Archives for August 2009

I love the “80s meets 2009” feel of this fun summer song.  Plus, the song and video feature Leighton Meester (Blair from Gossip Girl).  Awesome.  Turn it up!

I took Annabel to her 18 month “well” check-up yesterday and here is a short list of what I learned:

1.  Annabel is in the 98th percentile for her height and weight.  She is basically the size of a  30 month old.  Or a “2 and 1/2 year old” the pediatrician explained after she saw me quizzically trying to do the math in my head.

2. Always bring my personal notebook that has the records from every office visit JUST IN CASE the nurse tries to argue that my daughter is “about 6 months behind in her shots” only to find out later that “Yes, Ma’am,  You were right.  She is all caught up.  Thank goodness you had a copy of her records.”  (What???)

3. Yes, my daughter will MOVE HER LEG when you try and jab her with a vaccination shot.

4. Do not put daughter in a brand new WHITE Gymboree shirt when you take her to the pediatrician’s office. (She might MOVE HER LEG during the vaccinations and BLEED on said shirt.)

5. After the series of vaccination shots, the nurse will give you a strange look when you turn down a CANDY BAR that she wants to give your 18 MONTH OLD.

6. I can amuse Annabel for about 25 minutes in a small isolated room with the following items:  

• This purse
• A Ziploc bag of snack food which includes baby goldfish crackers, Cheerios and Gerber yogurt drops
• Her sandals
• My blackberry
• The crinkly white paper on the exam table

7. Bring cash just in case the one credit card machine in the office is acting up and my check out process “will just take a few more minutes.”

8. Bring additional Ziploc bag of snack food to entertain daughter (See #7).

9. Annabel ROCKS at the pediatrician’s office.  She was happy, cooperative, and amazing.

10.  See #9

I’m adding this to my list of reasons why raising a daughter to have great self esteem and great body image in today’s society is SO important.

This toddler girl T-shirt was featured on the front page of ParentDish today:

The creator of this tot nipple tassel T-shirt is trying to be “ironic.”  But are people actually buying these shirts for their little girls because they think it’s cute or funny? There are so many young girls who try to dress “sexy” because they think it’s “cool” or because they want to look like one of their pop idols. (Yes, I’m looking at you pole dancing Miley Cyrus).

So do we really need to start this madness at 2 years old?  Why even throw something like this T-shirt out into the world even if you are just trying to prove a point about society?  Most people probably won’t get it.

On a positive note, back in 2005, this T-shirt was pulled from the shelves of popular teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch after a group of teen girls organized a boycott against them.

Thank goodness, right? There were a bunch of other really offensive versions as well. 

And don’t even get me started about the terrifying reality show, Toddlers & Tiaras.  I caught a few minutes of it on TLC the other day and was horrified by the parade of  innocent little girls on display.  They were flaunting big hair weaves, fake nails, fake eyelashes, tons of spray tan, adult makeup, and expensive designer dresses.  They also wore bikinis ! These toddler girls are basically being taught that being pretty, smiley, and polite will get you money and a sparkly crown.  It really is disturbing.  I heart you, TLC, but this show has GOT TO GO. 

Then, there is Tyra Banks.  She has always created publicity for her talk show by doing something extreme which also seems to promote a healthy self image message to teen girls.   A couple years ago, Tyra started a “So What?” campaign to empower young girls.  During one show, her entire audience of young women, and Tyra included, wore red bathing suits with their weight printed on their chests.  For this year’s The Tyra Banks Show season premiere on September 8th, Tyra is going to reveal to the world her natural hair by taking out her weave on national television. She wants to encourage women to “own and rock what they’ve got and be proud.” Crazy publicity stunt?  Sure.  But if her target audience of teen girls gets the message that being strong, fearless, and comfortable in your own skin is important, then props to her.

We need more of that.

My baby girl is 18 months old today. 

I feel like just yesterday she learned to walk and now she is running and dancing.  Annabel is so full of life and passion.  A simple game of peekaboo will turn into a million giggles.  Her laughter is infectious.  She loves to be chased around the house and will run away because she knows you will catch her from behind and tickle her.  She litterally SCREAMS with glee over everyday occurrences: When you greet her after a nap, when someone she knows walks in the door, when she watches a Baby Einstein video (for the millionth time) and that elephant puppet appears, when dinner is served. 

Her passion and “over the top dramatic flair” could win her an Oscar.  She loves to tease her big brother, but when he won’t play along she runs for the corner and collapses into a tantrum of tears.  She is feisty and head strong.  She won’t give up a toy for anything and she is still learning not to always grab for what she wants. 

Her world is full of contradictions.   She cries over the presentation of her meal but then she eats the entire thing.  She pushes away a book I give her but then she brings it to me five minutes later to read.  She runs for the door when we arrive at Gymboree class but then she laughs with delight when I carry her to the rocking horse. 

Her favorite things include: Pinky, corn on the cob, Sesame Street, the musical shakers at the library, club crackers, pigs, purses, cars, and ANYTHING her brother is doing at the time.  She is IN LOVE with her big brother.

She has an unbelievable head of curls.  I am so amazed with her hair that I always find myself just staring at her sea of corkscrews.  She looks like a doll with those curls, porcelain skin, big blue eyes, and cupid mouth.  She is a gorgeous little girl.

AND a super smart girl too.  She can already say Mama, Daddy, Bye bye, Hi, quack, car, cracker, cookie, juice, again, ball, bum bum, baby, teeth, and chocolate.  She also understands everything we say and I sometimes forget that.  When I tell Daniel it’s time for dinner, she runs to the table too.  When I tell Daniel to pick up the blocks, she runs over with one for the bucket. 

She is an awesome night sleeper and napper. She will sometimes yawn and rub her eyes as if to remind me to keep her on schedule. 

Just as her brother was “Mr. Mischief,” she has been anointed “Miss Mischief.”  She loves to grab magnets and hide them inside the refrigerator doors and walk away.  She will throw her straw cup on the kitchen floor knowing you will pick it up so she can do it again. She will try to stand up on any box or toy and then look to make sure I am watching before she tumbles over.

One of the best things about Annabel is her willingness to snuggle and hug.  She loves to extend her arms and be picked up.  She loves to hold my hands while I sing to her in the rocking chair.  She loves to be wrapped in her bath towel and carried around.  She loves to lay her head on your shoulder when she is frustrated or upset. 

I can’t believe it’s already been a year and a half since you entered our world, Annabel Marie. 

What a true gift you are.

Here are some observations about the 2009 Teen Choice Awards on FOX – from my (Pop) mommy perspective:

*I would be totally cool if Annabel loved The Jonas Brothers.  They are ‘clean cut’ and cute. Oh, AND talented. Okay, fine, I’ll be honest.  I like the Jonas Brothers.  (Plus, I really love that they always give their mom some major props.)

*I consider myself really hip about pop culture, but I did find myself saying “Who is THAT girl?” or “Who is THAT guy?” A LOT. (I guess because I don’t watch The Disney Channel. Oh, and I’m not a TEEN.)

*I thought it was so funny that Ellen won the TEEN choice award for best twitter. She is 51 years old.  I guess she just crosses all the boundaries.  Amazing.

*Zac Efron is cute – no denying it.  He also seems like a great guy.  He won for 17 Againwhich was a really good flick that both me and my hubbie enjoyed.  Plus, he definitely gets points for standing by his girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens, through all the “controversy.”

*It was great to see the teen cast from Glee.  I can’t wait for the series premiere next month!

*I LOVE Gossip Girl.  It’s just so entertaining. (But I would FREAK OUT if my son or daughter acted like any of those kids on the show.)  Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass!) won for best TV villain.  He is awesome and it was so weird to hear him talk in his (real life) British accent.

*I really think Miley Cyrus is talented, but her reputation has been ruined a bit from some of her poor choices in the past.  It’s really unfortunate.  Hopefully she has learned from it all and her teen girl fans have also learned from it too.

*I LOVE that new Black Eyed Peas song “I Got A Feeling.”  They rocked it out.

*Britney won an Ultimate Choice award and she looked really happy.  She was really short and sweet with her acceptance speech which was good.  Hopefully, she’s moving forward on a healthy path.

*Finally, I just put Twilight in my Netflix queue because I can not stand to be ignorant about this movie or the young actors anymore!  Twilight won the most Teen Choice awards of the night, so I am officially intrigued and jumping on the bandwagon.

On a final note: There was a commercial that ran about an “Octomom” documentary that airs next Wednesday on FOX.  So I have to go and put that one in my TIVO right now…

It was a really long week.  Everyone was sick.  First, Bean got it.  Then, my husband.  Then, me.  And finally, Annabel.  It was a yucky, germy, summer cold. It meant saline drops and Infant Tylenol for the kiddies and NyQuil and rum filled tea for Mama and Daddy.  The week also included ALOT of INDOOR activities.  There was an excessive amount of television watching (Sesame Street, Little Bear, and various Baby Einstein videos) while we all relaxed on the couch or floor pillows. 

There was also an overwhelming amount of hours spent tinkering with the GEOTrax train set.  Setting it up.  Breaking it down.  Setting it up.  Breaking it down.  You get the idea.  I really did love the extra book reading moments, sticker fun, and, of course, the cuddle time.  But, by Saturday morning we were all ready for a little Vitamin D on our bodies.  I was also personally ready for some retail therapy.

We went to one of my FAVORITE stores: HomeGoods .  I SO LOVE this store and I rarely get to go there anymore.  It’s really hard to maneuver around the place with a double stroller and I am terrified of steering into the ceramic bowls and glassware.  There are too many awesome things to buy at HomeGoods.  I can’t always control myself.  Don’t even get me started on the holiday items.  On Saturday, there were already two long aisles and one front store display of just HALLOWEEN decorations.  I picked up a front door welcome sign and a cute ghost plaque.  Then, we all cruised to the kids section.  I really wanted this train step stool and some picture frames, but we managed to leave with just an adorable pink princess growth chart for Annabel and a fun fishing game for Bean.

I have been looking for a growth chart for both kids that was wooden and stable. I also wanted something that was unique.  This is the wooden growth chart we bought for Annabel’s room:

My husband laughs because “why does everything girlie have to have a unicorn on it?”  (Hee).

There wasn’t a “boy” growth chart version for Daniel, but the cashier said to definitely check back again because they get new stuff on the shelves every week.  “Come back again??”  “No problem, lady!”

Bean loved his new Melissa & Doug magnetic fishing game.  He even shared with his sister.  Everyone is FINALLY feeling better.  Amen.

Bean is sick.  It’s the worst.  It’s probably worse for ME because I have this “sick phobia thing.”  I know.  I’m a Mommy now and I need to get over it.  I’m working on it.

Poor little Bean is just feeling awful. He’s had these colds and snots many times before.  But because he is almost three years old, he can really articulate the awfulness of it all.  “Daniel’s sick, Mama.” “Blow my nose please, Mama.”  “More water please, Mama.” “Daniel going to lay down, Mama.”

I know he REALLY wasn’t feeling well when he only ate HALF of his dinosaur PB&J sandwich and then he asked to take a nap.  His naps have been super sporadic lately.  It’s usually one day on and FOUR days off.  But today at 12:15 PM, he was out like a light.

Two hours later, he started to scream!  I ran to his room. He was standing up by his bed and crying through a fountain of snots and trying to tell me something at the same time. I could not, for the life of me, understand what he wanted.

“Bean, what do you want?  Do you want a tissue??” 

“Noo….”  (Sniff, Sniff.)

“Daniel, do you want some water??”

“Noo….” (Sniff, Sniff.)

“Bean, I can’t understand you. PLEASE calm down and tell me what you want.  PLEASE.”

“Daniel want…Mama.” (Sniff) “Daniel want…Mama!” (Sniff. Sniff)

He wanted me to hold him and rock him in the chair next to his big boy bed.  He curled up in my arms and just looked at me with his watery eyes.  He smiled.  He closed his eyes and relaxed. We rocked.

He just wanted his Mama.  It was a good day after all.