That's what Drew wants me to call this blog entry because...drumroll please...Rachel began feeding herself tonight! (well, sort of). For the past two nights she has grabbed our hands as we held spoonfuls of her baby food, and guided the spoon toward her mouth. So, tonight we decided to dump a bunch of applesauce into a little plastic bowl Drew bought months ago in the shape of a turtle. We handed her a spoon to see what would happen.
Well! She dipped the spoon in and took a little applesauce and PUT IT IN HER MOUTH! (yes, all my mom friends, you are probably hysterical with laughter because your kids are doing pre-calculus already, but we think this is pretty cool. Even though, because we're approaching our mid-40s, we're supposed to be blase and bored with life). She then proceeded to try to turn the bowl upside down. Drew stopped her, but after that it was a losing battle. It's as if she wanted to do this new thing a couple of times, then stop because, well, she proved she could do it once, right? So why bother to keep doing it? Mommy and Daddy might start taking her brilliance for granted...
She then started whining for the cordless phone. When I gave it to her, she stared at it intently while pressing the buttons. I swear it looked as if she was texting all her baby friends. ("Hey guys! Now I get the spoon thing! Now if I can only figure out how to open these stupid cabinets -- anyone know how to break the baby locks?")
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Feeling a little blah
..after yesterday's announcement at work that we'll have to take more furlough days next year, I'll have to contribute more to my health care premium, our job guarantees have been eliminated...
Rachel was very playful last night, according to Drew. She found that she could crawl into a tub we have that is filled with plastic balls. She loved that.
I'm looking forward to seeing her tonight, swooping her up in my arms and playing with her in the living room while Drew heats up lasagne for dinner. Simple things. I hope we'll be able to keep everything we have -- house, health, jobs, each other -- for as long as we can.
Rachel was very playful last night, according to Drew. She found that she could crawl into a tub we have that is filled with plastic balls. She loved that.
I'm looking forward to seeing her tonight, swooping her up in my arms and playing with her in the living room while Drew heats up lasagne for dinner. Simple things. I hope we'll be able to keep everything we have -- house, health, jobs, each other -- for as long as we can.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sad moment
I was at the library today checking out big new picture books for Rachel because I am getting really tired of reading the same ones over and over. The exception is "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," which besides teaching about the alphabet has a really cool jazz rhythm. I was reading it to her tonight after we got home from the pool, bouncing her on my lap, and she kept looking at me and smiling!
Anyway, in the winter Drew would take Rachel to "book babies," a free program at all Multnomah County libraries where you can take take your baby in for storytime. We stopped as summer approached and we didn't want to be cooped up inside, and the times interfered with Rachel's nap schedule...
So now, she is too old for "book babies." She would be in the next reading group, which is for toddlers (i.e., kids ages 1 and up). I had a momentary stab of regret. This must mean she's growing up. When she starts walking, we won't be able to call her a baby anymore.
Anyway, in the winter Drew would take Rachel to "book babies," a free program at all Multnomah County libraries where you can take take your baby in for storytime. We stopped as summer approached and we didn't want to be cooped up inside, and the times interfered with Rachel's nap schedule...
So now, she is too old for "book babies." She would be in the next reading group, which is for toddlers (i.e., kids ages 1 and up). I had a momentary stab of regret. This must mean she's growing up. When she starts walking, we won't be able to call her a baby anymore.
Rachel's nicknames
are "Small fry" and "Half Pint." These courtesy of Drew, who was forced against his will to watch "Little House on the Prairie" with his mom and sister when he was growing up. That was probably why he turned to punk rock and snarky TV. I just read today that Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura in the original TV series, is starring as "Ma" in a musical of the same name at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
He came up the with the nickname "Wumpus Gallumpus" as well. Last week my non-Jewish husband put a Yiddish twist on it (maybe he got the inspiration from listening to "The Yiddish Hour" on KBOO Radio Sunday mornings at 10). He now calls her "Wumpusha Gallumpusha."
At daycare today when I asked how Rachel's day was, Shannon (mom of Jahmari) said Rachel was happy as usual. "It was Monday, the usual chaos after the weekend," she said. "When the other kids were having their meltdowns, Rachel was just happily playing with the toys by herself." It seems she's pretty self-reliant except when the other kids get in her space (oh, aren't we all like that...). She's different from the other kids, who are always tugging on the daycare ladies' legs to be lifted up. When Rachel wants something, like a nap or a bottle, she makes a little whimpering noise like "uh" and then they know to attend to her. And because she's so happy by nature, they can tell right away when she's sick or feeling "off" for some reason.
He came up the with the nickname "Wumpus Gallumpus" as well. Last week my non-Jewish husband put a Yiddish twist on it (maybe he got the inspiration from listening to "The Yiddish Hour" on KBOO Radio Sunday mornings at 10). He now calls her "Wumpusha Gallumpusha."
At daycare today when I asked how Rachel's day was, Shannon (mom of Jahmari) said Rachel was happy as usual. "It was Monday, the usual chaos after the weekend," she said. "When the other kids were having their meltdowns, Rachel was just happily playing with the toys by herself." It seems she's pretty self-reliant except when the other kids get in her space (oh, aren't we all like that...). She's different from the other kids, who are always tugging on the daycare ladies' legs to be lifted up. When Rachel wants something, like a nap or a bottle, she makes a little whimpering noise like "uh" and then they know to attend to her. And because she's so happy by nature, they can tell right away when she's sick or feeling "off" for some reason.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Two more things Rachel likes
--nectarines. I gave her a bite of a juicy fresh nectarine in the park today and as soon as she tasted it, she wanted more! I had brought it as an afternoon snack for myself, but ended up giving half of it to Rachel! A sign of things to come...
--the baby backpack we bought today. It's called a Sherpani and looks way modern and high-tech, with about a million straps to keep her positioned and a seat we can lower as she gets bigger. Drew tried it on at REI, which was very crowded, and adjusted it to his specifics because he's the one who will be wearing it. While he did so, he had Rachel in it. We thought that was a sensible idea, to buy one after she had tried it out, but it was hard going. Oh, how she screamed and cried! You'd think we were trying to torture her. When I got nervous at her shrieking, Drew said evenly, "Imagine how that screaming sounds right in my ear." He was right. As soon as we had her positioned correctly and she could see clear over Drew's head, she started getting interested in things around her. When we were in line to check out, she actually started flirting with the guy ahead of us in line, who told us he loved the Sherpani and used it until his kids were about 18 months or so. After he said that, she gave him a cute little smile then reached out to touch his arm. It was so sweet!
This morning we were cleaning up breakfast and Rachel was in the living room, chattering away to herself as she played with her toys. (No discernible words yet, but she was quite the little chatterbox today!) It felt odd to be in the kitchen alone with Drew, without Rachel underfoot or trying to crawl toward us.
"I don't know if you've noticed how independent she's become," Drew said. "First, we walked away and she shrieked. Then we walked away and she crawled after us. Now, SHE crawls away from US to go play on her own!"
What great insight.
--the baby backpack we bought today. It's called a Sherpani and looks way modern and high-tech, with about a million straps to keep her positioned and a seat we can lower as she gets bigger. Drew tried it on at REI, which was very crowded, and adjusted it to his specifics because he's the one who will be wearing it. While he did so, he had Rachel in it. We thought that was a sensible idea, to buy one after she had tried it out, but it was hard going. Oh, how she screamed and cried! You'd think we were trying to torture her. When I got nervous at her shrieking, Drew said evenly, "Imagine how that screaming sounds right in my ear." He was right. As soon as we had her positioned correctly and she could see clear over Drew's head, she started getting interested in things around her. When we were in line to check out, she actually started flirting with the guy ahead of us in line, who told us he loved the Sherpani and used it until his kids were about 18 months or so. After he said that, she gave him a cute little smile then reached out to touch his arm. It was so sweet!
This morning we were cleaning up breakfast and Rachel was in the living room, chattering away to herself as she played with her toys. (No discernible words yet, but she was quite the little chatterbox today!) It felt odd to be in the kitchen alone with Drew, without Rachel underfoot or trying to crawl toward us.
"I don't know if you've noticed how independent she's become," Drew said. "First, we walked away and she shrieked. Then we walked away and she crawled after us. Now, SHE crawls away from US to go play on her own!"
What great insight.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Summer Shabbat
Rachel was snoozing last night when Drew came to pick her up at day care, and the ladies were kind enough to let him stay until she woke up. They told him to just close the door behind him when he left.
She still hadn't awakened when I arrived at 6:15. So Drew and I sat down in two rocking chairs and had just started a conversation when she began to stir. She looked discombobulated when she opened her eyes and saw only mommy and daddy, and kicked up a huge fuss when we tried to put her in the car seat. She also has a disconcerting habit of arching her back unexpectedly, scaring me that she will fall out of my arms that way and onto the floor.
But we got her home and fed her. Then I played with her while Drew grilled sirloin and made his fabulous mashed potatoes. We tried to coax her into trying them, but no go. However, she seemed to enjoy the challah, which Drew wants to include every Friday night. She liked the crusty part best.
I love saying the blessing over the candles, with one hand on Rachel's head. I need to dig up the special child's blessing for Shabbat. Or at least the one that mentions Rachel, Rivka, Sarah and Rebecca....
I got her down for the night while Drew cleaned up. I try to be the one to bathe her and rock her to sleep on Fridays, since that's my chance to sing her Shabbat songs. I hope she absorbs them and realizes what a beautiful tradition she has been born into!
She still hadn't awakened when I arrived at 6:15. So Drew and I sat down in two rocking chairs and had just started a conversation when she began to stir. She looked discombobulated when she opened her eyes and saw only mommy and daddy, and kicked up a huge fuss when we tried to put her in the car seat. She also has a disconcerting habit of arching her back unexpectedly, scaring me that she will fall out of my arms that way and onto the floor.
But we got her home and fed her. Then I played with her while Drew grilled sirloin and made his fabulous mashed potatoes. We tried to coax her into trying them, but no go. However, she seemed to enjoy the challah, which Drew wants to include every Friday night. She liked the crusty part best.
I love saying the blessing over the candles, with one hand on Rachel's head. I need to dig up the special child's blessing for Shabbat. Or at least the one that mentions Rachel, Rivka, Sarah and Rebecca....
I got her down for the night while Drew cleaned up. I try to be the one to bathe her and rock her to sleep on Fridays, since that's my chance to sing her Shabbat songs. I hope she absorbs them and realizes what a beautiful tradition she has been born into!
Looooong Saturday
I usually work a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift on Saturdays, but when my replacement failed to arrive by 3:15 I asked my editor what was up. Turns out the usual 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. reporter was on vacation and her substitute didn't realize he had to work for her.
So the upshot was that I volunteered to work a double shift. I'm here for 2 more hours, until 11:15. I am doing this because I have been promised overtime and, frankly, we could really use the money.
I expect to spend lots of time tomorrow with The Little Girl. Drew had hoped to replace his car's bald tires today, but that will have to wait until very early Monday morning when he's on his way to Seattle.
I think we'll buy a kid's backpack at REI so we can take Rachel on hikes and she'll be up high, away from the crowds. Then I think a visit to the pool is definitely in order! I want to keep going as long as the temperatures stay in the 80s and 90s in the hope that the more Rachel is around water, the more she'll love it.
So the upshot was that I volunteered to work a double shift. I'm here for 2 more hours, until 11:15. I am doing this because I have been promised overtime and, frankly, we could really use the money.
I expect to spend lots of time tomorrow with The Little Girl. Drew had hoped to replace his car's bald tires today, but that will have to wait until very early Monday morning when he's on his way to Seattle.
I think we'll buy a kid's backpack at REI so we can take Rachel on hikes and she'll be up high, away from the crowds. Then I think a visit to the pool is definitely in order! I want to keep going as long as the temperatures stay in the 80s and 90s in the hope that the more Rachel is around water, the more she'll love it.
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