You'll be in my heart

Dimples and Giggles were watching Tarzan for the first time. Somehow we missed the beginning and started watching from the time Kala found Tarzan.

Dimples: Where are baby Tarzan's Mama and Papa.

Giggles: (pointing to the TV showing closeup of baby Tarzan) Ba-ba.

Me: (clapping my hands) That's right, its a baby!

Giggles: (pointing to the TV showing closeup of Kala) Mama.

Like baby Tarzan, baby Giggles just knew. Something inside of me ached as I smiled at my eager-to-learn Dimples who had grown smarter than a baby.

As glad as I was that my curious 4-year old knew that Kala was not Tarzan's Mama, it was a soothing realization that my one-year old knew that she was.

Lyrics: You'll be in my heart

Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand
Hold it tight

I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here
in my heart always
Always

Only a baby can

It was Hubby's Birthday a few days ago, and Dimples, Giggles and I got him a Cookies and Cream cake. These days Cookies and Cream is my favorite. Hubby likes some other kind of cake, but being the good wife that I am, I don't want him eating too much cake. His health is more important than mine. Yes, I am an angel like that.

Apparently Giggles liked the cake too, as all day yesterday she ate quite a bit of it. So much so, that whenever I kissed her, I smelled cookies and cream. I kissed her more than usual yesterday. And I kiss her a lot usually.

But by evening, when I pulled her out of her high chair, I could smell something more than just the Cookies and Cream. I smelled her diapered butt, and the stink gave away what was inside. She was a combination of cookies, cream and poop. As I carried her to the changing mat, I wondered. . . How are babies capable of smelling so deliciously yummy yet disgustingly stinky at the same time?

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Note to Self (and other moms out there):

Do NOT ignore when you hear Dimples (or your older kid) yelling, 'Thing 2 (insert your younger kid's name) is not listening to me!'

Yes, you hear these words a LOT, but that does not mean you can pretend you did not hear the girl while you are busy laughing at a post on your favorite blog. Because you might still be laughing when a tiny thing quietly comes to pull at your arm while you are trying to maneuver the mouse- you have not looked at her yet. But once you give up the fight between her tugging at your sleeve and your determination to stay on the computer, you will not be laughing anymore.



What I learned from the experience:

Thing 2 was not giving back the Black Marker to her elder sis.

I should never ever ignore a 'Mamaaaaaa'

Thing 2 probably overheard me asking her Dad to keep a goatee. I appreciate her strong desire to please me, despite her being a girl, and so little. Her dad should learn something from her!

Thing 2 is always ready to strike a pose when I take out the camera.

Written on her shirt are these words: Good things come in small packages.

Thing is right. My little Thing 2!

I hereby vocitate . . .

I have gotten used to being a Mom of two. Which must be the reason why I adopted two instead of one word, when I went to Save the words.

I starrify* (meaning to decorate with stars) Mommy Knows for this cool idea. Ink, consider yourself starrified as well for your contribution to this fun cause of adopting these poor, dictionary-rejected words. Let me warn all others though, before you get all excited/butt-psyched* and Pitt-Joliefied to go adopting - it is a little freaky. When the words call out, 'Hey!' 'Over here' and 'Pick me!' it is difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

But once I did concentrate, I liked vocitate which means to name, or call. She sounded and looked strong yet lovable. So, I adopted her. Then as I was ready to leave the site, I stumbled upon ictuate. It gave me an itchy feeling. And on looking up its meaning, I found out why. It means to repeat, often excessively. I had to adopt ictuate. It reminded me of the itch I get in my hands to pull my hair, and the itch in my throat to scream when Thing 1 repeatedly kicks on the boingy door stopper for instance. Or when she keeps asking for something I've told her she cannot have, repeatedly. Icuate was born for me to adopt. It kept calling me ictuatedly- I had to adopt her. But I don't like her very much.

I like vocitate. I can use it to give names to the writers and blogs I like. For instance:

I hereby vocitate badmommymoments the most fun-teresting or even fun-terest-ic mom blog.

I hereby vocitate Kathy B of the world according to me the Coolest Mom.

I hereby vocitate Lost in subarban Bliss the GPS for moms.

And so on.

I can have a button made like a certificate, and give it to the blogs, or posts I like. I need to find someone to make me a button.

And Ink, lets have a play date for vocitate and starrify. Ictuate won't go. She is grounded.

To take part in this cause:

1. Go to Save the Words.
2. Announce your word and its meaning on your blog. Use it as often as possible for the rest of your blogging life!
3. Link back to the person/blogger who memed you, and use their word in your post.
4. Choose 6 bloggers to tag and announce them in your blog.

starrify* (Ink's word), butt-psyched (ck's word)

Waiting . . .

She would not give me candy
She does not give me Coke

She would not let me bite her
and stops me when I poke

I was walking on the couch today
She told me I would fall

I went to walk on the bed instead
I heard her say, 'Don't Fall.'

I think she hates me walking
Well, Big girls do not crawl!

I was happy eating the Red Crayon
She came and took it away

I found a yummy-looking penny
She said, 'That's not for play.'

She does not let me eat ANYTHING
I don't know what to say!

She took the phone from my hands
I wanted to give you a call

I wait for you to come home Papa
SHE is no fun at all!

Coming Soon to Mom-I-Am

Confessions of a (new) Bloggaholic will be coming soon to a blog near you. http://mom-i-am.blogspot.com/

ymK will star in a story about addiction, withdrawal, relapse, and dependence. Read about a girl who gets sucked into the web of blogging.

Featuring Dimples, Giggles and Hubby.

Quote of the Day- March 12th '09

Don't keep saying everything. . . everyday.


Said by: Thing 1, between sobs and tears.

Said to: Mom. Mama. ME.

Said why: She kicks the door stopper. (You know, those annoying things on the walls behind doors that go 'boingggg' for a long time after you have touched them?) She kicks it three or four times. She knows it annoys me.

I tell her not to do it.

She kicks a fifth time.

'Don't do it...(with her eyes on me, and a faint smile on her lips, kicks yet again) ...again.'

I stare speechless for a second.

Then I start explaining how what she did was wrong on so many levels.

Said when: As soon as I start my explanation.

(Ask, and I can post a picture of a door stopper. I wish I could post an audio clip though.)

Note to self: Let kids be stinky

No more of those 'No more Tears' shampoos and bath washes. Actually, no more of any kind of shampoo and bath wash. Dimples and Giggles can stink all they want.

No more bubble baths, Dimples can go play in mud instead.

No more nice smelling lotions, they can scratch themselves all day long. Dry skin or Cancer? I choose dry skin.

No more soft wipes, Giggles butt is getting cleaned with a wet towel.

Check out:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/12/AR2009031202940.html?nav=hcmodule


http://safecosmetics.live.radicaldesigns.org/article.php?id=414

Also,

http://safecosmetics.live.radicaldesigns.org/article.php?id=426

ND* (not detected) by the way does not mean that it is safe. According to the article:

Why “No Detect” Doesn’t Mean No Problem

Some products tested for this report did not contain formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane. However, that does not mean the products are safe. There is no guarantee that other samples of the same product are not contaminated. Also, there are no legal requirements for children’s products to be made with the safest ingredients possible. As a result, it is common to find chemicals of concern in brands marketed to children.

Product Name	1,4-dioxane (ppm)	Formaldehyde (ppm)
Lotion
American Girl Hopes and Dreams Shimmer Body Lotion (Bath & Body Works)	ND*	310
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	ND*	570
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	0.92	610
Baby Magic “Soft Baby Scent” Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc)	ND*	330
Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion Natural Calm Essences (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	ND*
Mustela Baby Body Lotion (Laboratories Expanscience)	ND*
Tinker Bell Body Lotion (Goldie LLC)	ND*	220
Shampoo
CVS Baby Shampoo (CVS/Pharmacy)	0.92	350
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	ND*	200
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.1	210
L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo – Burst of Cool Melon (L’Oreal USA)	0.95	260
Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon (Unilever)	0.69	ND*
Liquid Shower Soap
American Girl Hopes and Dreams Glistening Shower and Bath Wash (Bath & Body Works)	14
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	6.3	210
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	5.7	220
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)	18	150
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Sunny Orange (Bath & Body Works)	35	ND*
Bath Wash
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.4
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	1.7
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	4.6
CVS Kids Body Wash – Blueberry Blast (CVS/Pharmacy)	0.75	54
Equate Tearless Baby Wash (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)	0.63	290
Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash (Del Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)	6.4
Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash (Gerber Products Company)	2.8	400
Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash (Kimberly-Clark)	3.2	410
Johnson’s Moisture Care Baby Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	3.9
Johnson’s Oatmeal Baby Wash – Vanilla (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies)	4.2
Mustela Baby Shampoo (Laboratories Expanscience)	2.8
Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel for Hair and Body Newborn/Baby (Laboratories Expanscience)	3.9
Night-time Bath Baby Wash (Target Corporation)	3.6
Bubble Bath
Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies)	0.65	440
Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath (MZB Personal Care)	1.5	130
Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies)	2.8	100
Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath (Laboratories Expanscience)	1.7	ND*
Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango (The Village Company)	2.8	340
Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath (Goldie LLC)	11	420
Baby Wipes
Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wipes (Kimberly-Clark)	ND*
Huggies Soft Skin – Shea Butter (Kimberly-Clark Global Sales Inc)	ND*	100
Kirkland Signature Premium Unscented Baby Wipes (Costco Wholesale Corporation)	ND*
Pampers Baby Fresh (Procter & Gamble)	ND*
Pampers Calming – Lavender (Procter & Gamble)	ND*
Hair Relaxer
Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Creme Relaxer, Normal to Course Hair (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L’Oreal USA)	ND*
Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Children’s Relaxer System, Fine Hair Types (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L’Oreal USA)	ND*	ND*
Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children’s Super (Alberto-Culver Company)	0.27	ND*
Hand Soap
Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap – Magic Melon (Procter & Gamble)	0.49	310
Sun Block
Banana Boat Kids UVA & UVB Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (Sun Pharmaceuticals Corp.)	ND*
No-Ad Sun Pals SPF 45 UVA/UVB Sun Protection (Solar Cosmetics Labs Inc.)	0.46
Toothpaste
Colgate Kids 2-in-1 Toothpaste and Mouthwash – Strawberry (Colgate-Palmolive Company)	ND*

Dolls in the Dollhouse

I ask Dimples to let me have five minutes to myself and to do something on her own.

She wants to make a card for Papa, and needs my help spelling 'Papa'.

Find something else to do please.

Making a puzzle, playing with her dolls, coloring or taking pictures all require me to be there with her, according to her.

I suggest she plays with her dollhouse. She does not have dolls for the dollhouse, she complains. She can use any of the 20 plus dolls she has, I advise. She looks excited, and goes away. I sigh in relief.

She comes back after three minutes, jumping in delight. 'Mama, look! I was playing with my dollhouse. Look, the babies are sleeping, and the Mama is watching TV.'
You might not see, but both Dora and the naked baby are sleeping on beds. Mama is all dressed up, with her hair done, sitting in front of a tiny TV, while the house looks like a mess.

I was embarrassed! That is an exaggeration, I try comforting myself. I don't look half as good sitting in front of the TV.

A big hug, and extra time to spend with Dimples.

Why?

To A aka Thing 1:

Why would you paint on the wall with your pink cupcake?

Why would you paint your toenails red sitting on the couch?

Why would you apply very berry nail color to my new and favorite yellow purse?

Why would you put lotion on your head?

Why would you do this ten minutes after I give you a shower, and right before we have to leave for a party?

Why would you cut your new corduroy pants at the ankle?

Why would you do this at a friend's place, and right before we have to leave for another party?

Why would you insist on giving me a pretend facial, right after searching for God-knows-what inside your nose?

Why would you insist on drinking the dirty bath water?

Why would you think that I don't see you doing it?

To Z aka Thing 2:

Why would you stand in front of the TV when big sis is watching her cartoon?

Why would you turn it off when its her favorite cartoon?

Why would you throw big sis little truck in the toilet?

Why would you try to get it out of there?

Why would you reach right for your dirty butt when I'm trying to change your diaper?

Why would you touch your face, my face and everything else before I get a chance to clean your hands?

Why would you insist on feeding me a cheerio covered in spaghetti sauce?

Why would I eat it just to see your smile?

To A and Z:

Why would you look as innocent as when I first saw you at the hospital, when you sleep?

Why would I forget everything crazy (or to drive me crazy) that you have done today, when I watch you sleeping tonight?

Z helper

As I unload the dishwasher, two tiny hands are eager to help.

Z hands me spoons, I say 'Thankyou!'
Z hands me forks, I take them away quickly.
Z reaches for knives, I stop her.

Then Z helps load it up.





Takes out her 'picnic basket' and goes for a stroll with it.



Then brings it back and puts it in place. (To the best of her efforts)



Oops, almost forgot to reload.



Thanks my little helper! Mama loves you.

Barbie for my girl? No, Thanks!

I have never bought a Barbie for A. Nevertheless she does have a few among the 20-25 dolls that she has. All gifts. Because when people go gift shopping for a little girl, all they can think of is :

1. Doll
2. Doll
3. Doll
4. Makeup
5. Makeup for doll

My girl likes playing with cars, robots, dinosaurs as much as she does with tea sets, tiaras or magic wands. So, please enough with the dolls. All other kinds of gifts are appreciated. Thanks.

And especially, no Barbies please! Let me explain.

My daughter loves trying on different outfits. There was a time when she changed 8 outfits in a day. (Thank goodness those days are over.) She thinks her dolls share her obsession, so she undresses them ... but then either loses interest, OR does not find a better outfit to put on, OR has trouble putting the outfit on. So, her dolls are almost always naked. (I would like to think the reasons mentioned above are the only reasons...) So, on her toy shelf, she has one bin for 'Dolls' and another for 'Doll clothes'. I don't mind a pacifier sucking baby-looking doll sleeping naked under the dining table. What I do mind is a huge breasted Barbie in the middle of the living room.

Now, don't get me wrong. I did play with Barbies growing up. I still have the dolls and fond memories of those days. But I also remember a too-young-to-have-breasts me thinking to myself, 'I don't have those. I'm a girl too...' (Well, I still don't have those...but staying focused on the subject...)

I don't want A getting any such ideas. She's not even 4 yet.

And what's with a 50 year old Barbie getting tattoos? Talk about mid-life crisis!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ZKVTrWxDk

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Tattoo-Barbie-Parents-In-US-Voice-Concern-Over-Message-Of-Doll-Featuring-Body-Art/Article/200903115235033

Baby Kangaroo?

So, Z is a little more than a year old now, but she either thinks that she and I are from the Kangaroo family, or she has a weird concept of human gestation period. Or, human gestation. Period.

I will tell you what I think she thinks.

Baby is conceived. (Let us not go into details, I don't want to know if she knows the details.)

Mama carries baby in her tummy for 9 months.(Although now doctors say its 10 months? But that's a topic for a later post.)

Mama goes to hospital.

Mama cries and yells in pain if does not take pain meds, scratches herself crazy if does take pain meds.

Mama pushes baby out.

Dad cuts the umbilical cord.

Now, we know all that! What makes me think that Z has a strange concept of human gestation?

Z thinks that after the umbilical cord is cut, baby spends 13 more months (and counting) attached to Mama's breast, or her leg.