Love: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?

We get so many books as gifts. Personally, I think they are the best gifts. You can never have too many. And until my daughter is old enough to know better, board books are the absolute best. I can’t tell you how much tape I spent taping pages back into books that my daughter thought quite amusing to tear. As adults, we no longer tear pages, but I suggest, once in a blue moon, when the mood has got you, to tear pages. Wow, it feels good. Just another joy I learned from my child. Anyway, books are great. Read more »

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Grandmas are Great

Why grandmas are great:

1. They are like a second mom. They will come over and change diapers, feed the baby, read books to baby, play with baby, bathe baby and most everything short of nursing. Sometimes they even cook a meal and do the dishes.

2. They always have good tips and new ideas. My mom basically taught me how to dress my daughter. She also decorated and got her room ready for her when she transitioned into sleeping in her own room. My mother-in-law helps to introduce new foods and new games to play.

3. They tell you you’re doing a good job even if you don’t think you are. And when you mess up, they don’t judge you.

4. They babysit, for free. Plus, you know that they are doing it out of total adoration for your child and you never worry when they are on the job.

5. Even mommies sometimes need their mommies.

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Learning to Relax

Today, someone else took care of my daughter, her grandmother. I was even left alone for four hours, the whole house to myself. There was a moment when I thought I heard the baby waking up from her nap. I was relieved to realize that no such thing was happening, but instead, I could relax knowing that she was taken care of and I didn’t have to do a thing. I’m not going to lie and say that I used my time productively. In fact, when they returned, I remembered all the things I wanted to get done, but had forgotten while leafing through that gardening catalog. Yet, that’s not the point. And here is why. Read more »

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Toddler Frustrations

There is a lot of information out there about toddler tantrums and how to deal with them. I propose that we don’t deal with them at all, but instead, rephrase the concept all together. In truth, our toddler is not throwing a tantrum (This is an interesting cliché in itself: What are they actually throwing, their bodies about, their emotions?), but expressing frustration. Let’s call it what it is: Toddler Frustrations. Every time your little one starts to freak out, recognize that they are frustrated not just trying to make your day difficult or protest your parenting methods.

Granted, I don’t always run to my child’s aid when she is “frustrated.” Read more »

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Realization: My World Revolves Around My Child

You may be surprised to learn this, but today I realized that my life revolves around my child. Yes, it took me 18 months to fully come to terms with this idea. I’m still unsure why I hadn’t clued into it earlier. What was the moment that made this epiphany clear? Nothing monumental in the least. Read more »

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Ultrasound

You are curled up and potential
like a Firebelly Toad beneath
a root covered in moist morning
leaves, waiting to leap to life.

Made visible, you wave little
limbs as if a bright light disturbs
your new sleep. We are in well-lit
waiting rooms or sprawled on metal Read more »

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 5

Today we had something very special planned for our daughter, the Albuquerque Zoo. Our daughter absolutely loves animals, can’t get enough. And, I can’t deny, we were pretty excited too. Unfortunately, we got off to a rough start. The accumulation of days on the road with poor sleep and a low fever from teething, had put her in a terrible mood and she ended up crying all the way there. Even when she drifted into a nap, she would awaken crying and calling, “MaaaMaaa,” every fifteen minutes or so making her very grumpy.

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 4

Waking up in Cloudcroft was a pleasure. At 9,000 feet, the air was cool, just like we were used to at home. While vacationing, especially with kids,  it is great to stay at a locally owned hotel in the middle of town and be able to walk everywhere. This is particularly appreciated when you have been road tripping around and want a break from the car for a while. We easily found a coffee shop and were grateful to discover a basket of toys and books for our daughter to occupy herself with as we fed her fruit from the couch while sipping on our tea and nibbling quiche and egg sandwiches. Ah, luxury. Read more »

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 3

Though not well rested, we were determined to make up for the last two unproductive days with exciting activities. We began the morning (after the tedious process of loading everything back into the truck) at the New Mexico Heritage Farm and Museum. A large building complex and dairy farm with activities for adults and children. We breezed through the adult exhibits showing the history of agriculture in New Mexico while our daughter shouted out the animals and their sounds. We then proceeded to the Adventure Corral where our daughter continued to shout out the animals and their sounds. After that, we went to the barn where our daughter, yes, shouted out the animals and their sounds. All this farm fun culminated at the Discovery Garden where she played in the sand and let me pull her around in a wagon, very farm-like of us. She napped on our way over the Needle Mountains to White Sands National Monument. Read more »

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 2

Leaving Albuqurque, we were still somewhat optimistic that we may find a camper, but the road ahead lay wide and deserted, reflecting a sense that there was nothing to be found. Through the sandy red deserts and rock canyons along  I25, we came to terms with our lot as hotel tenants and decided to make the best of it.  Yet, Las Cruces seemed to have more dismal plans as the big box stores looked down upon us in mockery. We decided to do what we should have done three years ago, buy a New Mexico guide book.

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