This is an open letter to all the parents out there that I have wrongly judged over the years. I'd watch your kids be disruptive or even lash out and hit you. And I judged you. I thought, "My kids will never do that."
I judged you because I had no clue what it meant to be a parent. I'm quickly learning that sometimes I don't even know how to be an effective parent. So, I'm done judging. Yes, there are bratty kids out there who probably have parents that struggle to teach them how to behave. But I'd be sad if someone judged my parenting skills based on how Blake sometimes behaves. He's only 15 months old, but he's perfecting the art of tantrums. And despite my best efforts, he's started to hit.
But I'm learning that Blake is learning. He's learning what's right and wrong and I have to be the one to teach him. And I'm in it for the long haul, because I'm realizing it's going to be a long haul. I know what kind of person I want Blake to be. And helping him become that person is going to be made up of lots of mistakes, both on his part and mine.
So I'm sorry. I'm done judging. Now let's all get out there and do our best!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Seeing New York-City Treehouse
My sister recently stayed with us and accompanied Blake and me on an adventure to City Treehouse. It's an indoor playspace that boasts water tables, a treehouse, a star cave, and a soft toy room. And even though it's too expensive ($10 for your first visit, $20 for every visit after that) for us to be going very often ever again*, it was fun to experience it.
Yea for water tables!
*City Treehouse is actually having a summer special, so we will get to go again!
Yea for water tables!
*City Treehouse is actually having a summer special, so we will get to go again!
Friday, June 24, 2011
slightly well visit
Blake had his 15 month check up yesterday. Well, actually he only had half of his check up. He was weighed (23 pounds, going on 40 I swear) and measured (32 inches), but luckily for him he didn't have to get any shots. Unluckily for him he has to sit on my lap 3 times a day for the next week while I hold a nebulizer under his mouth and nose in order to help break up the bronchitis that has settled in his lungs.
Fun.
When we arrived at the doctor's office I told the receptionist that Blake had a bit of a cold and asked her if we should wait in the sick waiting room even though we were there for a well visit. We proceeded to wait in the sick room while Blake played with Snotty McSnotterson. I won't be surprised if he catches whatever that kid had. I was trying to do the rest of the patients a favor by not letting Blake in the well waiting room. So if Blake caught whatever booger boy had, I'm gonna be annoyed.
I digress. I wasn't worried at all about Blake's cough. He'd had it for a few days and I've had a bit of a sore throat and stuffy nose. Regular cold stuff. And anytime I've been 100% positive Blake was sick and needed medication, I have been 100% wrong and $30 poorer. So I decided I wasn't going to call a 24-hour nurse hotline or his doctor and explain the symptoms. I was just going to ride the cough out and not be the hypochondriac I've been in the past.
And of course the one time I don't freak out, he has bronchitis. I wasn't even concerned when the nurse that weighed and measured Blake started frowning when I said he had a cold. I said, "Oh he just has a wet cough and can't seem to clear anything out." In my mind I was thinking, "It's just a cough, lady." Then Blake's doctor came in and listened to him breathe. I was surprised when she said she wanted to do a nebulizer treatment on Blake and that he wouldn't be getting any shots until he was better.
So what did we learn from this visit, kids? Freak out or don't freak out. It doesn't really matter. Oh, and we now know that our insurance covers a nebulizer machine. That we get to keep. So that's cool. I guess.
Fun.
When we arrived at the doctor's office I told the receptionist that Blake had a bit of a cold and asked her if we should wait in the sick waiting room even though we were there for a well visit. We proceeded to wait in the sick room while Blake played with Snotty McSnotterson. I won't be surprised if he catches whatever that kid had. I was trying to do the rest of the patients a favor by not letting Blake in the well waiting room. So if Blake caught whatever booger boy had, I'm gonna be annoyed.
I digress. I wasn't worried at all about Blake's cough. He'd had it for a few days and I've had a bit of a sore throat and stuffy nose. Regular cold stuff. And anytime I've been 100% positive Blake was sick and needed medication, I have been 100% wrong and $30 poorer. So I decided I wasn't going to call a 24-hour nurse hotline or his doctor and explain the symptoms. I was just going to ride the cough out and not be the hypochondriac I've been in the past.
And of course the one time I don't freak out, he has bronchitis. I wasn't even concerned when the nurse that weighed and measured Blake started frowning when I said he had a cold. I said, "Oh he just has a wet cough and can't seem to clear anything out." In my mind I was thinking, "It's just a cough, lady." Then Blake's doctor came in and listened to him breathe. I was surprised when she said she wanted to do a nebulizer treatment on Blake and that he wouldn't be getting any shots until he was better.
So what did we learn from this visit, kids? Freak out or don't freak out. It doesn't really matter. Oh, and we now know that our insurance covers a nebulizer machine. That we get to keep. So that's cool. I guess.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
I...have a problem
No, it's not that I eat too many cookies. Well, that is a problem, but I'm talking about another problem.
A few months after I read a book, I can't really remember the details of the story. I can give an extremely brief summary of what happens, but details are lacking.
This bothers me because I feel like I can't talk about books I've read with people. I just end up saying, "I can't really remember the details, but I really liked it." Lame.
Is this normal? I think I'm just not devoting a lot of mental energy to reading these books. And that's probably ok because I have other more important things to devote that energy to (for now).
A few months after I read a book, I can't really remember the details of the story. I can give an extremely brief summary of what happens, but details are lacking.
This bothers me because I feel like I can't talk about books I've read with people. I just end up saying, "I can't really remember the details, but I really liked it." Lame.
Is this normal? I think I'm just not devoting a lot of mental energy to reading these books. And that's probably ok because I have other more important things to devote that energy to (for now).
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
creative side
I don't really consider myself a crafty person. I blame it on lack of space. If I had a whole room to devote to being crafty or sewing I think I'd turn out some pretty awesome stuff. On the other hand, if I really loved creating things I wouldn't need a whole room to devote to it. I'd just find the space I needed and craft away.
A few months ago I was reading a friend of a friend's blog and noticed a really cute Christmas decoration that was kind of different than your standard Christmas decorations.
Subway art. I had seen other things done in subway art style but never really liked it enough to hang in my home. I saw this one and thought it was really cute. And I had a few apothecary jars Istole in a rousing white elephant gift exchange (I still feel bad about that) got for Christmas one year that I filled with colored Christmas ball ornaments. I didn't print this subway art out until well after Christmas, but I plan to put it up next year along with the jars. (And I may have only recently put the Christmas ornaments that were in said jars away...ahem.)
My goal is to have seasonal subway art and objects to put in the apothecary jars and change them as the seasons change. With the start of summer, I'm on the hunt for some sand to fill the apothecary jars with along with miniature summer-y items. So far I have mini beach balls and a mini sand shovel. I just need one more object and my summer decorations will be done. Except, as I searched for summer subway art, I couldn't fine anything I liked. Most of the results were cute, but not cute enough. So I decided to make my own.
I'm actually pretty happy with the way it turned out. I don't think it's as cute as the Christmas one, but I like it better than anything else I could find. And I feel pretty creative to boot!
Maybe I can start my own etsy shop and sell these for $20 a pop. Ooo and make some headbands and stuff! Or get a really expensive camera and start a photography business. I'm just feeling so creative now!
A few months ago I was reading a friend of a friend's blog and noticed a really cute Christmas decoration that was kind of different than your standard Christmas decorations.
Subway art. I had seen other things done in subway art style but never really liked it enough to hang in my home. I saw this one and thought it was really cute. And I had a few apothecary jars I
My goal is to have seasonal subway art and objects to put in the apothecary jars and change them as the seasons change. With the start of summer, I'm on the hunt for some sand to fill the apothecary jars with along with miniature summer-y items. So far I have mini beach balls and a mini sand shovel. I just need one more object and my summer decorations will be done. Except, as I searched for summer subway art, I couldn't fine anything I liked. Most of the results were cute, but not cute enough. So I decided to make my own.
Maybe I can start my own etsy shop and sell these for $20 a pop. Ooo and make some headbands and stuff! Or get a really expensive camera and start a photography business. I'm just feeling so creative now!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
sensitive subject?
I was recently reading a woman's blog in which she posted a rant about how she hates when people call her "brave" after informing them she is going to have a home birth. Hmmmm. Really?
She explained that when people call her "brave" what they are really alluding to is their belief that home births are dangerous and that she must be crazy for wanting one.
And maybe some people do feel that way. But maybe other people really do think she is brave. This woman said she's done a lot of research and feels a home birth is the best option for her and her baby. Congratulations! I don't care.
Ok, ok, I mean, it's not like I hope there are complications or something and that her baby has to be rushed to the hospital so someone can say, "Told ya you shoulda had that baby in a hospital." In fact, I hope everything goes really smoothly and that it's a beautiful experience. I even hope that if she has a great experience this time around, she'll do a home birth with all her pregnancies. See, so I do care.
I just don't think she should be so offended when people call her brave. Maybe some people have given her that crazy look, but still, why choose to be offended? (Ok I really don't have room to talk because one time a guy told me my baby was hungry and I was totally offended.)
In conclusion (wait, where did that come from...) I think this woman is brave. In fact, I think all women who give birth are brave. Whether you have your baby in a hospital or at home, whether you have an epidural or go "natural", whether you have to be sliced open or...not, you are brave. You are taking on the challenge of sustaining another life within yourself for 9 months, expelling that life from your body, and then shaping that life for the rest of YOUR life.
And that my friends takes bravery.
She explained that when people call her "brave" what they are really alluding to is their belief that home births are dangerous and that she must be crazy for wanting one.
And maybe some people do feel that way. But maybe other people really do think she is brave. This woman said she's done a lot of research and feels a home birth is the best option for her and her baby. Congratulations! I don't care.
Ok, ok, I mean, it's not like I hope there are complications or something and that her baby has to be rushed to the hospital so someone can say, "Told ya you shoulda had that baby in a hospital." In fact, I hope everything goes really smoothly and that it's a beautiful experience. I even hope that if she has a great experience this time around, she'll do a home birth with all her pregnancies. See, so I do care.
I just don't think she should be so offended when people call her brave. Maybe some people have given her that crazy look, but still, why choose to be offended? (Ok I really don't have room to talk because one time a guy told me my baby was hungry and I was totally offended.)
In conclusion (wait, where did that come from...) I think this woman is brave. In fact, I think all women who give birth are brave. Whether you have your baby in a hospital or at home, whether you have an epidural or go "natural", whether you have to be sliced open or...not, you are brave. You are taking on the challenge of sustaining another life within yourself for 9 months, expelling that life from your body, and then shaping that life for the rest of YOUR life.
And that my friends takes bravery.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Dear (fill-in-the-blank),
Dear lady who is visiting the people who live above us,
I'm used to being around cigarette smoke because apparently it's the thing to do if you live here. Personally I think it's disgusting and I hate that I have to smell it everywhere I go, even sometimes in my apartment. I saw you sitting on the front porch this morning puffing away. And even though it boggles my mind that people smoke, it's your choice to do so if you desire. But please don't flick your ashes on the porch. My baby plays there and will inevitably be eating those ashes. Go flick them somewhere else.
Sincerely,
trying to breathe clean air
Dear dog owners,
Clean up your dog's poop. If you didn't want to be bending down and picking up your dog's mess then you shouldn't have gotten a dog.
Sincerely,
grossed out
Dear lazy people who throw their trash on the ground,
Seriously? You really can't take the time to find a trash can? You are far too busy to expend the mental and physical energy to throw YOUR trash into a trash receptacle? Well then I think you're a piece of trash and wish I could throw you away.
Sincerely,
tired of picking up garbage so my child doesn't play with it
Dear bossy kids at the playground,
If your parents couldn't hear me I would say something really mean to you. Instead I'm just going to give you the meanest look I can muster and ignore you telling my child he can't play on the slide.
Sincerely,
not looking forward to summer days at the playground with annoying kids
I'm used to being around cigarette smoke because apparently it's the thing to do if you live here. Personally I think it's disgusting and I hate that I have to smell it everywhere I go, even sometimes in my apartment. I saw you sitting on the front porch this morning puffing away. And even though it boggles my mind that people smoke, it's your choice to do so if you desire. But please don't flick your ashes on the porch. My baby plays there and will inevitably be eating those ashes. Go flick them somewhere else.
Sincerely,
trying to breathe clean air
Dear dog owners,
Clean up your dog's poop. If you didn't want to be bending down and picking up your dog's mess then you shouldn't have gotten a dog.
Sincerely,
grossed out
Dear lazy people who throw their trash on the ground,
Seriously? You really can't take the time to find a trash can? You are far too busy to expend the mental and physical energy to throw YOUR trash into a trash receptacle? Well then I think you're a piece of trash and wish I could throw you away.
Sincerely,
tired of picking up garbage so my child doesn't play with it
Dear bossy kids at the playground,
If your parents couldn't hear me I would say something really mean to you. Instead I'm just going to give you the meanest look I can muster and ignore you telling my child he can't play on the slide.
Sincerely,
not looking forward to summer days at the playground with annoying kids
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