|
|
 |
|
|
| Mickey & Minnie with the girls |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, September 30, 2006
I Formed A Bad Habit
Fuckity Fuck Fuck FUCK! I just created a really bad habit. No, I didn't start biting my nails. No,
I didn't start smoking again. No, I'm not an alcoholic (I could be soon, kidding). It's worse than all three.
I started rocking O to sleep. Maybe to you non-parents it's nothing and can easily be fixed, but alas, it's not that
simple!
When O was about five to seven months old, we would feed in the living room while watching TV. When she was able
to hold her own bottle (which was recently), I moved her into her bedroom, so she wouldn't be distracted and hyped by all
the lights and noise. While she held her bottle by herself, I would literally make a dash into the kitchen
to put the dishes away (most of the time she ends up spilling the milk everywhere and I would have to stay within a few feet
to make sure she wouldn't do it again).
When she was done drinking, I would turn the lights out, sit on the rocking chair and plop her on my lap to burp her. I
guess she liked the effect of the rocking chair, me patting her back (trying to get her to burp) because now she refuses
to fall asleep in her crib on her own. She prefers to put her head on my chest and her legs wrapping around my
waist. It's actually a nice feeling, but I know I'm going to pay for it later (ie, when we go out of town, when
she gets older, if I'm not home to do it, etc.).
The funny thing is, it ONLY happens at nights. I have no problems putting her to sleep during the morning (this
is the easiest) but in the afternoon, I have difficulties figuring out her exact naptime (it really depends on what time she
wakes up from her first nap- I think it's around 3-3:30p). For the past two days, she had a fucking fit with me about
napping in the afternoons. I had to implement the Pick Up/Put Down method AGAIN. It wasn't easy because I had
to endure listening to her defeaning cries (it is seriously loud). But she finally succumbed after the third pick
up which took about 15-20 minutes. Thank the Lord.
So anyway, the habit is only at nights. If I keep this shit up, she'll have me wrapped around her toes.
Sigh. Militant Mom better get her shit together.
***
O has been rolling all around the living room. One minute she's on one end, the next, she's at the other end.
What the... Gonna have to get a kiddie jail for this kid. She has yet to learn how to sit up from her belly position.
***
Some of the things that comes out of Sophia's mouth is pretty darn funny. I can't remember some of the things she's
said recently, but most of the time it has Phil and I giving each other the look like, "Did our little three year old really
say that to us?" And her sentences just keep getting longer and longer. Just the other day she something like
this to me, "Mommy, I help you put the quarters in the bag so next time Yee-Yee (the nanny) can do the laundry, okay?"
Uhh, oookay Sophia!
***
We recently bought an egg timer so Sophia learns she is only allowed 15 minutes of computer play. We
usually let her play after dinner. But, I also taught her if she is bad, I deduct a minute from her playtime or add a minute
if she is good (must finish her dinner, listen to Mommy and Daddy, cleaning up her toys, etc.). So far it's been working...
Thursday, September 28, 2006
McSteamy is BAAAAAAACK!
OH. NO. HE. DIDN'T.
OH MY GAWD. McSteamy. Steam from Bathroom. Almost. Naked. Sorta. This is gonna be
interesting!
It's over between the Shepherds, or so it seems.
Watch O Say No!
4:14 pm
The Will
Last night Phil and I had a brief conversation about updating our will because Olivia is not on it (luckily through Phil's
job, the legal counsel provides free services for living wills). The current will states should anything happen
to Phil and I and Sophia survives, my parents are her guardians. Should anything happen to my parents, Sophia goes
to Phil's third sister, Agnes (per Phil).
I do like Agnes. She's nice. She's giving. But I am not happy about that arrangement. First of
all, Agnes has her own family with two little girls. Second of all, Agnes hardly ever visits her parents and other family
members here in NYC (not for birthdays, no weddings, no graduations, no Chinese New Year, no han sahn (visiting the grave-
dude, that's important in the Asian culture)). She's only here ONCE a year, for Christmas. Third of all, I
do not want my children to be relocated (she lives in MD, I do not want them growing up rooting for the Baltimore Orioles).
Fourth, she doesn't even embrace her Chinese heritage! I would never want that to happen with my girls. They will
grow up to know both of their Chinese and Korean cultures.
Which leaves me to say, I REFUSE TO LET SOPHIA AND OLIVIA BE HANDED OVER TO AGNES SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN TO
US AND MY PARENTS.
Let it be known here that they are to go to my sister Judy and her husband, Rolly. Believe me, the living will
is going to be updated in my favor.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Sick Bastards
Being sick at home sure sucks. Even our nanny caught our bug! And to think, this is only the beginning.
Wait until the girls go to school. Sigh.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Lancaster Part Deux
Back from Lancaster, PA. Part deux because the first time we ended up leaving, thanks to Sophia's allergies.
This time around, Phil, Sophia and Olivia were the first to get sick (we truly didn't think we were gonna stick around, but
we gave in and sucked it up). My body gave up by Sunday, so now I'm suffering along with them. On our way to Lancaster,
we made an impromptu stop at the Crayola Factory and lunch at Perkins. Had lots of fun, especially five finger discounting the joint (oh stop it, it was for everyone to take, well, sorta).
We hopped back into the car and within a half hour, Sophia did a Linda Blair-esque on me...TWICE. We had to strip down
in an empty lot off the busy route. Thank goodness the house we rented had a washing machine.
The Louie's, the Hom's, Uncle Gadget (Kenn) and us drove to Dutch Wonderland the next morning only to make a quick pit stop at the outlet (Curt had a game on Friday night, left his sneakers in his hockey
bag and his parents took it with them, oops). DW was pretty cool in a way- it reminded me of Great Adventure yet kid
sized rides. They even had a monorail and a skyride. Sophia had the best time. I had fun in the bumper cars
although Sophia almost flew out thanks to my driving.
It was unseasonably humid that day so most of us were sweating as the day progressed. Phil had to nap in the car
since he didn't sleep well the night before (he was constantly wheezing). Thank goodness for extra arms. Everyone
was so helpful, from taking Sophia on the rides to helping me hold my bags and push the stroller (I was Baby Bjorn'ing O).
The food court sucked eggs. And they should serve healthier choices. They didn't even have a picnic area
for families to sit and eat if they wished to eat outside the park and re-enter. Total rip-off.
All in all, I would return to DW- only because the outlets (there are several) is right across the street.
Shiet, I'd hire someone to escort the kids while I go shop!
That night, we ate at Cracker Barrel (after Kenn, Sophia and I got lost for a half hour) sans Phil and O (he was still not feeling well nor was O). I love
the restaurant for their biscuits and pure entertainment for the kids (solataire toy on table) and food comes first for
the kids. That is super important when dining with kids! Shitty part is the long wait.
Next day, we drove out to Strasburg, to do the " Day Out With Thomas the Train". Maybe because I'm a female and I don't care for railroads or maybe because I wasn't feeling too great, but this part
of the trip I was anxious to leave. Sophia isn't really into TtT either. BTW, the parking was insane. I've
never seen so many cars parked in different locations. We had to be bussed in by school buses. And so many kids
(particularly boys, of course) being super excited over a train. I just don't get it. Thank goodness I don't
have a son. Not that I ever want to go to American Girl Place and have tea with scary looking porcelain dolls.
It was a short trip but I had loads of fun with the parents and the kids. 'Til next time guys!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Season Premiere
I. LOVE. GREY'S.
For some strange reason, I kept watching the clock, hoping the episode wouldn't end. It was touching, it was hilarious
(I swear Sandra Oh is THE BEST out of all of them, sitting shiva), it was gut-wrenching...I laughed, I cried. Gaaaaah...I
cannot wait for next week and for the rest of the season to tell me what will happen with Mer and Der!
Anyhows, we are heading out of town this weekend. Will do a write up when we return. Oh, did I mention Phil,
Sophia AND Olivia (and she's still teething) are sick with the cold? Fucking great!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Exhausted.
O's been teething for the past week, but last night was the absolute killer. She woke up at midnight, 1:30a AND
at 3a. I've been giving her infant's Tylenol before she goes to bed but I guess it's not helping her. Even
the Orajel seems to not work. I really don't know how I survived it with Sophia AND managed to go to work. Crazy.
And to think we had set up plans to go away this weekend. I think I'm going to die of exhaustion.
The school front is not looking too well. Today we went to take a look at another school that is about 15
minutes by bus ride. Apparently this school is Jewish run, therefore the lunches would have to be kosher, meaning
NO MEATS in her lunch. No meats?! Sophia is going to lose MORE weight! I don't mind them teaching Sophia
some Jewish culture, but they don't discuss Halloween and Christmas at all. I thought that was a bit annoying, like
as if the holidays don't exist. Then again, it's really up to Sophia. But I'm already getting a vibe that
she does not want to go to ANY school. Sigh. I guess classes will just have to do. Dammit!
Friday, September 15, 2006
First
Today, O exclaimed (and repeatedly) her first word, "Dah Dah."
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
I Am A Focus Group Whore
About last month, a friend of mine sent me an invite at her job (a cable tv network) to attend a focus group.
I didn't know what to expect out of it, infact I was a bit nervous. I didn't know if I should be saying what they
wanted me to hear or what was the ultimate truth (I ended up telling as I saw it, as usual). I was amongst a bunch
of women that was put in a room to view several commercial spots for the cable tv. We were also filmed on hand
held camera, so that way the moderators could go back and listen to our responses. We were to write down
if we liked the spot or not, why and what caught our eye. Nothing complex. We were fed pizza and salad
for lunch. Best part was, I WAS PAID $100 for 2 hours to shoot the shit! Easy peasy!
After that outing, I then became addicted about signing up for focus groups. I mean, I'm not doing anything during
the day anyway. If I can make easy and quick money to blab all day about a product, shit, sign me up!
It took me hours to search for these companies on the net. It's like a secret cult club that I wanted to join badly!
I found some companies and filled out a motherload of questions. The biggest con though, are the personal questions.
Your birthdate. Your children's age. Your household income. The kinds of products you buy and use, like
your apartment, your car, the liquors you drink, the cigarettes you smoke, whether you use this and that product etc.
Felt kinda spooky filling them out. I just hope a psycho doesn't show up on my door mat.
Yesterday I hosted a baby focus group at my place. Catch was, to find three more mothers who had babies that
are 4 to 12 months old and that were eating baby food. I was excited to invite my three friends who were just as excited
as I was. Without naming the brand (which we were to sign upon agreement to not divulge any information), we discussed
about the three baby food brands that were out there for about 2.5 hours. Oh, did I not mention the pay? My friends
were paid $250 each and I was paid $325 (to reimburse for the drinks and food I bought). Could you say...CA-CHING???
I wonder if I can make a living doing this...
Monday, September 11, 2006
Five Years Ago
Riding The Elevator Into The Sky
(as borrowed from the Manhattan User's Guide)
by Anne Sexton (1975)
As the fireman said:
Don't book a room over the fifth floor
in any hotel in New York.
They have ladders that
will reach further
but no one will climb them.
As the New York Times said:
The elevator always seeks out
the
floor of the fire
and automatically opens
and won't shut.
These are the warnings
that you must forget
if you're
climbing out of yourself.
If you're going to smash into the sky.
Many times I've gone past
the fifth floor,
cranking upward,
but only once
have I gone all the way up.
Sixtieth floor:
small plants and swans bending
into
their grave.
Floor two hundred:
mountains with the patience of a cat,
silence wearing its sneakers.
Floor
five hundred:
messages and letters centuries old,
birds to drink,
a kitchen of clouds.
Floor six thousand:
the stars,
skeletons on fire,
their arms singing.
And a key,
a very large key,
that opens something
–
some useful door –
somewhere –
up there.
Rest in peace, (Edward) Ted Henessey.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
New Things on S + O
Lately I've been in a funk about updating on the little ones. I guess I just don't feel like typing it all out. Then
I think about it and know I'll regret later about not documenting some of O's milestones. So, here are some quickies:
Olivia
- She has two bottom teeth, but teething pretty badly
- For some odd reason, she knows what the Tylenol bottle looks like and gets all excited when I give her a dose for
teething
- Doesn't know how to get from the tummy position to the sitting position
- She can sit only if we prop her up
- While sitting, she has a tendency to crash head first to the floor (we have carpet)
- Can crawl backwards but gets pissed for being on her tummy
- Eats quite heartedly- now drinking about 6-7ozs and loves to eat baby food
- Watches intently on what you're eating and will open her mouth if the food is near her
- She salvates constantly!
Sophia
- Doesn't miss school AT ALL
- Planning to enroll her in art and music classes instead
- She talks non-stop and I mean NON-STOP
- Every five seconds is WHY this and WHY that
- Loves to go to grocery stores and taste different cheeses
- Does not like washing her hair- afraid of water getting into her ear
- Can spell some words like, dog, cat, stop, go, door, box, mix
- Is interested in helping me cook (pouring into bowl, pressing the food processor), but flees the kitchen after five minutes
- Speaking of kitchen, she confuses the word "kitchen" with "chicken" hahahaha
- Loves to eat cherry tomatoes
- For the past two months now, she's been tinkling in her diaper at nights. Happened while she was in summer school
and now she can't get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet.
- Hates to talk on the phone. Doesn't matter who it is (must remember to use this when she's a teenager).
- Addicted to color by numbers
- Still loves to listen to Vivaldi and constantly sings the B-I-N-G-O song
- Doesn't understand the concept of spitting out her saliva/toothpaste when brushing her teeth (hence why she still uses
flouride-free toothpaste)
- Has a lot of earwax in her right ear. Pediatrician said to use hydrogen peroxide to have it melt away. Problem
is, she HATES it. Don't know what to do. Might go see an ENT for this.
We signed both of the girls up for swim class. I think Olivia is going to have a grand ol' time. As for Sophia,
she'll probably freak the hell out.
That's all I can think of right now.
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Best Birthday Present.
7:21 am
Friday, September 1, 2006
Work
The first day at work wasn't too bad. I researched on a dresser she wanted to purchase in her walk-in hallway
closet (we never got around to ordering it). I walked her teacup Yorkie, Rocco, around the neighborhood. We ordered
in lunch from Ruby's. Left at 5p. Easy peasy. Or so I thought.
Tuesday, I took Rocco to the groomer's. More like he walked ME to the groomer's. He was super excited to
go, thinking he was going there to play with his friends. I cabbed my way crosstown to pick up a UPS package only to
find out it was so important- IT WAS A SHIPMENT OF BLOW-UP BEACH BALLS FOR ROCCO. The fun part at work? I posted
items from the house to sell on Craigslist. They were pretty good stuff too. Too bad I had no where to put it
in my apartment. I ordered a yumm-licious lunch from Rice. I left at 5:30p. Not too bad.
Wednesday was the killer. I was very busy organizing the walk-in hallway closet. There was so much crap in
there. Luckily I took Rocco back to the doggie daycare for some play. I had no time to deal with that rugrat.
When I went back to pick him up, he found a chicken bone in the streets. I freaked out big time. I wasn't about
to stick my finger to yank it out of his mouth. So I decided to keep walking, stopping along the way to get him
to let it go. We walked one block and all of a sudden, the leash from his collar broke off (it was a plastic clip on)-
CRAAAP! I was shitting in my pants, hoping the damn dog wouldn't run out to the streets. The area isn't too busy
full of cars, so I was in luck. I froze when he froze. I didn't want to chase after him, he'd only run further.
I shouted aloud, STOP THAT DOG! and two women were kind enough to grab him. THANK GAWD. When we were about
two blocks away from his home, I decided to let him gnaw on the bone for a bit. I watched intently, hoping that the
bone would escape from his mouth for just one second- and it did! I quickly snatched his leash up and yanked his ass.
I dragged him all the way back home...fucker. Told the story to my boss and she freaked out. She gave me a mini-tv
which she didn't want to keep or sell. Lunch, she went out for lunch and I had a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich (sooo
good). Left at 5:30p, clearly shaken and exhausted over the ordeal.
Thursday, my last day (HOORAY), she quickly went to the pet store to pick up a NEW COLLAR AND LEASH for Rocco.
The shit he pulled off yesterday got everyone worried, including me. The last thing I wanted to do was walk the damn
dog AND lose him, on my last day. I did some light clerical work and the day seemed to go slow, but I made it through
the day without killing the dog. My last duty was to schlep to the post office with a huge box. I cabbed it over.
I'll invoice her for the cab ride and post office expense. Lunch was pizza. And mama got paid!
I decided with my hard-earned money I'm going to use it all on me. Everytime I go shopping, I always
end up buying things for the girls, never for me. This time I'm treating myself because I deserve it (more like, I need
it!). I need new casual shoes and sneakers. Maybe a new pretty fall dress (I love those wrap dresses).
Any suggestions? Nothing too extravagant, of course. I'm all about simplicity!
PS- I'm taking the week off to decide if I really want to go back to work full-time. I need a break!
And I miss my girls too...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
