It has become a challenge to take a shower daily. No, I'm not becoming one of the unwashed. However, once upon a time I enjoyed and preferred to take a hot shower every day. Now, courtesy of the Babe, I squeeze one in every other day, and am only super lucky if its two days in a row. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a long, hot shower without interruption. That luxury can only occur during the weekends.
The shower is only part of the luxury, its the without interruption part that I would like. I generally will put on the television in my bedroom, and the Babe lounges in my bed while I take a shower. I leave the master bathroom door open so I can hear her while I try to get in a five-minute-or-less shower. Although her favorite show might be on, generally I hear her calling for me. This requires turning off the water, and opening the door to find out if something is wrong. Nope, generally something is so funny or so urgent that she has to share the latest on t.v. On occasion, she will even go so far as to walk into the bathroom to get my attention, only to tell me Caillou or Elmo did something silly.
Today she was playing with blocks in my room. She didn't ask for t.v., and I figured I might have a shot at that shower. Got in, and within a minute (after being totally submerged), she cried out that the t.v. wasn't on. That required me to get out of my hot steamy shower to go turn on the t.v. dripping wet. After returning to my shower, she kept calling out laughing, requiring at least one additional time turning off of the water.
When she was an infant, I had no problem getting in a daily shower. I couldn't understand why my other friends who were new mothers had trouble. Until she started climbing, I could put her in her bassinet or bouncy seat, and know she was both content and safe. Our last home had a shower with clear glass walls, so that also made it easier. Now she's mobile and demanding, always wanting to share everything with me. I love that she wants me, but sometimes I could use a few minutes alone.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Whooosh!
Whoosh and a jump about 3 feet high. What would that be? The automatic toilet flushing in a public restroom and my startled little one.
Let me back up a bit. We're still working on potty training. We have reached the point where diapers are not needed when we go out (only for bedtime, and to do something she still refuses to do on the toilet), and the Babe has used a public restroom. She was very excited by that, so now whenever we go out she tells us how she's going to use that store's bathroom when we go (whatever store we might be going to). Her first experience was at a Kohl's a few weeks back, second time last week at Target. She makes sure to tell everyone that she just went pee pee. Most people get a laugh at it.
Last night we went to visit my parents, who are about an hour drive from our home. En route she announced she needed to use the bathroom. Uh oh. We had options of places to stop, but she wanted to go potty at Grandma and Grandpa's. She actually was able to wait over a half hour after her announcement (we kept asking if she wanted us to stop). So, of course on the way home she made the same announcement, except she couldn't wait. We stopped a little over mid-way home at a hotel. As I held her while she sat on the toilet, I looked straight into the mechanical eye of the automatic flush and realized, oops, I should have covered that with some paper. I then warned the Babe that the toilet might flush on its own. That warning had no meaning, as seconds later it went off, and the Babe shot up. Its hard to hold a child dangling over a toilet while laughing, but it can be done. Anyhow, we finished up, and she made sure she announced to the young guy standing outside the restroom of her success.
No harm done. She's already announced that she's going to use the potty at the store later today. I just wish this wasn't part of the entertainment.
Let me back up a bit. We're still working on potty training. We have reached the point where diapers are not needed when we go out (only for bedtime, and to do something she still refuses to do on the toilet), and the Babe has used a public restroom. She was very excited by that, so now whenever we go out she tells us how she's going to use that store's bathroom when we go (whatever store we might be going to). Her first experience was at a Kohl's a few weeks back, second time last week at Target. She makes sure to tell everyone that she just went pee pee. Most people get a laugh at it.
Last night we went to visit my parents, who are about an hour drive from our home. En route she announced she needed to use the bathroom. Uh oh. We had options of places to stop, but she wanted to go potty at Grandma and Grandpa's. She actually was able to wait over a half hour after her announcement (we kept asking if she wanted us to stop). So, of course on the way home she made the same announcement, except she couldn't wait. We stopped a little over mid-way home at a hotel. As I held her while she sat on the toilet, I looked straight into the mechanical eye of the automatic flush and realized, oops, I should have covered that with some paper. I then warned the Babe that the toilet might flush on its own. That warning had no meaning, as seconds later it went off, and the Babe shot up. Its hard to hold a child dangling over a toilet while laughing, but it can be done. Anyhow, we finished up, and she made sure she announced to the young guy standing outside the restroom of her success.
No harm done. She's already announced that she's going to use the potty at the store later today. I just wish this wasn't part of the entertainment.
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Art of a Joke
Recently the Babe learned the art of telling knock-knock jokes. Ok, its a work in progress, but she's highly amused by them (especially the one's that make absolutely no sense). Tonight, she has been enjoying telling this one:
"Knock-Knock.
Who's there?
Don't you have a doorbell?"
Hahahaha!
"Knock-Knock.
Who's there?
Don't you have a doorbell?"
Hahahaha!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sweet Treat
I know we went to the dentist yesterday, but today I had to make a treat. It had to be simple and sweet. So I made these faux peanut butter crispy things. Its doubtful the Babe will eat any (she somehow doesn't have much of a sweet tooth), but I certainly will. I cannot take credit for the recipe, but have no idea of its source as my Mother passed it on to me, origin unknown to her as well. The first time I made them, it kind of reminded me of those old Whatchamacallit candy bars (I think that was the name). Anyhow, they're so tasty, I'll share the recipe.
Peanutty Crispy Treats
1 C sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
2 C sunflower seed butter or peanut butter
4 C GF Rice Krispies
In a saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup until boiling. Remove from heat, stir in the sunflower seed butter. Then stir in the cereal. Poor in a large, wax paper lined casserole dish or baking dish. Refrigerate 15-30 minutes, then cut into bars. Return to refrigerate to cool.
*Eat whenever you want, but usually tastes even better on the second day.
**I suspect my mother would be upset with me if I did not to suggest to drizzle some melted chocolate on top. But shh, I didn't do it with today's batch.
Peanutty Crispy Treats
1 C sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
2 C sunflower seed butter or peanut butter
4 C GF Rice Krispies
In a saucepan, combine the sugar and corn syrup until boiling. Remove from heat, stir in the sunflower seed butter. Then stir in the cereal. Poor in a large, wax paper lined casserole dish or baking dish. Refrigerate 15-30 minutes, then cut into bars. Return to refrigerate to cool.
*Eat whenever you want, but usually tastes even better on the second day.
**I suspect my mother would be upset with me if I did not to suggest to drizzle some melted chocolate on top. But shh, I didn't do it with today's batch.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dental Visit
The Babe had her very first dental visit today. We saw a pediatric dentist our pediatrician recommended. I informed them ahead of time about the Babe's allergies, and reminded them once in the office. For me, the stressful part of the visit was how the Babe would handle any of the cleaners, not the actual procedure. While crying and screaming may be embarrassing, I can live with that.
Anyhow, the Babe wanted to play with the toys in the office. Since I doubt most people eat in a dentist's office, I wasn't concerned about that. However, once in the exam room, that's all she wanted to do was play. She then was afraid of the chair and the tools. Easing her into it wasn't working. So, I was given an option- hold her tight or they could use a papoose. Thinking it was a simple cloth thing, I o.k.'d the papoose. Turns out its a back board with soft sides that cross over. I held her hands, but she was restrained. That made me feel bad, however, it had to be done. She cried and screamed, but the dentist got her teeth cleaned. It didn't seem to phase the dentist or tech (which is why I was happy to see a pediatric dentist rather than a regular one). The dentist said it was great that the Babe is strong-willed, and will serve her well later in life. The front desk person and tech also commented on the same. Gee, that makes me feel great when she's fighting us on routine things, but glad her stubbornness will pay off later. Actually, glad they could find the positive in it, too.
After she was all done, the Babe got two toothbrushes and picked a toy ring as her prize. The dentist asked for a hug, which was nice, until we got to the front of the office. That's when the Babe had some hives pop out on the upper part of both cheeks. Either the scrub top irritated her face, or something on it caused a contact reaction. I washed her cheeks off, watched for a bit, and the hives eventually went away. Go figure that it wasn't the pumice paste used to clean her teeth but a simple hug that triggered the reaction. Life with an allergic child requires constant watching. Nothing can be simple, not even a hug.
Anyhow, the Babe wanted to play with the toys in the office. Since I doubt most people eat in a dentist's office, I wasn't concerned about that. However, once in the exam room, that's all she wanted to do was play. She then was afraid of the chair and the tools. Easing her into it wasn't working. So, I was given an option- hold her tight or they could use a papoose. Thinking it was a simple cloth thing, I o.k.'d the papoose. Turns out its a back board with soft sides that cross over. I held her hands, but she was restrained. That made me feel bad, however, it had to be done. She cried and screamed, but the dentist got her teeth cleaned. It didn't seem to phase the dentist or tech (which is why I was happy to see a pediatric dentist rather than a regular one). The dentist said it was great that the Babe is strong-willed, and will serve her well later in life. The front desk person and tech also commented on the same. Gee, that makes me feel great when she's fighting us on routine things, but glad her stubbornness will pay off later. Actually, glad they could find the positive in it, too.
After she was all done, the Babe got two toothbrushes and picked a toy ring as her prize. The dentist asked for a hug, which was nice, until we got to the front of the office. That's when the Babe had some hives pop out on the upper part of both cheeks. Either the scrub top irritated her face, or something on it caused a contact reaction. I washed her cheeks off, watched for a bit, and the hives eventually went away. Go figure that it wasn't the pumice paste used to clean her teeth but a simple hug that triggered the reaction. Life with an allergic child requires constant watching. Nothing can be simple, not even a hug.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
"I Want"
Children's television programming aimed at 2-4 year olds is mostly wonderful and educational. The commercials though are not. When we started watching children's programming, specifically on Sprout, the commercials were for diapers and a reading program. No toys. Now we have diversified our channel watching, and the station with the Big Mouse knows a lot about marketing. So of course, when we watch that channel, the only non-toy commercial I can recall is for a cake pop maker. This has led to a frequent case of, "I Want!". It doesn't matter what the item is (including the baking tool), the Babe repeatedly says, "I Want". She doesn't ask for the product after seeing it, only during the commercial. So last night, I got rather sick of hearing her say, "I want" over and over and over again. Finally, when she wouldn't stop, I suggested she say, "I like". Well, she got the concept and redefined it. Her next response was, "I like it. Get it for me?". Argh!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sneaky Babe
The Babe may not have any siblings, and may spend very little time with other children, but she sure has figured out ways to try to manipulate her parents without any outside examples (that I know of).
For instance, earlier today she asked if she could have a tissue from a little pack in my purse. Of course she could. I looked away for a minute, only to turn back and see she's pulled them all out of the packet and throwing them around. Her response was to look up at me all innocently and say, "I love you Momma!". She is also very quick to say she's sorry, followed by "I love you" when she's done something she shouldn't.
And lastly, the ultimate in child warfare, she has attempted on several occasions to pit her parents against each other. Well, maybe not against each other. Rather, she'll ask for something from one of us, and when she's told no, she'll turn to the other and ask for it. This may occur when we're at opposite ends of the house or right next to each other on the couch. Luckily, my husband and I are pretty much on the same page and equally refuse her. Brilliant tactic for a three year old. Good thing we don't have a dog to blame things on!
For instance, earlier today she asked if she could have a tissue from a little pack in my purse. Of course she could. I looked away for a minute, only to turn back and see she's pulled them all out of the packet and throwing them around. Her response was to look up at me all innocently and say, "I love you Momma!". She is also very quick to say she's sorry, followed by "I love you" when she's done something she shouldn't.
And lastly, the ultimate in child warfare, she has attempted on several occasions to pit her parents against each other. Well, maybe not against each other. Rather, she'll ask for something from one of us, and when she's told no, she'll turn to the other and ask for it. This may occur when we're at opposite ends of the house or right next to each other on the couch. Luckily, my husband and I are pretty much on the same page and equally refuse her. Brilliant tactic for a three year old. Good thing we don't have a dog to blame things on!
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