September 13, 2007
Dear Chris,
Today I am feeling very prolific; I want to write a book entitled "What I've Learned While Raising Two Children." Either that or "How I Stayed Sane While Raising My Children."
To demonstrate my prolific-ness I shall now regale you with an excerpt of my future and, as yet, unwritten book:
"Today I learned that the best way to feed my son lunch is to fix what I want to eat. That way, when (notice I don't use the word "if") he refuses to eat it, I remain calm. The food won't go to waste! It won't even reenter the refrigerator in the ubiquitous Tupperware. I eat lunch #1 while offering an assortment of other options to him. By the end of this multiple choice meal, there is generally a full tummy and a happy mom.
Multiple choice meals were a new concept to me. BMC (before my children) I labored under the strong delusion that my children would eat whatever I put in front of them, if they got hungry enough. This is not so. Stubborn streaks seem to increase exponentially. I cooked meals, Zach refused to eat them, and the doctor seriously considered running tests to see why my child fell under the growth chart curve for his height.
Actually, I don't believe Zach refused to eat simply out of obstinacy. While raising my children, I've come to realize how much children need to learn; all the little things we take for granted. Hence, we know hunger pains indicate a need to eat. Little kids haven't made that connection.
This new concept was substantiated on another occasion. My husband and I were enjoying the fall colors in Zion's National Park when Zach was only one. We stopped near the river for a picnic. Zach loves the water and it wasn't long before he was trying to crawl in. We, as parents feeling that experience is the best teacher, let him get a little wet because we figured that as soon as he felt the cold water, he'd want out. This was not so. He loved it! He wanted to crawl/ swim and we let him. Obviously he would get out when he got too cold, that's what normal people do when they get cold. Unfortunately, obviously, little babies don't have this higher level of reasoning. He shivered and his lips turned blue, and much to his chagrin we pulled him out. Oh how angry he was! He hadn't figured out the simple truth that when the water's cold, you should get out."
Well Chris, what do you think? Obviously it needs some polishing, but one day I might decide to publish.
Anyway, my day's been good. I accomplished my four mile walk! Wow. Maybe that's why I'm feeling so ambitious. After a feat like that, I feel I can conquer the world! (After laying down for a little rest, of course). I'm glad I was able to do what I set out to do. It's nice though, the hardest part of the walk is the first mile. After that the rest is pretty well flat. Next time I'm definitely taking my Ipod. Four miles is a long time to let my mind wander. It's definitely going to get me in shape for our hikes!
I'm not so sure about the Ultimate Baby Wrap. After the first mile and a half Andrea had slipped down so low that I felt like I was giving birth again! I'll admit that this could be because I kept trying to adjust it, but in my defense it looks like it's hurting her head or neck. I guess I just need to become "ONE" with the baby carrier.
We had fun playing at the park. Oh, something else I've learned while raising my kids today, Zach has more fun at the park when I'm playing with him. Actually I learned this yesterday when I saw this grandpa playing at the park with his granddaughter. He even went down the slide with her! How cool is that? So I chased him around and pushed him on the swing set. Side note: It's fun jumping out of the swing since they have that bouncy stuff lining the playground.
Zach has been adorable today. He's just wanted to do everything I'm doing. When I put baby lotion on Laura, he wanted it on him. (And later he actually climbed onto the changing table to get it out again. How can we keep him from climbing on that?) And later while I was practicing the piano he sat down on the piano bench right next to me and played just like I was. You know how the song (John Schmidt's "All of Me") has parts where you pound the keys with your elbow? Well Zach was doing that too!
Zach's also been carrying your scripture case around all day (he even took it to bed with him!) Don't worry, I replaced your scriptures with his books. Oh, other random story…I asked Zach if he was ready for a nap and in answer he ran into his room, climbed onto the couch, and into his crib. Well almost. His body was curled around the top of the bars. If he'd swung his legs up he'd have fallen straight in (on his head). I guess it's time to seriously get serious about relocating him to the toddler bed. Hmmm….Dread dread dread.
Oh, the funny part of this story though, once in the crib for his nap, he starts crying! It's like he was so excited about communicating with me, that he forgot what taking a nap really means. Either that or crying really is part of the bedtime routine. Hmmm….
One last parenting "Ahah!" before I let you go. I can't believe how fast Zach's picking up words now. The other day, suddenly it was "DOOR." Today at lunch he looked at me and clearly repeated the word "JUICE." (I'd asked him if he wanted to drink the bean juice). It's scary fast and random he picks up our words. We really have to be careful what we're saying eh?
Anyway, I'm off to dream about our Texas trip and take a shower. Well, first I better feed Laura. She's starting to root rather noisily.
I love you,
Ali
