Before the holidays, Babykins and I had started researching...drum roll please...daycare centers. The original plan was for her to start in January so that I could start back to work. That plan didn't work out, largely due to the fact that Babykins still nurses many times a day.
This week, however, we took a major step. On Tuesday, I turned in Babykins daycare application. She's scheduled to begin 2 days a week in March. By then she'll be 11 months old, and supposedly able to go 8 hours without her mama.
I have no doubt that she'll be fine. When we stopped in to drop off the application, we said hello to the Auntie that will be Babykins' primary caregiver (in Hawaii, Auntie is a common term of respect, especially for women who care for children). As we stood there, Babykins just about climbed out of my arms in an effort to go play with the other kids and toys.
I, on the other hand, am not sure I'll make it. While the thought of 8 whole hours to focus on work and home is exciting, the thought of leaving Babykins for an entire day makes me sad. Over the next month we'll be making changes to prepare for this new phase, but I have a feeling neither one of us will make it through the first few days without some tears.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Baby
I heard mommy and daddy talking this weekend about a woman who calls herself a Tiger Mother. It sounds like she thinks she's pretty tough, but that's only because she's never met...TIGER BABY!
This Tiger Mommy says she's hard on her kids because she knows they're strong and can take it, whereas I'm hard on mommy and daddy because they're fragile and I know I can break them. I'll bet Tiger Mommy's never pee'd on the carpet just for fun or poo'd on her clothes in the middle of the night and made her kids clean it up. I have...and I laughed inside the whole time!
And when's the last time Tiger Mommy woke her kids up every hour all night, then made them get up at 6 a.m.? I did it 3 days in a row last week. And when Tiger Mommy's displeased with a card from her kids, she may throw it back at them, but when I was displeased with the applesauce mommy gave me this week, I poured it all over my tummy then dumped the rest on the floor. Top that.
My secret weapon, though, is knowing just when they're on the edge of cracking, then crawling in their laps and being sweet. I don't want to break them just yet - I have years of fun left in this game. Watch out, Tiger Mommy, this Tiger Baby knows how to ROAR!
This Tiger Mommy says she's hard on her kids because she knows they're strong and can take it, whereas I'm hard on mommy and daddy because they're fragile and I know I can break them. I'll bet Tiger Mommy's never pee'd on the carpet just for fun or poo'd on her clothes in the middle of the night and made her kids clean it up. I have...and I laughed inside the whole time!
And when's the last time Tiger Mommy woke her kids up every hour all night, then made them get up at 6 a.m.? I did it 3 days in a row last week. And when Tiger Mommy's displeased with a card from her kids, she may throw it back at them, but when I was displeased with the applesauce mommy gave me this week, I poured it all over my tummy then dumped the rest on the floor. Top that.
My secret weapon, though, is knowing just when they're on the edge of cracking, then crawling in their laps and being sweet. I don't want to break them just yet - I have years of fun left in this game. Watch out, Tiger Mommy, this Tiger Baby knows how to ROAR!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sick Girl and Co-Sleeping
Babykins came down with her first cold this weekend, at 9 1/2 months (I swear I don't over-shelter her - she just has an excellent immune system). It started with a little cough on Friday, then escalated to a strong cough and fever on Saturday.
This led to Babykins sleeping with us Saturday night. We have always avoided co-sleeping, not because sleeping with a little baby isn't sweet, but because we already barely sleep, and our bed in Hawaii is especially small.
The first time I woke up, she was snuggled in my arm, which had long fallen asleep. The second time I woke up, she was on her back with arms and legs splayed wide, Hubbykins and I huddling on the extreme edges of the bed. The third time I woke up because she had turned sideways and was trying to burrow her head into my stomach while kicking Hubbykins in the ribs.
I'm pleased to say everyone's recovering from Babykins' first cold. Babykins is on the mend, with just a runny nose and occasional cough left of her cold, and Hubbykins and I once again have our bed back. That cold has been dominated!
This led to Babykins sleeping with us Saturday night. We have always avoided co-sleeping, not because sleeping with a little baby isn't sweet, but because we already barely sleep, and our bed in Hawaii is especially small.
The first time I woke up, she was snuggled in my arm, which had long fallen asleep. The second time I woke up, she was on her back with arms and legs splayed wide, Hubbykins and I huddling on the extreme edges of the bed. The third time I woke up because she had turned sideways and was trying to burrow her head into my stomach while kicking Hubbykins in the ribs.
I'm pleased to say everyone's recovering from Babykins' first cold. Babykins is on the mend, with just a runny nose and occasional cough left of her cold, and Hubbykins and I once again have our bed back. That cold has been dominated!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Squish, Squish, Squish
When Auntie MO was visiting us, she taught Babykins to stand at the window, look down on the street below, and squish any minions who displeased her. Babykins obliged this activity by pushing her little thumb against the glass and twisting it back and forth. It was very cute to watch.
Then yesterday at playgroup, Babykins decided to go for a walk. As she held on to my hands, she suddenly detoured from the toy she was chasing and purposely tried to to step on one of the smaller babies. While the other mommies found this amusing, I knew that she was really just trying to squish a minion. I can't imagine what that little 6-monther did to displease her, but Babykins was definitely on a mission.
So now we begin the task of trying to teach Babykins that while it's alright to metaphorically squish minions with your thumb from the 31st floor, actually squishing tiny baby minions with your foot at playgroup isn't going to win you any friends.
Then yesterday at playgroup, Babykins decided to go for a walk. As she held on to my hands, she suddenly detoured from the toy she was chasing and purposely tried to to step on one of the smaller babies. While the other mommies found this amusing, I knew that she was really just trying to squish a minion. I can't imagine what that little 6-monther did to displease her, but Babykins was definitely on a mission.
So now we begin the task of trying to teach Babykins that while it's alright to metaphorically squish minions with your thumb from the 31st floor, actually squishing tiny baby minions with your foot at playgroup isn't going to win you any friends.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I Can Do It Myself!
A few days ago, Babykins figured out how to feed herself Cheerios. It was a great discovery and a big milestone. Babykins was very excited to realize she could control the flow of food into her mouth.
She was so excited, in fact, that since then she has refused to eat anything she can't feed herself. Which basically means that she won't eat anything off a spoon. Goodbye, yogurt. Goodbye, baby food. For the last few days, Babykins has essentially been reduced to Cheerios and rice crackers.
Then, thanks to one of the mommies at play group, we discovered the joy of squeazable food. Picture a large tube of toothpaste filled with pureed food. I handed one to Babykins at dinner last night, and within minutes she had sucked down the entire container.
Unfortunately, they have a mess factor roughly equivalent to handing your 3-year-old a red juice box in the car while driving over a bumpy road. I'll take it, though, for the sweet, sweet success of a happily eating baby.
She was so excited, in fact, that since then she has refused to eat anything she can't feed herself. Which basically means that she won't eat anything off a spoon. Goodbye, yogurt. Goodbye, baby food. For the last few days, Babykins has essentially been reduced to Cheerios and rice crackers.
Then, thanks to one of the mommies at play group, we discovered the joy of squeazable food. Picture a large tube of toothpaste filled with pureed food. I handed one to Babykins at dinner last night, and within minutes she had sucked down the entire container.
Unfortunately, they have a mess factor roughly equivalent to handing your 3-year-old a red juice box in the car while driving over a bumpy road. I'll take it, though, for the sweet, sweet success of a happily eating baby.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Babykins Gruff
Now that Babykins has conquered crawling and assisted walking, she's decided it's time to tackle new challenges. After considering ballet (the "Black Swan" commercials scare her), weightlifting (too easy), and opera (she only knows 2 words), she settled on climbing.
I had noticed Babykins trying to climb things over the last week. The sheets slid off the bed as she tried to pull herself up, and drawer handles have become dangerous as she tries to use them for footholds. I was not prepared, however, for her ascent up the sofa.
The entire wall behind our sofa is a mirror, and when Babykins stands on the sofa she can just see herself in it over the back. As I watched in amazement (and with my hands about half an inch away in case she slipped), Babykins grabbed onto the top of the sofa, dug her toes and knees into the back, and started to climb.
With fierce concentration and her little tongue sticking out, she had soon propelled herself to the top of the sofa, where she promptly licked the mirror. It was a moment of triumph for Babykins, and of total fear for me. With Babykins now on the move vertically as well as horizontally, absolutely nothing is safe. Let the games begin!
I had noticed Babykins trying to climb things over the last week. The sheets slid off the bed as she tried to pull herself up, and drawer handles have become dangerous as she tries to use them for footholds. I was not prepared, however, for her ascent up the sofa.
The entire wall behind our sofa is a mirror, and when Babykins stands on the sofa she can just see herself in it over the back. As I watched in amazement (and with my hands about half an inch away in case she slipped), Babykins grabbed onto the top of the sofa, dug her toes and knees into the back, and started to climb.
With fierce concentration and her little tongue sticking out, she had soon propelled herself to the top of the sofa, where she promptly licked the mirror. It was a moment of triumph for Babykins, and of total fear for me. With Babykins now on the move vertically as well as horizontally, absolutely nothing is safe. Let the games begin!
 |
| Babykins' Version of Mount Everest |
Friday, January 14, 2011
Happy 9-Month Birthday, Babykins!
Babykins is 9 months old today, which means that she has been out in the world for as long as she spent baking. This got me to thinking about which is a more amazing developmental period: the 9 months she spent getting ready for the world, or the 9 months she's been in it.
On the one hand, during the 9 months of pregnancy, Babykins went from the combination of 2 little cells to a gummy bear to a tad pole to a vaguely human looking fetus to a fully formed, 7 lb 2 oz, 20 inch baby. To go from not existing to full-fledged human in 270 days is a staggering feat.
On the other hand, during the last 9 months, Babykins has gone from a tiny baby who could barely see, couldn't move on her own, and did little beyond eat, sleep, and poop, to an amazing big baby who can crawl, stand, laugh, smile, and devise a plan to climb over the baby gate. Once again, an absolutely awe-inspiring transition in 270 days.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to decide which is the greater achievement. So for now, I'll just say, Happy 9-month birthday, Babykins! And congratulations on all you've accomplished in the last 18 months.
On the one hand, during the 9 months of pregnancy, Babykins went from the combination of 2 little cells to a gummy bear to a tad pole to a vaguely human looking fetus to a fully formed, 7 lb 2 oz, 20 inch baby. To go from not existing to full-fledged human in 270 days is a staggering feat.
On the other hand, during the last 9 months, Babykins has gone from a tiny baby who could barely see, couldn't move on her own, and did little beyond eat, sleep, and poop, to an amazing big baby who can crawl, stand, laugh, smile, and devise a plan to climb over the baby gate. Once again, an absolutely awe-inspiring transition in 270 days.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to decide which is the greater achievement. So for now, I'll just say, Happy 9-month birthday, Babykins! And congratulations on all you've accomplished in the last 18 months.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
On Your Mark...Get Set...Go!
In the ongoing quest for a good night's sleep, Hubbykins and I are on a daily mission to thoroughly tire out Babykins. This has led to a nightly post-dinner, pre-bath "race" up and down the hallway of our apartment building.
One of us goes down to the end of the hallway to clap, cheer, and call Babykins' name. Since Babykins prefers to walk, the other person holds her hands and helps her make her way. This always results in a huge smile, and each night Babykins get a little faster. When she makes it down the hall, Hubbykins and I switch places and help her walk back to the apartment.
I'm sure it sounds odd to the neighbors - clapping, cheering, and high-pitched baby giggles going up and down the hall - but so far they've all been polite enough not to peek outside.
By the end of the race, Babykins is sweaty and tired, Hubbykins and I have sore backs, and we're all ready for bedtime.
One day, when Babykins is preparing to run the 100-yard-dash in the Olympics, we'll be able to tell her how it all began - in a hallway in Hawaii.
One of us goes down to the end of the hallway to clap, cheer, and call Babykins' name. Since Babykins prefers to walk, the other person holds her hands and helps her make her way. This always results in a huge smile, and each night Babykins get a little faster. When she makes it down the hall, Hubbykins and I switch places and help her walk back to the apartment.
I'm sure it sounds odd to the neighbors - clapping, cheering, and high-pitched baby giggles going up and down the hall - but so far they've all been polite enough not to peek outside.
By the end of the race, Babykins is sweaty and tired, Hubbykins and I have sore backs, and we're all ready for bedtime.
One day, when Babykins is preparing to run the 100-yard-dash in the Olympics, we'll be able to tell her how it all began - in a hallway in Hawaii.
 |
| Babykins' Hallway Racetrack |
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Babyzilla
Along with crawling and pulling herself up on furniture (and walls and tubs and pantlegs), Babykins started to "cruise" yesterday. This is where she holds onto furniture to be able to walk by herself. It's fabulous, but it has re-confirmed her status as Babyzilla.
Whether she's crawling or cruising, when Babykins encounters an obstacle she doesn't go around it, she goes over. And if she can't get over, she pushes and shoves until it's out of her way. Occasionally, even when something isn't directly in her path, she'll move over a bit just so that she can step on it. This goes for books, toys, and mommy and daddy. She's even been known to crawl over other mommies and babies at her play group.
At times you can practially hear her thinking, "ROAR," as she smashes her way through piles of toys and stomps down on magazine pages (which inevitably stick to her foot and follow her on her quest). She may be a cute, tiny baby, but in her head, she's Babyzilla!
Whether she's crawling or cruising, when Babykins encounters an obstacle she doesn't go around it, she goes over. And if she can't get over, she pushes and shoves until it's out of her way. Occasionally, even when something isn't directly in her path, she'll move over a bit just so that she can step on it. This goes for books, toys, and mommy and daddy. She's even been known to crawl over other mommies and babies at her play group.
At times you can practially hear her thinking, "ROAR," as she smashes her way through piles of toys and stomps down on magazine pages (which inevitably stick to her foot and follow her on her quest). She may be a cute, tiny baby, but in her head, she's Babyzilla!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Einstein + Edison = Babykins Mischief
In an effort to keep Babykins from wreaking havoc and destruction on our electronics equipment, Hubbykins recently erected a baby gate in front of the TV stand. He then placed a large box of diapers in front of the gate to keep it from being easily pulled over by Babykins.
It was safe for approximately 5 seconds. First, Babykins realized that if she pushed on the baby gate from the side, it would slide over and give her access to her second favorite electronic, the DVD player. This was easily remedied by moving the baby gate over far enough that she couldn't shift it. This didn't stop our intrepid Babykins, though.
The next time I looked over, our 8-month-old genius had grabbed my yoga block, placed it in front of the diaper box, and had climbed onto it like a step. She was in the process of pulling herself up onto the diapers so that she could reach over the baby gate when I ran across the living room and swooped her up.
She didn't get ahold of any TV equipment, but I was once again reminded that Babykins is not to be underestimated.
It was safe for approximately 5 seconds. First, Babykins realized that if she pushed on the baby gate from the side, it would slide over and give her access to her second favorite electronic, the DVD player. This was easily remedied by moving the baby gate over far enough that she couldn't shift it. This didn't stop our intrepid Babykins, though.
The next time I looked over, our 8-month-old genius had grabbed my yoga block, placed it in front of the diaper box, and had climbed onto it like a step. She was in the process of pulling herself up onto the diapers so that she could reach over the baby gate when I ran across the living room and swooped her up.
She didn't get ahold of any TV equipment, but I was once again reminded that Babykins is not to be underestimated.
 |
| Babykins' ingenious step stool |
Friday, January 7, 2011
Babykins and Mama Discuss the Wireless Router
Babykins (Pulling herself up on the TV stand): I know Mama told me yesterday I couldn't play with the wireless router, but maybe today it'll be OK. (Reaches hand toward router.)
Me: Babykins, don't touch that.
Babykins (Sitting down): I guess I still can't play with it. (Waits 3 seconds.) Maybe she's forgotten. (Stands back up and reaches for router.)
Me: Babykins, no. You can't play with the router.
Babykins (Pulls hand back): She remembered! Darn. (Waits 3 seconds.) Maybe if I smile cute while I reach for it, she'll let me have the router. (Reaches hand out.)
Me (In firm mommy voice): Babykins, I said no. No playing with the router.
Babykins (Sitting down): Hmmm...Mama sounded serious that time. But she's all the way in the kitchen, and I'm right here. I bet I can get the router before she gets me. (Stands up and reaches for wireless router.)
Me (Sprinting across the room): Babykins, no!
Who was faster? Babykins or Mama? Does the Babykins household still have wireless internet? Tune in next week to find out!
Me: Babykins, don't touch that.
Babykins (Sitting down): I guess I still can't play with it. (Waits 3 seconds.) Maybe she's forgotten. (Stands back up and reaches for router.)
Me: Babykins, no. You can't play with the router.
Babykins (Pulls hand back): She remembered! Darn. (Waits 3 seconds.) Maybe if I smile cute while I reach for it, she'll let me have the router. (Reaches hand out.)
Me (In firm mommy voice): Babykins, I said no. No playing with the router.
Babykins (Sitting down): Hmmm...Mama sounded serious that time. But she's all the way in the kitchen, and I'm right here. I bet I can get the router before she gets me. (Stands up and reaches for wireless router.)
Me (Sprinting across the room): Babykins, no!
Who was faster? Babykins or Mama? Does the Babykins household still have wireless internet? Tune in next week to find out!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Bye-Bye Infant Seat, Hello Big Girl Stroller
After having a few fights with Babykins in Walmart (what is it about that store that brings out the bad behavior in children?) over whether she was allowed to kneel in her infant stroller and hang her head over the side, I decided it was time to retire her infant seat and move on to her big girl stroller.
Aside from the emotional aspect of realizing Babykins is no longer a tiny baby, there have been some definite pros and cons to the change.
Cons
Aside from the emotional aspect of realizing Babykins is no longer a tiny baby, there have been some definite pros and cons to the change.
Cons
- Now that Babykins is facing forward, we can't interact on our walks like we used to. No more songs, and stories, and funny faces.
- It is now impossible to keep all of Babykins guarded from the sun. At any given time, there's an arm or leg outside the shade her hood provides. This has led us to daily applications of sun block :(
- There's no way to keep her toys safely contained in the stroller, greatly increasing the amount of time we spend playing the "Pick Up Babykins' Toys from the Sidewalk" game.
- Babykins gets a much better view of the world during our walks.
- Safety, safety, safety. There's no way for Babykins to escape from her big girl stroller.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Apologies to Mommies of Messy Faces
I remember a time, in my younger and more foolish years, when I would see women out and about with small children who had messy faces and think, "Come on. How hard can it be to wash a kid's face? Make an effort." I know better, now.
I recently found myself at the mall staring at Babykins, trying to figure out how she got a purple bruise on her forehead. As I leaned closer to inspect it, I realized that it was actually purple baby food, left over from what was apparently an unsuccessful attempt to wash her face after lunch. And yesterday, as we sang in playgroup, I realized belatedly that Babykins had stored part of her breakfast banana on her chin. I swear I had taken a cloth to her face after breakfast, but wiping up a squirming, fussy baby as she shakes her head and waves her hands is a task on par with bathing a cat.
So as I find myself recently in the ranks of women with messy-faced babies, allow me to extend this apology. I know now that what looks to others like a messy face is the victory badge of squirmy babies everywhere.
I recently found myself at the mall staring at Babykins, trying to figure out how she got a purple bruise on her forehead. As I leaned closer to inspect it, I realized that it was actually purple baby food, left over from what was apparently an unsuccessful attempt to wash her face after lunch. And yesterday, as we sang in playgroup, I realized belatedly that Babykins had stored part of her breakfast banana on her chin. I swear I had taken a cloth to her face after breakfast, but wiping up a squirming, fussy baby as she shakes her head and waves her hands is a task on par with bathing a cat.
So as I find myself recently in the ranks of women with messy-faced babies, allow me to extend this apology. I know now that what looks to others like a messy face is the victory badge of squirmy babies everywhere.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)