Can't take me anywhere

It's a day ending in "y", which means there's potential for me to do something embarrassing, thoughtless or just plain goofy. Today is Monday, and since I don't drink caffeine, I got an early start.

It's 8:45am and I just looked in my desk mirror (why do I have a mirror on my desk, you ask? Well, for occasions just like this!) to discover that while I thought I left the house relatively well put together - hair blow-dried and straightened!, clothes matching and pressed! and even makeup applied!!, I realized that, while I had put my lip liner on, I totally forgot the lipstick, so I had been walking around Hayden's daycare and then at work for about an hour with my lips outlined like a clown. All I needed was the big red nose, and my look would have been complete.

It would have been bad enough if I'd just done it today, but I'm fairly certain I did it Friday as well, only then I didn't notice it until I wiped some lipliner onto my napkin at lunch.

C'est la vie!

Huffy Hayden

Hayden's new game just cracks me up. It amazes me that she knows that acting mad is part of the fun.

We were getting ready for bed Monday night, and she started huffing at me - she was not happy with getting her clothes changed, so I started mocking her in an attempt to get through it without a total breakdown on her part. Despite herself, she started to get amused at me and began grinning and giggling as she tried to continue her protests.

I got Chris to catch us on film in case it was a one-hit wonder. Of course, when she woke up at 2am that night, and I had gone to retrieve her from her crib, in her half-asleep groggy state she immediately began huffing and grinning again, which had me shaking from barely-concealed laughter.

For your enjoyment...

Babyproofed? Mostly. Childproofed? Not even close!

We had some friends over this weekend for a lunch after church, and it was quite a large crowd, including about 10 children or so. I love kids, and we certainly welcome them in our home, but we found out that while we might be prepared (on at least the most obvious levels) to let Hayden roam about, we are no where near ready for youngsters that are as mobile and wired and tall and HUNGRY as the kiddos that came this weekend.

For instance, I keep a dish of chocolates out on a table to satiate my occasional sweet tooth. I have a variety of the oh-so-decadent Lindt truffles to indulge in on those "nothing but a bite of chocolate will do" days. Although it took awhile for me to link the two, I eventually realized that the fever pitch of the children's laughter and activities was a direct result of the echoing emptiness of my chocolate bowl. Seriously, two of those things are like the equivalent of a full sized candy bar, and these kids knocked 'em back like a bunch of chocoholics that just fell off the wagon!

Also, when I saw two of the little 'gentlemen' bolt into our guest bathroom straight from the dinner table with a napkin-covered something or other in hand, I realized that Chris probably hadn't envisioned his Victorian-era high tank toilet being used to dispose of someone's unwanted veggies (at least I pray that's what went in there!). Thankfully the pull-chain flusher on the toilet did slow them down, at least for a bit. My mother in law noticed that one young fellow had been in the restroom an exceptionally long time, and called out if he needed help. He, of course, didn't want company and she fetched his grandmother to see if we could lure him out. His grandma asked him if he went potty... "yes"... and if he got his pants back up... "yes"... and if he washed his hands... "yes"... and if he'd flushed... "I can't figure out how!" came the plaintive wail! Once the chain was properly identified as the method of flushing, it became a source of amusement for the entire under-10 crowd, I believe.

All in all, (knock on wood) no permanent damage was done, and we learned that there's a little more than socket covers and door latches on our childproofing list!

Anyone else find out their house was not as childproofed as they thought it was through a similar experience?

Playtime

I think I told you about Hayden's caterpillar. Here's a quick clip of her playing on it, and while she never really gets to rocking the way she ususally does, it's a sweet video of our sweet girl, and it does a great job illustrating the Max Headroom-ese this thing speaks. Enjoy!

Love Letter, Month 8

My darling little girl,

I cannot believe you turn eight months old today! It seems like you've always been a part of our lives, but at the same time, I cannot fathom how you've managed to be here 8 whole months already! Amazing!


This has been a big month for you (aren't they all?). You have really taken mobility to a whole new level. While you learned to crawl just before your 7-month birthday, you've perfected your own little stride now - you tend to do a combo crawl and crab-walk; you're always crawling on one knee and one foot, as if you are about to stand up and take off walking.


Speaking of standing up, you love to pull up on everything now, and have started cruising around the furniture a little bit. You have no fear, and will pull up and try to turn loose and stand on your own, which often ends with you on your backside. That doesn't deter you - you get right back up and try again.


You started making kissy lips a few weeks ago, but have decided to stop that for now. That is your MO, really. You learn a new trick, repeat it enough so that I know it's not my imagination and that you're truly doing it intentionally, and enough to show it off to a few people. Then you stop, cold turkey. Like waving. You started waving a couple months ago, at least. Waved at your daddy, at Ms. Amy and occasionally Ms. Lisa, then you quit. Wouldn't wave for anything. Then, last week, you decided that was a pretty fun trick again, and you'll wave at anyone any anything that looks your direction. You're a waving maniac! So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see when you decide to offer sweet kisses again...


You are loving food - fruits, veggies of all kinds make you happy. We hadn't found anything you didn't like until last week. You don't like chicken. Specifically, liquid pureed chicken. In a jar. And I can't say that I blame you one little bit. Your daddy (bless his heart) can't even feed it to you without the gag-works starting. So, we're laying off the poultry for now, and keeping our vegetarian little baby happy with pears, pineapple, bananas, oranges, applesauce, squash, peas, green beans, and sweet potatoes. Although I have to say, you've started noticing that not all veggies are created equal. You can tell the difference in the green veggies, which you used to eat with relish, but now greet with the most hilarious (sorry, but it is) impression of your daddy's gagging when those beans hit your tongue. It's like you're trying to tell me, "Mom, I think you've mistakenly put lacquer thinner on my spoon. Ugh - here let me help you get this stuff out of my mouth. Gag. gag. gag. GAAAAAG." To your dismay, this show of distaste usually just makes me laugh. Eventually you acquiesce and allow me to continue feeding you this green mush, which you have to admit, is a step or two above liquid chicken.


You've also been enjoying some forays into true solid foods lately. Namely, Cheerios! Yum. You perfected the pincer grip months ago, which is the prerequisite for eating solids - so you can feed yourself. You love going after those little Os on your tray and attempting to shovel them into your mouth (sometimes they come right back out because you forget to close your mouth, or because they get 'stuck' in your fingers, since you forget to release them). We've been noticing this month your preference for using your right hand, and now that you're feeding yourself, that's becoming even more pronounced. Oh well, no one's perfect. :) You really love feeding yourself, and continue to get better at it. We keep trying new things to see what you like, too - you have enjoyed a few tastes of guacamole and refried beans, some bits of waffle, and the occasional baby cookie (mmmm.... apple wagon wheel, anybody?)


Your third and fourth teeth have been tormenting you this month - they're you're two front top teeth, and number three just started eeking it's way through your tender gums. You have not been very happy about the state of your poor little mouth this month, and you tend to let me know it around 12am. Then again at 1, 1:45, 2:30, 3:50, 4:37, 5:50 (for goodness' sake!), and by the time I get up at 6:45, you are dead to the world. Bless your pumpkin soul. It's all I can do some mornings to keep the petty 5 year old inside me at bay and not wake you up to join me, won't you?! as I drag my sleepy bum to the shower. One look at that sweet, innocent little face dozing on my pillow, and I just kiss you on your forehead and suck it up. Don't worry, my dear. Your time will come. I'll remind you of these days when you're 15 and stayed up all night talking to your 'boyfriend' on the phone and I am flipping your overhead light on and off and banging pots and pans by your head to rouse you for the school bus. It's out of my love for you, dear one. Wouldn't want you to be late! Just be glad your mama doesn't carry a grudge.


What I love most these days is your sweet laugh. When I blow raspberries on that little baby belly, or chomp those pudgy baby legs, you let out the sweetest little laugh, and it just sounds like angels to me. I could listen to you laugh all day and night. Speaking of raspberries, that's been a big favorite of yours this month. We've had to keep extra burp cloths on hand, because when you get in the mood, you'll blow raspberries for ages, drool just running down your chin, spit bubbles foaming at your lips. Nothing makes you happier, either, than when you can get someone to join you. My silly little girl. Oh, how I love you!

Happy 8th month birthday, my wee little bit. You're the best!


All my love,
Mama

Update! As I picked you up from school this afternoon, you were waving goodbye to Ms. Amy and said "buh buh bye" to her! I thought it was a fluke, but as we passed Ms. Mary a few minutes later, you said "buh bye" to her, too! You haven't done it again since, but it just may be the start of your first word! We'll have to wait and see, I suppose.

Quick Like A Fox

Hayden is starting to hit that separation anxiety stage, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to drop her off at school without crying and 'lashing' of the teeth (that's a throwback to our car club's Headknocker, Robert Taylor, who is known more for his humor than bible quotations). This morning was her first day in the Stage 2 Infant classroom, where the babies move once they're mobile and pulling up. It's a bigger room, with more area and activties to help them excel at their new skills, and gives them space to interact with the other babies safely. It's also a great way to help burn off some of Hayden's energy during the day, helping her sleep better at night, but that's a whole different subject...

Back to drop-offs. I brought her in to Baby Room B this morning, and set her down in a great pile of toys in the corral. As I went about the business of putting up her diapers and bottles, she began to loose her stuff. She was one unhappy little girl -she knew mama was getting ready to leave, and was letting us all know that was NOT ok. Ms. Mandy picked her up in an attempt to soothe her, but the wails just got louder and more forlorn. I couldn't leave her in that state, so I came over and took her in my arms. Instant smiles and coos. Not only that, but she began waving 'bye bye', a trick she's recently resurrected, to Ms Mandy as if to say, "see ya Sucker, I'm outta here!" I couldn't help but laugh at her early attempt to get her way, even before she's figured out how to say a single word. So clever, my wee one. Clever, but Mama's still one step ahead of you. Nice try.

Caterpillar

One of Hayden's new favorite toys, and one of my happy yard-sale bargain buys, is her Caterpillar rocker. The child can't walk yet, still learning daily lessons on balance and gravity, but I tell you, this kid can move when she gets on this puppy!

Daddy has learned that even though she will trick you into thinking she's hanging on tight, she's really waiting for the one second you turn away so that she can turn loose and go whichever way the wind blows! Sneaky little thing!
Mr. Caterpillar plays music, too, which is triggered by pressing one of the colored shapes on his sides. Hayden's pudgy little thighs are constantly tripping the "orange hexagon", which is what the mystery voice on the music box says right before it begins playing a rather loud, and long, random song. Her leg often hits it multiple times in a row, so that instead of music, we get a freaky Max Headroom impression, "orange-orang-or-or-orange hexa-orange hexag-or-or-oran-orange hexagon". Of course, Hayden delights in the commentary and music, and begins rocking like a maniac whenever it plays. Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you have something as fun as Mr. Caterpillar to look forward to when you get home today!

Queen of Makedo

That's my mom - the Queen of Makedo (make do). And my grandma, mom's mom? She was the High Queen. These are two of the most resourceful women I've ever met in my life. My grandmother, mom to eight children, learned to make do with almost anything, and often, nearly nothing through the years. My mom inherited her frugal and creative ways to stretch every dollar, pinch every penny and "waste not, want not". She has shoes that are older than me that are still in great condition, and that she still wears. Even the picture above shows two great examples - the shelf is a bit of leftover closet shelving, with a couple pieces of chain attached, and it flips up and stores with a small hook mounted on the fence. Hayden's 'toy' is a super-cheap form of entertainment that has proved more interesting than any store-bought amusement - an empty soda bottle. These women have been my inspiration, and I am proud to be the next in line in the Makedo Dynasty.

I remember there were times growing up that I didn't understand the value of Makedo, and just wanted to "go buy a new (insert object here)". I was, at times, embarrassed that the minivan I learned to drive in had its horn secured in place with green yarn (oh my, you wouldn't believe the places that green yarn showed up throughout my childhood!). Aghast that we had the cheapy $10 payless no-name sneakers instead of the latest, greatest Nikes or Reeboks. Amazed at the broad uses lattice found around our house - everything from babyproofing for the stair rails to doggie gates and headboards. Even then, though, her arguments were faultless - I couldn't justify the extra 50 bucks for a sneaker that looked "cooler", and certainly wasn't going to invest my hard-earned money in a new horn so I didn't have to explain the yarn-draped steering wheel to my questioning friends. And grudgingly, I learned the value of making do, of doing more with less, and of protecting my hard-earned dollars.

Now, as a mother myself, I hope to pass the same resourceful spirit on to my daughter, inspiring the creativity and ingenuity to come up with alternate solutions, instilling the value of a dollar earned, and better, of one saved. I have learned the thrill of finding a way when there isn't one - little things like using sheers designed for a French Door to cover my odd-sized bathroom windows, or giving my 20 year old coffee table a new lease on life with a creatively-pressed tablecloth cover. I am sure that Hayden will inwardly roll her eyes at my bargain finds and Makedo fixes, but I hope that she will one day gain the same appreciation for this wonderful heritage passed down from her mother's mother's mother, and look back and smile at the duct-taped, wired-together, cobbled-up, McGyver-style answers to every day problems.

Long live the Queen!

Snuggle Bunny

Last night, as Hayden was drifting back to sleep from a feeding, she rolled onto her tummy and began rooting around in the bed. She started crawling over to her daddy, and I figured she'd decided it was play time and wanted to rouse him. Instead she sidled up to him and buried her head in his pillow next to him. She stretched her little hand out across his chest and clung to his shirt and then...drifted off to sleep holding her daddy.

I, on the other hand, was left sopping up the soggy mess that was me after witnessing this most tender of moments. (Also, I waited until she was good and asleep, then moved her back to the middle of the bed. I knew Chris wouldn't be able to sleep well like that for long. Hug-n-roll, my friends, Hug-n-roll.)