When we got home from work/school tonight, Rachel decided she didn't want Drew to take her out of the car. Nor did she want Mommy to do it. She just wanted to sit for a while.
Drew eventually unbuckled her out of the car seat and then we rushed around getting dinner on the table and putting things away. Then suddenly he said, "Lisa. Come here. This is Rachel in about 13 years."
She had worked her way into the driver's seat and was sitting with her hands on the steering wheel! After Drew questioned her a bit, he came back inside, shook his head and said, "she's ready for her Learner's Permit. RIGHT. NOW."
As someone who can't believe Rachel will ever use the toilet, write her name or make a meal for herself without intense supervision, I find the idea of her driving herself anywhere quite laughable. But I'm told it happens faster than you think.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
More catchup
The week got away from me. Here's what's new in Rachel-land:
Yesterday we went to a birthday at a fantastic kids' play place called Pump It Up. Basically it's a giant warehouse space with a bunch of separate play areas filled with inflatables! Bouncing houses, steep slides...it's a treasure trove for kids (and I had a lot of fun on the slide myself because it was REALLY steep and fast!). Drew took Rachel up the steep slide first and she went down with him, oh, maybe twice before she wanted to do it HERSELF. I took a couple of pictures of the look on her face as she came speeding down. Rachel was the youngest child at the party (it was in honor of a 4-year-old boy) and the boy's grandfather remarked several times how impressed he was that Rachel was able to go down by herself with no fear. "Little daredevil!" he called her, and I was secretly pleased.
The 90-minute party flew by and ended with cake, juice and party favor bags. When we got back into the car Rachel said, "I wanna go to ANOTHER birthday party!" and we had to explain to her several times that this was a special occasion and she may be invited to many birthday parties in the future, just not today. She did not like that AT ALL.
Then Drew and I went to dinner and a movie. Rachel barely looked up when we left; she was so absorbed playing with Angela, our favorite (and so far, only) babysitter. Hard to believe she's growing up enough not to be freaked out when we leave!
Tonight we made dinner for our friends Melissa and Steve and their two kids, Natalie (9) and Jeremy (11). Rachel shocked me when Steve asked when her birthday is and she answered matter-of-factly, "July." How does she KNOW that? I remarked.
"There's a lot more going on inside there than you think," Drew reminded me, and of course he is right.
Rachel also surprised us by eating roasted potatoes. Less shocking was her delight in the dessert I made -- chocolate almond raspberry tart. It's definitely a keeper -- very easy to make and fantastically delicious -- and of course she wanted some. This morning while I was making it, she expressed interest in wanting to help. So I instructed her how to crush the chocolate wafers that made up the crust, and she helped me press it into the pan, and I snuck some crumbs to her and nibbled some myself...and the whole time I was flashing back to when I was a little girl and all I wanted to do was help Mom in the kitchen and become the same excellent cook and hostess that she was.
If tonight is any gauge, then I have succeeded. Thanks Mom!
Yesterday we went to a birthday at a fantastic kids' play place called Pump It Up. Basically it's a giant warehouse space with a bunch of separate play areas filled with inflatables! Bouncing houses, steep slides...it's a treasure trove for kids (and I had a lot of fun on the slide myself because it was REALLY steep and fast!). Drew took Rachel up the steep slide first and she went down with him, oh, maybe twice before she wanted to do it HERSELF. I took a couple of pictures of the look on her face as she came speeding down. Rachel was the youngest child at the party (it was in honor of a 4-year-old boy) and the boy's grandfather remarked several times how impressed he was that Rachel was able to go down by herself with no fear. "Little daredevil!" he called her, and I was secretly pleased.
The 90-minute party flew by and ended with cake, juice and party favor bags. When we got back into the car Rachel said, "I wanna go to ANOTHER birthday party!" and we had to explain to her several times that this was a special occasion and she may be invited to many birthday parties in the future, just not today. She did not like that AT ALL.
Then Drew and I went to dinner and a movie. Rachel barely looked up when we left; she was so absorbed playing with Angela, our favorite (and so far, only) babysitter. Hard to believe she's growing up enough not to be freaked out when we leave!
Tonight we made dinner for our friends Melissa and Steve and their two kids, Natalie (9) and Jeremy (11). Rachel shocked me when Steve asked when her birthday is and she answered matter-of-factly, "July." How does she KNOW that? I remarked.
"There's a lot more going on inside there than you think," Drew reminded me, and of course he is right.
Rachel also surprised us by eating roasted potatoes. Less shocking was her delight in the dessert I made -- chocolate almond raspberry tart. It's definitely a keeper -- very easy to make and fantastically delicious -- and of course she wanted some. This morning while I was making it, she expressed interest in wanting to help. So I instructed her how to crush the chocolate wafers that made up the crust, and she helped me press it into the pan, and I snuck some crumbs to her and nibbled some myself...and the whole time I was flashing back to when I was a little girl and all I wanted to do was help Mom in the kitchen and become the same excellent cook and hostess that she was.
If tonight is any gauge, then I have succeeded. Thanks Mom!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Look at me go!"
That's what Rachel said tonight as she tucked into a big plate of spaghetti. She managed to wrap a chunk of it around her big-person fork but couldn't get it to stay. I did manage to shoot some video and take a photo of her, she looked so cute!
Drew said she washed his hands and brushed his teeth tonight. I was busy interviewing a prospective tenant. Keep your fingers crossed, folks, I really like this guy.
In the car this morning she said, "I draw you a butterfly, Mom!" Then seconds later she said, "I can't. I have to get bigger."
She also said, "When I was a little baby, I drive. Forever and ever and ever."
Look at me, indeed!
Drew said she washed his hands and brushed his teeth tonight. I was busy interviewing a prospective tenant. Keep your fingers crossed, folks, I really like this guy.
In the car this morning she said, "I draw you a butterfly, Mom!" Then seconds later she said, "I can't. I have to get bigger."
She also said, "When I was a little baby, I drive. Forever and ever and ever."
Look at me, indeed!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
"I have a Mommy AND a Daddy!"
That's what Rachel has taken to saying lately, poor thing. Drew thinks it's to reassure herself that she has not only Mommy, but DADDY to love and take care of her. This was a bit on display when Suzanne, Steve and Lila visited on Sunday. Of course it was hilarious watching the girls together -- they ran through the house, slamming doors (unintentionally, I'm sure) and screaming with laughter and fake panic when they discovered the rooms they were in were DARK. Then they decided it would be tremendous fun to climb all over Drew, and then he and Steve gave the girls piggyback rides, and then the daddies switched kids...I'll try to get a picture up sometime soon.
During dinner Lila said, "MY daddy's in the dining room!"
To which Rachel replied, "MY daddy's in the kitchen!"
Then Lila answered, "MY daddy's in the kitchen!"
And Rachel said, "MY daddy's in the dining room!"
It was very funny to listen to them echoing each other. They really have a lot of fun together, and although Suzanne is expecting a second girl at the beginning of February, I secured another playdate with her and Lila the last weekend of January -- unless the baby decides to come early, of course.
***
Yesterday I worked a half-day in the morning while Drew took Rachel to school. He had just pulled off the highway when she decided to throw up all over her jacket, her pants, her car seat...and I told Drew that this has never happened to me, so I can't really complain anymore that I do ALL the driving of Rachel EVERY DAY, because at least I haven't had to deal with throwup. Yet.
Slightly disturbing to me was the fact that she kept sobbing and sobbing with fear that Drew would be mad at her for throwing up. Quite the contrary -- he kept reassuring and reassuring her that it's OK to throw up, that even mommies and daddies throw up, that he wasn't mad, etc. It took her a while to calm down.
She has complained for the last few days that "my tummy hurts!" so I guess we should have listened to her, but there's not much we can do. We can't give her Tums or Pepto-Bismol, so I hope whatever it is that's ailing her speeds away soon.
The ride home was better, Drew said -- she played with Play-Doh in the back seat and even made up a SONG about Play-Doh: "Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh" which sounds adorable when you hear it. When she got back home, she informed me she had made a worm out of the stuff, and then she called me over to the table: "Look, Mommy, I made a skateboard for you!" she said. And it looked like a skateboard! A very small one, but still...
During dinner Lila said, "MY daddy's in the dining room!"
To which Rachel replied, "MY daddy's in the kitchen!"
Then Lila answered, "MY daddy's in the kitchen!"
And Rachel said, "MY daddy's in the dining room!"
It was very funny to listen to them echoing each other. They really have a lot of fun together, and although Suzanne is expecting a second girl at the beginning of February, I secured another playdate with her and Lila the last weekend of January -- unless the baby decides to come early, of course.
***
Yesterday I worked a half-day in the morning while Drew took Rachel to school. He had just pulled off the highway when she decided to throw up all over her jacket, her pants, her car seat...and I told Drew that this has never happened to me, so I can't really complain anymore that I do ALL the driving of Rachel EVERY DAY, because at least I haven't had to deal with throwup. Yet.
Slightly disturbing to me was the fact that she kept sobbing and sobbing with fear that Drew would be mad at her for throwing up. Quite the contrary -- he kept reassuring and reassuring her that it's OK to throw up, that even mommies and daddies throw up, that he wasn't mad, etc. It took her a while to calm down.
She has complained for the last few days that "my tummy hurts!" so I guess we should have listened to her, but there's not much we can do. We can't give her Tums or Pepto-Bismol, so I hope whatever it is that's ailing her speeds away soon.
The ride home was better, Drew said -- she played with Play-Doh in the back seat and even made up a SONG about Play-Doh: "Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh, Play-Doh" which sounds adorable when you hear it. When she got back home, she informed me she had made a worm out of the stuff, and then she called me over to the table: "Look, Mommy, I made a skateboard for you!" she said. And it looked like a skateboard! A very small one, but still...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
Please forgive me, folks...the time got away from me, what with Molly here and then me getting really, really ill on New Year's Eve and spending much of New Year's Day in bed. I'll try to catch you up:
Molly graciously offered to babysit Rachel while Drew and I took a quick jaunt to the Oregon coast. We stayed in a lovely place called the Arch Cape Inn, saw "True Grit" and took a long walk on the beach in gorgeous, sunny (but cold) weather. Unfortunately Drew had a terrible cold the whole time, meaning neither of us slept well, but we had a good time anyway. And we even managed to not talk about TLG. Much.
When we got home we discovered that Molly had turned into Mary Poppins. Seriously! She got Rachel to wear Pull-Ups instead of diapers, got her to wear skirts and leggings and took her to Goodwill, which apparently Rachel absolutely loved. Molly bought her some play jewelry, a jewelry box, a skirt or two...I've lost track. And, she also cleaned out our refrigerator. "You have food that's been in here since Rachel was an INFANT," said Molly, shaking her head. And she was right, it was very embarrassing. Anyway, we have a refreshed-looking refrigrerator and a toddler who is inching closer and closer to little-girlhood every day. (Today Drew said, "sometimes it feels as if Rachel is halfway between 6 months and age 12!" and it's true).
For New Year's, I was all set to make an elaborate roast duck dish, but then discovered, while Drew and Rachel were napping, that we had no mustard (Molly had gone out for a while to take a walk) and so decided to chuck the whole thing and order Thai food (I had already make the pumpkin-cocoa cake I had make for Thanksgiving). Luckily Drew came to the rescue by finding a simpler duck recipe, one which did not involve ruby Port and crushed garlic (what was I THINKING?) and we proceeded with the duck, sweet potato gratin and green beans with lemon vinaigrette. And the cake. We were joined by Angela, our favorite babysitter -- did I mention that all our other guests had cancelled on us for one reason or another? -- and had a great time. Drew put Rachel to bed and built us a fire; Angela went home at 11 or so and Molly and I fell asleep by the fire while Drew cleaned up. That was the point at which I started feeling nauseous.
The next day, yesterday, I spent much of the time shuttling between bedroom and bathroom (I'll spare you the details except that all I could manage to eat was a cup of yogurt, half a plate of couscous, a can of ginger ale and a cup of applesauce). Molly's ex-husband dropped the kids off in the morning for the ride to the airport, which was delayed for two hours because Molly's plane was delayed. So poor Drew and Molly had to manage all the kids while I rested. All I can say is, thank goodness this happened when Drew was here and not while he was at Columbia (although he said he would have talked me out of making such an elaborate New Year's dinner).
Today I am feeling much better and we are awaiting the arrival of Steve, Suzanne and their daughter, Lila, who loves Rachel. They are about the same age and are so cute when they're together -- running, screeching with laughter, hugging and kissing each other goodbye. I will try to remember to take pictures and send them along.
Cute Rachel-isms of the past few days:
--Rachel (looking at a picture of Drew and me in Argentina): "That's Mommy in a fancy dress!"
--Drew was holding Rachel when she said she had an owie. On her leg, she told Drew. "I need an icee!" she complained (icees are frozen soothies at daycare that the attendants give to kids when they get injured).
"How did you get an owie?" Drew asked.
"Alex," she said.
"Is Alex a boy at school?" Drew asked.
"Alexander Graham Bell," she replied, clear as...well, a phone call to Europe!
--Her newest expression: "Holy moly guacamole!" (She got that from Drew. Next up: Latin declensions??)
Molly graciously offered to babysit Rachel while Drew and I took a quick jaunt to the Oregon coast. We stayed in a lovely place called the Arch Cape Inn, saw "True Grit" and took a long walk on the beach in gorgeous, sunny (but cold) weather. Unfortunately Drew had a terrible cold the whole time, meaning neither of us slept well, but we had a good time anyway. And we even managed to not talk about TLG. Much.
When we got home we discovered that Molly had turned into Mary Poppins. Seriously! She got Rachel to wear Pull-Ups instead of diapers, got her to wear skirts and leggings and took her to Goodwill, which apparently Rachel absolutely loved. Molly bought her some play jewelry, a jewelry box, a skirt or two...I've lost track. And, she also cleaned out our refrigerator. "You have food that's been in here since Rachel was an INFANT," said Molly, shaking her head. And she was right, it was very embarrassing. Anyway, we have a refreshed-looking refrigrerator and a toddler who is inching closer and closer to little-girlhood every day. (Today Drew said, "sometimes it feels as if Rachel is halfway between 6 months and age 12!" and it's true).
For New Year's, I was all set to make an elaborate roast duck dish, but then discovered, while Drew and Rachel were napping, that we had no mustard (Molly had gone out for a while to take a walk) and so decided to chuck the whole thing and order Thai food (I had already make the pumpkin-cocoa cake I had make for Thanksgiving). Luckily Drew came to the rescue by finding a simpler duck recipe, one which did not involve ruby Port and crushed garlic (what was I THINKING?) and we proceeded with the duck, sweet potato gratin and green beans with lemon vinaigrette. And the cake. We were joined by Angela, our favorite babysitter -- did I mention that all our other guests had cancelled on us for one reason or another? -- and had a great time. Drew put Rachel to bed and built us a fire; Angela went home at 11 or so and Molly and I fell asleep by the fire while Drew cleaned up. That was the point at which I started feeling nauseous.
The next day, yesterday, I spent much of the time shuttling between bedroom and bathroom (I'll spare you the details except that all I could manage to eat was a cup of yogurt, half a plate of couscous, a can of ginger ale and a cup of applesauce). Molly's ex-husband dropped the kids off in the morning for the ride to the airport, which was delayed for two hours because Molly's plane was delayed. So poor Drew and Molly had to manage all the kids while I rested. All I can say is, thank goodness this happened when Drew was here and not while he was at Columbia (although he said he would have talked me out of making such an elaborate New Year's dinner).
Today I am feeling much better and we are awaiting the arrival of Steve, Suzanne and their daughter, Lila, who loves Rachel. They are about the same age and are so cute when they're together -- running, screeching with laughter, hugging and kissing each other goodbye. I will try to remember to take pictures and send them along.
Cute Rachel-isms of the past few days:
--Rachel (looking at a picture of Drew and me in Argentina): "That's Mommy in a fancy dress!"
--Drew was holding Rachel when she said she had an owie. On her leg, she told Drew. "I need an icee!" she complained (icees are frozen soothies at daycare that the attendants give to kids when they get injured).
"How did you get an owie?" Drew asked.
"Alex," she said.
"Is Alex a boy at school?" Drew asked.
"Alexander Graham Bell," she replied, clear as...well, a phone call to Europe!
--Her newest expression: "Holy moly guacamole!" (She got that from Drew. Next up: Latin declensions??)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
She still needs Daddy....
Here is a recent exchange between Drew and Rachel:
Drew: Can you give Daddy a kiss, Rachel?
Rachel: No.
(Drew makes a sad face).
Rachel, visibly distressed: No, Daddy, I need you!!
(Drew thought she was trying to make the point that just because she didn't give him a kiss didn't mean she doesn't still love him and need him!)
Another exchange:
Drew makes a sad face.
Rachel, visibly distressed: No sad, Daddy! Be happy!
Drew was very impressed by her emotional acuity.
Drew: Can you give Daddy a kiss, Rachel?
Rachel: No.
(Drew makes a sad face).
Rachel, visibly distressed: No, Daddy, I need you!!
(Drew thought she was trying to make the point that just because she didn't give him a kiss didn't mean she doesn't still love him and need him!)
Another exchange:
Drew makes a sad face.
Rachel, visibly distressed: No sad, Daddy! Be happy!
Drew was very impressed by her emotional acuity.
Molly's here!
Molly and the kids got here Sunday morning and oh, what fun we've been having! Calvin, Camilla, Marigold and Rachel played together while Drew supervised and Molly and I talked; then Molly's ex-husband picked up the kids and we spent the rest of the day doing...what, I can't remember. It was three days ago but feels like forever!
Yesterday Drew took Rachel to school while I took Molly shopping. She introduced me to a very cute kids' boutique called Bella Stella; between this place and Target I found several great, cheap raincoats I could have bought Rachel for this winter if only I had known! Instead we got a free Lands End jacket from a friend of ours. So I can't really justify buying yet another coat.
She and I also went to Powell's where I bought two books; even though I was loath to spend money I am constitutionally unable to walk into Powell's without walking out with a book. Or three. I think there's a book-buying drug they put in the air.
Then today we all drove Rachel to daycare, then continued south to Eugene where Molly used to live and where Drew lived briefly years ago. We dropped Molly off to visit a friend of hers, then Drew and I had a great lunch at Zenon Cafe, a favorite of ours for the desserts (although mine was just so-so). We went to a bookstore near the University of Oregon campus and we bought two more books, including a complete four-volume set of the Madeline books for Rachel -- for only $10! I can't wait until she's ready for me to read them to her!
Then we got back to daycare late (arghh...I hate this blasted rain, it makes driving impossible), swung by the law school to pick up some soup I had left in the office fridge, then home. Molly is asleep upstairs, Drew is putting Rachel to sleep and later I am going to make some hot chocolate and schnapps while Drew builds a fire. All in all, should be a lovely evening!
Yesterday Drew took Rachel to school while I took Molly shopping. She introduced me to a very cute kids' boutique called Bella Stella; between this place and Target I found several great, cheap raincoats I could have bought Rachel for this winter if only I had known! Instead we got a free Lands End jacket from a friend of ours. So I can't really justify buying yet another coat.
She and I also went to Powell's where I bought two books; even though I was loath to spend money I am constitutionally unable to walk into Powell's without walking out with a book. Or three. I think there's a book-buying drug they put in the air.
Then today we all drove Rachel to daycare, then continued south to Eugene where Molly used to live and where Drew lived briefly years ago. We dropped Molly off to visit a friend of hers, then Drew and I had a great lunch at Zenon Cafe, a favorite of ours for the desserts (although mine was just so-so). We went to a bookstore near the University of Oregon campus and we bought two more books, including a complete four-volume set of the Madeline books for Rachel -- for only $10! I can't wait until she's ready for me to read them to her!
Then we got back to daycare late (arghh...I hate this blasted rain, it makes driving impossible), swung by the law school to pick up some soup I had left in the office fridge, then home. Molly is asleep upstairs, Drew is putting Rachel to sleep and later I am going to make some hot chocolate and schnapps while Drew builds a fire. All in all, should be a lovely evening!
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