What’s new with RM, the Mr., and C?
Went to the outlet mall yesterday. We really wanted to walk around and it was raining, and R needed some new clothes, so there you go.
There are certain activities that are uniquely parental in my mind. Shoe shopping, for instance. Like, I can buy clothes, books, toys, for my nieces, nephews, friends’ kids, etc., but I don’t buy shoes for any child but my own. Shoe shopping kinda freaks me out. (Yeah, I know, I need to relax.) I’m always so worried the shoes will be too small, or give her blisters—because really, shoes are so subjective. Stride Rite also puts the fear into you—like if you dare buy anything but Stride Rites, your child, your own beloved flesh and blood, will be freakishly deformed. OK I’m exaggerating. Also, as a confirmed size 10, which I’ve worn since I was, what, 12 years old, I’ve had my share of shoe trauma—shoes that don’t fit, or stupid unfashionable shoes that do.
So yesterday I’m at the mall, and C’s trying on shoes, and I’m pinching her toes through the shoe, slipping my finger behind her heel, asking her to walk around, and I realize, I look like I know what I’m doing. But I don’t. And I realized how much of adult living is like that. Nobody taught me how to do this, I’m just doing it, and it’s probably going to be OK. And I realized that when my mom would take me shopping and do the toe-pinch and heel-finger thing, that she didn’t know what she was doing either—although she had me convinced. It never occurred to me that my parents were going, “Hell, I’m making this up as I go along.”
Another making it up as we go along thing: C got nursemaid’s elbow again today. She gets it every several months or so. We’re careful not to pick her up by her hands or jerk her around (we wouldn’t do that anyway!), but sometimes something weird happens. Last time we went to the doctor, they showed us how to reset it. And it worked! Of course it took several tries, which C did NOT like. But when it gets reset, it’s miraculous—she stops crying and starts moving the arm within seconds. That’s a nice parental moment. We made it better!
R has also brought her into worship each week since Easter. He takes her to the nursery before the sermon, and she loves it! The singing, the bells, the time with the children. She also liked sitting on Mommy’s lap. I like that too.
C’s also extremely excited about the potty. (Toilet-talk follows; feel free to skip) I can’t remember the last time she pooped in her diaper. She’s really into it, so we’re following her lead—but we’re not in any hurry to ramp things up. Diapers are awfully convenient, and what’s the point of pushing? But the nursery worker (wonderful woman who’s raised a large family and has been working at our church for years) says she went twice while she was there, and that we should just go for it. I respect her wisdom; is this a window of opportunity? Ack, I’m not ready! (OK, the truth comes out.)
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Asides
» I have been remiss in posting SBJ’s latest stats: 23 pounds and 27 inches at six months. Yes, I’ve got the big mama biceps.
» Aaaaaand little she-who-is lost another tooth this week!
» SBJ is four months old, 19 pounds 5 ounces, and 26 inches tall. GIGANTOR!
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Aren’t shoes tough? That’s part of why we kept LB in Robeez for SOOOOO long!!
Good for her on the potty, just today, LB said to me, “I don’t want to go poop on the potty.” He has NO interest.
Speaking as a mom nearing the other end of the child-rearing timeline, I’ll just say that there are going to be lots and lots more moments when C will be ready to do things that you aren’t ready for. It’s a good thing, as they say. But it’s scary too. (One of mine is “ready” to move out, or so he thinks.) Let yourself feel not ready, and then let yourself be proud when she accomplishes in spite of what you’re ready for! She’ll still need you, for about 60 more years or so.
LOL at “I look like I know what I’m doing, but I don’t.” You just described my whole experience as a parent, except I’m usually lucky if I actually look like I know what I’m doing.
I’m so thankful A. is such an agreeable child, or the whole world would know I’m faking it! He and Boo (our black lab) are playing together now. She is so gentle with him - it is very natural for both of them to just “hang out.” Sometimes, I think she is a more natural mother than I am!
ahem…OK, busted. “And I realized that when my mom would take me shopping and do the toe-pinch and heel-finger thing, and she didn
I LOVE the part about the shoes and the toes and not having a CLUE. That is SO ME! I guess it’s universal!
When we got our first child a friend gave us many pairs of gently worn Stride Rite shoes. Since I am basically a tacky person, one day while in the mall I went into Stride Rite to see how much money I had saved by not having to buy these shoes. The manager comes up to ask me if he can help me. I honestly explain that I am seeing how much the hand me down Stride Rite shoes would have cost me. He then proceeds to tell me that you should NEVER put your child in shoes that another child has worn, that it is very bad for their feet, etc etc. He then tells me “You really should ask your pediatrician about this” I kindly replied, “I think I will” and left the store……I am a pediatrician.
My advice: buy the cheapest shoes you can get away with. That way they will last only as long as you need them and the more flexible material will mold to your child’s feet.
My youngest, age 3, wears “big boy underwear” except at night, when he’s in a pull-up. He wants to wear underwear at night, and would probably do all right most nights, but with summer coming up, I keep thinking, wouldn’t it be more convenient to stay in pull ups until after our camping trip, when the bathroom will be a short walk away? He’s a pretty determined one, though, and will probably be in underwear at night by the end of the week!
Never been more glad to not have kids.
I don’t even want to think about the potty-training stage that lies just around the corner. Just think, I get to potty train TWO around the same time. ARGHH!!
As for the acting like you know what you’re doing when you really don’t - I think that describes my life in general! I think I may go into this a little more at some point in my own blog. It really resonates with me!
Matthew, is it cruel of me to say, me too?
It’s not becuase I don’t want to have one…though I’ve pretty much surrendered that idea (broke, single, gay, male, over 40, job that is on call 24/7, etc.). It’s because I’m insecure enough as it is. I can’t take care of my house plants…I KNOW I couldn’t even fake it with a wee one.
Kudos to all of you for your tenacity and bravery (and to Mamala for setting what is clearly an excellent example).