Last night, while I was working in Salem until 10:45 p.m. getting over the last bits of copy to the designers before heading to a weeklong conference, Drew picked up Rachel from school and took her to Grant Park. And who did they run in to but...Tasanee! The girl whose birthday party Rachel will atend next Saturday!
Drew said it was so cute to see them together. "Tasanee!" Rachel shrieked.
"Rachel!" Tasanee shrieked back. Then they gave each other a big hug and played for a while in the park. Tasanee's parents were there and Drew got to meet them. They've opened a BARBECUE restaurant in North Portland and were very impressed when Drew told him I had co-authored a barbecue book.
They also said that Tasanee, who is a year older than Rachel, is an only child. And she has sort of adopted Rachel as a younger sister! Too cute!
When they were about to leave, Rachel didn't want to say goodbye. But Drew gently told her that that's a polite thing to do when your friends leave. So, Rachel went over to Tasanee and they gave each other a goodbye hug. Wish I'd been there!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Rachel goes to a birthday party!
Rachel received her first official birthday party invitation! (well, she did get one when she was at school in Salem, but I didn't feel any connection there so it doesn't count). It's for a party at Grant Park Aug. 6th, the Saturday I'll be away. Sigh.
The party is for a girl named Tasanee, who is turning 4 and is at Rachel's preschool.
"I got an invitation!" Rachel shouted excitedly into the phone when she talked to me tonight as I was leaving Salem. "And, I'm going!"
When Drew asked Rachel about Tasanee -- "tell me about Tasanee. I want to know a little about her before we go to her party," she had this to say:
"She's nice. She holds my hand sometimes."
The party is for a girl named Tasanee, who is turning 4 and is at Rachel's preschool.
"I got an invitation!" Rachel shouted excitedly into the phone when she talked to me tonight as I was leaving Salem. "And, I'm going!"
When Drew asked Rachel about Tasanee -- "tell me about Tasanee. I want to know a little about her before we go to her party," she had this to say:
"She's nice. She holds my hand sometimes."
catchup from the weekend
..can't believe I haven't written on the blog this long. A few highlights:
--Friday night I went to an Indigo Girls concert at the Oregon Zoo with two friends of mine. It was fun, but I found myself missing Rachel terribly. She was at an outdoor Shabbat service with Drew, who reported that she said, "hi, Rabbi!" in a big, cheerful voice when she saw Rabbi Cahana. He was quite charmed and got her to clink her water bottle with his and repeat "L'chayim!" after him. Drew also noted one slightly disturbing incident: A little girl came up to him and Rachel and started talking. "Can I tell you something about my family?" she asked. "Um, sure!" Drew answered. "We're divorced," she said matter-of-factly, but still smiling." "Do you live with your mommy or your daddy?" Drew asked, startled. "Sometimes I live with my mommy and sometimes I live with my daddy," she answered.
--On Saturday I had to work on the law magazine, so Drew took Rachel to her swim lesson and the farmer's market. Then she had a quick nap before we all went to a picnic with our Chavurah at the Lake Oswego swim park. It was a really lovely outing; Rachel charmed everyone when she wasn't in the toddler pool, which she LOVED. While she splashed in the water with styrofoam noodles and a little ball, I got into a nice conversation with a guy next to me who was watching his daughter and twin sons in the pool. He observed Rachel for a little while and then turned to me and said, "she's ADORABLE. That's my favorite age -- between 2 1/2 and 4." His 6-year-old, Sophie, generously shared her ball with Rachel and I made Rachel say, "thank you, Sophie!" when she got out. Rachel stayed in so long that she started shivering! I can see many summer swim days ahead when I'll have to drag her out of the water....
--On Sunday Drew took care of Rachel again while I worked. I also gardened for about two hours because I'll be away at a conference next week and wanted to leave the house shipshape so Drew doesn't have to bother with it while I'm gone. We all had grilled mustard chicken, corn on the cob and salad for dinner. Rachel loved the chicken but wouldn't touch the corn, which meant that she didn't get dessert (I was dying to go for an ice cream run because it was 85 degrees). So, Drew did the run after he put her to sleep and I got my ice cream. But it wasn't as fun as it would have been with Rachel. Sigh.
This morning as I was leaving, Rachel tipped her face up to me for a kiss. "Oatmeal kiss!!" she yelled, and I started laughing. Tonight I got home late but we all got to have dinner together. ("Hey, we're all wearing T-shirts!" Rachel exclaimed at one point). Shel made an "L" with two strands of spaghetti and correctly identified it, but then pretty much lost interest in dinner. As Drew was carrying her in to bed, she demanded a "Family hug!" and then touched Drew's face. "Beard!" she said (he was scruffy from not shaving). Then she touched my face and said, "No beard!" and we laughed so hard that it was really time for her to go to sleep.
--Friday night I went to an Indigo Girls concert at the Oregon Zoo with two friends of mine. It was fun, but I found myself missing Rachel terribly. She was at an outdoor Shabbat service with Drew, who reported that she said, "hi, Rabbi!" in a big, cheerful voice when she saw Rabbi Cahana. He was quite charmed and got her to clink her water bottle with his and repeat "L'chayim!" after him. Drew also noted one slightly disturbing incident: A little girl came up to him and Rachel and started talking. "Can I tell you something about my family?" she asked. "Um, sure!" Drew answered. "We're divorced," she said matter-of-factly, but still smiling." "Do you live with your mommy or your daddy?" Drew asked, startled. "Sometimes I live with my mommy and sometimes I live with my daddy," she answered.
--On Saturday I had to work on the law magazine, so Drew took Rachel to her swim lesson and the farmer's market. Then she had a quick nap before we all went to a picnic with our Chavurah at the Lake Oswego swim park. It was a really lovely outing; Rachel charmed everyone when she wasn't in the toddler pool, which she LOVED. While she splashed in the water with styrofoam noodles and a little ball, I got into a nice conversation with a guy next to me who was watching his daughter and twin sons in the pool. He observed Rachel for a little while and then turned to me and said, "she's ADORABLE. That's my favorite age -- between 2 1/2 and 4." His 6-year-old, Sophie, generously shared her ball with Rachel and I made Rachel say, "thank you, Sophie!" when she got out. Rachel stayed in so long that she started shivering! I can see many summer swim days ahead when I'll have to drag her out of the water....
--On Sunday Drew took care of Rachel again while I worked. I also gardened for about two hours because I'll be away at a conference next week and wanted to leave the house shipshape so Drew doesn't have to bother with it while I'm gone. We all had grilled mustard chicken, corn on the cob and salad for dinner. Rachel loved the chicken but wouldn't touch the corn, which meant that she didn't get dessert (I was dying to go for an ice cream run because it was 85 degrees). So, Drew did the run after he put her to sleep and I got my ice cream. But it wasn't as fun as it would have been with Rachel. Sigh.
This morning as I was leaving, Rachel tipped her face up to me for a kiss. "Oatmeal kiss!!" she yelled, and I started laughing. Tonight I got home late but we all got to have dinner together. ("Hey, we're all wearing T-shirts!" Rachel exclaimed at one point). Shel made an "L" with two strands of spaghetti and correctly identified it, but then pretty much lost interest in dinner. As Drew was carrying her in to bed, she demanded a "Family hug!" and then touched Drew's face. "Beard!" she said (he was scruffy from not shaving). Then she touched my face and said, "No beard!" and we laughed so hard that it was really time for her to go to sleep.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Rachel's checkup
Rachel got a clean bill of health today from Dr. Rappaport. Her stats:
--36 1/4 inches tall
--28. 6 pounds
Both are right on target with her growth trajectory, which is in the 25th percentile.
The best thing was Dr. Rappaport saying that Rachel is "way ahead" of other kids her age in terms of vocabulary and development. (Most kids her age speak in 3- and 4-word sentences; Rachel speaks in multiple thoughts, sometimes one on top of the other. Drew calls it "Short Attention Span Theater" and it is hilarious to watch).
Drew asked Dr. Rappaport if we should be starting to teach her to read. He listened to her talk and said it wouldn't surprise him at all if Rachel is reading simple, full sentences by age 4. Yay Rachel!
He also said her odd and non-varied diet sounds good except that she should be eating more vegetables. Don't force it, just present them to her and model, he said. So, Drew started with cut-up carrots tonight AND SHE ATE THEM!! Ok, it took a bribe of a treat "as long as you eat a good dinner, which includes your carrots," but, hey, it worked.
--36 1/4 inches tall
--28. 6 pounds
Both are right on target with her growth trajectory, which is in the 25th percentile.
The best thing was Dr. Rappaport saying that Rachel is "way ahead" of other kids her age in terms of vocabulary and development. (Most kids her age speak in 3- and 4-word sentences; Rachel speaks in multiple thoughts, sometimes one on top of the other. Drew calls it "Short Attention Span Theater" and it is hilarious to watch).
Drew asked Dr. Rappaport if we should be starting to teach her to read. He listened to her talk and said it wouldn't surprise him at all if Rachel is reading simple, full sentences by age 4. Yay Rachel!
He also said her odd and non-varied diet sounds good except that she should be eating more vegetables. Don't force it, just present them to her and model, he said. So, Drew started with cut-up carrots tonight AND SHE ATE THEM!! Ok, it took a bribe of a treat "as long as you eat a good dinner, which includes your carrots," but, hey, it worked.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Rachel helps de-clutter the house
Tonight Rachel announced that we really need to get rid of some of the cups she had as a baby. So, she marched over to the kitchen cabinet. Never one to miss out on the opportunity of a good thing, I asked her which cups we should get rid of. "Just some of them," she said earnestly. "Not all of them."
We ended up tossing about a half-dozen into a bag. I believe Rachel thinks we will give them to Baby Eva, and I don't intend to dissuade her!
We ended up tossing about a half-dozen into a bag. I believe Rachel thinks we will give them to Baby Eva, and I don't intend to dissuade her!
Random Rachel sayings
The past two days have been rainy and blech, but the nights have been pleasant enough for Rachel and I to take walks around the neighborhood and even stop at the local park and playground. I love the exercise, especially when I haven't been able to swim during my lunch hour.
Last night Rachel noticed a candy bar wrapper next to the big slide at Grant Park. "Give it to me and I'll put it in the garbage," I said. "Whoever left it here wasn't very nice."
"They weren't very nice," Rachel agreed. "They should get a time out!"
***
Also last night, I turned on KMHD, our local jazz station, as I got dinner ready.
"I like this music," Rachel said.
"It's jazz, Rachel," I said.
"I like jazz music!' she replied. "I like also blues festival music."
(Obviously a refernce to the 4th of July's Waterfront Blues Festival. Astonished she remembered!)
***
While coloring with markers and her Sesame Street coloring book, Rachel looked up all of a sudden and announced, "Sometimes I be naughty. Not all the time. But sometimes."
She also said that she likes Elmo and Burt and Ernie, but, "I don't like the blue guy."
"You mean Cookie Monster?" I asked.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Because he steals all the cookies?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "That's not very nice. He should get a time out!"
***
Rachel has obviously heeded my instructions to eat over her plate and be careful about dropping/spilling things. I was especially sensitive about this because I stayed up late last night mopping the kitchen floor, and God knows when I'll get a chance to do so again.
"I a very careful person," she said as she ate dinner. "I careful not to spill milk and water and yogurt and sour cream. And balloons. And YOU. You're careful and I'm careful. We're both careful persons. Except Daddy. Daddy's not careful."
(Drew, I think she's picked up on the fact that sometimes, well, you're a bit of a klutz!:))
Last night Rachel noticed a candy bar wrapper next to the big slide at Grant Park. "Give it to me and I'll put it in the garbage," I said. "Whoever left it here wasn't very nice."
"They weren't very nice," Rachel agreed. "They should get a time out!"
***
Also last night, I turned on KMHD, our local jazz station, as I got dinner ready.
"I like this music," Rachel said.
"It's jazz, Rachel," I said.
"I like jazz music!' she replied. "I like also blues festival music."
(Obviously a refernce to the 4th of July's Waterfront Blues Festival. Astonished she remembered!)
***
While coloring with markers and her Sesame Street coloring book, Rachel looked up all of a sudden and announced, "Sometimes I be naughty. Not all the time. But sometimes."
She also said that she likes Elmo and Burt and Ernie, but, "I don't like the blue guy."
"You mean Cookie Monster?" I asked.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Because he steals all the cookies?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "That's not very nice. He should get a time out!"
***
Rachel has obviously heeded my instructions to eat over her plate and be careful about dropping/spilling things. I was especially sensitive about this because I stayed up late last night mopping the kitchen floor, and God knows when I'll get a chance to do so again.
"I a very careful person," she said as she ate dinner. "I careful not to spill milk and water and yogurt and sour cream. And balloons. And YOU. You're careful and I'm careful. We're both careful persons. Except Daddy. Daddy's not careful."
(Drew, I think she's picked up on the fact that sometimes, well, you're a bit of a klutz!:))
Sunday, July 17, 2011
She's eating more food!
Drew reports that Rachel has been quite willing to try new foods lately. Added to her repertoire: Ham. Gouda. Brie! String cheese! Together they all add up to a (somewhat) nutritious meal! Go Rachel!
We had a lovely time tonight blowing bubbles outside. Thanks to everyone who gave Rachel bubble mix for her birthday; and PopPop for giving her a cool bubble blower. She's having a great time using it!
Today was rainy and blech. Yes, it's July. Yes, we're sick of the rain. I took Rachel to visit our friends Paige and Ryan and their kids Parker (who is Rachel's age) and Ruby (their sweet little newborn girl! Oh, for a baby to hold again!!). Paige and Ryan were checking out of their hotel on their way back to Eugene and Paige was getting ready to go report a story for the magazine I edit, so it was a quick visit. But fun: Ryan grabbed a bellhop cart and pretended it was a train, so he kept Rache and Parker occupied while Paige and I visited. We had a really nice chat, and Rachel and Parker really hit it off. As they were about to leave, Parker gave Rachel a big hug and they somehow fell on the floor with Rachel on top of Parker hugging him! "Get a room, guys," Ryan muttered as Paige and I cracked up; it was so sweet to watch!
Then Drew took Rachel grocery shopping and to buy some rain boots since it is going to be RAINY the rest of this week. I went to an event welcoming new students to Northwestern which was sponsored by the NU Alumni Association, of which I am a member. It was lovely but I wished Rachel and Drew were with me (it was really a grown-up party, and Rachel would have been really bored). I was struck by two things: a) I could not possibly get into NU today and b) I am now old enough to be some of these kids' MOMS. A rather sobering thought.
I got back home to see Rachel had chosen some Thomas the Train boots. Oh, she couldn't wait to show them to me! She proceeded to wear them all night -- inside the house and outside. She should get good use out of them this week.
We had a lovely time tonight blowing bubbles outside. Thanks to everyone who gave Rachel bubble mix for her birthday; and PopPop for giving her a cool bubble blower. She's having a great time using it!
Today was rainy and blech. Yes, it's July. Yes, we're sick of the rain. I took Rachel to visit our friends Paige and Ryan and their kids Parker (who is Rachel's age) and Ruby (their sweet little newborn girl! Oh, for a baby to hold again!!). Paige and Ryan were checking out of their hotel on their way back to Eugene and Paige was getting ready to go report a story for the magazine I edit, so it was a quick visit. But fun: Ryan grabbed a bellhop cart and pretended it was a train, so he kept Rache and Parker occupied while Paige and I visited. We had a really nice chat, and Rachel and Parker really hit it off. As they were about to leave, Parker gave Rachel a big hug and they somehow fell on the floor with Rachel on top of Parker hugging him! "Get a room, guys," Ryan muttered as Paige and I cracked up; it was so sweet to watch!
Then Drew took Rachel grocery shopping and to buy some rain boots since it is going to be RAINY the rest of this week. I went to an event welcoming new students to Northwestern which was sponsored by the NU Alumni Association, of which I am a member. It was lovely but I wished Rachel and Drew were with me (it was really a grown-up party, and Rachel would have been really bored). I was struck by two things: a) I could not possibly get into NU today and b) I am now old enough to be some of these kids' MOMS. A rather sobering thought.
I got back home to see Rachel had chosen some Thomas the Train boots. Oh, she couldn't wait to show them to me! She proceeded to wear them all night -- inside the house and outside. She should get good use out of them this week.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Saturday with two toddlers
Tonight was a preview of what life would be like if we had two kids.
My friend Sarah, who is going through a rough patch in her life, brought over her son, Noah, who is four. (She had been feeling despondent Friday night so I thought that inviting her over for dessert would cheer her up). They arrived at 7:30, just as Rachel had finished opening some more birthday presents (at the rate she's going -- opening up each gift and immediately wanting to play with it/figure it out and ignoring the rest -- we will get around to opening all of them by, oh, Hanukkah). The kids are always a little shy around each other, and so Sarah got them going while Drew and I cleared dinner, which we hadn't quite finished yet, and I got out dessert (freshly baked chocolate-chip banana bread with vanilla ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce).
Luckily the kids mostly wanted watermelon. They had a great time telling the grownups "DON'T EAT THE GREEN PART!" (i.e., the rind) and then Rachel asked Drew to pretend to eat the green part while making a "yucky!" face while she and Noah shrieked with laugher. (That's one thing I'm going to miss as Rachel gets older -- that wonderful giggly toddler laugh that is SO infectious!). Then Drew, Rachel and Noah played a complicated game of "Star Wars" using the letter/number foam letters that Tia Daniella got Rachel for her birthday which I'm sure Tia Daniella never envisioned would be used as weapons. It involved a lot of running and yelling and laughing through the house while Sarah and I sat in the kitchen drinking our tea and discussing various preschools. She remarked that her ex, Mark, would never get on the floor and interact with Noah the way Drew was doing with Noah and Rachel. And I could see that Noah was getting a kick out of the interaction; when Drew went downstairs to pu away the ice cream in the deep freeze, he insisted on joining him.
"I think you may have an extra kid!" Sarah said, and I told her the next time they come over, maybe we should all watch one of the "Star Wars" movies together (and maybe Mommy will make popcorn and chocolate chip cake and we can all snuggle on the futon together). At any rate, I told Drew that if we have extra room at our Thanksgiving table and Sarah needs somewhere to go (unlikely, since her parents live in Eugene, but just in case), we should invite her. He agreed.
My friend Sarah, who is going through a rough patch in her life, brought over her son, Noah, who is four. (She had been feeling despondent Friday night so I thought that inviting her over for dessert would cheer her up). They arrived at 7:30, just as Rachel had finished opening some more birthday presents (at the rate she's going -- opening up each gift and immediately wanting to play with it/figure it out and ignoring the rest -- we will get around to opening all of them by, oh, Hanukkah). The kids are always a little shy around each other, and so Sarah got them going while Drew and I cleared dinner, which we hadn't quite finished yet, and I got out dessert (freshly baked chocolate-chip banana bread with vanilla ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce).
Luckily the kids mostly wanted watermelon. They had a great time telling the grownups "DON'T EAT THE GREEN PART!" (i.e., the rind) and then Rachel asked Drew to pretend to eat the green part while making a "yucky!" face while she and Noah shrieked with laugher. (That's one thing I'm going to miss as Rachel gets older -- that wonderful giggly toddler laugh that is SO infectious!). Then Drew, Rachel and Noah played a complicated game of "Star Wars" using the letter/number foam letters that Tia Daniella got Rachel for her birthday which I'm sure Tia Daniella never envisioned would be used as weapons. It involved a lot of running and yelling and laughing through the house while Sarah and I sat in the kitchen drinking our tea and discussing various preschools. She remarked that her ex, Mark, would never get on the floor and interact with Noah the way Drew was doing with Noah and Rachel. And I could see that Noah was getting a kick out of the interaction; when Drew went downstairs to pu away the ice cream in the deep freeze, he insisted on joining him.
"I think you may have an extra kid!" Sarah said, and I told her the next time they come over, maybe we should all watch one of the "Star Wars" movies together (and maybe Mommy will make popcorn and chocolate chip cake and we can all snuggle on the futon together). At any rate, I told Drew that if we have extra room at our Thanksgiving table and Sarah needs somewhere to go (unlikely, since her parents live in Eugene, but just in case), we should invite her. He agreed.
Drew's profound quote
Me: I know every parent says this about her kid, but Rachel is an amazing child.
Drew: And she's all ours. Until she realizes that she really belongs to herself.
Drew: And she's all ours. Until she realizes that she really belongs to herself.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Shabbat Shalom to our generous-hearted little girl!
I was sick yesterday (sore throat, extreme tiredness), so I turned around on the way to work, came home, took some NyQuil and slept. And slept. And slept. I believe I was awake for a total of four hours. As she was getting ready to do Daddy Books, Rachel came up to me and said, unbidden, "I hope you feel better tomorrow, Mommy!" and kissed me on the cheek.
Well, what could I say?
So, today I woke up still feeling tired but went to work anyway. Meeting after meeting after meeting and I still didn't get everything done that I wanted to get done. Plus now my throat is worse and I'm starting to cough, which means I have to take sugary cought medicine tonight -- ugh. I had some cake at Shabbat services tonight and immediately regretted it -- it tasted fabulous but the sugar feels as if it's clogging up my pores.
Tonight's Shabbat service was special because they gave a special blessing to everyone with a July birthday, which means Rachel got to go to the front of the synagogue (services were held outside on the Plaza; folks are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic dinner), and the rabbi blessed her and everyone else while they stood under a prayer shawl. Afterwards she got a special treat (one Hershey's kiss) and ate it while I told Drew I would dash to NW 21st Avenue -- Restaurant Row -- to grab something to eat. "Are you going away, Mommy?" Rachel asked with concern. "No, honey," I answered. "I'm just going to get some dinner."
"I'll share my dinner with you," she offered. "Here's some chicken," and she handed me a tiny piece of baked chicken. I was supremely touched. No need to worry about what this child would do in wartime -- she'd make sure Mommy got food, too.
I found a Mexican restaurant that did takeout, so I dashed back in plenty of time to eat and watch Rachel dig into some cake that they served at the oneg Shabbat afterward. Drew had thoughtfully cut a piece for me, too. Then Drew took Rachel to climb a nearby tree while I chatted with a member of our Chavurah, and we all got home around 9 or so. As she was getting ready for bed, Rachel walked over to me and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better, Mommy," then trotted off to bed.
(I noticed a card on the kitchen counter from Chaim Wilhelm. Who's that? I asked Drew. It turns out he knocked on the door while Drew was working and introduced himself. He is the son of the Hasidic rabbi who visited us in the hospital when Rachel was born. He and his wife are thinking about moving to Oregon and brought over a loaf of home-baked challah).
When Drew finished putting her to sleep he mentioned that he told Rachel a "bicycle story" about a kid who had bicycled around the world and ended up in Africa.
"That's where Auntie Rachel lives!" Rachel said immediately.
Then she asked him to tell her a car story, and he told her about the trip he took back from Columbia, and how he stayed with Uncle Jack, and drove through Minnesota.
"That's where the kids and Molly live!" Rachel said.
Last night Drew mentioned Boston and Rachel said, "That's where Mr. and Mrs. Mallard live!" (from "Make Way For Ducklings").
Drew is very impressed with Rachel's ability to memorize and make connections. So am I!
Well, what could I say?
So, today I woke up still feeling tired but went to work anyway. Meeting after meeting after meeting and I still didn't get everything done that I wanted to get done. Plus now my throat is worse and I'm starting to cough, which means I have to take sugary cought medicine tonight -- ugh. I had some cake at Shabbat services tonight and immediately regretted it -- it tasted fabulous but the sugar feels as if it's clogging up my pores.
Tonight's Shabbat service was special because they gave a special blessing to everyone with a July birthday, which means Rachel got to go to the front of the synagogue (services were held outside on the Plaza; folks are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic dinner), and the rabbi blessed her and everyone else while they stood under a prayer shawl. Afterwards she got a special treat (one Hershey's kiss) and ate it while I told Drew I would dash to NW 21st Avenue -- Restaurant Row -- to grab something to eat. "Are you going away, Mommy?" Rachel asked with concern. "No, honey," I answered. "I'm just going to get some dinner."
"I'll share my dinner with you," she offered. "Here's some chicken," and she handed me a tiny piece of baked chicken. I was supremely touched. No need to worry about what this child would do in wartime -- she'd make sure Mommy got food, too.
I found a Mexican restaurant that did takeout, so I dashed back in plenty of time to eat and watch Rachel dig into some cake that they served at the oneg Shabbat afterward. Drew had thoughtfully cut a piece for me, too. Then Drew took Rachel to climb a nearby tree while I chatted with a member of our Chavurah, and we all got home around 9 or so. As she was getting ready for bed, Rachel walked over to me and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better, Mommy," then trotted off to bed.
(I noticed a card on the kitchen counter from Chaim Wilhelm. Who's that? I asked Drew. It turns out he knocked on the door while Drew was working and introduced himself. He is the son of the Hasidic rabbi who visited us in the hospital when Rachel was born. He and his wife are thinking about moving to Oregon and brought over a loaf of home-baked challah).
When Drew finished putting her to sleep he mentioned that he told Rachel a "bicycle story" about a kid who had bicycled around the world and ended up in Africa.
"That's where Auntie Rachel lives!" Rachel said immediately.
Then she asked him to tell her a car story, and he told her about the trip he took back from Columbia, and how he stayed with Uncle Jack, and drove through Minnesota.
"That's where the kids and Molly live!" Rachel said.
Last night Drew mentioned Boston and Rachel said, "That's where Mr. and Mrs. Mallard live!" (from "Make Way For Ducklings").
Drew is very impressed with Rachel's ability to memorize and make connections. So am I!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Rachel and Drew spend the night together
..because I had some more clothes shopping to do (especially so when I realized that I have exactly one black short-sleeve shirt to get me through the summer. That's not enough, folks).
Drew reports that Rachel was OK tonight until dinnertime, when, in his words, she kept dawdling, pushing her food around her plate and singing. Which normally wouldn't be a problem, except that she wanted to blow bubbles and he told her they could go outside and do that only if she finished her dinner in time. He gave her 20-, 15- and 10-minute warnings.
Finally it was 8:30 and he said, "OK, we're done," and took her food away then told her she spent so much time fooling around at dinner that there wasn't any time to blow bubbles. She started crying, and he took her into her room, sat her on his lap and they had a talk.
"I want to be a grownup," she sniffled at one point, "so I can drink wine."
Um, OK.
He went on to explain how important it was that she eat her dinner. "I'm worried that if you don't eat a good dinner, you won't grow up to be big and strong," he said.
"I'm worried, too," Rachel said.
"You are?" Drew answered. "What are you worried about?"
"I worry that Mommy's never going to come back," she said.
"Oh, sweetie, she's just going to the store," he reassured her. "She's going to come back later tonight."
When he told me that over a late dinner (I didn't get home until 9:45), it was like a stab to the heart. For some reason I've been thinking a lot about the fact that Mom was separated from her mother at about Rachel's age. I was missing Rachel a lot at work today; I don't know why, but I was. And when I finished my lunchtime swim, I started thinking about how hard it would be to take this delightful little girl I have and hand her over to a stranger in the hope that we'd be reunited someday.
Drew reports that Rachel was OK tonight until dinnertime, when, in his words, she kept dawdling, pushing her food around her plate and singing. Which normally wouldn't be a problem, except that she wanted to blow bubbles and he told her they could go outside and do that only if she finished her dinner in time. He gave her 20-, 15- and 10-minute warnings.
Finally it was 8:30 and he said, "OK, we're done," and took her food away then told her she spent so much time fooling around at dinner that there wasn't any time to blow bubbles. She started crying, and he took her into her room, sat her on his lap and they had a talk.
"I want to be a grownup," she sniffled at one point, "so I can drink wine."
Um, OK.
He went on to explain how important it was that she eat her dinner. "I'm worried that if you don't eat a good dinner, you won't grow up to be big and strong," he said.
"I'm worried, too," Rachel said.
"You are?" Drew answered. "What are you worried about?"
"I worry that Mommy's never going to come back," she said.
"Oh, sweetie, she's just going to the store," he reassured her. "She's going to come back later tonight."
When he told me that over a late dinner (I didn't get home until 9:45), it was like a stab to the heart. For some reason I've been thinking a lot about the fact that Mom was separated from her mother at about Rachel's age. I was missing Rachel a lot at work today; I don't know why, but I was. And when I finished my lunchtime swim, I started thinking about how hard it would be to take this delightful little girl I have and hand her over to a stranger in the hope that we'd be reunited someday.
Monday, July 11, 2011
I think we've created a monster
Tonight Rachel insisted I read her three stories -- the same one twice, from a book about Mr. Horse who takes Cat, Dog, Pig and Duck for a ride -- and then another from the Portland Jewish Library called, "It's challah time!" which is all about how to make challah, complete with pictures.
After we were done with the challah, book, Rachel -- without a word -- took her little chair to the crib and dropped the book inside. Then when I put her to bed, in the dark, she opened the book and made as if she intended to READ IN THE DARK! "It's challah time!" she said.
I swear she must have a baby flashlight in her room somewhere.
After we were done with the challah, book, Rachel -- without a word -- took her little chair to the crib and dropped the book inside. Then when I put her to bed, in the dark, she opened the book and made as if she intended to READ IN THE DARK! "It's challah time!" she said.
I swear she must have a baby flashlight in her room somewhere.
The Oregon Garden
I'm going in reverse order here...
We had a lot of fun at the Oregon Garden. It's a haul from my house, about an hour away, and a little too close to work for my comfort. Plus there are practically no trees, none with shade anyway, so on a hot day it can get very uncomfortable. But we trooped out there anyway to celebrate Jean Grayburn's 85th birthday with Richard, Anne, David, Linda, Doug, Jack and Andrew.
It was the first time we'd been to the Children's Garden, and it was really charming. There were plants in funny things like an old toilet, an old sink and an old bed, and a toy train that ran around a track and made noise when you pushed a button, and some wooden decking with a pirate wheel, and bushes sculpted into the shape of animals. And the coolest little hobbit house (really a long pipe covered up with grass and and wildflowers with two small doors at each end). Rachel loved it. Then I got the idea to join her in there, and she and I proclaimed to Drew that NO BOYS WERE ALLOWED. Go away! we told him. So, he pretended to be a bear and scare us but just as he got up close he ended up tickling and kissing Rachel, so her fear turned into laughter. It was fantastic, she couldn't get enough.
Later at the lily pond, we saw a FROG! I reminded her of The Frog Prince, a story she made me read approximately 4,098 times while Drew was gone. Wanna kiss him and see if he'll turn into a prince? Drew asked. "Nooo," she said firmly, and we laughed.
(Best exchange of the weekend, by the way, while David and Rachel were at breakfast:
David: Rachel, what do you want to be when you grow up? Have you thought about it?
Rachel, with the faintest tone of exasperation in her voice: A GROWNUP!)
Then we said goodbye to everyone except Richard, went home, opened some of Drew's little gifts from New York, and grilled steak and potatoes and had watermelon for dessert. Rachel said a nice goodbye to PopPop and gave him a hug and a kiss.
As he was heading upstairs to bed, Richard remarked what a great kid Rachel is. During present-opening time, he noted that she isn't the type of kid to tear into gifts and then hunt for another; she opens one present, takes it out, plays with it or tries to read it (if it's a puzzle or book) and really tries to get the hang of it. That impressed him no end.
"She'll do exceptional things," he predicted, which warmed my heart. Thanks, PopPop, for sharing her special weekend with us!
We had a lot of fun at the Oregon Garden. It's a haul from my house, about an hour away, and a little too close to work for my comfort. Plus there are practically no trees, none with shade anyway, so on a hot day it can get very uncomfortable. But we trooped out there anyway to celebrate Jean Grayburn's 85th birthday with Richard, Anne, David, Linda, Doug, Jack and Andrew.
It was the first time we'd been to the Children's Garden, and it was really charming. There were plants in funny things like an old toilet, an old sink and an old bed, and a toy train that ran around a track and made noise when you pushed a button, and some wooden decking with a pirate wheel, and bushes sculpted into the shape of animals. And the coolest little hobbit house (really a long pipe covered up with grass and and wildflowers with two small doors at each end). Rachel loved it. Then I got the idea to join her in there, and she and I proclaimed to Drew that NO BOYS WERE ALLOWED. Go away! we told him. So, he pretended to be a bear and scare us but just as he got up close he ended up tickling and kissing Rachel, so her fear turned into laughter. It was fantastic, she couldn't get enough.
Later at the lily pond, we saw a FROG! I reminded her of The Frog Prince, a story she made me read approximately 4,098 times while Drew was gone. Wanna kiss him and see if he'll turn into a prince? Drew asked. "Nooo," she said firmly, and we laughed.
(Best exchange of the weekend, by the way, while David and Rachel were at breakfast:
David: Rachel, what do you want to be when you grow up? Have you thought about it?
Rachel, with the faintest tone of exasperation in her voice: A GROWNUP!)
Then we said goodbye to everyone except Richard, went home, opened some of Drew's little gifts from New York, and grilled steak and potatoes and had watermelon for dessert. Rachel said a nice goodbye to PopPop and gave him a hug and a kiss.
As he was heading upstairs to bed, Richard remarked what a great kid Rachel is. During present-opening time, he noted that she isn't the type of kid to tear into gifts and then hunt for another; she opens one present, takes it out, plays with it or tries to read it (if it's a puzzle or book) and really tries to get the hang of it. That impressed him no end.
"She'll do exceptional things," he predicted, which warmed my heart. Thanks, PopPop, for sharing her special weekend with us!
Happy birthday, dear girl!
My adorable girl is 3. Three!! How did that happen??
She stunned me tonight when, on the way home from school, she piped up from the back seat: "Mommy, can you tell me a RABBI story?"
I tried to cheat by telling her the story of Fiddler on the Roof, but when I asked her if the rabbi had sons or daughters, she said, "no daughters, only sons." So, I was stuck. She kept at it throughout the night until she finally, out of exasperation, asked for a polar bear story. Which I made up -- it was exceptionally lame. Oh, for the days when I could impress her with a song!!
The day started with both Drew and I leaning over her crib and singing, "Happy birthday" while she playfully thrashed around, looking a little like the girl from the "Exorcist" movies. She calmed down after Drew sat her down for breakfast, and when she visited me in my closet as I was getting dressed she said, "Your skirt and your shirt go well with your shoes." When I came in wearing an all-white outfit from my newly discovered pre-pregnancy clothing stash, she said, "I like your outfit."
"You look BEAUTIFUL," she sighed as I headed out. Ah, my little admirer!
I picked her up from school and she was wearing a cute paper crown on her head. (Unfortunately she was so excited to see me that she banged her knee, the one that was in the cast, into mine as she ran into me, and I had to hold her in my lap to calm her down.) We dashed to the mall and then to Fred Meyer to pick her up a pair of crocs, which are Pepto Bismol pink and I really don't like, but she loves them and they're a good alternative to sandals. Then home to open presents: THANK YOU Mom and Dad for the gorgeous clothing, which Rachel really liked -- especially the pink polka dot shirt.
"We'll call Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow and thank them for the gift," I said firmly.
"Yes," Rachel echoed. "And this time, I'm going to talk to them."
(That exchange was the result of her being quite rude Sunday when Mom and Dad called to wish Rachel a happy birthday and she refused to talk to them, and so Drew had a firm talk with her that when people call, it's polite to put down whatever you're doing and talk to them. Hopefully she got the message; Richard thinks she did).
Then we opened Tia Daniella's gift -- a cute green bikini -- which Rachel liked, but what really transfixed her was the Curious George coloring card that came with the gift. She proceeded to color for quite a while as I fixed dinner.
Our tenants, Brenna and Craig, kindly bought Rachel a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" coloring book with stickers, which she barely thanked them for before putting the stickers on herself and offering several to me.
Then it was off to bed, with a bit of whining about the missing binkies and wailing when she realized we had forgotten to have watermelon ("I'm thinking we should have watermelon after dinner," she had cheerfully declared, and made a point of finishing all her chicken and a bunch of Gouda cheese in anticipation). I promised her we'd have extra tomorrow night, but she didn't feel mollified until I threatened not to tell her a story if she didn't stop fussing. She got an extra story out of me because I felt kind of bad about the watermelon.
But she got to bed early for her -- around 9:10 p.m. Which is good because I have a bunch of stuff I need to catch up on, including writing her my annual "Happy Birthday" card that tells her about what stage of development she's in and how much I love her. I hope to give her a pile of these cards when she had children of her own.
She stunned me tonight when, on the way home from school, she piped up from the back seat: "Mommy, can you tell me a RABBI story?"
I tried to cheat by telling her the story of Fiddler on the Roof, but when I asked her if the rabbi had sons or daughters, she said, "no daughters, only sons." So, I was stuck. She kept at it throughout the night until she finally, out of exasperation, asked for a polar bear story. Which I made up -- it was exceptionally lame. Oh, for the days when I could impress her with a song!!
The day started with both Drew and I leaning over her crib and singing, "Happy birthday" while she playfully thrashed around, looking a little like the girl from the "Exorcist" movies. She calmed down after Drew sat her down for breakfast, and when she visited me in my closet as I was getting dressed she said, "Your skirt and your shirt go well with your shoes." When I came in wearing an all-white outfit from my newly discovered pre-pregnancy clothing stash, she said, "I like your outfit."
"You look BEAUTIFUL," she sighed as I headed out. Ah, my little admirer!
I picked her up from school and she was wearing a cute paper crown on her head. (Unfortunately she was so excited to see me that she banged her knee, the one that was in the cast, into mine as she ran into me, and I had to hold her in my lap to calm her down.) We dashed to the mall and then to Fred Meyer to pick her up a pair of crocs, which are Pepto Bismol pink and I really don't like, but she loves them and they're a good alternative to sandals. Then home to open presents: THANK YOU Mom and Dad for the gorgeous clothing, which Rachel really liked -- especially the pink polka dot shirt.
"We'll call Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow and thank them for the gift," I said firmly.
"Yes," Rachel echoed. "And this time, I'm going to talk to them."
(That exchange was the result of her being quite rude Sunday when Mom and Dad called to wish Rachel a happy birthday and she refused to talk to them, and so Drew had a firm talk with her that when people call, it's polite to put down whatever you're doing and talk to them. Hopefully she got the message; Richard thinks she did).
Then we opened Tia Daniella's gift -- a cute green bikini -- which Rachel liked, but what really transfixed her was the Curious George coloring card that came with the gift. She proceeded to color for quite a while as I fixed dinner.
Our tenants, Brenna and Craig, kindly bought Rachel a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" coloring book with stickers, which she barely thanked them for before putting the stickers on herself and offering several to me.
Then it was off to bed, with a bit of whining about the missing binkies and wailing when she realized we had forgotten to have watermelon ("I'm thinking we should have watermelon after dinner," she had cheerfully declared, and made a point of finishing all her chicken and a bunch of Gouda cheese in anticipation). I promised her we'd have extra tomorrow night, but she didn't feel mollified until I threatened not to tell her a story if she didn't stop fussing. She got an extra story out of me because I felt kind of bad about the watermelon.
But she got to bed early for her -- around 9:10 p.m. Which is good because I have a bunch of stuff I need to catch up on, including writing her my annual "Happy Birthday" card that tells her about what stage of development she's in and how much I love her. I hope to give her a pile of these cards when she had children of her own.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Bye-bye binkies!
Tonight was a tough one at bedtime. We had been telling Rachel for a long time that when she turns 3, she'll be a big girl and it'll be time to put away her binkies for good, since only babies use binkies.
We had talked about what to do with them, and suggested she might want to give them to Baby Eva, her friend Lila's little sister who just turned five months old. She agreed with the idea wholeheartedly and solemnly presented them to Eva today (along with a twisty straw).
Drew put Rachel to sleep, which is when she realized that -- gulp -- there were no binkies. She asked for the birthday doll that Lila had given her.
"Are the binkies not coming back?" she said sadly.
"No sweetie, we gave them away to Baby Eva," Drew reminded her.
"But we can buy new binkies?" she said hopefully.
"No, sweetie," Drew replied.
She started crying. Not too loudly, and she soon fell asleep. I suggested to Drew that he tell her tomorrow morning how proud he is of her that she made it through the night binkie-less.
We had talked about what to do with them, and suggested she might want to give them to Baby Eva, her friend Lila's little sister who just turned five months old. She agreed with the idea wholeheartedly and solemnly presented them to Eva today (along with a twisty straw).
Drew put Rachel to sleep, which is when she realized that -- gulp -- there were no binkies. She asked for the birthday doll that Lila had given her.
"Are the binkies not coming back?" she said sadly.
"No sweetie, we gave them away to Baby Eva," Drew reminded her.
"But we can buy new binkies?" she said hopefully.
"No, sweetie," Drew replied.
She started crying. Not too loudly, and she soon fell asleep. I suggested to Drew that he tell her tomorrow morning how proud he is of her that she made it through the night binkie-less.
Birthday party!!
Well, it was fabulous. FABULOUS. We were a little worried we wouldn't be able to pull off Rachel's birthday celebration at Laurelhurst Park today because someone (i.e., Lisa) mistakenly tossed the maps and signs that someone (i.e., Drew) had left in the mess on the dining room table where we store things until the Tenants Who Won't Leave do, in fact, leave. We love them. Really, we do. But we want our house back.
Anyway.
So, Drew took Rachel to her twirling and swim classes this morning while I frosted the cupcakes I'd baked last night. (Given a choice between cake and cupcakes, Rachel was very specific: Chocolate cupcakes with yellow frosting). Tip for all you aspiring frosting artists out there: A little yellow dye goes a long, long way.
Then I ran out to get some clothes altered, stopped at the bank and picked up party food at Fred Meyer, which was astonishingly uncrowded on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I got back just in time to collect Richard, who spent the morning relaxing with his Kindle, and then we went to the park.
Between the car and the park I lost the map that showed us where our site was, but a very kind young lady, Christie, who is also a part-time nanny, found it on her Smartphone. We got set up and soon everyone arrived, all of Rachel's little friends -- Lila and Devin from preschool, Baby Eva (Lila's 5-month-old sister), Jake (Amy's son), Linda, Doug, Jack, Andrew, Jean, David, Anne, and Nikole from the Oregonian, her husband Faraji and their baby girl, Nadjya.
And the fun began! We never did a formal candle-lighting; I just passed out the cupcakes and the pretzels and potato chips and fruit juice, and everyone had a ball (especially the grownups after Drew ran out and bought a bottle opener so the adults could polish off the pear cider that has been sitting in our garage for YEARS). Rachel looked adorable in her gold crown, chocolate smeared all over her face, laughing and running around the park with Lila and Devin. After a while Drew and the other parents took the kids to the play structure about a half-mile away while I caught up with Anne, David and Jean and Suzanne, who was trying to get Eva to sleep longer than the "micro-naps" she has been taking.
When the kids returned, we had half-melted chocolate ice cream (somehow the ice it was encased in failed to keep it from melting) and Rachel opened two presents -- a doll and a cool pink princess wand from Lila, and two books from Jake). Then folks started to leave, and while I had a long talk with Amy, Anne and David helped Rachel open the terrific gifts they gave her -- two puzzles, with BIG puzzle pieces, one of which teaches her to spell at the same time she's putting the pieces together -- and some books that she immediately insisted I read to her. Which was good, because I hadn't been able to hold her on my lap all day and cover her little face and neck with birthday kisses!
We ate dinner at the Belmont food carts again, which impressed Anne and David to no end. Richard said he could eat there every week, and I told him that's EXACTLY what Drew said last week, when we went there for the first time. Anne and David spontaneously decided to stay here tonight, so we're all going to have a leisurely breakfast tomorrow and then we'll decide whether we want to go with Doug, Linda, Anne, David and the boys to celebrate Jean's birthday at the Oregon Garden. It's a haul from here, but I think it would be a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Then we'll need to open gifts from Mom and Dad and Richard and everyone else. And we'll show Rachel her gift from Mommy and Daddy -- a play kitchen!
For dinner we'll probably grill steaks and potatoes and say goodbye to Richard, who is leaving very early Monday morning. Sniff! He and Rachel are really bonding; she actually likes having him pick her up, and it's so cute to watch her snuggle against his shoulder and hold his hand when they're walking down the sidewalk. I told him if he doesn't watch out, she will start insisting that he put her to bed! "That's OK," he replied. "I can do PopPop books."
Happy, happy birthday little girl. I know you won't remember this party, but we'll show you pictures of how happy you were.
Anyway.
So, Drew took Rachel to her twirling and swim classes this morning while I frosted the cupcakes I'd baked last night. (Given a choice between cake and cupcakes, Rachel was very specific: Chocolate cupcakes with yellow frosting). Tip for all you aspiring frosting artists out there: A little yellow dye goes a long, long way.
Then I ran out to get some clothes altered, stopped at the bank and picked up party food at Fred Meyer, which was astonishingly uncrowded on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I got back just in time to collect Richard, who spent the morning relaxing with his Kindle, and then we went to the park.
Between the car and the park I lost the map that showed us where our site was, but a very kind young lady, Christie, who is also a part-time nanny, found it on her Smartphone. We got set up and soon everyone arrived, all of Rachel's little friends -- Lila and Devin from preschool, Baby Eva (Lila's 5-month-old sister), Jake (Amy's son), Linda, Doug, Jack, Andrew, Jean, David, Anne, and Nikole from the Oregonian, her husband Faraji and their baby girl, Nadjya.
And the fun began! We never did a formal candle-lighting; I just passed out the cupcakes and the pretzels and potato chips and fruit juice, and everyone had a ball (especially the grownups after Drew ran out and bought a bottle opener so the adults could polish off the pear cider that has been sitting in our garage for YEARS). Rachel looked adorable in her gold crown, chocolate smeared all over her face, laughing and running around the park with Lila and Devin. After a while Drew and the other parents took the kids to the play structure about a half-mile away while I caught up with Anne, David and Jean and Suzanne, who was trying to get Eva to sleep longer than the "micro-naps" she has been taking.
When the kids returned, we had half-melted chocolate ice cream (somehow the ice it was encased in failed to keep it from melting) and Rachel opened two presents -- a doll and a cool pink princess wand from Lila, and two books from Jake). Then folks started to leave, and while I had a long talk with Amy, Anne and David helped Rachel open the terrific gifts they gave her -- two puzzles, with BIG puzzle pieces, one of which teaches her to spell at the same time she's putting the pieces together -- and some books that she immediately insisted I read to her. Which was good, because I hadn't been able to hold her on my lap all day and cover her little face and neck with birthday kisses!
We ate dinner at the Belmont food carts again, which impressed Anne and David to no end. Richard said he could eat there every week, and I told him that's EXACTLY what Drew said last week, when we went there for the first time. Anne and David spontaneously decided to stay here tonight, so we're all going to have a leisurely breakfast tomorrow and then we'll decide whether we want to go with Doug, Linda, Anne, David and the boys to celebrate Jean's birthday at the Oregon Garden. It's a haul from here, but I think it would be a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Then we'll need to open gifts from Mom and Dad and Richard and everyone else. And we'll show Rachel her gift from Mommy and Daddy -- a play kitchen!
For dinner we'll probably grill steaks and potatoes and say goodbye to Richard, who is leaving very early Monday morning. Sniff! He and Rachel are really bonding; she actually likes having him pick her up, and it's so cute to watch her snuggle against his shoulder and hold his hand when they're walking down the sidewalk. I told him if he doesn't watch out, she will start insisting that he put her to bed! "That's OK," he replied. "I can do PopPop books."
Happy, happy birthday little girl. I know you won't remember this party, but we'll show you pictures of how happy you were.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Drew's turn
Drew had this to post tonight, after Richard got here (hi, PopPop!! Rachel gave you a hug and kiss in synagogue tonight only a few hours after you arrived in town. Pretty soon she'll hug and kiss you the moment she sees you!), we went to synagogue and then had a picnic dinner in Wilshire Park near our house:
"For our last story tonight," Drew said, "Rachel asked me to, 'tell me a story about when you were a little boy.' So I told her about how when I was 2, I cracked my head open while bouncing up and down on my parents' bed. I figured this taught her two lessons: a) Don't bounce on your parents' bed; and b) even when something bad happens, usually it gets better and eventually it becomes a story you can tell your children.
Then, as she walked over to her crib, she said, 'I'm going to tell a story about, when I was a big girl, I walked over to my bed and I was afraid a bear or a monster was going to eat me.'"
"For our last story tonight," Drew said, "Rachel asked me to, 'tell me a story about when you were a little boy.' So I told her about how when I was 2, I cracked my head open while bouncing up and down on my parents' bed. I figured this taught her two lessons: a) Don't bounce on your parents' bed; and b) even when something bad happens, usually it gets better and eventually it becomes a story you can tell your children.
Then, as she walked over to her crib, she said, 'I'm going to tell a story about, when I was a big girl, I walked over to my bed and I was afraid a bear or a monster was going to eat me.'"
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Cast is off!
Drew took Rachel to the doctor this morning and all is fine; the cast came off. They still don't know what the problem was, but it's apparently all gone. Drew said Rachel wanted to take a couple of small steps at first, but by the time he got her to school, she was ready to join her class (she's in the "Purple" group as opposed to the "Pink" group) for their weekly trip to the Wednesday farmer's market.
When I picked her up tonight she had two scrapes on her knees, proof that she is definitely better. She said she fell on the ground at school and Joe, one of the teachers, picked her up and held her while she cried.
Aside from some whining and crying (for some reason she didn't want to leave school today), we had a really delightful night. I warmed up some smoked brisket and roasted potatoes for me and made a plate of rotini for Rachel and, by gum, she ate the WHOLE THING. It was basically an adult portion on a kid's plate. I was so impressed. She was so helpful tonight, too -- when the flowers I bought at the Salem farmer's market began leaking water, she immediately said, "I'll clean it up!" and went right to it after I handed her a paper towel. She asked permission to color while I was making dinner, and after dinner she cleared her plate and placemat. Then she said cheerfully, "I clean up my toys," and put all the markers bakc in the box and returned it and the coloring book to...where, I don't know, but the point is she put them away -- and asked very nicely for a lollipop, which I gave her after explaining, "Do you know why you're getting this, Rachel? Because you ate ALL your dinner and because you were so helpful to Mommy tonight."
Cute things she said while taking a walk:
"I love you, Mommy. I missed you while you were at fireworks."
(This was after she politely asked if I liked the fireworks and I said they were OK, but I was lonely because I missed being with her and Daddy. She answered that "I don't like the fireworks because they make a loud noise," and I said, "I know, Rachel, and that's OK. Next year I'll stay with you instead of going to the fireworks.")
We stopped at the playground a block away, and Rachel insisted I watch her while she climbed all over the play structure. (Like I was going to take my eyes off her? I find nothing more entertaining than watching her play!)
"When you were little, Rachel, you were so scared to go on the twisty slide," I remarked.
"Why?" she said.
"Because you were so little, and everything was so big."
"I couldn't talk," she said. "I just went 'WAAA!' I didn't have words."
As we were leaving, Rachel said, "Next time can we come here for a long time?"
"Sure, Rachel," I said.
"I'm thinking when PopPop is here," she said.
Sure thing. PopPop, are you up for it?
When I picked her up tonight she had two scrapes on her knees, proof that she is definitely better. She said she fell on the ground at school and Joe, one of the teachers, picked her up and held her while she cried.
Aside from some whining and crying (for some reason she didn't want to leave school today), we had a really delightful night. I warmed up some smoked brisket and roasted potatoes for me and made a plate of rotini for Rachel and, by gum, she ate the WHOLE THING. It was basically an adult portion on a kid's plate. I was so impressed. She was so helpful tonight, too -- when the flowers I bought at the Salem farmer's market began leaking water, she immediately said, "I'll clean it up!" and went right to it after I handed her a paper towel. She asked permission to color while I was making dinner, and after dinner she cleared her plate and placemat. Then she said cheerfully, "I clean up my toys," and put all the markers bakc in the box and returned it and the coloring book to...where, I don't know, but the point is she put them away -- and asked very nicely for a lollipop, which I gave her after explaining, "Do you know why you're getting this, Rachel? Because you ate ALL your dinner and because you were so helpful to Mommy tonight."
Cute things she said while taking a walk:
"I love you, Mommy. I missed you while you were at fireworks."
(This was after she politely asked if I liked the fireworks and I said they were OK, but I was lonely because I missed being with her and Daddy. She answered that "I don't like the fireworks because they make a loud noise," and I said, "I know, Rachel, and that's OK. Next year I'll stay with you instead of going to the fireworks.")
We stopped at the playground a block away, and Rachel insisted I watch her while she climbed all over the play structure. (Like I was going to take my eyes off her? I find nothing more entertaining than watching her play!)
"When you were little, Rachel, you were so scared to go on the twisty slide," I remarked.
"Why?" she said.
"Because you were so little, and everything was so big."
"I couldn't talk," she said. "I just went 'WAAA!' I didn't have words."
As we were leaving, Rachel said, "Next time can we come here for a long time?"
"Sure, Rachel," I said.
"I'm thinking when PopPop is here," she said.
Sure thing. PopPop, are you up for it?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
She can ADD???
Yesterday morning Drew was giving Rachel some strawberries when he asked her how many there were on her plate.
"Five!" she said. "Four plus one is FIVE!"
Drew was speechless. Then she added: "And five plus five is TEN!"
No, I don't know where she learned that. I need to keep a better eye on what they're teaching her in preschool. Pre-calculus, perhaps, or trigonometry?
"Five!" she said. "Four plus one is FIVE!"
Drew was speechless. Then she added: "And five plus five is TEN!"
No, I don't know where she learned that. I need to keep a better eye on what they're teaching her in preschool. Pre-calculus, perhaps, or trigonometry?
Miss Manners
Rachel is turning into a very polite young lady. A sampling:
--Before every meal, she asks, "can I start?" We always say yes and thank her profusely for asking.
--She says "thank you" a lot. "Thank you for making dinner, Mommy! Thank you for patting me!" Thank you! Thank you!" We always say a cheerful, "you're welcome!"
--She helps a lot. Tonight I came home and she was peeling garlic. All by herself! Drew was preparing a summer dish of basil and cherry tomatoes with spaghetti, olive oil and garlic, and it was so cute to see her standing on her little red plastic chair and peeling the garlic. My little sous chef!
--She calls attention to herself when she's NOT fussing or crying in situations we expect her to. "Look, Daddy, I not fussing or crying!" she says. We always acknowledge that and tell her how proud we are of her.
--If I'm wearing a particularly snazzy outfit, Drew will say in front of Rachel, "Look how pretty Mommy looks!" And Rachel will respond right away: "You look wery pretty, Mommy!" Sometimes she'll even do it on her own. Her compliments are the absolute best ever.
--Before every meal, she asks, "can I start?" We always say yes and thank her profusely for asking.
--She says "thank you" a lot. "Thank you for making dinner, Mommy! Thank you for patting me!" Thank you! Thank you!" We always say a cheerful, "you're welcome!"
--She helps a lot. Tonight I came home and she was peeling garlic. All by herself! Drew was preparing a summer dish of basil and cherry tomatoes with spaghetti, olive oil and garlic, and it was so cute to see her standing on her little red plastic chair and peeling the garlic. My little sous chef!
--She calls attention to herself when she's NOT fussing or crying in situations we expect her to. "Look, Daddy, I not fussing or crying!" she says. We always acknowledge that and tell her how proud we are of her.
--If I'm wearing a particularly snazzy outfit, Drew will say in front of Rachel, "Look how pretty Mommy looks!" And Rachel will respond right away: "You look wery pretty, Mommy!" Sometimes she'll even do it on her own. Her compliments are the absolute best ever.
Happy Fourth of July!
I'm writing this the night Rachel was scheduled to be born, except that as we all know, she took her sweet time leaving Mommy's tummy. In six days she'll be 3!! How did that happen?!?!
Drew wanted some daddy-daughter time yesterday, so he took Rachel to the zoo while I continued the Massive De-cluttering Project From Hell. The high chair is now in the garage; Rachel's toys are in her room or upstairs; the attic is cleared of boxes of clothing (so Richard, you have room to actually move around when you come visit this weekend:)) and I made some headway with the piles of paper on the dining room table that have no home because Craig and Brenna, my tenants, are here until July 14th (but they've graciously agreed to leave this coming weekend, so the house will feel almost like our own again).
Anyway, Drew and Rachel had a great time. They saw giraffes, and a hippopotamus, and Rachel at first didn't like the orangutan but was fascinated when he? she? hung upside down.
I met them at the Waterfront Blues Festival and we had a grand old time. Just before I got there, Drew and Rachel were DANCING because apparently she likes the blues! (I had the radio station tuned to classical music on Saturday and was about to change it because it sounded like dead violin music, but Rachel said, "I like this music!" so I kept it on). And people kept asking why Rachel was in a cast -- it was a great conversation starter, Drew said, because she is so adorable and is even more so with a cast. We all had dinner there, with Rachel eating most of the chicken in my pita sandwich and lots of fries, so we figured she deserved some dessert. She ate vanilla ice cream from a cup and took a couple of licks from my waffle cone of Rocky Road ice cream.
Drew and Rachel left before the fireworks started; Rachel was dubious about the idea of fireworks being VERY LOUD, so I watched them myself. It was OK, except that I felt very lonely in a crowd full of cheerful, drinking people. Next year I will insist we all go together or just stay home.
It took me two hours to get back; that included walking time to the MAX and then walking time home with a nice guy named Stuart and his grown daughter Alison from California who were lost and staying at a B&B in our neighborhood. So I played tour guide and we had a nice talk. I didn't get to bed until 1 a.m., which is why I was exhausted today and am getting ready to head to bed. 'Night, all!
Drew wanted some daddy-daughter time yesterday, so he took Rachel to the zoo while I continued the Massive De-cluttering Project From Hell. The high chair is now in the garage; Rachel's toys are in her room or upstairs; the attic is cleared of boxes of clothing (so Richard, you have room to actually move around when you come visit this weekend:)) and I made some headway with the piles of paper on the dining room table that have no home because Craig and Brenna, my tenants, are here until July 14th (but they've graciously agreed to leave this coming weekend, so the house will feel almost like our own again).
Anyway, Drew and Rachel had a great time. They saw giraffes, and a hippopotamus, and Rachel at first didn't like the orangutan but was fascinated when he? she? hung upside down.
I met them at the Waterfront Blues Festival and we had a grand old time. Just before I got there, Drew and Rachel were DANCING because apparently she likes the blues! (I had the radio station tuned to classical music on Saturday and was about to change it because it sounded like dead violin music, but Rachel said, "I like this music!" so I kept it on). And people kept asking why Rachel was in a cast -- it was a great conversation starter, Drew said, because she is so adorable and is even more so with a cast. We all had dinner there, with Rachel eating most of the chicken in my pita sandwich and lots of fries, so we figured she deserved some dessert. She ate vanilla ice cream from a cup and took a couple of licks from my waffle cone of Rocky Road ice cream.
Drew and Rachel left before the fireworks started; Rachel was dubious about the idea of fireworks being VERY LOUD, so I watched them myself. It was OK, except that I felt very lonely in a crowd full of cheerful, drinking people. Next year I will insist we all go together or just stay home.
It took me two hours to get back; that included walking time to the MAX and then walking time home with a nice guy named Stuart and his grown daughter Alison from California who were lost and staying at a B&B in our neighborhood. So I played tour guide and we had a nice talk. I didn't get to bed until 1 a.m., which is why I was exhausted today and am getting ready to head to bed. 'Night, all!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Re-cap of today
Here's how the morning began. Rachel at breakfast:
"I love ALL my family!"
"We love you TOO!" we said enthusiastically. How can you not want to hug and kiss her forever when she says that?
Later, when she kept asking question after question after question (yes, it's the stage she's in), I demanded, "Why do you ask 'why?' so much?"
"Because I'm a girl and girls say, 'why?"" she answered.
"What do boys say," I teased.
"Boys say, 'why not?'" she answered.
Oh, that explains so much more than she thinks it does....
Later on she announced that she didn't want to go with Daddy to the grocery store. He used the opportunity to buy her a play kitchen, which will be our big birthday gift to her. Before he left we both explained to her very carefully that if she wanted to stay home, she needed to play alone because Mommy had things to do in the house (like move all my winter clothes to storage and my summer clothes, including the "new" ones I hadn't worn since before Rachel was born) downstairs. I knew it would take most of the day and I was anxious to get it done.
Rachel whined a little bit after Drew left but then got down to business, coloring busily while I re-orgazined (including putting my maternity clothes in boxes for storage) and then asking if she could watch a movie (really, some Sesame Street episodes from the 1970s that Daniella had sent us -- thanks, Tia Daniella!. Normally I would have taken her outside but I needed to finish what I was doing and said, OK.
That lasted until Drew got back from grocery shopping. I headed to a bead store where they fixed some of my earrings. Before I left, Rachel said very politely, "thank you for keeping me company, Mommy," and my heart just melted because, really, I hadn't been a very good mommy -- but I knew if I didn't re-organize my clothes this afternoon it would never get done. And the clutter was driving me crazy.
When I got back Drew hung some necklace racks for me on the back of my closet door, and so now all my necklaces are nicely ordered and I can close my jewelry box. Yay! I made lamb chops and pilaf for dinner using a new recipe that we all loved; Rachel even ate some of the lamb -- and then before Drew put her to bed she said, "thank you for making lamb for dinner, Mommy." I can't get over how good I feel when my daughter shows gratitude without being prompted.
So now I hear occasional fireworks while I finish up the last of my ironing and sorting of clothes and jewelry. We're still unsure what we're going to do tomorrow, but we told Rachel we'd like to take her to see fireworks (but they're loud and make loud bangs, we said) and she seemed game. Hoping to meet up with Doug and Linda and the kids if possible, and continue to de-clutter the house in anticipation of Rachel's birthday celebration next weekend.
"I love ALL my family!"
"We love you TOO!" we said enthusiastically. How can you not want to hug and kiss her forever when she says that?
Later, when she kept asking question after question after question (yes, it's the stage she's in), I demanded, "Why do you ask 'why?' so much?"
"Because I'm a girl and girls say, 'why?"" she answered.
"What do boys say," I teased.
"Boys say, 'why not?'" she answered.
Oh, that explains so much more than she thinks it does....
Later on she announced that she didn't want to go with Daddy to the grocery store. He used the opportunity to buy her a play kitchen, which will be our big birthday gift to her. Before he left we both explained to her very carefully that if she wanted to stay home, she needed to play alone because Mommy had things to do in the house (like move all my winter clothes to storage and my summer clothes, including the "new" ones I hadn't worn since before Rachel was born) downstairs. I knew it would take most of the day and I was anxious to get it done.
Rachel whined a little bit after Drew left but then got down to business, coloring busily while I re-orgazined (including putting my maternity clothes in boxes for storage) and then asking if she could watch a movie (really, some Sesame Street episodes from the 1970s that Daniella had sent us -- thanks, Tia Daniella!. Normally I would have taken her outside but I needed to finish what I was doing and said, OK.
That lasted until Drew got back from grocery shopping. I headed to a bead store where they fixed some of my earrings. Before I left, Rachel said very politely, "thank you for keeping me company, Mommy," and my heart just melted because, really, I hadn't been a very good mommy -- but I knew if I didn't re-organize my clothes this afternoon it would never get done. And the clutter was driving me crazy.
When I got back Drew hung some necklace racks for me on the back of my closet door, and so now all my necklaces are nicely ordered and I can close my jewelry box. Yay! I made lamb chops and pilaf for dinner using a new recipe that we all loved; Rachel even ate some of the lamb -- and then before Drew put her to bed she said, "thank you for making lamb for dinner, Mommy." I can't get over how good I feel when my daughter shows gratitude without being prompted.
So now I hear occasional fireworks while I finish up the last of my ironing and sorting of clothes and jewelry. We're still unsure what we're going to do tomorrow, but we told Rachel we'd like to take her to see fireworks (but they're loud and make loud bangs, we said) and she seemed game. Hoping to meet up with Doug and Linda and the kids if possible, and continue to de-clutter the house in anticipation of Rachel's birthday celebration next weekend.
Great weekend so far
Let's backtrack and start with Saturday, which felt like the most perfect day in the universe.
At breakfast Rachel said abruptly, "When I'm not nice sometimes, I get myself in trouble. Sometimes grownups do, too."
Uh, yes, honey...
"Sometimes I get myself in trouble if I don't put things away," she continued. "Then I get myself in trouble."
As I was getting her dressed, she said, "I wanna see Sarah and Noah naken, and see what they say." I firmly told her that, no, we would NOT greet my friend Sarah and her 4-year-old son Noah by not wearing clothes.
Rachel and I met them at the Eastbank Esplanade. It was so cute watching Noah point out all the different kinds of boats to Rachel. She really likes him, I can tell. We had a really lovely walk along the Esplanade, which is an elevated walkway along the East side of the river that connects the East side to Waterfront Park. Say what you will about our former mayor, Vera Katz, but the Esplanade may possibly be the best thing she's ever done for Portland.
The visit ended when we were halfway down the East side, when Sarah said she'd better get Noah home or he would complain eventually about the walk and make her carry him (which she ended up doing, anyway). Rachel tried to hug and kiss him goodbye and it's clear he is so averse to getting hugs and kisses -- he made a big face!
So, Rachel and I continued our walk (she was in a stroller because of her cast) and dropped in to Saturday Market. The market is a wonderful showcase of local artisans -- really good ones; I could have dropped hundreds of dollars on trinkets for the house and really lovely jewelry for myself -- and she was so patient while I browsed. It helped that she nodded off for part of it. I got two lovely rings for $10 each and some clip earrings that I can't wait to wear.
Then we crossed to the other side of the market and I saw some folks carrying cups of fruit. I found out where they'd gotten it and shared a healthy snack with Rachel -- papaya, watermelon, canteloupe, jicama (which neither of us liked); then we watched a break-dancing exhibition; she played with some water balloons in the fountain and then said SHE wanted a balloon "from the ballon man. He's next to the MAX train."
I didn't believe her, but I turned around and -- there he was! Next to the MAX! "HOW did you know he was there??" I demanded.
"I don't know," she said, with that Cheshire cat smile of hers.
Rachel then insisted she wanted to get wet, since a bunch of kids were playing in various fountains along the route, so I promise her we'd go in the big fountain next to the Hawthorne bridge. I told her I'd take her in my arms and we'd have to run very very very fast. She seemed agreeable until we actually did it -- the force and coldness of the water scared her; I think she thought I'd have a towel to dry her off. (No, Rachel, we'll have to use Mommy's shirt). We went home, met Drew who'd come back from the farmer's market with cherries and from Costco, and while he monitored her napping I went outside and weeded forever (I filled four buckets with useless, dead flowers. But I also picked a lovely bouquet of roses from our garden). We want to make the house pretty for y'all who are coming for Rachel's birthday!
Then we decided to give food-cart dining a try, and had the most fabulous dinner at a bunch of them on Belmont Avenue in Southeast Portland. WOW. I had German meatballs, a pretzel and a latke thrown in by the vendor, who as it happens is Jewish and her grandmother was a Holocaust survivor from Austria, and the vendor has a daughter turning 3 in August and lives in Laurelhurst, the neighborhood near us, and wants to get together for a playdate....and Rachel had pizza and Drew had a falafel sandwich and we all had homemade Fudgesicles from an incredibly friendly vendor, and then we went home and watched the latest Star Trek movie, the one starring Chris Pine, while I ironed and ironed a whole bunch of skirts and pants that I now fit into -- clothes from my pre-pregnancy days that Drew insisted I not throw away -- and then we went to sleep way too late.
But it was a great day.
At breakfast Rachel said abruptly, "When I'm not nice sometimes, I get myself in trouble. Sometimes grownups do, too."
Uh, yes, honey...
"Sometimes I get myself in trouble if I don't put things away," she continued. "Then I get myself in trouble."
As I was getting her dressed, she said, "I wanna see Sarah and Noah naken, and see what they say." I firmly told her that, no, we would NOT greet my friend Sarah and her 4-year-old son Noah by not wearing clothes.
Rachel and I met them at the Eastbank Esplanade. It was so cute watching Noah point out all the different kinds of boats to Rachel. She really likes him, I can tell. We had a really lovely walk along the Esplanade, which is an elevated walkway along the East side of the river that connects the East side to Waterfront Park. Say what you will about our former mayor, Vera Katz, but the Esplanade may possibly be the best thing she's ever done for Portland.
The visit ended when we were halfway down the East side, when Sarah said she'd better get Noah home or he would complain eventually about the walk and make her carry him (which she ended up doing, anyway). Rachel tried to hug and kiss him goodbye and it's clear he is so averse to getting hugs and kisses -- he made a big face!
So, Rachel and I continued our walk (she was in a stroller because of her cast) and dropped in to Saturday Market. The market is a wonderful showcase of local artisans -- really good ones; I could have dropped hundreds of dollars on trinkets for the house and really lovely jewelry for myself -- and she was so patient while I browsed. It helped that she nodded off for part of it. I got two lovely rings for $10 each and some clip earrings that I can't wait to wear.
Then we crossed to the other side of the market and I saw some folks carrying cups of fruit. I found out where they'd gotten it and shared a healthy snack with Rachel -- papaya, watermelon, canteloupe, jicama (which neither of us liked); then we watched a break-dancing exhibition; she played with some water balloons in the fountain and then said SHE wanted a balloon "from the ballon man. He's next to the MAX train."
I didn't believe her, but I turned around and -- there he was! Next to the MAX! "HOW did you know he was there??" I demanded.
"I don't know," she said, with that Cheshire cat smile of hers.
Rachel then insisted she wanted to get wet, since a bunch of kids were playing in various fountains along the route, so I promise her we'd go in the big fountain next to the Hawthorne bridge. I told her I'd take her in my arms and we'd have to run very very very fast. She seemed agreeable until we actually did it -- the force and coldness of the water scared her; I think she thought I'd have a towel to dry her off. (No, Rachel, we'll have to use Mommy's shirt). We went home, met Drew who'd come back from the farmer's market with cherries and from Costco, and while he monitored her napping I went outside and weeded forever (I filled four buckets with useless, dead flowers. But I also picked a lovely bouquet of roses from our garden). We want to make the house pretty for y'all who are coming for Rachel's birthday!
Then we decided to give food-cart dining a try, and had the most fabulous dinner at a bunch of them on Belmont Avenue in Southeast Portland. WOW. I had German meatballs, a pretzel and a latke thrown in by the vendor, who as it happens is Jewish and her grandmother was a Holocaust survivor from Austria, and the vendor has a daughter turning 3 in August and lives in Laurelhurst, the neighborhood near us, and wants to get together for a playdate....and Rachel had pizza and Drew had a falafel sandwich and we all had homemade Fudgesicles from an incredibly friendly vendor, and then we went home and watched the latest Star Trek movie, the one starring Chris Pine, while I ironed and ironed a whole bunch of skirts and pants that I now fit into -- clothes from my pre-pregnancy days that Drew insisted I not throw away -- and then we went to sleep way too late.
But it was a great day.
I was supposed to post this on Thursday
Update: Rachel will be in a cast until next Thursday. The docs said they'd prefer her to stay in it for at least a week, and we can't get it removed on Sunday since the fractal clinic is closed and Monday is a holiday. The earliest appointment we could get is Wednesday. So...Wednesday it is.
Meanwhile, Rachel has taught herself to hold on to railings and walls and hop on her "good" foot to compensate.
Otherwise, she is completely cheerful. We went for a walk the other night and it was like going for a stroll with a real estate agent. Rachel has somehow picked up on my delight in and appreciation of pretty houses. So now she says, "Do you like THIS house, Mommy? Do you like THIS house? I like THAT house. I like that house, too." We passed one near our own house and she exclaimed, "Pretty porch! Pretty leaves!" (there was a big bush with virbrant green leaves).
Oh, yes, she has also gotten very huggy and kissy with me. I'll be talking to Drew and holding her in my arms, and all of a sudden she'll press her lips against mine and give me a BIG KISS. Then she'll start giving me kisses all over my face (which, in Rachel terms, means she smooshes her lips all over me without really kissing, but the thought is there).
The other night (the same night we went for a walk), we were about to get out of the car after I picked her up from school (Drew was in Seattle) and she said, "I don't love you. I love Daddy."
I was very hurt.
"That's not very nice," I said calmly. "You hurt my feelings. How would you like it if I said that? How would you feel if I went away?"
"I would not miss you," she replied.
I was very quiet while preparing dinner. So quiet that she wriggled off her chair and onto the floor, then wrapped her little arms around my legs.
"I love you, Mommy," she said.
"I thought you loved Daddy and not Mommy," I replied evenly.
"I lke Daddy AND Mommy," she said cheerfully. And about every hour for the rest of the night she'd say variations of, "I love you, Mommy! I love you very much."
Meanwhile, Rachel has taught herself to hold on to railings and walls and hop on her "good" foot to compensate.
Otherwise, she is completely cheerful. We went for a walk the other night and it was like going for a stroll with a real estate agent. Rachel has somehow picked up on my delight in and appreciation of pretty houses. So now she says, "Do you like THIS house, Mommy? Do you like THIS house? I like THAT house. I like that house, too." We passed one near our own house and she exclaimed, "Pretty porch! Pretty leaves!" (there was a big bush with virbrant green leaves).
Oh, yes, she has also gotten very huggy and kissy with me. I'll be talking to Drew and holding her in my arms, and all of a sudden she'll press her lips against mine and give me a BIG KISS. Then she'll start giving me kisses all over my face (which, in Rachel terms, means she smooshes her lips all over me without really kissing, but the thought is there).
The other night (the same night we went for a walk), we were about to get out of the car after I picked her up from school (Drew was in Seattle) and she said, "I don't love you. I love Daddy."
I was very hurt.
"That's not very nice," I said calmly. "You hurt my feelings. How would you like it if I said that? How would you feel if I went away?"
"I would not miss you," she replied.
I was very quiet while preparing dinner. So quiet that she wriggled off her chair and onto the floor, then wrapped her little arms around my legs.
"I love you, Mommy," she said.
"I thought you loved Daddy and not Mommy," I replied evenly.
"I lke Daddy AND Mommy," she said cheerfully. And about every hour for the rest of the night she'd say variations of, "I love you, Mommy! I love you very much."
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