In the coobie at daycare (which seems to be the exchange hub of all things baby), we recently received a letter telling us that Miss Alexis will soon be making the transition to the pre-toddler room. This move marks the first daycare milestone for her, and also marks the first discount we'll receive in tuition. Getting older? Then you're cheaper to care for.
Jamie and I reviewed this letter, and in it there were certain stipulations that need to be met in order to move up. Some where no problem. Finger foods, for example. She'll eat any foods, finger or otherwise, so that one's covered. But there was one that made me think, "oh no, that's not going to fly with her."
Children in the pre-toddler room are required to take only one nap, between 1:00 and 3:00. Fine - that might work. But, more importantly, the nap needs to occur on a nap mat. These nap mats are a cross between a mini-Ikea mattress and half of a sleeping bag. Some are more stylish then others, and I imagine the need to keep up with the Jones' will force me to find a high end one somewhere. In any case, they are expecting that my daughter lay on this mat, stay there, and sleep.
Somehow they must "train" them to do this, otherwise no child would ever move up and give their parents the gift of a tuition discount. I try not to consider the practices that would work...the ones that would eventually end up on the nightly news with "Goddard straps children down for nap time...that and more tonight at 10." My understanding is that they've been sitting with her and rubbing her back. Power to them. I'll believe it when I see it.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
repeat offender...
About a month ago, I shared with everyone that Alexis was bitten at daycare. That one happened around 5:00, and by the time I got her home, all was pretty much right in the world. By bedtime, it was gone.
Jamie brings Alexis home about a week ago and, while holding her, shrugs toward her arm. Took my dense self a second to figure out that I was supposed to look at her arm, but once the simplicity of the gesture made sense to me, I looked. Wouldn't you believe, there were four dark purple little teeth marks. The report indicated that this one had occurred around 9:30 am, and at 5:00 the marks were still quite angry. Not quite seeing it in your mind? How about a visual?
Strangely, I was once again amused. I was especially entertained when I read the boo-boo report. It said that "Alexis was sitting with her friend when her friend bit her in the arm." Friend?? What kind of friend sits next to you and suddenly, out of the blue, reaches over and sticks your arm in their mouth? Can you imagine if someone did that to you while you were in a meeting at work? Friend...yeah ok. So that's twice.
That bite was on a Wednesday. Friday, Alexis came to work with me to the SEI family daycare center. She always has a great time there and, of course, they adore her. Around 12:00 I get a phone call. "Jess, I'm sorry, can you come up here? Someone bit Alexis." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? A third bite?? And this time at a different center by a different baby??
I have my theory on this one. It is my understanding that babies don't bite because they're angry little beings that have a blood-lust. Some might, I guess, but I'll pretend that those children don't live in our area. Instead, babies bite because they're not sure how else to express themselves. (Not sure what they're trying to express, but I'll let the researchers go on this one.) My theory is that Alexis is so cute that babies around her are at a loss as to how to deal with the adoration Alexis receives. They see this darling child, are overcome by her beauty, and see that everyone wants to spend time with her and not them. So, when backs are turned, they lunge at her and bite her arm. Possibly to tell her she's cute? Or maybe to try to bite off a piece in hopes that they'll digest some cuteness of their own?
I think it's a pretty sound theory. So long as Alexis doesn't become traumatized by being the token chew-toy, I'm pleased that her good looks are causing upheaval in the baby community.
Jamie brings Alexis home about a week ago and, while holding her, shrugs toward her arm. Took my dense self a second to figure out that I was supposed to look at her arm, but once the simplicity of the gesture made sense to me, I looked. Wouldn't you believe, there were four dark purple little teeth marks. The report indicated that this one had occurred around 9:30 am, and at 5:00 the marks were still quite angry. Not quite seeing it in your mind? How about a visual?
Strangely, I was once again amused. I was especially entertained when I read the boo-boo report. It said that "Alexis was sitting with her friend when her friend bit her in the arm." Friend?? What kind of friend sits next to you and suddenly, out of the blue, reaches over and sticks your arm in their mouth? Can you imagine if someone did that to you while you were in a meeting at work? Friend...yeah ok. So that's twice.
That bite was on a Wednesday. Friday, Alexis came to work with me to the SEI family daycare center. She always has a great time there and, of course, they adore her. Around 12:00 I get a phone call. "Jess, I'm sorry, can you come up here? Someone bit Alexis." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? A third bite?? And this time at a different center by a different baby??
I have my theory on this one. It is my understanding that babies don't bite because they're angry little beings that have a blood-lust. Some might, I guess, but I'll pretend that those children don't live in our area. Instead, babies bite because they're not sure how else to express themselves. (Not sure what they're trying to express, but I'll let the researchers go on this one.) My theory is that Alexis is so cute that babies around her are at a loss as to how to deal with the adoration Alexis receives. They see this darling child, are overcome by her beauty, and see that everyone wants to spend time with her and not them. So, when backs are turned, they lunge at her and bite her arm. Possibly to tell her she's cute? Or maybe to try to bite off a piece in hopes that they'll digest some cuteness of their own?
I think it's a pretty sound theory. So long as Alexis doesn't become traumatized by being the token chew-toy, I'm pleased that her good looks are causing upheaval in the baby community.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
me n' my wagon...
On the 12th, Alexis had her 1st birthday party. While it was a week after the true big day, she doesn't know any different and no one else seemed to care either. With the purchase of a Walmart sheet-cake, you receive a free 3" baby cake for the birthday girl. Initially she had no idea what to do with it, but one guided lick of that icing and it was on. The green and yellow icing was everywhere, but compared to other children it was tame, with it getting no higher then her nose or further then her forearms. Along with cake, there were presents.
She received plenty of great presents. We got a number of sweatsuits, which I love. There is no need for her to wear some sassy jeans to daycare - she's only going to be crawling around anyway. Throw some sweats and a hoodie on and she'll be set. She also got a few toys that bing and bong and ring and ding. Jamie doesn't like those, only because I choose to let her play with them in the morning while he's still asleep. Possibly a sign that she'd like him to wake earlier?
One of the biggest gifts (literally) was the one from my mother-in-law - a big red wagon with seating for two. This isn't your oldschool Radio Flyer. This hunk of plastic lets you tote around two children, has a compartment under one seat (which I find looks alot like a cooler), a door with a latch, and an enormous black plastic handle which us parents get to use to tug the little one along. Could fit the dogs in there if they would let us.
She LOVES this wagon. We have it sitting in the living room (as if we had room for that). We'll plop her in and wouldn't you know, that child will sit in there for at least a 1/2 hour. She gets up from one side and sits on the other. The puts her toys in the cupholder (oh yeah, another feature on this pimped out ride) then takes them back out. Opens the seat. Pulls on the seatbelt (yup - has that too).
She actually shed tears over being pulled out of this thing. I love having it - I can put her in there in the morning while I'm getting ready and know that she'll hang out. She has taken to standing on the seat, which is a no-no, but she'll learn. It's a shame though, because for some reason I don't think this happy little wagon will ever see its day in the sun. It's destined to be the dysfunctional one taking up space in our living room. Not the life it was meant to have, but oh well!
She received plenty of great presents. We got a number of sweatsuits, which I love. There is no need for her to wear some sassy jeans to daycare - she's only going to be crawling around anyway. Throw some sweats and a hoodie on and she'll be set. She also got a few toys that bing and bong and ring and ding. Jamie doesn't like those, only because I choose to let her play with them in the morning while he's still asleep. Possibly a sign that she'd like him to wake earlier?
One of the biggest gifts (literally) was the one from my mother-in-law - a big red wagon with seating for two. This isn't your oldschool Radio Flyer. This hunk of plastic lets you tote around two children, has a compartment under one seat (which I find looks alot like a cooler), a door with a latch, and an enormous black plastic handle which us parents get to use to tug the little one along. Could fit the dogs in there if they would let us.
She LOVES this wagon. We have it sitting in the living room (as if we had room for that). We'll plop her in and wouldn't you know, that child will sit in there for at least a 1/2 hour. She gets up from one side and sits on the other. The puts her toys in the cupholder (oh yeah, another feature on this pimped out ride) then takes them back out. Opens the seat. Pulls on the seatbelt (yup - has that too).
She actually shed tears over being pulled out of this thing. I love having it - I can put her in there in the morning while I'm getting ready and know that she'll hang out. She has taken to standing on the seat, which is a no-no, but she'll learn. It's a shame though, because for some reason I don't think this happy little wagon will ever see its day in the sun. It's destined to be the dysfunctional one taking up space in our living room. Not the life it was meant to have, but oh well!
new stats...
Today was Alexis's one year pediatrician appointment. Our little one is still 95th+ percentile for everything. Since, for some reason, everyone is always interested in her dimensions:
Weight is 26 pounds
Height is a little under 32 inches
While she's got some meat on her, everything is proportionate, so it's fine. If she was 95th for weight and 25th for height or something, then we'd have issues! We have a healthy big-little 1 year old on our hands!
Weight is 26 pounds
Height is a little under 32 inches
While she's got some meat on her, everything is proportionate, so it's fine. If she was 95th for weight and 25th for height or something, then we'd have issues! We have a healthy big-little 1 year old on our hands!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
landmark occasion...
The little one is now 1 year old!! It's a shame that I forgot. Oh yes - this mother managed to forget one of the most memorable birthdays in a child's life. How you ask?
Jamie and I attended a friend's wedding over the weekend. We left Friday morning, returned Sunday late afternoon. We had had plenty of miscellaneous snaffoos along the way (for example, buying the wrong suit), so when packing our belongings for our short trip, I had a massive list with multiple checkmarks next to each. One check when I put it aside in piles. Two checks when it was actually packed into something. And then a final once-over upon being stashed into the car. And that was just for our stuff. We then needed to pack a second set of items for Alexis. Since she was staying with my parents Friday to Saturday, then making the trek to Pitt with them Saturday (staying overnight in the hotel Sat to Sun), there was much to think about.
We were picking up my brother and his girlfriend Friday morning from my parent's house. Bright and early, we arrived at their home, raring to go. Unload Alexis's stuff, load my brothers stuff, move the car-seat to my dad's car, etc. As I'm wrangling with the carseat, attempting to squash it into the Infinity's back seat, Jamie was chatting with my mom inside. After much fenagling (and sweating), I got the seat in and went back inside. Jamie's in the process of telling my mom that she was born about 45 minutes ago.
Oh my goodness gracious. I had completely forgotten that it was Alexis's birthday. How is that humanly possible? Shouldn't some sort of alarm clock inside of me clang the moment my uterus celebrates it's liberation from discomfort? My mom appeared baffled at my misstep. While Jamie didn't react, I'm sure he suddenly branded me as a mother unfit to raise this child. Apparently my anal retentive list making had one thing missing. "Tell Alexis Happy Birthday." - not checked.
Of course, all is well, and she does not appear scarred. This could potentially be a funny story to tell her when she's older. We will be celebrating her birthday with friends and family on the 12th. A week late, but our only option. We can fudge the date when we put the photos in her album - she won't know that it was actually a week later that she was blessed with her gifts and cake. It'll be our secret.
Jamie and I attended a friend's wedding over the weekend. We left Friday morning, returned Sunday late afternoon. We had had plenty of miscellaneous snaffoos along the way (for example, buying the wrong suit), so when packing our belongings for our short trip, I had a massive list with multiple checkmarks next to each. One check when I put it aside in piles. Two checks when it was actually packed into something. And then a final once-over upon being stashed into the car. And that was just for our stuff. We then needed to pack a second set of items for Alexis. Since she was staying with my parents Friday to Saturday, then making the trek to Pitt with them Saturday (staying overnight in the hotel Sat to Sun), there was much to think about.
We were picking up my brother and his girlfriend Friday morning from my parent's house. Bright and early, we arrived at their home, raring to go. Unload Alexis's stuff, load my brothers stuff, move the car-seat to my dad's car, etc. As I'm wrangling with the carseat, attempting to squash it into the Infinity's back seat, Jamie was chatting with my mom inside. After much fenagling (and sweating), I got the seat in and went back inside. Jamie's in the process of telling my mom that she was born about 45 minutes ago.
Oh my goodness gracious. I had completely forgotten that it was Alexis's birthday. How is that humanly possible? Shouldn't some sort of alarm clock inside of me clang the moment my uterus celebrates it's liberation from discomfort? My mom appeared baffled at my misstep. While Jamie didn't react, I'm sure he suddenly branded me as a mother unfit to raise this child. Apparently my anal retentive list making had one thing missing. "Tell Alexis Happy Birthday." - not checked.
Of course, all is well, and she does not appear scarred. This could potentially be a funny story to tell her when she's older. We will be celebrating her birthday with friends and family on the 12th. A week late, but our only option. We can fudge the date when we put the photos in her album - she won't know that it was actually a week later that she was blessed with her gifts and cake. It'll be our secret.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
let's review...
I was perusing my own blog in a narcissistic manner and couldn't believe that there are as many posts as there are. For those that just started reading, they may have missed on some of the oldie-but-goodies. So I'm posting links to 5 of my personal faves.
If you're a long-time reader and have some of your own that you love, share!
My all time favorite of all of them. Let the wit begin...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexis-1-jessica-0.html
Second absolute favorite - an explanation for my Pooh aversion...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/11/poo-poo-on-pooh.html
Our frigid trip to get a Christmas tree...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-chill.html
My decision that one day, if she wants to strip, so be it...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html
A traumatic Wii induced accident...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-fell-off-and-bumped-its-head.html
If you're a long-time reader and have some of your own that you love, share!
My all time favorite of all of them. Let the wit begin...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexis-1-jessica-0.html
Second absolute favorite - an explanation for my Pooh aversion...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/11/poo-poo-on-pooh.html
Our frigid trip to get a Christmas tree...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-chill.html
My decision that one day, if she wants to strip, so be it...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html
A traumatic Wii induced accident...
http://babyalexisrich.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-fell-off-and-bumped-its-head.html
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