Easter Bunnies Don't Have Cell Phones

In an attempt to shoo away my daughter Easter morning for 15 more minutes of sleep, we told her that if she didn't listen we were going to call up the Easter Bunny to return for her basket. Her response, "Easter Bunnies don't have cell phones!" How is it that I can make her believe that some mythical bunny will come and bring her chocolate and toys in the same basket used every year, but I can't make her believe that he has a cell phone? Still trying to figure that one out.

Meanwhile, I'm munching on Starburst and probably eating my fourth chocolate bunny. I mean she can't eat ALL that candy herself, right? Who needs a five year old hyped up on sugar every day you come home? And, er, nutrition, she needs to eat a balanced meal and no junk.

And, I wonder why the last three pounds of pregnancy weight won't come off.

It's Not Easy Being...Catholic?

I wouldn't characterize myself as the most religious person, but I'm trying my best to rediscover my faith here and I don't feel like my faith is cutting me much slack. Take for instance Gavin's baptism. Now, I understand the underlying concept behind needing to have at least one Catholic in the mix of godparents, but practicing as in on a regular basis? Shaaa. Does the church really understand how hard that is to find? Meanwhile, it only unmotivates me to press on with becoming a "good Catholic". Sort of a Catch-22, don't you think? My intentions are pure. I want to baptize my son, but I have to run through so many hurdles to get it done, it only exasperates me. We ran into this problem the last time but luckily had one friend that met the prerequisites and stood in as godfather for Baeleigh. Unfortunately, we're so busy, we barely have time to see him. Again, we confront the same issue now with Gavin. Who do we appoint godparents that will continue to be a strong, continuous influence in our children's lives? Instead, the church makes me base this on how "good" of a Catholic they are. Although I understand their purpose, I don't really see that as fair. I'm just asking for a little leniency in the rules here - isn't it good enough that you are "Catholic"? Are you necessarily a bad influence because you aren't "practicing" (e.g., contributing, registered)? Maybe that might be part of the reason why fewer are practicing these days.

He Crawls!

From Gavin

From Gavin

From Gavin

After weeks (a couple of months even) of "flying Gavin", downward dog (yoga you neophytes) and the "seal", Gavin finally figured out that his hands served as a integral part to the whole crawling process. Aptly nicknamed Turtle since he first popped his head up to see where Mommy was one morning when he was about 3 months old, he resembles one even more so now. Picking up his hands and dramatically smacking them back down on the floor, plodding along, just like a turtle. Turning that egg-shaped noggin of his to and fro. Of course, as soon as he learns this fantastic new trick, what's next on his agenda? Proceed to pull out all of the DVDs in the bottom shelf of a nearby bookcase.

Nature versus Nurture

Certainly you could argue either way the root causes of personality and behavior being either natural or taught. But having a son now, I might have to say that I lean more towards the nature side of things. I've heard countless times that boys are more aggressive than girls, but until now I tended to believe that it was something that the parents instilled in them. Sort of like the same stereotypical habits that we tend to force on our kids. You know - boys don't play with barbies, but GI Joe's and trucks. Girls are dainty and prissy. Boys are aggressive or rowdy. Up until Gavin, I had the tomboy in Baeleigh. She broke that stereotype and I kind of felt like I helped her express herself in that manner. I didn't want her to conform to the sterotypes and I allowed her explore things that weren't necessarily girly - working on cars with Daddy for instance. Yes, she'll play with dolls but she also loves to watch Daddy race. She's rowdy and boisterous and loves to play outside and get dirty.

Granted Gavin is only 8 months and is a very laid back child, but he has quite the aggressive side in him as well. Take for instance, his baths. He splashes water all over the place and in his face like it's going out of style. Baeleigh maybe kicked her feet, and didn't want the water to get in her face. Gavin will just haul off and smack you, just for the heck of it and giggle when you say "Ow". If he's sleepy, you better bob-and-weave and keep your facial appendages out of reach because he will grab at your nose, ears, lips and just yank as hard as he can. Along with smacking your face. He's not the snuggler. Baeleigh was. He will jump all day in or on whatever he happens to be placed - jumperoo, high chair, floor, table, your lap - and never tires of attempting downward dog or trying to "fly" Super Gavin style to his next location. (Though, insiders tell me that the little bugger has begun crawling, though we have yet to catch him in the act.) He roars at me like a lion daily, heck constantly. Baeleigh was the laugher, the giggler. Gavin isn't. He watches (no make that studies) and strategizes on his next beatdown. (Ok, I exaggerate a little.) And, it's this aggression that I wonder about. I didn't teach him to be this way. I don't treat him differently or condone the hitting or pulling of hair, etc. So, my summation is that it must be nature. He's a boy, that's what boys do right?

Ok, now I can relate. All the times that my girlfriends said boys will be boys, I thought "whatever". Now, I know it's true. Though, this scares me because my friends with toddler boys tell me all about the super-hero acts that I have yet to look forward to - jumping off of the coffee room table for instance. Oh, I'm in for it.

Snow Angels 101

From Snow Day - March 2, 2009

After getting about 12 inches of snow between Sunday and Monday, Baeleigh and I ventured outside during Gavin's nap to play in the snow. It was too cold to take him outside, and windy. Unfortunately, it wasn't the snowmen-making kind of snow but perfect for making snow angels. Baeleigh demonstrates her expertise.

Move Over Rocky!

It's always easy to commit to a race, whether for the philanthropic afterglow or sheer evocation of awe in others. Regardless, I have committed to the first 10K in probably six years and first race since having Gavin. (Hell, make that Baeleigh.) You see, my intentions are always in the right place when I commit but something always ends up screwing up those plans and I have to back out at the last minute. Now, I can't take blame for 2007's Governor's Bay Bridge Run disaster. I was on the bus, dammit, ready to run that bridge (or walk whichever got me across the finish line). Ironically, the wind kept me from participating in that over-achieving, ill-trained-for venture. But this time will be different. ("That's what she said." - Note "The Office" reference irony in this statement.)

So, here I am, with about three months to train for a 10K in Annapolis - the Zooma 10K race to be "the" event. Sounds fun - I mean there is food, alcohol, and spa treatments that await me at the finish line, what could be better?! And, I'm paired up with my friend, Corita, who has also been trying to do a race (and has ended up in my same situation). Unmotivated and just plain tired from this dreary, cold weather, I hope to find the fire in myself tonight as I mount the dreaded treadmill. And, what is my goal, you ask? Let's see, last time I made it a whole 1/2 mile before I was nearly hyperventilating and thinking that my legs would fall off. I blame that partly on not being able to focus from my annoying earplugs that tease me through my whole run by slowing working themselves out of my ears. Will they or won't they fall out? So, I cram them back into my ears hoping that they might - this time - get wedged into my brain, stuck on some ear wax or something to keep them in. This process repeats about every 2 minutes or so. Very, very annoying. But will I go buy another pair of ear buds? No. Instead, I torture myself about 2-3 times a week. Maybe tomorrow I'll buy a pair. But I've been down this road (no pun intended), thinking this WILL BE the pair, lifting my eyes up to the heavens. Looking at the box in the store with a stupid grin on my face, dreaming of that great, long run I will accomplish. And, then I go to the gym and yeah....not so much. Do I have big ear holes? What is the freakin' problem. Anyway, I digress.

I WILL run again tonight. My goal? 3/4 of a mile. I aim high, don't I? Well, you gotta start somewhere. And, hopefully it'll be warm in the next two weeks and I can finally go outside, where I don't have a pedometer to stare at every 15 seconds but just the beat of my iPod. Pray for me.

A.D.D.

Not sure if it's a by-product of my job or if I'm just exasperated by current events, but I seem to have the attention span of a fly lately. Whether a briefing by a co-worker or Tommy just simply telling me a quick update on his race car, ...get to the point. When did my life turn into the equivalent of sound bites and bullets? Hmmm. And, I was thinking that I'd give up the F word for Lent. Maybe I need to re-think that selection - though still a good one I think - and go with "Slow the eff down and smell the effing roses!"