Eilish is feeling a little under the weather. She was sicker yesterday than she had even been, to the point that the thermometer turned red when I put it in her ear. She is feeling much better now, that is when I call home I can hear her in the background - 'Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!'
Her temporary illness affected people in different ways. Owen was concerned and a little shocked, Donnie K. was ready to rip up the carpet (?), Joel didn't want to hear anything other than she was feeling better and Judes was saddened. My feelings were a mixture of all of the above, except for the carpet thing. I tried to explain it to Owen last night. When I looked in Eilish's eyes, I knew she was under the weather but I also knew that she was going to be OK. I truly believe that if there was something seriously wrong with her, all she needed to do was look in my eyes and I would know. This feeling pretty much sums up motherhood for me. The feeling of knowing your kid. Sure, she fell asleep in my arms and was warm to the touch but I knew, by making eye contact with her that she was going to be OK. My little birdie let me that she wasn't feeling good but that she was going to come around.
It makes me think of mothers with really sick kids. Can they look in their children's eyes and know that everything is not going to be OK? I think of Carmel with little Ronan eight years ago, weighing 1 pound 10 ounces. Could she look at him then and know that 8 years later he would make his way out of all the struggles and come out the other side a happy, healthy little boy?
You hear about mother's of children with autism who knew at a very young age that something wasn't right with their child and who fought for a proper diagnosis and a better life for their children because they received the message their child was sending them.
Eilish will grow up and her eyes will change, they will produce tears, wear eyeliner and readily accept the laugh lines her father will give her but I know that any message she needs to send me will be given through her eyes.
Intuition.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
25 Random Things About Eilish
1. I cannot locate her birth mark. I have no idea where it is. She was born with a little red raspberry on her back that has faded with every passing month.
2. She will not cuddle with me but when I read to her she will put her hand on me.
3. When she is done singing or dancing she will bow at the waist and say 'thank-you, thank-you'.
4. If she sees someone she doesn't know, male or female she will ask, 'who's that guy?'.
5. She loves her sucky and will try to get access to it anytime we are upstairs even though she's only supposed to have it during nap time/bedtime.
6. She knows that her eyes are blue and that mine (and Owen's) are brown.
7. She knows all the words to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.
8. She mostly sleeps on her stomach with her arms tucked into her.
9. 90% of the time she wakes up, whether it be in the morning or from a nap yelling 'Daddy!'.
10. She loves to pretend she's painting and uses a toothbrush to 'paint' the walls.
11. She does not like loud noises and refers to them as 'sounds'.
12. She thinks Judes is sick with a bad cough and needs medicine even though that happened months ago.
13. I would suggest you not sing 'Poppy's Song' unless you are indeed Poppy.
14. She favors Owen.
15. If I put something new on her and tell her it's new she will say 'Aunt Joan'. No pressure Joanie.
16. If Owen and I are talking to each other she will talk louder and louder until we acknowledge her.
17. She refers to the 3 of us as 'Family' and 'Friends'.
18. She likes to put on chapstick.
19. She will wear my underwear around her neck.
20. She loves blueberries. Looooves blueberries. I don't think you understand the love.
21. She eats raw broccoli. Without ranch dressing. I have no idea who this kid belongs to.
22. She loves to hear a story about herself and what she likes to do.
23. She is bossy.
24. When she is crying because she hasn't gotten her way she declares 'I'm crying!'. Like I hadn't noticed.
25. When Owen tells her that I've arrived home from work she says, 'I want to see her!'.
2. She will not cuddle with me but when I read to her she will put her hand on me.
3. When she is done singing or dancing she will bow at the waist and say 'thank-you, thank-you'.
4. If she sees someone she doesn't know, male or female she will ask, 'who's that guy?'.
5. She loves her sucky and will try to get access to it anytime we are upstairs even though she's only supposed to have it during nap time/bedtime.
6. She knows that her eyes are blue and that mine (and Owen's) are brown.
7. She knows all the words to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.
8. She mostly sleeps on her stomach with her arms tucked into her.
9. 90% of the time she wakes up, whether it be in the morning or from a nap yelling 'Daddy!'.
10. She loves to pretend she's painting and uses a toothbrush to 'paint' the walls.
11. She does not like loud noises and refers to them as 'sounds'.
12. She thinks Judes is sick with a bad cough and needs medicine even though that happened months ago.
13. I would suggest you not sing 'Poppy's Song' unless you are indeed Poppy.
14. She favors Owen.
15. If I put something new on her and tell her it's new she will say 'Aunt Joan'. No pressure Joanie.
16. If Owen and I are talking to each other she will talk louder and louder until we acknowledge her.
17. She refers to the 3 of us as 'Family' and 'Friends'.
18. She likes to put on chapstick.
19. She will wear my underwear around her neck.
20. She loves blueberries. Looooves blueberries. I don't think you understand the love.
21. She eats raw broccoli. Without ranch dressing. I have no idea who this kid belongs to.
22. She loves to hear a story about herself and what she likes to do.
23. She is bossy.
24. When she is crying because she hasn't gotten her way she declares 'I'm crying!'. Like I hadn't noticed.
25. When Owen tells her that I've arrived home from work she says, 'I want to see her!'.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Underwire Not Included
So Eilish has one Barbie (bought by Aunt Lib at the Mart where frankly all first Barbie's should come from) and she refuses to keep the thing clothed. Mart Barbie came with a tutu which has not been on the poor doll since the moment I gave it to her. She says she 'loves' the Barbie and that it's her 'favorite'.
Last night while I was reading the paper she started her roll call of Barbie body parts. 2 hands, 2 legs, 2 feet etc. I didn't know what she would do when she came to the boobs. She calls mine 'boobies' and pushes on them with a mixture of awe and disgust. I didn't think my poor ol' working class breasts could compete with Barbie's and frankly, I did not need the pressure.
My darling girl, a feminist in training, looked at my chest, looked at Barbie's chest and declared: '2 elbows!'.
Last night while I was reading the paper she started her roll call of Barbie body parts. 2 hands, 2 legs, 2 feet etc. I didn't know what she would do when she came to the boobs. She calls mine 'boobies' and pushes on them with a mixture of awe and disgust. I didn't think my poor ol' working class breasts could compete with Barbie's and frankly, I did not need the pressure.
My darling girl, a feminist in training, looked at my chest, looked at Barbie's chest and declared: '2 elbows!'.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Relationship Meme
What is a meme anyway? Whatever it is, here's one about Owen and I stolen from my (and someone else's) favorite website.
What are your middle names?
Elizabeth
David
How long have you been together?
We've been married five years this August, together on and off for 150 years.
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met in Grade 10 Geography but did not officially start ‘going out’ until Grade 11.
Who asked whom out?
Owen asked me out.
How old are each of you?
I'm 34, he's 35.
Whose siblings do you see the most?
Mine.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Parenting. Not that raising Eilish is hard or that it is trying on our relationship per se. Just the logistics of raising a child while we both work full time and at different times.
Did you go to the same school?
Yes, high school.
Are you from the same home town?
I was born in Newfoundland, raised in Kitchener while Owen was born and raised in Toronto.
Who is smarter?
I think that Owen is more street smart than I am but I wouldn’t say one of us is necessarily smarter than the other unless we’re talking ‘Jeopardy smart’ in which case Owen has me beat. I can name all of Elizabeth Taylor’s ex-husbands (Hilton, Wilding, Todd, Fisher, Burton, Burton, Warner, Fortensky) but have no idea what the capital of Uruguay is.
Who is the most sensitive?
Ah ha ha ha ha. Next question.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don’t ‘eat out’ as much as ‘take out’ and our favorite place to order out from when we were footloose and fancy free (that is, childless) was Butler’s Pantry on Roncevalles.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Which is further, Dominican or Cuba? See, Jeopardy smarts would come in handy right about now.
Who has the craziest exes?
We are each others crazy exes; therefore Owen has the craziest ex.
Who has the worst temper?
I am quick to lose my temper while Owen has a slow burn and then watch out.
Who does the cooking?
Me.
Who is the neat-freak?
Neither of us but man, someone should be.
Who is more stubborn?
Owen.
Who hogs the bed?
Whoever gets their first.
Who wakes up earlier?
Me. Occupational hazard.
Where was your first date?
We went to see ‘Look Who’s Talking’ in Kitchener.
Who is more jealous?
These days if I think someone is hitting on him I think, ‘good for you!’
How long did it take to get serious?
Owen is Irish and the Irish mate for life.
Who eats more?
Now that he is trying to quite smoking Owen is putting the food away at an alarming rate. When I was pregnant though I used to hide pizza boxes so he wouldn’t know that not only did I eat an entire pizza, I didn’t save any for him!
Who does the laundry?
Me. Owen cleans and does the dishes.
Who's better with the computer?
Me, yet another occupational hazard.
Who drives when you are together?
Owen because he thinks he’s a better driver when in reality he’s a slower driver.
What are your middle names?
Elizabeth
David
How long have you been together?
We've been married five years this August, together on and off for 150 years.
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met in Grade 10 Geography but did not officially start ‘going out’ until Grade 11.
Who asked whom out?
Owen asked me out.
How old are each of you?
I'm 34, he's 35.
Whose siblings do you see the most?
Mine.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Parenting. Not that raising Eilish is hard or that it is trying on our relationship per se. Just the logistics of raising a child while we both work full time and at different times.
Did you go to the same school?
Yes, high school.
Are you from the same home town?
I was born in Newfoundland, raised in Kitchener while Owen was born and raised in Toronto.
Who is smarter?
I think that Owen is more street smart than I am but I wouldn’t say one of us is necessarily smarter than the other unless we’re talking ‘Jeopardy smart’ in which case Owen has me beat. I can name all of Elizabeth Taylor’s ex-husbands (Hilton, Wilding, Todd, Fisher, Burton, Burton, Warner, Fortensky) but have no idea what the capital of Uruguay is.
Who is the most sensitive?
Ah ha ha ha ha. Next question.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don’t ‘eat out’ as much as ‘take out’ and our favorite place to order out from when we were footloose and fancy free (that is, childless) was Butler’s Pantry on Roncevalles.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Which is further, Dominican or Cuba? See, Jeopardy smarts would come in handy right about now.
Who has the craziest exes?
We are each others crazy exes; therefore Owen has the craziest ex.
Who has the worst temper?
I am quick to lose my temper while Owen has a slow burn and then watch out.
Who does the cooking?
Me.
Who is the neat-freak?
Neither of us but man, someone should be.
Who is more stubborn?
Owen.
Who hogs the bed?
Whoever gets their first.
Who wakes up earlier?
Me. Occupational hazard.
Where was your first date?
We went to see ‘Look Who’s Talking’ in Kitchener.
Who is more jealous?
These days if I think someone is hitting on him I think, ‘good for you!’
How long did it take to get serious?
Owen is Irish and the Irish mate for life.
Who eats more?
Now that he is trying to quite smoking Owen is putting the food away at an alarming rate. When I was pregnant though I used to hide pizza boxes so he wouldn’t know that not only did I eat an entire pizza, I didn’t save any for him!
Who does the laundry?
Me. Owen cleans and does the dishes.
Who's better with the computer?
Me, yet another occupational hazard.
Who drives when you are together?
Owen because he thinks he’s a better driver when in reality he’s a slower driver.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Aunt Lib Shout Out
Because of the 'Great Constipation of 2008' and in preparation of 'Potting Training 2009' Owen and I have begun praising Eilish when she tells us when she has to poop. We tell her she's a good girl and that everybody poops. Then, we have to give her confirmation of the people who poop during her 'poop roll call'. So last night, it went like this:
Eilish - I'm pooping.
Jen - Good girl Eilish.
Eilish - Everybody poops.
Jen - That's right, everybody poops.
Eilish - Mama poops, Daddy poops, Nanny poops, Poppy poops. Who else?
Jen - Um, Lucy the cat poops, Uncle Joel poops.
Eilish - Grandma Poops.
Jen - Yep, Grandma poops...um, cousin Connell poops.
Eilish - Nicky poops.
Jen - Yep, Nicky poops....um.....um....Ryan poops, Emma poops, Aunt Joan poops.
Eilish - Aunt Lib poops!
Monday, February 02, 2009
More Conversations with a Toddler
Jen - Eilish, do you want some cake for desert?
Eilish - Sure.
Eilish - Not ice cream.
Jen - No, cake.
Eilish - Not cookie.
Jen - No, cake. Nanny brought cake.
Eilish - Not pudding.
Jen - No….cake.
Eilish - Not popsicles. Not chocolate. Not brownies. Not cupcakes. Not treats.
Jen - Nope, CAKE!
It's too bad the kid doesn't know anything about treats.
Eilish - Sure.
Eilish - Not ice cream.
Jen - No, cake.
Eilish - Not cookie.
Jen - No, cake. Nanny brought cake.
Eilish - Not pudding.
Jen - No….cake.
Eilish - Not popsicles. Not chocolate. Not brownies. Not cupcakes. Not treats.
Jen - Nope, CAKE!
It's too bad the kid doesn't know anything about treats.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Conversations with a Toddler
At Dinner:
Jen: So I was all like you can't do that…
Owen: Well, you're right. He shouldn't have…
Eilish: FORK!
Jen: I know right? Kind of a jerky thing to…
Eilish: TABLE!
Owen: Maybe he thought that…
Eilish: AND ANOTHER TABLE!
Jen: It doesn't matter anyway because she…
Eilish: STEREO!
Owen: Oh, I know he wouldn't have said that if…
Eilish: MAMA! DADDY! TABLE! FORK! DRINK!
After a Nap:
Eilish: I missed you.
Jen: I missed you too.
Eilish: I was sleeping!
In the Bath:
Eilish: Moony.
Jen: Yep, that's your moony.
Eilish: Gentle, gentle.
Jen: That's right, be gentle with your moony.
Eilish: Eilish moony, Mama moony. Daddy no moony.
In the Car:
Eilish: Go home.
Jen: We're going to the bookstore.
Eilish: Go home.
Owen: We're going to buy Eilish a new movie!
Jen: Maybe a Dora movie?
Eilish: SURE!
In Her Sleep:
Eilish - Dora! Dora!
Jen: So I was all like you can't do that…
Owen: Well, you're right. He shouldn't have…
Eilish: FORK!
Jen: I know right? Kind of a jerky thing to…
Eilish: TABLE!
Owen: Maybe he thought that…
Eilish: AND ANOTHER TABLE!
Jen: It doesn't matter anyway because she…
Eilish: STEREO!
Owen: Oh, I know he wouldn't have said that if…
Eilish: MAMA! DADDY! TABLE! FORK! DRINK!
After a Nap:
Eilish: I missed you.
Jen: I missed you too.
Eilish: I was sleeping!
In the Bath:
Eilish: Moony.
Jen: Yep, that's your moony.
Eilish: Gentle, gentle.
Jen: That's right, be gentle with your moony.
Eilish: Eilish moony, Mama moony. Daddy no moony.
In the Car:
Eilish: Go home.
Jen: We're going to the bookstore.
Eilish: Go home.
Owen: We're going to buy Eilish a new movie!
Jen: Maybe a Dora movie?
Eilish: SURE!
In Her Sleep:
Eilish - Dora! Dora!
Friday, January 23, 2009
That sound you heard was Judes' head exploding
Jen - Are you brushing the dolly's hair? Very pretty.
Eilish - Mama pretty.
Jen - Oh thank you lover. Who else is pretty?
Eilish - Aunt Joan.
Jen - Is Liz (the nanny) pretty?
Eilish - No.
Jen - Is Nanny pretty?
Eilish - No.
Eilish - Mama pretty.
Jen - Oh thank you lover. Who else is pretty?
Eilish - Aunt Joan.
Jen - Is Liz (the nanny) pretty?
Eilish - No.
Jen - Is Nanny pretty?
Eilish - No.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
And the Beat Goes On
Last night over dinner Owen and I came to the realization that there will come a point where Eilish will think we are really uncool. We spend the evenings that Owen is home doing crossword puzzles. He'll do the one in the Sun and I'll attempt the New York Times crossword then we'll switch and try to fill in the answers the other missed. This is what constitutes a rocking Tuesday night at the Connell house. Eilish will have no idea how 'cool' we used to be. You know, with all the under age drinking and whatnot. We can tell her about all the cool bands we've seen in concert (U2! 3 times) but by the time she is old enough to go to concerts of her own, our favorite bands will be even more uncool then we are. She will think the clothes I wear are dated and that our love of singing Chicago in the car very embarrassing.
Someday, she won't want to dance with us in the living room or go to the library with her ol' Mom on Saturday mornings. She's already gained an independence in her playing, occupying herself for hours at a time with her little people and her animals. She is stingy with her lovin' and would rather run around the house pretending to make soup then sit up on the couch for some snuggles.
Last night after her bath, I was putting her pajamas on and was zipping her up when she hugged right into me. Owen asked her what she was doing and she said, 'loving Mama'. I have to remember to treasure those moments because someday her pajamas won't need zipping and she'll be able to put herself to bed. Owen and I will still be in the living room doing crossword puzzles talking about the little girl she was and the woman she'll become. And the beat goes on.
Someday, she won't want to dance with us in the living room or go to the library with her ol' Mom on Saturday mornings. She's already gained an independence in her playing, occupying herself for hours at a time with her little people and her animals. She is stingy with her lovin' and would rather run around the house pretending to make soup then sit up on the couch for some snuggles.
Last night after her bath, I was putting her pajamas on and was zipping her up when she hugged right into me. Owen asked her what she was doing and she said, 'loving Mama'. I have to remember to treasure those moments because someday her pajamas won't need zipping and she'll be able to put herself to bed. Owen and I will still be in the living room doing crossword puzzles talking about the little girl she was and the woman she'll become. And the beat goes on.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bath Time
Bathing with Eilish always sounds like a good idea in theory, not so much in execution. We've only had 2 baths together in her 22 months, one when she was really little and didn't do much other than sit there and another a few months ago when she was going through some bum trauma. Owen has bathed with her once, wearing swim trunks which is another story best told in person after a few cocktails.
Last night I had just about run out of patience with her (Me: Eilish, what do you want for dinner? Eilish: Ice Cream? Me: Nooooo. Eilish: Chocolate? Me: Do you want to watch a movie? Eilish: Toopy & Binoo? Me: No we have Diego, Max & Ruby, the Wiggles, Franklin {Mommy's discovered the library rents movies}. Eilish: Toopy & Binoo?) and decided to move the party upstairs. It wasn't quite bath time so we 'played', that is moved from room to room pretending to go to bed. A few Moms I know shower their children instead of bathing them so I thought to try it out. I ran the water, turned on the shower, stripped us both off and jumped on in. Eilish wanted no part of the whole standing thing and the shower curtain really freaked her out. Maybe she has a touch of claustrophobia but she lost her mind and wanted to get the hell out of dodge. So I plugged the tub, pulled out the curtain and we both sat there waiting for the tub to fill up. She was sitting sideways in the middle of the tub and I was pressed up at the end of the tub freezing my ass off.
So I got us situated, her sitting in front of me while I washed her, her 'washing' my knees and having one of those mother/daughter moments that I'll treasure….
…until she turned around and faced me, taking in all my nakedness and looking at me like, 'dude, do you think those cookies were a good idea?'. She had many a question as to what was what and why was there hair 'there' etc. She likes to push on some body areas and poke at others all the while with this confused look on her face. I felt very exposed and not so good about myself and it was made worse when she decided to climb up on me and use my chest and belly as a water slide. And thus endeth Mother/Daughter bath time.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Crib Inventory
When you first have a baby you are told to have absolutely nothing in the crib with them while they are sleeping. No toys, no blankets, no bumber pads. Nothing. Since Eilish was born in March we had a little sleep sack we used to put her in to keep her warm, but other than that her crib had a sheet and that's it. As she got bigger and started to move around in her crib, we added the bumper pads and as the cold weather approched again we added blankets. Somewhere along the way a stuffed lamb made it's way in her crib and things have snow balled out of control.
On any given night here is what you can find in her bed:
- Eilish (duh)
- 3 soothers (AKA suckies)
- 1 bottle (AKA boppy)
- 1 Lamb (AKA Lamby)
- 1 Lamb (this one is just a lamb head with a blanket attached)
- 1 baby
- Max & Ruby beanie babies (AKA Nax & Ruby)
- 4 blankets: unless I get back in the room after Owen in which case I remove at least 2 of them (AKA blanky)
She knows when things are missing and if you leave a blanket on her rocking chair, you will hear her cry out for her 'blanky' and when you put it in her crib she will pull it up to her chin or cover one of her friends with it.
Last week we found the Glow Worm Andrea had given her and that made its way into her bed. All night long, everytime she rolled over the thing would start playing music. The Glow Worm is now a downstairs toy. Don't feel bad for the worm though, last night before bed she changed it's imaginary diaper, gave it a kiss and put it to sleep on the couch, and headed upstairs to the little home she's built for herself in her crib, taking our hearts with her.
On any given night here is what you can find in her bed:
- Eilish (duh)
- 3 soothers (AKA suckies)
- 1 bottle (AKA boppy)
- 1 Lamb (AKA Lamby)
- 1 Lamb (this one is just a lamb head with a blanket attached)
- 1 baby
- Max & Ruby beanie babies (AKA Nax & Ruby)
- 4 blankets: unless I get back in the room after Owen in which case I remove at least 2 of them (AKA blanky)
She knows when things are missing and if you leave a blanket on her rocking chair, you will hear her cry out for her 'blanky' and when you put it in her crib she will pull it up to her chin or cover one of her friends with it.
Last week we found the Glow Worm Andrea had given her and that made its way into her bed. All night long, everytime she rolled over the thing would start playing music. The Glow Worm is now a downstairs toy. Don't feel bad for the worm though, last night before bed she changed it's imaginary diaper, gave it a kiss and put it to sleep on the couch, and headed upstairs to the little home she's built for herself in her crib, taking our hearts with her.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Poop, Pooper, Pooping
I could post about how wonderful our Christmas was or how great it was to be home as a family with Eilish for almost 3 weeks but instead I'm going to tell you a little story about the worst day of parenting Owen and I have had thus far.
We put her to bed after nearly 2 days not pooping and heard her cry out after about an hour. When I went upstairs she was laying on her side crying and…straining. This next part is not for the faint of heart so scroll down for a cute picture and we'll forget this post ever happened.
I pulled off her diaper and saw would can only be described as an alien life form trying to make it's way out of her butt. I had honestly never seen her bum look like that before but to be honest, I've never caught her mid poop. Anyway I reached in and tried to remove the poop, only to leave a sizable amount still in her. That's when Owen arrived. For those of you who don't know, to say Owen has a weak stomach is putting in mildly. He is known to gag even wiping the kid's nose. We took her out of her crib and put her on her change table where she continued to cry and strain, it was heartbreaking. I started running around, crying myself at this point looking for some Vaseline. It was then determined by someone other than myself (Owen) that my carrying on wasn't really helping anyone (Eilish) and that I should just hold her hand, kiss her face and let the professional (Owen) get to work. And work he did. Using a Q-tip he chiseled away at the poop until Eilish passed what legend would refer to as 'a man sized shit'.
It is all about the poop.
So, Eilish is a pretty good pooper. Stuff goes in, stuff comes out, no big whoop. Last week Eilish had been trying to poop for about a day and a half and nothing was happening. She had eaten a lot of junk over the holidays after developing a taste for After Eight chocolates. You couldn't help give them to her as after each bite she would declare it 'delicious'. We were pretty lax with her diet over Christmas and paid the price.
We put her to bed after nearly 2 days not pooping and heard her cry out after about an hour. When I went upstairs she was laying on her side crying and…straining. This next part is not for the faint of heart so scroll down for a cute picture and we'll forget this post ever happened.
I pulled off her diaper and saw would can only be described as an alien life form trying to make it's way out of her butt. I had honestly never seen her bum look like that before but to be honest, I've never caught her mid poop. Anyway I reached in and tried to remove the poop, only to leave a sizable amount still in her. That's when Owen arrived. For those of you who don't know, to say Owen has a weak stomach is putting in mildly. He is known to gag even wiping the kid's nose. We took her out of her crib and put her on her change table where she continued to cry and strain, it was heartbreaking. I started running around, crying myself at this point looking for some Vaseline. It was then determined by someone other than myself (Owen) that my carrying on wasn't really helping anyone (Eilish) and that I should just hold her hand, kiss her face and let the professional (Owen) get to work. And work he did. Using a Q-tip he chiseled away at the poop until Eilish passed what legend would refer to as 'a man sized shit'.
After she was cleaned up and still whimpering she looked up at her Mom and Dad who were at this point up to their wrists in her excrement and said, 'downstairs?'. So at 10:00pm downstairs we went and read book after book until she was ready to go back to sleep. It was our hardest and finest hour of parenting to date and we spent the rest of the night buzzed about our poop adventures.
2009 has started off as the Year of the Vegetable as Owen and I pretend to like all the vegetables we're feeding Eilish. She doesn't actually eat the green beans or (shudder) broccoli that we put on her plate that we pretend to enjoy ourselves, but what she does not know is that veggies have been added to everything she eats. I've hidden broccoli in rice and green beans in meatloaf. I'm like the Vegetable Whisperer and although she can't articulate it, I know her bum thanks me.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Time Out
Eilish has little patience. She comes by it honestly and neither do Owen and I. If something doesn't go her way, let's say a puzzle or something chances are she's going to throw that sucker and yell while doing it. Saturday night we were in the basement and she was playing with a toy car that Owen has (side note: why does Owen have a toy car? He is not a car guy.) and when she couldn't get the hood up, she tossed it across the room.
As all my parenting tips come from TV, I employed a Super Nanny tactic of putting Eilish is 'time out'. I sat her on the arm chair, told her that she shouldn't throw things, how Mommy and Daddy don't throw things (we just curse under our breath) and that she had to sit in the chair for a few minutes until she calmed down. I told her, 'don't move' and perhaps, perhaps pointed my finger while I said it. As I was explaining all this to her, she looked me in the eyes, pointed her finger and said, 'don't move'. I turned away from her to laugh my ass off and reboot the computer and when I turned back to see how the time out was going she pointed her finger at me and said, 'don't move'. That chair has now been christened the 'don't move' chair and everytime she sits in it she points her finger and says 'don't move'.
Here is an outtake from the great Christmas card photo shoot of 2008. This is pretty much how she looks at me when I try to explain the concept of time out.
As all my parenting tips come from TV, I employed a Super Nanny tactic of putting Eilish is 'time out'. I sat her on the arm chair, told her that she shouldn't throw things, how Mommy and Daddy don't throw things (we just curse under our breath) and that she had to sit in the chair for a few minutes until she calmed down. I told her, 'don't move' and perhaps, perhaps pointed my finger while I said it. As I was explaining all this to her, she looked me in the eyes, pointed her finger and said, 'don't move'. I turned away from her to laugh my ass off and reboot the computer and when I turned back to see how the time out was going she pointed her finger at me and said, 'don't move'. That chair has now been christened the 'don't move' chair and everytime she sits in it she points her finger and says 'don't move'.
I don't know if the time out worked. The TV was on so basically she was sitting in her chair watching Toopy & Binoo but she didn't throw anything else….that night. Sunday was a different story.
Here is an outtake from the great Christmas card photo shoot of 2008. This is pretty much how she looks at me when I try to explain the concept of time out.
Friday, December 05, 2008
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Monday, December 01, 2008
Saucy is as Saucy does
What does 'saucy' mean to you? This weekend I said (and this is a direct quote), 'there is nothing worse than a saucy kid'. I realized today that I have no idea what that means. Is saucy the same as bratty? Some may say that I am saucy and I would have to agree but I don't think I am bratty. I've come to take saucy as a compliment which may mean I've confused saucy confused with sassy.
I think Eilish is saucy and that it wasn't a learned behavior, that she was born like that - it's hereditary. Case in point:
She woke up from her nap at Mom's house sweaty and unhappy wanting to be held by me of all people (usually she doesn't want much to do with me at Mom's house since she has Judes, Donnie K. and Joel at her beck and call willing to keep her hopped up on cake and chocolate milk - but I digress). So I was holding her in my arms, patting her bum and Mom sat on the side of the couch to talk to her and rub her head. She pushed Judes away and said no. Every time Mom sat down she tried to push her off the couch. Mom had just worked all day and was just looking for some lovin' but E wasn't having any of it.
This isn't the first time she's resorted to violence. There has been a Michael pushing episode, her unwillingness to share crayons and there may have been a crayon thrown last week but I'm denial about it.
Owen's reaction to any sauciness is to have a sit down chat with Eilish, explaining in a calm and rational fashion what she did wrong and why she shouldn't do it. My reaction goes a little something like this: 'Dude, have you LOST YOUR MIND?! You don't do that! Mama doesn't do that to you! You've gone right off your head! '
Another example of her sauciness is her reaction to a kiss request. Eilish doesn't give kisses without being asked for one (unless you are her mild mannered Dad) and even if you ask for one nicely 9/10 times you're not getting one. I've asked her for a kiss only for her to say no and then turn around and kiss an inanimate object such as the couch or her coloring book. And she knows what she's doing because she'll look right at me as if to say, 'watta ya think of this Mama?'. Again, that is not learned behavior, I have to my knowledge never kissed a couch!
Eilish: 50% Connell, 50% saucy.
I think Eilish is saucy and that it wasn't a learned behavior, that she was born like that - it's hereditary. Case in point:
She woke up from her nap at Mom's house sweaty and unhappy wanting to be held by me of all people (usually she doesn't want much to do with me at Mom's house since she has Judes, Donnie K. and Joel at her beck and call willing to keep her hopped up on cake and chocolate milk - but I digress). So I was holding her in my arms, patting her bum and Mom sat on the side of the couch to talk to her and rub her head. She pushed Judes away and said no. Every time Mom sat down she tried to push her off the couch. Mom had just worked all day and was just looking for some lovin' but E wasn't having any of it.
This isn't the first time she's resorted to violence. There has been a Michael pushing episode, her unwillingness to share crayons and there may have been a crayon thrown last week but I'm denial about it.
Owen's reaction to any sauciness is to have a sit down chat with Eilish, explaining in a calm and rational fashion what she did wrong and why she shouldn't do it. My reaction goes a little something like this: 'Dude, have you LOST YOUR MIND?! You don't do that! Mama doesn't do that to you! You've gone right off your head! '
Another example of her sauciness is her reaction to a kiss request. Eilish doesn't give kisses without being asked for one (unless you are her mild mannered Dad) and even if you ask for one nicely 9/10 times you're not getting one. I've asked her for a kiss only for her to say no and then turn around and kiss an inanimate object such as the couch or her coloring book. And she knows what she's doing because she'll look right at me as if to say, 'watta ya think of this Mama?'. Again, that is not learned behavior, I have to my knowledge never kissed a couch!
Eilish: 50% Connell, 50% saucy.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Viewer Discretion was Advised
It's been a tough couple months for the Kennedy (and Connell) family but I'm happy to report that Donnie K. is doing well after being subjected to every test our medical system threw at him including being poked and prodded in an area that for intents and purposes is an exit.
To celebrate the good news Owen, Eilish and I visited Kitchener yesterday where Eilish charmed the pants off everyone, except for Uncle Joel who was already in his pajamas. To quote Lillie Mae, Eilish is 'growing like the hop'. Here's a picture of Eilish with her Pop shortly before she demanded half of his steak.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words and prayers.
To celebrate the good news Owen, Eilish and I visited Kitchener yesterday where Eilish charmed the pants off everyone, except for Uncle Joel who was already in his pajamas. To quote Lillie Mae, Eilish is 'growing like the hop'. Here's a picture of Eilish with her Pop shortly before she demanded half of his steak.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words and prayers.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Eilish
Last night Eilish said the word 'crouch' while crouching.
MENSA here we come!
MENSA here we come!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Eilish to English Dictionary
Eilish is talking up a storm and is beginning to put small sentences together. For instance, 'I get' - she will go get whatever you just asked her about or 'I see moon' as in, it's dark outside, I see the moon. It is not always easy to understand what she is trying to say so I present to you the first ever Eilish to English dictionary.
1. Puss = Purse (she thinks her plastic Fischer Price bag that holds her little people is her purse)
2. I get puss = I will go get my purse
3. Gar'ic = Garlic (said in whispers and in growls, Eilish learned the word garlic last week while I was watching a cooking show. After she whispers/growls the word she will sometimes add 'mmmm, good').
4. cho mil = chocolate milk (she loooves chocolate milk and once she has finished her cup will look at you and ask 'more?'
5. co = color
6. co Mama = would you like to color Mama? Somewhere along the way Eilish started calling me 'Mama', and it might be the cutest thing she says.
7. Boo Tee = beauty mark (I am covered in beauty marks and Eilish has one on her hand)
8. Boo Tee Mama Fas = Beauty Mark on Mama's Face
9. Ill bit = A little bit (as in I would like to help you put a little bit of cream on my face and when we are done I would like 'more'.)
10. Wassat = Dude, what is that?!
11. Hello = she started saying hello last night but sounds like Uncle Leo from Seinfeld that is a male Jewish Senior Citizen, hellooooooo.
1. Puss = Purse (she thinks her plastic Fischer Price bag that holds her little people is her purse)
2. I get puss = I will go get my purse
3. Gar'ic = Garlic (said in whispers and in growls, Eilish learned the word garlic last week while I was watching a cooking show. After she whispers/growls the word she will sometimes add 'mmmm, good').
4. cho mil = chocolate milk (she loooves chocolate milk and once she has finished her cup will look at you and ask 'more?'
5. co = color
6. co Mama = would you like to color Mama? Somewhere along the way Eilish started calling me 'Mama', and it might be the cutest thing she says.
7. Boo Tee = beauty mark (I am covered in beauty marks and Eilish has one on her hand)
8. Boo Tee Mama Fas = Beauty Mark on Mama's Face
9. Ill bit = A little bit (as in I would like to help you put a little bit of cream on my face and when we are done I would like 'more'.)
10. Wassat = Dude, what is that?!
11. Hello = she started saying hello last night but sounds like Uncle Leo from Seinfeld that is a male Jewish Senior Citizen, hellooooooo.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Where have I been?
Where have you been?
Such a long time since I last posted. I have felt like I don't have much to say now that I'm back at work. It's been a long 8 months since I returned from maternity leave and the weeks are starting to all run into each other. I did promise Aunt Pat in Newfoundland that I would update this blog soon. Given that I'm checking Andrea's blog everyday for her baby news, it seems fitting to update my 'readers' on my own baby.
Eilish is currently 19 1/2 months old. She had her needle last week (a month late - holy cow is it hard to work and schedule appointments!) and that went as well as expected. She is a whopping 25 pounds 11 ounces and 2 feet 10 inches tall which is apparently off the charts for her age. I have no idea where she is getting her height from, but it's not me! She is talking up a storm and when Owen calls me from home I can hear her in the background repeating the last word he said.
I am going to make a serious effort to update this blog on a more regular basis. In the meantime, have you heard that Eilish is going to have a new cousin?
Such a long time since I last posted. I have felt like I don't have much to say now that I'm back at work. It's been a long 8 months since I returned from maternity leave and the weeks are starting to all run into each other. I did promise Aunt Pat in Newfoundland that I would update this blog soon. Given that I'm checking Andrea's blog everyday for her baby news, it seems fitting to update my 'readers' on my own baby.
Eilish is currently 19 1/2 months old. She had her needle last week (a month late - holy cow is it hard to work and schedule appointments!) and that went as well as expected. She is a whopping 25 pounds 11 ounces and 2 feet 10 inches tall which is apparently off the charts for her age. I have no idea where she is getting her height from, but it's not me! She is talking up a storm and when Owen calls me from home I can hear her in the background repeating the last word he said.
I am going to make a serious effort to update this blog on a more regular basis. In the meantime, have you heard that Eilish is going to have a new cousin?
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