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"Dukey is NOT happy!"
Mar. 15th, 2007 06:42 pmWe have been correcting to Duke over the past hour or so, but no. Phonics wins. "Dukey doesn't get another turn."
And so it begins
Mar. 8th, 2007 01:57 pmKieran's officially a cine-manga fan, to the extent that this week he's read Finding Nemo several times a day but does not want to watch the movie anymore because 'it's scary'. Amazon's 4-for-3 sale is timely. I can already foresee the 'he's sneaking in manga!' conversations with teachers at school and he's not even there yet, although maybe if we have a great library at home that won't be an issue. Hmm...
Today we had a number of philosophical questions from him at 7am over breakfast, in order:
1. What is love?
2. What is God?
3. What is dog?
We're working on the concept of there being more than 1 right answer because everyone can interpret these things differently. I just wish the philosopher would pop up after I've had some coffee...
Today we had a number of philosophical questions from him at 7am over breakfast, in order:
1. What is love?
2. What is God?
3. What is dog?
We're working on the concept of there being more than 1 right answer because everyone can interpret these things differently. I just wish the philosopher would pop up after I've had some coffee...
hey Bay-BEE!
Feb. 27th, 2007 09:54 pm( How YOU doin'? )
Despite appearances, Kieran is very fond of his new big boy bed. We never got him a toddler bed since we knew he'd outgrow it sooner instead of later, but for the longest time we found him sprawled all over the place on a floor futon so we knew a regular bed wouldn't be safe even with a guard rail. Over the past 4 months he's finally stayed in the same place with the covers on, and the transition to a (rather comfy) twin bed led to Senor 5:30 am sleeping in til 6:15 this morning. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!
Despite appearances, Kieran is very fond of his new big boy bed. We never got him a toddler bed since we knew he'd outgrow it sooner instead of later, but for the longest time we found him sprawled all over the place on a floor futon so we knew a regular bed wouldn't be safe even with a guard rail. Over the past 4 months he's finally stayed in the same place with the covers on, and the transition to a (rather comfy) twin bed led to Senor 5:30 am sleeping in til 6:15 this morning. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!
This morning I watched Kieran's preschool class gather around the bags they made & taped on the wall. They stampeded to stuff them all with personalized Valentines, while keeping watchful eyes on their own to see them fill up & fall off the wall from the weight of them as well.
Do you remember that excitement from grade school, running around the desks or bags while waiting with anticipation to dig into your own stash to see what you received from your friends and maybe that special someone you had a crush on?
I still have several from my first crush back in 3rd grade tucked away in a childhood scrapbook. I almost died when he signed my senior yearbook 'Love, Scott'.
Love changes in form, intensity and expression but once I love someone... it stays in some fashion. I still believe the opposite of love is not hate but apathy. A total lack of feeling anything for someone in my life scares me more than I can express & is probably why I still am close to friends I've known since we were in diapers together.
To all my friends, past present and future, I love you. I always will. I'd run around stuffing your grade school desk full of Valentines today if I could, but none of you would recognize me as the awkward tall girl with glasses and braces. We've come a long way since the Single & Bitter party where we kicked out an old friend who was dating someone who later became my sister-in-law. Life cracks me up sometimes.
Do you remember that excitement from grade school, running around the desks or bags while waiting with anticipation to dig into your own stash to see what you received from your friends and maybe that special someone you had a crush on?
I still have several from my first crush back in 3rd grade tucked away in a childhood scrapbook. I almost died when he signed my senior yearbook 'Love, Scott'.
Love changes in form, intensity and expression but once I love someone... it stays in some fashion. I still believe the opposite of love is not hate but apathy. A total lack of feeling anything for someone in my life scares me more than I can express & is probably why I still am close to friends I've known since we were in diapers together.
To all my friends, past present and future, I love you. I always will. I'd run around stuffing your grade school desk full of Valentines today if I could, but none of you would recognize me as the awkward tall girl with glasses and braces. We've come a long way since the Single & Bitter party where we kicked out an old friend who was dating someone who later became my sister-in-law. Life cracks me up sometimes.
If I thought MeSH was a PITA that was nothing compared to UMLS & now CPT. I can tell this has all gotten to me because I wish I could flip through this but alas, too pricy & no library nearby has it.
After much griping and angsting (and asking him what are/how to explain ISA hierarchies and APIs) over the past few days, my husband finally asked what on earth I was doing with so much coding in school. I explained how I have to do 3 reviews of healthcare-related vocabularies/coding systems for an assignment due tomorrow.
Kieran, who was calmly eating dinner, overheard me saying 'healthcare' and picked up from my tone that I was less than thrilled about it. He loudly announced "I DON'T CARE EITHER!" How right he is.
Also, today's Death Cab For Cutie lyrics interpretation from him insists that soul meets potty.
After much griping and angsting (and asking him what are/how to explain ISA hierarchies and APIs) over the past few days, my husband finally asked what on earth I was doing with so much coding in school. I explained how I have to do 3 reviews of healthcare-related vocabularies/coding systems for an assignment due tomorrow.
Kieran, who was calmly eating dinner, overheard me saying 'healthcare' and picked up from my tone that I was less than thrilled about it. He loudly announced "I DON'T CARE EITHER!" How right he is.
Also, today's Death Cab For Cutie lyrics interpretation from him insists that soul meets potty.
Well ok, not exactly, but I opened up my luggage to find a TSA inspection notice in there. Memo to self: bringing home 3 bottles of jalapeno BBQ sauce, 1 bottle of salsa, 2 chili seasoning kits and over 1 lb of Creole seasoning may be overkill.
Kieran loved the pinto from Pilot Point (I now have printed proof his great-great-great-great grandfather had 1 horse and 1 buggy there that he paid $3.22 in taxes for in 1877) and a bigger UNT football, the kid's caught on fast that when I'm gone for a bit that means there are presents for him in my bags when I get back.
Kieran also has a fever and laryngitis and stayed home from preschool today. I find myself thankful that I made a mistake with my vacation request so that tomorrow is both noted on my boss' calendar and approved for me being out, I think we all need it.
It is so wonderful to just breathe the moist air here again.
Kieran loved the pinto from Pilot Point (I now have printed proof his great-great-great-great grandfather had 1 horse and 1 buggy there that he paid $3.22 in taxes for in 1877) and a bigger UNT football, the kid's caught on fast that when I'm gone for a bit that means there are presents for him in my bags when I get back.
Kieran also has a fever and laryngitis and stayed home from preschool today. I find myself thankful that I made a mistake with my vacation request so that tomorrow is both noted on my boss' calendar and approved for me being out, I think we all need it.
It is so wonderful to just breathe the moist air here again.
Edit mode always on?
Jan. 3rd, 2007 12:29 pmBetween Saddam, the 3,000 soldier death toll (God forbid we accurately report the Iraqi one) and now this it feels like I have to constantly monitor when we can watch the news and hide newspaper/online headlines from an inquisitive, sensitive (and reading) Kieran. I'm just glad we had advance notice about Saddam hanging sometime after 7pm that day, they did a breaking news interruption of Wheel of Fortune so we quickly clicked away and told Kieran the TV was broken again.
I certainly will not shelter him from the reality of the world we live in when he's old enough to handle and discuss these things, but it's feeling like way too much of a barrage for a 4.5 year old lately.
I certainly will not shelter him from the reality of the world we live in when he's old enough to handle and discuss these things, but it's feeling like way too much of a barrage for a 4.5 year old lately.
Despite the fact that the boxes of satsumas I see around here are routinely from California, when I lived there I never ate them. I lived on clementines, which I rarely see here and those that I do tend to be subpar. There is a distinct difference between the two to me as a Central Valley produce snob. Do not even get me started on what passes for asparagus around here.
We just picked a 5 lb box of clementines for $6 at Costco and OMG this crop is of amazing quality. I want to eat the entire thing tonight and go back for more tomorrow morning. Even Kieran was grabbing away the slices from me and shoving them in his face hand over fist, they are that fresh and sweet. I think the produce snob genes have carried forward another generation.
Why am I writing this, I must eat more of them now. I haven't had fruit gorging tendencies this bad since I was past due with Kieran and consumed a half flat of strawberries!
We just picked a 5 lb box of clementines for $6 at Costco and OMG this crop is of amazing quality. I want to eat the entire thing tonight and go back for more tomorrow morning. Even Kieran was grabbing away the slices from me and shoving them in his face hand over fist, they are that fresh and sweet. I think the produce snob genes have carried forward another generation.
Why am I writing this, I must eat more of them now. I haven't had fruit gorging tendencies this bad since I was past due with Kieran and consumed a half flat of strawberries!
Despite being rained out toward the end we had a great time at the zoo this morning complete with making crafts. Kieran did an excellent job singing with his double-sized (morning and evening) choir in front of an insane number of people this afternoon. He was really into the entire service (how could you not be with singing and dancing glow angels?), and the look on his face when we lit candles around the sanctuary is one of those freeze-frame moments of life I'll always have. He could hardly wait to light our Advent wreath candles when we got home.
There's the presents, the Chinese food on our wedding china, toasting in some ancient Spode Christmas Tree goblets (Kieran got to join in with sparkling cider in our crystal), baking the Christmas roll for tomorrow's breakfast (massive pastry in a pizza dish, recipe from friends our first married Christmas), and setting out cookies & milk for Santa and apples for the reindeer (he actually fed a reindeer some apple yesterday, that was A Major Moment), then curling up on the couch all together to read 'The Night Before Christmas' before bed. He crashed hard & fast, poor tired and extremely excited boy.
What still makes me tear up the most despite all these wonderful things?
( The answer )
Peace.
There's the presents, the Chinese food on our wedding china, toasting in some ancient Spode Christmas Tree goblets (Kieran got to join in with sparkling cider in our crystal), baking the Christmas roll for tomorrow's breakfast (massive pastry in a pizza dish, recipe from friends our first married Christmas), and setting out cookies & milk for Santa and apples for the reindeer (he actually fed a reindeer some apple yesterday, that was A Major Moment), then curling up on the couch all together to read 'The Night Before Christmas' before bed. He crashed hard & fast, poor tired and extremely excited boy.
What still makes me tear up the most despite all these wonderful things?
( The answer )
Peace.
Perspective
Dec. 20th, 2006 06:36 pmI am in a house with 2 guys and no TV until after Christmas. The DVR receiver is history, DirecTV was rolling out software upgrades to fix a known issue and ours... fried as a result.
Kieran's taking it pretty well, although we were initially thinking of the 2 shows that he could take or leave for several days at a time. It wasn't until he came up to me with the saddest face ever and asked, "Can we still watch Wheel of Fortune, Mama?" that I realized the extent of the situation. Even then he took it in stride, but I felt awful. We'll check out the online game when it normally airs and see how that goes.
But hey, we have power. We have heat. We have a house not violated by trees. We don't have carbon monoxide poisoning. Life is awesome!
Kieran's taking it pretty well, although we were initially thinking of the 2 shows that he could take or leave for several days at a time. It wasn't until he came up to me with the saddest face ever and asked, "Can we still watch Wheel of Fortune, Mama?" that I realized the extent of the situation. Even then he took it in stride, but I felt awful. We'll check out the online game when it normally airs and see how that goes.
But hey, we have power. We have heat. We have a house not violated by trees. We don't have carbon monoxide poisoning. Life is awesome!
Granted Kieran burned out on the Wiggles after over 2 years of devotion, but still... what's going on?
We don't watch all that much TV in the first place, but Kieran could now care less about The Wiggles after going strong for over 2 years on them.
His new must-see TV obsession?
Wheel of Fortune.
This is 100% my fault. In the midst of midterms, I had the bright idea of 'Hey, Kieran likes spelling... and he likes numbers... let's see what he thinks about Wheel of Fortune' and it happened to be on shortly after I came up with that. What I didn't expect is the intensity with which he's latched on to it.
"WOW, that's lots and lots and LOTS of money!" is his most frequent observation in addition to clapping & cheering (he'd be a great studio audience member) and reading everything. I figure it doesn't hurt as far as exposure to vocabulary goes, and in a few more years he'll probably do the multiplication in his head with what the wheel lands on & the number of letters.
I'm fast learning that any concept of 'normal' is going straight out the window in our house.
His new must-see TV obsession?
Wheel of Fortune.
This is 100% my fault. In the midst of midterms, I had the bright idea of 'Hey, Kieran likes spelling... and he likes numbers... let's see what he thinks about Wheel of Fortune' and it happened to be on shortly after I came up with that. What I didn't expect is the intensity with which he's latched on to it.
"WOW, that's lots and lots and LOTS of money!" is his most frequent observation in addition to clapping & cheering (he'd be a great studio audience member) and reading everything. I figure it doesn't hurt as far as exposure to vocabulary goes, and in a few more years he'll probably do the multiplication in his head with what the wheel lands on & the number of letters.
I'm fast learning that any concept of 'normal' is going straight out the window in our house.
Perspective & Jello
Oct. 11th, 2006 08:57 pmI let out my familiar exasperated sigh I've done many times in many years during the 4th inning.
Kieran's input?
Don't worry, mama, don't worry. It's just a game we can't talk about.
Oh sweetie, how can you have picked up the truth of what being an A's fan is all about at such a young age?
We called it quits and headed off to the store to get groceries, make strawberry banana Jello (*grin*) for a work potluck tomorrow, then he was promptly sick with what appears to be a second round of last week's evil stomach bug. My husband volunteered to stay home with him tomorrow since I did the juggling last week.
I didn't realize I was holding my breath for every agonizing pitch of the 9th inning until I realized I was rather woozy when it was over.
Time to stir in the fruit.
Kieran's input?
Don't worry, mama, don't worry. It's just a game we can't talk about.
Oh sweetie, how can you have picked up the truth of what being an A's fan is all about at such a young age?
We called it quits and headed off to the store to get groceries, make strawberry banana Jello (*grin*) for a work potluck tomorrow, then he was promptly sick with what appears to be a second round of last week's evil stomach bug. My husband volunteered to stay home with him tomorrow since I did the juggling last week.
I didn't realize I was holding my breath for every agonizing pitch of the 9th inning until I realized I was rather woozy when it was over.
Time to stir in the fruit.
8:10am. He made a valiant effort to run to the bathroom, but alas. I thought the 5:40am incident was bad? Befouling is the word of the day.
No preschool, obviously. Flew in & out of the office with him to pick up last minute stuff for today's payroll deadline, crammed that in online, and am about to dig into accruals. Very glad I cranked in coursework doubletime last night with Texas 2 days away.
Let me tell you how tempting it is to pop open some beer and start drinking now with my game on in the background...
No preschool, obviously. Flew in & out of the office with him to pick up last minute stuff for today's payroll deadline, crammed that in online, and am about to dig into accruals. Very glad I cranked in coursework doubletime last night with Texas 2 days away.
Let me tell you how tempting it is to pop open some beer and start drinking now with my game on in the background...
Befouling is such a great word
Oct. 3rd, 2006 06:46 amThe loyal and loony fans of Oakland, suffering through their most depressing football season in history, will see a dogpile on the mound in the very same stadium that the Raiders are befouling. For the first time since the earthquake year of 1989, the A's will be the last team hugging. I remain cautiously optimistic, as always. 'Loyal and loony' is a general life given for me.
Befouling describes my morning well, as a statement of 'Look, I pooped in the toilet while standing up!' from my son at 5:40am never leads to anything good.
Befouling describes my morning well, as a statement of 'Look, I pooped in the toilet while standing up!' from my son at 5:40am never leads to anything good.
You betcha!
Sep. 30th, 2006 05:53 pmThis morning Kieran and I hit our local library branch for a fresh batch of audio and regular books. I also (somewhat sheepishly) approached a reference librarian for help because I was having difficulty locating much on their catalog for a class assignment (not due til the end of the semester) with a limitation of books as resources. It was somewhat vindicating that he couldn't come up with anything additional & employed the same methodology I did in looking for what was there. We agreed that scanning bibliographies for the few that sort of touched on the topic would be best.
Kieran insisted on Goldilocks and the Three Bears for an audiobook, and while we don't read much in terms of fairy tales this one didn't seem too bad from my recall. Just now, I was happily studying electronic licensing agreements for another class when suddenly there was a saucy harpsichord tune and the disapproving, rather haughty narrative about how Goldilocks was "one of those naughty little girls who do exactly as they please."
Straight to my profile with tears in my eyes from repressed laughter. It flew right over Kieran's head since it was all about the bears for him.
Kieran insisted on Goldilocks and the Three Bears for an audiobook, and while we don't read much in terms of fairy tales this one didn't seem too bad from my recall. Just now, I was happily studying electronic licensing agreements for another class when suddenly there was a saucy harpsichord tune and the disapproving, rather haughty narrative about how Goldilocks was "one of those naughty little girls who do exactly as they please."
Straight to my profile with tears in my eyes from repressed laughter. It flew right over Kieran's head since it was all about the bears for him.
Deep Thoughts
Sep. 18th, 2006 10:06 pmThe Philosopher has moved in. Observe:
Sitting around on the couch, absolutely no drama going on for context.
Kieran: Sometimes when I'm sad, then I don't feel sad anymore because I know that you always love me.
Me: *somewhere between puddle and tears* You are absolutely right, sweetheart, I will always love you & I'm so glad to know that helps you not feel sad sometimes.
Statements like this are starting to emerge out of the typical 4-year-old narrative more often lately, but still blindside me each time.
Sitting around on the couch, absolutely no drama going on for context.
Kieran: Sometimes when I'm sad, then I don't feel sad anymore because I know that you always love me.
Me: *somewhere between puddle and tears* You are absolutely right, sweetheart, I will always love you & I'm so glad to know that helps you not feel sad sometimes.
Statements like this are starting to emerge out of the typical 4-year-old narrative more often lately, but still blindside me each time.
He's got no pants on!
Sep. 7th, 2006 12:48 pmEvery old INXS fan will know exactly where that came from.
This morning I didn't feel like singing for my husband the completely inappropriate song that was stuck in my head as I went through airport security in Dallas (Guns in the Sky) when there was an issue with the woman in front of me.
I got my old live CD, handed it to Kieran to stick in the stereo (he doesn't get to touch my Zen Nano) and once the audience noise turned into music he totally rocked out. He's listened to some INXS studio albums before, but never had this instant spaz dance reaction before to them.
Apparently all the concerts I went to back in the day rocked me to the core more than I thought. I'm not sure I'll ever admit to him how I almost passed out from delight at touching Michael H's hand at the front of the Warfield though *swoon*
Also, this was me in Texas. I was dead in the water for part of class one day due to outlet competition and was EXTREMELY cranky about it. Next trip: my spare extension cord surge protector. Plugging straight in the outlet with a thunderstorm felt like unprotected sex with a hooker. It would be my pleasure to provide a safe sex group orgy in comparison!
This morning I didn't feel like singing for my husband the completely inappropriate song that was stuck in my head as I went through airport security in Dallas (Guns in the Sky) when there was an issue with the woman in front of me.
I got my old live CD, handed it to Kieran to stick in the stereo (he doesn't get to touch my Zen Nano) and once the audience noise turned into music he totally rocked out. He's listened to some INXS studio albums before, but never had this instant spaz dance reaction before to them.
Apparently all the concerts I went to back in the day rocked me to the core more than I thought. I'm not sure I'll ever admit to him how I almost passed out from delight at touching Michael H's hand at the front of the Warfield though *swoon*
Also, this was me in Texas. I was dead in the water for part of class one day due to outlet competition and was EXTREMELY cranky about it. Next trip: my spare extension cord surge protector. Plugging straight in the outlet with a thunderstorm felt like unprotected sex with a hooker. It would be my pleasure to provide a safe sex group orgy in comparison!
Running the wild hellion
Jul. 31st, 2006 06:42 pmKieran never runs out of energy.
Despite running wild & free at preschool play times, in our backyard and at a cool nursery today (well, that was more dancing like a spaz on the bridge at the waterfall & feeding the koi), part of our evening routine is running back & forth downstairs.
After work & running alongside him for the other activities, we usually don't have too much energy to go full tilt with him for the nightly run.
Pooped husband: Ok sweetie, I'll try running for a little bit.
Kieran, without hesitation: How about trying for a big bit?
First time that correlation has popped up. I love watching how his thought processes unfold.
Despite running wild & free at preschool play times, in our backyard and at a cool nursery today (well, that was more dancing like a spaz on the bridge at the waterfall & feeding the koi), part of our evening routine is running back & forth downstairs.
After work & running alongside him for the other activities, we usually don't have too much energy to go full tilt with him for the nightly run.
Pooped husband: Ok sweetie, I'll try running for a little bit.
Kieran, without hesitation: How about trying for a big bit?
First time that correlation has popped up. I love watching how his thought processes unfold.
So in love with you
Jul. 10th, 2006 08:59 pmI think part of the reason the World Cup game pissed me off so much was that it shattered the beautiful place I was in.
We had an awesome morning, starting off with fresh biscuits topped with Sequim strawberries & whipped cream. From there we went to the park to play several hours of soccer and running around wild in general... and something dawned on me.
( at least I finally had one of these moments away from the mall )
We had an awesome morning, starting off with fresh biscuits topped with Sequim strawberries & whipped cream. From there we went to the park to play several hours of soccer and running around wild in general... and something dawned on me.
( at least I finally had one of these moments away from the mall )
