Music to my ears

We have never -- not once -- watched Barney in this house. Before we became mothers, I think we all looked at our mom friends and thought that they had totally lost IT. Whatever IT is -- the individuality they used to have, the independence, the self-awareness, the coolness of being put together. I see my sisters and non-mom friends look at me that way when I get to the 18th story about my kids as I am sitting at a girls' happy hour, and I know I used to give it, too. Well, pre-kids, I don't remember how or why, but that crazy purple dinosaur became the symbol in my mind of losing IT. My 4 yo Little Angel girl watched Barney at day care a couple of years ago and recently asked if we could watch it. My "no" was challenged with her "why?" In a moment of weakness, I confessed that I did not like Barney and that we would not watch him in this house. Well, I know where Little Angel gets her stubborn streak, but I didn't expect to see it this early. Later that day, we were looking at a catalog of birthday decorations, and she deviously said, "Mommy, I want to have a Barney party!" I finally succeeded in putting the kabash on that idea by reminding her that she hadn't watched him since she was 2, but that took several days. Since then, she LOVES to sing the Barney Song to me. "I love you. You love me. We're a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Won't you say you love me, too." I cringe and listen to 3 or 4 rounds of it. Who knew that Little Man was listening, too. Tonight at the dinner table, he busted out with "I uuuhh you." My heart melted! It was the first time he said it without responding immediately to one of us saying it to him. I was soaking it in, and watching the little gleam of pride in his eyes. My eyes surely reflected that pride since I was so overjoyed that he said I love you! Then, he continues. He sang "I uuuuhh you" for the entire tune of the Barney song! Little Man has been humming snippets of songs for a few weeks now -- "E-I-E-I-O" to "Ashes, Ashes, We all fall down!" He picks the most emphasized of his favorites. Who knew that Little Angel and Little Man would melt my hearts enough that I would not only tolerate the Barney song, but actually have that song top my charts!

The Evil Eye

"Do they teach you that when you're in school to be a teacher?" asked Tatum. "What? Do they teach us what?" "The evil eye." I prefer to call it the look. But either way, apparently, I have mastered it. My 8th graders duck and cover when I give them the look. They know they've gone too far, and it's time to focus and straighten up. Hannah definitely knows it and cuts it out. And, Hudson. My sweet 15-month-old Hudson who loves to cuddle momma and to get into trouble. I give him the look when he goes for the fireplace, the TV, the oven, the plugs, cords or vaporizer (just a few of his favorite no-nos). I try to limit it to things that will hurt him, and I do quickly redirect (thank you, parenting 101). But, he still goes for those things. And, when I pick him up to redirect, he screams and kicks and fights the whole way to the toys that are appropriate. Then, he gets down, looks at me, and races right back for the taboo thing. After a couple of attempts, he bows his head and gives me the look. He furrows his little brow, sets his little mouth and stares hard at me. No. I didn't learn at "teacher school." The look comes with children. It's just part of the passage into parenthood! (And, luckily, it works well in the classroom, too!)

Ears and Fears

Hudson had ear tubes put in almost a month ago. I was SOOO nervous about the surgery. Four ear infections in four months led us to a specialist. And then he didn't have a fifth infection. Would we be jumping the gun? Why should we do the surgery anyway? He's not really developmentally behind. Sure, he isn't walking yet, but Hannah wasn't totally mobile at 13 months either. No, he doesn't say the right sound each time, but he does communicate with us. There was still fluid on his ears, so we decided to go for it in hopes of preventing future developmental delays or hearing problems that we may not be aware of yet. The big morning arrived. Hudson looked so innocent and little in the hospital gown. It was frightening seeing our baby in that little gown. He was so sweet and playful -- no clue what was coming. Wouldn't it be nice if we were all that calm before surgeries? Now, 2 weeks later, he is doing AWESOME! He walks when I force him (but cries every step of the way). And he's talking up a storm. Daddy, Momma, Yay, Hi, Bye, Moo, Woof Woof, Duchess, Duck, etc. His favorite, though, is POOP. Luckily, he only says it in response to us asking if he has pooped. It cracks me up, because it's high pitched and with a full body response. Hannah, on the other hand, gets really upset with it. She informed him that it's not nice to talk about poop. She tried to use the word as many times as she could in her directions to him. My sweet little boy is gonna make it! Tubes and all.