Rachel LOVED the toy you got her from Antigua so much that she insisted on taking it to bed with her tonight. It's next to her in the crib. She refused to surrender it during Mommy Books and I had to practically pry it out of her hands to prevent her from taking it into the bath!
Also the dress is beautiful. She loved it as well and it is all I can do to not dress her in it tomorrow, but she would freeze her little tushy off if I did that. So...it will have to wait until summer. She smiled hugely when she looked at it, though, so I believe it will be one of her favorites. It'll look so cute paired with sandals or Crocs!
Rachel has already practiced saying "thank you" for the gifts, so we will try to call you tomorrow. Thank you so much for thinking of us!
Monday, February 28, 2011
She's movin' on up!
...to the Beginners section of the Y daycare program. Rachel should be starting there soon. As near as I can tell, it is much the same as Toddlers but with a more concentrated circle time. They'll teach the kids about weather, days of the week, etc. Which is great, because Rachel is just beginning to learn the concepts of cloudy/rainy/foggy/sunny and the days of the week. So far she thinks everything that happened to her in the past happened to her "yesterday." It's like living in a Christopher Nolan film. (He's the guy who did "Memento" and "Inception").
Cute sayings from today:
Rachel: Harris bonked me on the head.
Me: Really? Where?
Rachel: In the big room (I believe this is the gym where the kids ride scooters every day).
Me: What did he bonk you with? A toy? His hand?
Rachel: His hand. (Harris is about 18 months old).
Me: Did you cry?
Rachel: No.
Me: Did it hurt?
Rachel: No.
Me: Um, OK sweetie!
***
Me: What are your favorite colors, Rachel?
Rachel: Orange, brown and purple.
***
Rachel: Daddy like rain?
Me: Daddy LOVES rain.
Rachel: You like rain?
Me: No, sweetie, I don't like rain.
Rachel: I don't like rain, either! Mommy and Rachel no like rain!
Which is fine, except that we're in for wet, yucky weather at least through the weekend. Drat!
Cute sayings from today:
Rachel: Harris bonked me on the head.
Me: Really? Where?
Rachel: In the big room (I believe this is the gym where the kids ride scooters every day).
Me: What did he bonk you with? A toy? His hand?
Rachel: His hand. (Harris is about 18 months old).
Me: Did you cry?
Rachel: No.
Me: Did it hurt?
Rachel: No.
Me: Um, OK sweetie!
***
Me: What are your favorite colors, Rachel?
Rachel: Orange, brown and purple.
***
Rachel: Daddy like rain?
Me: Daddy LOVES rain.
Rachel: You like rain?
Me: No, sweetie, I don't like rain.
Rachel: I don't like rain, either! Mommy and Rachel no like rain!
Which is fine, except that we're in for wet, yucky weather at least through the weekend. Drat!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Rachel quotes
A few from this weekend:
On Saturday, we were driving to pick up the movie, and we passed Grant Park. I told her how Mommy, Daddy and Rachel were going to go to the park this summer.
"Mommy, Daddy, PopPop!" she said.
"No, not PopPop," I said, "unless he comes to visit."
"PopPop come," she said, and I could hear the distress in her voice.
"You miss PopPop, don't you, sweetie?" I said.
"I miss YOU," Rachel said.
I laughed. "Rachel, how can you miss me? I'm right here!"
"I need you!" she said. "I love you! I kiss you! I hug you!"
Really, what could I say? I was choked up.
***
We were talking the other day about what I should make for Daddy when he comes home for spring break in less than (!) two weeks.
"How about chicken soup?" I said.
"I bet he'd like pot roast," Rachel said. "I bet he'd like chicken, too."
***
Tonight I put her down to bed and said, "Night night, Rachel. I had a great weekend with you."
She said something indistinguishable, so I went over to her crib.
"I lying quietly," she said, and I chuckled and said good night again.
On Saturday, we were driving to pick up the movie, and we passed Grant Park. I told her how Mommy, Daddy and Rachel were going to go to the park this summer.
"Mommy, Daddy, PopPop!" she said.
"No, not PopPop," I said, "unless he comes to visit."
"PopPop come," she said, and I could hear the distress in her voice.
"You miss PopPop, don't you, sweetie?" I said.
"I miss YOU," Rachel said.
I laughed. "Rachel, how can you miss me? I'm right here!"
"I need you!" she said. "I love you! I kiss you! I hug you!"
Really, what could I say? I was choked up.
***
We were talking the other day about what I should make for Daddy when he comes home for spring break in less than (!) two weeks.
"How about chicken soup?" I said.
"I bet he'd like pot roast," Rachel said. "I bet he'd like chicken, too."
***
Tonight I put her down to bed and said, "Night night, Rachel. I had a great weekend with you."
She said something indistinguishable, so I went over to her crib.
"I lying quietly," she said, and I chuckled and said good night again.
Oscar weekend!
...and what a busy one it was! Lots of activity, as usual. The highlights:
--Saturday we went to visit our friend Suzanne who recently had a baby (actually, three weeks ago, and I was struck by how calm Suzanne was and how much weight she's already lost. She says it helps that she's been through the baby routine before - her daughter, Lila, is Rachel's best friend and they're around the same age - and that this child, Eva, is a lot easier that Lila was. I do long to have a second one but I'm terrified that he/she may be the difficult child we thought Rachel would be, and instead we ended up with the mellow kid from Heaven). I brought over some lentil stew and a chocolate chip cake, and Suzanne and I were able to talk for quite a while while Rachel and Lila sat at Lila's play table (mental note: Must buy Rachel a miniature table and chairs, a mini-kitchen and an easel for her to do art) and imitated each other. It was so cute! Lila made up words, then Rachel would repeat them, then Rachel would say something and Lila would repeat it -- it was so adorable!
Then we went to the dining room table. The girls had cheddar bunny crackers, which Suzanne got at New Seasons which means I won't be buying them for Rachel because New Seasons is way too expensive for me these days, and milk. And chocolate chip cake. And the best part of the day -- the best part of the whole weekend -- was when Steve, Suzanne's husband, offered Rachel some lentil soup and she said, "No. Thank you for offering!' Steve was so impressed that he said to Lila, "Did you HEAR that, Lila?" My heart burst with pride.:)
Rachel was having such a good time playing with Lila and Lila's tea set that I really had to drag her away -- the only thing that worked was when I told her we were going to the GROCERY STORE, which meant she would get a red car to ride and could help Mommy unload the groceries on the conveyer belt -- it is so cute to watch her stand on her tiptoes and set yogurt and baby food very very carefully on the belt -- and so we did our usual Saturday round of errands until naptime. Then I got her up, we had leftovers for dinner, and then I put her to bed.
I had rented "Inception" to watch just before the Academy Awards tonight, which was good because if I hadn't there is no way I would have understood the opening montage. Anyway, I was late watching the movie because Craig, my most excellent tenant, gave me a book he had bought, a guide to hiking, canoeing and camping with toddlers. He had heard me express my desire to do so but hesitancy because of Rachels' age. AND he said that when his girlfriend, Brenna, comes to visit during her spring break (a week after Drew's), then she'll be happy to babysit Rachel while I go out one night. I was so overwhelmed with that generosity I didn't know how to react except to say thanks.
Today I was tired because I stayed up too late watching the movie, but we still managed to fit in a lot. I dropped off a cake I'd baked for a brunch event at the synagogue. Then Rachel and I raced to a storytelling time event at a coffeeshop, sponsored by the Portland Jewish Library, which sends Rachel free books every month until she turns 7. (She adores those books and I love that they communicate such strong Jewish values at such an early age). We did some crafts (mental note: Need to buy Rachel a bunch of books with stickers, and beads and string, so we can start doing crafts projects at home. I think she may be ready). Then the head of the Portland Jewish Foundation read three books (one of which we have at home, about Noah and the Ark, and Rachel helpfully pointed out pictures of the animals in her cheerful, warbly voice). We left just in time to meet my friend Amy back at our house, minus her kids because they were sick.
Amy and I chatted for a 2 1/2 hours and Rachel was fabulously well-behaved; she only seriously interrupted us once. At once point she took her puzzles and a music box that Molly bought her over the Christmas break into the kitchen with us, and while Amy and I were talking Rachel started talking quietly to herself while she was playing. "Isn't that so adorable that you can barely stand it??" Amy murmured, and I have to agree she was right.
After Amy left we returned the movie and then went to the library where we checked out more books. Then home for snack and a nap and I got to watch 2 uninterrupted hours of the Oscars. I woke Rachel up at 7:20, and by 8:35 we had made dinner, eaten dinner, cleaned up from dinner, changed into her sleepsuit, read books, sang songs and put her to bed. Fastest I have ever gotten her down on a Sunday (she didn't need a bath because I gave her one last night).
All in all, another busy, happy weekend. I LOVE our time together. Rachel is the best companion any Mom can have!
--Saturday we went to visit our friend Suzanne who recently had a baby (actually, three weeks ago, and I was struck by how calm Suzanne was and how much weight she's already lost. She says it helps that she's been through the baby routine before - her daughter, Lila, is Rachel's best friend and they're around the same age - and that this child, Eva, is a lot easier that Lila was. I do long to have a second one but I'm terrified that he/she may be the difficult child we thought Rachel would be, and instead we ended up with the mellow kid from Heaven). I brought over some lentil stew and a chocolate chip cake, and Suzanne and I were able to talk for quite a while while Rachel and Lila sat at Lila's play table (mental note: Must buy Rachel a miniature table and chairs, a mini-kitchen and an easel for her to do art) and imitated each other. It was so cute! Lila made up words, then Rachel would repeat them, then Rachel would say something and Lila would repeat it -- it was so adorable!
Then we went to the dining room table. The girls had cheddar bunny crackers, which Suzanne got at New Seasons which means I won't be buying them for Rachel because New Seasons is way too expensive for me these days, and milk. And chocolate chip cake. And the best part of the day -- the best part of the whole weekend -- was when Steve, Suzanne's husband, offered Rachel some lentil soup and she said, "No. Thank you for offering!' Steve was so impressed that he said to Lila, "Did you HEAR that, Lila?" My heart burst with pride.:)
Rachel was having such a good time playing with Lila and Lila's tea set that I really had to drag her away -- the only thing that worked was when I told her we were going to the GROCERY STORE, which meant she would get a red car to ride and could help Mommy unload the groceries on the conveyer belt -- it is so cute to watch her stand on her tiptoes and set yogurt and baby food very very carefully on the belt -- and so we did our usual Saturday round of errands until naptime. Then I got her up, we had leftovers for dinner, and then I put her to bed.
I had rented "Inception" to watch just before the Academy Awards tonight, which was good because if I hadn't there is no way I would have understood the opening montage. Anyway, I was late watching the movie because Craig, my most excellent tenant, gave me a book he had bought, a guide to hiking, canoeing and camping with toddlers. He had heard me express my desire to do so but hesitancy because of Rachels' age. AND he said that when his girlfriend, Brenna, comes to visit during her spring break (a week after Drew's), then she'll be happy to babysit Rachel while I go out one night. I was so overwhelmed with that generosity I didn't know how to react except to say thanks.
Today I was tired because I stayed up too late watching the movie, but we still managed to fit in a lot. I dropped off a cake I'd baked for a brunch event at the synagogue. Then Rachel and I raced to a storytelling time event at a coffeeshop, sponsored by the Portland Jewish Library, which sends Rachel free books every month until she turns 7. (She adores those books and I love that they communicate such strong Jewish values at such an early age). We did some crafts (mental note: Need to buy Rachel a bunch of books with stickers, and beads and string, so we can start doing crafts projects at home. I think she may be ready). Then the head of the Portland Jewish Foundation read three books (one of which we have at home, about Noah and the Ark, and Rachel helpfully pointed out pictures of the animals in her cheerful, warbly voice). We left just in time to meet my friend Amy back at our house, minus her kids because they were sick.
Amy and I chatted for a 2 1/2 hours and Rachel was fabulously well-behaved; she only seriously interrupted us once. At once point she took her puzzles and a music box that Molly bought her over the Christmas break into the kitchen with us, and while Amy and I were talking Rachel started talking quietly to herself while she was playing. "Isn't that so adorable that you can barely stand it??" Amy murmured, and I have to agree she was right.
After Amy left we returned the movie and then went to the library where we checked out more books. Then home for snack and a nap and I got to watch 2 uninterrupted hours of the Oscars. I woke Rachel up at 7:20, and by 8:35 we had made dinner, eaten dinner, cleaned up from dinner, changed into her sleepsuit, read books, sang songs and put her to bed. Fastest I have ever gotten her down on a Sunday (she didn't need a bath because I gave her one last night).
All in all, another busy, happy weekend. I LOVE our time together. Rachel is the best companion any Mom can have!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sometimes it's about Mommy, sometimes it's about Daddy
..and often she'll switch within a couple of hours. A sampling from Friday:
Rachel (after I sang "Five Little Ducks" on the way to work in the morning): Mommy Duck sad?
Me: Yes, sweetie, she's sad because all her little ducklings went away. Just like Mommy will be sad when you go away.
Rachel: No! I no go away!
Me: Promise, Rachel?
Rachel: I want you! You're MY mommy!
Me: And you're MY Rachel. You're my ONLY Rachel!
Rachel: You like it when I lean against you.
...and then, on the way home from work:
Rachel: Daddy in Seattle?
Me: No, Rachel, Daddy's in New York.
Rachel: He come back from New York and stay forever and ever!
Me: You miss Daddy, don't you?
Rachel: Yeah. I miss Daddy.
Me: I miss him, too.
Rachel (after I sang "Five Little Ducks" on the way to work in the morning): Mommy Duck sad?
Me: Yes, sweetie, she's sad because all her little ducklings went away. Just like Mommy will be sad when you go away.
Rachel: No! I no go away!
Me: Promise, Rachel?
Rachel: I want you! You're MY mommy!
Me: And you're MY Rachel. You're my ONLY Rachel!
Rachel: You like it when I lean against you.
...and then, on the way home from work:
Rachel: Daddy in Seattle?
Me: No, Rachel, Daddy's in New York.
Rachel: He come back from New York and stay forever and ever!
Me: You miss Daddy, don't you?
Rachel: Yeah. I miss Daddy.
Me: I miss him, too.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
It's all about Mommy
More and more, Rachel seems to want to do things just with me. Occasionally when I talk about the summer, or activities we'll do when Daddy's home for good, she'll say, "Mommy, Daddy AND Rachel" (like last night when I was reading "Madeline in London" and asked her if she wanted to go to London someday, and she said yes, and I told her we'd ride the top of a red double-decker bus, and she said, "Mommy, Daddy AND Rachel") but most of the time it's just Rachel and Mommy.
An example from tonight, when I talked about this summer and how she'll go to the farmer's market with Daddy:
"NO," she said. "Daddy wait at home."
"Don't you want to go the farmer's market with Daddy?" I asked.
"No. He can't go to farmer's market because he a big boy," she answered.
I have no idea what that means, but Drew was very sad when I told him.
***
On Saturday we may end up visiting our friends Suzanne and Steve and their daughter Lila, a great friend of Rachel's. Lila has a new baby sister.
"We see Lila tomorrow!" Rachel said excitedly as I was rocking her to sleep.
"Actually, we'll see them Saturday," I said. "Lila has a new baby sister."
"Eva!" Rachel answered (I was very impressed because I have only mentioned Eva's name once or twice, a while ago). "She's a baby!"
"Yes, sweetie."
"I can be gentle with her?"
"Yes, sweetie. Maybe you can even hold her. Mommy can help you."
"She not fall?" Rachel asked worriedly.
"No, honey, she won't fall."
"She get owies," Rachel concluded. Then she resumed cuddling.
An example from tonight, when I talked about this summer and how she'll go to the farmer's market with Daddy:
"NO," she said. "Daddy wait at home."
"Don't you want to go the farmer's market with Daddy?" I asked.
"No. He can't go to farmer's market because he a big boy," she answered.
I have no idea what that means, but Drew was very sad when I told him.
***
On Saturday we may end up visiting our friends Suzanne and Steve and their daughter Lila, a great friend of Rachel's. Lila has a new baby sister.
"We see Lila tomorrow!" Rachel said excitedly as I was rocking her to sleep.
"Actually, we'll see them Saturday," I said. "Lila has a new baby sister."
"Eva!" Rachel answered (I was very impressed because I have only mentioned Eva's name once or twice, a while ago). "She's a baby!"
"Yes, sweetie."
"I can be gentle with her?"
"Yes, sweetie. Maybe you can even hold her. Mommy can help you."
"She not fall?" Rachel asked worriedly.
"No, honey, she won't fall."
"She get owies," Rachel concluded. Then she resumed cuddling.
Rachel malapropisms
Yesterday at daycare, Teacher Jennifer gave Rachel some Wheat Thins, which she mispronounced as "weekends."
"I want some more weekends!" she insisted at one point, and Jennifer and I agreed that, oh, honey, wouldn't we all.
***
Also last night, Rachel refused to get a bib from her bedroom because I had planned to make chicken and noodles.
"I don't WANT a bib!" she said.
"Why?" I answered.
"'Cuz I'm not eating BABY FOOD!'" she answered indignantly. Guess that is a new rule in our house -- bibs only get worn when baby food is served.
***
Rachel started chanting last night something they taught her at school: "Three little monkeys jumpin' on the bed/One fell down and hit his head/Mama call the doctor and the doctor said/No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!" I can't possibly do her little voice justice with this post; you just have to imagine it.
***
This morning on the way to school she announced she wanted to switch roles.
"I Mommy!" she said. "You Rachel!"
"OK, honey," I said.
"I go to work," she said. "I drive. You sit in the back. I drop you off at school."
"What will you do at Mommy's work?" I asked.
"Push buttons on the computer."
"Then what?"
"Go in there," she said, pointing to a parking garage we were driving past.
"Then what?"
"Go to sleep," she said.
"Um, how will Mommy's work get done?" I asked.
She didn't have an answer for that one.
"I want some more weekends!" she insisted at one point, and Jennifer and I agreed that, oh, honey, wouldn't we all.
***
Also last night, Rachel refused to get a bib from her bedroom because I had planned to make chicken and noodles.
"I don't WANT a bib!" she said.
"Why?" I answered.
"'Cuz I'm not eating BABY FOOD!'" she answered indignantly. Guess that is a new rule in our house -- bibs only get worn when baby food is served.
***
Rachel started chanting last night something they taught her at school: "Three little monkeys jumpin' on the bed/One fell down and hit his head/Mama call the doctor and the doctor said/No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!" I can't possibly do her little voice justice with this post; you just have to imagine it.
***
This morning on the way to school she announced she wanted to switch roles.
"I Mommy!" she said. "You Rachel!"
"OK, honey," I said.
"I go to work," she said. "I drive. You sit in the back. I drop you off at school."
"What will you do at Mommy's work?" I asked.
"Push buttons on the computer."
"Then what?"
"Go in there," she said, pointing to a parking garage we were driving past.
"Then what?"
"Go to sleep," she said.
"Um, how will Mommy's work get done?" I asked.
She didn't have an answer for that one.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Rachel's belief that inanimate objects can talk and fly
Tonight on the way home, we had a discussion about penguins. I told her they have "wings" but can't fly.
"Do lights have wings?" she asked (she was referring to lights along the highway).
"No, sweetie, lights don't have wings," I replied.
"Do letters have wings?" she said (she was referring to highway signs).
"No, letters don't have wings."
"People have wings?"
"No, Rachel," I said firmly. "Only birds have wings."
***
When we got home, Rachel decided she wanted to start off dinner with applesauce. I opened the refrigerator, peered inside an announced we had no applesauce there. Well, yes we did -- Rachel found one, took it to the table, I opened it up and she started eating it while I bustled around fixing dinner.
All of a sudden I heard her say, almost under her breath:
"Sorry, I know you're frustrated, but I have to wipe you up. You dripped again. You dripped again! Sorry, I have to put you away. You're trouble, so I have to put you back in the frigerator."
I swear she said this; I took notes. Turns out she was talking to her applesauce! She had dripped some on her plate, so naturally she had to give it a good scolding. The things she comes up with.....
"Do lights have wings?" she asked (she was referring to lights along the highway).
"No, sweetie, lights don't have wings," I replied.
"Do letters have wings?" she said (she was referring to highway signs).
"No, letters don't have wings."
"People have wings?"
"No, Rachel," I said firmly. "Only birds have wings."
***
When we got home, Rachel decided she wanted to start off dinner with applesauce. I opened the refrigerator, peered inside an announced we had no applesauce there. Well, yes we did -- Rachel found one, took it to the table, I opened it up and she started eating it while I bustled around fixing dinner.
All of a sudden I heard her say, almost under her breath:
"Sorry, I know you're frustrated, but I have to wipe you up. You dripped again. You dripped again! Sorry, I have to put you away. You're trouble, so I have to put you back in the frigerator."
I swear she said this; I took notes. Turns out she was talking to her applesauce! She had dripped some on her plate, so naturally she had to give it a good scolding. The things she comes up with.....
Monday, February 21, 2011
I can die happy
Because after dinner, Rachel voluntarily -- i.e, without Mommy asking -- PICKED UP HER DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE COUNTER!! I was totally flabbergasted. I praised her lavishly, of course.
Then, perhaps expecting too much, I urged her to clear Mommy's salad bowl, too.
"I cleared my dishes," she explained.
"I know, honey," I said. "But I need you to clear Mommy's dishes, too."
"It's too heavy," she said.
"No, you can do it," I answered.
"I'm too little," she said.
"You can do it," I repeated.
"I don't WANT to," she whined.
"How would you feel if I just fed myself dinner and not you?" I asked. "We both help each other in this house."
"I don't WANT to!" she repeated.
"I don't care if you WANT to," I said sternly. "Clear Mommy's bowl. NOW."
She started sobbing, but she ended up clearing the bowl, along with both our placemats and silverware. I thanked her again and we headed into the bedroom to do Mommy Books, after which I let her tickle me and climb all over me until I insisted on giving her a bath.
***
She has started correcting me if I miss a word during a song or use one that is incorrect.
"The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout..." I'll sing.
"Climbed," she'll say from the back seat.
"The itsy bitsy spider CLIMBED up the water spout," I'll say. She does it with all different songs; she's developing into quite a bossy concertmaster!
***
Tonight when we were driving home, she said, "Look, Mommy, a rabbit!"
"A rabbit?" I asked. "Where?"
It took me a while to figure out that she had been looking at clouds outside the window and saw one she thought was shaped like a rabbit. I can't wait until we can lie on our backs on a picnic blanket and point out different clouds and discuss what shapes they look like.
***
One of the songs I love to sing is "This Little Light of Mine." She's very firm about the order in which I am to sing the verses; I have to start with "In my daily work/I'm gonna let it shine (3x)/Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Tonight she said the second verse had to be, "Building a new world." At the end she said, "Because it's broken."
"Yes, Rachel," I said. (Oh, how right she is! It feels as if our very lives, this very country, is crumbling). "It's up to your generation to fix it."
"Because it fall down," she said. "It has lots of owies."
Then, perhaps expecting too much, I urged her to clear Mommy's salad bowl, too.
"I cleared my dishes," she explained.
"I know, honey," I said. "But I need you to clear Mommy's dishes, too."
"It's too heavy," she said.
"No, you can do it," I answered.
"I'm too little," she said.
"You can do it," I repeated.
"I don't WANT to," she whined.
"How would you feel if I just fed myself dinner and not you?" I asked. "We both help each other in this house."
"I don't WANT to!" she repeated.
"I don't care if you WANT to," I said sternly. "Clear Mommy's bowl. NOW."
She started sobbing, but she ended up clearing the bowl, along with both our placemats and silverware. I thanked her again and we headed into the bedroom to do Mommy Books, after which I let her tickle me and climb all over me until I insisted on giving her a bath.
***
She has started correcting me if I miss a word during a song or use one that is incorrect.
"The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout..." I'll sing.
"Climbed," she'll say from the back seat.
"The itsy bitsy spider CLIMBED up the water spout," I'll say. She does it with all different songs; she's developing into quite a bossy concertmaster!
***
Tonight when we were driving home, she said, "Look, Mommy, a rabbit!"
"A rabbit?" I asked. "Where?"
It took me a while to figure out that she had been looking at clouds outside the window and saw one she thought was shaped like a rabbit. I can't wait until we can lie on our backs on a picnic blanket and point out different clouds and discuss what shapes they look like.
***
One of the songs I love to sing is "This Little Light of Mine." She's very firm about the order in which I am to sing the verses; I have to start with "In my daily work/I'm gonna let it shine (3x)/Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Tonight she said the second verse had to be, "Building a new world." At the end she said, "Because it's broken."
"Yes, Rachel," I said. (Oh, how right she is! It feels as if our very lives, this very country, is crumbling). "It's up to your generation to fix it."
"Because it fall down," she said. "It has lots of owies."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Weekend Rachel-isms
Oh, there were so many and no, I didn't get a chance to write them all down. I hate that I'm not able to recall every word she says, but here is a sampling:
On the way to work Friday, Rachel wanted me to sing "Clementine." I kept putting her off because I wanted to listen to a radio interview with a guy who did a documentary on assisted suicide. Rachel had her baby doll with the pacifier with her, and she finally said, "Mommy. Baby says she wants you to sing Clementine."
I burst out laughing at her cleverness at recruiting a doll to get me to sing. So I immediately began the song. "In a cavern, in a canyon, excavating, for a mine, lived a miner a '49er and his daughter, Clementine...."
***
Today on the way to the Chavurah:
Rachel: I want a baby goll.
Me: A baby what?
Rachel: A baby GIRL.
Me: Why, Rachel? Why a baby girl?
Rachel: Because.
Me: Because why?
Rachel: Because.
Me: Because why?
Rachel: Because they're small. And warm. And pacifiers.
***
Last night after we all finished dinner, Rachel said in that high, sweet voice of hers: "Thank you for setting the table, Mommy! Thank you for making dinner!"
***
Richard, after I'd served everyone the gingergread:
"Your mom's a good cook!" he told Rachel.
Rachel: Mommy, you're a good cook!
***
This morning as I was finishing reading Rachel a book:
Me: Rachel, I don't ever want you to go away.
Rachel(making a little panicked noise): Mommy, don't go away!
Me: I'm not going away, sweetie! I'll be here for a very long time!
Rachel: I need you!
***
On the way to work Friday, Rachel wanted me to sing "Clementine." I kept putting her off because I wanted to listen to a radio interview with a guy who did a documentary on assisted suicide. Rachel had her baby doll with the pacifier with her, and she finally said, "Mommy. Baby says she wants you to sing Clementine."
I burst out laughing at her cleverness at recruiting a doll to get me to sing. So I immediately began the song. "In a cavern, in a canyon, excavating, for a mine, lived a miner a '49er and his daughter, Clementine...."
***
Today on the way to the Chavurah:
Rachel: I want a baby goll.
Me: A baby what?
Rachel: A baby GIRL.
Me: Why, Rachel? Why a baby girl?
Rachel: Because.
Me: Because why?
Rachel: Because.
Me: Because why?
Rachel: Because they're small. And warm. And pacifiers.
***
Last night after we all finished dinner, Rachel said in that high, sweet voice of hers: "Thank you for setting the table, Mommy! Thank you for making dinner!"
***
Richard, after I'd served everyone the gingergread:
"Your mom's a good cook!" he told Rachel.
Rachel: Mommy, you're a good cook!
***
This morning as I was finishing reading Rachel a book:
Me: Rachel, I don't ever want you to go away.
Rachel(making a little panicked noise): Mommy, don't go away!
Me: I'm not going away, sweetie! I'll be here for a very long time!
Rachel: I need you!
***
We love PopPop!
We had a fantastic weekend with PopPop, which is why I haven't posted anything to the blog since Thursday. Here is a summary and some highlights:
Friday night I made the mistake of leaving Salem WAY too late (don't leave Salem between 4 and 6 p.m., even if the roads are spotless, because you'll just end up sitting in traffic, is my new mantra). I had made a reservation at Lucca, the restaurant down the street from my house famous for being the last place I ate before we became a family of three. PopPop was waiting for us when we got there, we sat down and ordered food. And Rachel was the most well-behaved little dinner guest! (it undoubtedly helped that she sat on my lap most of the time, which is a big no-no at home but I relented because she was a little standoffish with PopPop at first). I managed to finish a hangar stake (which actually was pretty bad; I think the restaurants strong suit is pizza and pasta, neither of which I eat much of these days). But Richard and I actually managed to have a nice conversation without Rachel interrupting us all the time. As part of her kid's dinner (which she barely touched), she got a cup of ice cream for dessert, which I insisted she eat in her high chair. She looked so cute with chocolate smeared all over her mouth, and she was so polite the whole time! Richard was very impressed.
The next day I made gingerbread for all of us for breakfast and fried up some bacon. Rachel devoured the gingerbread -- it's so nice that she actually likes something that takes some effort to bake -- and we were going to go to the Children's Museum, but it was such a sunny day and we migrated upstairs to the playroom. Rachel and Richard played a bit on the floor with some of her toys as she warmed up to him rapidly. (Earlier she had opened the two lovely presents he bought her -- a toy cell phone which she immediately LOVED and a book of beautifully illustrated fairy tales). And then something wonderful happened -- Richard was sitting in one of the armchairs upstairs and Rachel toddled over to him and handed him the book of fairy tales. She climbed into his lap and cuddled into his arm while he read her "Rapunzel." I snapped a million pictures, one or two of which will undoubtedly make their way onto this blog. Sometime.
Then at 1:30 I decided we really needed to go grocery shopping so I had food to cook us all for dinner last night. We hopped into the car, went to the bank, dry cleaner's and Safeway, then made a detour to a park to catch some of the sun. Unfortunately it had gotten quite cold and Rachel was terrified of the dogs near the park equipment, so we only stayed about 45 minutes.
Rachel went down for a nap when we got home, I baked a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies for dessert and then made lemon chicken, noodles and a nice salad with homemade dressing. After dinner I put her to bed, raced off to a goodbye party to a former colleague of mine at the Oregonian who is leaving the paper to run a student newspaper in Eugene, then got back at 11:30 to find Richard dozing on the couch. The party was fantastic -- it's always nice to know that you're missed even months after you leave a job -- and I cleaned up from dinner then went to bed.
This morning I woke up with a cold that got worse (ugh), Richard stopped by at 10 and we went to brunch at a new place that had zero ambience but the food was decent. Rachel again was so grown-up; she thanked the waitress for bringing Mommy her tea and the waitress remarked, "so polite!" (and, yes, I can't hear enough of that:)). We got back home, I gave the remaining gingerbread to Richard and then Rachel and I headed to a gathering of our Chavurah. It was great to see everyone and meet a guy who grew up in South Africa and went to the University of Michigan, talk about coincidences! and we ended up staying much longer than I intended. I just had time to give Rachel a 2-hour nap before we headed to dinner at our friends Chuck and Catherine's house. Lovely time eating pizza and watching Rachel drink grape juice and beg me to cuddle with her on their living room chair. Then we headed home, I got her to bed fast and started making a mushroom barley stew (I am totally out of long-term provisions) and then I came down here to catch y'all up on the blog.
Whew! I need a vacation from the weekend!
Friday night I made the mistake of leaving Salem WAY too late (don't leave Salem between 4 and 6 p.m., even if the roads are spotless, because you'll just end up sitting in traffic, is my new mantra). I had made a reservation at Lucca, the restaurant down the street from my house famous for being the last place I ate before we became a family of three. PopPop was waiting for us when we got there, we sat down and ordered food. And Rachel was the most well-behaved little dinner guest! (it undoubtedly helped that she sat on my lap most of the time, which is a big no-no at home but I relented because she was a little standoffish with PopPop at first). I managed to finish a hangar stake (which actually was pretty bad; I think the restaurants strong suit is pizza and pasta, neither of which I eat much of these days). But Richard and I actually managed to have a nice conversation without Rachel interrupting us all the time. As part of her kid's dinner (which she barely touched), she got a cup of ice cream for dessert, which I insisted she eat in her high chair. She looked so cute with chocolate smeared all over her mouth, and she was so polite the whole time! Richard was very impressed.
The next day I made gingerbread for all of us for breakfast and fried up some bacon. Rachel devoured the gingerbread -- it's so nice that she actually likes something that takes some effort to bake -- and we were going to go to the Children's Museum, but it was such a sunny day and we migrated upstairs to the playroom. Rachel and Richard played a bit on the floor with some of her toys as she warmed up to him rapidly. (Earlier she had opened the two lovely presents he bought her -- a toy cell phone which she immediately LOVED and a book of beautifully illustrated fairy tales). And then something wonderful happened -- Richard was sitting in one of the armchairs upstairs and Rachel toddled over to him and handed him the book of fairy tales. She climbed into his lap and cuddled into his arm while he read her "Rapunzel." I snapped a million pictures, one or two of which will undoubtedly make their way onto this blog. Sometime.
Then at 1:30 I decided we really needed to go grocery shopping so I had food to cook us all for dinner last night. We hopped into the car, went to the bank, dry cleaner's and Safeway, then made a detour to a park to catch some of the sun. Unfortunately it had gotten quite cold and Rachel was terrified of the dogs near the park equipment, so we only stayed about 45 minutes.
Rachel went down for a nap when we got home, I baked a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies for dessert and then made lemon chicken, noodles and a nice salad with homemade dressing. After dinner I put her to bed, raced off to a goodbye party to a former colleague of mine at the Oregonian who is leaving the paper to run a student newspaper in Eugene, then got back at 11:30 to find Richard dozing on the couch. The party was fantastic -- it's always nice to know that you're missed even months after you leave a job -- and I cleaned up from dinner then went to bed.
This morning I woke up with a cold that got worse (ugh), Richard stopped by at 10 and we went to brunch at a new place that had zero ambience but the food was decent. Rachel again was so grown-up; she thanked the waitress for bringing Mommy her tea and the waitress remarked, "so polite!" (and, yes, I can't hear enough of that:)). We got back home, I gave the remaining gingerbread to Richard and then Rachel and I headed to a gathering of our Chavurah. It was great to see everyone and meet a guy who grew up in South Africa and went to the University of Michigan, talk about coincidences! and we ended up staying much longer than I intended. I just had time to give Rachel a 2-hour nap before we headed to dinner at our friends Chuck and Catherine's house. Lovely time eating pizza and watching Rachel drink grape juice and beg me to cuddle with her on their living room chair. Then we headed home, I got her to bed fast and started making a mushroom barley stew (I am totally out of long-term provisions) and then I came down here to catch y'all up on the blog.
Whew! I need a vacation from the weekend!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Rachel Talk
I'll spare you all the details about work just to focus on Rachel. My brain is Swiss cheese, anyway, and I'm not sure how much sense I'd make if I talked about anything except my kid.
On the way to work this morning:
Rachel: I tired. You tired?
Me: Yes, I'm a little tired.
Rachel: How 'bout we both take a nap?
On the way home from Fred Meyer tonight, we talked about how we'll have to come back this weekend to shop for groceries, and how maybe next time we'll be able to get a red cart because this time the red carts were all wet:
Me: You don't want to get in a cart that's all wet, do you?
Rachel: No....I'd catch a cold, and have to take medicine...and get frustrated....
Me: Yeah, Mommy would get frustrated.
Rachel: No, I get frustrated!
Talking about her favorite people in the world, one of whom includes a daycare attendant who looks like she's around 26:
Rachel: I love Amanda AND Mommy!
On the way to work this morning:
Rachel: I tired. You tired?
Me: Yes, I'm a little tired.
Rachel: How 'bout we both take a nap?
On the way home from Fred Meyer tonight, we talked about how we'll have to come back this weekend to shop for groceries, and how maybe next time we'll be able to get a red cart because this time the red carts were all wet:
Me: You don't want to get in a cart that's all wet, do you?
Rachel: No....I'd catch a cold, and have to take medicine...and get frustrated....
Me: Yeah, Mommy would get frustrated.
Rachel: No, I get frustrated!
Talking about her favorite people in the world, one of whom includes a daycare attendant who looks like she's around 26:
Rachel: I love Amanda AND Mommy!
Jewish summer camp
So, do any of you out there remember the hand motions that accompany the song, "David, melech Yisrael, chai, chai, yit gayum"? (please excuse the phoenetic spelling). I learned it at Y day camp -- the same day camp where Tommy, Chris and Susan Lynch went and learned how to light Shabbat candles and say the blessing.
Anyway...the song and the hand motions came back to me at the doctor's office yesterday when I tried to keep Rachel occupied before the doc came in (she was 15 minutes late, arghh...but then, we were late too because of the snow). Of course I, in a brilliant Lisa move, totally forgot to bring the diaper bag in. Which means Rachel was forced to wear a size 4 diaper because her Pull-Up was wet and I didn't have replacements on hand, and there was no food to feed her because the diaper bag was in the trunk.
She loved the song but couldn't quite get the hand motions even after I did them with her. But she kept laughing and laughing as she tapped her knees to the rhythm. I told her that when we send her to Jewish summer camp she'll have a head start over all the other kids because she'll know the song and all the hand motions.
Just as she was about to get bored, the doctor came in. Too bad, because it was the best 15 minutes of the day.
Anyway...the song and the hand motions came back to me at the doctor's office yesterday when I tried to keep Rachel occupied before the doc came in (she was 15 minutes late, arghh...but then, we were late too because of the snow). Of course I, in a brilliant Lisa move, totally forgot to bring the diaper bag in. Which means Rachel was forced to wear a size 4 diaper because her Pull-Up was wet and I didn't have replacements on hand, and there was no food to feed her because the diaper bag was in the trunk.
She loved the song but couldn't quite get the hand motions even after I did them with her. But she kept laughing and laughing as she tapped her knees to the rhythm. I told her that when we send her to Jewish summer camp she'll have a head start over all the other kids because she'll know the song and all the hand motions.
Just as she was about to get bored, the doctor came in. Too bad, because it was the best 15 minutes of the day.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
First ear infection
...and hopefully the last. Rachel obviously doesn't realize that getting sick in the middle of Mommy's magazine production cycle isn't very constructive. At least my boss was sympathetic and ordered me to leave.
I got a call from daycare around 2 this afternoon; Rachel was tugging at her ear and complaining that it hurt. So, I cancelled a video shoot that I had completely forgot about, anyway, insisted on getting a doctor's appointment in Portland, threw a ton of work-related materials into my bag (thinking that I may as well have them with me in case the worst happened and I had to stay home with Rachel for the rest of the week), raced to daycare only to find Rachel cheerfully drinking juice. "Mommy, my ear hurts," she said, smiling. So I bundled her into the car and headed north -- and, of course, I ran into wet, messy snow. I was a half-hour late for my appointment but at least we got in.
Rachel was a champ during the exam; she only cried when they made her take her clothes off. In case you're wondering, she weighs 27 pounds (25th percentile; it appears our daughter is still on track to be tall and skinny) and her lungs sounded great. She never even flinched when the doctor used the piece of equipment that they use to peer into the ear! (probably because the doctor offered to examine piggy's ears first; piggy is a stuffed animal from school that I asked daycare to let us take home and they said yes).
Anyway...her left ear was red and inflamed, and after I told the doctor that Rachel has had a cold for the last few days, she nodded and said it's time to give Rachel antibiotics (which is really all I had wanted, anyway). So now she gets to take medicine, which she is very excited about because it's dark pink and she likes the taste. I also gave her some Ibuprofin for the pain. She said the antibiotics tasted better.
The good thing was that we got home early after I picked up some pizza (Rachel had requested it and, after the week I've had so far, I was in no mood to cook even though we really can't afford to eat out right now, even pizza). Rachel said she was tired and wanted me to read to her after we finished eating at 7, so she ended up going to sleep at 8:40 p.m. instead of 9:15. Which is good because I need to get us in early tomorrow (AGAIN) so I can catch up on all the work I missed today.
Oh, yeah, and when I checked my work e-mail from home, the ugliness of this week continued. I am really, really looking forward to PopPop's visit this weekend. Perhaps he won't mind if I drink heavily (providing I can find some strong liquor that doesn't taste too awful) and cry on his shoulder?
I got a call from daycare around 2 this afternoon; Rachel was tugging at her ear and complaining that it hurt. So, I cancelled a video shoot that I had completely forgot about, anyway, insisted on getting a doctor's appointment in Portland, threw a ton of work-related materials into my bag (thinking that I may as well have them with me in case the worst happened and I had to stay home with Rachel for the rest of the week), raced to daycare only to find Rachel cheerfully drinking juice. "Mommy, my ear hurts," she said, smiling. So I bundled her into the car and headed north -- and, of course, I ran into wet, messy snow. I was a half-hour late for my appointment but at least we got in.
Rachel was a champ during the exam; she only cried when they made her take her clothes off. In case you're wondering, she weighs 27 pounds (25th percentile; it appears our daughter is still on track to be tall and skinny) and her lungs sounded great. She never even flinched when the doctor used the piece of equipment that they use to peer into the ear! (probably because the doctor offered to examine piggy's ears first; piggy is a stuffed animal from school that I asked daycare to let us take home and they said yes).
Anyway...her left ear was red and inflamed, and after I told the doctor that Rachel has had a cold for the last few days, she nodded and said it's time to give Rachel antibiotics (which is really all I had wanted, anyway). So now she gets to take medicine, which she is very excited about because it's dark pink and she likes the taste. I also gave her some Ibuprofin for the pain. She said the antibiotics tasted better.
The good thing was that we got home early after I picked up some pizza (Rachel had requested it and, after the week I've had so far, I was in no mood to cook even though we really can't afford to eat out right now, even pizza). Rachel said she was tired and wanted me to read to her after we finished eating at 7, so she ended up going to sleep at 8:40 p.m. instead of 9:15. Which is good because I need to get us in early tomorrow (AGAIN) so I can catch up on all the work I missed today.
Oh, yeah, and when I checked my work e-mail from home, the ugliness of this week continued. I am really, really looking forward to PopPop's visit this weekend. Perhaps he won't mind if I drink heavily (providing I can find some strong liquor that doesn't taste too awful) and cry on his shoulder?
Monday, February 14, 2011
The no-good, terrible, awful, bad Valentine's Day
Roses from Drew were the high point. It went downhill from there. The weather was windy, rainy and cold; I displeased my boss at work and spent much of the day agonizingly reprimanding myself for it, skipping lunch in the process; I'm dealing with cross-pressures from different parts of the university and I WISH PEOPLE WOULD JUST LEAVE ME ALONE TO GET THE DAMN MAGAZINE OUT IN PEACE.
Thank you.
Rachel was quite sweet most of the day. This morning I had to wake up because we needed to leave early since I had a lot to do before a mandatory 1 p.m. meeting. "Happy Valentine's Day, Rachel!" I said cheerfully as I bent over her crib. "This is the day when we get to hug and kiss each other a lot."
She got right up. "Kiss!" she said, indicating she wanted to give me one on the lips. She NEVER normally does this. I got her to rush a bit by promising that she could wear her "Sesame dress," a pink velvet dress with Sesame Street characters on it. It's a hand-me-down from our friends Anna and Judy and I just love her in it, with her pink striped leggings and yellow sweater. She looks like a Dr. Seuss character!
On the way home I sang a bunch of songs through the rain until Rachel fell asleep, then downloaded with Drew until I got home. Rachel was obsessed with the bag she got at the daycare Valentine's Day party, filled as it was with candy -- mostly "suckers," or lollipops -- and little Valentine's cards from her friends. Jennifer, the chief daycare attendant, said Rachel carried her party bag around the whole day. She wouldn't let it go.
I put up with her whining and crying for candy just barely, telling her firmly that she had to finish her dinner before she got any more sweets. She ate a jar of apples and blueberries and nibbled at tortellini before asking for a small lollipop. And rather than eat the whole thing, she licked it twice and said, "I save it for later."
One cute exchange tonight:
Rachel (as I was getting napkins from the area outside the kitchen): Don't go bye-bye!
Me: I won't go bye-bye, Rachel! You're stuck with me for a long time.
Rachel: I need you!
Me (thinking all sorts of warm rushing thoughts): Really, Rachel? Do you really need me?
Rachel: I need you to go potty!
Thank you.
Rachel was quite sweet most of the day. This morning I had to wake up because we needed to leave early since I had a lot to do before a mandatory 1 p.m. meeting. "Happy Valentine's Day, Rachel!" I said cheerfully as I bent over her crib. "This is the day when we get to hug and kiss each other a lot."
She got right up. "Kiss!" she said, indicating she wanted to give me one on the lips. She NEVER normally does this. I got her to rush a bit by promising that she could wear her "Sesame dress," a pink velvet dress with Sesame Street characters on it. It's a hand-me-down from our friends Anna and Judy and I just love her in it, with her pink striped leggings and yellow sweater. She looks like a Dr. Seuss character!
On the way home I sang a bunch of songs through the rain until Rachel fell asleep, then downloaded with Drew until I got home. Rachel was obsessed with the bag she got at the daycare Valentine's Day party, filled as it was with candy -- mostly "suckers," or lollipops -- and little Valentine's cards from her friends. Jennifer, the chief daycare attendant, said Rachel carried her party bag around the whole day. She wouldn't let it go.
I put up with her whining and crying for candy just barely, telling her firmly that she had to finish her dinner before she got any more sweets. She ate a jar of apples and blueberries and nibbled at tortellini before asking for a small lollipop. And rather than eat the whole thing, she licked it twice and said, "I save it for later."
One cute exchange tonight:
Rachel (as I was getting napkins from the area outside the kitchen): Don't go bye-bye!
Me: I won't go bye-bye, Rachel! You're stuck with me for a long time.
Rachel: I need you!
Me (thinking all sorts of warm rushing thoughts): Really, Rachel? Do you really need me?
Rachel: I need you to go potty!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Afternoon conversation with Rachel
We were in the car driving home from the park and a shopping expedition to get her some more sleepsuits in her size (and a couple of art-related things I thought she'd like; we may actually do a craft project tonight. Oh, if I only had Tia Daniella's talent for creating things!)
Me: Rachel, are you tired?
Rachel: Yeah.
Me: I'm tired, too.
Rachel: How 'bout we both take a nap?
Me: Excellent idea, Rachel!
Rachel: And how 'bout we both wake up?
Me: Also a great idea!
Rachel: Are you happy?
Me: I'm happy with you, Rachel.
Rachel: I'm happy with YOU!
Me: Rachel, are you tired?
Rachel: Yeah.
Me: I'm tired, too.
Rachel: How 'bout we both take a nap?
Me: Excellent idea, Rachel!
Rachel: And how 'bout we both wake up?
Me: Also a great idea!
Rachel: Are you happy?
Me: I'm happy with you, Rachel.
Rachel: I'm happy with YOU!
Froggy Rachel
She has a cold. It started with a frog in her throat on Friday night when I picked her up from daycare and has grown steadily worse since then. Now it has developed into a full-blown case of runny nose, lots of sneezing and a throaty, lower voice (I told Daniella last night that it sounds unnervingly like having a sexy baby in the house. Poor, poor Rachel!).
But as is usual with our kid, she hasn't let it slow her down a bit. Energy level is up. Appetite is unchanged. She's a tiny bit more cuddly than usual, but not really. The only change is that she regularly asks for medicine ever since I decided, as I pulled into the garage Friday night, that I really, really needed to get her something for her cold. I agonized over two days whether to buy her kids' medicine or let her tough it out, since all the packages say you're not supposed to give Dimetapp or Sudafed or whatever to kids under 4. I ended up talking to a pharmacist at Fred Meyer who assured me it's OK; the package directions are for drug companies to protect their liability.
"I need medicine," Rachel told me last night. "It make me feel better."
So, I gave her some. I hope it won't damage her neurologically.
In other news...our friend Steve came over last night. I made Mom's cornish game hens, couscous, a salad and chocolate mousse for dessert. I was extremely unhappy with the way everything turned out, especially the mousse, which I thought was awful, even with the whipped cream on top. But Steve (and Rachel) loved it! Go figure!
Steve gave Rachel a purple unicorn with big, bug eyes as a Valentine's Day gift, which made her scream in fright. I couldn't really blame her; it was kind of scary looking. Steve kept harping on the fact that she didn't like the gift and that someday she'd realize that that's not the nicest reaction to getting a present, until I finally told him gently to give it a rest.
Craig, my tenant, came back from dinner at 9 and he and Steve got into a nice conversation about Colorado (Steve's family is from Denver) while I put Rachel to sleep, then Steve and I continued talking until around 10:45. By the time I cleaned up, polished the silver and mopped the kitchen floor (it was disgusting and I felt a lot better when I woke up this morning and saw a nice, clean floor), it was 1 a.m. Luckily both Rachel and I slept late this morning.
Perfect ending to the evening: As I got Rachel tucked in under her two blankets, with her binkies and book and small teddy bear, she said, "I had a nice dinner. And dessert."
"THANK YOU, Rachel!" I exclaimed. It was best Valentine's Day gift she could have given me!
But as is usual with our kid, she hasn't let it slow her down a bit. Energy level is up. Appetite is unchanged. She's a tiny bit more cuddly than usual, but not really. The only change is that she regularly asks for medicine ever since I decided, as I pulled into the garage Friday night, that I really, really needed to get her something for her cold. I agonized over two days whether to buy her kids' medicine or let her tough it out, since all the packages say you're not supposed to give Dimetapp or Sudafed or whatever to kids under 4. I ended up talking to a pharmacist at Fred Meyer who assured me it's OK; the package directions are for drug companies to protect their liability.
"I need medicine," Rachel told me last night. "It make me feel better."
So, I gave her some. I hope it won't damage her neurologically.
In other news...our friend Steve came over last night. I made Mom's cornish game hens, couscous, a salad and chocolate mousse for dessert. I was extremely unhappy with the way everything turned out, especially the mousse, which I thought was awful, even with the whipped cream on top. But Steve (and Rachel) loved it! Go figure!
Steve gave Rachel a purple unicorn with big, bug eyes as a Valentine's Day gift, which made her scream in fright. I couldn't really blame her; it was kind of scary looking. Steve kept harping on the fact that she didn't like the gift and that someday she'd realize that that's not the nicest reaction to getting a present, until I finally told him gently to give it a rest.
Craig, my tenant, came back from dinner at 9 and he and Steve got into a nice conversation about Colorado (Steve's family is from Denver) while I put Rachel to sleep, then Steve and I continued talking until around 10:45. By the time I cleaned up, polished the silver and mopped the kitchen floor (it was disgusting and I felt a lot better when I woke up this morning and saw a nice, clean floor), it was 1 a.m. Luckily both Rachel and I slept late this morning.
Perfect ending to the evening: As I got Rachel tucked in under her two blankets, with her binkies and book and small teddy bear, she said, "I had a nice dinner. And dessert."
"THANK YOU, Rachel!" I exclaimed. It was best Valentine's Day gift she could have given me!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
"What the hecko is that??"
That's Rachel's newest expression; she can only have picked it up from daycare. Very glad that Drew and I never use the expression, "what the HELL is that??" in front of her.
Jennifer, the main daycare teacher, told me this evening that Rachel and Harris say, "Happy Valentine's Day!" to each other a lot. "It doesn't really progress beyond that, but it's so cute!" Jennifer said. (Valentine's Day is a big deal, apparently -- I signed up to bring sugar cookies to class, and I also was given a list of the kids so Rachel and I can fill out Valentine's Day cards for them. I thought of bringing homemade cupcakes to daycare, too, but apparently that isn't allowed. How sad!)
"I bet she'll have a lot of suitors when she gets older," I observed.
"Yes," Jennifer laughed. "She's so nice! And friendly!"
***
Tonight I asked her to take some placemats out for dinner (I was grumpy because I was tired, my tummy was hurting and I hadn't been able to reach Drew on the way home, which would have been prime talking time since Rachel fell asleep).
"I setting the table ALL BY MYSELF!" she said proudly. "Yes, you ARE, Rachel!" I said. "Thank you for helping Mommy!"
***
Before we sat down, when we were in her bedroom, she started crying. (She had been kind of whiny when we got home, as she always is when she falls asleep in her carseat and wakes up when we pull into the garage). At first I was annoyed, but it sounded so earnest that I asked her what was wrong.
"Are you sad?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Rachel, what are you sad about?" I said, taking her into my lap and cuddling her against my chest.
"The Boy in the Giving Tree," she said.
I have no idea what she meant; maybe she was sad that he grew up, went away and came back an old man. Personally, I think it's sad that he never appreciated the sacrifices the Giving Tree made on his behalf.
Anyway, she felt better after a few minutes, got up, and we went in to dinner.
Jennifer, the main daycare teacher, told me this evening that Rachel and Harris say, "Happy Valentine's Day!" to each other a lot. "It doesn't really progress beyond that, but it's so cute!" Jennifer said. (Valentine's Day is a big deal, apparently -- I signed up to bring sugar cookies to class, and I also was given a list of the kids so Rachel and I can fill out Valentine's Day cards for them. I thought of bringing homemade cupcakes to daycare, too, but apparently that isn't allowed. How sad!)
"I bet she'll have a lot of suitors when she gets older," I observed.
"Yes," Jennifer laughed. "She's so nice! And friendly!"
***
Tonight I asked her to take some placemats out for dinner (I was grumpy because I was tired, my tummy was hurting and I hadn't been able to reach Drew on the way home, which would have been prime talking time since Rachel fell asleep).
"I setting the table ALL BY MYSELF!" she said proudly. "Yes, you ARE, Rachel!" I said. "Thank you for helping Mommy!"
***
Before we sat down, when we were in her bedroom, she started crying. (She had been kind of whiny when we got home, as she always is when she falls asleep in her carseat and wakes up when we pull into the garage). At first I was annoyed, but it sounded so earnest that I asked her what was wrong.
"Are you sad?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Rachel, what are you sad about?" I said, taking her into my lap and cuddling her against my chest.
"The Boy in the Giving Tree," she said.
I have no idea what she meant; maybe she was sad that he grew up, went away and came back an old man. Personally, I think it's sad that he never appreciated the sacrifices the Giving Tree made on his behalf.
Anyway, she felt better after a few minutes, got up, and we went in to dinner.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Passover song
I figure I might as well start teaching Rachel "Dayenu" since we will be singing it at Passover and I thought it would be cool if she could sing along. I thought she'd like it a lot and she does -- tonight she said "thas a FUNNY song!" especially when she's on my lap and I start speeding up and jiggling her a little bit.
"That a Shabbat song?" she asked the other day when I sang it for the first time.
"No, sweetie, it's a Passover song," I answered.
So now it is the "Passover song" and she asks for it all the time.
***
Looks like Rachel may have some of her Tia Daniella's and Auntie Amanda's artistic talent. When I got to daycare a little early tonight, she was doing an art project -- stamping purple dots on a piece of white paper. Her hands were full of purple marker and she gave a big smile when she saw me coming -- "Mommy!" she exclaimed -- and kept right on working. I'd call it early Jackson Pollock.
She was sitting in the Beginners section, and the teacher told me she comes over there for art. "She loves making art, and coloring," said the teacher, whose name escapes me at the moment. Even though the area has a bunch of books and toys, she apparently goes straight to the table and does some art. Which is great, because if she has any artistic talent I will be grateful because she certainly won't get it from me or Drew.
Also...another little girl in Beginners made Rachel a little drawing. She wrote "I love Rachel" and drew a picture of herself and Rachel, plus wrote Rachel's name to teach her how to do it. Looks like our daughter has made a friend!
***
Rachel quotes tonight:
While watching the guys play "baskets" at the daycare gym tonight:
"You watching baskets with your daughter?" she asked. I hugged her back and said yes.
Looking at a grumpy-looking player in a white shirt:
"He mad," she said. "He needs go home and eat dinner."
As I was bustling around boiling water for pasta:
"I wanna read a book while the water is getting ready for tortellini."
I've talked to her a couple of times about when she gets older and I will take her tea at the Heathman and then to the ballet (most likely "Nutcracker," which of course comes around every year). I mentioned taking her to tea again tonight.
"Mama, I wanna go to tea," Rachel said. "I wanna see all the little ladies and all the little babies."
"That a Shabbat song?" she asked the other day when I sang it for the first time.
"No, sweetie, it's a Passover song," I answered.
So now it is the "Passover song" and she asks for it all the time.
***
Looks like Rachel may have some of her Tia Daniella's and Auntie Amanda's artistic talent. When I got to daycare a little early tonight, she was doing an art project -- stamping purple dots on a piece of white paper. Her hands were full of purple marker and she gave a big smile when she saw me coming -- "Mommy!" she exclaimed -- and kept right on working. I'd call it early Jackson Pollock.
She was sitting in the Beginners section, and the teacher told me she comes over there for art. "She loves making art, and coloring," said the teacher, whose name escapes me at the moment. Even though the area has a bunch of books and toys, she apparently goes straight to the table and does some art. Which is great, because if she has any artistic talent I will be grateful because she certainly won't get it from me or Drew.
Also...another little girl in Beginners made Rachel a little drawing. She wrote "I love Rachel" and drew a picture of herself and Rachel, plus wrote Rachel's name to teach her how to do it. Looks like our daughter has made a friend!
***
Rachel quotes tonight:
While watching the guys play "baskets" at the daycare gym tonight:
"You watching baskets with your daughter?" she asked. I hugged her back and said yes.
Looking at a grumpy-looking player in a white shirt:
"He mad," she said. "He needs go home and eat dinner."
As I was bustling around boiling water for pasta:
"I wanna read a book while the water is getting ready for tortellini."
I've talked to her a couple of times about when she gets older and I will take her tea at the Heathman and then to the ballet (most likely "Nutcracker," which of course comes around every year). I mentioned taking her to tea again tonight.
"Mama, I wanna go to tea," Rachel said. "I wanna see all the little ladies and all the little babies."
Sunday, February 6, 2011
She's singing!
Rachel really is singing. Here is the proof:
I was lying in bed this morning after forcing myself to sleep past 8 a.m., when I heard Rachel's little voice from her room over the CD of ocean music we play so that we don't jolt awake at her every sound. "The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round/The wheels on the bus go round and round/All day long..." she sang. It was as if she was trying to keep herself company before Mommy came in!
Is there anything, and I mean ANYTHING, sweeter than listening to a 2 1/2 year old sing to herself?
****
She has learned a classic French song called "Aloutte" about plucking a bird (yeah, the imagery isn't the best) and listening to her try to pronounce the French with the accent is hilarious. Other times, she sings "The ABC Song" except she substitutes the word, "Mommy." So it goes, "Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy...." etc. And then I'll start singing "Rachel Rachel Rachel Rachel..." to the same tune, and then I'll stop us and say, "let's sing it TOGETHER" and the car is filled with our voices singing Mommy/Rachel...it's a great way to commute every morning!
***
Tonight I had gotten to the end of "Hush Little Baby (The Mockingbird Song)", her new fave that she wants me to sing over and over and over again...and I got to the line, "If that horse and cart fall down..." and I would have gone on to, "you'll be the sweetest little RACHEL in town!" except she beat me to it.
"You'll be the sweetest little MOMMY in town," she said.
"You'll be the sweetest little RACHEL in town," she said afterward. Then:
"You'll be the sweetest little DADDY in town."
"You'll be the sweetest little CRAIG in town!" (Craig is my new renter; he returned from a weekend away with his girlfriend and Rachel greeted him so cheerfully: "Hi, Craig! I have a Jamberry book!")
Now do you see why I'm so lucky??
I was lying in bed this morning after forcing myself to sleep past 8 a.m., when I heard Rachel's little voice from her room over the CD of ocean music we play so that we don't jolt awake at her every sound. "The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round/The wheels on the bus go round and round/All day long..." she sang. It was as if she was trying to keep herself company before Mommy came in!
Is there anything, and I mean ANYTHING, sweeter than listening to a 2 1/2 year old sing to herself?
****
She has learned a classic French song called "Aloutte" about plucking a bird (yeah, the imagery isn't the best) and listening to her try to pronounce the French with the accent is hilarious. Other times, she sings "The ABC Song" except she substitutes the word, "Mommy." So it goes, "Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy...." etc. And then I'll start singing "Rachel Rachel Rachel Rachel..." to the same tune, and then I'll stop us and say, "let's sing it TOGETHER" and the car is filled with our voices singing Mommy/Rachel...it's a great way to commute every morning!
***
Tonight I had gotten to the end of "Hush Little Baby (The Mockingbird Song)", her new fave that she wants me to sing over and over and over again...and I got to the line, "If that horse and cart fall down..." and I would have gone on to, "you'll be the sweetest little RACHEL in town!" except she beat me to it.
"You'll be the sweetest little MOMMY in town," she said.
"You'll be the sweetest little RACHEL in town," she said afterward. Then:
"You'll be the sweetest little DADDY in town."
"You'll be the sweetest little CRAIG in town!" (Craig is my new renter; he returned from a weekend away with his girlfriend and Rachel greeted him so cheerfully: "Hi, Craig! I have a Jamberry book!")
Now do you see why I'm so lucky??
"I helping!"
Boy, did she ever. Rachel was a fantastic help to me today, filled as it was with activity:
This morning our friend Paige came over with her 3-year-old, Parker, who had an "accident" and peed on the living room carpet. I tried mightily to hide my distress and sponged off as much as I could; I hope the stain doesn't set. Drew and I got the carpet on a trip to Canada during my fellowship and it has a lot of sentimental value.
Then after the kids made a mess of the upstairs and downstairs, we went into the kitchen for some chocolate-chip banana bread I took out from the oven, so it was still warm. The kids enjoyed themselves and Parker fussed quite a bit when it was time to go (this was after Rachel got sad when he arrived, coming up to me and saying, "I wanna play with Parker but he said nooo." It was quite charming).
Then I decided to put a pot roast and fixings into the crock pot, and of course Rachel wanted to help. She dragged her kitchen chair over to the counter and promptly took and onion and peeled it! Then after my eyes started stinging unbearably from the onion fumes, I directed her to put the onions in the crock pot -- and she did! We worked ourselves into a little routine: I cut the carrots up and she dumped them into the crock pot, I cut the celery up and she put the pieces in, too, and then the potatoes, and then a package of herbs. She very carefully placed the herbs on top of the meat and around it, and then said, "I helping!" I got down to her level, looked her in the eye and said, "THANK YOU, Rachel! You were a big help to Mommy!"
Then I told her I needed to sweep the floor and asked her to get the duster and dustpan from out of the closet. I swept the crumbs into a pile and she actually swept them into the dustpan instead of randomly scattering them about. I was so proud of her! I held open the garbage can and she just dumped the crumbs right in.
Then we went upstairs and built houses from blocks. Rachel sternly told me that the plain wooden blocks were MINE and the colored ones were HERS, but then she took a couple from my pile after I assembled a house I was pretty proud of. It ended with her knocking over my house.
We went to the library, checked out some books and music, came home and took naps (for some reason I am really tired this weekend. No idea why). Then I made us dinner -- shells and the rest of the beef stroganoff I made when Drew was home for me; and two jars of apple butternut squash for Rachel. Then books, bath, sleepsuit, songs, cuddling, bed.
Back to the grind tomorrow.
This morning our friend Paige came over with her 3-year-old, Parker, who had an "accident" and peed on the living room carpet. I tried mightily to hide my distress and sponged off as much as I could; I hope the stain doesn't set. Drew and I got the carpet on a trip to Canada during my fellowship and it has a lot of sentimental value.
Then after the kids made a mess of the upstairs and downstairs, we went into the kitchen for some chocolate-chip banana bread I took out from the oven, so it was still warm. The kids enjoyed themselves and Parker fussed quite a bit when it was time to go (this was after Rachel got sad when he arrived, coming up to me and saying, "I wanna play with Parker but he said nooo." It was quite charming).
Then I decided to put a pot roast and fixings into the crock pot, and of course Rachel wanted to help. She dragged her kitchen chair over to the counter and promptly took and onion and peeled it! Then after my eyes started stinging unbearably from the onion fumes, I directed her to put the onions in the crock pot -- and she did! We worked ourselves into a little routine: I cut the carrots up and she dumped them into the crock pot, I cut the celery up and she put the pieces in, too, and then the potatoes, and then a package of herbs. She very carefully placed the herbs on top of the meat and around it, and then said, "I helping!" I got down to her level, looked her in the eye and said, "THANK YOU, Rachel! You were a big help to Mommy!"
Then I told her I needed to sweep the floor and asked her to get the duster and dustpan from out of the closet. I swept the crumbs into a pile and she actually swept them into the dustpan instead of randomly scattering them about. I was so proud of her! I held open the garbage can and she just dumped the crumbs right in.
Then we went upstairs and built houses from blocks. Rachel sternly told me that the plain wooden blocks were MINE and the colored ones were HERS, but then she took a couple from my pile after I assembled a house I was pretty proud of. It ended with her knocking over my house.
We went to the library, checked out some books and music, came home and took naps (for some reason I am really tired this weekend. No idea why). Then I made us dinner -- shells and the rest of the beef stroganoff I made when Drew was home for me; and two jars of apple butternut squash for Rachel. Then books, bath, sleepsuit, songs, cuddling, bed.
Back to the grind tomorrow.
Rachel's Words of Wisdom
...Someone suggested I need to write a book filled with her cute phrases:
Rachel (the other day): You smell like a mommy!
Me (laughing): Really, Rachel? What do mommies smell like?
Rachel: Like stew! Moroccan stew!
***
Tonight, as I hovered over her while she washed her hands and brushed her teeth after dinner:
Rachel (dismissively): I want to do it MYSELF. Go into the kitchen, Mommy.
***
As we were driving to school the other day:
Rachel: I go to work and YOU go to school. I drive and you sit in the car seat.
***
The other night, as I was worrying about the magazine I produce at work, whether I'd actually be able to make all the deadlines and silently cursing myself that I hadn't e-mailed other folks for their contributions:
Rachel: You happy? (I swear, she really senses my mood when things are amiss).
Me (unconvincingly): Yes.
Rachel: You happy??
Me: No, sweetie, I'm sad and worried.
Rachel (cheerfully): I sad and worried too! Just like you!
(I winced at that one).
***
And as I was getting ready to put her in her crib on Friday night:
Rachel: You go to sleep and I clean up dinner.
Me: Oh, Rachel, if only you could! I would LOVE that!
Rachel (the other day): You smell like a mommy!
Me (laughing): Really, Rachel? What do mommies smell like?
Rachel: Like stew! Moroccan stew!
***
Tonight, as I hovered over her while she washed her hands and brushed her teeth after dinner:
Rachel (dismissively): I want to do it MYSELF. Go into the kitchen, Mommy.
***
As we were driving to school the other day:
Rachel: I go to work and YOU go to school. I drive and you sit in the car seat.
***
The other night, as I was worrying about the magazine I produce at work, whether I'd actually be able to make all the deadlines and silently cursing myself that I hadn't e-mailed other folks for their contributions:
Rachel: You happy? (I swear, she really senses my mood when things are amiss).
Me (unconvincingly): Yes.
Rachel: You happy??
Me: No, sweetie, I'm sad and worried.
Rachel (cheerfully): I sad and worried too! Just like you!
(I winced at that one).
***
And as I was getting ready to put her in her crib on Friday night:
Rachel: You go to sleep and I clean up dinner.
Me: Oh, Rachel, if only you could! I would LOVE that!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Chabad Shabbat
Today was quite a day, not at all the day I expected to have. But good nonetheless.
Soon after giving birth to Rachel, I got connected to a group called Portland Jewish Mamas, a group of mostly non-religious or barely religious Jewish moms who were looking for other Jewish moms with whom to socialize. One of the nicest moms in the group is a woman named Carly, who had two kids at the time -- Lucy and Jimmy, and recently had another boy, Mason -- and we hit it off. She is in her late 20s, went to some prestigious East Coast college whose name I don't remember and graduated with a degree in biochemistry. (I wrote about her huge house several posts back. She has a lot of money, probably from family). She hooked up with the Chabad folks in town and runs their Website. I attended one Chabad luncheon more than a year ago in a cramped apartment, decided it wasn't for me and never returned.
I've been trying to arrange a playdate with Carly and her kids and she suggested I come to the Chabad luncheon today. I got up late and almost decided to ditch it, but then thought -- I promised Carly, I don't want her to think I'm blowing her off, and why not try it again? So I raced Rachel through getting up, reading a book, getting dressed, threw some clothes on and bolted for the new Chabad house in Southeast Portland near Reed College.
I had intended just to stay for the service, which I discovered really wasn't much -- it was the elaborate lunch that draws people. They do it every week. Carly had arranged for a babysitter to watch the kids, and just when I figured we'd make a quick but polite exit, the babysitter brought out puzzles and toys and Rachel was hooked. The Rabbi, Dov, and his wife, Chani, have 4 kids -- Chani can't be older than 28 -- and their girls are Chayamushka, Freidel, Devorah Leah and Chaim (the baby). I stayed for the Torah study, most of which was over my head, and then the elaborate lunch. Other families had arrived and I kept telling Chani that I hadn't made a reservation for lunch but she said -- and everyone echoed her -- that she always made a ton of food and to PLEASE STAY. And another person told me that this is what Chani and Dov live for, to end up with a ton of people in the house and a mess to clean up. Kind of how I feel about Thanksgiving, why I invite more people than I possibly have room for.
So we stayed. They set up a kids table and Rachel was completely unfazed by all the kids, the chaos, the fact that Mommy wasn't with her the whole time. She made friends with the babysitter, ate some challah and drank a lot of apple juice (they had these kid-sized plastic wineglasses that I am just dying to find somewhere; I think it would be great to let Rachel have a little apple juice on Friday nights when we say the blessing over the candles) and generally was her little self-possessed, cheerful self. (This is why I have begun to love weekends instead of dread them, because she is so fun to spend the day with. I can tell it's going to be hard to surrender her to Drew when he comes home for good and wants Rachel and Daddy time).
Chani has such a sweet personality. She has only seen me once or twice and commented on the fact that I've lost a lot of weight, especially in my face, and that Rachel was "so independent!" She kept saying that over and over again. And in fact, when Rachel was trying to get past a folding chair and was having some trouble, and a guest at the luncheon moved to go help her, I held the guest back and said, "let her figure it out for herself." And Rachel did! She just moved the chair out of the way and ran into the living room.
I told Chani that Rachel is so independent because I believe she senses that with Drew gone, Mommy needs help and so she is so willing to set and clear the table, pick things up and put them away or in the garbage when need be, and generally seems to understand that it's just the two of us and she needs to pitch in. Chani cluck-clucked in sympathy and said it must be so hard with my husband away. I replied that, "well, you have four kids! That would be hard!" And she dismissed it with a shrug of her shoulder as if having so many underfoot was no big deal.
I thought about that for a while. To her, and to Carly (who, when I told her about what I do at the law school, said, "that's really important. I wish I had an important job with a title") I am just as exotic to them as they are to me. Chani's world is completely foreign to me -- the no-coloring rule for kids on Shabbat, the huge cooking and domestic chores she's responsible for, the dairy and meat sections of the kitchen, with two stoves, two sinks, two sets of counters and two sets of cabinets, the wigs, the dresses and skirts all the time -- and I'm sure my world is incomprehensible to her -- the husband who's gone for a year (OK, that part is incomprehensible for a lot of my secular friends, too), the full-time job I hold, the fact that Rachel has been in daycare since the time she was six months old, the jeans I live in because skirts and dresses feel uncomfortable to me when I'm not at work, etc. I have no desire to become part of the Chabad movement, just as I'm sure Dov and Chani have no desire to live a secular life rather than a religious one. But none of that matters when I'm over there. They're kind, welcoming and genuinely interested in my life. And they never make me feel out of place.
I don't plan to go there every week, or even every month. But every other month or so, I'd like to bring Rachel to Chabad Shabbat because I look at it as a cultural experience -- much like visiting a Buddhist temple, or celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, or going to a Catholic friend's Confirmation (as I did, several times, in Hackensack). I think she'll benefit from the interaction with the kids. She'll see what it's like to live in a wholly religious world (religious at least from that sector of Judaism) and hopefully will decide that being a religious Jew in a secular world suits her just fine.
Soon after giving birth to Rachel, I got connected to a group called Portland Jewish Mamas, a group of mostly non-religious or barely religious Jewish moms who were looking for other Jewish moms with whom to socialize. One of the nicest moms in the group is a woman named Carly, who had two kids at the time -- Lucy and Jimmy, and recently had another boy, Mason -- and we hit it off. She is in her late 20s, went to some prestigious East Coast college whose name I don't remember and graduated with a degree in biochemistry. (I wrote about her huge house several posts back. She has a lot of money, probably from family). She hooked up with the Chabad folks in town and runs their Website. I attended one Chabad luncheon more than a year ago in a cramped apartment, decided it wasn't for me and never returned.
I've been trying to arrange a playdate with Carly and her kids and she suggested I come to the Chabad luncheon today. I got up late and almost decided to ditch it, but then thought -- I promised Carly, I don't want her to think I'm blowing her off, and why not try it again? So I raced Rachel through getting up, reading a book, getting dressed, threw some clothes on and bolted for the new Chabad house in Southeast Portland near Reed College.
I had intended just to stay for the service, which I discovered really wasn't much -- it was the elaborate lunch that draws people. They do it every week. Carly had arranged for a babysitter to watch the kids, and just when I figured we'd make a quick but polite exit, the babysitter brought out puzzles and toys and Rachel was hooked. The Rabbi, Dov, and his wife, Chani, have 4 kids -- Chani can't be older than 28 -- and their girls are Chayamushka, Freidel, Devorah Leah and Chaim (the baby). I stayed for the Torah study, most of which was over my head, and then the elaborate lunch. Other families had arrived and I kept telling Chani that I hadn't made a reservation for lunch but she said -- and everyone echoed her -- that she always made a ton of food and to PLEASE STAY. And another person told me that this is what Chani and Dov live for, to end up with a ton of people in the house and a mess to clean up. Kind of how I feel about Thanksgiving, why I invite more people than I possibly have room for.
So we stayed. They set up a kids table and Rachel was completely unfazed by all the kids, the chaos, the fact that Mommy wasn't with her the whole time. She made friends with the babysitter, ate some challah and drank a lot of apple juice (they had these kid-sized plastic wineglasses that I am just dying to find somewhere; I think it would be great to let Rachel have a little apple juice on Friday nights when we say the blessing over the candles) and generally was her little self-possessed, cheerful self. (This is why I have begun to love weekends instead of dread them, because she is so fun to spend the day with. I can tell it's going to be hard to surrender her to Drew when he comes home for good and wants Rachel and Daddy time).
Chani has such a sweet personality. She has only seen me once or twice and commented on the fact that I've lost a lot of weight, especially in my face, and that Rachel was "so independent!" She kept saying that over and over again. And in fact, when Rachel was trying to get past a folding chair and was having some trouble, and a guest at the luncheon moved to go help her, I held the guest back and said, "let her figure it out for herself." And Rachel did! She just moved the chair out of the way and ran into the living room.
I told Chani that Rachel is so independent because I believe she senses that with Drew gone, Mommy needs help and so she is so willing to set and clear the table, pick things up and put them away or in the garbage when need be, and generally seems to understand that it's just the two of us and she needs to pitch in. Chani cluck-clucked in sympathy and said it must be so hard with my husband away. I replied that, "well, you have four kids! That would be hard!" And she dismissed it with a shrug of her shoulder as if having so many underfoot was no big deal.
I thought about that for a while. To her, and to Carly (who, when I told her about what I do at the law school, said, "that's really important. I wish I had an important job with a title") I am just as exotic to them as they are to me. Chani's world is completely foreign to me -- the no-coloring rule for kids on Shabbat, the huge cooking and domestic chores she's responsible for, the dairy and meat sections of the kitchen, with two stoves, two sinks, two sets of counters and two sets of cabinets, the wigs, the dresses and skirts all the time -- and I'm sure my world is incomprehensible to her -- the husband who's gone for a year (OK, that part is incomprehensible for a lot of my secular friends, too), the full-time job I hold, the fact that Rachel has been in daycare since the time she was six months old, the jeans I live in because skirts and dresses feel uncomfortable to me when I'm not at work, etc. I have no desire to become part of the Chabad movement, just as I'm sure Dov and Chani have no desire to live a secular life rather than a religious one. But none of that matters when I'm over there. They're kind, welcoming and genuinely interested in my life. And they never make me feel out of place.
I don't plan to go there every week, or even every month. But every other month or so, I'd like to bring Rachel to Chabad Shabbat because I look at it as a cultural experience -- much like visiting a Buddhist temple, or celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, or going to a Catholic friend's Confirmation (as I did, several times, in Hackensack). I think she'll benefit from the interaction with the kids. She'll see what it's like to live in a wholly religious world (religious at least from that sector of Judaism) and hopefully will decide that being a religious Jew in a secular world suits her just fine.
The Giving Tree
Rachel was recently discovered this book, which we've had since she was a baby. We have two copies -- one from someone whom I can't remember, and another from my friend Dan, who personalized it by taping a folder of pictures of me when I was pregnant and penning a lovely inscription about how it was one of his kids' favorite books (they're grown now, with kids of their own) and it was written by a guy who used to be on his softball team in Key West (the late, great children's book author Shel Silverstein).
We read it every night. It is all I can do not to cry, which I usually do right about when I get to the part of the tree straightening herself up as best she can to provide a place for the Boy, who is now old and tired, to sit and rest. I try to hide my tears from Rachel because I don't want her to think of it as a sad book, even though it's depressing, really -- it's about someone? something? who/that gives and gives and gives until she can't give anymore, and a Boy who takes and takes and takes and never says thank you. The ending is so ambiguous: Does the boy learn anything? Does he die, sitting on the stump? He seems to have and unhappy life -- is that connected to his selfishnes?
I'm trying to teach Rachel some lessons from the book.
"Rachel, are you a giver?" I asked the other night.
"No," she said.
"Are you a taker?"
"No," she said.
"You should be a giver AND a taker," I said.
Tonight she startled me. On the changing table, after I finished reading to her, she suddenly said, "I want money."
"Money, Rachel?" I said.
"I want money, like the Boy," she said. (That's the first demand he makes of the tree -- he wants to have fun and needs money to have fun, and she urges him to take her apples to sell them in the City and make money).
I was a little disconcerted. I'll try again tomorrow night.
We read it every night. It is all I can do not to cry, which I usually do right about when I get to the part of the tree straightening herself up as best she can to provide a place for the Boy, who is now old and tired, to sit and rest. I try to hide my tears from Rachel because I don't want her to think of it as a sad book, even though it's depressing, really -- it's about someone? something? who/that gives and gives and gives until she can't give anymore, and a Boy who takes and takes and takes and never says thank you. The ending is so ambiguous: Does the boy learn anything? Does he die, sitting on the stump? He seems to have and unhappy life -- is that connected to his selfishnes?
I'm trying to teach Rachel some lessons from the book.
"Rachel, are you a giver?" I asked the other night.
"No," she said.
"Are you a taker?"
"No," she said.
"You should be a giver AND a taker," I said.
Tonight she startled me. On the changing table, after I finished reading to her, she suddenly said, "I want money."
"Money, Rachel?" I said.
"I want money, like the Boy," she said. (That's the first demand he makes of the tree -- he wants to have fun and needs money to have fun, and she urges him to take her apples to sell them in the City and make money).
I was a little disconcerted. I'll try again tomorrow night.
Here's what other people say about our daughter
From Molly, on Friday:
"Camilla was bragging about Rachel in the car yesterday: "Rachel can say EVERY word, Mommy. If there was a contest, and they asked, 'Can she say elephant?' and they'd say, 'No.' And then Rachel would say, 'Elephant!' and she'd win $100, no, $1,000, and a trophy! Yay, Rachel!""
I told Molly that her Facebook post made my day.
She replied, "Rachel rocks! Go Rach!"
"Camilla was bragging about Rachel in the car yesterday: "Rachel can say EVERY word, Mommy. If there was a contest, and they asked, 'Can she say elephant?' and they'd say, 'No.' And then Rachel would say, 'Elephant!' and she'd win $100, no, $1,000, and a trophy! Yay, Rachel!""
I told Molly that her Facebook post made my day.
She replied, "Rachel rocks! Go Rach!"
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Rachel the adult
At daycare today, Rachel and another toddler, Cody I think, were listening to a book being read to them. Cody started crying and didn't stop.
According to Teacher Jennifer, Rachel said, slightly exasperated, "Cody needs his father to come take him home."
***
Rachel ran into the bedroom as I was changing out of my work clothes, wrapped her arms around my right leg and hugged me tight. Then she said, "I tired. I eat little dinner then go to bed."
Um, OK, honey. Fine by me!
***
"Who are you going to play with at school today?" I asked Rachel on the way to daycare this morning.
"I don't play with ANYBODY," she said firmly. "I play with MYSELF!"
Both Drew and I are so happy she's so...self-sufficient? Self-directed? Independent? I just hope she doesn't grow up too fast.
According to Teacher Jennifer, Rachel said, slightly exasperated, "Cody needs his father to come take him home."
***
Rachel ran into the bedroom as I was changing out of my work clothes, wrapped her arms around my right leg and hugged me tight. Then she said, "I tired. I eat little dinner then go to bed."
Um, OK, honey. Fine by me!
***
"Who are you going to play with at school today?" I asked Rachel on the way to daycare this morning.
"I don't play with ANYBODY," she said firmly. "I play with MYSELF!"
Both Drew and I are so happy she's so...self-sufficient? Self-directed? Independent? I just hope she doesn't grow up too fast.
Yelling Man
We live across the street from a halfway house, whose residents have never, ever bothered us. Until the other day when one started talking (yelling, really) nonsensical words at the top of his lungs. Drew called from NYC and complained and the operators of the house were extremely apologetic and said there are plans to move this man to another facility.
He started up again today, and I told Rachel to hush so I could listen.
"Probably not a good idea to yell," she said at first, chuckling. "Don't yell in Mommy house."
Then she started getting concerned, and then scared. On the changing table she started crying. "The man yelling at me," she said.
I looked at her directly, hugged her close and said urgently, "No, Rachel, the man's not yelling at you. And he can't get into the house. Mommy and Craig are here. No one will come in."
(Craig is the name of my most excellent new tenant. Really, he's a great guy and so far a great tenant).
Rachel will learn the vagaries of living in a city soon enough, but there are times I wish we lived just one block over.
He started up again today, and I told Rachel to hush so I could listen.
"Probably not a good idea to yell," she said at first, chuckling. "Don't yell in Mommy house."
Then she started getting concerned, and then scared. On the changing table she started crying. "The man yelling at me," she said.
I looked at her directly, hugged her close and said urgently, "No, Rachel, the man's not yelling at you. And he can't get into the house. Mommy and Craig are here. No one will come in."
(Craig is the name of my most excellent new tenant. Really, he's a great guy and so far a great tenant).
Rachel will learn the vagaries of living in a city soon enough, but there are times I wish we lived just one block over.
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