Over the Bell Curve
Well, knitting friends, I think we've reached the other side of the bell curve on the packages. Yesterday there were no packages, and today there were two. It is a bit of a relief to see the flow reduced to a trickle again. If you still have yarn that you really want to send, I'll still take it, but you better send it soon. It's time for me to sort through what I have and see where it can be used best just as soon as I can find a few minutes free from the kids. Meanwhile, I'd like to do a little bit of a normal-life post - the kind that I was used to doing till a few weeks ago.
Yesterday, we had a little play party for a couple of friends and their kids. Jen and Kari came over with each of thier two kids, and a fabulous time was had by all. They sat at the picnic table and at brownies and grapes. See the baby monitor on the table? Sophie slept through most of the party - she slept so long it was almost creepy and I finally went up to check on her just as she started waking up.
Jen tried to avoid the camera, but failed. See Hafsa in the sling? That's the baby that underwent spinal surgery a few weeks ago, and she's doing great. Thanks for all the positive thoughts for her.
Everyone splashed in the pool. Julie and I were back out at the pool this afternoon, and I'm afraid it must have a leak. The bottom ring has deflated, and we may have to try patching it. It's been a great pool these last two years, and it would be nice if we could make it last through this summer at least.
You can't tell very well from this picture, but Will was snacking on Goldfish crackers and had one stuck to his chin. It was very cute.
From all reports, all the kids took great naps that afternoon. Except Julie. She played with her vintage Fisher Price Little People instead, but she had a good time setting them all up in a little party scene, and I enjoyed watching her.
Sophie, my Sophie - is ever the cutest baby on the planet. Now that she can sit up well on her own, I pulled out a bigger toy or two for her to play with. She loves this piano-dog. Her little hands bang on the keys and she grabs all over it, drooling up a storm.
Most of the time she is so happy, but she has still had many unSophielike uber-crabby moments throughout the week - usually when she's tired. I did finally take her to the doctor in the afternoon, and her ears are perfectly fine. The doctor saw two little teeth working their way up from the bottom, so that may explain it, or maybe it is the dairy I've been sneaking back in my diet.
The ped. tried to convince me that letting her cry it out is a good idea, and in moments like those when I'm dealing with an authority figure who is supposedly an expert, I always forget all the good reasons why we choose not to let our babies cry alone, but I just said "That's not something I'm going to do." One of the most convincing reasons I've ever heard is this: If, as an adult, you were sitting on your bed and crying, wouldn't you want your loved one(s) to come and comfort you - to ask you what's wrong, to simply hold you? Even if it doesn't fix the problem, it does help to know that someone cares. Well, babies are people too. What more reason do you really need? (Don't answer that, it's a rhetorical question.)
Still and all, I'm glad we made our trip to the doctor. Last night she was up screaming till after midnight even despite a dose of Tylenol and a warm bath. If I hadn't been to the doctor already, I would have been kicking myself and contemplating a visit to the urgent care. Then she slept all night and woke up full of giggles again. Who am I to complain? Especially sinceThis morning I got to go out with a friend to see The Devil Wears Prada. Without kids. I ate popcorn and Junior Mints and enjoyed myself, the company of my friend, and the movie thoroughly. It was even a pretty good movie, to my taste. Yes, cheesy chick-flick fluff, but perfect for a hot Saturday off from the family. I took some knitting with me, but was too busy stuffing my face to bring it out.
Now I have to go figure out what to fix for dinner. Right after I go check on the blankie and at least pet it for a minute. It has gotten a few more squares, but I'm hoping to build it just a bit more before I show it off again. Maybe tomorrow night I can update y'all on today's packages and blankie progress.
Yesterday, we had a little play party for a couple of friends and their kids. Jen and Kari came over with each of thier two kids, and a fabulous time was had by all. They sat at the picnic table and at brownies and grapes. See the baby monitor on the table? Sophie slept through most of the party - she slept so long it was almost creepy and I finally went up to check on her just as she started waking up.
Jen tried to avoid the camera, but failed. See Hafsa in the sling? That's the baby that underwent spinal surgery a few weeks ago, and she's doing great. Thanks for all the positive thoughts for her.
Everyone splashed in the pool. Julie and I were back out at the pool this afternoon, and I'm afraid it must have a leak. The bottom ring has deflated, and we may have to try patching it. It's been a great pool these last two years, and it would be nice if we could make it last through this summer at least.
You can't tell very well from this picture, but Will was snacking on Goldfish crackers and had one stuck to his chin. It was very cute.
From all reports, all the kids took great naps that afternoon. Except Julie. She played with her vintage Fisher Price Little People instead, but she had a good time setting them all up in a little party scene, and I enjoyed watching her.
Sophie, my Sophie - is ever the cutest baby on the planet. Now that she can sit up well on her own, I pulled out a bigger toy or two for her to play with. She loves this piano-dog. Her little hands bang on the keys and she grabs all over it, drooling up a storm.
Most of the time she is so happy, but she has still had many unSophielike uber-crabby moments throughout the week - usually when she's tired. I did finally take her to the doctor in the afternoon, and her ears are perfectly fine. The doctor saw two little teeth working their way up from the bottom, so that may explain it, or maybe it is the dairy I've been sneaking back in my diet.
The ped. tried to convince me that letting her cry it out is a good idea, and in moments like those when I'm dealing with an authority figure who is supposedly an expert, I always forget all the good reasons why we choose not to let our babies cry alone, but I just said "That's not something I'm going to do." One of the most convincing reasons I've ever heard is this: If, as an adult, you were sitting on your bed and crying, wouldn't you want your loved one(s) to come and comfort you - to ask you what's wrong, to simply hold you? Even if it doesn't fix the problem, it does help to know that someone cares. Well, babies are people too. What more reason do you really need? (Don't answer that, it's a rhetorical question.)
Still and all, I'm glad we made our trip to the doctor. Last night she was up screaming till after midnight even despite a dose of Tylenol and a warm bath. If I hadn't been to the doctor already, I would have been kicking myself and contemplating a visit to the urgent care. Then she slept all night and woke up full of giggles again. Who am I to complain? Especially since
Now I have to go figure out what to fix for dinner. Right after I go check on the blankie and at least pet it for a minute. It has gotten a few more squares, but I'm hoping to build it just a bit more before I show it off again. Maybe tomorrow night I can update y'all on today's packages and blankie progress.
posted by Shelly Kang at 3:39 PM
5 Comments:
I've been lurking and watching your project shape up with interest - I definitely think it's something I'm going to try myself one of these days, though likely with worsted or sport-weight yarn. grin!
I just wanted to say that I think it's great that you're doing what you think is best re: Sophie's sleeping. The ped may be an expert on babies' health, but /you're/ the expert on your kids. :D
We have never let our kids "cry it out" for anything and it has been great. Yes, they slept with us for a long time. And that bugged some people. Yes, they nursed a long time and needed us to help them fall asleep. Okay. But they never felt alone, they never needed security toys or loveys or anything, they had us. And they are both extremely independent and well functioning slightly older children now.
I have always felt (thanks, Dr. Sears!) that if you fulfill their needs as babies, the needs go away when they get older. If you do not, those needs carry on into inappropriate ages. Maybe even into adulthood (we all know those people).
It sounds like you read your children very well. That's so great! On the other hand, have you ever tried the homeopathic teething tablets? They are like a miracle, I kid you not! Some kids have more trouble teething than others. And especially if she's drooling an awful lot.
Hope she cheers up soon!
I'm glad you had the chance to go out sans kids. Chick-flick movie, you say? May have to grab some girls next month and go see it myself ^_^. You're the first person I know to have seen it lol.
About the crying...even though I was married at the time,I was, for all purposes, a single mom from day one for both my kids. And they slept with me or I slept on the floor of their rooms, as much and as often as necessary. "Crying it out" just didn't get it for me -- for all the reasons already mentioned in the comments, and no doubt all the ones you have too! And they are now 12 and 14, and extremely independent and secure teenagers. Stick to your guns, you are doing it better than the "experts."
Update: I got hold of the right needles and have cast on for my socks. I've got one toe done (except for the picking up of the stitches from the provisional cast on), the second one started. I'm hoping to figure out how to knit them both at the same time, so I don't have to worry about making them equally long. Wish me luck! I'm totally loving how they're working out though, stripe-wise. Thanks again!
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