View from the Passenger's Seat

Life Changes

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

My eldest niece, the Divine Miss M, celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. The top picture is M with her younger brother, O, at my wedding. The bottom photo is the one that accompanied her Bat Mitzvah invitation.

Seven years ago, when the first picture was taken, O was M's only brother; they have since been joined by the rambunctious and irreplaceable Y (now 6). And my two girls have also joined the family.

Back then I was called "Amy"...who am I kidding, they still call my Amy, although they also refer to the Hoos by his first name as well, and he has been their uncle the whole time. The only consolation is that in conversation with others they might refer to me as their Aunt...maybe.

Seven years ago I had a special dress picked out for the celebration, for M's special day I haven't had time to buy anything new. Well, I have tried to run out during my lunch break a few times, but have come up empty. The few dresses that I like the fit of are drab colors. At this point I am trying to find a new bright shirt to wear under a suit from my closet, but I am struggling to find one that doesn't make me look even older than I feel.

Everyone is very excited for M's Bat Mitzvah. My brother-in-law and his family (M's other uncle) arrived from Hungary last night. My girls have new dresses, the Hoos has his Torah reading down pat, and LP has been working on hers. Okay, LP doesn't really have a Torah reading at the Bat Mitzvah, but she thinks that she does and she walks around saying prayers in Hebrew in preparation. Crazy cute.

I feel really lucky. I had an awesome family to begin with and I married into a family that has welcomed me warmly. I have the best of all worlds and I am so proud of M and all of my nieces and nephews (all seven of them!) and wouldn't mind a bit if they slowed down growing up just a wee bit so Aunt Amy can catch up.

See What I Mean?

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:17:00 +0000

My friend JM snapped this shot of little AK on Sunday. A delicious little imp to be sure, but that devilish twinkle is hard to ignore.

I Hate Being Right

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000

When I picked my little ladies up from school yesterday, everything seemed normal. LP was riffling through my pocketbook trying to find her gum, AK was smiling because she found a paci on her car seat (she can only have it in the car and the crib - and little does she know that is only for another few weeks), then we got home.

And my little AK was a disaster. Cranky, whiny, clingy...and I knew. Coupled with her week-long runny nose, this could only mean one thing. Yet another ear infection. After the Hoos got home and I scarfed down dinner, at 7:30 I packed AK up and whisked her off to the pediatrician's office where my fears were confirmed.

I HATE going to the pediatrician's office. Especially during flu season. When they have masks in the hallway for anyone suspected of having the flu. When I have a 17-month old that does not stop moving or touching things. And this is just the beginning of cold and flu (and ear infection) season.

I was planning on waiting until AK's 18-month check up in early December to broach the topic of tubes with AK's doctor. Despite the fact that she is pretty verbal, I can't help but feel that her monthly ear infections are impacting her quality of life. I know they are impacting mine. Sigh....

This doesn't fit in this post, but I wanted to capture for posterity a random compliment I received on Monday. After picking the girls up from school we went to drop stuff in the car before going to the playground. As I approached my car I heard chatter from above. Looking up there was a large gentleman standing on the roof of the day care center, repairing the roof. "Those are the prettiest eyes I have ever seen." I turned to AK, who I was carrying, "That's you sweetie, say thank you." The roofer corrected me, "I meant her mama." NICE.

Space Cadet

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Last night, in the middle of the night, I suddenly jumped up out of bed.

Neither of my kids were screaming. I was not in pain. The Hoos had not just punched or kicked me. I did not hear any strange noises.

Instead, I had a dream. A dream of standing at the top of the stairs, with AK at the bottom, looking up at me, as she held a shampoo bottle upside down and aloft and slowly squeezed out its contents all over my living room floor. I was jumping up/running down the stairs to stop her.

Fortunately once out of bed I woke up and recognized my surroundings. I got back into bed, sheepish, but happy that the Hoos appeared not to have noticed that he is married to a nutcase.

In case you are wondering, yes, that is totally something AK would do. She is the cutest little munchkin with a devilish grin. Her new thing is to run at you with her mouth open in an attempt to bite you. I am trying to coach LP not to laugh at her since it encourages this behavior, but it is hard since she just looks so silly and naive, thinking it is an effective maneuver.

To further my idiocy, I arrived at work this morning nice and early - 7:30. As I stepped out of my car I realized something was missing. My laptop. Which was sitting in my bag in my home office. 25 miles away. My boss lives about half a mile from me and fortunately she had not left for work yet and she was able to stop by and retrieve the laptop from the Hoos. Not my finest moment. And yet it is still only 8:30 so I have a whole day to try and outdo myself.

Sunny Sunny Sunday

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:52:00 +0000

The weather was fantastic here in CT yesterday. The sun was shining, the temperatures were mild and, because I have two small children, yard work wasn't an option. We would not - could not - waste the day raking leaves.

In the morning we took the girls to a playground and they ran around and played. It was enough activity to tucker AK out after lunch. LP saw her chance and insisted that the Hoos take her fishing. They packed a picnic lunch, put their rods in the car, and headed over to the beach. They had a great time, enjoying each other's company and soaking in the sun.

With everyone otherwise occupied I ran around like a crazy person. Making a ziti and a salad, vacuuming, straightening up the house...I counted on AK sleeping for at least two hours, but she popped awake in about an hour and a half. Fortunately, I was able to take care of everything I need to in the time allowed and whisked AK back outside to take advantage of the weather in our own neighborhood.

As an aside, when I asked the Hoos on Saturday if he was cool with me inviting people over for dinner on Sunday he responded in the affirmative. When he discovered I had invited over five families, I think he almost fell over. One family couldn't make it (next time!), and it was cozy, but I thought it was a great way to transition into the work week. Definitely better than yard work.

Who's That Girl?

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:16:00 +0000

Think back to when you were in elementary school - can you remember 'the dirty girl'? You know, the one that looked unkempt, maybe wore stained clothes? At the time, and even now, you didn't know why she was that way - was it a family thing? Did she get in a tussle on the way in?

Now I have my own three year old, and I can't help wondering - is she the dirty girl?

I pick out the girls' clothes at night, but there is no guarantee that they will actually wear what I leave out for them. LP wants to wear what she likes. Sometimes she will wear jeans and other times jeans are a tool of the devil meant to constrict her innards and you can't pay her to wear them. Sometimes corduroys count as jeans and other times they are awesome. Basically, she wears what she wants and I try to provide an acceptable option.

Not only does she often pick out her clothes but she dresses herself. Heaven help you if you try to help her and she is not in the mood. Yesterday one of my friends wrote to tell me, "I was talking to LP this morning and noticed she had both shirts on backward. She proudly explained that she 'beat Daddy' getting dressed." When I asked the Hoos about it, he hadn't even noticed. He was just proud of himself that he got her hair in a ponytail. He thought her hair looked too wild.

LP's hair is another challenge. She has perfectly straight, beautiful blondish hair. She wakes up fuzzyheaded. And she isn't keen on letting you brush it. And she really really doesn't like things in her hair. Ideally, LP wouldn't have bangs. But if you want bangs to grow out you have to be able to pin them up to keep them out of your eyes. Not happening. This morning I got LP to accept putting a clip in - but SHE had to do it. Who knows what she looks like.

Finally, OxyClean is my hero. It goes in every load of laundry and I typically have something soaking in a bucket full of it. That being sad, little kids are messy. Every stain doesn't come out even with Mighty Ox. There is just no way. And, every day at day care more stains get added. Yeah, my kids have stains on their clothes, yeah clothes cost money, and no, I am not always sending them in brand new clothes that will just get ruined.

My question is, how come most of LP's and AK's friends look so well put together? I know they all have awesome moms. But I think LP's and AK's mom is okay too. What is the magic trick? Hook me up!

Oh, Wee Hours, How I Didn't Miss You

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Last night in the wee hours, our entire family was awake on and off.

It started with AK screaming for no apparent reason. I changed her and held her for a few minutes. The downfall was when she noticed the bottle of water next to her crib. Thinking she was parched and needed a drink, I handed it to her. She didn't drink it, just clutched it close (which is tough considering she was holding a paci in each hand AND had one in her mouth). That helped me get her to lay down but she was none-to-happy when I took it back. We don't need crying children, but changing wet crib sheets at 3am is even less desirable.

Then it was LP. At least I was still awake and standing in AK's room so I didn't have to roll back out of bed. When I went to her bedside and asked what was wrong she looked right at me and said, " I don't know." Not sure if she was saying she wasn't sure what was wrong with AK or what, but it was not very helpful.

When I got back in bed the Hoos was groaning about indigestion. Not much I could do except offer him my extra pillow to prop him up.

Fortunately when the girls started grumbling simultaneously around 4, the Hoos was already up getting a glass of water, so that made my life easier.

Anyone have any thoughts on why these random changes in sleep patterns occur? Maybe the girls have colds coming on that are making them uncomfortable? Maybe they caught their daddy's indigestion? Does it have something to do with the crazy influx of ladybugs in my office?

Just Another Day

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

I know that there are people out there (all two of you) that are just itching for new and exciting postings. I am sorry to disappoint, really, there just isn't too much happening. Or at least nothing that I can write succinctly about. Here are some snippets of life in our house over the past week or so.

Last night both girls picked out a piece of Halloween candy from the basket to have as dessert. LP chose Whoppers (three malt balls) and I gave AK a Kit-Kat. While they chowed down, I left the room to get paper towels to clean them off and shortly thereafter I heard a little squeak from AK and called out, "What's going on in there?" LP's response, "I'm just sharing AK's candy." Nice.

A bit later LP called my parents and said to my dad, "Guess who likes chocolate? Me and [AK]!" Shocking.

My grandmother sent the girls Halloween cards, one of which "sings" the Hampster Dance (they use the 'P', I know that isn't how you spell it!). AK LOVES it. She gets so disappointed when the music stops and hasn't quite figured out how to get it to restart.

AK has started shrieking to get our attention. It is awful. To make matters worse, LP mocks her and follows her lead (jealousy? attention getting?), so I occasionally have two screamers. I know that once AK has a better handle on her communication skills she will use words instead of sounds, but it really sucks and is horribly embarrassing in public. And hopefully LP will knock it off.

LP is incredibly verbal and talks up a blue streak about all sorts of things to just about anyone that will listen. One of her latest features is baby talk. I know it seems silly to say that a three-year old has regular talk and baby talk, but LP does. She usually speaks very clearly and uses good size words and sentences. When I call her on talking like a baby she insists that it is because she has something in her mouth. This kid is a piece of work and I have a feeling that as soon as her sister catches up they two of them will leave me dizzy most of the time.

A Cry in the Night

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:45:00 +0000

"Mommmyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Mommyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"

The Hoos: "What is it, LP?"

"I have a problem!"

The Hoos: "What's your problem?"

"Dadddyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Daddyyyyyyyyyyyy"

Mommy, getting up: "I'm coming, LP."

Mommy, at her bedside: "What is wrong?"

"I have a problem."

Mommy: "What's your problem?"

"I had a bad dream."

Sisterly Love

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:10:00 +0000

I don't know if I should be relieved that they jump on each other instead of me... It was very cute and they had a great time, but as my mom always says, "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye."

UPDATE: Here are pictures that more clearly show them loving each other...

Freeze Frame

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Same night - two years later, same costume (except AK refuses to dance in hers, it is instead discarded on the floor), same turtle, different dance moves.

No, Really

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:35:00 +0000

They both liked Halloween, I swear...we just don't have the best pictures to show it.

Walk Away

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:58:00 +0000

My "office" is a cube. A corner cube with a window, but nevertheless, an open cube.

The across the way cube is occupied by an older, more experienced woman. Okay, to be blunt she is elderly, in her mid to late 80s.

This wonderful, wise, fascinating woman was a well-regarded PhD in archaeology in her previous life. Now she does data entry for my company. She has been here a long time (20+ years) and made the dramatic career shift for personal reasons.

She has watched the world change dramatically and has worked hard to keep her skills at the necessary level. To go from being part of a typing pool for VPs to each person having their own computer was obviously a game changer to someone in her position (or really anyone working anywhere).

That being said, she is not necessarily the most tech savvy person. She is very good at her job and has all of the technical capabilities necessary for her position. But she focuses on those systems and programs that are required to accomplish her job. I just heard her on the phone for half an hour (cubes rock!) trying to give someone direction on how to get a client's email address from our database. She spent 20 minutes taking them down one path to learn that they didn't have access to the same things she did, "Okay, let's try something else. Can you go to Google? Do you know how to Google something?..."

Please Don't Be Spies

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:15:00 +0000

After picking the girls up from school yesterday, we went over to Stew Leonard's. We visited the animals, toured the store and grabbed some samples before paying for our items and returning to the car.

As we neared the car, AK, who was in the front basket of the cart, decided to try her hand at surfing and stood up. I was aware and grabbed her before she could do any damage, and LP quickly climbed out of the main part of the cart to take her place. None of this is safe or recommended. At this point I noticed a nice older couple sitting on a bench right in front of my car watching the fiasco. Awesome mommy moment one.

Immediately AK sees the people through the front windshield and starts making eyes at them and waving like crazy. No one can resist, so they start waving back.

In the meantime, LP is in the car making her way to her seat. I remind her to get in her carseat and start putting her straps on while I put our bags in the car. When I am done putting the bags in the car, I close the door, get in the front seat, put on my seatbelt and start the car. LP then yells out,"Mommy! My straps aren't on!"

I get out of the car, leaving it running, and making sure the doors are unlocked (that would be an awesome mommy moment, wouldn't it? Locking my kids IN the car with it running). I open LP's door and start strapping her in. She leans out and announces to the lovely couple still waving at AK, "My mommy keeps forgetting to put my straps on!"

As I shush her she makes it clear she isn't done. "Look at my gum! I have my very own gum!" she shouts as she waves a chewed stick of gum out the door so they can see.

So there you have it - a hat trick of mommy awesomeness. Start throwing squid Detroit!

Shoot Me Now

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Saturday after ballet I took LP for her seasonal flu shot. A few weeks ago she received her first dose of the H1N1 vaccine as a flu mist and in about 4 weeks (hopefully, if the vaccine is available) she will get her second dose. She cried a bit as she was getting the shot, but in general she handled it well and quieted down as soon as she popped the lollipop the doctor provided into her mouth.

Approximately an hour after leaving the pediatrician's office, I was back. With AK.

AK had spent the morning with the Hoos and he didn't think she looked right. They got home from a local outdoor sports store shortly after LP and me and I concurred and bundled her back into the car. We will ignore the fact that the Hoos passed the pediatrician's office on his way home from said sports store, especially since their only purchase was a pair of really cute clearance shoes for me.

Poor bunny had a fever and the snots and the start of an ear infection. They tested her for the flu (both the Flu A and B? Not sure if this is swine flu and regular?) but she was negative, despite her fever and rosy cheeks. We left with a prescription for antibiotics for her ear and the advice to give her Motrin and Tylenol to control her fever.

By Sunday morning she was on the mend and the fever was broken. But let me tell you, having a baby with 102 for a prolonged period is nerve-wracking enough, I have no desire to watch either of my children suffer with any kind of flu. This totally reinforces my decision to vaccinate the girls. I keep hoping that the H1N1 vaccine will be available for those under two soon. I always feel so helpless when wither of my babies are sick and if vaccinating them will decrease their chances of being knocked down and out for a few days - count me in!

Carve It Up!

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Today while AK napped LP and I prepared two of our many pumpkins for Halloween.

NOT What a Mom Wants to Hear

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:17:00 +0000

"She had some diarrhea, but we think it is because she ate some paint."

Is that supposed to make me feel better? It is akin to saying, "She isn't sick, but we are obviously not prepared to pay extra attention to the tiny 16-month old addition to our classroom."

Sequential II Would Come in Handy

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:16:00 +0000

Let's have a round of applause for AK! She actually napped yesterday. Okay, so it was only for 45 minutes, about 20 minutes LESS than her big sister, but you have to start somewhere. She also was not crazy ravenous when I picked her up, although she did start eating dirt which ended our trip to the playground.

I am going to have to figure out how to adjust out home might-time schedule. However, this is complicated. I feel like it is one of those logic games we used to do in math class in junior high: Jenny, Susie, Mikey and Joe all want to go on a horse-drawn hay ride. Jenny and Susie want to sit next to each other. Mikey can't be next to Susie, Joe hates horses...

Tue-Thur I pick the girls up around 5
The girls need to be eating dinner no later than 6:15
AK needs to be in bed BY 8 (as exemplified by her mini-meltdown at 8:05 last night)
The Hoos gets home around 7:15
Baths need to be done by 7:45
The Hoos and I need to eat dinner
I need to make the girls' lunch
I need to digest for at least 15 minutes before walking on the treadmill
I spend 20 minutes on the treadmill
I should start getting ready for bed by 10:15

I know it would help if I didn't feel the need to make dinner every night. But I just can't see myself making and freezing meals on the weekend and I try to limit take-out to one night a week.

Want to plan my evening?

Not Ready to Let Go

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:54:00 +0000

AK had her first full day in the Toddler I class yesterday. I hope that things improve.

First, the Hoos said that drop off wasn't pretty. In her old room, as long as the Hoos was doing drop off, she would wiggle out of his arms and run over to her favorite teacher, waiting to be scooped up in her arms. In this room, AK didn't want to be put down. He had to carry her as he put away her things. Then he had to hand her off to a teacher (and not one of her teachers, a fill in teacher she is familiar with; I am not clear on if her teachers were in the room but not available to/interested in taking her or just not there) as she cried.

Fortunately, when the Hoos checked back in a few minutes later she was no longer crying and was walking around playing. He got the okay sign from the teacher that had calmed her down.

I called to check in toward the end of nap time (3pm) and was told that AK was doing fine and had just woken up from "a short nap." I didn't like the sound of "short nap," especially considering last Friday she didn't take a nap at all, but I was happy she wasn't screaming. The teacher also didn't give me the details I might have liked, she was more vague, but maybe that is a function of the room? I know as the kids get older, their daily sheets become less detailed. At this point, LP's sheet is basically a photocopy given to the entire class with her name written on it and a sentence specific to her.

Much to my chagrin, when I picked AK up and actually saw her daily sheet, a "short nap" didn't begin to describe it. She slept from 12:30 - 1:15! Nap time STARTS at 1. And I called at 3 and was told she was just waking up. "I was mistaken, I meant to just say that she was awake." NOT inspiring confidence here.

Baby girl was also a bit out of sorts. As we walked to the playground to enjoy the gorgeous weather she was kind of pulling at me and she nodded emphatically when I asked if she was hungry. Fortunately I had a "juice box" of milk in the car and a container of applesauce. She drank half the milk in one continuous suck. She has a water cup in class and her sheet said that she ate all of the offered snacks (Kix for am snack, cheese and crackers for 3pm snack and Cheerios for 5 pm snack), but who knows? Likely they were just setting up the 5pm snack and had prefilled in the sheet.

In general, last night was fine, although AK definitely was tired. She didn't eat much dinner, preferring to decorate the floor with it (why, oh, why did I try to serve her rice?!). At 7 she walked to the bathroom door and pointed at the tub, ready for her bedtime ritual to begin. After the bath and some playtime with her big sister, she was walking toward the stairs, indicating that she wanted to brush her teeth. By 8 she was asleep.

I don't mind the early bed part, but I am definitely missing my relationship with her Infant Room II teachers. I hope that we all adjust to the new room and schedule soon.

Left in the Dust

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:00 +0000

Apparently my girls celebrated birthdays or at least jumped ahead a few years in terms of their development and forgot to tell me.

After reneging on wearing underwear to bed Thursday night, LP has been wearing it every night since! And as she will tell you, "I don't pee in the middle of the night and I stay dry!" HOORAY!

She has also become a gum chewing expert (I know, she shouldn't really have it, but it is the ultimate inexpensive bribery tool for her), she hasn't swallowed it or gotten it in her hair - yet.

We also finally picked out her Halloween costume. Shockingly, she will be Tinkerbell. Before buying it for her I made her understand and repeat that she will have to wear a shirt and pants under the pretty, light-weight dress (it was in the 30s here this weekend!!!). I think what really sold her on it were the cheap plastic clip-on earrings that came with it,"Mommy, do they stick in my ears? No, they do on like hair clips? Oh? Can I get real earrings? Not till I'm big? But Isabella has them and she is three like me."

Not to be outdone, AK has enjoyed sneaking sips from my iced coffee (LP took one taste when she was little and spit it out, never to try to drink from my cups again, AK is apparently a decaffeine fiend). She also has this awesome new thing of telling us when she is ready for bed, climbing out of my arms, sidling up to the crib, and pointing.

AK is also eagerly attempting to repeat words. One of her new favorites is, "Yesssssh!" Which is much better than "No". Actually, I am not sure that she uses "No" yet, not that I am complaining. There will be plenty of time for her to use that word - just ask LP...

Mama?

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Monday night I decided to DVR Aladdin which was playing on the Disney Channel. While we continue to sloooowly plow through Snow White (skipping any remotely scary scenes) I figured this might be a nice alternative to Tinkerbell (apparently there is a straight-to-DVD Tinkerbell movie coming out later this month, I may have to be first in line).

Once again, I was shocked, but not surprised to realize that once again, a Disney movie has an absent mother. Yes, I have seen Aladdin before (I think as a camp counselor it was a rainy day trip, although I am not and was never above going to animated movies without this type of incentive), but I guess I just forgot.

Then I went through my mental list of Disney movies:

Cinderella - no mom, just evil stepmom
Snow White - see above
Beauty and the Beast - no mention
Aladdin - see above
The Little Mermaid - see above
Bambi - killed pretty early
Finding Nemo - see above
Dumbo - torn away from her child (the most positive role model of the Disney moms, although violence is not the answer)

Of course this list is not comprehensive and there are dozens of Disney animated classics, but, dude, cut a mom a break...Daddies are cool and all, but little princesses need their mommies too!

One More PullUp

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:54:00 +0000

For the last couple of weeks LP has been waking up dry. Yes, despite the fat that she has been toilet trained - without barely an accident - since last December, she continues to wear pullups to bed, so waking up dry is a big deal. Several times over the last few months I have tried to accelerate the wearing of underwear to bed with not so great results. Instead, I just go out and buy more pullups.

Tuesday morning LP once again woke up dry and told the Hoos, "Daddy, just two more pullups!" despite the fact that she actually had a huge stack of them in her special princess pullup box. Yesterday she woke up dry again and she insisted on calling me at work to tell me, "Mommy, just one for pullup!" she yelled from the back seat of the car into his cell phone. We have no idea how or why she set this deadline, but heck yeah, I am all for reducing my diaper bill.

Now if only we can convince her to pee as soon as she wakes up. The Hoos has been struggling to get her to take a "morning pee" for months. Especially since she refuses at home and then as soon as they walk into day care she insists on using the bathrooms there.

Tonight should be interesting. I am hopeful that her track record for dryness has boosted her confidence and bladder capacity and life (and sleep) should be uninterrupted.

A Trip, Her Trap, No Naps

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Yesterday was LP's first school trip. I was not able to go - a girl has to work sometimes, you know - but I was fortunate that 1. several of my friends chaperoned and 2. LP is quite talkative. Between the reports from my friends, their pictures, and LP's perspective, it was almost like I was there.

From DM: It was fun, the farm is nice & the field trip is pretty well organized. WE got there & hopped right onto a hay/tractor ride & went through the apple orchards, then we got to pick a pumpkin & run around a little, then is was onto the petting zoo & snack time. I thought [LP] was going to feed the animals a few times, she got close to the deer, but she faked me out & just threw the food at them!

From MLH: My fave [LP] moment was when she was walking around covering her ears b/c she didn't like peacocks!? Are peacocks noisy?

From LP's friend CS: I rode on a tractor

LP on the drive: I drove with [DM]. We had Pirate Booty in the car in case we got hungry.

LP on the farm: I almost fed a deer. But the lady said 'don't feed the buffalo.' They can get...sad because no one feeds them, but you can't feed them.

And more insight from LP from back in the classroom: When we were eating pumpkin pie and Miss Miller was putting more water in the fish tank, I said 'POOP! POOP! I smell poop!' And it was [so-and-so]. He pooped in his pants.

And reflecting on the trip to the Hoos: Daddy, it would have been nice if you came on my field trip. It would be fun to drive in your car to the farm. [NOTE: I might have cried if she said this to me]

After all of this hoopla you would have thought that LP would have been exhausted and napped like a superstar. Alas, no nap was enjoyed. Even better, when I picked up AK she had decided that napping was beneath her as well. SHE IS 16 MONTHS OLD! SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE UP NAPS.

Proving that miracles do happen, even without naps, and with the Hoos working a bit late - there were NO meltdowns in our house last night. The girls ate dinner and played and enjoyed each other. I did put AK down at 7:30 - half an hour earlier than usual - and she went right down. It was actually a pretty drama-free night - dare I say, better than some others that include naps?

Can't Get Enough

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Here is AK eating an apple as big as her head and showing off her mad word skills.

Don't despair if you are missing an update on LP. She is doing great - I hope to have fun stories from her field trip to the farm. Worst case, I am sure she will say something ridiculously silly that I can blog about tomorrow.

Too Soon

amybow@optonline.net (AmyBow) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:59:00 +0000

I can't believe we have already hit the point where AK has determined she does not need to nap. She does, and she will eventually. But it is 3pm and she is nap free...and she thinks she is a 3 year-old princess...

You should see her walk in the heels! She is better than LP!