Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Random Tuesday Twelve

1. We went jean shopping for me the other day. Seems trickier than it used to be. If I recall correctly, as a teenager I just went into a store, found my size tried them on and bought them. Now it's darkwash, skinny jeans, relaxed fit, mid-rise, bootcut, flare, high-rise, boyfriend fit... All just served to make me feel old and more than just a little frustrated.

2. Cuteness from the resident 2 year-old: We did end up finding a pair I liked that fit. At the till the woman asked me my name etc. I proceeded to spell it out: C-Y-N, only to be interrupted by a puzzled 2 year-old: "No, it's spelled M-O-M."

3. Having a teenager (especially, dare I say, male teenager?) added to the home sure adds to the grocery bill. I'm not complaining, I just didn't think we'd notice as much of a difference as we have.

4. More Cftr2yo: Abby, Jack and I are bathing this morning. Out of the blue Abby looks at her brother and pronounces: "We have a good life, Jackie." melt.

5. There's nothing like adding an 18 year-old who has spent the last number of years in a British boarding school to the home to make you feel a bit boorish at meal times. Wow, is he proper. Seriously, if we were so inclined we could sure learn a lot from him in regards to proper etiquette. Too bad we're just so darn lazy and comfortable in our uncultured ways.

6. Cuteness from the resident 41 year-old: Sunday night Abby, Jack, J-L and I are creating tents on our bed. J-L: "See, there are lots of ways to have fun in bed."

7. As I'm sure most know: I don't enjoy clothing shopping. Clothes are a necessity, not really a fashion statement. And yet, when I'm wearing nothing but maternity clothes I look at regular clothes and swoon a little at how cute and small they are. And now? Now that I'm nursing? Yeah, I look at pretty bras and swoon a little at all the lovely colours.

8. Jack is at a stage now where he smiles very easily. And yet, you have to work for a giggle from him. So, for those of you who have gotten one from him? Yeah, be proud of yourselves.

9. I honestly don't know why ANYONE would EVER want to be the leader of a country. But now? Amidst a war that's gone too long and an economy in trouble? What would possess someone to CHOOSE to take on that job?

10. Driving around doing errands today I don't know what made me smile more, #2 giggling at something #1 was doing or the incredible joy it brought #1 that she could make #2 laugh.

11. More Cftr2yo: Last week we needed to have a relatively quick lunch. So, I suggested to Abby that she have a pizza pop. Her response: "Pizza pop! Yay! PIZZA POP!" [long pause] "What's a pizza pop?"

12. It's getting colder out. I don't want to turn the furnace on yet. A lot of nights I stay up well past my husband. By that time I'm rather chilled. It is just ever so lovely to climb into bed next to a warm body. I don't take it for granted for a moment.

Bonus cftr2yo: We were putting laundry away yesterday. She has several different types of underwear and must name each type as she hands it to me to put away: "Curious George panties, Friday panties, Duck panties, Froot at the Loop panties..."

Monday, September 29, 2008

My day

It's funny how many times during the day I think: "Oh, yeah, I need to get X done... it's too tricky to do while they're awake... I'll get it done during while they are napping." Over and over and over again. I think by the time nap time comes I likely have about 53 Xs thought up. And yet, the nap time comes and I just feel like sitting and resting.

And that, my friends, is why my to-do list stays very much unchecked.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Wait a second, isn't this backwards?

On the drive home from daycare today, these two sentences came out of my daughter's mouth:

"Mom, why are we driving? It's nice out!"

and

"Did you clean for company tonight?"

I thought guilt was supposed to come from the MOTHER, not the other way around.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Probably about time for some cuteness, no?

Whistling?

Happy boy

Wow!

I had forgotten how incredibly easy and quick baking is without a 2 year-old's "help". I might have to try that again sometime.

Also, Food Network TV, might be an idea for a show: Cooking and baking with a 2 year-old's help. Let's see the Iron Chefs cook all that in an hour AND have a chair and a "can I have a taste?" and 2 little hands included in the mix.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Friday Five

Five things on my mind at the moment:

1. He’s not my child and yet I just find it delightful that our exchange student is making friends already.

2. The other day I asked Abby what she wanted to have at her birthday supper (two positives in one day: Her birthday and the U.S. election… one is mostly positive because then it will FINALLY BE OVER but I’m not telling you which one) and she responded: "pork". Well, there you go. Seems to me most nearly 3 year-olds would be requesting pizza or hot dogs but apparently Abby likes to think outside the box.

3. It’s a rare treat: Both children are currently napping. I believe I could count on one hand the number of times both children have gone down for a nap at the very same time. Exhale.

4. Survivor starts up next week. Smile. Thursday nights are back on! YAY! It’s getting a little less leisurely to host now what with a chatty child who positively aDORES the Thursday night company but hopefully (a) they’re willing to put up with her and (b) she actually stops pestering them to read to her or to answer her billions of questions.

5. I miss work. I mean, I don’t miss the politics and I don’t miss the early mornings or dealing with crap from brokers but I do at times miss going there. And, beyond anything, I miss the social aspect.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Untitled

My day:



And yours?

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Perhaps a new wardrobe is in order

Yesterday, Abby helped me put away some laundry. It was all my laundry. She brought me the pieces one by one stating: "Mom, here your pants" or "Mom, here your shirt" etc.

until...

"Mom, here grandma's shirt"

and

"Mom, here Daddy's pants"

oh dear.

Friday, September 12, 2008

It's not only 2 year-olds who wonder why

Why do you do it? You know it’s not right. The shrieking. The scolding. The constant sharpness in your voice. In your manner. In your very eyes. She’s only 2. She’s trying to find her way, figure out who she is. You know it’s not the best way to help her, to guide her. Sometimes you try to stop but other times… You can see by the look on her face that she does indeed want to please you. You can see by that look that what you’re doing is not working. It’s hurting her. Why would you want to hurt someone you love more than you love yourself? Deliberately yet. How close is this to child abuse? At what point do you slide over that line? You can hear echoes of your father using that tone. How you hated it. How ineffective it was. You would never be this hard on a stranger.

Please, Abby, don’t remember this. Or, if you do, please let it be tempered with memories of swings and walks and sharing cookie dough.

Please, God, let me try harder. Help me be more patient. More kind.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Bucking the trends

Conversation that took place earlier today as we were walking the aisles of a pharmacy:

Me: Hmm, I should colour my hair again for fun.
Abby: How 'bout brown?
Me: Well, it actually already IS brown.
Abby: How 'bout grey?

Friday, September 05, 2008

September

It feels like it became September and summer is over. It was like a light switch. I gotta say, the lyrics that my brother wrote:

The boys both cried this morning when we dressed to go outside
I said “we can’t go barefoot anymore, at least not ‘til next May”
I tried to make them understand that Winter’s not so bad
I only half convinced myself, ‘cause Spring seems much too far away


came to mind this morning as I tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade my daughter to wear pants instead of shorts. Sigh. I don't know that I'm ready for it to be done.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Toes

The question is, which ones should I nibble on first?