Fess Up??

I went to NYC for business again. It was a great trip - I saw some shows, had lots of meetings and took care of some needed auditions for the season. I packed my trip with so many things that I was running around the city at a dizzying pace. I kind of forgot that I'm nearly 8 months pregnant. 8 months pregnant you ask?!? Yeah - that seems to be the concensus with my friends and collegues too. I seem to have forgotten to tell anyone that we are expecting a new addition in February. How did I forget to tell anyone? Did I do it on purpose? Or did I seriously just get too busy with Izz, Daniel and work? Gotta tell you -- I really don't know. But, now, here's the quandary: do I announce it? Like on Facebook? That seems awfully public and weird. Do I keep it quiet for the important people in my life? In this new world of social media, I'm just not sure what one does when they have big news to tell but they don't necessarily want everyone to know.. just most people. Suggestions?

The art of putting your toddler to sleep

So, at least once a week - Daniel falls asleep while putting Izz in bed. After our bedtime ritual (teeth brushing, cuddling, etc) He will read her stories, then say our collective goodnights to all our relatives, then he'll sit in the chair while she lies in bed. The idea is to sit there for 5 minutes and leave her to fall asleep on her own.

well...

That's how it's supposed to work.

At least once a week my amazing husband will fall asleep before Izz does. I know this because all of a sudden I hear snoring (really really loud snoring) eminating from Izz's bedroom. He snores so loudly that it keeps her up. So, I have to go in there and wake him up.. which disturbs the whole process. So, he starts again - 5 minutes of sitting there -- and he falls asleep AGAIN. This can go on for an hour until I kick him out of the room, which make Izz cry.. so, I sit there for 5 minutes - but, it's not the same thing.

I would be angry and frustrated - but, it's so damn cute and totally hilarious.

I read to her tonight, tucked her in, sat for 5 minutes -- and I'm out writing this blog while she falls asleep on her own. But, I have to tell you - I wouldn't trade those nights when I hear loud snoring coming from her room for anything. They remind me of how active a participant my husband is in our child's rearing and how adorable he can be ...

Costco is...

Dangerous.

You go inside and you really and truly start to think -- hmmm... I could totally get 30 kiwis.. and my family of 3 could eat them in a week.. and if we don't.. then I'll learn all kinds of kiwi recipes and maybe even make kiwi jam. 

And then you walk outside and you think... hmmm...  I walked all around that big store... I totally earned a churro, and maybe soda, and maybe I should just have a hot dog.... those ice cream parfaits look pretty good..

Regression

We went to Israel... more on that later....

We came back from Israel - and my almost potty trained daughter now refuses to sit on the potty.  She can put on her own clothing.. but, the kid who sat on the potty and peed like a champ is now not interested in being potty trained at all.  I thought I was the greatest parent in the world - that my kid would be super easy to get out of diapers.. but, alas.. she's more complicated than previously expected.


not my kid - but, you get the picture


Her pre-school teacher has recommended the weekend boot camp.  Basically, you strip her down from the waist and in a weekend she learns.  Hmmmm... was thinking of trying it this weekend, but, my husband threatened to divorce me.  I have tech next week - and he's going to be at home with Izz most night.  I think the prospect of urine and feces loose around the house is too much for him alone.  I see his point. 

I was never really all that rushed to see her potty trained.  Having to stop everything because your toddler needs to use the bathroom is not all that exciting.  Imagine standing in line at Target and BAM - you have to rush to the closest bathroom.. yup.. I'm ok with diapers for now.  But, I do think she is ready. so:

Think we are just going to have to wait until after Thanksgiving.  



Y Quirks.

We are no longer Daddy and Mommy - well, we are - but, only when she isn't really thinking about it. When she's really trying to wrap her mind around our names, we are MOM and DAD. (actually we are My Mom and My Dad -- there is a lot of possession here). And our poor dog Petey is now PETE. The Y's have dropped from all our names.

Poor dog - not only did he lose only child status when Isabella was born, now he's lost his name. She's adamant about it too.

"Izz, his name is Petey".

"No, Mommy... Pete... Pete"

sense of humor

I never really thought to myself that my toddler could already be developing a sense of humor. I mean, I know she loves to laugh, and she loves to tickle us and have a good time -- but, make jokes? Real jokes? When does your comedic self come out? Izz has always been funny. She'll make a funny face to try and make us laugh.. but recently she's actually bordering on stand up comedy.

Tonight -- we are at a restaurant and she points to a Halloween decoration and says, "a Mummy"! -- and then turns to me and smiles... then points again and says "Mommy that's MY Mummy"... and giggles.

ok folks - I'm counting on Izz to grow up and be an Engineer... or am I fooling myself and my little girl is going to be doing the stand up circuit.

sigh....

Bad Mother - the West Coast Edition

I read Laura's post and just chuckled... she hit it right on the nail in so many ways. Thankfully, I don't have that day care provider who asks me probing questions and makes me feel like crap. But, I still have the guilt of the long pre-school day.

Our pre-school is amazing. They were really terrific in helping Izz adjust and they are super supportive. I did do my research when picking a preschool, so, I know its good, but, also - in all honesty - also picked this one because it's open until 6pm and because it's close to our house. I had no idea it was a "feeder" school (if you don't know what that means - good for you -- I've just learned the term and it's quite the eye opener). Anyway, the 6pm part is very important because if you look around for a preschool around here you won't find that many open that late (in fact, when looking in La Jolla so Izz could be closer to my work - I found NONE!). Most of the ones near here are open until 12pm.. and if you are lucky, they have after care until 3pm (yes, that's right until 3pm!). ummm... so, how is a working parent supposed to do this? Well, as I've learned... you do it by having a Nanny as well as taking your kid to preschool. It's true! The lovely lady that I thought was little _____ (no need to share names)'s grandmother is actually her Nanny.. and the reason she goes to pre-school is to help her socialize.

Which brings me to the guilt factor. A good percentage of the kids at Izz's preschool only go half day or half day for half a week. Which means, that come 12pm, her class size goes down by a 1/4 and by 3pm by a 1/2! When Daniel picks her up at 5:30pm -- her classroom has usually merged with the other 2 year old classroom AND the 3 year old classroom.. and there are only 8 kids left.

Kind of makes you feel like crap that your kid is one of the last ones left. I start to have images of that Mormon commercial with the kid left alone on the bleachers because his parents forgot to pick him up, so a nice mother takes pity on him and she and her kids sit with him to wait. Sigh.....

I drop Izz at preschool and Daniel picks her up... so, I am constantly calling him and pushing him to try and pick her up earlier... to please please not let her be one of the last group.

Thankfully, Izz seems unfazed by this. In fact, Daniel has had to wait when he picks her up in the afternoon, because he sometimes arrives during the late afternoon story time, and she doesn't want to leave not knowing what is going to happen in the story.

but, her Mother still feels guilty.