Last night as we all sat down to dinner (late, in the case of Rachel, who was on Part 3 of her meal; relatively early for us, as it was 8 p.m.), Rachel said something like, "moe song?" So she grasped each of our hands and we all clasped our hands in a circle and sang, "She'll be comin' round the mountain." She loved it and wanted more!
We really need to keep the songbook at the dinner table rather than in her bedroom, where I used to sing from it for hours when she was only a few months old.
Then she took Drew's hand and said, "Daddy books!" which means she wants Drew to put her to sleep after reading. "Daddy read!" she said when they got to her room.
This morning as soon as she woke up she said, "Daddy read!" again. She pulled out a favorite of both of ours -- "Corduroy," about a beaten-up but much loved teddy bear. They read a bit before he took her in to daycare.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Singing
Rachel is teaching herself to sing! Every once in a while she'll try to sing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," and we'll help her through it. After we're finished, she says, "moe! moe!" So then we'll sing "He's got the whole world in his hands," or "She'll be coming 'round the mountain" (thanks, Mom and Dad -- those Pete Seeger records are forever part of my memory bank) and she'll clap in appreciation.
She also says, "yay!" when we pull up to daycare. I think she really enjoys school!
She also says, "yay!" when we pull up to daycare. I think she really enjoys school!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
nie-nie!
Rachel has started putting inanimate objects to bed at night. In the bath, Drew says, she tries to drape the washcloths over her rubber duckies (mommy, baby and teenage duckies).
"Are you making the duckies go nie-nie?" he asked her.
"Yah," she said.
Then last night at dinner, she used her napkin to put her PACIFIER to bed! She covered it up and said, "nie-nie."
Then she told me, "sit down." I was so shocked that it was a second before I remembered to say, "what do we say, Rachel?"
"Peease," she answered.
That was followed by her pointing to me and saying, "eat!"
She's so adorable sometimes, I can barely stand it.
"Are you making the duckies go nie-nie?" he asked her.
"Yah," she said.
Then last night at dinner, she used her napkin to put her PACIFIER to bed! She covered it up and said, "nie-nie."
Then she told me, "sit down." I was so shocked that it was a second before I remembered to say, "what do we say, Rachel?"
"Peease," she answered.
That was followed by her pointing to me and saying, "eat!"
She's so adorable sometimes, I can barely stand it.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Giving Tree
Two people gave us this book, which has always had a special resonance with me. It's about a little boy who grows into a young man, then an old man, and is friends with a tree. The tree gives and gives of herself -- apples, branches, etc. -- until she has no more to give except her stump as a seat for the old man. It's a beautiful but sad tale of selfishness and unselfish giving.
Drew tried to read it to Rachel last night but he had to stop halfway through because he started weeping and couldn't stop. Rachel wasn't so much concerned as curious. She pointed to Drew's face and said, "Daddy kie." "Daddy kie." (Daddy cry).
"She's such a sweet little girl," he told me later. "And soon she'll be 13 and she'll hate us."
I think he should give our girl a little more credit than that, don't you?
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Rachel's first timeout
I had hoped we'd never have to use that dreaded phrase that I hate: "timeout." What happened to good old-fashioned discipline? And my daughter was going to be a meek, obedient child, right? HA HA HA HA HA.
Tonight I figured out that a timeout was the only way to get Rachel to stop being, well, Rachel 2 (see previous posts).
I picked her up from daycare today and she seemed fine when she got home. Drew (who is here all week because he was gone all last week) had gotten dinner warmed up and on the table so we were all ready to eat our matzo ball soup and salad and then adjourn to the living room and playtime.
Well, The Little Girl had other ideas.
Oh, the crying and the wailing and the yelling when Drew refused to cuddle her while he was eating because, frankly, she is too big to manage amongst bowls and plates and knives and glasses. She absolutely refused to stop, even when Drew and I explained patiently that if she was finished with dinner she could go play but that Mommy and Daddy were still eating. We tried to have some conversation but her crying got harder and harder to ignore. Drew tried putting her back in her booster seat and giving her something to eat but it STILL didn't work.
Finally, I scooped her up and said, "You're going to your room if you won't stop crying." Then I turned on her bedroom light and shut the door behind me.
The wailing continued but it was much more bearable listening to it from far away rather than dealing with it right next to us.
Then it got very quiet and I became worried. You're supposed to give the same amount of timeout as the kid's age -- 2 minutes for age 2, 6 minutes for age 6, etc. but Drew suggested we finish all our dinner (which took us about 15 minutes because he really wanted to talk to me) and then go check on her.
And when we did...she was lying down on the rug, her butt up in the air, in a sleeping position. Just as if she had settled down to take a little nap.
Then we played a little in the living room, had Second Dinner (wherein she finished up her sweet potato and chicken jarred dinner) and then she and Drew read books because she didn't want Mommy tonight. She wanted Daddy.
Which is really what I think the issue was, although Drew noted that by the time she was on a real crying jag she had forgotten what she was crying about. He reminded me that kids her age are dealing with lots of emotions that sometimes scare them and they have no idea of how to control them. Thus the temper tantrums and crying.
I STILL think it's because she missed him when he was gone last week.
Tonight I figured out that a timeout was the only way to get Rachel to stop being, well, Rachel 2 (see previous posts).
I picked her up from daycare today and she seemed fine when she got home. Drew (who is here all week because he was gone all last week) had gotten dinner warmed up and on the table so we were all ready to eat our matzo ball soup and salad and then adjourn to the living room and playtime.
Well, The Little Girl had other ideas.
Oh, the crying and the wailing and the yelling when Drew refused to cuddle her while he was eating because, frankly, she is too big to manage amongst bowls and plates and knives and glasses. She absolutely refused to stop, even when Drew and I explained patiently that if she was finished with dinner she could go play but that Mommy and Daddy were still eating. We tried to have some conversation but her crying got harder and harder to ignore. Drew tried putting her back in her booster seat and giving her something to eat but it STILL didn't work.
Finally, I scooped her up and said, "You're going to your room if you won't stop crying." Then I turned on her bedroom light and shut the door behind me.
The wailing continued but it was much more bearable listening to it from far away rather than dealing with it right next to us.
Then it got very quiet and I became worried. You're supposed to give the same amount of timeout as the kid's age -- 2 minutes for age 2, 6 minutes for age 6, etc. but Drew suggested we finish all our dinner (which took us about 15 minutes because he really wanted to talk to me) and then go check on her.
And when we did...she was lying down on the rug, her butt up in the air, in a sleeping position. Just as if she had settled down to take a little nap.
Then we played a little in the living room, had Second Dinner (wherein she finished up her sweet potato and chicken jarred dinner) and then she and Drew read books because she didn't want Mommy tonight. She wanted Daddy.
Which is really what I think the issue was, although Drew noted that by the time she was on a real crying jag she had forgotten what she was crying about. He reminded me that kids her age are dealing with lots of emotions that sometimes scare them and they have no idea of how to control them. Thus the temper tantrums and crying.
I STILL think it's because she missed him when he was gone last week.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Daddy's home!
Drew reports that Rachel greeted him this morning by saying, "oh, DADDY!" and giving him a big hug.
He says she's been a bit more clingy that usual today -- wanting hugs and kisses and cuddles more than normal. He, of course, is happy to oblige.
He says she's been a bit more clingy that usual today -- wanting hugs and kisses and cuddles more than normal. He, of course, is happy to oblige.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Rachel turned 21 months this week!
and so in honor of her ever-increasing chattiness, I offer this blog in her words (as interpreted by her mom, of course):
--LOVE purple! Anything purple! Toys, forks, spoons! Purple! Purple! Let's hear it for...PURPLE!!!!!
--I choose my own clothes every day. Dig those wacky color and pattern combos...dots and stripes! Green shirt, brown pants! (Daddy says it makes me look like a tree!)Socks that don't include ANY colors or patterns I happen to be wearing! Mommy sighs and tells me she's got to apologize to St. James for the way I'm dressed but I DON'T CARE...
--Best friends: Ducky and Puppy. (Puppy used to be called Spot, but Puppy definitely suits him better because he's covered with dirt. NO WAY am I going to let Mommy launder him...)
--Favorite foods: Gardenburger. Pata! (pasta). Sweet potatoes. What? There are more vegetables in the world that sweet potatoes? Are you NUTS?
--Speaking of nuts: Newest favorite food. Macadamia nuts sprinkled with sea salt and pepper are a must-buy for the properly nourished baby.
--Sentences. They're great! Mom is so happy when I say, "I LAV you!" She makes me say it over and over until I get bored and start drinking my water or reading books. I also say "books" a lot because I'd rather read than do anything stupid like playing with dollies or stuffed animals. Or even with Blankie.
--However, Blankie is teaching me lots of useful adult skills like folding and re-folding a blanket, laying it out carefully on the floor and then snuggling onto it and saying "nie-nie." Although I rarely go to sleep. I just want to fake mommy out.
--Social skills: I like that nice kid at daycare named Sloane although she can be kind of overwhelming the way she toddles up to me almost every day and tries to hug me. Like, has she ever heard of personal space??
--I do lots of useful things around the house. Put away my shoes. Bring mommy her slippers. Try on mommy's bracelet from Guatemala then throw it on the floor and forget about it. Build structures out of blocks then knock them down. Use the napkin Mommy hands me every night to wipe off my binky. That's because I have no idea what Mommy thinks I should use it for.
--I like scaring Mommy and Daddy with how old I'm getting. I've started to say, "OK," "oops," and "sorry." Mommy says my "OK" sounds like a Valley Girl, more like "Ah-ky."
--I'm almost ready to read on my own since I can identify 18 letters. If you visit I will proudly point to all the letters I can read and I will say them quite insistently until you acknowledge how smart I am.
--I finally figured out how to eat with a fork. But sometimes I still scoop up my Gardenburger with it, using it as a spoon.
--I'm totally annoyed at Mommy for ignoring me when I say NO NO NO! NO I don't want a bath, NO I don't want to wear my jacket, NO I don't want to get in the car and NO I don't want to stop playing. Doesn't Mommy understand English??
--When I'm hungry I want to eat RIGHT NOW! And I'll start crying like my heart will break until food is put in front of me. And then it better be something I like, like cha-cha. Yes, I still love challah!
--Don't tickle me anymore. It's not fun.
--I'm perfectly willing to kiss Mommy whenever she asks, but she needs to stop making faces every time she gets a wet one from me. And I always kiss Daddy right away because I don't want him to be jealous.
--At school I love playing with pretend food and looking at the big kids dance and ride bikes. I also don't need Mommy's help walking up the stairs, I can to it ALL BY MYSELF!
--After school I like getting a big hug from Mommy but I also like running away toward "Mommy cah." I know what "Mommy cah" and "Daddy cah" look like.
--I have so much to do during the day that it's hard to fit in cuddle time. But whenever I'm mad or sad, Mommy manages to sneak me onto her lap and suddenly I calm down and feel better. Plus I love snuggling into her chest at night!
--Mommy and Daddy better get me some more advanced toys, since I've outgrown most of the things in the toy box. I'm not a baby, y'know!
--Once again: I am NOT a baby anymore. I am a TODDLE. All pictures of little kids are BABIES unless they are standing up. Then they are TODDLES. But only if Mommy says so. I still think they're all BABIES.
--LOVE purple! Anything purple! Toys, forks, spoons! Purple! Purple! Let's hear it for...PURPLE!!!!!
--I choose my own clothes every day. Dig those wacky color and pattern combos...dots and stripes! Green shirt, brown pants! (Daddy says it makes me look like a tree!)Socks that don't include ANY colors or patterns I happen to be wearing! Mommy sighs and tells me she's got to apologize to St. James for the way I'm dressed but I DON'T CARE...
--Best friends: Ducky and Puppy. (Puppy used to be called Spot, but Puppy definitely suits him better because he's covered with dirt. NO WAY am I going to let Mommy launder him...)
--Favorite foods: Gardenburger. Pata! (pasta). Sweet potatoes. What? There are more vegetables in the world that sweet potatoes? Are you NUTS?
--Speaking of nuts: Newest favorite food. Macadamia nuts sprinkled with sea salt and pepper are a must-buy for the properly nourished baby.
--Sentences. They're great! Mom is so happy when I say, "I LAV you!" She makes me say it over and over until I get bored and start drinking my water or reading books. I also say "books" a lot because I'd rather read than do anything stupid like playing with dollies or stuffed animals. Or even with Blankie.
--However, Blankie is teaching me lots of useful adult skills like folding and re-folding a blanket, laying it out carefully on the floor and then snuggling onto it and saying "nie-nie." Although I rarely go to sleep. I just want to fake mommy out.
--Social skills: I like that nice kid at daycare named Sloane although she can be kind of overwhelming the way she toddles up to me almost every day and tries to hug me. Like, has she ever heard of personal space??
--I do lots of useful things around the house. Put away my shoes. Bring mommy her slippers. Try on mommy's bracelet from Guatemala then throw it on the floor and forget about it. Build structures out of blocks then knock them down. Use the napkin Mommy hands me every night to wipe off my binky. That's because I have no idea what Mommy thinks I should use it for.
--I like scaring Mommy and Daddy with how old I'm getting. I've started to say, "OK," "oops," and "sorry." Mommy says my "OK" sounds like a Valley Girl, more like "Ah-ky."
--I'm almost ready to read on my own since I can identify 18 letters. If you visit I will proudly point to all the letters I can read and I will say them quite insistently until you acknowledge how smart I am.
--I finally figured out how to eat with a fork. But sometimes I still scoop up my Gardenburger with it, using it as a spoon.
--I'm totally annoyed at Mommy for ignoring me when I say NO NO NO! NO I don't want a bath, NO I don't want to wear my jacket, NO I don't want to get in the car and NO I don't want to stop playing. Doesn't Mommy understand English??
--When I'm hungry I want to eat RIGHT NOW! And I'll start crying like my heart will break until food is put in front of me. And then it better be something I like, like cha-cha. Yes, I still love challah!
--Don't tickle me anymore. It's not fun.
--I'm perfectly willing to kiss Mommy whenever she asks, but she needs to stop making faces every time she gets a wet one from me. And I always kiss Daddy right away because I don't want him to be jealous.
--At school I love playing with pretend food and looking at the big kids dance and ride bikes. I also don't need Mommy's help walking up the stairs, I can to it ALL BY MYSELF!
--After school I like getting a big hug from Mommy but I also like running away toward "Mommy cah." I know what "Mommy cah" and "Daddy cah" look like.
--I have so much to do during the day that it's hard to fit in cuddle time. But whenever I'm mad or sad, Mommy manages to sneak me onto her lap and suddenly I calm down and feel better. Plus I love snuggling into her chest at night!
--Mommy and Daddy better get me some more advanced toys, since I've outgrown most of the things in the toy box. I'm not a baby, y'know!
--Once again: I am NOT a baby anymore. I am a TODDLE. All pictures of little kids are BABIES unless they are standing up. Then they are TODDLES. But only if Mommy says so. I still think they're all BABIES.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
No spiders for Rachel
At daycare this morning, little Sloane came up to Rachel and tried to hand her a black rubber spider, which Rachel did NOT like. She started crying, which escalated when I left. Luckily Teacher Michelle put an arm around her so I hope she calmed down quickly!
Drew thinks Sloane has a little toddler crush on Rachel. She's so friendly and always seems so happy to see her!
Drew also informed me earlier today that he is suffering from "Rachel withdrawal" and that he gets to have her all to himself on Saturday, the day after he gets home. That means that I get to exercise after work, which is great because I won't have time to do that the rest of the week unless Rachel agrees to take a walk after daycare. I tried that last night but it didn't work. Maybe tonight?
Drew thinks Sloane has a little toddler crush on Rachel. She's so friendly and always seems so happy to see her!
Drew also informed me earlier today that he is suffering from "Rachel withdrawal" and that he gets to have her all to himself on Saturday, the day after he gets home. That means that I get to exercise after work, which is great because I won't have time to do that the rest of the week unless Rachel agrees to take a walk after daycare. I tried that last night but it didn't work. Maybe tonight?
Weekend at Molly's
I got back mid-morning yesterday and was so preoccupied with all the running around I had to do because Drew is in D.C. -- meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. -- that I haven't had a chance to write on the blog until now.
We had a great time, as usual. Molly took some great pictures of Marigold and Rachel together, including one with Rachel peeking over the top of the couch and Marigold's head coming around the side of the table. She's smiling mischievously.
Rachel screamed when I put her in her crib but then quieted down quickly. When I woke up at 6:30, she was already downstairs with the other kids, watching T.V. and eating a bowl of chocolate-covered Cheerios. I felt guilty leaving Molly alone with all four kids while I slept but she said Rachel was the easiest one to handle! She looked so happy to see me when I came downstairs, though -- her little face lit right up.
I was quite disconcerted, however, to hear her say, "Elmo!" and point to Elmo on the T.V. Where on Earth did she pick that up?? Molly said she probably figured it out because daycare must have Elmo dolls and some of the kids must wear shirts with Elmo on the front.
"Elmo isn't evil, Lisa," my friend Dan said.
Best line of the weekend: Molly agreeing with me that Red Delicious apples are awful. "They're basically just good for still lifes," she said. That cracked me up!
We had a great time, as usual. Molly took some great pictures of Marigold and Rachel together, including one with Rachel peeking over the top of the couch and Marigold's head coming around the side of the table. She's smiling mischievously.
Rachel screamed when I put her in her crib but then quieted down quickly. When I woke up at 6:30, she was already downstairs with the other kids, watching T.V. and eating a bowl of chocolate-covered Cheerios. I felt guilty leaving Molly alone with all four kids while I slept but she said Rachel was the easiest one to handle! She looked so happy to see me when I came downstairs, though -- her little face lit right up.
I was quite disconcerted, however, to hear her say, "Elmo!" and point to Elmo on the T.V. Where on Earth did she pick that up?? Molly said she probably figured it out because daycare must have Elmo dolls and some of the kids must wear shirts with Elmo on the front.
"Elmo isn't evil, Lisa," my friend Dan said.
Best line of the weekend: Molly agreeing with me that Red Delicious apples are awful. "They're basically just good for still lifes," she said. That cracked me up!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Daycare loves Rachel!
Yesterday, as Drew was dropping off Rachel at daycare, a little girl named Sloane barreled up to Rachel and tried to give her a hug. Sloane is a sweet, affectionate kid but about twice Rachel's size. So, Rachel made a little "uh!" noise of alarm. Drew was there to supervise, so the hug went on as planned.
We really like how the other kids seem to enjoy Rachel's company. At least one or two of them greet her with a cheerful, "Hi Rachel!" whenever we take her in.
We really like how the other kids seem to enjoy Rachel's company. At least one or two of them greet her with a cheerful, "Hi Rachel!" whenever we take her in.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Rachel's cuddle object
Usually Rachel goes to sleep with a rubber ducky in one arm and her stuffed yellow puppy (thanks again, Mom and Dad!) in the other.
Last night, our little girl didn't want any of that. She insisted on going to sleep with her yellow plastic car.
Oh, joy. I can't wait until she starts playing with trucks and G.I. Joes. It seems as if I will not get the princessy child I longed for.
In other news, she was playing with Drew's wedding ring last night at the dinner table when she dropped it on the floor. He moved to pick it up and she said, "I get it." So he unstrapped her from her booster seat, she bent down and slid it back on his ring finger. I really don't know what to say.
Last night, our little girl didn't want any of that. She insisted on going to sleep with her yellow plastic car.
Oh, joy. I can't wait until she starts playing with trucks and G.I. Joes. It seems as if I will not get the princessy child I longed for.
In other news, she was playing with Drew's wedding ring last night at the dinner table when she dropped it on the floor. He moved to pick it up and she said, "I get it." So he unstrapped her from her booster seat, she bent down and slid it back on his ring finger. I really don't know what to say.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Play or books?
Last night was the night of BOOKS. After throwing a temper tantrum in the car driving home from daycare, Rachel was delightful at dinner, Drew told me. Then at 7:30, she decided she wanted to read BOOKS! So they read for a solid hour. Well, Rachel spent part of it looking at books by herself, then she let Drew read to her before going to sleep.
Tonight before I got home from the gym they PLAYED. The living room was a mess of toys, evidence that they had a great time together. Then at around 8:35 or so, when we were finishing up dinner (Rachel had already eaten most of hers and was in her booster seat companioably eating challah and cookies), she said, "BOOKS!" And she asked for DADDY, so I ended up cleaning up the kitchen and the toys while Drew read to her, bathed her and sang her to sleep.
It's good that they're spending so much time together because he's leaving for Washington D.C. on Sunday for a reporting trip that ends Friday. This means I will be a single mom all next week.
Tonight before I got home from the gym they PLAYED. The living room was a mess of toys, evidence that they had a great time together. Then at around 8:35 or so, when we were finishing up dinner (Rachel had already eaten most of hers and was in her booster seat companioably eating challah and cookies), she said, "BOOKS!" And she asked for DADDY, so I ended up cleaning up the kitchen and the toys while Drew read to her, bathed her and sang her to sleep.
It's good that they're spending so much time together because he's leaving for Washington D.C. on Sunday for a reporting trip that ends Friday. This means I will be a single mom all next week.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Rachel 1 and Rachel 2
Drew remarked a little while ago that we really have two daughters -- Rachel 1 and Rachel 2.
Rachel 1 is a delight to be with. She's giggly, playful, mischievous (in a fun way, of course), snuggly, cuddly, helpful around the house and generally obedient.
Rachel 2 is a whiny, sobbing, tantrum-throwing, leg-kicking, everything-refusing, irritating little s--t. This is the child who somehow received the packet on turning 2 while my back was turned.
Guess which Rachel graced my dinner table last night when Daddy was away?
She threw two fits -- the first after waking up from a nap in the car and refusing to take off her shoes when we got home. I took her in my arms and rocked her gently on my lap for about 20 minutes. The only thing that got her up was the siren sound of, "do you want some din-din, honey?"
The second fit was while she was eating and then asked for "moe big cra-ca" which means, basically, cookies. Since she hadn't eaten lunch or much snack at school (daycare), I said no until she finished her pasta and her sweet potatoes.
And then the wailing began. And the screaming. And the crying. And it just didn't stop for 20 minutes until I had finished my dinner. I finally took her on my lap again for a time. The only way she got up was when I said, "OK, honey, want to go into the bedroom and read some BOOKS?"
"BOOKS!" she said, smiling, and hopped off. I brought some water in, and she gulped it down while we read three books. And then she hopped off my lap when I said it was time to take a bath and was perfectly snuggly going to sleep.
Kids....
Rachel 1 is a delight to be with. She's giggly, playful, mischievous (in a fun way, of course), snuggly, cuddly, helpful around the house and generally obedient.
Rachel 2 is a whiny, sobbing, tantrum-throwing, leg-kicking, everything-refusing, irritating little s--t. This is the child who somehow received the packet on turning 2 while my back was turned.
Guess which Rachel graced my dinner table last night when Daddy was away?
She threw two fits -- the first after waking up from a nap in the car and refusing to take off her shoes when we got home. I took her in my arms and rocked her gently on my lap for about 20 minutes. The only thing that got her up was the siren sound of, "do you want some din-din, honey?"
The second fit was while she was eating and then asked for "moe big cra-ca" which means, basically, cookies. Since she hadn't eaten lunch or much snack at school (daycare), I said no until she finished her pasta and her sweet potatoes.
And then the wailing began. And the screaming. And the crying. And it just didn't stop for 20 minutes until I had finished my dinner. I finally took her on my lap again for a time. The only way she got up was when I said, "OK, honey, want to go into the bedroom and read some BOOKS?"
"BOOKS!" she said, smiling, and hopped off. I brought some water in, and she gulped it down while we read three books. And then she hopped off my lap when I said it was time to take a bath and was perfectly snuggly going to sleep.
Kids....
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
I love you
Yes! Rachel said that to me last night!
The first time was after I picked her up from daycare and put her in the car, cuddling a little bit before I settled her in the car seat and we went home.
WHAT did you just say? I asked her.
"I lav you," she said. (that's how it comes out. Not a grownup, perfect "I love you," but recognizable all the same!).
I was so touched that tears filled my eyes.
Then she said it a couple of times before bed. And this morning, as I was unlocking her from her car seat, she said, "I LOVE you," with emphasis.
I'm hoping she says that a couple more times tonight because I've had a terrible day at work and I could really use some innocent, enthusiastic toddler love right now.
The first time was after I picked her up from daycare and put her in the car, cuddling a little bit before I settled her in the car seat and we went home.
WHAT did you just say? I asked her.
"I lav you," she said. (that's how it comes out. Not a grownup, perfect "I love you," but recognizable all the same!).
I was so touched that tears filled my eyes.
Then she said it a couple of times before bed. And this morning, as I was unlocking her from her car seat, she said, "I LOVE you," with emphasis.
I'm hoping she says that a couple more times tonight because I've had a terrible day at work and I could really use some innocent, enthusiastic toddler love right now.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
A perfect day with Rachel Drury DeSilver
...so after Tot Shabbat yesterday, we got into the back seat of my car and Rachel leaned against me to cuddle for a bit. I started singing all the Shabbat songs I know -- "Shabbat Shalom," "He nay ma tov uma nayim," and "Lo Yisa Goy," and afterward she lifted up her head and said, sleepily, "moe? peease..." and I started on a non-Shabbat song but she politely shook her head, gave me a little smile and snuggled into my arms again. Just when I thought she'd be totally asleep she said, "home!" and so I drove home.
She napped for two hours while Drew went grocery shopping and I got some writing done.
When she woke up the first thing she said was, "Books. Books. Books" (it's like a chant with her these days). We read a few books. I have the feeling she would have us read to her all afternoon if she could.
Then I started sorting her clothes, setting aside the ones she's too big for (can THAT be true??) and bringing down the hand-me-downs from the attic. I hope she likes her reduced choices. We are badly in need of shirts, so Drew is taking her shopping at Babies 'R Us today. She helped me sort a bit and then wandered away, bored. Drew took her upstairs to play and I went to the gym and the movie store to rent a movie.
While I was at the store, I called Drew and discussed what his preference was. He immediately put Rachel on the phone and she said, "hello, Mommy." I was bowled over. Then, Drew said, she KISSED THE PHONE! "Is there any doubt in your mind that this little girl loves you?" he said before hanging up.
When I got back, Drew and Rachel were in the living room. Rachel was so excited to see me; she toddled into the kitchen and said, "mama! mama!" She spontaneously gave me a kiss -- and then, of course, wanted to kiss Drew right away so Daddy wouldn't get jealous -- and then we adjourned to the living room and playtime. She has a bus that Linda and Doug gave us and it plays a little four-verse song. So, she pushed the button that makes the song go, took my hand and started dancing! And then she held out her hand to Drew to get him to join us! (This was after she had generously given him a strand of purple Mardi Gras beads I had gotten one time from New Orleans. She was wearing her own strand of green beads).
"THIS is a happenin' Saturday night," Drew exclaimed. "THIS is the party house. Right here."
Then it was time for bed. I started making a Passover cake for friends of ours who are coming to dinner tonight. Just as Drew was ready to get Rachel into the bath, she toddled into the kitchen. "Mommy!" she said. "Can you please give me a kiss, Rachel?" I asked. She did. "Can you please give me a hug?" She did. Then Drew scooped her up and they left.
I think about how I used to spend my Saturdays -- taking forever to eat breakfast, read the paper, do errands, exercise, decide at the last minute where Drew and I would eat dinner and what movie/play we wanted to see. It seems so empty compared to the life I have now.
She napped for two hours while Drew went grocery shopping and I got some writing done.
When she woke up the first thing she said was, "Books. Books. Books" (it's like a chant with her these days). We read a few books. I have the feeling she would have us read to her all afternoon if she could.
Then I started sorting her clothes, setting aside the ones she's too big for (can THAT be true??) and bringing down the hand-me-downs from the attic. I hope she likes her reduced choices. We are badly in need of shirts, so Drew is taking her shopping at Babies 'R Us today. She helped me sort a bit and then wandered away, bored. Drew took her upstairs to play and I went to the gym and the movie store to rent a movie.
While I was at the store, I called Drew and discussed what his preference was. He immediately put Rachel on the phone and she said, "hello, Mommy." I was bowled over. Then, Drew said, she KISSED THE PHONE! "Is there any doubt in your mind that this little girl loves you?" he said before hanging up.
When I got back, Drew and Rachel were in the living room. Rachel was so excited to see me; she toddled into the kitchen and said, "mama! mama!" She spontaneously gave me a kiss -- and then, of course, wanted to kiss Drew right away so Daddy wouldn't get jealous -- and then we adjourned to the living room and playtime. She has a bus that Linda and Doug gave us and it plays a little four-verse song. So, she pushed the button that makes the song go, took my hand and started dancing! And then she held out her hand to Drew to get him to join us! (This was after she had generously given him a strand of purple Mardi Gras beads I had gotten one time from New Orleans. She was wearing her own strand of green beads).
"THIS is a happenin' Saturday night," Drew exclaimed. "THIS is the party house. Right here."
Then it was time for bed. I started making a Passover cake for friends of ours who are coming to dinner tonight. Just as Drew was ready to get Rachel into the bath, she toddled into the kitchen. "Mommy!" she said. "Can you please give me a kiss, Rachel?" I asked. She did. "Can you please give me a hug?" She did. Then Drew scooped her up and they left.
I think about how I used to spend my Saturdays -- taking forever to eat breakfast, read the paper, do errands, exercise, decide at the last minute where Drew and I would eat dinner and what movie/play we wanted to see. It seems so empty compared to the life I have now.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Tot Shabbat
We were almost the only ones there today! It would have been great to have a private service and songs with just the Rabbi and Cantor, but two other families joined us and we had a lovely time. The service usually lasts about a half hour, and there's fruit and challah afterward. But not this time, since it's Passover -- Rachel was very disappointed to discover that matzo was her only choice!
One of the things they do with the kids is give them miniature stuffed Torahs and they walk around the room in a line, singing a song. Rachel had a little trouble keeping up, but she was fine after Mommy took her hand (Daddy was sick at home with a cold so I didn't make him join us). She really likes carrying the Torah, even if she does tend to hold it under her arm like a football.
As we were leaving, Rachel lingered a bit on the bima and, as I told the Rabbi, I suddenly had a vision of her reading her Torah portion during her bat mitzvah. "They grow up fast," he said, and I can hardly believe that in just 10 years, she'll be ready to be accepted formally into the covenant. After all, as Cantor Schiff said, "two years ago, she wasn't even HERE!"
One of the things they do with the kids is give them miniature stuffed Torahs and they walk around the room in a line, singing a song. Rachel had a little trouble keeping up, but she was fine after Mommy took her hand (Daddy was sick at home with a cold so I didn't make him join us). She really likes carrying the Torah, even if she does tend to hold it under her arm like a football.
As we were leaving, Rachel lingered a bit on the bima and, as I told the Rabbi, I suddenly had a vision of her reading her Torah portion during her bat mitzvah. "They grow up fast," he said, and I can hardly believe that in just 10 years, she'll be ready to be accepted formally into the covenant. After all, as Cantor Schiff said, "two years ago, she wasn't even HERE!"
Friday, April 2, 2010
A poignant farewell
Earlier this week on Rachels' daycare report, we got a note from Teacher Jordan, who is leaving the school. I liked him a lot because he was the only male attendant and it's important for Rachel to see that men other than her dad can take care of kids just as well as mommies can.
Jordan is leaving to run a tattoo parlor on the East side. Kids one day, tattoo clients the next. So very Portland.
Anyway, he wrote on Rachel's report: "Goodbye Rachel! I will miss you! Good luck growing up!"
"Good luck growing up!?" It sounded so odd. I still haven't come up with the the words to describe how that casually tossed-out salutation makes me feel. What kind of luck will she need? Lucky to be pretty? Lucky to like books? Lucky to be smart? Lucky to be able to go to any college she wants, regardless of the cost?
Or just lucky to survive the minefields of adolescence, acne, mean girls, dumb rules and clueless teachers -- not to mention impossible parents?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Rachel discovers her BELLY BUTTON!
We've retired the onesies that we've put Rachel in since birth, since she is now into toddler sizes and it's really time to start dressing her like a girl instead of a baby.
She has discovered, along with the other kids in daycare, that it's fun to lift up your shirt and prance around, pointing at your tummy and your chest!
She can correctly identify most parts of her body. Now we're working on sides -- left side, right side, left eye, right eye, etc. And whenever she sees the letter "i," Rachel will say "eye," and point to her eye or Mommy's eye, or Daddy's eye. Whatever is handiest, I guess.
Rachel drinks from a CUP!!!
Drew told me last night that he discovered Rachel is quite capable of drinking liquids from a cup -- she does it all the time at daycare. In a stunningly pro-active move, he figured out what kinds of cups the kids drink from (small plastic ones), figured out where Rachel's daycare buys them, and immediately bought a bag.
He put some milk in one of the cups last night and she looked a little surprised as if to say, "I thought I only drank from a cup during the day!" but then she drank it, quite nonplussed. She even knows to take little sips so she doesn't dribble.
I found that hard to believe so tonight, when Drew was in Seattle, I gave her milk in a cup. She didn't bat an eye -- drank it all up! Even one-handed!
Could it be? Are we really ready to rid this house of bottles and re-claim the part of the counter we use to dry bottles, caps and nipples? YIPPEE!!!
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