Evan recently broached the subject of death with me. The first was during a viewing of Sleeping Beauty (thanks Disney)-- have you seen that movie lately? It's pretty violent and scary for an audience of young kids. I'll hold off on showing that one again for a while. The questions came flooding in during the dragon slaying scene (Why did he kill him? Did he die? Why?). My answers: Because the dragon was bad. Yes. Because the prince killed him. Thankfully Evan doesn't yet have the cognitive ability for insightful follow up questions, like, "Does that mean we kill people when they are bad?" Good question Evan, let's discuss capital punishment...
The other conversation happened today during a quick ride in the car.
"Look Mom, a soccer field!"
"No, that's a cemetary."
"What's a cemerry?"
"Well, it's a place where people go when they die."
"Where do they go?"
(oh boy)
"Well, when they die, they get buried in the cemetary."
"What does buried mean?"
(oh boy)
"Buried is when you dig a hole and your body gets covered up by the dirt." (is he traumatized yet?)
"Does everybody die?"
(wow)
"Um, well, yes, eventually."
"Oh."
(phew!)
It's not that I think children should be shielded from such topics as death, but I do believe there is a delicate way in which to deliver the explanation. ie, one that does not lead to pre-k psychotherapy sessions. I get the sense that we are only at the tip top of an iceberg full of questions about death, life, and other so-called "grown-up" topics... Doesn't Disney make some kind of "Why People Die, and Other Unanswered Preschool Questions" movie?
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Friday, March 05, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Thursday, July 16, 2009
You know you're a mom...
...when you go to pick out your clothes for the day and inside one of your "clean" bras is a wood chip. A wood chip, I assume, from one of the zillion parks we go to on a weekly basis.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
Why I don't like Cookie Monster
For at least a year now, Evan has been imitating cookie monster. Before he could really talk, he would sit in his high chair and fan his fingers in front of his mouth, making food fly in all directions. We used to think that he was simply playing with his food. But eventually, it dawned on us that he was imitating the signature Cookie Monster move. And when he learned to talk, he confirmed it and said: "Coosie Mosser!" So now, every single day, Jason and I say to Evan, "No Cookie Monster at the table," or "Why are you in time out?" To which Evan replies, "I no Coosie Moster at the table."
And that is why I don't like Cookie Monster.
And that is why I don't like Cookie Monster.
Just Say No.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
If only...
If only a mother's love was measured by the volume of snot cleaned from her childrens' noses. I would be awesome.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
[Deep] Thought Thursday: Consistency
One of my [very few] imperfections that really bothers me is my inability to be consistent, stick with a routine, be predictable, etc, etc--you get the idea. I've started (and not finished) so many projects, routines, schedules, hobbies--you name it--that I've lost count. I couldn't tell you why I'm like this, but it drives me nuts! But, instead of focusing on the lack of consistency in my life, I'd like to share what I have stuck with:
This blog. Over my 29 years, I've started and stopped keeping a written journal. There are probably more than 10 journals sitting in a box in my attic. At most, in any given journal, there are about 17 pages filled out. I kept a journal during my pregnancy with Evan.... it lasted until month 5. On my blog, however, I've consistently posted nearly every week. I'm not sure why, maybe it's the fact that there are pictures, maybe it's because I love to brag about my family, or maybe it's because I know there's a captive audience (are you captivated yet?).
My home management binder. This is a new item, but so far, for about 10 days, I've been using it and LOVING it. It's simplified so many of my daily to-dos. Instead of explaining exactly what this is, if you're interested, go here.
My marriage. This coming Sunday marks 6 years of marriage. Now let me clarify, my marriage is not something that I have just "stuck with," but rather, very much enjoyed. It has been six years of marriage to someone who is exceedingly patient (which is required for a wife who's not consistent), does his fair share of household chores, does more than his fair share of the cooking, has become a great handyman/mister-fix-it, and is an excellent and involved father to our two boys. Happy 6 years J, and many more to come!
This blog. Over my 29 years, I've started and stopped keeping a written journal. There are probably more than 10 journals sitting in a box in my attic. At most, in any given journal, there are about 17 pages filled out. I kept a journal during my pregnancy with Evan.... it lasted until month 5. On my blog, however, I've consistently posted nearly every week. I'm not sure why, maybe it's the fact that there are pictures, maybe it's because I love to brag about my family, or maybe it's because I know there's a captive audience (are you captivated yet?).
My home management binder. This is a new item, but so far, for about 10 days, I've been using it and LOVING it. It's simplified so many of my daily to-dos. Instead of explaining exactly what this is, if you're interested, go here.
My marriage. This coming Sunday marks 6 years of marriage. Now let me clarify, my marriage is not something that I have just "stuck with," but rather, very much enjoyed. It has been six years of marriage to someone who is exceedingly patient (which is required for a wife who's not consistent), does his fair share of household chores, does more than his fair share of the cooking, has become a great handyman/mister-fix-it, and is an excellent and involved father to our two boys. Happy 6 years J, and many more to come!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Yeah, what she said
As I surf posts from other blogs in my free (ha!) time, I sometimes find snippets that echo how I feel or what I'm experiencing, but this one really struck a chord:
Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).
Excerpted from the Nie Nie Dialogues.
I hope that, by reading and re-reading this, I will remember to slow down a little more and smell the roses.
Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).
Excerpted from the Nie Nie Dialogues.
I hope that, by reading and re-reading this, I will remember to slow down a little more and smell the roses.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Blogger posting logic
It seems as if every time I post something that one of the kids is not doing, the very next day, he does it. For example, right after the post about Evan not going #2 normally, he started doing it, and right after the post about Grant not sleeping well (which he's doing again right now), he started sleeping great. So, following that logic, here's my list:
I'm NOT well rested. Grant is NOT sleeping through the night. Evan is NOT tired of listening to his kids music CDs. We are NOT millionaires and have NOT won the lottery. Our lawn is NOT mowed right now. The house is NOT clean. The laundry is NOT folded.
I could go on, but let's see how this goes first.
I'm NOT well rested. Grant is NOT sleeping through the night. Evan is NOT tired of listening to his kids music CDs. We are NOT millionaires and have NOT won the lottery. Our lawn is NOT mowed right now. The house is NOT clean. The laundry is NOT folded.
I could go on, but let's see how this goes first.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Updates, etc.
I realize that I sometimes don't follow up on certain issues written about in previous posts. So, (if you care) read on to get an update. Otherwise, scroll down to some new pics.
Potty training - I know you're dying to know how this is going. It's going about as smooth as a bottle of gritty Metamucil. Ok, it's not that bad, but we are still working on going #2 like a normal person. And, from what I hear, there is no easy fix, but "it just takes time." Fan-tas-tic.
Evan's haircut - It's growing--on Evan and on me. Maybe we'll do this cut again, but about 1/4 inch longer. It is nice for summer. And everyone else seems to think it's cute. Or they're just being nice.
Grant's sleeping - We've had our ups and downs with this one. One week he sleeps great, the next he's up 2-4 x a night. Thankfully, after Evan moved into his new room, Grant finally got a room to call his own--with his own crib. Prior to that, he had been sleeping in his car seat (what, I didn't post about that? It must have slipped my mind). He now sleeps in his crib every night and wakes up only once or twice to be fed. And, just like Evan, he sleeps in the swing for most of his daytime naps. I can't live without that thing!
Evan's asthma - From what we can tell, he seems to have outgrown his asthma--yay! We were told that we won't really know until the cold season sparks back up. However, he has a cold right now and so far, so good-- no wheezing.
Grant's personality - For the most part, he's an easy and happy baby, just like Evan. But, we have noticed that he is slightly more needy--wanting to be held more, hard to settle down sometimes, etc. In his defense, however, his cries are sometimes left unanswered for longer periods than when Evan was a baby. That's because our super-needy 2-year-old demands so much of our time!
Brotherhood - Evan still really likes his little brother. He greets him in the morning and says goodnight, and even asks about Grant when he's not around. He likes to remind me--often--that Grant is crying or that he needs a diaper change. Grant also seems to enjoy getting to know Evan. He loves to watch Evan while he plays. And there have even been times when Evan can soothe Grant after a crying jag. Now, that's what I like!
Ok, enough chit-chat. Here are some pics.
Grant's new sleeping quarters.
Potty training - I know you're dying to know how this is going. It's going about as smooth as a bottle of gritty Metamucil. Ok, it's not that bad, but we are still working on going #2 like a normal person. And, from what I hear, there is no easy fix, but "it just takes time." Fan-tas-tic.
Evan's haircut - It's growing--on Evan and on me. Maybe we'll do this cut again, but about 1/4 inch longer. It is nice for summer. And everyone else seems to think it's cute. Or they're just being nice.
Grant's sleeping - We've had our ups and downs with this one. One week he sleeps great, the next he's up 2-4 x a night. Thankfully, after Evan moved into his new room, Grant finally got a room to call his own--with his own crib. Prior to that, he had been sleeping in his car seat (what, I didn't post about that? It must have slipped my mind). He now sleeps in his crib every night and wakes up only once or twice to be fed. And, just like Evan, he sleeps in the swing for most of his daytime naps. I can't live without that thing!
Evan's asthma - From what we can tell, he seems to have outgrown his asthma--yay! We were told that we won't really know until the cold season sparks back up. However, he has a cold right now and so far, so good-- no wheezing.
Grant's personality - For the most part, he's an easy and happy baby, just like Evan. But, we have noticed that he is slightly more needy--wanting to be held more, hard to settle down sometimes, etc. In his defense, however, his cries are sometimes left unanswered for longer periods than when Evan was a baby. That's because our super-needy 2-year-old demands so much of our time!
Brotherhood - Evan still really likes his little brother. He greets him in the morning and says goodnight, and even asks about Grant when he's not around. He likes to remind me--often--that Grant is crying or that he needs a diaper change. Grant also seems to enjoy getting to know Evan. He loves to watch Evan while he plays. And there have even been times when Evan can soothe Grant after a crying jag. Now, that's what I like!
Ok, enough chit-chat. Here are some pics.
Grant's new sleeping quarters.
A very sleepy Grant who doesn't want to be put down or else he'll cry.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Florida vacation
For Jason and I, a trip to Florida has nothing to do with Disney World and everything to do with the beach. This past weekend, we took our first family road trip, since Grant was born, to Melbourne, Florida. Our friends, Diego & Mary, and their son Luis, graciously offered to let us stay a few nights with them in their beach house rental . We also spent some time with our good friends Chris & Misty and their son Cole.
We had a fantastic time catching up with friends, swimming in the pool, playing in the surf and letting the boys interact. The trip was also a great learning experience for Jason and I on how to travel with 2 young children. We both took home some lessons that we'll keep in mind for next time: 1) travel through the night, 2) when traveling during the day, make lots of stops to break up the trip, 3) schedule golf outings first thing in the morning, 4) Mommy likes her margaritas on the rocks and 5) leave the kids with Grandma & Grandpa. Ok, kidding on that last part (maybe).
This is what Grant did during most of our vacation. He started sleeping 7-8 hours at night!
Evan found a great playmate in Luis, who is about 6 months younger. Apart from a few spats over sharing (ugh!), they got along very well.
Mary and the 3 boys.
We rediscovered this summer that Evan is a fish! He has NO fear of the water (scary!) and is showing all the signs of being ready to learn to swim.
Jason enjoyed sharing his love for the ocean with Evan.
Evan had fun collecting shells during low tide.
Grant's reaction to his first experience of the ocean.
We had a fantastic time catching up with friends, swimming in the pool, playing in the surf and letting the boys interact. The trip was also a great learning experience for Jason and I on how to travel with 2 young children. We both took home some lessons that we'll keep in mind for next time: 1) travel through the night, 2) when traveling during the day, make lots of stops to break up the trip, 3) schedule golf outings first thing in the morning, 4) Mommy likes her margaritas on the rocks and 5) leave the kids with Grandma & Grandpa. Ok, kidding on that last part (maybe).
This is what Grant did during most of our vacation. He started sleeping 7-8 hours at night!
Evan found a great playmate in Luis, who is about 6 months younger. Apart from a few spats over sharing (ugh!), they got along very well.
Mary and the 3 boys.
We rediscovered this summer that Evan is a fish! He has NO fear of the water (scary!) and is showing all the signs of being ready to learn to swim.
Jason enjoyed sharing his love for the ocean with Evan.
Evan had fun collecting shells during low tide.
Grant's reaction to his first experience of the ocean.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ode to lost sleep
Oh, where have you gone my 4-hours-at-a-stretch sleeper of yester-week?
How I miss the completeness felt from almost a full night's sleep.
Why, now, do you pierce through my nights at 3-and-a-half hour intervals, only to sleep 4 hours when in your swing?
Sleep, how I love thee. How I wish you would return.
How I miss the completeness felt from almost a full night's sleep.
Why, now, do you pierce through my nights at 3-and-a-half hour intervals, only to sleep 4 hours when in your swing?
Sleep, how I love thee. How I wish you would return.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
What's in a [blog] name?
As you can see, I've changed the look and name of our blog site. I decided that "in the moment" was so fitting for this little cyber home that we have created. Our day-to-day life, which is what we share here with you, is made up of little moments of events and occasions and happenings and milestones. And with each post, we are recording these snapshots to preserve in online infinity (I'm assuming that the Internet will last forever??) so that one day, we can look back and remember the many precious moments in our life.
"In the moment" also speaks to the now-ness of childhood. Kids think of everything in the now and have a very limited concept of time, especially the future. And similarly, parents are so consumed with the demands of their children that most days, it's impossible to see beyond "right now." And sometimes, why would we want to? Kids grow up so fast as it is!
"In the moment" is also an attempt to remind myself to enjoy and remember all of these moments--the happy ones and the frustrating ones.
So, we hope you have enjoyed looking into our little moments--and we hope you stick around for many more to come.
"In the moment" also speaks to the now-ness of childhood. Kids think of everything in the now and have a very limited concept of time, especially the future. And similarly, parents are so consumed with the demands of their children that most days, it's impossible to see beyond "right now." And sometimes, why would we want to? Kids grow up so fast as it is!
"In the moment" is also an attempt to remind myself to enjoy and remember all of these moments--the happy ones and the frustrating ones.
So, we hope you have enjoyed looking into our little moments--and we hope you stick around for many more to come.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Stuff your sorries in a sack
For the past month or so, we've been teaching Evan to apologize when he does something wrong. Lately, he's been saying "sorry" a lot. Sometimes, he even says sorry when he hasn't done anything at all. I tell him, "it's ok Evan, you don't have to be sorry--you didn't do anything wrong." Jason, however, has been telling me to bank them! He says we'll need them later! Anyway, it just made me think about the Seinfeld episode where George & Jerry are arguing:
Jerry: George, I'm sorry I slept with Nina.
George: You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister!
Jerry: I wish you'd quit saying that!
Jerry: George, I'm sorry I slept with Nina.
George: You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister!
Jerry: I wish you'd quit saying that!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Confessions of a scatterbrain
I'm almost 34 weeks pregnant and officially losing my mind. Not sure if it's lack of sleep or the influx of hormones (or both), but I've been very scatterbrained lately. Yes, more than normal. No really good stories to go along with this rant (or if so, I've probably forgotten them), just silly things like losing my train of thought mid-sentence, forgetting appointments, continually forgetting e-mail attachments, etc, etc. Given my state of mind, I found Evan's latest magna-doodle drawing very poignant:
Don't the "experts" say that kids' drawings often represent feelings about their home life, their emotional state of mind, etc? Is Evan trying to tell me something?
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