Category Archives: Monkey

Happy birthday Cat in the Hat…

March 2, 2007 Savvy Spoonie 1 Comment

It’s Dr. Seuss’s Birthday…

And the kids will have a ball,
they’ve got guest readers in the classrooms
and the Cat in the Hat in the Hall.

We cut out stripey stovetop hats,
and little red bow ties,
turning children into silly cats,
what a great birthday surprise!

For lunch they’ll be shocked to see
a feast of green eggs and ham,
don’t worry they’re not moldy,
it’s all part of the plan!

After this unusual meal
the children will see a play
and eat some cake prepared for
the birthday hero of the day!!

It’s all part of read across america
a day to pledge the task
of reading books for fun and pleasure
instead of just for class.

Monkey

My little optimist…

March 1, 2007 Savvy Spoonie 4 Comments

Monkey has apparently learned the lesson that criticism is easier to take when accompanied by a positive statement.

For example, Mom made us some cookies and sent them in a care package. They were a little crunchier than normal due to Mom substituting raw sugar for brown sugar, and Monkey didn’t like them. (Don’t worry Mom, Lee loved the cookies and ate almost all of them!)

So after Monkey tasted one of the cookies she looked at me and told me they were awful. I informed her that she didn’t have to eat them but we also didn’t have to tell her we didn’t like them. She agreed, until she was on the phone with Mom later that night. She came over to me with the phone pressed to her ear and the widest eyes I have ever seen, obviously bothered by the pressure of having to ‘lie’ to Nama by not telling her the cookies were awful. So I told her to go ahead and tell her.

“Nama? You know the cookies you sent me? They were awful… but they were a really pretty color!”

Mom just laughed. She and I shared the joy of Monkey’s first attempt at combining criticism with positive reinforcement.

Since then she has used this method on me as well. This morning she informed me that the cream of wheat I made was awful, but a very pretty color. I just had to chuckle.

She is learning how to manage people, something I think she is picking up from Lee. I think it is pretty cute the way she is trying to manage me.

Monkey, Motherhood/body image, Otter, pregnancy

Not really baby blues…..

February 23, 2007 Savvy Spoonie 2 Comments

More like baby shock. As the day of Otter’s arrival approaches, I keep getting these flashes of reality… I am having a baby. Another person. Who will he be? What will he be like?

There is something disconcerting about growing someone inside your body for nine months and still knowing very little about him. It seems as though I should have a very in depth knowledge of this little guy, and while I know we are already bonded, and that this bond will continue to grow, it still feels strange to think I will be meeting him for the first time in about a month.

I remember when Monkey was born, I had a similar reaction. After months of singing to her, reading to her, playing music into my belly, my first reaction after her birth was surprise. “Oh that’s a baby…. Oh fuck that’s MY baby!!” I looked at her little face and held her warm little body and thought “How?”

Of course, then she was in my arms and snuggled up to my breast nursing and I felt that special bond. It is still here, stronger than ever, a connection she and I have that no one else shares. It is precious, and wonderful. I have often wondered how I can have another similar connection with another person when the one I have with her is so intense and deep.

I guess I am going to find out in about a month! I am sure it will be a similar experience with Otter, I will experience a moment of disconnect and then all the bonded mommy/baby feelings will come rushing in. I can’t wait to hold him, and hear him cry, and be able to wear pants with a zipper. I want to find out if he is funny, like his sister, or serious, or what he is going to like or dislike.

It is so strange, this creating life thing.

Here are some recent baby belly photos: