The other night, Myla woke up at 11:30 PM and came out of her room. I was up, but downstairs, so I heard her crying. I figured that she was "scared of dinosaurs" again and she'd go in with her Mom and snuggle.
When things didn't settle down in 30 secs or so, I went up to check out the situation.
What did I find? Myla, standing in front of the toilet, with barf everywhere!
Poor dear.
I couldn't believe that she'd made it into the bathroom and tried to get it into the toilet- what a good girl!! Trust me, she got a lot of praise for that. Last time was all over the carpet, and it didn't come all the way out (carpet cleaners finally coming next week).
Anywho, dinner had been mostly Annie's Mac and Cheese - you know, the foo foo organic kind without artificial cheese flavor, so you can guess what it looked like on the way back up. Pretty lumpy, but definitely recognizeable. :) Thanks for sharing? You're welcome!!! My pleasure.
So, of course I can't just go right in and grab her - what Dad would? I fumbled for about 15 seconds, then went to get a couple of hand towels to wipe off the worst of it.
At that moment, Myla turned around with the puke still all over her hands, and went splat! with her hands onto her bath towel, still hanging on the rack. The puke stuck to the towel in two nice little mounds - kind of like the mountain sculpture in E.T. I thought it was pretty funny!
Luckily, Carrie was up by this point, and she helped get Myla out of her PJ's and took her downstairs to settle down and relax on the couch for the time being. Which meant that I had puke cleanup duty.
The funny thing is, puke duty doesn't even phase me at this point. I must be a pretty good Dad.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bedtime routine
Carrie (my wife) is a high-maintenance sleeper. She needs all kinds of little things set up so she can get to sleep. I have become this way myself, recently, so I can't really rag on her too much about it.
Anyway, it should come as no surprise, then, that Myla is the same way...
The whole thing reminds me very much of the book Biscuit Goes to Bed, in which Biscuit the puppy begs for a bazillion things before he can go to bed ("Biscuit needs a drink. Woof! Biscuit needs a blanket. Woof Woof! etc.).
Here is Myla's bedtime routine:
0. Tell Myla it is almost time for bed.
1. Myla announces that we have to do everything for bedtime "in order."
2. She requests to share a soft pretzel. I think this is mostly a stalling tactic...
3. Change her into PJ's, including diaper, remove hair clip-y's, necklace. If she is felling frisky,
this will turn into a giggly game which I imagine to be much like roping cattle. The goal is to
get her clothes off and PJ's on without getting kicked in the gonads. All in good fun, actually!!
I have to admit I like this game, most of the time.
4. Read books - at least 2, sometimes 3 or 4. Not too fast! And no silly reading. She knows the
words to a lot of the books, so she will pop out with verbatim quotes at random intervals.
She knows all of the book names by the spine colors and fonts, and she has strong opinions
about what books she wants, so I often let her pick. If I don't like her selections (I like to read
actual stories with a plot, rather than counting books or whatnot, and I like the classics), I
insist on picking at least one book.
5. Get Myla's milk - fresh, in a sippy cup, with 3 ices. Sometimes she wants to put the ice cubes
in herself. Sometimes she asks for verification that there really are 3 ice cubes in the cup.
6. Myla requests a snack to bring up to bedroom, because "you wouldn't want me to be
hungry!" Usually a bowl of crunchy corn bran.
7. "Carry me upstairs" along with the white blankie (special one that Mary knitted for her),
plus animal of the night (its usually Tiger Boy these days).
8. "Please get me two binkies" Two are needed in case one gets lost in the bed during the night.
9. Turn on the two night lights - duck light, and also regular plug-in night light, and turn off the
other lights.
10. Close blinds.
11. "Please close the door." Rico is NOT allowed in Myla's room at bedtime - I asked her why
tonight and she told us it was because he bothers her by scratching and pulling her blankets
off :)
12. "Sleep with me for 3 minutes" which means lie down on the tiny little toddler bed right next
to her, but usually no hugging or other touching is allowed. Attempts to negotiate the time
downwards are met with stiff resistance (but, then again, she isn't that good at judging actual
time elapsed :)
13. "Give me a hug by the nightlight" Usually a very nice lap snuggle. Adult must sit with back
against the wall, legs flat, ankles crossed.
14. "Please put on the extra blanket"
15. "Put the flat part over my eyes!" Myla likes to have a blindfold when she goes to sleep
these days. She likes to have Mommy's sweatpants or such, and she likes to use the leg
(hence, flat part).
16. "Tuck me in!" Hug me, exchange kisses, and move the blankets around a little to make it
cozy.
17. "I need a tissue" We moved the box right into her room.
18. "Put Tiger Boy under the covers next to me" with his own "blanket"
19. "I need to go potty"
20. Back to bed.
21. "We forgot to brush my teeth!"
22. Back to bed.
23. "My tissue is smashy! Please give me a new one."
24. "Tuck me in again!"
25. Good night! Close door.
26. Sometimes she wakes up 20 mins to a few hours later, because she is "scared of dinosaurs"
or just sick (she got up and barfed at 11:30 the other night - I'll have to write about that
another time).
Boy, that's quite a list. We definitely indulge her somewhat, but I also really like the bedtime routine. I like that it takes a while, because it feels like quality time to me. I want her to be relaxed and happy when she goes to bed - it makes me feel happy, too.
Anyway, it should come as no surprise, then, that Myla is the same way...
The whole thing reminds me very much of the book Biscuit Goes to Bed, in which Biscuit the puppy begs for a bazillion things before he can go to bed ("Biscuit needs a drink. Woof! Biscuit needs a blanket. Woof Woof! etc.).
Here is Myla's bedtime routine:
0. Tell Myla it is almost time for bed.
1. Myla announces that we have to do everything for bedtime "in order."
2. She requests to share a soft pretzel. I think this is mostly a stalling tactic...
3. Change her into PJ's, including diaper, remove hair clip-y's, necklace. If she is felling frisky,
this will turn into a giggly game which I imagine to be much like roping cattle. The goal is to
get her clothes off and PJ's on without getting kicked in the gonads. All in good fun, actually!!
I have to admit I like this game, most of the time.
4. Read books - at least 2, sometimes 3 or 4. Not too fast! And no silly reading. She knows the
words to a lot of the books, so she will pop out with verbatim quotes at random intervals.
She knows all of the book names by the spine colors and fonts, and she has strong opinions
about what books she wants, so I often let her pick. If I don't like her selections (I like to read
actual stories with a plot, rather than counting books or whatnot, and I like the classics), I
insist on picking at least one book.
5. Get Myla's milk - fresh, in a sippy cup, with 3 ices. Sometimes she wants to put the ice cubes
in herself. Sometimes she asks for verification that there really are 3 ice cubes in the cup.
6. Myla requests a snack to bring up to bedroom, because "you wouldn't want me to be
hungry!" Usually a bowl of crunchy corn bran.
7. "Carry me upstairs" along with the white blankie (special one that Mary knitted for her),
plus animal of the night (its usually Tiger Boy these days).
8. "Please get me two binkies" Two are needed in case one gets lost in the bed during the night.
9. Turn on the two night lights - duck light, and also regular plug-in night light, and turn off the
other lights.
10. Close blinds.
11. "Please close the door." Rico is NOT allowed in Myla's room at bedtime - I asked her why
tonight and she told us it was because he bothers her by scratching and pulling her blankets
off :)
12. "Sleep with me for 3 minutes" which means lie down on the tiny little toddler bed right next
to her, but usually no hugging or other touching is allowed. Attempts to negotiate the time
downwards are met with stiff resistance (but, then again, she isn't that good at judging actual
time elapsed :)
13. "Give me a hug by the nightlight" Usually a very nice lap snuggle. Adult must sit with back
against the wall, legs flat, ankles crossed.
14. "Please put on the extra blanket"
15. "Put the flat part over my eyes!" Myla likes to have a blindfold when she goes to sleep
these days. She likes to have Mommy's sweatpants or such, and she likes to use the leg
(hence, flat part).
16. "Tuck me in!" Hug me, exchange kisses, and move the blankets around a little to make it
cozy.
17. "I need a tissue" We moved the box right into her room.
18. "Put Tiger Boy under the covers next to me" with his own "blanket"
19. "I need to go potty"
20. Back to bed.
21. "We forgot to brush my teeth!"
22. Back to bed.
23. "My tissue is smashy! Please give me a new one."
24. "Tuck me in again!"
25. Good night! Close door.
26. Sometimes she wakes up 20 mins to a few hours later, because she is "scared of dinosaurs"
or just sick (she got up and barfed at 11:30 the other night - I'll have to write about that
another time).
Boy, that's quite a list. We definitely indulge her somewhat, but I also really like the bedtime routine. I like that it takes a while, because it feels like quality time to me. I want her to be relaxed and happy when she goes to bed - it makes me feel happy, too.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Let's have a family
There are two variations of "Family"
First, there is the group hug variant. Myla says, "Let's have a family!" By which she means she wants us to all have a tight hug together, and exchange kisses. Very sweet.
Second, there is the chanting variant. This is more of a dinner table event, and it can take place at home or in a restaurant (kind of embarrasing). Myla expects everyone present at the table to hold hands, and then, in unison, we chant "Fam-i-ly! Fam-i-ly! Fam-i-ly!" Also cute!
First, there is the group hug variant. Myla says, "Let's have a family!" By which she means she wants us to all have a tight hug together, and exchange kisses. Very sweet.
Second, there is the chanting variant. This is more of a dinner table event, and it can take place at home or in a restaurant (kind of embarrasing). Myla expects everyone present at the table to hold hands, and then, in unison, we chant "Fam-i-ly! Fam-i-ly! Fam-i-ly!" Also cute!
that's ridiculous redeux
My mom has always enjoyed telling one particular story about my childhood. It goes like this:
One night when I was a small child, my Mom was reading in bed. I crawled in next to her, holding a book, and said "Will you read me a story, Mommie?"
My Mom turned to me and replied, "You read your book, and I'll read mine" - knowing full well that I couldn't yet read.
"That's redic-0-lus, Mommy!" I said. "You know I can't read!"
Cute, huh! I don't remember a lot of stories from when I was small, so this one stands out all the more for me. Its been pointed out to me that this is a story in which I am not getting my needs met. Food for thought, certainly...
OK, now jump to present day.
While Carrie, Myla, and I were driving around last weekend, we saw a pickup truck transporting a good-sized tree. The tree was about six feet tall, and sticking straight up out of the truck bed. I pointed it out to Myla, saying how the tree looked so silly in the back of a truck!
Myla said, "That's ridiculous!"
And she even got the pronunciation correct.
One night when I was a small child, my Mom was reading in bed. I crawled in next to her, holding a book, and said "Will you read me a story, Mommie?"
My Mom turned to me and replied, "You read your book, and I'll read mine" - knowing full well that I couldn't yet read.
"That's redic-0-lus, Mommy!" I said. "You know I can't read!"
Cute, huh! I don't remember a lot of stories from when I was small, so this one stands out all the more for me. Its been pointed out to me that this is a story in which I am not getting my needs met. Food for thought, certainly...
OK, now jump to present day.
While Carrie, Myla, and I were driving around last weekend, we saw a pickup truck transporting a good-sized tree. The tree was about six feet tall, and sticking straight up out of the truck bed. I pointed it out to Myla, saying how the tree looked so silly in the back of a truck!
Myla said, "That's ridiculous!"
And she even got the pronunciation correct.
"You almost surprized me!"
Tonight when we pulled into the garage, I went inside for a minute. Then I came back out to get Myla, walking around the car so I could open the door and get her out of her car seat.
"You almost surprized me!" she said, as I opened the door.
Is that even possible?
"You almost surprized me!" she said, as I opened the door.
Is that even possible?
The internet is not just for porn
Contrary to a certain song from Avenue Q, we've discovered that the internet does actually have some good stuff for young kids.
Of course, there are the usual sites with interactive stories and games, such as teletubbies...
But, we like to do our own thing.
One game we like to play with Myla online is to just pull up Google Image Search and type in the names of animals. It is best to have "Safe Search" turned on for this, to avoid embarrasing questions... :)
A photo of any baby animal, or mammal of any size, is inevitably met with the same response - "awwww!" She loves to look at the thumbnails and say "Let's look at that one, Daddy!" Sooo cute!
I also have found quite a few videos on youtube that generate similar response. I look for the ones of cats, since I love them so much! For example, I found videos of a monkey with his own pet kitten, a cat repeatedly flushing a toilet, and a cat that is friends with a dog. Myla loves them all! She asks to see them.
Of course, there are the usual sites with interactive stories and games, such as teletubbies...
But, we like to do our own thing.
One game we like to play with Myla online is to just pull up Google Image Search and type in the names of animals. It is best to have "Safe Search" turned on for this, to avoid embarrasing questions... :)
A photo of any baby animal, or mammal of any size, is inevitably met with the same response - "awwww!" She loves to look at the thumbnails and say "Let's look at that one, Daddy!" Sooo cute!
I also have found quite a few videos on youtube that generate similar response. I look for the ones of cats, since I love them so much! For example, I found videos of a monkey with his own pet kitten, a cat repeatedly flushing a toilet, and a cat that is friends with a dog. Myla loves them all! She asks to see them.
more cute things myla says
"clap your hands" - Myla did something by herself, such as putting on her PJ's - now applaud!
"the moon is following us" - She watches the moon as I drive, through the windows and the moonroof of my car, and points out how it seems to be following along. (note: Carrie used to say that when she was a little girl)
"Very sick" or "Much Better" - When she's ill, Myla only seems to have two responses to the question "how are you feeling?"
"Don't read it too fast, please" - When reading her books before bedtime, Myla asks you to slow down, as a stalling tactic.
"Awwwww!" - Automatic response when seeing any dog, cat, rabbit, or other furry mammal, or picture of same.
"the moon is following us" - She watches the moon as I drive, through the windows and the moonroof of my car, and points out how it seems to be following along. (note: Carrie used to say that when she was a little girl)
"Very sick" or "Much Better" - When she's ill, Myla only seems to have two responses to the question "how are you feeling?"
"Don't read it too fast, please" - When reading her books before bedtime, Myla asks you to slow down, as a stalling tactic.
"Awwwww!" - Automatic response when seeing any dog, cat, rabbit, or other furry mammal, or picture of same.
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