Nutella and other odds and ends.

I love Nutella! Nutella, this lovely, chocolate hazelnut spread was introduced to me by my husband. I really cannot say enough about it. When I am having an off day, D may try and sweeten me up by giving me a bit. Somedays, this would take a full jar.

Three days ago, I was having such a day. D and Ladybug and I were finishing dinner when the Nutella emerged. Ladybug, having herboth her dad and mom's good taste, also enjoys this wonderful substance and so D was making us mini Nutella sandwiches. Well, the Nutella worked. No sooner had I finished my sandwiches that I felt calm and generous. I wanted to share my appreciation to D and decided to rub his shoulders. Unfortunately, Nutella is not the cleanest of substances and so in rubbing his shoulders, some of the Nutella was transferred to his shirt.

Me: Oops. Umm, D., I think that I got a little bit of Nutella on your back.
D: Why doesn't that surprise me?
Ladybug: Nice job, Mom
Me: (Incredulous) Excuse me, Ladybug, what did you say?
Ladybug: Nice job, Mom.

Sarcasm has begun already. I think I need a few more parenting books and another jar of Nutella!

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Ladybug is going through this hitting phase as of late. That and a truly, "make me" sort of attitude. Needless to say, I have been warned that this is nothing compared to her future adolescence. I have tried numerous tactics: holding and nursing; time out; ignoring the behavior; acting sad. As it stands, I may just have to bury myself in some more Nutella.

Night Weaning

We have been trying this night weaning thing now since December 30, 2009. Essentially, we let Ladybug know that the milk is off when the Moon is up and that the milk comes on again when the sun is up. I know that she gets it. She was able to process this without any difficulty when I had a few procedures that required no breastfeeding for 24 hours earlier last year.

Lately, she has been waking up in the middle of the night, inconsolable, strongly desiring the 'mommy milk.' It breaks my heart. However, she really does sleep better when the milk is off, and with her getting sick earlier last week, I am becoming somewhat of a sleep tyrant when it comes to her getting her sleep.

Despite his being a LLL kid, D is frustrated that she is not entirely weaned yet. I on the other hand, feel strongly about the importance of breastfeeding both from an immunological as well as a emotional perspective. I am certain that she will not be breastfeeding forever.

We can only hope that we will all make it peacefully through this transitional time.

Why?

Well, it has begun. The "Whys". It really was amazing. One day, we did not have any 'why'. The next day, there it was. With each passing day, we notice it more and more frequently.

Case and Point:
D went for a run the other day. He was getting ready to hit the shower when Ladybug asked him what he was doing. He informed her that he indeed was going to take a shower.
Ladybug: Why?
D: Well, I went for a run.
Ladybug: Why?
D: Well, Daddy does that sometimes.
Ladybug: Why shower?
D: Well, I am stinky and I need to get clean.
Ladybug: Stinky? (There was a very long pause here).

I thought this was the end of this conversation. However, a bit later, Ladybug asked me if I needed a shower so I wouldn't be stinky anymore. Now mind you, I did not think that I was stinky, but it certainly gave me pause, a moment to contemplate if I really did stink.
A few days later, she informed me that she was washing her babies so they wouldn't be stinky. Needless to say, stinky has become a fun word in our house.

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We have a new addition to our family. Her name is Diaper Dan (short for Danielle).
Diaper Dan isn't really a person, but a character that I play. She really emerged out of frustration one day when Ladybug did not want her very messy diaper changed. She is sort of this super hero like character who has a matter-of-fact attitude. At any rate, Ladybug did not want her diaper changed and was beginning to throw one of her world class tantrums when Diaper Dan popped out of the bathroom and said in a loud voice: THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR DIAPER DAN! Anyhow, there is a certain look that goes with Diaper Dan and Ladybug think this is hilarious. "Again." she says, giggling. How can I not comply? So after a few re-introductions to Diaper Dan, Ladybug got her diaper changed and now we have this new member to our family.

Welcome to the World of Why

We are there: In the World of Why!

Ladybug has just crossed the threshold into this wide, vast, wonderful world: Why, why, why? I have to admit, we really are in the early throes of such an amazing place, I am at wondering if I have all of the tools to navigate this foreign territory.

Today, was the last day of the Christmas Season. As such, we took our Christmas tree down on Friday night. Ladybug was so puzzled.
Ladybug: Why take down Christmas tree?
Me: Because it is the end of the Christmas Season.
Ladybug: Christmas Season?
Me: Christmas Season (Now, I should have perhaps re-explained to her that this is the time when we celebrate Jesus' birthday, but I really was not too keen on traversing that path that close to bedtime.)
Ladybug: Get a new one?
Me: Yes, next year when we celebrate Christmas we will get a new one.
Ladybug: Why take down Christmas tree?

And so it went . The third time around, I was fumbling in the files of my head, searching for some wise parenting answer that I might have picked up from one of the many parenting books that I am reading. Finally, I realized that I had it.

Me: Why do you think that we are taking down the Christmas tree, Ladybug?
Ladybug: (Running to the kitchen )- Daddy, where are you?

Well, until next time. . . .

Dreamings

I first came upon this term when we were in Australia and New Zealand over five years ago. Apparently, the Aboriginal People termed their "paintings" dreamings. These dreamings consisted of their story that could only be interpreted by someone in their clan. The true meaning could not be explained to an outsider as they would not truly appreciate the story and the history. So, as an outsider, I could truly appreciate the deep hues, beautiful colors, and artistry of the work, I never would get the fully meaning.

This dreaming reminded me of my experience with Sweet Pea, who I really, when I look at it, refer to as Ladybug, most of the time. At any rate, we are in the process of weaning Ladybug from her night nursings. This has been going on for over 1 week and frankly, I did not realize how stressful it has been for her until this afternoon. After a morning of nursing and reading, sleep finally fell upon our little Ladybug. two hours had passed when I heard her little voice.

Ladybug: Mommy? Mommy?
Me: Yes, Ladybug. Are you still in the boat? (We had made the bed a boat during naptime today).
Ladybug: Mommy? Are you ok? Snake hurt you?
Me: Snake hurt me? Ladybug, Mommy is ok.
Ladybug: Snake hurt you.
Me: No Sweetie. Mommy is ok. I think you were dreaming.
Ladybug: Dreaming Snake hurt mommy.
Me: Sweetie. You were dreaming. I am ok. See? But where did the snake hurt mommmy?
Ladybug: 'Snake hurt mommy milk. Gave shot. Turn off.

Needless to say, I am really glad that we had spent the morning nursing, nursing, nursing. Despite the fact that she sometimes acts older for her age, I have to remember that she is two. She may need mommy to go a bit slower on these developmental tasks.

I love you sweetie.