The Spirited Child

My child is a spirited child. She is a sweet girl who likes to get into things. I have bought about every child safety lock sold at Target. I did it because she does like to get into stuff, AND I am a lazy mother who won't/can't keep an eye on my daughter at all times.

Peanut started her new class today. I was worried because she was going to be taking a nap on a mat rather than in a crib. I was excited because I liked the teacher. In this class, all the students are on the same schedule, so it is going to be easier to take them outside to play, to sing songs, and to do group activities.

When I picked peanut up today, I asked the same questions I ask everyday. How was your day? and Where you a good girl today? I was expecting to hear what a wonderful daughter I have and maybe a cute story about what she did. I was prepared to laugh a little, hug my daughter, and walk out feeling very pleased. I was not prepared to be told my daughter was a "handful". That no she did not bite someone, but she tried. That she was fighting? Fighting? Can a 13-month old fight?

How could someone think my child was less than perfect? What if she doesn't like my child, and my poor baby is with this woman 8 hours a day?

I poured my guts out to my friend Keren because it really bothered me. She made a good point, toddlers hit and bite. I see her daughter as angel baby and even she hits. I watched Peanut with two of my friend's kids this afternoon and she did hit or bite them. She didn't even take any of their toys or cry because she wanted something the other child had.

So, I guess I will give it a week. Maybe they made a mistake and promoted her too soon. Maybe she just needs some time to adjust to the new class and teachers. But maybe, this environment isn't good for her, and we need to look for something else. I don't know. I guess I will keep my eyes open for another school, but in the meantime, if the teacher talks about my daughter like that again, i will gently remind her that Peanut is young (much younger then some of the others) and deserves a bit more patience.

and if she says anything else... I will punch her.

uh-oh means uh-oh

It was nice weekend here in "The Little House that Love Built". Today Mr. T. went to auto-cross the car, so Peanut and I hung out all day. I have been feeling a little stressed so i asked the neighbor girls to come over and watch peanut while i got some homework done. It worked out great. They stayed for about an hour and kept her out of my hair completely. Even when I am getting time during the day to study with Mr. T. here, I am usually asked to do some task or Peanut finds me and wants to play. I hired them on for next weekend. With their help, I should be able to knock these tests out in no time.

A friend of ours came over and crawled underneath our house to look at our foundation. We are thinking of giving our house a major remodel. We live in a one story now and are thinking about making it a two story. We have looked for about 9 months for a house, but we can't seem to find one we like in our neighborhood. We can find some that we can live with, but they are right at the limit of our budget and will need some work. Our quest is made even harder by the fact that we want a garage. Finding a garage in Hillcrest is next to impossible. There are a lot of out buildings, but they don't have enough room for a workshop and a place to store bikes. We are starting to get ourselves organized to undertake this project. I think it is going to be a doozey.

On our run today, Peanut kept saying uh-oh. She didn't say it constantly, but just every once in a while. I noticed that she was leaning forward in her seat a lot, which is something that she rarely does. We jogged around for about an hour before we stopped where Mr. T. was racing the car. I don't remember what I was doing, but I noticed water dripping from the bottom of the stroller. Peanut had left her water bottle open, and it was leaking. Her pants, diaper, and seat were drenched. I pulled her pants off, removed the seat, and changed her diaper before we continued on our way. I guess uh-oh really does mean uh-oh. Poor girl, it must be difficult to have such a limited vocabulary and not be able to tell someone when something isn't right. But... good for her for not being grumbly about the whole thing.

Morning Commute

FINALLY, we have had some consistently pretty days. Yesterday was the first day I finally had it together enough to ride my bike to work, something I did regularly before I got knocked up. Today, I was finally able to get it together enough to take Peanut to school on my bike. We made it there with very little bike trouble. Unfortunately, I am pulling her trailer on my road bike, when I really want to be using my beater bike. The beater has been in the attic with no pedals on it for about 2 years, so it will need a little work, but maybe this weekend. The people at Peanut's day school let me leave the trailer there. After I drop her off, I pedal on down the hill to work. The whole ordeal takes me about 30 minutes from my door to sitting at my desk. I don't know that taking the car is much faster.

When I take peanut to school in the morning when Mr. T. has left early to either go work out or ride his bike to work. When he takes her, I get her completely ready and pack her bag. All he has to do is change her diaper and go. With him gone, I get her together (dressed, fed, and changed) and myself out the door on my own.

I explained all that to say, the mornings that I take her are pretty hectic. This morning as I was shuttling bags and bikes out the door, I left peanut in her relatively safe and baby proofed room. I was outside for maybe 1 minute before returning to her room to get her. In that short amount of time, she had pulled the bottom cushion off her glider, climbed on top of the glider, and was rocking back and forth trying to reach her pacifiers which are kept on top of the book case. I pulled her down off the chair, put the cushion back on, and placed a basket full of clothes on the chair. Not to be dissuaded, peanut threw the clothing basket FULL OF CLOTHES on the floor, the cushion on the floor and was in the process of climbing back up onto the chair when I came back into her room. This time, I must have been gone... oh.... 15 seconds.

Taking the chair out of her room isn't much of an option. I use it nightly because she is still waking up 2 or 3 times a night. Last night we started a new round of tough love. No nursing at night. She cried and screamed because she wanted to nurse and fall asleep in my arms. It made my night wakings about 5 times as long as they usually were, but hopefully, it will all pay off in the end. I am going to give it about 3 nights. If it doesn't work, then I am heading back to the doctor to see if her ears are cleared up.

More Weird Toddler Tricks

Peanut Vs Daisy

It is a little darker than I would like, but it is because we use energy efficient light bulbs.



and if that doesn't work then try...

Turning into Mom

You always hear that you turn into your mom when you have kids. I don't think it ends with only your mom, and I don't think it starts when you have kids.

This morning, I had to wake peanut up. I turned on her light and sang to her, just like my father did to me when he woke me up. She tossed and turned a bit taking a little time to wake up, but she came to breakfast with a smile on her face, just like her mother.

Now, I need to keep her from torturing her slow to wake up younger sibling during breakfast. It will be difficult because it is sooo easy and soooo fun.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Mr. T.



I love you, and I am happy that I get to be your wife.
(even if you are really sweaty)