. Wong's EVERY WEEK! Wouldn't that be great? Did you see Dr. Wong? She's more beautiful this time than I remembered. Maybe she has a new haircut.
Naomi: LOOK! My dentist pen. Can I bring my balloon in the house? Look! My new toothbrush. This is a floss-er and this is flo-oss.
There's a reason pediatric dentists are doing booming business these days -- I don't think I ever loved going to the dentist!
Hannah: I LOVE going to the dentist! I LOVE going to the dentist!
Naomi: It won't hurt. It's not going to hurt.
Naomi had to be reassured often on this count; why she thought Hannah would LOVE something that hurt is beyond me, but Hannah also likes things like brussels sprouts, so Naomi can't necessarily trust her judgment, I guess.
Hannah went first and did very well, no cavities. Naomi watched and decided she didn't like the look of the rinsing, so when it was her turn, she began to panic. I had luckily put the stroller in the car this morning, so I got it and put Sim into so I could hold Naomi's hand and reassure her that it would be okay. We started with just having the hygenist look in her mouth with the mirror, and once she got found that didn't hurt, she did very well and didn't even mind the rinsing. She doesn't have cavities either, so they're both excited about that.
PLUS, they got balloons and a little toy and new toothbrushes and floss and flossers. They were quite happy with their loot. Naomi, since it was her first time, also got a pen (her "dentist pen," she calls it) and a booklet for me to read called Your Child's Teeth or something like that. I haven't read it yet, because Hannah took it and spent the ride home reading it, walked into the house reading it, and spent the time I was getting Sim down for his nap finishing it up. When I looked in at what she was reading, it was a section on dental emergencies. Good reading.
So after the dentist, here's what they were saying:
Hannah: I wish we could go to Dr. Wong's EVERY WEEK! Wouldn't that be great? Did you see Dr. Wong? She's more beautiful this time than I remembered. Maybe she has a new haircut.
Naomi: LOOK! My dentist pen. Can I bring my balloon in the house? Look! My new toothbrush. This is a floss-er and this is flo-oss.
There's a reason pediatric dentists are doing booming business these days -- I don't think I ever loved going to the dentist!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
90.5
is not what you want the thermometer reading in Seattle. I know, since this has been the thermometer reading for 3 afternoons straight. It's supposed to be warm again tomorrow and then cool off...I sure hope so! I feel pathetic, coming from Texas and complaining about the heat, but in Texas we had central a/c!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Active
That's a one-word description of Simeon at 8 months. He's started to object when we put him into anything that holds him in one place, like a car seat or high chair. He doesn't mind the stroller so much, since it's usually moving...apparently that counts.
He's not crawling yet, but it doesn't make too much difference, since he can roll/combat crawl wherever he wants to go. He's even gotten the roll down so that he can adjust his path. For example, if he makes a roll and realizes that his objective (usually something that belongs to his sisters...sometimes the cord of something electric) is not in the path of the current roll, he'll turn until he's aimed at it, then continue on with his rolling.
Nursing sessions have gotten more active, as well. His legs kick, his arms flail, he's looking for something fun to kick, pinch, or shake. I've had to come up with a whole new routine for getting him to sleep, since if I just lie down in bed with him, he's far too active to actually fall asleep.
All of this means that when he was weighed last Friday, he was no longer in the 99+ percentile. He's now in the 95th percentile. This is why he's been stocking up all these months: once he's moving, he doesn't want to stop or slow down for something so boring as eating.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)