Monday, December 15, 2008

Parenting

We went to the beach yesterday and I had lots of fun boogie boarding and jumping the waves with Daddy! It was cold but so fun, I didn't mind at all!
I did hurt my elbow, so I've been saying owie a lot and crying and not doing anything with my right arm. But this morning I was back to picking up the cat and dragging her around the house. We went to the doctor and waited in his office for 1 1/2 hours (where I threw my bottle around and blocked the front door and insisted horses were donkeys), and he said there was really nothing wrong (something about dislocating the elbow but not really a dislocation that should be better by itself in another day or so), so I can't manipulate my parents too much anymore.
Thanks to The Mommy...Etc for tagging us on this meme!
Here goes...The Family Photo comes first:
1. How many kids? One
2. Ages? Esmé is 20 months.
3. What time does our day start? Since we are on holiday with no regular routine, this is a great question that I'd love the answer to! Usually somewhere between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
4. Breakfast? A few spoons of oatmeal, a few bites of a hot cross bun, a grape and a half, and maybe some dry cat food.
5. Does she watch TV? We didn't have it while in Mozambique, but she watched her Barney DVD over and over and over and over, plus some other DVDs and short online videos at from totlol.com. And now we're getting acquainted with South African television...
6. Favorite activities? Watching Barney, going to the beach, playing with Barbies and other babies, naming objects and things in pictures, coloring/painting/cutting/writing, washing dishes and sweeping and otherwise "helping" in the kitchen, skateboarding, and doing tricks with her Daddy.
7. Do I get a break during the day from Esmé? Who needs a break??? Well, not at the moment. Except for naptime, I guess... If I'm lucky, that is about 3 hours. In Mozambique Ms. Cathrine watched Esmé in the mornings for about 3 hours, too, so I could get my Maranatha work done.
8. How do we end our day? Depends on if Esmé is crashing yet or not, seeing as we're not on a regular routine at the moment. If she's doing okay, it's bathtime, medicine and toothbrush and lotion and brush and jammies, and then reading a few books (or maybe the same book over and over). I always include at least one Bible story and usually limit it to 5 books. Then a short prayer and I nurse her (still, yes, I know). If all goes well, she falls asleep, otherwise I lie next to her for hours singing to her and trying to keep her laying down on her bed.
9. Best parenting advice/tips? Please, give me some! I don't feel wise enough to pass any on at this stage! I guess I've got advice for newborns, and after we pass through the terrible twos maybe I'll be able to pass on some advice for this stage. Hindsight is 20/20 and all...
10. PASS IT ON: Z's Mom, MessyFunMommyLife, Grasping for Objectivity, Teaching Tinytots, and Here to There.

12 comments:

BaronessBlack said...

Sweet picture!
Y'know, I don't think the so-called terrible twos are too bad. In my experience the really hard year is from one to two. Just enough autonomy (walking, free movement, etc.), but still not enough communication or understanding, resulting in massive frustration for parents and kiddies. Personally, I reckon things get easier after the second birthday, there's a bit more awareness, and much better communication!
And you're almost there!
PS. I couldn't keep mine out of the cat food either!

Anonymous said...

Nice pic! I'm curious as to how you came up with the name Esme' and what it means. It's SO beautiful! I may have missed that post if you already told about this, since I've only been reading a couple months.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have a nice bedtime routine. Svara also likes the same story over and over again at times. She's 20 months as well. And still nursing quite a bit. You should give yourself a pat on the back for still nursing her, it's a gift that will keep her healthier all her life!

Tanya said...

Just wanted to say "hi!" Stopped over here from Heidi's blog (Moms, Ministry and More). My only advice: don't think the terrible twos end when they turn three. It's just followed by a fun, new adventure of behaviors. :) I've got two, ages 3 and 4. Every day is monotonous and adventurous at the same time; every stage presents its own joys and challenges. Don't wish away a single day. Easier said than done, I know!! But it all goes so very, very fast; you don't want to miss it.

Prasti said...

i like the picture. nice to see one of mommy in it :)

White Hot Magik said...

Sounds like you are having fun.

ShEiLa said...

What a wonderful family photo and the view of your routine. If someone doesn't like that you are still nursing... too bad, that is your decision.
ToOdLeS.ShEiLa

Kori said...

Cat food is quite tasty, or so I have heard...Though O. prefers the dog food, perhaps because it is bigger. Advice? Ha. Go with the flow and try not to stress. Which is about as helpful as a hangnail, right?

Andrea said...

Well, I'm glad there's nothing TOO wrong with that elbow. :) And yeah...donkeys DO look lik horses, so I can't blame you for thinking that what they were! Great family pic too!

Tara R. said...

That is a wonderful family photo. Glad to hear Esme' elbow is better.

Anonymous said...

This is my first visit to your blog and -- Wow -- what a life you lead.... I look forward to reading many more of your posts. Beautiful family too! :-)

Juli said...

Don't let anybody get on to you for still nursing. I nursed my last baby until he was just about to turn two and I only really stopped, because we were about to have another. I've known others to "tandem nurse".
I've been reading your blog for a while and this is the first time I've commented. I think. I love reading about your adventures.