It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you start an article with the phrase "it is a truth universally acknowledged that..." you automatically lend yourself brilliance with an homage to a great piece of English literature, namely Bubs and Lola Hit the Slots.
And yet, sometimes you read an article and it sticks with you anyway. I read one the other day about a woman's drive to not succumb to consumerism and to spend a year free from spending on her son. A call back to the old days of hand-me-downs, clothing swaps and toys made from whatever. Sure, I get it. We spend a lot on children and all the needs and new needs that come a long every few minutes. I read a cookbook today that told me in no uncertain terms that a kitchen need for a baby is bottles, even if one breastfeeds. It is a NEED. Never mind the fact that I'm breastfeeding my second child and have never expressed once to store all this milk in bottles.
Sure, I can get behind not spending money like it's an Olympic sport. Although, it's about time there was an Olympic sport for the rest of us. Something good that you could do while sitting. Battle Royale Checkers or something. Internet shopping certainly drives forward the need to consume. "People who looked at this also bought --" Oh, did they? Do I need that to be a caring parent? A good parent? Am I giving my child the best start in every possible way? We want to do what's right by our children, even though what's right is often putting down the mouse and playing hide and seek or chasey or let's see how many things we can pull out of the pantry in 10 minutes - oh wait, that one's played while parents AREN'T looking. I remember now.
So we shouldn't be spending, spending, spending on kids, because childhood is time of imagination and energy.
But should we be spending money on we adults? If children can get away happily wearing hand-me-downs and playing with boxes, do we need the newest iWhatevers and closets full of this seasons' colours? If we are harkening back to a simpler day, why not get clothes that are functional and good quality and spend our time delving into the classics (like Bubs and Lola Brine Some Pickles) and going for long walks and exploring the world around us instead of purchasing the world from a screen?
Why must we have convenience and consumerism? Are we so guided by Adam Smith's invisble hand that we blindly buy and store and hoard? Why not make? Why not wait? Whatever happened to delayed gratification?
That's my two cents. Unless there's a high demand, and then it's my $5.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Friday, December 14, 2012
The Adventures of Tall and Small
Oh the places they'll go! Oh, the things they already get up to!
Once upon a time there were two little boys, Tall and Small. Tall was about 20 months old, while Small was only three. Together they get up to many hijinks, although whether Small is a consenting participant remains to be seen.
Tall can be found scaling chairs and tables, trying to reach the sky. Why? Probably for the view as was evidenced by his climb up a stepladder in the middle of a room. He stood atop his red plastic perch and proudly surveyed all that surrounded him. Everything looks better two feet higher up.
Tall experiments with what exactly will fit into a VCR (two dvds and a remote) and learns the best way to turn things on. He is driven to use things in the manner of his parents and may be found with a sharp knife in one hand and a zucchini in the other trying to recreate what his mother just did (and then turned her back, the silly woman, giving an ample three seconds for a knife to be absconded). He will turn the vacuum cleaner on merely for the joy of pressing the button, explore the functions of the stereo, pull out plants by the stem to investigate the roots, page through any book within (and some that were without) reach.
Small is mainly dragged along for the ride. Tall attempts to carry him or roll him on the floor. On one occasion Mom (more commonly referred to as "Da") entered a room to find Tall sitting on Small's chest. At this point "Da" made a noise - a high pitched oddly squeaky noise that indicated "get-off-of-him-now-I-never-want-to-see-that-again-I-think-I-am-going-insane-is-he-okay".
Small does his best to join the shenanigans, rolling over at two months (consistently). "Da" wonders how long it will be 'til he scoots about the house as she sees him push off the floor in a hands free motion ("the seal").
Tall continues to make his presence known, removing books on at a time from the same library shelf and bringing them to the kindhearted librarian. He enjoys chasey and doesn't have fear, as is evidenced by the time that he decided to cross the road alone. "Da" was not appreciative, but caught him quickly and was thankful that it was not a busy road.
Tall helps with the shopping, adding to carts that which he feels is necessary. He has a big call in life for long-life milk, cereal and bread - really anything that is on the lower shelves. He empties drawers and containers and splashes in the sink. The hose really is a top-notch invention in the humble opinion of Tall.
Tall loves Small. He hugs him and pats him (sometimes hard). Tall enjoys a cup of coffee (if ever he sees one unattended, it tends to get sipped. They tend to not be unattended anymore). Tall has a long reach and can get to everything now, it seems.
Sometimes Tall shows his maturity by putting away all of the crayons, closing the container, putting it back in the cupboard and putting away his colouring book. Other times he tries to feed Small, even once when Small lay on the floor, so Tall threw a cherry tomato at him. Tall also tries to feed his parents. He likes to share.
Small works on using a fist and seeing what he can grab. He often snags hearts, but he uses his smiles for those. He bellows loudly while held to catch attention so he can smile brightly into the face nearest.
When walking with Small and "Da", Tall likes to point out things along the way: trees and trucks, dogs and children. He waves to strangers and makes them smile. He throws bread to ducks and has been stung by an ant. His legs are scuffed from running too fast while distracted by everything. He has mastered climbing "Da" and can now be piggybacked. He leans down for a kiss and a giggle while riding on shoulders.
Oh, the adventures of Small and Tall are exciting everyday, even as at the moment Small claws his own face trying to determine what's what. He's drawn blood.
What shall they do next?
Once upon a time there were two little boys, Tall and Small. Tall was about 20 months old, while Small was only three. Together they get up to many hijinks, although whether Small is a consenting participant remains to be seen.
Tall can be found scaling chairs and tables, trying to reach the sky. Why? Probably for the view as was evidenced by his climb up a stepladder in the middle of a room. He stood atop his red plastic perch and proudly surveyed all that surrounded him. Everything looks better two feet higher up.
Tall experiments with what exactly will fit into a VCR (two dvds and a remote) and learns the best way to turn things on. He is driven to use things in the manner of his parents and may be found with a sharp knife in one hand and a zucchini in the other trying to recreate what his mother just did (and then turned her back, the silly woman, giving an ample three seconds for a knife to be absconded). He will turn the vacuum cleaner on merely for the joy of pressing the button, explore the functions of the stereo, pull out plants by the stem to investigate the roots, page through any book within (and some that were without) reach.
Small is mainly dragged along for the ride. Tall attempts to carry him or roll him on the floor. On one occasion Mom (more commonly referred to as "Da") entered a room to find Tall sitting on Small's chest. At this point "Da" made a noise - a high pitched oddly squeaky noise that indicated "get-off-of-him-now-I-never-want-to-see-that-again-I-think-I-am-going-insane-is-he-okay".
Small does his best to join the shenanigans, rolling over at two months (consistently). "Da" wonders how long it will be 'til he scoots about the house as she sees him push off the floor in a hands free motion ("the seal").
Tall continues to make his presence known, removing books on at a time from the same library shelf and bringing them to the kindhearted librarian. He enjoys chasey and doesn't have fear, as is evidenced by the time that he decided to cross the road alone. "Da" was not appreciative, but caught him quickly and was thankful that it was not a busy road.
Tall helps with the shopping, adding to carts that which he feels is necessary. He has a big call in life for long-life milk, cereal and bread - really anything that is on the lower shelves. He empties drawers and containers and splashes in the sink. The hose really is a top-notch invention in the humble opinion of Tall.
Tall loves Small. He hugs him and pats him (sometimes hard). Tall enjoys a cup of coffee (if ever he sees one unattended, it tends to get sipped. They tend to not be unattended anymore). Tall has a long reach and can get to everything now, it seems.
Sometimes Tall shows his maturity by putting away all of the crayons, closing the container, putting it back in the cupboard and putting away his colouring book. Other times he tries to feed Small, even once when Small lay on the floor, so Tall threw a cherry tomato at him. Tall also tries to feed his parents. He likes to share.
Small works on using a fist and seeing what he can grab. He often snags hearts, but he uses his smiles for those. He bellows loudly while held to catch attention so he can smile brightly into the face nearest.
When walking with Small and "Da", Tall likes to point out things along the way: trees and trucks, dogs and children. He waves to strangers and makes them smile. He throws bread to ducks and has been stung by an ant. His legs are scuffed from running too fast while distracted by everything. He has mastered climbing "Da" and can now be piggybacked. He leans down for a kiss and a giggle while riding on shoulders.
Oh, the adventures of Small and Tall are exciting everyday, even as at the moment Small claws his own face trying to determine what's what. He's drawn blood.
What shall they do next?
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Resurrection and the Life
I've been meaning to post for awhile, but I've reached that level of paralysis from too many things to do. When there's just too much to increase your efficiency, everything but essentials stall. Or is it just me?
My sons have been very cute lately. You will hear about all of their adventures soon, I think. That's not what I want to write about today though.
My Grandma passed on to glory recently. I've been taking comfort in this passage and thought that I would share it with you:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
My sons have been very cute lately. You will hear about all of their adventures soon, I think. That's not what I want to write about today though.
My Grandma passed on to glory recently. I've been taking comfort in this passage and thought that I would share it with you:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
John 11:25-26
That's better than anything than I can write and the best comfort I have.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tooth Ache/Sicko
There are days when you think, "it would be so nice to just sit and watch movies today." Perhaps it is a rainy day or you yourself are just under the weather, but it would be nice to not get up to much.
When you have a toddler, this sort of thinking doesn't go very far. It gets interrupted by "oh dear, not that! How did you even get that? Put him down! Just breathe, woman, you can do this, let's go outside!" You also notice how your internal dialogue has become an external one again. Wonder what Vygotsky would say to that!
So these days of idle slothfulness just don't happen. Or do they?
This past week, my two beautiful boys and I have been quite sick with a miserable head cold (Adrian has been amazing taking care of us when he can and still getting his work done.). It's the kind where sleep doesn't happen well, though you need it. It's the kind where the act of breathing feels like flames and bleeding on one's throat.
On top of this, our eldest (herinafter Bigfella) has been pushing through two molars (last count, three prongs of one, one prong of the other are through) as well as dealing with a mild reaction to an immunization. For a couple of days, all the poor kid wanted to do was sit and watch movies while cuddled up on my lap. While I'm all for the cuddling, the fact that he wanted to sit and do nothing was heart-rending. Seeing my active, happy little boy so uncomfortable and busted was bad. I found myself longing for a bit of his mischief. Pull the books down! I wanted to say. I missed his energy and his excitement. It hurt to see him so miserable and whingy. And the whinging did get to extreme levels. Atomic, you might say.
And while my antibodies are helping the younger boy (herinafter Littlefella) - and how do they do that anyway? How can my antibodies give him more immunization than they give me? - he was still coughing and grumpier than usual.
There were two yelling, upset, snuffling, grumpy boys. And when Bigfella started feeling better we had to have another conversation: Just because you're feeling bad, doesn't mean you should act bad. (Though come to think of it, I probably said be. Just another example of how I'm a bad mother. ;) )
It's hard being sick, but it's harder being sick when you don't get to stop and rest because people are depending on you. It's harder watching your kids in pain, and it's terrible when one feels grumpy at grumpiness. It's harder when the youngest is growthspurting too!
There was a time when Bigfella was 9 months old when he got hit by a really painful teething bout and we couldn't get anything into him - not even water for over 8 hours on a really hot day. We ended up using a medicine syringe to shoot water and milk down his throat. That was a bad day.
Teeth have been very difficult for Bigfella. He's cross cut a couple and he seems to have really tough, nervy gums because it's like pulling teeth (hmmm) to get these teeth through. The other day, Littlefella yawned and a saw a small white mark on the middle of his bottom gum. I said a bad word (I didn't swear, but was quite pleased Bigfella AKA Mr RepeaterMan didn't hear me) and pulled his mouth open to have a look. It was just a milk bit. I don't know if I could deal with two teethers.
The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day. We're getting better and can see sunshine from under this mean cold cloud and look forward to days of activity, running around and all sorts. It would be nice to get up to lots.
When you have a toddler, this sort of thinking doesn't go very far. It gets interrupted by "oh dear, not that! How did you even get that? Put him down! Just breathe, woman, you can do this, let's go outside!" You also notice how your internal dialogue has become an external one again. Wonder what Vygotsky would say to that!
So these days of idle slothfulness just don't happen. Or do they?
This past week, my two beautiful boys and I have been quite sick with a miserable head cold (Adrian has been amazing taking care of us when he can and still getting his work done.). It's the kind where sleep doesn't happen well, though you need it. It's the kind where the act of breathing feels like flames and bleeding on one's throat.
On top of this, our eldest (herinafter Bigfella) has been pushing through two molars (last count, three prongs of one, one prong of the other are through) as well as dealing with a mild reaction to an immunization. For a couple of days, all the poor kid wanted to do was sit and watch movies while cuddled up on my lap. While I'm all for the cuddling, the fact that he wanted to sit and do nothing was heart-rending. Seeing my active, happy little boy so uncomfortable and busted was bad. I found myself longing for a bit of his mischief. Pull the books down! I wanted to say. I missed his energy and his excitement. It hurt to see him so miserable and whingy. And the whinging did get to extreme levels. Atomic, you might say.
And while my antibodies are helping the younger boy (herinafter Littlefella) - and how do they do that anyway? How can my antibodies give him more immunization than they give me? - he was still coughing and grumpier than usual.
There were two yelling, upset, snuffling, grumpy boys. And when Bigfella started feeling better we had to have another conversation: Just because you're feeling bad, doesn't mean you should act bad. (Though come to think of it, I probably said be. Just another example of how I'm a bad mother. ;) )
It's hard being sick, but it's harder being sick when you don't get to stop and rest because people are depending on you. It's harder watching your kids in pain, and it's terrible when one feels grumpy at grumpiness. It's harder when the youngest is growthspurting too!
There was a time when Bigfella was 9 months old when he got hit by a really painful teething bout and we couldn't get anything into him - not even water for over 8 hours on a really hot day. We ended up using a medicine syringe to shoot water and milk down his throat. That was a bad day.
Teeth have been very difficult for Bigfella. He's cross cut a couple and he seems to have really tough, nervy gums because it's like pulling teeth (hmmm) to get these teeth through. The other day, Littlefella yawned and a saw a small white mark on the middle of his bottom gum. I said a bad word (I didn't swear, but was quite pleased Bigfella AKA Mr RepeaterMan didn't hear me) and pulled his mouth open to have a look. It was just a milk bit. I don't know if I could deal with two teethers.
The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day. We're getting better and can see sunshine from under this mean cold cloud and look forward to days of activity, running around and all sorts. It would be nice to get up to lots.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
11 Things
I write a good deal about certain things in my life, but I thought it might be fun while I have a few spare minutes (nap time!) to mention a few others.
1. I have an ongoing battle with a bird. It decided that this was its house a few months ago and perches on window ledges, pooping on everything, tapping the glass and making everything yucky looking. It will not go away and it would not be right to kill it. Recently it has decided that it (he? she?) now owns the house and took to attempted to scare us off by flying really close to our heads in a bird intimidation manoeuvre. I will admit, it was slightly scary, but mainly I was wanting it not to bug my kids. If it bugs my kids, I may have to change my mind about what's right...
2. My favourite colours are brown and green.
3. I'm trying to instil a love for music in my sons, so we often play various genres on youtube and dance around the house. I also just love the laughter that comes... and seeing which ones my eldest likes. I've also learned a few songs from this when Adrian chooses the tunes.
4. I have not legally changed my last name even though I've been married for three years. Immigration stuff impeded the change and I've not gotten to it yet.
5. I will not watch horror movies, but for some reason felt compelled to watch part of Jaws 2 when it was on television a couple days after I found out that there was a white pointer (great white) hanging around the beaches in the area.
6. When I get into a book, I will not hear people talk to me and I just want to finish it. For this reason now that I have children, I tend to read books that I've already read so they won't distract me to the same point.
7. I don't appreciate it when songs are not bleeped on the radio. And I've reached that stage in life when I don't know popular music anymore.
8. I read more nonfiction (on purpose, vous savez, school reading does not count) since becoming pregnant with my eldest. Sometimes fiction feels like a wasteful use of my time. But then so does facebook and I still end up there... I'm currently reading two books (French Kids Eat Everything and Plastic Free)
9. I have damaged enough of my joints over the years to get very stiff and sore at the end of long days.
10. I've never been a morning person, but I now enjoy waking up around 6 every morning. It would be better to do it without a glass of water poured on my face though...
11. When I got my hair cut into its recent style, which I do enjoy, I was sad when Adrian and I both realized independently that it looked like a Bond girl's (from License to Kill) at sometimes. And when messy, Luke Skywalker's.
1. I have an ongoing battle with a bird. It decided that this was its house a few months ago and perches on window ledges, pooping on everything, tapping the glass and making everything yucky looking. It will not go away and it would not be right to kill it. Recently it has decided that it (he? she?) now owns the house and took to attempted to scare us off by flying really close to our heads in a bird intimidation manoeuvre. I will admit, it was slightly scary, but mainly I was wanting it not to bug my kids. If it bugs my kids, I may have to change my mind about what's right...
2. My favourite colours are brown and green.
3. I'm trying to instil a love for music in my sons, so we often play various genres on youtube and dance around the house. I also just love the laughter that comes... and seeing which ones my eldest likes. I've also learned a few songs from this when Adrian chooses the tunes.
4. I have not legally changed my last name even though I've been married for three years. Immigration stuff impeded the change and I've not gotten to it yet.
5. I will not watch horror movies, but for some reason felt compelled to watch part of Jaws 2 when it was on television a couple days after I found out that there was a white pointer (great white) hanging around the beaches in the area.
6. When I get into a book, I will not hear people talk to me and I just want to finish it. For this reason now that I have children, I tend to read books that I've already read so they won't distract me to the same point.
7. I don't appreciate it when songs are not bleeped on the radio. And I've reached that stage in life when I don't know popular music anymore.
8. I read more nonfiction (on purpose, vous savez, school reading does not count) since becoming pregnant with my eldest. Sometimes fiction feels like a wasteful use of my time. But then so does facebook and I still end up there... I'm currently reading two books (French Kids Eat Everything and Plastic Free)
9. I have damaged enough of my joints over the years to get very stiff and sore at the end of long days.
10. I've never been a morning person, but I now enjoy waking up around 6 every morning. It would be better to do it without a glass of water poured on my face though...
11. When I got my hair cut into its recent style, which I do enjoy, I was sad when Adrian and I both realized independently that it looked like a Bond girl's (from License to Kill) at sometimes. And when messy, Luke Skywalker's.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Loving a Newborn
As I type this, I have a beautiful five and a half week old boy in my arms.
Did I mention that he's beautiful?
Newborns are amazing. They are so helpless and fragile and at the same time so strong. They take up so much time. They sleep easily and often (but not always when you want). They grow so quickly and change so much.
I don't have much time to spend just with my littlest fellow, but I try to enjoy the time I do (and yes, I will admit, I don't always enjoy it, but I always love him. He's had a few difficult crying jags and then there's that whole spews on me thing.).
I love special time set aside to love this newborn. Kissing his cheeks, nuzzling him, hugging him, talking to him as he grows in front of my eyes. Hearing his different noises, enjoying his facial expressions as he starts to discover the world around him.
And watching him dream! Oh it's delightful. He's only smiled for real a few times at this point, but each time it just melts my heart.
Loving a newborn is intense: little sleep, lots of trying to get things done with one hand, trying to figure out new sounds and cries and all sorts, protecting him from his brother, lots of spew...
But golly, he's amazing.
Did I mention that he's beautiful?
Newborns are amazing. They are so helpless and fragile and at the same time so strong. They take up so much time. They sleep easily and often (but not always when you want). They grow so quickly and change so much.
I don't have much time to spend just with my littlest fellow, but I try to enjoy the time I do (and yes, I will admit, I don't always enjoy it, but I always love him. He's had a few difficult crying jags and then there's that whole spews on me thing.).
I love special time set aside to love this newborn. Kissing his cheeks, nuzzling him, hugging him, talking to him as he grows in front of my eyes. Hearing his different noises, enjoying his facial expressions as he starts to discover the world around him.
And watching him dream! Oh it's delightful. He's only smiled for real a few times at this point, but each time it just melts my heart.
Loving a newborn is intense: little sleep, lots of trying to get things done with one hand, trying to figure out new sounds and cries and all sorts, protecting him from his brother, lots of spew...
But golly, he's amazing.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
I've not written much lately. Parenting to the level 2 is difficult. Not bad, just busier. Also, my arms are full of love a lot. Like now, for instance, which causes me to type one handed.
Man, he's cute. And dreaming about eating, apparently.
One thing that I really miss about Canada (which also makes me miss certain people a good deal) is Thanksgiving. While we can't get together with the extended family and experience apple festivals and fall colours, we can still have a fantastic meal. This year, our good friends Tom and Chelsea are visiting, so that helped to make it festive.
We had a roasted chook with homemade stuffing, rolls, butternut squash Odesa style, mashed potatoes (because I am the queen of mashed potatoes), beans, fancy cheeses, sparking wine, apple pie (with cheddar cheese and ice cream). It was delicious.
We spent a bit of time sharing what we are thankful for. There is always so much for which to give thanks! Like my dear husband. It's our third anniversary tomorrow. I love how Thanksgiving and our anniversary are tied together, because I truly give thanks for him and the two beautiful products of our marriage. My heart grows bigger everyday when I enjoy my sons as they grow and change. It's quite challenging, being a mother and even more so to be a good one. I do my best and I'm glad they are forgiving!
I give thanks for friends and family near and far, even though it hurts to love people far away. I miss you, you know. Come visit! I give thanks for health and needs met.
Mostly, I give thanks for that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I need that grace to stand, to keep going, to love my family better.
Happy thanksgiving. Happy reflective time to you. Happy you.
Man, he's cute. And dreaming about eating, apparently.
One thing that I really miss about Canada (which also makes me miss certain people a good deal) is Thanksgiving. While we can't get together with the extended family and experience apple festivals and fall colours, we can still have a fantastic meal. This year, our good friends Tom and Chelsea are visiting, so that helped to make it festive.
We had a roasted chook with homemade stuffing, rolls, butternut squash Odesa style, mashed potatoes (because I am the queen of mashed potatoes), beans, fancy cheeses, sparking wine, apple pie (with cheddar cheese and ice cream). It was delicious.
We spent a bit of time sharing what we are thankful for. There is always so much for which to give thanks! Like my dear husband. It's our third anniversary tomorrow. I love how Thanksgiving and our anniversary are tied together, because I truly give thanks for him and the two beautiful products of our marriage. My heart grows bigger everyday when I enjoy my sons as they grow and change. It's quite challenging, being a mother and even more so to be a good one. I do my best and I'm glad they are forgiving!
I give thanks for friends and family near and far, even though it hurts to love people far away. I miss you, you know. Come visit! I give thanks for health and needs met.
Mostly, I give thanks for that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I need that grace to stand, to keep going, to love my family better.
Happy thanksgiving. Happy reflective time to you. Happy you.
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