One of my many part-time jobs is managing a church nursery. I've been working there for two years now, and one thing that I have noticed is how quickly these children grow. There's a difference in these children and my Mia and Lucy...or a difference in how I react emotionally to these children, I suppose. One week a baby will be crawling, and the next the mother announces, "he's walking now." There isn't much celebration, as there might be for our own children...it's just very matter-of-fact. The passing of time. One day they're crawling, the next they walk, and before I know it they're moving up to the toddler room, and then out of the nursery all together and going to church with their parents. Now, I'm not saying that I don't love these children, but I only spend an hour or so a week with them here and there...
Lucy took her first steps this week.
I wasn't there when Mia took her first steps. And I obviously adore her...I've been looking after her for more than half of her life. As a three year old, she really is one of my closest friends. But I was working for this family before Jenn was even pregnant with Lucy...
So, she has been standing on her own for a few weeks...and, until now, she would walk so long as we were holding her hands.
But now, she will take just a few steps on her own. She stands there and smiles up at you and then takes one or two steps...
It isn't much, she doesn't go very far, but if I dropped her off in the nursery this Sunday I would say, "she's walking now."
I'm sure you've noticed that it has been quite a while since I posted a new entry here...and it isn't because I haven't been working and loving every minute with Mia and Lucy...but most of you know it's because I've finally decided to do something that I've wanted to do for a really long time.
I have started a professional photography business...I am a photographer.
I graduated from college two years ago. I moved back home and I have put off the real world as long as I possible could by working as a nanny. Well, I guess it isn't really fair to say that I was putting of the real world...but I have been putting off making life changing decisions.
Now, again as most of you know, the decision to be a nanny has brought nothing but joy into my life and I will never regret it, (nor am I ready to quit, Jenn...take a breath.) But it is time to start growing up...and to take a couple of baby steps myself.
So, come November, my photography website will be officially live.
I have had a few jobs and my confidence is growing and each day I take one or two more steps into the real world on my own.
And, as I will always be there to still hold Lucy's hands, I want to thank all of you who have always been there to hold mine.
Lucy and I are walking now.
10.19.2010
7.09.2010
Happy Birthday, Lucy.
Well, it's happened. Lucy turned 1 today.
While keeping the private details of the situation, well...private, I will tell you that Lucy's birth was somewhat dramatic. She was born almost 2 months early and Jenn was very sick afterward...so, the point is that today is a real celebration.
But on top of celebrating the first year and birth of sweet baby Lucy, I've been thinking a lot this week about the fact that for a whole year...Mia has been a big sister.
Last week I talked about all of the love and laughter in my life but, more specifically, the things that made a tough time for me a little bit easier. Before I posted this blog, I was fully aware that I had not mentioned my sister, Burton. I could not come up with a specific point or story about her, and in keeping with the rules of creative writing, I decided to leave her out.
Right on cue, I received a text from my sister:
"I read your blog...thanks a heap for the shout out."
So I told her the truth...while I could have just said how much I love her without a creative or entertaining anecdote to go along with it, I felt that that would only cheapen it.
So...I've been thinking about sisters.
Mia and Lucy have now been sisters for one year. So far, that means adjusting to sharing Mom and Dad's attention, being really excited when the younger sister does something new, and learning to not squeeze or pull or push or bite too hard.
But I've been thinking about the things that Mia and Lucy have to look forward to in the coming years of sisterhood.
And so on your first birthday, sweet Lucy, these are some of the things that having a big sister has meant to me...
Never having to buy your own clothes. You've already been wearing a lot of Mia's old clothes, so I know you're used to this. But don't worry, one day soon you and Mia will wear the same size and you're not going to have to wear hand-me-downs anymore...you'll get to steal her clothes right out of laundry hamper. (I'll give you tips on this when you're older.)
Not having to take care of yourself. Once, when I was in the 3rd grade and Burton was in 7th, she came to visit me on a day when I was in school and she wasn't. She promptly unfastened my belt, as well as my pants, and proceeded to tuck in my shirt and then re-fasten my pants and belt...in front of the entire class. I only tell you this so that in case you are a bit messy as I am, and Mia is a bit uptight as Burton is...you'll be prepared.
Never having to be alone. You might have to share a room with Mia...but it's okay, Burton and I shared a room until I was 14 when she left for college. I slept on the floor in my parents' room for weeks. I just couldn't get used to sleeping by myself. When you've grown up having someone to talk to every single night until you both fall asleep...a dark, quiet room is the last place in the world you want to be at bedtime.
You will always have someone to stick up for you when things get hard...to tell you that you're doing the right thing, or perhaps to tell you that you're doing the wrong thing.
Lucy, Burton is my best friend. She always has been, and she always will be. I am confident that Mia will be yours too. She may push you over, or squeeze you too hard, or steal attention now...but one day, you're going to be struggling with something and Mia will be the only person in the world you'll want to turn to. (I won't even mention the things that Mom doesn't want to hear about...i.e. how much you look like her, which will come in quite handy when she has a legal I.D., you know, in case you want to buy a lottery ticket or rent a car or vote...)
So, on your 1st birthday Lucy, I'm imagining you posing with Mia at your highschool graduation, or standing up with Mia as her Maid of Honor, or bothering Mia about giving you a niece or a nephew...all of these things are things that I enjoy as a part of being Burton's little sister...and I can't wait for you to be able to enjoy these things with Mia.
I love you so much, sweet Lucy, Happy Birthday.
Welcome to the blog, Burton.
"One's sister is part of one's essential self...an eternal presence of one's heart, soul, and memory."
-Susan Cabil
While keeping the private details of the situation, well...private, I will tell you that Lucy's birth was somewhat dramatic. She was born almost 2 months early and Jenn was very sick afterward...so, the point is that today is a real celebration.
But on top of celebrating the first year and birth of sweet baby Lucy, I've been thinking a lot this week about the fact that for a whole year...Mia has been a big sister.
Last week I talked about all of the love and laughter in my life but, more specifically, the things that made a tough time for me a little bit easier. Before I posted this blog, I was fully aware that I had not mentioned my sister, Burton. I could not come up with a specific point or story about her, and in keeping with the rules of creative writing, I decided to leave her out.
Right on cue, I received a text from my sister:
"I read your blog...thanks a heap for the shout out."
So I told her the truth...while I could have just said how much I love her without a creative or entertaining anecdote to go along with it, I felt that that would only cheapen it.
So...I've been thinking about sisters.
Mia and Lucy have now been sisters for one year. So far, that means adjusting to sharing Mom and Dad's attention, being really excited when the younger sister does something new, and learning to not squeeze or pull or push or bite too hard.
But I've been thinking about the things that Mia and Lucy have to look forward to in the coming years of sisterhood.
And so on your first birthday, sweet Lucy, these are some of the things that having a big sister has meant to me...
Never having to buy your own clothes. You've already been wearing a lot of Mia's old clothes, so I know you're used to this. But don't worry, one day soon you and Mia will wear the same size and you're not going to have to wear hand-me-downs anymore...you'll get to steal her clothes right out of laundry hamper. (I'll give you tips on this when you're older.)
Not having to take care of yourself. Once, when I was in the 3rd grade and Burton was in 7th, she came to visit me on a day when I was in school and she wasn't. She promptly unfastened my belt, as well as my pants, and proceeded to tuck in my shirt and then re-fasten my pants and belt...in front of the entire class. I only tell you this so that in case you are a bit messy as I am, and Mia is a bit uptight as Burton is...you'll be prepared.
Never having to be alone. You might have to share a room with Mia...but it's okay, Burton and I shared a room until I was 14 when she left for college. I slept on the floor in my parents' room for weeks. I just couldn't get used to sleeping by myself. When you've grown up having someone to talk to every single night until you both fall asleep...a dark, quiet room is the last place in the world you want to be at bedtime.
You will always have someone to stick up for you when things get hard...to tell you that you're doing the right thing, or perhaps to tell you that you're doing the wrong thing.
Lucy, Burton is my best friend. She always has been, and she always will be. I am confident that Mia will be yours too. She may push you over, or squeeze you too hard, or steal attention now...but one day, you're going to be struggling with something and Mia will be the only person in the world you'll want to turn to. (I won't even mention the things that Mom doesn't want to hear about...i.e. how much you look like her, which will come in quite handy when she has a legal I.D., you know, in case you want to buy a lottery ticket or rent a car or vote...)
So, on your 1st birthday Lucy, I'm imagining you posing with Mia at your highschool graduation, or standing up with Mia as her Maid of Honor, or bothering Mia about giving you a niece or a nephew...all of these things are things that I enjoy as a part of being Burton's little sister...and I can't wait for you to be able to enjoy these things with Mia.
I love you so much, sweet Lucy, Happy Birthday.
Welcome to the blog, Burton.
"One's sister is part of one's essential self...an eternal presence of one's heart, soul, and memory."
-Susan Cabil
7.01.2010
Sorry, Dad.
I was scolded by my father last night for not having posted a new blog in so long. My father, the English major, reminded me of the importance of continuing to practice my writing and of simply exercising the discipline each week to get it done. What a pain in the ass.
Just kidding. After a brief flashback of a meeting with an English professor in college, I started to think about why I haven't posted yet this summer. The answer that I came up with is that I have simply been preoccupied. I must say that I am not sad to see June leave us, but perhaps the mere fact that I felt inspired to write again on July 1st is a good omen for this coming month.
I have had a lot on my plate. Some of the troubles I've been facing are probably pretty common for single, 24 year old nannies...but I'm quite certain that some of them are not.
For example, not long after I posted my last blog, I adopted a kitten. Not long after that, I almost killed said kitten. A freak accident during a workout, (mine not the kitten's) led to a very long night in the emergency animal hospital, my dad making several bad jokes about re-making E.R. with vets, (and one okay joke about Dr. "Bark" Green) and my mom very generously handing over her credit card to save my kitten, Calpurnia, from severe head trauma, which may or may not have been my fault. (welcome to the blog, mom.)
Alas, Calpurnia made a full, if not a little bit miraculous, recovery.
As I said, some of my problems this summer have been your everyday run-of-the-mill problems. And some have not.
I won't bore you with the rest of my troubles, they aren't nearly as traumatizing or entertaining as the kitten story. But today, as I was thinking about the first month of summer and how hard it's been...I tried instead to concentrate on those things that made June a little bit easier...the things that made June great. Here's what I came up with:
-Lucy started crawling and pulling herself up to stand. She waves, and claps, and does "oh my" and "so big" on command and it may very well be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life.
-Mia's personality continues to grow stronger and more adorable and more challenging each and every day. She has learned how to swim, makes Lucy laugh constantly, and greets me with, "Brooksie, I was missing you today"
-My brother and his wife bought their first house, my sister-in-law was commissioned by the United Methodist Church and will be starting her work as a minister soon. (welcome to the blog, Elaine.)
-The Chicago White Sox went on an 11 game winning streak, the longest since 1961, and in two weeks my boys of summer went from a 9 1/2 game deficit to being within 1 1/2 games of the first place Twins. (!)
-My cousin, Anne Lamb (better known to you as "the screamer",) has joined me in the Nursery this summer which has vastly increased the amount of time that I get to spend with her.
-My best friend, Susan, came home from Chicago for a visit and at a family dinner we recounted stories from our childhood that have been told over and over again, but that made me laugh harder than I have in a really long time. (welcome to the blog, q.)
-New seasons of True Blood and Entourage premiered.
-The FIFA World Cup.
-Wimbeldon.
-I turned 24 and a half.
Life's hard, it happens. But in the midst of all that, there's so much more. There's laughter and love...friends hold you up, babies laugh, baseball teams win, and kittens make miraculous recoveries.
Here's hoping that, for you, June was wonderful. And that if it wasn't, you have as much love and laughter in your life as I do to carry you through. July will be better.
Just kidding. After a brief flashback of a meeting with an English professor in college, I started to think about why I haven't posted yet this summer. The answer that I came up with is that I have simply been preoccupied. I must say that I am not sad to see June leave us, but perhaps the mere fact that I felt inspired to write again on July 1st is a good omen for this coming month.
I have had a lot on my plate. Some of the troubles I've been facing are probably pretty common for single, 24 year old nannies...but I'm quite certain that some of them are not.
For example, not long after I posted my last blog, I adopted a kitten. Not long after that, I almost killed said kitten. A freak accident during a workout, (mine not the kitten's) led to a very long night in the emergency animal hospital, my dad making several bad jokes about re-making E.R. with vets, (and one okay joke about Dr. "Bark" Green) and my mom very generously handing over her credit card to save my kitten, Calpurnia, from severe head trauma, which may or may not have been my fault. (welcome to the blog, mom.)
Alas, Calpurnia made a full, if not a little bit miraculous, recovery.
As I said, some of my problems this summer have been your everyday run-of-the-mill problems. And some have not.
I won't bore you with the rest of my troubles, they aren't nearly as traumatizing or entertaining as the kitten story. But today, as I was thinking about the first month of summer and how hard it's been...I tried instead to concentrate on those things that made June a little bit easier...the things that made June great. Here's what I came up with:
-Lucy started crawling and pulling herself up to stand. She waves, and claps, and does "oh my" and "so big" on command and it may very well be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life.
-Mia's personality continues to grow stronger and more adorable and more challenging each and every day. She has learned how to swim, makes Lucy laugh constantly, and greets me with, "Brooksie, I was missing you today"
-My brother and his wife bought their first house, my sister-in-law was commissioned by the United Methodist Church and will be starting her work as a minister soon. (welcome to the blog, Elaine.)
-The Chicago White Sox went on an 11 game winning streak, the longest since 1961, and in two weeks my boys of summer went from a 9 1/2 game deficit to being within 1 1/2 games of the first place Twins. (!)
-My cousin, Anne Lamb (better known to you as "the screamer",) has joined me in the Nursery this summer which has vastly increased the amount of time that I get to spend with her.
-My best friend, Susan, came home from Chicago for a visit and at a family dinner we recounted stories from our childhood that have been told over and over again, but that made me laugh harder than I have in a really long time. (welcome to the blog, q.)
-New seasons of True Blood and Entourage premiered.
-The FIFA World Cup.
-Wimbeldon.
-I turned 24 and a half.
Life's hard, it happens. But in the midst of all that, there's so much more. There's laughter and love...friends hold you up, babies laugh, baseball teams win, and kittens make miraculous recoveries.
Here's hoping that, for you, June was wonderful. And that if it wasn't, you have as much love and laughter in your life as I do to carry you through. July will be better.
5.09.2010
...it is a virtue.
Mia's latest trend is to comment several times a day on how long something is taking.
"Brooksie...why is it taking Daddy so long to come home from work?"
or
"Brooksie, it's taking a really long time to get to school..."
Everytime she says this, I can hear my Dad (welcome to the blog, Dad) saying, "patience is a virtue" as he did to my brother, sister and me all the years of our childhood...and sometimes does still today.
Now, I'm fairly sure that Mia doesn't know what a virtue is...to be completely honest I'm not even sure that I know what it means. Or maybe it's that I'm just not entirely sure why patience is one. So I do my best not to repeat this lesson of my father to Mia verbatim. Instead I say something along the lines of,
"Mia, it's not taking any longer than it normally does..."
or
"Mia, Daddy never comes home at 10:30 in the morning on a Wednesday..."
or sometimes just,
"Mia, be patient."
I find myself saying this on other occasions as well these days.
Like when Mia wants to know why she can't wear make-up, or chew gum, or drink Diet Coke...
"Mia, be patient."
Or when I don't think I can take 1 more minute of her misbehaving...
"Brooksie, be patient..."
Or when I realize how much Lucy has changed over the last few months. With two teeth and finally enough hair for a teeny little bow, she suddenly doesn't look like a newborn to me anymore. (I'm realizing this just in time, as she will turn 1 in July...) Like when she tries to pull up on her crib to stand...
"Be patient, Loo..."
Or on the way to school the other morning, when Mia piped up and asked,
"Brooksie, why is it just you?"
"What do you mean, sweetie?"
"Well, there's Mommy and Daddy, why is it just you?"
Oh, brother...
"Well, because Brooksie isn't married yet."
"What do you mean?"
....
"Well, Brooksie is too old to live at home with her Mommy and Daddy - "
" - Courtney and Jeff?"
"Right...I don't live with Courtney and Jeff anymore, but I haven't gotten married yet, so it's just me."
Just me...
"I don't know what "married" means."
I KNOW YOU DON'T...YOU'RE THREE.
"Sweetie, Mommy and Daddy fell in love and decided that they wanted to live together forever...so they got married."
"...can I marry Mommy?"
---
So I'm trying to be virtuous and practice patience. Whether it's taking a deep breath and staying calm in the midst of a temper tantrum, soaking in every moment of Lucy's daily transformations, or realizing that it is just me, but that it won't always be...
I'm being patient.
"Brooksie...why is it taking Daddy so long to come home from work?"
or
"Brooksie, it's taking a really long time to get to school..."
Everytime she says this, I can hear my Dad (welcome to the blog, Dad) saying, "patience is a virtue" as he did to my brother, sister and me all the years of our childhood...and sometimes does still today.
Now, I'm fairly sure that Mia doesn't know what a virtue is...to be completely honest I'm not even sure that I know what it means. Or maybe it's that I'm just not entirely sure why patience is one. So I do my best not to repeat this lesson of my father to Mia verbatim. Instead I say something along the lines of,
"Mia, it's not taking any longer than it normally does..."
or
"Mia, Daddy never comes home at 10:30 in the morning on a Wednesday..."
or sometimes just,
"Mia, be patient."
I find myself saying this on other occasions as well these days.
Like when Mia wants to know why she can't wear make-up, or chew gum, or drink Diet Coke...
"Mia, be patient."
Or when I don't think I can take 1 more minute of her misbehaving...
"Brooksie, be patient..."
Or when I realize how much Lucy has changed over the last few months. With two teeth and finally enough hair for a teeny little bow, she suddenly doesn't look like a newborn to me anymore. (I'm realizing this just in time, as she will turn 1 in July...) Like when she tries to pull up on her crib to stand...
"Be patient, Loo..."
Or on the way to school the other morning, when Mia piped up and asked,
"Brooksie, why is it just you?"
"What do you mean, sweetie?"
"Well, there's Mommy and Daddy, why is it just you?"
Oh, brother...
"Well, because Brooksie isn't married yet."
"What do you mean?"
....
"Well, Brooksie is too old to live at home with her Mommy and Daddy - "
" - Courtney and Jeff?"
"Right...I don't live with Courtney and Jeff anymore, but I haven't gotten married yet, so it's just me."
Just me...
"I don't know what "married" means."
I KNOW YOU DON'T...YOU'RE THREE.
"Sweetie, Mommy and Daddy fell in love and decided that they wanted to live together forever...so they got married."
"...can I marry Mommy?"
---
So I'm trying to be virtuous and practice patience. Whether it's taking a deep breath and staying calm in the midst of a temper tantrum, soaking in every moment of Lucy's daily transformations, or realizing that it is just me, but that it won't always be...
I'm being patient.
4.22.2010
The Screamer: Part II
I would like to preface this post with a reminder to all of you that I love Mia as much as I possibly could, I really could only love her more if she were my own...
And that 95% of the time she is an adorable, funny, creative three year old full of love and laughter.
Okay, we'll say 90%.
We have officially entered the hell known as the fourth year of life.
Who came up with "terrible two's" anyway? Did they even have children?
It should be the "threatening three's" or the "thrashing three's" or the "throaty three's"...I don't know, something equivalent to terrible that begins with "thr-"
So, 85% of the time, Mia is an angel. The other 15% (or maybe 20) of the time, she sounds like Peppermint Patty because she screams so much she almost completely loses her voice.
Which brings me to The Screamer. (welcome to the blog, Anne Lamb.)
My cousin: Anne Lamb aka The Screamer. If you know her now, you love her. If you knew her then, you tried really hard to love her.
Here is a Screamer story for you that is often told...a classic:
"Mommy, I want some juice."
"Is that how you ask for it?"
"I WANT JUICE!!!!!!!!!"
"Anne Lamb, when you ask nicely, I will give you some juice."
5 minutes later
"Mommy, may I please have some juice?...THERE will that get it?"
Now again I will say, and I tell Jenn this often, Anne Lamb grew out of her Screamer years, and is probably one of my top five favorite people now. Plus, her teenage years were a breeze for her parents...I guess they had paid their dues in the first 4years of her life.
Now twenty years later, we have Mia.
A couple weeks ago Mia was being punished for throwing a temper tantrum at a restaurant. Her mother had brought her home to me where I was sitting with Lucy, and returned to the restuarant to finish her lunch. (which, by the way, I love.)
So Mia was now in her room throwing a temper tantrum. As she heard her mother's car start up and pull out of the driveway I heard her scream:
"MOMMY COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK MOMMY, YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!"
About five minutes later when she had quieted down, I joined her in her room to have a little chat. These chats of ours usually go something like this:
"Mia, why are you acting like this?"
"Because I just love my Mommy so much..."
"Mia...why are you screaming?"
"...I don't know."
"Do you know why you are in trouble?"
"...No"
"Mia..."
"I love you so much, Brooksie..."
I told her she needed to come downstairs and eat some lunch, but that then she needed to go back to her room. So we were downstairs in the kitchen when she looked up at me with her Peanut Butter sandwich in her hand, Peanut Butter all over her mouth, smiled and said:
"Brooksie...guess I wasn't a very good girl today, huh?"
The first thing I did was stifle a laugh, then I told her to finish her sandich and go to her room...then I called Anne Lamb.
"Mia had an Anne Lambtrum today..."
I will also say this, Mia is learning. And, when I'm not ripping my hair out because I can't stand one more second of screaming, I'm actually really enjoying this. It's amazing to watch her learn, to see her reactions and to witness her catching herself and correcting her behavior on her own...
That's what makes it so easy for me to love her 75% of the time.
And that 95% of the time she is an adorable, funny, creative three year old full of love and laughter.
Okay, we'll say 90%.
We have officially entered the hell known as the fourth year of life.
Who came up with "terrible two's" anyway? Did they even have children?
It should be the "threatening three's" or the "thrashing three's" or the "throaty three's"...I don't know, something equivalent to terrible that begins with "thr-"
So, 85% of the time, Mia is an angel. The other 15% (or maybe 20) of the time, she sounds like Peppermint Patty because she screams so much she almost completely loses her voice.
Which brings me to The Screamer. (welcome to the blog, Anne Lamb.)
My cousin: Anne Lamb aka The Screamer. If you know her now, you love her. If you knew her then, you tried really hard to love her.
Here is a Screamer story for you that is often told...a classic:
"Mommy, I want some juice."
"Is that how you ask for it?"
"I WANT JUICE!!!!!!!!!"
"Anne Lamb, when you ask nicely, I will give you some juice."
5 minutes later
"Mommy, may I please have some juice?...THERE will that get it?"
Now again I will say, and I tell Jenn this often, Anne Lamb grew out of her Screamer years, and is probably one of my top five favorite people now. Plus, her teenage years were a breeze for her parents...I guess they had paid their dues in the first 4years of her life.
Now twenty years later, we have Mia.
A couple weeks ago Mia was being punished for throwing a temper tantrum at a restaurant. Her mother had brought her home to me where I was sitting with Lucy, and returned to the restuarant to finish her lunch. (which, by the way, I love.)
So Mia was now in her room throwing a temper tantrum. As she heard her mother's car start up and pull out of the driveway I heard her scream:
"MOMMY COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK MOMMY, YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!"
About five minutes later when she had quieted down, I joined her in her room to have a little chat. These chats of ours usually go something like this:
"Mia, why are you acting like this?"
"Because I just love my Mommy so much..."
"Mia...why are you screaming?"
"...I don't know."
"Do you know why you are in trouble?"
"...No"
"Mia..."
"I love you so much, Brooksie..."
I told her she needed to come downstairs and eat some lunch, but that then she needed to go back to her room. So we were downstairs in the kitchen when she looked up at me with her Peanut Butter sandwich in her hand, Peanut Butter all over her mouth, smiled and said:
"Brooksie...guess I wasn't a very good girl today, huh?"
The first thing I did was stifle a laugh, then I told her to finish her sandich and go to her room...then I called Anne Lamb.
"Mia had an Anne Lambtrum today..."
I will also say this, Mia is learning. And, when I'm not ripping my hair out because I can't stand one more second of screaming, I'm actually really enjoying this. It's amazing to watch her learn, to see her reactions and to witness her catching herself and correcting her behavior on her own...
That's what makes it so easy for me to love her 75% of the time.
3.31.2010
Here's to you, Walt.
I know you're all anxious to hear about the Disney Cruise, but to tell you the truth...it was relatively uneventful. There's really not much to tell.
I'm totally kidding.
It was probably the single most exhausting week of my entire life...beginning with the three hour drive to the boat, and ending with the three hour drive home.
Have you ever seen that Norman Rockwell painting, Coming and Going? It shows a family on their way to a vacation, bouncing with excitement...and coming back: dirty, exhausted, angry, annoyed. I wish I had taken pictures of our car each way to show the comparison...
Everything inbetween was basically what you would expect...
-Singing and dancing crew members...check.
-Disney characters arond every corner...check.
-Standing in line with Mia to meet the characters...check.
-Mia melting down when it is finally her turn and making Goofy cry...check.
-Really narrow, incredibly long hallways through which it is nearly impossible to navigate a stroller...check.
-Sharing a room with Mia...check.
-7 a.m. wake up call from Mickey Mouse...check.
-A three year old screaming, "Brooksie, is it Mickey Mouse?!" at 7 a.m....check.
-Norbert, our server from Hungary, who sounded a lot like Dracula...check.
-Mia throwing temper tantrums in the middle of the restaurant and Norbert being the only one who could calm her down...check.
It was a Disney cruise with a three year old and a nine month old. Lots of sun, a little rain, lots of poolside drinks.
I'd like to break for a moment and explain to you what we have been up to since returning from the cruise, and why my post is somewhat tardy.
We went on the cruise with Mia's grandparents, two of her cousins, and their nanny. (welcome to the blog, Laura Ann)
Mia's cousins have a little sister, Ann Hinckley, who is sick, so she and her parents were unable to come on the cruise with us. She has Aplastic Anemia, and since we have returned from the cruise we have been working on a Bone Marrow Drive in her honor. Ann Hinckley needs a bone marrow transplant, and she does not have a family match.
I would love it if you would all take a moment to visit Bethematch.org.
It's free and it only takes a few minutes. They will send a swabbing kit to you, and you just mail it back. After that you will be entered into a national registry for potential bone marrow matches...and you could be the one to save a life.
If I can't be a match for her, I hope that I will one day be able to be the match for somebody else...and I'll give my bone marrow happily, all the while thinking of Ann Hinckley.
So from Norbert and all the gang at Disney Cruise Lines (and me)...here's hoping that when you wish upon a star, as dreamers do, that all of your dreams come true.
I'm totally kidding.
It was probably the single most exhausting week of my entire life...beginning with the three hour drive to the boat, and ending with the three hour drive home.
Have you ever seen that Norman Rockwell painting, Coming and Going? It shows a family on their way to a vacation, bouncing with excitement...and coming back: dirty, exhausted, angry, annoyed. I wish I had taken pictures of our car each way to show the comparison...
Everything inbetween was basically what you would expect...
-Singing and dancing crew members...check.
-Disney characters arond every corner...check.
-Standing in line with Mia to meet the characters...check.
-Mia melting down when it is finally her turn and making Goofy cry...check.
-Really narrow, incredibly long hallways through which it is nearly impossible to navigate a stroller...check.
-Sharing a room with Mia...check.
-7 a.m. wake up call from Mickey Mouse...check.
-A three year old screaming, "Brooksie, is it Mickey Mouse?!" at 7 a.m....check.
-Norbert, our server from Hungary, who sounded a lot like Dracula...check.
-Mia throwing temper tantrums in the middle of the restaurant and Norbert being the only one who could calm her down...check.
It was a Disney cruise with a three year old and a nine month old. Lots of sun, a little rain, lots of poolside drinks.
I'd like to break for a moment and explain to you what we have been up to since returning from the cruise, and why my post is somewhat tardy.
We went on the cruise with Mia's grandparents, two of her cousins, and their nanny. (welcome to the blog, Laura Ann)
Mia's cousins have a little sister, Ann Hinckley, who is sick, so she and her parents were unable to come on the cruise with us. She has Aplastic Anemia, and since we have returned from the cruise we have been working on a Bone Marrow Drive in her honor. Ann Hinckley needs a bone marrow transplant, and she does not have a family match.
I would love it if you would all take a moment to visit Bethematch.org.
It's free and it only takes a few minutes. They will send a swabbing kit to you, and you just mail it back. After that you will be entered into a national registry for potential bone marrow matches...and you could be the one to save a life.
If I can't be a match for her, I hope that I will one day be able to be the match for somebody else...and I'll give my bone marrow happily, all the while thinking of Ann Hinckley.
So from Norbert and all the gang at Disney Cruise Lines (and me)...here's hoping that when you wish upon a star, as dreamers do, that all of your dreams come true.
3.11.2010
...until the Disney Cruise.
So, Mia turned three this week.
Now, although my dream of the three year old transformation did not go off exactly as I'd planned...something did seem to shift this week.
As I watched my sweet little Moo greet her guests at her fancy tea party, help pass out cupcakes, play with her friends and the babydolls that they all brought, and finally thank each friend for coming to her party...an unexpected thing happened. I kept getting choked up.
Okay, I know what you're thinking, people who know me,
"...unexpected?"
For those of you who don't know me...I cry. I cry a lot. Sappy movies, not so sappy movies, the Olympics, the end of every book I ever read, Publix commercials, Maxwell House commercials, Hallmark commercials, my brother's movie blog...I cry. (It's endearing, no?)
But it was unexpected on this day, because it was a tea party with a bunch of screaming three year olds running around. It wasn't even on Mia's actual birthday...she was, in fact, still two.
But she seemed a little taller, her face looked a little older, she had funny conversations with her friends, and didn't seem to need me so much. Suddenly I understood what mothers mean when they start to imagine their child going off to college the first time they take a step. She's growing up.
For her birthday Mia got a scooter from her Abuelo. It's hot pink with streamers and pictures of Disney Princesses on it. The other day, Jenn told me that when Mia woke up from her nap, she wanted to go to the park, and that I could take her on her scooter. Easy enough.
So I got Mia up from her nap, put her tennis shoes on, and strapped her new helmet to her head. Ready to go.
Now, it's funny that this thought never occurred to me...but three year olds don't know how to ride a scooter.
It took twenty minutes for us to get to the next door neighbors' driveway.
So finally, because it was now almost dinner time, I told her to hold on, and I started to pull her using the handlebars. Please keep in mind that I had a 16 lb. 9 month old strapped to my chest in the Baby Bjorn, and the scooter is built for a three year old, so in order to take hold of the handlebars I had to bend over at a 90 degree angle. Keep that image in your head for the next 6 blocks to the park and you might start to feel what I was feeling.
So I'm a little ticked off. (Oh, and when we got to the park one of the mother's said, "Oh! Your baby's thrown up on you!" Yeah.) But when we got to the park, I could tell that Mia was a little frustrated as she tried to kick her little leg and make the scooter go on her own.
"You know, Mia, you'll get the hang of it. You just have to practice, that's all."
She looked up at me from underneath her little helmet and said, "That's alright, Brooksie, scootin's just fine by me..."
First, I laughed, and then (I know) got choked up again.
When I first brought Mia to the park, she was 18 months old. She only swang in the baby swings and she only really talked when I asked her what a cow or a doggy said. Now, scootin's just fine by her? What happened in the last 18 months?
It's been such a privilege to be a part of this little girl's life, to be a part of her whole family's life. Most days I feel guilty that I even get paid to do this. (Not that guilty, though, so don't get any ideas John-Paul.)
So, my baby's growing up, scootin' through her fourth year of life, and I bring you this sentimental post from a cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat nanny this week because next week...we are all embarking on a Disney Cruise together. And I, Brooksie, will be sharing a room with Mia.
So stay tuned for next week and what may be a post that has a significantly smaller amount of sentiment.
Anchors away.
Now, although my dream of the three year old transformation did not go off exactly as I'd planned...something did seem to shift this week.
As I watched my sweet little Moo greet her guests at her fancy tea party, help pass out cupcakes, play with her friends and the babydolls that they all brought, and finally thank each friend for coming to her party...an unexpected thing happened. I kept getting choked up.
Okay, I know what you're thinking, people who know me,
"...unexpected?"
For those of you who don't know me...I cry. I cry a lot. Sappy movies, not so sappy movies, the Olympics, the end of every book I ever read, Publix commercials, Maxwell House commercials, Hallmark commercials, my brother's movie blog...I cry. (It's endearing, no?)
But it was unexpected on this day, because it was a tea party with a bunch of screaming three year olds running around. It wasn't even on Mia's actual birthday...she was, in fact, still two.
But she seemed a little taller, her face looked a little older, she had funny conversations with her friends, and didn't seem to need me so much. Suddenly I understood what mothers mean when they start to imagine their child going off to college the first time they take a step. She's growing up.
For her birthday Mia got a scooter from her Abuelo. It's hot pink with streamers and pictures of Disney Princesses on it. The other day, Jenn told me that when Mia woke up from her nap, she wanted to go to the park, and that I could take her on her scooter. Easy enough.
So I got Mia up from her nap, put her tennis shoes on, and strapped her new helmet to her head. Ready to go.
Now, it's funny that this thought never occurred to me...but three year olds don't know how to ride a scooter.
It took twenty minutes for us to get to the next door neighbors' driveway.
So finally, because it was now almost dinner time, I told her to hold on, and I started to pull her using the handlebars. Please keep in mind that I had a 16 lb. 9 month old strapped to my chest in the Baby Bjorn, and the scooter is built for a three year old, so in order to take hold of the handlebars I had to bend over at a 90 degree angle. Keep that image in your head for the next 6 blocks to the park and you might start to feel what I was feeling.
So I'm a little ticked off. (Oh, and when we got to the park one of the mother's said, "Oh! Your baby's thrown up on you!" Yeah.) But when we got to the park, I could tell that Mia was a little frustrated as she tried to kick her little leg and make the scooter go on her own.
"You know, Mia, you'll get the hang of it. You just have to practice, that's all."
She looked up at me from underneath her little helmet and said, "That's alright, Brooksie, scootin's just fine by me..."
First, I laughed, and then (I know) got choked up again.
When I first brought Mia to the park, she was 18 months old. She only swang in the baby swings and she only really talked when I asked her what a cow or a doggy said. Now, scootin's just fine by her? What happened in the last 18 months?
It's been such a privilege to be a part of this little girl's life, to be a part of her whole family's life. Most days I feel guilty that I even get paid to do this. (Not that guilty, though, so don't get any ideas John-Paul.)
So, my baby's growing up, scootin' through her fourth year of life, and I bring you this sentimental post from a cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat nanny this week because next week...we are all embarking on a Disney Cruise together. And I, Brooksie, will be sharing a room with Mia.
So stay tuned for next week and what may be a post that has a significantly smaller amount of sentiment.
Anchors away.
2.20.2010
Survival Guide: When Your Best Friend is Two Years Old...
1. Be aware that you will probably have to carry her around a lot of the time...but don't panic, this often leads to great muscle tone in your upper body.
2. You will also probably end up bossing her around a lot, so try not to let it go to your head...remember, she's a person too.
3. When you're not together, you'll want to stick to your vegetables and your simple carbohydrates...as when you are together, you will most likely be eating a lot of pizza, chicken nuggets and quesadillas.
4. Wear sensible shoes, be ready for anything. Stretch to avoid injuries. Be sure to hydrate.
5. Be patient when it comes to digestive matters...remember, it never helped anybody to be rushed.
6. You'll want to seek other outlets for venting about your romantic life...chances are she won't understand most of the words you use, and will probably just end up being confused.
7. When planning an evening out, you'll want to remember that less is more...bedtime comes at 7:30.
8. Get lots of rest, because the day starts early. If you don't drink coffee, this relationship just might not be right for you. And that's okay.
9. Work on making her laugh when she really doesn't want to...a silly face never hurt anybody. It may make the situation worse at first, but that just means that you aren't trying hard enough.
10. Don't take it personally if she screams at you when you ask her a simple question...it's not like her day has been any easier than yours.
I challenge all of you to ask yourself today...am I ready to be a 2 year old's best friend? The answer may surprise you...
2. You will also probably end up bossing her around a lot, so try not to let it go to your head...remember, she's a person too.
3. When you're not together, you'll want to stick to your vegetables and your simple carbohydrates...as when you are together, you will most likely be eating a lot of pizza, chicken nuggets and quesadillas.
4. Wear sensible shoes, be ready for anything. Stretch to avoid injuries. Be sure to hydrate.
5. Be patient when it comes to digestive matters...remember, it never helped anybody to be rushed.
6. You'll want to seek other outlets for venting about your romantic life...chances are she won't understand most of the words you use, and will probably just end up being confused.
7. When planning an evening out, you'll want to remember that less is more...bedtime comes at 7:30.
8. Get lots of rest, because the day starts early. If you don't drink coffee, this relationship just might not be right for you. And that's okay.
9. Work on making her laugh when she really doesn't want to...a silly face never hurt anybody. It may make the situation worse at first, but that just means that you aren't trying hard enough.
10. Don't take it personally if she screams at you when you ask her a simple question...it's not like her day has been any easier than yours.
I challenge all of you to ask yourself today...am I ready to be a 2 year old's best friend? The answer may surprise you...
2.10.2010
T is for Terrible
We are officially within reach of Mia turning 3.
Just one more month to go of the two's...terrible or otherwise.
I have this image of Mia after her third birthday; a dream, really.
Mia wakes up (in a big girl bed, of course) yawns and stretches her little arms over her head, with the sunlight streaming through her pretty curly hair.
There are birds singing sweetly outside as Mia walks into the bathroom and climbs up on her own, does her business politely and quietly with no tantrum in site, remembers to flush the toilet (remembers to put the toilet paper in the toilet first) and then washes her hands without getting suds and water all over the floor(that I will not later slip and fall on.)
After carefully and slowly walking downstairs, she greets her mom and dad with a sweet hug and kiss on the cheek. She then gives Lucy a very gentle hug, not poking her in the eyes or choking her at all.
After a lovely morning of playing with her toys, and putting them all back where she found them, she greets me by running to the door with a smile on her face.
"Brooksie!" she says, "I'm so glad to see you! I'm so happy that you're here to take care of me, and while I am a bit sad that Mommy has to leave now, I'm going to be brave and happy and help you take care of Lucy. NO, I won't say I need your help on the potty every single time you have to do something with Baby Lucy, don't be silly!"
After eating her dinner, (and all of her vegetables, of course, loving every bite) she puts all of her dishes in the sink, and then helps me give Lucy a bath.
After Lucy is asleep, Mia goes to the bathroom, and without screaming bloody murder for 20 minutes, finishes and puts on her pajamas.
Again, with no screaming, she tucks herself into her big girl bed, gives me a kiss, says her prayers and falls asleep like the sweet angel that she is.
Ah, the magical third birthday...
To be fair, this scenario isn't completely unrealistic, Mia really does like vegetables.
Just one more month to go of the two's...terrible or otherwise.
I have this image of Mia after her third birthday; a dream, really.
Mia wakes up (in a big girl bed, of course) yawns and stretches her little arms over her head, with the sunlight streaming through her pretty curly hair.
There are birds singing sweetly outside as Mia walks into the bathroom and climbs up on her own, does her business politely and quietly with no tantrum in site, remembers to flush the toilet (remembers to put the toilet paper in the toilet first) and then washes her hands without getting suds and water all over the floor(that I will not later slip and fall on.)
After carefully and slowly walking downstairs, she greets her mom and dad with a sweet hug and kiss on the cheek. She then gives Lucy a very gentle hug, not poking her in the eyes or choking her at all.
After a lovely morning of playing with her toys, and putting them all back where she found them, she greets me by running to the door with a smile on her face.
"Brooksie!" she says, "I'm so glad to see you! I'm so happy that you're here to take care of me, and while I am a bit sad that Mommy has to leave now, I'm going to be brave and happy and help you take care of Lucy. NO, I won't say I need your help on the potty every single time you have to do something with Baby Lucy, don't be silly!"
After eating her dinner, (and all of her vegetables, of course, loving every bite) she puts all of her dishes in the sink, and then helps me give Lucy a bath.
After Lucy is asleep, Mia goes to the bathroom, and without screaming bloody murder for 20 minutes, finishes and puts on her pajamas.
Again, with no screaming, she tucks herself into her big girl bed, gives me a kiss, says her prayers and falls asleep like the sweet angel that she is.
Ah, the magical third birthday...
To be fair, this scenario isn't completely unrealistic, Mia really does like vegetables.
1.15.2010
TV Reality...
When Mia's mom, Jenn (welcome to the blog, Jenn) was still pregnant with Lucy this summer, Mia and I would often go out on excursions during the day...in part to keep Mia busy and in part to keep Jenn sane.
One morning, Jenn casually mentioned that she had enrolled Mia in a music class, and that we could go to that, if I didn't mind. And why should I mind? I'd taken Mia to storytime at the library several times before and that was always fun...
Well...once I arrived at Music Class, I quickly realized that there were several things which Jenn had forgotten to mention...things which I have yet to forgive her for.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Mia and I happily embarked on our journey that day. When we arrived at the class, I was immediately greeted by a petite woman named Greta. My first impression was that she was very kind and somewhat eccentric. The second thing that struck me was that she wasn't really talking...she was singing.
"Oh, hello Mia! And who's this?!"
"...Hi, I'm Brooks"
"Brooke?"
"...Brooks"
"Oh, hello Brooke!"
Forget it.
Mia and I settled in and chose a couple of the colorful matts that were arranged in a circle on the floor. As we waited for the other people to trickle in and take their spots on the floor, I did my best not to laugh as I watched Ms. Greta sing her introductions to these people. I mean, are you kidding me?
The class finally began with Ms. Greta taking out her guitar and asking the children to say hello to it. Then she started singing...
"Hello, I'm Greta, I'm glad to see you,"
and the class responded, "Hello, to Greta, we're glad to see you too!"
Easy enough.
I then watched in horror as each mother took her turn around the circle...
"Hello, I'm Becky, I'm glad to see you,"
"Hello, to Becky, we're glad to see you too!"
No. Effing. Way.
Look, I didn't like doing a solo in the 4th Grade Chorus Christmas Concert, and I don't like it now. The anxiety built in chest as the song got closer and closer to me in the circle {cue the music from "Jaws"} and as I croaked out,
"Hello, I'm Brooks, I'm glad to see you,"
what I was thinking was, "You're a dead woman, Jenn."
I survived the introductions, but there was so much more to come.
First of all, there is a CD that accompanies this class, a CD which I knew nothing about. So all of the mothers there knew all of the words to these songs, and I didn't know a damn thing. Mia knew more of the words than I did. And it's not a big class...and Ms. Greta is looking at me like I'm an idiot who can't sing a simple children's song.
Of course this was nothing compared to when she broke out the scarves. Keep in mind that the oldest child in this class is 2...so really what you have is a bunch of adults dancing around the room twirling scarves.
Now, it's possible that you've gleaned from my writing that I am somewhat of a cynic...you should also know that I am not a good sport when it comes to this stuff...so you have to picture me dancing around half-heartedly with scarves (not singing because, of course, I don't know the words) with a look of disgust on my face.
There are also people who feel compelled to bring their infants to a music class...
Like it's not enough that Ms. Greta wants us to let the 2 year olds express themselves, so we're not allowed to tell them to sit down and be quiet, but instead let them run around screaming while she goes on singing...
But then halfway through a song one of the babies would make a noise (like all babies do) and she would stop, point to the baby and sing in a monotone voice,
"Good job, Annie, that's a nice resting tooooooone..."
I'm sure the first time I witnessed this I just looked around incredulously...
Is this woman for real?
Now I will say that Mia loves Music Class, and Ms. Greta. And who knows, maybe the babies really are picking up nice resting tones in her songs...
But like I said, I'm not a good sport.
I decided to tell you this story now because my brother, Paul, (welcome to the blog, Paul) called me in hysterics one night after watching an episode of Modern Family on ABC. The homosexual couple on the show who have adopted a baby girl took her to a music class...and Paul assures me that it is true to my description of Music Class, in all of it's absurd hilarity.
So to all of you who watched that episode and thought it was an exaggeration or even complete fiction...I'm here to tell you,
that shit is real.
One morning, Jenn casually mentioned that she had enrolled Mia in a music class, and that we could go to that, if I didn't mind. And why should I mind? I'd taken Mia to storytime at the library several times before and that was always fun...
Well...once I arrived at Music Class, I quickly realized that there were several things which Jenn had forgotten to mention...things which I have yet to forgive her for.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Mia and I happily embarked on our journey that day. When we arrived at the class, I was immediately greeted by a petite woman named Greta. My first impression was that she was very kind and somewhat eccentric. The second thing that struck me was that she wasn't really talking...she was singing.
"Oh, hello Mia! And who's this?!"
"...Hi, I'm Brooks"
"Brooke?"
"...Brooks"
"Oh, hello Brooke!"
Forget it.
Mia and I settled in and chose a couple of the colorful matts that were arranged in a circle on the floor. As we waited for the other people to trickle in and take their spots on the floor, I did my best not to laugh as I watched Ms. Greta sing her introductions to these people. I mean, are you kidding me?
The class finally began with Ms. Greta taking out her guitar and asking the children to say hello to it. Then she started singing...
"Hello, I'm Greta, I'm glad to see you,"
and the class responded, "Hello, to Greta, we're glad to see you too!"
Easy enough.
I then watched in horror as each mother took her turn around the circle...
"Hello, I'm Becky, I'm glad to see you,"
"Hello, to Becky, we're glad to see you too!"
No. Effing. Way.
Look, I didn't like doing a solo in the 4th Grade Chorus Christmas Concert, and I don't like it now. The anxiety built in chest as the song got closer and closer to me in the circle {cue the music from "Jaws"} and as I croaked out,
"Hello, I'm Brooks, I'm glad to see you,"
what I was thinking was, "You're a dead woman, Jenn."
I survived the introductions, but there was so much more to come.
First of all, there is a CD that accompanies this class, a CD which I knew nothing about. So all of the mothers there knew all of the words to these songs, and I didn't know a damn thing. Mia knew more of the words than I did. And it's not a big class...and Ms. Greta is looking at me like I'm an idiot who can't sing a simple children's song.
Of course this was nothing compared to when she broke out the scarves. Keep in mind that the oldest child in this class is 2...so really what you have is a bunch of adults dancing around the room twirling scarves.
Now, it's possible that you've gleaned from my writing that I am somewhat of a cynic...you should also know that I am not a good sport when it comes to this stuff...so you have to picture me dancing around half-heartedly with scarves (not singing because, of course, I don't know the words) with a look of disgust on my face.
There are also people who feel compelled to bring their infants to a music class...
Like it's not enough that Ms. Greta wants us to let the 2 year olds express themselves, so we're not allowed to tell them to sit down and be quiet, but instead let them run around screaming while she goes on singing...
But then halfway through a song one of the babies would make a noise (like all babies do) and she would stop, point to the baby and sing in a monotone voice,
"Good job, Annie, that's a nice resting tooooooone..."
I'm sure the first time I witnessed this I just looked around incredulously...
Is this woman for real?
Now I will say that Mia loves Music Class, and Ms. Greta. And who knows, maybe the babies really are picking up nice resting tones in her songs...
But like I said, I'm not a good sport.
I decided to tell you this story now because my brother, Paul, (welcome to the blog, Paul) called me in hysterics one night after watching an episode of Modern Family on ABC. The homosexual couple on the show who have adopted a baby girl took her to a music class...and Paul assures me that it is true to my description of Music Class, in all of it's absurd hilarity.
So to all of you who watched that episode and thought it was an exaggeration or even complete fiction...I'm here to tell you,
that shit is real.
1.08.2010
The Chewy Fairy
Mia was visited by the Chewy Fairy this week...
Mia's dad is from Colombia, so for those of you who are wondering...Mia's chewy is her pacifier, short for chupon.
For all you mothers out there, this is a brilliant idea...seroiusly, Elf on the Shelf, Shmelf on the Shelf. (and you all know how much I love Tyroney)
So, The Chewy Fairy.
The idea is that one morning when they wake up, there is a pretty box in their bedroom from the Chewy Fairy. That night, they have to leave their chewy in the box, the Chewy Fairy will come back, leave something special for them (ideally something that they can take with them to bed instead of the chewy,) and then take their chewy and give it to a little baby somewhere who needs it.
Genius, right?
We started laying the groundwork a month or so ago...
"Brooksie, I heard the Chewy Fairy came to see a little girl down the street last night..."
"Really? Wow, I didn't think she made trips down here this time of year..."
...
"...What's the Chewy Fairy?"
Bingo.
At first she was pretty excited about the idea...or so we thought.
"Brooksie, the Chewy Fairy is going to come see me soon!"
"Really? What do you think she's going to bring you?"
"...maybe a really big chewy!"
...not the right idea.
But as time went on, she started to get used to the idea, and so the other morning...the box made it's appearance. When I walked in that morning I was almost tackled to the ground by a very excited 2 year old.
"BROOKSIE! THE CHEWY FAIRY CAME LAST NIGHT!!!!!"
I was staying with Lucy that morning, so after Mia and her mom left for school, I went up to see the Chewy Box. There was a note on top...
Dear Little Mia,
Please leave your chewy in this box tonight before you go to sleep.
Now that you are a big girl, I am going to take your chewy and give it to a little baby who needs it.
I will come back tonight to get it, and I will leave you something special.
Sweet dreams,
The Chewy Fairy
Okay, yes...I cried a little.
The next morning, at 8 a.m., I got a phone call from that same very excited little 2 year old...
Her chewy was gone, and in it's place, a Glow Worm and a Hello Kitty blanket...
I really can't believe how much she's grown the last few months. Not only is she so much taller, but now she says things like,
"Okay Brooksie, you give Lucy Loo a bath, and in the meantime I'll sit over here and color..."
In the meantime? You're two years old...
And now she doesn't have a chewy...and she's not sad about it.
"Brooksie, I don't need my chewy...I'm a big girl."
The least she could do is pretend...
So...Santa, the Elf on the Shelf, the Toothfairy, Easter Bunny...and the Chewy Fairy.
If we come up with any more mythical figures to make our lives easier, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Mia's dad is from Colombia, so for those of you who are wondering...Mia's chewy is her pacifier, short for chupon.
For all you mothers out there, this is a brilliant idea...seroiusly, Elf on the Shelf, Shmelf on the Shelf. (and you all know how much I love Tyroney)
So, The Chewy Fairy.
The idea is that one morning when they wake up, there is a pretty box in their bedroom from the Chewy Fairy. That night, they have to leave their chewy in the box, the Chewy Fairy will come back, leave something special for them (ideally something that they can take with them to bed instead of the chewy,) and then take their chewy and give it to a little baby somewhere who needs it.
Genius, right?
We started laying the groundwork a month or so ago...
"Brooksie, I heard the Chewy Fairy came to see a little girl down the street last night..."
"Really? Wow, I didn't think she made trips down here this time of year..."
...
"...What's the Chewy Fairy?"
Bingo.
At first she was pretty excited about the idea...or so we thought.
"Brooksie, the Chewy Fairy is going to come see me soon!"
"Really? What do you think she's going to bring you?"
"...maybe a really big chewy!"
...not the right idea.
But as time went on, she started to get used to the idea, and so the other morning...the box made it's appearance. When I walked in that morning I was almost tackled to the ground by a very excited 2 year old.
"BROOKSIE! THE CHEWY FAIRY CAME LAST NIGHT!!!!!"
I was staying with Lucy that morning, so after Mia and her mom left for school, I went up to see the Chewy Box. There was a note on top...
Dear Little Mia,
Please leave your chewy in this box tonight before you go to sleep.
Now that you are a big girl, I am going to take your chewy and give it to a little baby who needs it.
I will come back tonight to get it, and I will leave you something special.
Sweet dreams,
The Chewy Fairy
Okay, yes...I cried a little.
The next morning, at 8 a.m., I got a phone call from that same very excited little 2 year old...
Her chewy was gone, and in it's place, a Glow Worm and a Hello Kitty blanket...
I really can't believe how much she's grown the last few months. Not only is she so much taller, but now she says things like,
"Okay Brooksie, you give Lucy Loo a bath, and in the meantime I'll sit over here and color..."
In the meantime? You're two years old...
And now she doesn't have a chewy...and she's not sad about it.
"Brooksie, I don't need my chewy...I'm a big girl."
The least she could do is pretend...
So...Santa, the Elf on the Shelf, the Toothfairy, Easter Bunny...and the Chewy Fairy.
If we come up with any more mythical figures to make our lives easier, you'll be the first to hear about it.
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