Sometimes literally.
I nanny for a great three year old named Carter. We've been together since he was 13 months old, so I've been with him since before I ever got pregnant with Makani.
Fast forward two years, and I'm fortunate that Carter and Mak have forged a great friendship. Practically like siblings, and I say that because as much as they love like siblings, they definitely argue as such. For example:
Carter, being three and a half, has taken to being a bit bossy sometimes. Makani, being one and a half, doesn't like it too much. He's a very physical kid, my Mak, and not one for words. So lately, when Carter gets too bossy, Makani sometimes pushes him to let him know he's had enough. There's been some biting from Mak, and Carter let up for awhile.
Well, this week, the bossing was turned WAY up. My solution has always been to separate the two and have them parallel play until they can play nicely again. On this particular day, Makani needed a diaper change. I ran upstairs to get one, came back down to hear Carter shouting, "Makani, you have to share! SHARE! Give me it!" I should note that Carter is still learning that 'share' doesn't mean you get it right away. Sharing, I explained, means the person still gets to finish their turn before handing it over.
Mak was fed up. He doesn't like being bossed and has tried everything to get Carter to stop. So he went to an extreme I never, EVER thought I'd witness: He reached into his diaper, grabbed a handful of his poop, and threw it at Carter.
How lucky am I that Carter moved at the last second? He didn't even realize that he was the intended target. I stood there, in shock, stuck between hysterical laughter and sheer disgust. All I could do for a moment was utter, "Makani, don't fling your poop!" Makani didn't seem to hear me, since he was still staring down Carter who, by then, was laughing his little butt off.
Oh the joys.......... I recounted this whole thing to Brad when he got home, and he could NOT stop laughing. I wasn't quite into the full belly laugh yet. Brad's comment was, "well... at least he's resourceful in his anti-bullying stance."
Sheesh!
Much love,
The Dolfos
29 July 2011
25 July 2011
Nesting!
Brad came home from work on Saturday, took one look around the house and said, ...... oh....... You're nesting.
I was quite offended. It's too early for nesting, I told him. I'm only 18 weeks, that's not even halfway, and what's more, why does cleaning have to be labeled as nesting just because I'm pregnant?!
Ariel, he tells me, LOOK around. And I looked. I see piles of things to keep, donate, trash. EVERYWHERE. No inch of my house was untouched by my uncontrollable need to get everything in order. Damnit, I thought, I *am* nesting. How totally random. Brad proceeded to remind me that I started this early with Makani, too. As soon as we found out his gender via ultrasound, I absolutely had to go out, buy paint for his room and get it done ASAP. There is absolutely no rationale involved. It's just a primal instinct that takes over and anyone that gets in the way is a danger.
We found out the gender of this baby quite early. At 17 weeks, there was a clear absence of boy parts. The tech seemed fairly confident in declaring this baby a girl. Every time I share my doubts with Brad, he reminds me that she (the baby) wasn't shy, and we checked from several angles, looking for a penis. There wasn't one. This, of course, sparked an intense need to go through all the baby boy clothes we'd been saving, just in case. There were boxes and boxes of clothes, from newborn to 18 months.
No matter how tired or hungry I was, I could not stop sorting. Piles mounted, what goes in Makani's baby box, what to give away, what's neutral enough to keep for a girl. I'm happy to say I'm done for the moment.
By the way, nesting is not limited to baby things only. I went through my jewelry, my clothes, my make-up, Brad's clothes, the dishes, the kitchen towels, I went though everything. All excess *stuff*... gone. As if getting rid of "weight" will somehow balance all the weight I'm gaining (not much). It's such a strange feeling, to feel such primal urges, things you can't fight, nor should you.
I'm sure in a month or two, I'll be at it again, and should we have another baby shower.... all I can say is, stay out of my way. ;)
Much Love,
The Dolfos
I was quite offended. It's too early for nesting, I told him. I'm only 18 weeks, that's not even halfway, and what's more, why does cleaning have to be labeled as nesting just because I'm pregnant?!
Ariel, he tells me, LOOK around. And I looked. I see piles of things to keep, donate, trash. EVERYWHERE. No inch of my house was untouched by my uncontrollable need to get everything in order. Damnit, I thought, I *am* nesting. How totally random. Brad proceeded to remind me that I started this early with Makani, too. As soon as we found out his gender via ultrasound, I absolutely had to go out, buy paint for his room and get it done ASAP. There is absolutely no rationale involved. It's just a primal instinct that takes over and anyone that gets in the way is a danger.
We found out the gender of this baby quite early. At 17 weeks, there was a clear absence of boy parts. The tech seemed fairly confident in declaring this baby a girl. Every time I share my doubts with Brad, he reminds me that she (the baby) wasn't shy, and we checked from several angles, looking for a penis. There wasn't one. This, of course, sparked an intense need to go through all the baby boy clothes we'd been saving, just in case. There were boxes and boxes of clothes, from newborn to 18 months.
No matter how tired or hungry I was, I could not stop sorting. Piles mounted, what goes in Makani's baby box, what to give away, what's neutral enough to keep for a girl. I'm happy to say I'm done for the moment.
By the way, nesting is not limited to baby things only. I went through my jewelry, my clothes, my make-up, Brad's clothes, the dishes, the kitchen towels, I went though everything. All excess *stuff*... gone. As if getting rid of "weight" will somehow balance all the weight I'm gaining (not much). It's such a strange feeling, to feel such primal urges, things you can't fight, nor should you.
I'm sure in a month or two, I'll be at it again, and should we have another baby shower.... all I can say is, stay out of my way. ;)
Much Love,
The Dolfos
24 July 2011
One day...
... You'll wake up and you'll be able to forget the sadness, get into the gladness of Love and it's way and you will not fight it, While everyone dozes, life's coming up roses...
-owsley.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
-owsley.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
22 July 2011
Erm.
I know I'm not the only person who talks to herself aloud while driving. I never thought much of it, however, until a cheez-it hit me in the face and Makani said, "Mom, stop!"
My bad, kid. Here, go back to your inappropriate Katy Perry music.
Much love,
The Dolfos
My bad, kid. Here, go back to your inappropriate Katy Perry music.
Much love,
The Dolfos
20 July 2011
Stories!
Makani has started telling stories! I am so excited, I love storytelling. His first story ever:
Mak: mom, owie (points)
Me: you have an owie?
Mak: yesh.
Me: what happened?
Mak: (signs) fell down
Me: you fell down?
Mak: yesh.
It's not much, but to me it's thrilling. He's even made the connection to Toy Story, the first movie where Buzz Lightyear jumps off the railing and his arm pops out. He tells me the same story.
Mak: mom! Buzz, fell down. Owie!
And I smile every time, even though he's told me this story about thirty times now. It makes my heart smile.
Much love,
The Dolfos
Mak: mom, owie (points)
Me: you have an owie?
Mak: yesh.
Me: what happened?
Mak: (signs) fell down
Me: you fell down?
Mak: yesh.
It's not much, but to me it's thrilling. He's even made the connection to Toy Story, the first movie where Buzz Lightyear jumps off the railing and his arm pops out. He tells me the same story.
Mak: mom! Buzz, fell down. Owie!
And I smile every time, even though he's told me this story about thirty times now. It makes my heart smile.
Much love,
The Dolfos
16 July 2011
THUD.
This week has gone by faster than I expected. We had a dentist appointment on Monday to consult on Makani's supernumerary. Dentist said it looks fine, the other teeth will likely move out of the way to make room. His bite may be a bit off, but it's really only an issue if he has an extra adult tooth. They won't check for that until he's three or four, and even then, should he have one, they won't remove it until age seven or eight.
Relief, no? Well, on Tuesday, Makani, my sure-footed little boy, fell face first onto the kitchen tile. He's fallen many, many times. He's hit his face many, many times. Usually a fat lip or some bruising, but that's as far as it's gotten. I was upstairs while Mak was in the kitchen with Brad. I hear a scream followed by silence. You know, that silence that happens with mouth open, red face, as they let out every ounce of breath in their lungs and prepare to inhale so much that they force out that second SCREAM. Well that second scream out of Mak was blood-curling. I RUN downstairs to see Brad holding him, comforting, I calm down, and then Makani pulls away from his shoulder.
And I see it. Blood. A lot of blood. Spilling out of Makani's mouth. This is my boy who has not yet even had the flu, and here he is, in my kitchen, blood pouring out of his mouth. My first thoughts, oh my god, he lost a tooth, he bit through his lip, we have to get to the ER and now, then I hear Brad tell me to get ice. Ice, I can get ice. Where are the bags? WHERE ARE THE BAGS?! Ice, Why does ice have to be so hard to get out of the tray when you're in a rush?! Makani doesn't even like ice. How is Brad going to force ice on his mouth when we don't even know what's going on.
I rush back and Brad had wiped off most of the blood, which seemed to finally be slowing down. We see Mak's two front teeth intact, his poor gums huge and purple and his top lip swollen. I remember briefly that this happened to my sister once. She was six or so and on roller blades. She was pushed, fell and kneed her two front teeth in. Blood also spilled out, but at eleven years old, I didn't register as much. I remember seeing my mom frantic and screaming... 15 years later, here I was, frantic and screaming just like I remember her doing.
We tried to check his teeth, he wasn't letting us. He stopped screaming so we let him be while we all calmed down. I talked to my mom. I hope his teeth don't fall out, she said, your sister's did. Thanks, mom. Helpful. Minutes went by with no crying, Brad had a study group he was hosting, Baby in my belly was doing flips, no doubt reacting to the surge in stress hormones I had just sent through my body. Had to get out of the house. Grabbed the boy, the keys, kissed Brad and went to my mom's. It always cheers up Mak.
Once there, his spirits buoyed, we were able to check his mouth out a little more. His teeth didn't seem loose, his lip DID seem fat, but his speech sounded normal. I also checked his pupils. No concussion on top of this, please. All normal. Deep breaths all around. Once back home, we gave him tylenol and extra cuddles. A short debate on whether we should give him a binky or not, but he can't sleep without one and his teeth don't seem loose... I didn't have the energy for a binky battle. Down he went, binky in his mouth and we all passed out.
It's Saturday now, and his gums look good. Still a bit dark, but his teeth are nicely attached and the fat lip has thinned out. He's eating food normally and we haven't given him Tylenol in days. I think this crisis is over. I'm told by many that boys have much greater need for urgent care visits and the catastrophe count is higher with them.
Is it bad that I'm kinda hoping I have a girl now? 'Cause I'd rather not do this a second time.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
Relief, no? Well, on Tuesday, Makani, my sure-footed little boy, fell face first onto the kitchen tile. He's fallen many, many times. He's hit his face many, many times. Usually a fat lip or some bruising, but that's as far as it's gotten. I was upstairs while Mak was in the kitchen with Brad. I hear a scream followed by silence. You know, that silence that happens with mouth open, red face, as they let out every ounce of breath in their lungs and prepare to inhale so much that they force out that second SCREAM. Well that second scream out of Mak was blood-curling. I RUN downstairs to see Brad holding him, comforting, I calm down, and then Makani pulls away from his shoulder.
And I see it. Blood. A lot of blood. Spilling out of Makani's mouth. This is my boy who has not yet even had the flu, and here he is, in my kitchen, blood pouring out of his mouth. My first thoughts, oh my god, he lost a tooth, he bit through his lip, we have to get to the ER and now, then I hear Brad tell me to get ice. Ice, I can get ice. Where are the bags? WHERE ARE THE BAGS?! Ice, Why does ice have to be so hard to get out of the tray when you're in a rush?! Makani doesn't even like ice. How is Brad going to force ice on his mouth when we don't even know what's going on.
I rush back and Brad had wiped off most of the blood, which seemed to finally be slowing down. We see Mak's two front teeth intact, his poor gums huge and purple and his top lip swollen. I remember briefly that this happened to my sister once. She was six or so and on roller blades. She was pushed, fell and kneed her two front teeth in. Blood also spilled out, but at eleven years old, I didn't register as much. I remember seeing my mom frantic and screaming... 15 years later, here I was, frantic and screaming just like I remember her doing.
We tried to check his teeth, he wasn't letting us. He stopped screaming so we let him be while we all calmed down. I talked to my mom. I hope his teeth don't fall out, she said, your sister's did. Thanks, mom. Helpful. Minutes went by with no crying, Brad had a study group he was hosting, Baby in my belly was doing flips, no doubt reacting to the surge in stress hormones I had just sent through my body. Had to get out of the house. Grabbed the boy, the keys, kissed Brad and went to my mom's. It always cheers up Mak.
Once there, his spirits buoyed, we were able to check his mouth out a little more. His teeth didn't seem loose, his lip DID seem fat, but his speech sounded normal. I also checked his pupils. No concussion on top of this, please. All normal. Deep breaths all around. Once back home, we gave him tylenol and extra cuddles. A short debate on whether we should give him a binky or not, but he can't sleep without one and his teeth don't seem loose... I didn't have the energy for a binky battle. Down he went, binky in his mouth and we all passed out.
It's Saturday now, and his gums look good. Still a bit dark, but his teeth are nicely attached and the fat lip has thinned out. He's eating food normally and we haven't given him Tylenol in days. I think this crisis is over. I'm told by many that boys have much greater need for urgent care visits and the catastrophe count is higher with them.
Is it bad that I'm kinda hoping I have a girl now? 'Cause I'd rather not do this a second time.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
10 July 2011
Supernumerary!
Yup, seems our Makani has an extra tooth growing in! I must admit, I feel totally unprepared for this, who knew kids could have extra teeth?!
After some research (what did parents do before the internet?) it seems that our next course of action is to go to a dentist to get it evaluated. This likely means X-rays, to see if it's overcrowding, if it will affect his grown up teeth placement, or if it will grow in naturally and fall out naturally.
Naturally, we're hoping for the latter. But of course, you do whatever is best for your child. So... more when we know more, I guess. I always did know I had a super Mak. ;)
Much love,
The Dolfos
08 July 2011
06 July 2011
Acceptance.
We had a midwife appointment yesterday with Sarah, who attended Makani's birth as well. We're really hoping to use her again in our attempt to have a home birth. Brad and I decided to bring along Makani, since the environment there is calmer and slow-paced, unlike Kaiser's white halls, white rooms, in and out mentality. I swear, if you take your time at Kaiser, you get those who farted looks.
Anyway, this would be Makani's first, but hopefully not last, prenatal appointment with us. We really want to help him warm up to the idea of a new baby. He's not against it, but we want him FOR it. He played with some old school toys while we talked with Sarah, but stopped and watched patiently and curiously as she pulled out her stethoscope to check for the baby's heartbeat. It might be too early, she said, to hear it with that old school stethoscope, but she wanted to try. No luck, but Makani couldn't take his eyes off it. When she was done, she asked Mak if he wanted to listen. A vigorous nod from him, and we put the stethoscope around his neck, which most kids prefer, and he grabbed the end and put it on my belly. The concentration in his face was precious.
Sarah grabbed a fetal doppler and looked around as well, and we quickly found the heartbeat going 153. Then Makani kissed my belly. Two happy babies, my cup runneth over.
Much love,
The Dolfos
Anyway, this would be Makani's first, but hopefully not last, prenatal appointment with us. We really want to help him warm up to the idea of a new baby. He's not against it, but we want him FOR it. He played with some old school toys while we talked with Sarah, but stopped and watched patiently and curiously as she pulled out her stethoscope to check for the baby's heartbeat. It might be too early, she said, to hear it with that old school stethoscope, but she wanted to try. No luck, but Makani couldn't take his eyes off it. When she was done, she asked Mak if he wanted to listen. A vigorous nod from him, and we put the stethoscope around his neck, which most kids prefer, and he grabbed the end and put it on my belly. The concentration in his face was precious.
Sarah grabbed a fetal doppler and looked around as well, and we quickly found the heartbeat going 153. Then Makani kissed my belly. Two happy babies, my cup runneth over.
Much love,
The Dolfos
03 July 2011
THUMP!
At about twelve weeks, I started to feel the little flutters. I first felt Makani flutter in my belly at 13 weeks, so I knew it would happen around this time. Well last night, Brad and I went to a wedding. It was a lot of fun, very busy, very loud. I'm sitting there talking and all of a sudden I feel a *JAB*! I'm thinking to myself, it must be a ligament that just needed to readjust itself. About twenty minutes later, I was sitting absolutely still and *JAB* again!
I sat there pretty shocked at the sharp thumping coming from a supposedly small, small being that I had only felt flutter like a little butterfly. I'm 15 weeks now. Jabbing isn't unlikely, but here I thought i would happen gradually. Nope. This kid has other plans. I was pretty hungry, so it felt as if Baby was elbowing me, saying, MOM! Feed me! As soon as dinner was served, I happily obliged! THEN, I felt some happy *JAB*s, too! I tried to get Brad's hand so he could feel it, but they were so few and far in between, and unpredictable, that he kept missing it. But soon, it'll be easier for him. He's so excited to feel Baby moving. :)
I'm trying not to compare this pregnancy with my first, but it's challenging. I certainly find this one easier. Less worries, less of "oh my god what was that i need to call the doctor", less rush. It's nice. I also have Makani here with me this time. He's a strong source of motivation for me. A reminder everyday how much all this is worth it, and how blessed I am to be able to grow a baby. His hugs and kisses certainly keep me calm and centered. He makes me laugh daily, and he keeps me on my feet, and his constant eating has me constantly eating, too. It's been a great fifteen weeks now. Twenty-five to go!
Much love,
The Dolfos
I sat there pretty shocked at the sharp thumping coming from a supposedly small, small being that I had only felt flutter like a little butterfly. I'm 15 weeks now. Jabbing isn't unlikely, but here I thought i would happen gradually. Nope. This kid has other plans. I was pretty hungry, so it felt as if Baby was elbowing me, saying, MOM! Feed me! As soon as dinner was served, I happily obliged! THEN, I felt some happy *JAB*s, too! I tried to get Brad's hand so he could feel it, but they were so few and far in between, and unpredictable, that he kept missing it. But soon, it'll be easier for him. He's so excited to feel Baby moving. :)
I'm trying not to compare this pregnancy with my first, but it's challenging. I certainly find this one easier. Less worries, less of "oh my god what was that i need to call the doctor", less rush. It's nice. I also have Makani here with me this time. He's a strong source of motivation for me. A reminder everyday how much all this is worth it, and how blessed I am to be able to grow a baby. His hugs and kisses certainly keep me calm and centered. He makes me laugh daily, and he keeps me on my feet, and his constant eating has me constantly eating, too. It's been a great fifteen weeks now. Twenty-five to go!
Much love,
The Dolfos
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