Haha, G doesn't believe me whenever I try to explain to him that people are animals. I've gotten as scientific as I could get, and he still wouldn't accept it. I asked him if he would believe his teacher (when he has one) if she told him people were animals, and he said "No!"
He definitely has his own ideas about things. Most of the time, he's pretty willing to accept what people tell him, as long as he hasn't already formed an opinion already. But if he already thinks he knows something, he sticks to his guns.
:D
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
What an Evening...
So, Nick is away again this weekend for a second installment of his Wood Badge training course. It rained here today, so he probably got rained on, too, up in the mountains...
I certainly don't envy him. But I do miss him. And the boys have been missing him much more acutely this time it seems that last time. Maybe because last time, they were kind of caught off guard by the whole thing, not really having been given much warning. But this time, they have the memory of what it was like before, and how long it took for Daddy to get back (he was gone for three days and two nights). And this time, he's even gone a whole night longer. So now we're on night #2...
The boys were all right last night for the most part. Z was a tad fussier than usual, and did say "Daddy" several times in kind of a sad voice, before finally falling asleep.
Tonight, though, around 10:00, the waterworks began in earnest. It didn't help, either, that Z never took a nap today, despite the fact that he had several opportunities throughout the day. So he asked to nurse around 9-ish, and I started to nurse him. But then I realized that he would likely fall asleep nursing; so, I interrupted the nursing to put him into a fresh diaper for the night (didn't bother with PJs). Then I started nursing again and he almost fell asleep a couple times, but not quite.
After a while, I noticed G looking sleepy on the couch, and started talking with him while I nursed to keep him awake until I could get him all ready for bed (he still wets the bed, so I didn't want to let him fall asleep in his underwear). I kept checking on Z and eventually he seemed to be mostly asleep, and I decided to try putting him in his bed.
Bad idea, as it turned out. Z started crying and wailing as he just laid in bed-- obviously tired and sleepy, since he didn't just climb down out of the bed by himself. But I knew if I picked him back up again, he would not want to let me go, and I had to turn my attention to G for a few minutes.
I told G it was time to get ready for bed, and then HE started wailing and crying about how much he missed Daddy, and when was Daddy coming home?
They both continued to cry, and I eventually did the only thing I could think of to do: I said, "How about if we all sleep together tonight?" Well, it got G to perk up, at least, so I could get him ready for bed. Z was still not consoled, however. He finally got hiself out of bed and I picked him up (remarkably, he did not ask for more milk). He continued to bawl as I picked out his pajamas and got him changed. I almost ended up just bringing the boys to bed with me right then, thinking we'd just have to skip the teeth-brushing for the night.
But, it also happens to be "that time of month," and I could NOT just go to bed without taking care of my own needs. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however, as I carried Z with me into the bathroom, wondering what I was going to do with him while I changed into a nighttime maxi pad. Well, as soon as I got out a pad, he was fasinated with it and finally stopped crying. He took hold of the pad, and I was able to set him down as I sat on the toilet. He kept holding out the pad to me and saying "diaper." Well, it does resemble a diaper, I suppose...
Anyway, I got changed, and Z was still complacent. So we were able to all brush our teeth after all. Then we went to bed, said our prayers, and the boys laid down and fell asleep (Z had to be touching my chest the whole time) as I sang a few songs.
So, now I have two boys in my bed. And it is quite warm this evening. I think I may end up sleeping on the couch tonight...
I certainly don't envy him. But I do miss him. And the boys have been missing him much more acutely this time it seems that last time. Maybe because last time, they were kind of caught off guard by the whole thing, not really having been given much warning. But this time, they have the memory of what it was like before, and how long it took for Daddy to get back (he was gone for three days and two nights). And this time, he's even gone a whole night longer. So now we're on night #2...
The boys were all right last night for the most part. Z was a tad fussier than usual, and did say "Daddy" several times in kind of a sad voice, before finally falling asleep.
Tonight, though, around 10:00, the waterworks began in earnest. It didn't help, either, that Z never took a nap today, despite the fact that he had several opportunities throughout the day. So he asked to nurse around 9-ish, and I started to nurse him. But then I realized that he would likely fall asleep nursing; so, I interrupted the nursing to put him into a fresh diaper for the night (didn't bother with PJs). Then I started nursing again and he almost fell asleep a couple times, but not quite.
After a while, I noticed G looking sleepy on the couch, and started talking with him while I nursed to keep him awake until I could get him all ready for bed (he still wets the bed, so I didn't want to let him fall asleep in his underwear). I kept checking on Z and eventually he seemed to be mostly asleep, and I decided to try putting him in his bed.
Bad idea, as it turned out. Z started crying and wailing as he just laid in bed-- obviously tired and sleepy, since he didn't just climb down out of the bed by himself. But I knew if I picked him back up again, he would not want to let me go, and I had to turn my attention to G for a few minutes.
I told G it was time to get ready for bed, and then HE started wailing and crying about how much he missed Daddy, and when was Daddy coming home?
They both continued to cry, and I eventually did the only thing I could think of to do: I said, "How about if we all sleep together tonight?" Well, it got G to perk up, at least, so I could get him ready for bed. Z was still not consoled, however. He finally got hiself out of bed and I picked him up (remarkably, he did not ask for more milk). He continued to bawl as I picked out his pajamas and got him changed. I almost ended up just bringing the boys to bed with me right then, thinking we'd just have to skip the teeth-brushing for the night.
But, it also happens to be "that time of month," and I could NOT just go to bed without taking care of my own needs. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however, as I carried Z with me into the bathroom, wondering what I was going to do with him while I changed into a nighttime maxi pad. Well, as soon as I got out a pad, he was fasinated with it and finally stopped crying. He took hold of the pad, and I was able to set him down as I sat on the toilet. He kept holding out the pad to me and saying "diaper." Well, it does resemble a diaper, I suppose...
Anyway, I got changed, and Z was still complacent. So we were able to all brush our teeth after all. Then we went to bed, said our prayers, and the boys laid down and fell asleep (Z had to be touching my chest the whole time) as I sang a few songs.
So, now I have two boys in my bed. And it is quite warm this evening. I think I may end up sleeping on the couch tonight...
Monday, May 23, 2011
Precious Moment #2
This morning, Z and I played a little game:
"Can you say...banana?"
"Ma-na-na"
"Can you say...avocado?"
"A-ca-go"
"Can you say...window?"
"Mee-no"
This went on for several minutes. It was sooo cute and sooo precious. Maybe I'll try to catch something on video later today...
"Can you say...banana?"
"Ma-na-na"
"Can you say...avocado?"
"A-ca-go"
"Can you say...window?"
"Mee-no"
This went on for several minutes. It was sooo cute and sooo precious. Maybe I'll try to catch something on video later today...
Monday, May 16, 2011
What does it mean to be "open-minded"?
I had a friend today essentially accuse me of being closed-minded. I took it very personally. I didn't pursue the offense, not wanting to cause more friction, and the subject we had been discussing was dropped like a lead anvil. I've always thought of myself as a pretty open-minded person, but I don't think I realized exactly how important that particular self-image was to me until today.
The thing is, this friend was sharing her views, and I listened to them. Then I started to share my differing views, and I thought I was being very friendly about it. I wasn't attacking her own opinion or practice, just offering a different way of looking at the issue. Almost immediately, though, she felt like she had to defend herself. "Well, I've read a lot of imformation on [the subject]." Well, I had done my own reading on the subject as well, on both sides of the argument. But because I continued to disagree with her, because I had come to a different conclusion, she cut me off. Forget it, she said. "I can tell you're not open about it," so she just dropped it. Well, I followed suit; I hadn't come in the first place to talk about it, and there really was no point in pursuing the subject further. But, if I was not open about the whole thing, she was certainly just as closed as I was, perhaps moreso. I listened to her. She would not listen to me. Well, that's how I saw it, anyway. No doubt she saw things differently.
But then it got me thinking about: What does it mean to be open or open-minded, vs. closed or closed-minded?
Here's what good ol' dictionary.com has to say on the subject:
o·pen-mind·ed
–adjective
1. having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments.
2. unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial.
— adj
having a mind receptive to new ideas, arguments, etc; unprejudiced
open-'mindedly
— adv
open-'mindedness
— n
Famous Quotations
open-minded
"I am open-minded on all questions I care nothing about."
closed-mind·ed
–adjective
having a mind firmly unreceptive to new ideas or arguments: "It's hard to argue with, much less convince, a closed-minded person."
adjective
not ready to receive to new ideas [syn: close-minded]
So, which was I, on the debated subject? Was I being open-minded? Well, I thought so. I was listening. If my friend had had sources there on hand for me to read, I would have read them.
Or was the mere fact that I already had an opinion enough to disqualify me?
Gosh, if being open-minded means never having an opinion, or never making up my mind, it's really not a good thing, anyway.
Though, I do believe it is conceivable-- and also the most probable-- that I fall somewhere in the middle.
The thing is, this friend was sharing her views, and I listened to them. Then I started to share my differing views, and I thought I was being very friendly about it. I wasn't attacking her own opinion or practice, just offering a different way of looking at the issue. Almost immediately, though, she felt like she had to defend herself. "Well, I've read a lot of imformation on [the subject]." Well, I had done my own reading on the subject as well, on both sides of the argument. But because I continued to disagree with her, because I had come to a different conclusion, she cut me off. Forget it, she said. "I can tell you're not open about it," so she just dropped it. Well, I followed suit; I hadn't come in the first place to talk about it, and there really was no point in pursuing the subject further. But, if I was not open about the whole thing, she was certainly just as closed as I was, perhaps moreso. I listened to her. She would not listen to me. Well, that's how I saw it, anyway. No doubt she saw things differently.
But then it got me thinking about: What does it mean to be open or open-minded, vs. closed or closed-minded?
Here's what good ol' dictionary.com has to say on the subject:
o·pen-mind·ed
–adjective
1. having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments.
2. unprejudiced; unbigoted; impartial.
— adj
having a mind receptive to new ideas, arguments, etc; unprejudiced
open-'mindedly
— adv
open-'mindedness
— n
Famous Quotations
open-minded
"I am open-minded on all questions I care nothing about."
closed-mind·ed
–adjective
having a mind firmly unreceptive to new ideas or arguments: "It's hard to argue with, much less convince, a closed-minded person."
adjective
not ready to receive to new ideas [syn: close-minded]
So, which was I, on the debated subject? Was I being open-minded? Well, I thought so. I was listening. If my friend had had sources there on hand for me to read, I would have read them.
Or was the mere fact that I already had an opinion enough to disqualify me?
Gosh, if being open-minded means never having an opinion, or never making up my mind, it's really not a good thing, anyway.
Though, I do believe it is conceivable-- and also the most probable-- that I fall somewhere in the middle.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Kitchen Creation Number Two: Oatmeal Cookies for One
You know what it's like. I can't be the only one. You get a craving for a cookie, so you get up and bake a batch. But if you're anything like me, a whole dozen cookies manage to disappear before you've even pulled the last sheet of cookies out of the oven. Not to mention what happens with the other two dozen or so cookies over the course of the next day or two. And it all started with a craving for just one cookie.
The following is a recipe I came up with that will help you satisfy your craving for a fresh-baked treat without facing the temptation of a whole 2-4 dozen cookies.
Note: These cookies will turn out rather cakey, so if you want a crispy cookie, this won't work for you.
Oatmeal Cookies for One
Ingredients:
1 pkg. flavored instant oatmeal (I used Maple & Brown Sugar)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 Tbsp. wheat flour
Mix, then add: 1/4 cup water
(Optional) You may decide to add a handful of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, or whatever else you feel like.
Spoon onto greased baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for around 10 minutes.
I used my toaster oven, with the broiler pan as the baking sheet.
Makes approximately 4 cookies
The finished product. I'd already eaten two cookies before I thought to take a picture...
The following is a recipe I came up with that will help you satisfy your craving for a fresh-baked treat without facing the temptation of a whole 2-4 dozen cookies.
Note: These cookies will turn out rather cakey, so if you want a crispy cookie, this won't work for you.
Oatmeal Cookies for One
Ingredients:
1 pkg. flavored instant oatmeal (I used Maple & Brown Sugar)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 Tbsp. wheat flour
Mix, then add: 1/4 cup water
(Optional) You may decide to add a handful of chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, or whatever else you feel like.
Spoon onto greased baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for around 10 minutes.
I used my toaster oven, with the broiler pan as the baking sheet.
Makes approximately 4 cookies
"Single Mom" for a Weekend
So for the past two days Nick has been gone to a Wood Badge training camp. He left early Thursday and will be home around dinner time tonight (Saturday). I want to say that these three days without him have been challenging and unbearable, that I am a mess, and the boys are a mess without their Daddy. But, that really isn't the case.
We have all done surprisingly well. Though of course we all have missed him, and will be joyful for his return.
The first night, Z woke up in the middle of the night and joined me in bed. He started calling Daddy's name, and wondering where he was as he was not in the bed. I had to tell him that Daddy was gone for a few days, and he got very sad.
We get to do this all again in a few more weeks (Wood Badge takes up two separate weekends).
I am very grateful to not be a single mother.
We have all done surprisingly well. Though of course we all have missed him, and will be joyful for his return.
The first night, Z woke up in the middle of the night and joined me in bed. He started calling Daddy's name, and wondering where he was as he was not in the bed. I had to tell him that Daddy was gone for a few days, and he got very sad.
We get to do this all again in a few more weeks (Wood Badge takes up two separate weekends).
I am very grateful to not be a single mother.
Monday, May 9, 2011
My kid's words on Mother's Day
Yesterday in Primary, all the children-- my son included-- were given a questionairre about their moms. One of the teachers filled out G's for him, according to his own dication. So, here it is (with commentary from me in parentheses):
My mom's favorite food is....juice (pretty sure he put his favorite food here)
My mom's favorite color is....pink (huh)
My mom loves me because....because she's my mom
My favorite thing to do with my mom is....play
My mom is beautiful because....she is nice
My mom is best at....fredding (I think the scribe didn't understand what G was trying to say, and so just wrote what she heard...and no, I have no idea what "fredding" is supposed to mean; and when I asked G after church, he couldn't tell me, either)
I love my mom because...I am her son
My mom's favorite food is....juice (pretty sure he put his favorite food here)
My mom's favorite color is....pink (huh)
My mom loves me because....because she's my mom
My favorite thing to do with my mom is....play
My mom is beautiful because....she is nice
My mom is best at....fredding (I think the scribe didn't understand what G was trying to say, and so just wrote what she heard...and no, I have no idea what "fredding" is supposed to mean; and when I asked G after church, he couldn't tell me, either)
I love my mom because...I am her son
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