Ada's adventures with Grandpa didn't just involve Oreos, she also showed that she is starting to get ready for a life without diapers. More recently she has made a fuss when she poops in her diaper, a sure sign that she realizes what she has done and wants it OFF. She'll even refuse to put her bottom down on the changing table so she sits there with her back and feet on the pad with her pelvis raised up in an arch. Pretty funny to see in person, but TOTALLY understandable. And she has also recently started doing stuff like laying down when you ask her if she wants a diaper change, and peeing next to her potty when she has her diaper off and waiting to get in the shower, but I always thought that was just because she was cold.
But this weekend at Grandpa's she moved it up a notch. She started lying down on the ground next to her diapers when she wanted a diaper change and even stealthily tinkled in the potty (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER). I'm so proud. And now I'll be able to tell Ada a long tale about how Grandpa potty trained her in one weekend. Sort of like the stories of trudging to school in two feet of snow, up-hill both ways. :)
However, this morning as she grabbed a diaper, and then me, and dragged both of us to her changing pad in her room, waited for me to un-clasp her diaper and then raised her legs without me having to ask her - I thought to myself, "Why now?" Why is it that now that she has finally mastered the diaper change, cooperating and even helping me out, is she getting ready to dump the diaper all together? Seems the way with kids. Once they have us lulled into a sense of security they bust through our comfort level and find all sorts of new ways to challenge us.
But now I know what to do. If I want Ada to quickly move on from a particular stage, I'm just going to send her to Grandpa's house.
Monday, July 21, 2008
oreos
Ada spent the weekend at her Grandpa Ott's house while Elliot and I were up in San Francisco for a wedding. We spent the two weeks prior talking up Grandpa's house, and how he had a beach nearby, and had stairs, and how he always had grapes, and of course there was Grandpa - who is just super cool. Ada bought into this and all week leading up to her overnight adventure every time we asked her if she was looking forward to going to Grandpa's house she nodded very emphatically.
The weekend went off without a hitch. Ada slept on schedule and didn't even mention Mommy or Daddy once! Was it the stairs, or the beach, or the grapes? Well I think that had something to do with it, but the real secret was that Grandpa gave Ada almost unlimited access to Oreos. Now, Ada has had Oreos maybe one other time in her life. She has had Oreo like cookies and crackers before, but we try to keep Oreos out of the house because Elliot and I would probably polish off an entire bag of double-stuffed in a couple of days - and THAT is not a good thing.
So when we showed up at Grandpa's house yesterday to pick up Ada she seemed a little torn. Happy and excited to see Mommy and Daddy again but also a little bummed out that she was going to have to leave Grandpa's with the stairs, and the beach, and the grapes, GRANDPA - and of course the Oreos.
For those that want to see Ada in action, Grandpa took a little video of Ada as evidence that she really does love Oreos.
The weekend went off without a hitch. Ada slept on schedule and didn't even mention Mommy or Daddy once! Was it the stairs, or the beach, or the grapes? Well I think that had something to do with it, but the real secret was that Grandpa gave Ada almost unlimited access to Oreos. Now, Ada has had Oreos maybe one other time in her life. She has had Oreo like cookies and crackers before, but we try to keep Oreos out of the house because Elliot and I would probably polish off an entire bag of double-stuffed in a couple of days - and THAT is not a good thing.
So when we showed up at Grandpa's house yesterday to pick up Ada she seemed a little torn. Happy and excited to see Mommy and Daddy again but also a little bummed out that she was going to have to leave Grandpa's with the stairs, and the beach, and the grapes, GRANDPA - and of course the Oreos.
For those that want to see Ada in action, Grandpa took a little video of Ada as evidence that she really does love Oreos.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
recovery
Monday morning Ada woke up with a temperature so she spent the day home with Elliot, sleeping a lot - and when she wasn't sleeping, she was cuddling up with her dad. Tuesday was not much better temperature wise, but since I went in to get Lasik done on my eyes, she had to hang out in the waiting room of the optometrist. But when we got home, and I went to bed to follow doctor's orders to sleep all day, Ada watched and then insisted on following suit. So she climbed into bed with me, grabbed her bee blanket, snuggled up next to me, and spent the rest of the day revolving between snoozing and cuddling while we watched every kid movie we have stored on our bedroom DVR. I don't have scientific evidence, but I'm pretty sure that my eyes healed faster than normal because of all of the Ada cuddles and kisses.
Monday, July 14, 2008
old tricks
When Ada was young she loved to be swung. She didn't care if it was in her car seat, our arms, or any other box she could sit in. Recently she has re-discovered this joy.
We have a laundry basket in our kitchen that usually houses a helium balloon that Ada treats as a pet. We call the laundry basket the balloon house. However, when she lets the balloon loose, the laundry basket is available for free rides on the Daddy mobile.
She sits in her basket, puts on her demanding scowl, furrowed eyebrows and all, and say 'Daddy, 'Daddy', and either pulls Elliot's hands down to the handles of the basket or points to the handles with emphasis. And being the greatest dad in the whole world, Elliot will lift her up, take her on a trip around the kitchen, and then gently give her a soft peaceful landing. And all along Ada's giggles tell the tale of pure joy; and her smile tells the tale of satisfaction at once again getting Daddy to do just what she wants.
We have a laundry basket in our kitchen that usually houses a helium balloon that Ada treats as a pet. We call the laundry basket the balloon house. However, when she lets the balloon loose, the laundry basket is available for free rides on the Daddy mobile.
She sits in her basket, puts on her demanding scowl, furrowed eyebrows and all, and say 'Daddy, 'Daddy', and either pulls Elliot's hands down to the handles of the basket or points to the handles with emphasis. And being the greatest dad in the whole world, Elliot will lift her up, take her on a trip around the kitchen, and then gently give her a soft peaceful landing. And all along Ada's giggles tell the tale of pure joy; and her smile tells the tale of satisfaction at once again getting Daddy to do just what she wants.
a touchy subject
I try to keep this blog about Ada and what is going on in Ada's life. But occasionally something will hit me and make me feel so strongly that I feel like I need to let everyone know what I'm feeling. And this morning as I killed five minutes before my first meeting of the day, I read this article on CNN, and my blood boiled and my heart got all racy, and I felt like someone had just jumped me in an alley. So I thought I'd share.
For those that don't want to read the article it starts off telling the tale of two working moms whose children are grown, looking back on their decision to be working moms. One would still do it today, and one wouldn't. I'm so Ok with the start of this article, and had it stayed on that path I would have enjoyed the article and moved on with my day. Nope, it is some where in the middle and the end of the article that the blood boiling started.
I know the working mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate is a touchy subject, and those that chose one way or the other have their reasons. And my blood didn't boil because someone was challenging my decision, I have the utmost respect for women who chose to stay home. It is a challenging job and one that does not get enough respect. I get that. I don't have a problem with that. No, what started to get my blood boiling and my heart racing was quotes claiming research, "that found women are happiest in clearly defined and traditional marital roles." Or that "it takes a certain kind of maturity and self-awareness to be comfortable, because you don't get your ego stroked or awarded like you do on a job."
Are you kidding me? The best reward I have ever gotten is a spontaneous hug from Ada, or the look of excitement on her face when she wakes up and sees me in the morning. Those ego strokes are so much better than anything I could possibly ever get at work. Whoever wrote that quote (a mother of 12) has obviously forgotten the early days of motherhood, and I doubt has ever worked a corporate job in her life.
Anyone that knows me (or raised me) knows that I don't work because I need my ego stoked. I don't sit at work every day and wallow in the fact that I can't be home with Ada cleaning house and cooking dinner. I work because I saw first hand what can happen if you are a woman, and you don't work, and your life plan changes somewhere along the way. I work because I want to set a good example for my daughter, that it is Ok to follow your goals and pursue your dreams. I work because I am driven to work by my self-esteem and self-confidence that was drilled into me as a kid. I work because I know that I am a better mother for going to work and that Ada, my poor child who has to go to daycare every day, is getting lessons on things I wouldn't have even dreamed of teaching her. If I felt for one minute that Ada was suffering, feeling neglected, or was not excelling in life I would adjust our situation. Fortunately, Ada is a happy child, well adjusted, and socially strong.
I know that I am lucky to have the family I have. Elliot supports me in every way a husband could possibly support a wife, and we came to our decision on how to raise Ada together, without judgement or disagreement.
I also know that I don't fit into the typical woman or mommy box. I never have. And maybe that is why this article made my blood boil. I took it personally. It was talking about research, and that is typically the reporting of averages, of normality; and when you don't fit into a box, the quoting of research and statistics will make you feel completely mis-represented, and apparently make your blood boil. There is a brief mention about some women that "say they wouldn't be happy or feel healthy if they spent every second with their offspring. Their solution is a mix of work and caring for their children." But it only goes on to talk about women who work from home. As if that is the only acceptable solution if you really feel like you, the women with the ticking biological clock and the reproductive organs, really still need to have a job to stroke you ego.
This article is just the latest in a string of articles I have read since we started thinking about having a baby that purports the benefits of stay-at-home mommy-ness, and I know there are probably just as many that support working moms. It is however the first article that 'Trojan horsed' me with a title and an intro talking about one fairly innocuous aspect of this debate and then took a wild left turn to full out partisan support of one of the more controversial sides. I just wish we could take the activism out of this subject.
This article did have one positive effect, I have responded with such vigor that I am now 100% positive that the decision we made on how to raise our kids is the right one. For Us.
I promise, tomorow will be all about Ada.
For those that don't want to read the article it starts off telling the tale of two working moms whose children are grown, looking back on their decision to be working moms. One would still do it today, and one wouldn't. I'm so Ok with the start of this article, and had it stayed on that path I would have enjoyed the article and moved on with my day. Nope, it is some where in the middle and the end of the article that the blood boiling started.
I know the working mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate is a touchy subject, and those that chose one way or the other have their reasons. And my blood didn't boil because someone was challenging my decision, I have the utmost respect for women who chose to stay home. It is a challenging job and one that does not get enough respect. I get that. I don't have a problem with that. No, what started to get my blood boiling and my heart racing was quotes claiming research, "that found women are happiest in clearly defined and traditional marital roles." Or that "it takes a certain kind of maturity and self-awareness to be comfortable, because you don't get your ego stroked or awarded like you do on a job."
Are you kidding me? The best reward I have ever gotten is a spontaneous hug from Ada, or the look of excitement on her face when she wakes up and sees me in the morning. Those ego strokes are so much better than anything I could possibly ever get at work. Whoever wrote that quote (a mother of 12) has obviously forgotten the early days of motherhood, and I doubt has ever worked a corporate job in her life.
Anyone that knows me (or raised me) knows that I don't work because I need my ego stoked. I don't sit at work every day and wallow in the fact that I can't be home with Ada cleaning house and cooking dinner. I work because I saw first hand what can happen if you are a woman, and you don't work, and your life plan changes somewhere along the way. I work because I want to set a good example for my daughter, that it is Ok to follow your goals and pursue your dreams. I work because I am driven to work by my self-esteem and self-confidence that was drilled into me as a kid. I work because I know that I am a better mother for going to work and that Ada, my poor child who has to go to daycare every day, is getting lessons on things I wouldn't have even dreamed of teaching her. If I felt for one minute that Ada was suffering, feeling neglected, or was not excelling in life I would adjust our situation. Fortunately, Ada is a happy child, well adjusted, and socially strong.
I know that I am lucky to have the family I have. Elliot supports me in every way a husband could possibly support a wife, and we came to our decision on how to raise Ada together, without judgement or disagreement.
I also know that I don't fit into the typical woman or mommy box. I never have. And maybe that is why this article made my blood boil. I took it personally. It was talking about research, and that is typically the reporting of averages, of normality; and when you don't fit into a box, the quoting of research and statistics will make you feel completely mis-represented, and apparently make your blood boil. There is a brief mention about some women that "say they wouldn't be happy or feel healthy if they spent every second with their offspring. Their solution is a mix of work and caring for their children." But it only goes on to talk about women who work from home. As if that is the only acceptable solution if you really feel like you, the women with the ticking biological clock and the reproductive organs, really still need to have a job to stroke you ego.
This article is just the latest in a string of articles I have read since we started thinking about having a baby that purports the benefits of stay-at-home mommy-ness, and I know there are probably just as many that support working moms. It is however the first article that 'Trojan horsed' me with a title and an intro talking about one fairly innocuous aspect of this debate and then took a wild left turn to full out partisan support of one of the more controversial sides. I just wish we could take the activism out of this subject.
This article did have one positive effect, I have responded with such vigor that I am now 100% positive that the decision we made on how to raise our kids is the right one. For Us.
I promise, tomorow will be all about Ada.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
naked baby jumping
We set up our air mattress in our living room last weekend when Taylor was over as a distraction for Ada and Taylor, and it worked. They spent a good 30 minutes jumping on the air bed dancing to music, and flinging themselves from the air mattress onto the couch and back again.
Seeing that Ada had so much fun and that we are all worn out from the weekend, we have left the air bed up. This has proved fun for the whole family as we have had jumping and dancing parties every night this week. Last night Ada took it to a whole new level. She was climbing on the couch, jumping down on to the air bed, and the repeating all over again. After about five rounds she must have gotten a bit warm because she stripped all the way down to NOTHING (yes, all by herself, this scares me). Once she was fully nekkid she started her whole climbing jumping, repeating process again, only this time she jumped harder and farther and with a much much bigger smile. Letting us know that those clothes, yeah the ones we put on her everyday, are TOTALLY slowing her down. From now on, if it is up to her, she will go through life without the restrictions of clothing to slow her down.
Seeing that Ada had so much fun and that we are all worn out from the weekend, we have left the air bed up. This has proved fun for the whole family as we have had jumping and dancing parties every night this week. Last night Ada took it to a whole new level. She was climbing on the couch, jumping down on to the air bed, and the repeating all over again. After about five rounds she must have gotten a bit warm because she stripped all the way down to NOTHING (yes, all by herself, this scares me). Once she was fully nekkid she started her whole climbing jumping, repeating process again, only this time she jumped harder and farther and with a much much bigger smile. Letting us know that those clothes, yeah the ones we put on her everyday, are TOTALLY slowing her down. From now on, if it is up to her, she will go through life without the restrictions of clothing to slow her down.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
future marathoner
As parents you try to not lay expectations upon your children. You say things like, "She'll do whatever she wants to do", but really deep down you secretly hope they pick something that you really like and really understand. Because then you can bond over that mutual love, and you can provide some sort of help on how to achieve the most they can possibly achieve at that something.
It is no secret that Elliot and I love (well I am more of a like in this category) running. Heck, Elliot even bought a jogging stroller before we got our crib. So Ada's recent most favorite thing to do - EVER - is bringing us lots and lots of joy. We try to go for our evening runs when she is winding down for the night. We do our stretches (which Ada also loves), load her up in her rocket ship (her jogging stroller), and out we go. In the past, this was a sure fire way to get her to fall asleep. She would be active for the first half, bored for the next quarter, and then asleep for the last quarter. All was great, we had a wonderfully easy way to get Ada to sleep, and we were getting some exercise at the same time. PERFECT!!
And then a couple of weeks ago Ada went and messed it all up, only it is the cutest thing in the world so we aren't holding it against her. Now she stays awake for the whole run, insists on getting out once we have reached the corner where we stop running, and then SHE runs. It is about 250 meters from our stopping corner to our house (up a hill!!) and Ada runs the whole way. Well, she does stop once about halfway home to talk to the rocks in one of our neighbor's front yards, but then she picks it back up and heads home. She of course, insists that we jog with her and I'm sure this looks pretty funny. Ada busting as fast as she can, me practically running in place next to her, and Elliot following behind, pushing an empty stroller with the biggest smiling, laughing grin on his face.
It is no secret that Elliot and I love (well I am more of a like in this category) running. Heck, Elliot even bought a jogging stroller before we got our crib. So Ada's recent most favorite thing to do - EVER - is bringing us lots and lots of joy. We try to go for our evening runs when she is winding down for the night. We do our stretches (which Ada also loves), load her up in her rocket ship (her jogging stroller), and out we go. In the past, this was a sure fire way to get her to fall asleep. She would be active for the first half, bored for the next quarter, and then asleep for the last quarter. All was great, we had a wonderfully easy way to get Ada to sleep, and we were getting some exercise at the same time. PERFECT!!
And then a couple of weeks ago Ada went and messed it all up, only it is the cutest thing in the world so we aren't holding it against her. Now she stays awake for the whole run, insists on getting out once we have reached the corner where we stop running, and then SHE runs. It is about 250 meters from our stopping corner to our house (up a hill!!) and Ada runs the whole way. Well, she does stop once about halfway home to talk to the rocks in one of our neighbor's front yards, but then she picks it back up and heads home. She of course, insists that we jog with her and I'm sure this looks pretty funny. Ada busting as fast as she can, me practically running in place next to her, and Elliot following behind, pushing an empty stroller with the biggest smiling, laughing grin on his face.
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