little changes, big results

For the last week, Z's been waking up a couple times at night and decided not to put himself back to sleep. I've tried reasoning with him but he's been pretty stubborn. He also decided that I should wake up at 5 a.m. so that he could sleep on my lap until 6 a.m. I've explained that mommy really needs to sleep in her bed until at least 6, but he says that he really needs mommy's lap and doesn't mommy want Z to grow up to be a big, smart boy? So, mommy pretends to be a bed.

A couple days ago, J suggested, "Maybe if you put him to sleep later he'll wake up later." What?! Are you kidding? ALL of the sleep books say, "an earlier bedtime means more sleep not less. Plus, could he really stay awake until 8?" I tried it two nights ago and we may have killed two birds with one stone - we've both managed to stay in our respective beds *all night* until 6:15 a.m. It's glorious.

We received a pamphlet from the state of Washington about toddler nutrition, including very clear instructions for the size of portions to serve throughout the day. I was shocked! I've been *completely* overfeeding him. No wonder he has had such a spectacular Buddha belly.

I swear that he used to have 6 teeth but as of a couple days ago I only counted 5. Was #6 knocked out? Did I imagine #6? J doesn't think it ever came in. I swear there's something there. Could it have gone back in? I've heard they do that sometimes.

Tomorrow is my last day of Master Gardener class and Friday is Z's last day at daycare. I decided that we needed a daily plan to make the most of our days. I've modified the daycare daily schedule and am creating a "daily activity menu" - it's like our food menu, but more fun. It goes something like this: breakfast, crafts, songs, dancing/outdoor play/excursion, books, lunch, nap, dancing/outdoor play/excursion, snack, etc. This week's theme is "birds." We're looking for birds on dog walks (we saw a woodpecker, a bald eagle, a hummingbird, and several robins this morning), drawing birds, cutting out pictures of birds, looking at different types of birds in our Audubon guide, making birds out of legos and play-doh, playing with stuffed animal birds, and watching birds on the porch as we eat. By the end of the week, I suspect he'll either hate birds or he'll give me some sort of sign or word for, "bird." Let's hope for the latter. I'm desperate for him to communicate in a shared language that is more evolved than neanderthalese.

He is convinced that I should understand his utterances. This morning as we climbed the stairs he stopped, looked me in the eyes, and babbled at least two very sincere sentences about the nature of the universe. He patiently stared at me, waiting for my response, but he was way over my head. I dumbly answered, "Interesting. Tell me more."

bodies

Z and I along with S&Z saw "Bodies...the Exhibition." I certainly learned a lot but it was also kind of weird - where did the bodies come from? I didn't think about it before I went, but as we were looking at people's stomachs, veins, and muscles, I kept wondering. S heard they were from China. She's right: Education or freak show? 'Bodies ... The Exhibition' cashes in on our own curiosity

Weird.

I was most amazed by the exhibits of veins and arteries - it looked like a human body constructed from sea coral. Mother ocean....ya....we definitely come from the sea.

Speaking of body parts...
I ask Z, "Where is your nose?" With a big grin, he raises his finger to his nose and sometimes he also says, "nose" - quite clearly! The other day I asked him about his nose and his response was to point to his left eye and say, "eyes."

The report from daycare on Tuesday was that he knows all of the motions to "the wheels on the bus." I keep singing it, but he hasn't decided to join in with me yet. darn it!

Tuesday was our last day of Master Gardener class. This coming week we have a review, a potluck, then graduation. Now to make my yard look like a Master Gardener lives here. With two dogs and a lot of shade, it will not be an easy task. The yard already feels so much better without the willow. Now, to keep the flower beds free of weeds, fill in the empty patches, and design around the dogs. I've been watching where they like to lay at different times of the day.

We started a new google group for MG knitters. We plan to stitch together once per month.

Someone got into the house the other night and took one of J's guitars. It was a scary but benign wake-up call to replace the "Old Black Dog security system" with modern technology and it's further proof that Young White Dog is a lover not a fighter.

another bug

I've caught another bug - knitting. Last night, I stayed up an extra hour working on a present for a friend's baby. I haven't felt this way since college when I couldn't stop playing Tomb Raider. I'd huddle in front of the television for hours trying just one more time to maneuver through the streets of Venice without getting shot to reach the next level. Over and over again, until one night I made it all the way through and never played the game again.

Knitting is so much better...and there's no end - only the next project. Last night, I finished the first square of the project (to be revealed after it has been received by the mother-to-be) and began on the second. Unfortunately, I calculated wrong and had to begin the second square three times before it measured the same width as the first. But, I didn't mind. It was like making it to that next level. I kept thinking, "I should go to bed and start over again tomorrow." But the next thought was always, "just one more row." I finally decided to take the knitting to bed with me. I should have the second square done tonight.

As I knit I'm not only thinking about the next project, I have at least 20 projects in mind. (n= number of friends and family who I would like to make something for, plus things for myself). The best part is that it is an act of love. It's so exciting!

Thanks K and G for inspiring, teaching, giving yarn, lending needles, and encouraging!

plant sale plug

Since 9 January I've been enrolled in the Master Gardener program of King County. 5 and 6 May and I will be collecting my first volunteer hours as a Master Gardener intern at the 25th Annual King County Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale.

Also, I am selling raffle tickets ($2/ticket). Prizes include: autographed garden books, weekend at the ocean, landscape consultations, plant containers, garden equipment, art, gift certificates to local nurseries, and a handmade quilt - to name a few.

Additionally, for $25 you can pre-shop the plant sale Friday May 4th and have an evening of wine, music, and appetizers. Ticket reservation deadline is 20 April. Contact Nancy at 425.432.3294 or email. More information about the plant sale (including seminars by master gardeners) is available.

If you live in the area, hope to see you there!

z's first song

but wait....there's more!

There have been two examples of Z "helping" me the last couple of days. That was supposed to be the point of the last post, instead I only mentioned one (weeding) then went off on all sorts of tangents. Let me return to "mama's little helper."

This morning I was sweeping - something that Z probably sees me do at least twice a day - sweeping up the post-meal morsels. Today, I start sweeping and Z grabs the dust pan! He holds it on the floor near the pile of dirt. Unfortunately, he didn't hold it long enough for me to make use of it....in time, he'll learn. :)

mama's little helper

Spring is in the air. It's been sunny and 60s. Each day the hyacinth, tulip, daffodil, and iris get larger and larger....and so do the weeds. Sunday, Z and I went to the natural area at the end of our street. He climbed a fallen log, walked around one of the trees three times, and explored the little pebbles on the path. We also hung out on the deck and he picked up the sticks and pine needles that were littered around the picnic table. He enjoys putting things into containers - crayons into the cup, cards into the box, etc. etc.

Yesterday, with the sun gleaming, I couldn't stop thinking about the weeds encroaching on my bulbs. I figured I could combine Z's interests and reach my goal. I picked a weed, handed it to Z, and asked him to put it into the bucket. It worked! Hurray! He had more fun putting the stones into the bucket, but, that's cool! I weeded a whole area. I'll have to pick the rocks out of the pile of weeds before I compost them, but - big whoop!


Bathtime has always been one of Z's favorite activities of the day. It seems to be where he develops or at least tests his latest tricks. Last night, I took him out of the bath and before I could towel him off, he took off to our bed, climbed up, and started rolling around. I guess that's one way to dry off. Then he stood up and started bouncing! Does it really begin this young? I don't want to encourage him, but I couldn't stop laughing.

He climbed down and I began coaxing him back to the bathroom to get dressed. He walked towards me with a devilish grin, then started backing up! I had never seen him walk backwards. It of course, became a fun game that probably shouldn't have been encouraged...but I couldn't stop laughing! (He eventually did walk over to me...so perhaps not all hope is lost. lol)

Oh, and earlier in the day, he climbed up into the rocking chair, stood up, and started rocking back and forth like he was riding a snowboard! What balance! hurray!


In other news, being a mother is bringing out the Industrial Engineer in me and it totally makes sense. IEs make systems better - safer, more productive, easier to use - which is what I did all those years trying to make Web sites accessible. In my new profession, I've been trying to make house cleaning, meal preparation, and my other tasks more efficient, less stressful, and more fun.

Saturday, I decided to focus on meals. I wanted to spend less money, less time prepping, minimize the stress, and increase the quality of our meals - I've definitely been getting lazy and saw that Z was getting bored. I read about child nutrition to make sure that even though Z is avoiding several foods that he's getting all of the nutrients he needs then spent two hours creating a menu for every meal this week - 42 meals, including snacks. Then, I made a spreadsheet for my shopping list - organized by departments - and struck through all the items that I already had. At the store, I bought exactly what I needed for the week - I didn't allow myself to fall victim to sale items that I might need "someday" or other temptations (except for the girl scout cookies).

The result: as of today (day 3), I'm looking forward to mealtimes rather than dreading them. We are eating better. I prepped a solid meal for a friend who stopped by unexpectedly and I was also able to hang out with her for a couple hours - stress free. I could relax because I had more time because everything was (or at least felt) "under control." Our freezer if filling up with leftovers that I'll use next week - which means even *more* "free" time and even *less* money. Zowie!

My ideal graduate program for an M.S. in homemaking would be a mixture of Industrial Engineering, Medicine, Nutrition, Education, Economics, Psychology, etc. etc. It's been said before, but it's worth saying again....and again. Maybe the pay won't always suck so bad - "Being a Mother Just Doesn't Pay."

Mothers rule. Thanks momma. Thanks grandmommas. Thanks mothers-in-law (yes, I now have two :) and smom. I respect you all so much. I have so much to learn. xoxoxoxo

oh my drawers!

oh my drawers!
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

Last night, z was playing near our bed. He found an empty water bottle and realized that it fit between the bed frame and the mattress. Then he walked to our closet, opened up my undergarment drawer, pulled out a piece, and carried it to this fantastic new place. It fit! He giggled and went back for more. He made the trip 8 times before moving on to his next assignment.

changes

laugh
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

Daycare tuition was due today and as I looked through the last few months of my calendar I realized:
1. Of the 27 days of daycare we had paid for, we had used only 17. Snow, sick, and holi- days give us about a .63 batting average. ouch.
2. Of the 28 days of February, Z was well for about 4. Of the 31 days of January he was well for 15. I realize it is cold and flu season, but give me a break, please!
3. Since Z has been home all of those days that I should have been working, I'm not earning enough to pay for daycare.

Therefore, this is Z's last month of daycare. Hopefully, I will be able to finish up my Master Gardener class (and graduate on 27 March) then we'll spring into April with a new schedule - time for mommy to get creative and social. I do think it has been an excellent experience for him. He's sleeping better, walking stronger, and babbling more - so I'll have to find some regular playmates.

His latest fight is with a virus. Luckily, Z is a fairly mellow kid so he doesn't get too upset, but it has been more work and worry. He has a rash on his legs, arms, and cheeks and not much appetite. The doctor says he should be fine in a couple days...probably just in time to catch the next strain.

Spring is around the corner!! Hyacinth, narcissus, tulips, and iris are 1-4 inches tall. I have more weeds to pull and need to remove the willow. Last week's class about plant pathology and diagnosis plus previous classes on pests, pruning, and basic botany made me realize that I've stressed out the willow so badly that it can't survive - or that it would take a lot of effort and a few years to get it back.

Here's its trail of tears: the first year we were here I pruned it thinking I could shape it (ha). The aphids probably started this year but weren't too bad. With more pruning that fall, they had plenty of places to overwinter plus the bacteria that causes gall found refuge. Last summer, the aphids were *so* bad that the willow became the fast food joint for every yellow jacket in the 'hood and most of the new growth branches have galls. Ouch. Goodbye willow.

While I feel bad that its worst pest is homo sapiens, I am looking forward to the room it will give me in the yard. I've decided to create two dog lookout spots and one area for them to sun themselves. Reba keeps digging up plants where she wants to lay down, so I figure "she wins - it's her yard" and I'll design it around her. I'll also create a raised bed around the maple and rhodi - to avoid soil compaction from dog traffic.

I feel so much more informed about what I'm doing out there...much less guess work. It's very empowering.