As an education graduate student, I was required to take a class on child development. Upon entering a real-life classroom environment, I quickly forgot everything I had learned. As a mother, however, I am living and breathing a daily, hands-on class in child development. The stages of development that I once had to memorize are now taking place before my eyes. It is really an amazing experience, especially when it comes to comprehension.
Daniel is 16 months old, and his vocabulary is pretty much where it should be. He speaks often, but what comes out is mostly babble. I could probably list about a half-dozen words that he knows, including Dad, doggie, sit, and his current favorite, "this." Beyond his spoken vocabulary, however, lies a vast universe of comprehension. I am constantly amazed by how much of what I say Daniel actually understands. For example, when I ask him to get undressed, he tugs at his shirt and pants. This might not be rocket science, but I think it's amazing. If I say, "Put the basketball in the hoop," Daniel will drop what he is doing, walk across the playroom, and do just that. He even claps for himself after he completes the task!
I will continue to challenge Daniel by giving him increasingly more complex directions to follow, and by conversing with him as I have done since he was born. I'm confident that his vocabulary will grow and improve with time, and I know that pretty soon he'll be the one telling me what to do!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Back to School
Today was my first trip to Maple Glen Elementary School as a "visitor." I was no longer that third grade teacher out for the year on child-rearing leave. With Daniel in tow, I entered the building with mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness. I was eager to see my former colleagues and catch up on everyone's lives, but I was unsure about the reception I would get. Have I overstayed my welcome? Am I no longer relevant to those individuals I once commiserated with on a daily basis? Or would this reunion be warm and nostalgic, leaving me feeling sad to leave but satified with my decision to resign my position and stay home with Daniel?
For the most part, people were pleasantly surprised to see me. They asked about life on the outside and commented on how big Daniel had grown. Daniel behaved beautifully, batting his eyelashes at the ladies and goofing around with the men. We ran into a couple of my former students, though most of them have now moved on to the middle school. The students who were in my class the year I was pregnant with Daniel are now in 5th grade! They are so big! It really hit me how much time has passed since I was actually teaching. A year and a half seems like a lifetime ago.
Many things have remained constant. I will always get a warm reception from some people and a chilly one from others. The friends I had when I taught at Maple Glen are still my friends. Though we may go months without contact, we can pick up where we left off as if only days have passed. My third-grade colleagues will always be like family to me. We've seen each other through annoying staff meetings, PSSA stress, high maintenance parents, difficult students, and even relationship troubles and medical crises. That school will always hold a special place in my heart, but it's the people I miss most on a random Monday when Daniel is asleep, the house is quiet, and I yearn for some adult interaction.
For the most part, people were pleasantly surprised to see me. They asked about life on the outside and commented on how big Daniel had grown. Daniel behaved beautifully, batting his eyelashes at the ladies and goofing around with the men. We ran into a couple of my former students, though most of them have now moved on to the middle school. The students who were in my class the year I was pregnant with Daniel are now in 5th grade! They are so big! It really hit me how much time has passed since I was actually teaching. A year and a half seems like a lifetime ago.
Many things have remained constant. I will always get a warm reception from some people and a chilly one from others. The friends I had when I taught at Maple Glen are still my friends. Though we may go months without contact, we can pick up where we left off as if only days have passed. My third-grade colleagues will always be like family to me. We've seen each other through annoying staff meetings, PSSA stress, high maintenance parents, difficult students, and even relationship troubles and medical crises. That school will always hold a special place in my heart, but it's the people I miss most on a random Monday when Daniel is asleep, the house is quiet, and I yearn for some adult interaction.
Friday, October 17, 2008
When Good Intentions Go Bad
Today started out as a lovely day -- crystal clear skies, brisk autumn air, breathtaking fall foliage. After attending a MOMS Club meeting/Halloween celebration this morning, I decided to venture over to the King Of Prussia mall because I needed some things at Nordstrom. While I was there, I figured I'd stay for lunch with Daniel, thereby making it easier to put him down for his nap upon returning home. Boy, was that the wrong call!
Daniel has a had a slight cold all week, but it hasn't affected his eating or sleeping, so I thought he was well enough to be out and about. It's always a judgement call: Is a runny nose reason enough to sequester oneself inside the house? Today it wasn't. I could tell that Daniel was tired as we ran our errands, but I thought some food would perk him up. We got situated at the Nordstrom Cafe, and I fed Daniel some applesauce while we waited for our food to arrive. He seemed fine, scribbling on his placemat with a crayon and periodically feeding himself Goldfish from his Snack Trap. Perhaps I had made the mistake of ordering him a meal from the kids' menu. But you have to start sometime, right?
When his juice arrived in a sealed plastic cup with a big, plastic bendy straw, everything began to fall to pieces. Daniel was mesmerized by the cup, but didn't really understand how to hold it since it had no handles. When I tried to help, he freaked out. I allowed him to pull out the straw and play with it, but he only wanted to put it back in the cup and hold the cup himself. I was having visions of the entire cup of juice spilling in his lap, soaking his clothing, and forcing me to pony up $60 for a pair of pants from the Nordstrom kids' department. Not going to happen. So I took the cup away, causing him to burst into tears. The crying only made his already drippy nose worse. I couldn't pull out the tissues fast enough to keep up with his snot.
When he finally calmed down, I tried to encourage him to eat some food. He wanted no part of the fruit and cheese platter I had ordered him. I cut up some strawberries and placed them on the table. He turned up his nose. I managed to get him to eat some cheese, but half of it ended up in his lap or on the floor. He began to get frustrated, his irritation exacerbated by his clogged nose. He began loudly banging his sippy cup against the table. I took it away and, again, he cried. By that point, he was an unstoppable train wreck. He pulled the paper placemat off the table, sending pieces of strawberry and cheese flying into the air. I took a deep yoga breath.
After this little display of anger, he seemed to calm down. I put a cracker in front of him, and he actually took a bite! Then he began to cough. And choke. And gag. Can you guess what came next? Yup -- vomit, everywhere. Luckily, his bib and my napkins caught most of it. We were both finished with our lunch. I quickly cleaned him up, catching a sympathetic glance from the old lady at the next table. Once Daniel was back in his stroller, he was fine. He fell asleep in the car and transferred nicely into his crib once we got home. Phew!
As of 3:00, Daniel is napping peacefully and I'm relaxing in front of the computer. Of course, I could use a drink right about now.
Daniel has a had a slight cold all week, but it hasn't affected his eating or sleeping, so I thought he was well enough to be out and about. It's always a judgement call: Is a runny nose reason enough to sequester oneself inside the house? Today it wasn't. I could tell that Daniel was tired as we ran our errands, but I thought some food would perk him up. We got situated at the Nordstrom Cafe, and I fed Daniel some applesauce while we waited for our food to arrive. He seemed fine, scribbling on his placemat with a crayon and periodically feeding himself Goldfish from his Snack Trap. Perhaps I had made the mistake of ordering him a meal from the kids' menu. But you have to start sometime, right?
When his juice arrived in a sealed plastic cup with a big, plastic bendy straw, everything began to fall to pieces. Daniel was mesmerized by the cup, but didn't really understand how to hold it since it had no handles. When I tried to help, he freaked out. I allowed him to pull out the straw and play with it, but he only wanted to put it back in the cup and hold the cup himself. I was having visions of the entire cup of juice spilling in his lap, soaking his clothing, and forcing me to pony up $60 for a pair of pants from the Nordstrom kids' department. Not going to happen. So I took the cup away, causing him to burst into tears. The crying only made his already drippy nose worse. I couldn't pull out the tissues fast enough to keep up with his snot.
When he finally calmed down, I tried to encourage him to eat some food. He wanted no part of the fruit and cheese platter I had ordered him. I cut up some strawberries and placed them on the table. He turned up his nose. I managed to get him to eat some cheese, but half of it ended up in his lap or on the floor. He began to get frustrated, his irritation exacerbated by his clogged nose. He began loudly banging his sippy cup against the table. I took it away and, again, he cried. By that point, he was an unstoppable train wreck. He pulled the paper placemat off the table, sending pieces of strawberry and cheese flying into the air. I took a deep yoga breath.
After this little display of anger, he seemed to calm down. I put a cracker in front of him, and he actually took a bite! Then he began to cough. And choke. And gag. Can you guess what came next? Yup -- vomit, everywhere. Luckily, his bib and my napkins caught most of it. We were both finished with our lunch. I quickly cleaned him up, catching a sympathetic glance from the old lady at the next table. Once Daniel was back in his stroller, he was fine. He fell asleep in the car and transferred nicely into his crib once we got home. Phew!
As of 3:00, Daniel is napping peacefully and I'm relaxing in front of the computer. Of course, I could use a drink right about now.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Go Phillies!!!
Daniel congratulates the Philadelphia Phillies for making it to the World Series for the first time since 1993!!!
Back in 1993, Daniel's Mom-Mom stood in line at Veterans Stadium for 6 hours to get World Series tickets. She was able to get only two tickets.
Daniel's Mommy went to Game 4 and stayed for all 14 innings in the misty October rain, watching Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams blow a save. The Phillies lost to the Toronto Blue Jays that night, as well as in the Series.
Hopefully, Daniel will someday attend a World Series game himself.
Back in 1993, Daniel's Mom-Mom stood in line at Veterans Stadium for 6 hours to get World Series tickets. She was able to get only two tickets.
Daniel's Mommy went to Game 4 and stayed for all 14 innings in the misty October rain, watching Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams blow a save. The Phillies lost to the Toronto Blue Jays that night, as well as in the Series.
Hopefully, Daniel will someday attend a World Series game himself.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Baby's Best Friend
Since the day we brought Daniel home from the hospital, I have desperately wanted him and Ollie to get along. Ollie was our first baby. We brought him into our lives shortly after our wedding, and spoiled him rotten from day one. He has been a loving companion to both me and Peter, but we have always secretly hoped that he would ultimately be our children's dog. Ollie has proven himself worthy of such a task, treating Daniel with a combination of curiosity and protectiveness and earning Daniel's adoration in return.
When Daniel was just an infant, spending most of his day snoozing in his vibrating seat, Ollie would hover around him like a lioness and her cub. He would find a cozy spot nearby and plop himself down to nap with his new "brother." Back then, Daniel and Ollie were about the same size. Not really knowing what to make of one another, they were civil nonetheless.
Now that Daniel has surpassed Ollie in both height and weight, the relationship has shifted. Daniel has begun to assert his control over Ollie, chasing him around and giggling with delight. We've tried to teach Daniel how to "make nice" and pet Ollie gently, rather than smack him in the head (which he did in the beginning and which Ollie took like a man). Ollie still follows Daniel around, and even participates alongside him in some of Daniel's activities.
Though Ollie still sleeps in bed with me and Peter, I envision a day when that, too, will change. As Ollie gets older, he will undoubtedly seek the companionship of this little boy whose boundless energy makes him feel like a puppy again. Daniel will come home from school and envelop Ollie in a massive bear hug. When he is sad, Ollie will comfort him (like he has for me so many times). He will find a best friend in this sweet, furry dog. Ollie will have a best friend for life.
When Daniel was just an infant, spending most of his day snoozing in his vibrating seat, Ollie would hover around him like a lioness and her cub. He would find a cozy spot nearby and plop himself down to nap with his new "brother." Back then, Daniel and Ollie were about the same size. Not really knowing what to make of one another, they were civil nonetheless.
Now that Daniel has surpassed Ollie in both height and weight, the relationship has shifted. Daniel has begun to assert his control over Ollie, chasing him around and giggling with delight. We've tried to teach Daniel how to "make nice" and pet Ollie gently, rather than smack him in the head (which he did in the beginning and which Ollie took like a man). Ollie still follows Daniel around, and even participates alongside him in some of Daniel's activities.
Though Ollie still sleeps in bed with me and Peter, I envision a day when that, too, will change. As Ollie gets older, he will undoubtedly seek the companionship of this little boy whose boundless energy makes him feel like a puppy again. Daniel will come home from school and envelop Ollie in a massive bear hug. When he is sad, Ollie will comfort him (like he has for me so many times). He will find a best friend in this sweet, furry dog. Ollie will have a best friend for life.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My Musical "Prodigy"
Daniel loves music. He enjoys all genres, from U2 to Baby Mozart. Since he was about 5 months old, I've taken him to a weekly Forever Making Music class where he shares his love of music with other children. When Daniel first started these classes, he couldn't sit up on his own. I would lay him down on a blanket so he could watch me sing and dance. I would press the instruments against his hands so he could feel the vibration. Pretty soon, he was able to manipulate the instruments and other props (scarves, balls, etc.) on his own. Now he's a one-man-band, as he rocks out to the beat.
It doesn't take much to get Daniel grooving. A simple melody can grab his attention and suddenly he's swaying back and forth with the music. Recently, he's begun to do the "toddler bop," which involves bending his knees and bouncing up and down as if his feet were glued to the floor. It's really quite adorable. Sometimes even the sound effects of a particular toy are interpreted as music, and he begins to rock.
One thing I wish I had done as a child is learn to play an instrument. My rock star fantasies wouldn't seem so ridiculous if I only knew how to play guitar. I hope Daniel shows interest in learning an instrument. I'll gladly nurture those aspirations, paying for lessons and attending cacophonous elementary school recitals. Judging by his reaction to the Budilov's piano last week, I'd better start saving up now.
It doesn't take much to get Daniel grooving. A simple melody can grab his attention and suddenly he's swaying back and forth with the music. Recently, he's begun to do the "toddler bop," which involves bending his knees and bouncing up and down as if his feet were glued to the floor. It's really quite adorable. Sometimes even the sound effects of a particular toy are interpreted as music, and he begins to rock.
One thing I wish I had done as a child is learn to play an instrument. My rock star fantasies wouldn't seem so ridiculous if I only knew how to play guitar. I hope Daniel shows interest in learning an instrument. I'll gladly nurture those aspirations, paying for lessons and attending cacophonous elementary school recitals. Judging by his reaction to the Budilov's piano last week, I'd better start saving up now.
Monday, October 13, 2008
To TV or Not to TV?
I'm a bit of a TV junkie, I'll admit. I can be found, on occasion, circling programs in the "TV Guide" so I don't forget to record them on my Tivo. Interestingly, I discovered the wonder of TV later in life. When I was a young child, my parents put limits on the amount of TV I was permitted to watch. Having a TV set in my bedroom was out of the question, whereas today it seems to be more the norm. I once taught a student whose excuse for not doing her homework went something like this: "I had no time because I was watching American Idol!" True story.
I've read all of the recommendations when it comes to kids watching TV. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children refrain from ALL television viewing before 2 years of age. Apparently, the members of the Academy never tried to make the bed or cook dinner with a fussy toddler nearby. (I'm joking -- kind of.) I did a stellar job of keeping Daniel away from the TV for the first year or so. I even took him to a live Backyardigans concert when he was 11 months old, never having viewed a single episode of the show (which I now think is pretty groovy). But as he got older and more mobile, it became more difficult to hold his attention for longer than a couple of minutes. Elmo and Diego saved me a lot of trouble.
I was part of a generation that was raised on Sesame Street. I remember learning to count in Spanish and mourning the death of Mr. Hooper. Should Daniel miss out on that magic just because some experts say it's not an ideal use of his time? I don't believe so. I've begun to allow short bursts of TV viewing each morning. Sometimes Daniel watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (brilliant use of They Might Be Giants music for us thirty-something parents!) and sometimes it's Go, Diego, Go. Both shows are age appropriate and what I believe to be "educational." After about 20 minutes, we turn off the TV and continue with our day. In that short amount of time, however, Daniel is completely engrossed with the action on the screen. He even "talks" to the characters. I try to interact with the program in order to model the learning experience for Daniel, but I think he'd take something valuable from each program even without my participation.
Am I afraid that I'm raising a TV addict? No. Do I think that I'm impeding Daniel's growing vocabulary? No. While I'm conscious of the amount of time Daniel spends in front of the TV, I'm confident that he's being exposed to diverse characters, exciting music, valuable lessons, and some good, old-fashioned fun. What's the harm in that?
I've read all of the recommendations when it comes to kids watching TV. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children refrain from ALL television viewing before 2 years of age. Apparently, the members of the Academy never tried to make the bed or cook dinner with a fussy toddler nearby. (I'm joking -- kind of.) I did a stellar job of keeping Daniel away from the TV for the first year or so. I even took him to a live Backyardigans concert when he was 11 months old, never having viewed a single episode of the show (which I now think is pretty groovy). But as he got older and more mobile, it became more difficult to hold his attention for longer than a couple of minutes. Elmo and Diego saved me a lot of trouble.
I was part of a generation that was raised on Sesame Street. I remember learning to count in Spanish and mourning the death of Mr. Hooper. Should Daniel miss out on that magic just because some experts say it's not an ideal use of his time? I don't believe so. I've begun to allow short bursts of TV viewing each morning. Sometimes Daniel watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (brilliant use of They Might Be Giants music for us thirty-something parents!) and sometimes it's Go, Diego, Go. Both shows are age appropriate and what I believe to be "educational." After about 20 minutes, we turn off the TV and continue with our day. In that short amount of time, however, Daniel is completely engrossed with the action on the screen. He even "talks" to the characters. I try to interact with the program in order to model the learning experience for Daniel, but I think he'd take something valuable from each program even without my participation.
Am I afraid that I'm raising a TV addict? No. Do I think that I'm impeding Daniel's growing vocabulary? No. While I'm conscious of the amount of time Daniel spends in front of the TV, I'm confident that he's being exposed to diverse characters, exciting music, valuable lessons, and some good, old-fashioned fun. What's the harm in that?
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