Lately, I've been seeing glimpses of "Baby" on my son's face. The chubby cheeks, curious eyes, that sweet, round chin. My heart swells because it's almost as if time is giving me some last looks before my son graduates from having any baby at all to full toddler/boy. And I know in a year or two, I'll be saying the same thing about his toddler face.
As I get ready to welcome a little girl, I get excited when looking at the precious newborn clothing, remembering what it's like to have a teeny, cuddly being in my arms. But I also look over the newborn boy clothing and have such wistful moments, remembering Makani's little face as he entered the world, nursed at my breast, and slept on his dad. This is likely my last pregnancy. I'll never have a baby boy again.
I take comfort in the fact that my toddler seems to be thriving, happy and healthy. I must be doing this parenting thing pretty well. This is new territory to me. Parent nostalgia. These are a new mix of emotions. Pride and grief. I never thought having children would make me sad. Each stage brings bittersweet hugs, smiles and sometimes tears. I suppose it's part of the journey.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
25 August 2011
11 August 2011
10 August 2011
It's Love.
I am not a morning person. Never have been. Sure, I get out of bed at 7:30, get dressed and go downstairs to start the day, but my mind is not awake. I do not like talking, sudden movements, or loud noises.
Clearly, this isn't too compatible with having a toddler. But you do things you'd rather not do just for your kids. Small sacrifice, big payoff.
Lately, I've been going downstairs and Makani's face lights up, he hells MOM! and runs to greet me with a hug and kiss. I'm not gonna lie, my eyes well up to accompany the huge smile my face makes.
It's much better than any cup of coffee could be.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
Clearly, this isn't too compatible with having a toddler. But you do things you'd rather not do just for your kids. Small sacrifice, big payoff.
Lately, I've been going downstairs and Makani's face lights up, he hells MOM! and runs to greet me with a hug and kiss. I'm not gonna lie, my eyes well up to accompany the huge smile my face makes.
It's much better than any cup of coffee could be.
Much Love,
The Dolfos
07 August 2011
04 August 2011
29 July 2011
Sh*t happens.
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
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
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
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