I set my alarm for 6:30, to beat the kids out of bed and shower before they see the light of day. By the time my shower is over, I can hear Fiona in her crib, babbling and making the sweetest noises. She says, "uh oh," "ball," "book," "mama, mama" and then clicks her tongue, and she generally talks to the books and stuffed creatures in her bed. It is SO sweet.
When I open the door, she is typically standing holding onto the rail with one hand, with a book or stuffed animal in the other. A huge grin washes over her face, and her dimples are in full show as she begins jumping up and down in bed. What a way to start your day - for both of us, it is pure happiness. I yank her from the bed and grab her into a huge hug. She is very cuddly, and hunkers down for the squeezing quite well.
Sometimes, while I am mauling Fiona, Craig will go in and get Rory. If not, Fiona and I go in together. Rory often says "Hi, Fiona" to the baby as she begins checking out the toys in Rory's room. Rory is usually either laying down or sitting up, and I ask her if she had "a good snoozle." As a parent, you eventually become amazed at the ways you mangle common words. Rory, apparently, always has a good snoozle, for she always says yes.
Sometimes we discuss the thousands of stuffed animals with whom she sleeps: hippos, frogs, ugly dolls (from Uncle Ted - Ox and Icebat), her six rubber snakes, the rhino Fiona gave her when she was born (when Fiona was born, that is), and then some. And have I mentioned that Rory sleeps with four blankets, in the following order on her body: first the Fiona blanket (a blanket given to Fiona, and appropriated by Rory), then a small cat blanket, then the hockey blanket, and finally, the Toni blanket (a gorgeous, multi-colored blanket woven by my Aunt).
This must give the impression that there isn't much room in the crib for Rory. And you'd be right. But she is so happy in this overstuffed bed, how can I complain?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Daffodils & Cranes
Those are the two things Rory announced that she wanted to see this morning on the way to daycare. Quite a dichotomy of items, eh? She has quite a divergent view of the world, which we try to encourage by exposing her to as many things as possible - whether "boyish" or "girlish." Daffodils and cranes (and she doesn't mean birds - she means construction cranes).
This morning, Craig flew off to Boston for his interview at Kayak.com. He is getting there right about now, and I am very excited and nervous. I *so* want him to get this job, for so many reasons. It would be good from a money-earning standpoint, from a "I work in an office with other humans" standpoint, plus it means we are one step closer to Boston (Kayak is based in Corcord). Then I can organize the move, execute the move, and take some time finding a job. Heck, maybe I will even contract for 20 hours a week and spend more time with the kids. I would love that. They are growing up entirely too fast for my taste, and I am already missing the wee things that they are right now.
More later!!
This morning, Craig flew off to Boston for his interview at Kayak.com. He is getting there right about now, and I am very excited and nervous. I *so* want him to get this job, for so many reasons. It would be good from a money-earning standpoint, from a "I work in an office with other humans" standpoint, plus it means we are one step closer to Boston (Kayak is based in Corcord). Then I can organize the move, execute the move, and take some time finding a job. Heck, maybe I will even contract for 20 hours a week and spend more time with the kids. I would love that. They are growing up entirely too fast for my taste, and I am already missing the wee things that they are right now.
More later!!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Bad Moms...
My friend, Rory (after whom #1 is named - we shall heretofore call them R1 and R1, for clarity), send me an extremely thought-provoking link to an article about why people (women, in particular) love to bash other moms for their "bad behavior." The article discusses mothers who do really hideous things to their children, but the main gist of the story is to bring to light mothers in general - and how they judge themselves for not being super-human.
Here is a link to the article.
After you've read it, read my comments back to R1:
"VERY interesting. I don't get on myself too much, but sometimes I am short-tempered with R2 (not yet with Fiona, though once she begins, you know, having her own thoughts and opinions, I am sure that will change). I don't hurt R2 physically, or degrade her, but I try to focus on not finding certain behaviors annoying. Like when she runs away when I am trying to get her coat on (for the 1000th time), kicks me while on the changing table (for the 1000th time), etc.
Recently, I realized/remembered that ALL this stuff - even the annoying things - will be gone far too soon. And then I will miss them. A lot.
So that's my new goal - to remember that point, and to enjoy everything. Or maybe to make a game out of the annoying stuff, so the "steam" leaves the situation and we all lighten up (meaning - ME lightening up).
They are great girls, and very well-behaved and fun. What more can I ask for? Not much! =>"
Here is a link to the article.
After you've read it, read my comments back to R1:
"VERY interesting. I don't get on myself too much, but sometimes I am short-tempered with R2 (not yet with Fiona, though once she begins, you know, having her own thoughts and opinions, I am sure that will change). I don't hurt R2 physically, or degrade her, but I try to focus on not finding certain behaviors annoying. Like when she runs away when I am trying to get her coat on (for the 1000th time), kicks me while on the changing table (for the 1000th time), etc.
Recently, I realized/remembered that ALL this stuff - even the annoying things - will be gone far too soon. And then I will miss them. A lot.
So that's my new goal - to remember that point, and to enjoy everything. Or maybe to make a game out of the annoying stuff, so the "steam" leaves the situation and we all lighten up (meaning - ME lightening up).
They are great girls, and very well-behaved and fun. What more can I ask for? Not much! =>"
Thursday, March 27, 2008
ZOWIE
MAN, but is this page PINK or WHAT?
I may have to change that feature. I think I'm going blind!
I may have to change that feature. I think I'm going blind!
Welcome to RoryFionaBuzz!
I decided to start this blog because I don't want to blather on and on about the girls' life minutiae on MayhewMayhem. That can serve its purpose as a more generalist kinda site. I want this one to be the kids' online diary (as recorded by me). So blather on I shall!
This morning, en route to daycare, Rory kept telling me she wanted "to go to the restaurant," because - perhaps foolishly - I had mentioned that we would be going out to dinner that night for spaghetti and meatballs. That girl knows food, lemme tell you. So she kept chanting that she didn't want to go to daycare, but instead was opting for the restaurant. If I could have skipped work for that, I'd have been thrilled!
When we got to daycare, Rory needed to visit the daffodils growing adjacent to the building (nothing could be sweeter than hearing her say the word "daffodils" - I may need to post a video at some point. So I freed her from the car, and commanded her to remain on the grass (aka, off the driveway) while I sprung Fiona from her car seat. Fiona and I made out way over to Ror, who was pointing at the flowers and saying "they're not growing, mama."
The way a child's mind works amazes me. She was comparing two thickets of daffodils. One had flowers, and the other did not. She therefore assumed that the one wasn't growing. I told her that some things grow slowly, and they might one day have flowers. Turns out that she says that when Craig picks the girls up in the afternoon, too, and HE tells her they must not be happy.
And whatever conclusion she draws is her own!
At this point, the side door to the daycare popped open and Khalida, the woman who runs Fiona's room, stuck her head out to say hello (she was probably wondering what the heck we were doing lingering outside the building). Fiona saw her, got down out of my arms, and started toddling over toward the open door. How sweet!
Also this morning, Rory's daycare lady, Aaisha, also told me that Rory loves the playground and hates to leave when her room's allotted time is up. She rides the "yard horse" and sings "riding the range," a song from The Backyardigans (a kids' TV program on Noggin). It ends with a rousing YA HOO, and Aaisha even sang that part to me, so Rory must sing it a lot. And I am sure loudly.
And tonight we go to the restaurant! Buon Appetito, for anyone keeping track.
This morning, en route to daycare, Rory kept telling me she wanted "to go to the restaurant," because - perhaps foolishly - I had mentioned that we would be going out to dinner that night for spaghetti and meatballs. That girl knows food, lemme tell you. So she kept chanting that she didn't want to go to daycare, but instead was opting for the restaurant. If I could have skipped work for that, I'd have been thrilled!
When we got to daycare, Rory needed to visit the daffodils growing adjacent to the building (nothing could be sweeter than hearing her say the word "daffodils" - I may need to post a video at some point. So I freed her from the car, and commanded her to remain on the grass (aka, off the driveway) while I sprung Fiona from her car seat. Fiona and I made out way over to Ror, who was pointing at the flowers and saying "they're not growing, mama."
The way a child's mind works amazes me. She was comparing two thickets of daffodils. One had flowers, and the other did not. She therefore assumed that the one wasn't growing. I told her that some things grow slowly, and they might one day have flowers. Turns out that she says that when Craig picks the girls up in the afternoon, too, and HE tells her they must not be happy.
And whatever conclusion she draws is her own!
At this point, the side door to the daycare popped open and Khalida, the woman who runs Fiona's room, stuck her head out to say hello (she was probably wondering what the heck we were doing lingering outside the building). Fiona saw her, got down out of my arms, and started toddling over toward the open door. How sweet!
Also this morning, Rory's daycare lady, Aaisha, also told me that Rory loves the playground and hates to leave when her room's allotted time is up. She rides the "yard horse" and sings "riding the range," a song from The Backyardigans (a kids' TV program on Noggin). It ends with a rousing YA HOO, and Aaisha even sang that part to me, so Rory must sing it a lot. And I am sure loudly.
And tonight we go to the restaurant! Buon Appetito, for anyone keeping track.
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