Chase's latest word is new - pronounced "nnn-ooooooo."
Auntie Lockett brought Chase a lovely new baby, and she loves it.
Chase calls her "nnn-oooooo."
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mee Mee
So I bought four little plastic pumpkins for Chase. I thought they'd be fun to put things in. What did she put in them? "Mee Mee" - her word for money.
Chase loves coins. Big coins, little coins. Coins from England, Switzerland, Thailand, China. She loves them all. I used to think it was funny that when we came back to the US (while we lived abroad), Chase would smell American bills. Now I think her love of money is a little more serious.
Hmmm... Maybe she'll be a banker. Or investor. Or maybe she'll find a way to spend other people's money.
At any rate, she loves counting money. Or at least transferring it from one pumpkin to another. I tried to put something else in her pumpkin and she screamed.
I'm thinking Halloween will be a real shocker. I can just imagine her surprise when people offer her candy instead of money.
Chase loves coins. Big coins, little coins. Coins from England, Switzerland, Thailand, China. She loves them all. I used to think it was funny that when we came back to the US (while we lived abroad), Chase would smell American bills. Now I think her love of money is a little more serious.
Hmmm... Maybe she'll be a banker. Or investor. Or maybe she'll find a way to spend other people's money.
At any rate, she loves counting money. Or at least transferring it from one pumpkin to another. I tried to put something else in her pumpkin and she screamed.
I'm thinking Halloween will be a real shocker. I can just imagine her surprise when people offer her candy instead of money.
19 Months
Dear Chase,
This week you turn 19-months-old. I'm writing this now, because I never know when I will have a free moment.
I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I can still remember the look of awe on your face when you came into the world. Your lips forming a perfect little "o," as if in wonder of what had just happened. I remember bringing you home from the hospital, packing up the car and moving to Switzerland.
I remember what an amazing sport you were as we sped across England and France, en route to Zurich. I remember taking you down to the Zurichsee. Putting your tiny toes in the water. Watching you sleep. You first showed you had a sense of humor in Switzerland. It was Switzerland where you had your first solid food and where you got your first tooth - and perhaps where you developed your love of cheese. I remember flying with you back to Portland to visit your great grandmother, Mary The Great, and how much joy you brought her. She loved you so much. I wish so much she could be here to play with you now, to watch you grow. I wish so much you could have actually known her - she was an amazing woman.
And I remember moving you to China, by way of Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. I remember what seemed to be an endless chain of hotel rooms. I remember being so worried about traveling alone with you - but in the end we made so many international flights together, alone, that I've lost count. You are an amazing traveler, my dearest little.
It was in China that you started talking. Where your palate expanded to include broccoli with oyster sauce, fish, noodles (of all kinds), and various other things. You learned to walk in China.
You are such a joy and delight to all who meet you. Everyone loves your laugh. When you laugh, the other children near you start laughing too.
I like your style Chase. You have a sense of humor and take a light, sensible approach to whatever comes you way. Always ready for the next adventure, your favorite thing to say is "Go, Dog. Go!"
We love you so much.
This week you turn 19-months-old. I'm writing this now, because I never know when I will have a free moment.
I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I can still remember the look of awe on your face when you came into the world. Your lips forming a perfect little "o," as if in wonder of what had just happened. I remember bringing you home from the hospital, packing up the car and moving to Switzerland.
I remember what an amazing sport you were as we sped across England and France, en route to Zurich. I remember taking you down to the Zurichsee. Putting your tiny toes in the water. Watching you sleep. You first showed you had a sense of humor in Switzerland. It was Switzerland where you had your first solid food and where you got your first tooth - and perhaps where you developed your love of cheese. I remember flying with you back to Portland to visit your great grandmother, Mary The Great, and how much joy you brought her. She loved you so much. I wish so much she could be here to play with you now, to watch you grow. I wish so much you could have actually known her - she was an amazing woman.
And I remember moving you to China, by way of Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. I remember what seemed to be an endless chain of hotel rooms. I remember being so worried about traveling alone with you - but in the end we made so many international flights together, alone, that I've lost count. You are an amazing traveler, my dearest little.
It was in China that you started talking. Where your palate expanded to include broccoli with oyster sauce, fish, noodles (of all kinds), and various other things. You learned to walk in China.
You are such a joy and delight to all who meet you. Everyone loves your laugh. When you laugh, the other children near you start laughing too.
I like your style Chase. You have a sense of humor and take a light, sensible approach to whatever comes you way. Always ready for the next adventure, your favorite thing to say is "Go, Dog. Go!"
We love you so much.
Overheard
On my way out of our little corner store - I had to make a run for vanilla - I overheard a man, saying VERY loudly into his cell phone, "Between you, me, and my lawyer, I was the only grown-up in the courtroom."
Monday, October 15, 2007
Huge Thanks
A super huge thanks to Nee Nee KarKar, PoppaJoe and Goo Goo (Auntie) Lockett for making the trip to Denver. We so enjoyed spending time with you!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Toddler Relocation Services
Chase and I spent most of yesterday building and decorating a little house - otherwise known as the headquarters for Santa Fe Toddler Relocation Services.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Moderation
The weather here is incredible. Blue skies, close to 80 degrees, fresh air. Amazing.
It feels like so long ago, but I sure do remember not wanting to go outside in China.
Chase is out of 18-month-old clothes. She is now wearing size 2T and 3T (depending on brand). The cuffs on the pants need to be rolled up, but other than that, the clothes seem to fit her.
Why is she 18-months and wearing clothes for 3-year-olds?
Her hair is getting longer. Much longer. I am now fighting her at night to comb through her tangles. And so Hubs bought product. De-tangler to be precise. Seems to be working so far.
She names things all day long. And if she doesn't know the name, she always gets the syllable count right.
She loves the TV program Little Einsteins. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the program makes her smarter, on the contrary, there have been a lot of studies that show that they do just the opposite. But there are times when Mom needs a break, so a half hour here and there - without commercials, with classical music, is okay. (My mom would argue against this statement).
For those who don't know, I was only allowed four hours of TV a week. I absolutely understand why my parents did this, but I sure did miss out on a lot of pop culture. And I'm not sure it made me any smarter. I'm sure it made me more creative. But it's not like I can compare my now self, to a self that was allowed to watch TV. What I do know, is that I experience deep, inner conflict as soon as I turn on the TV.
Funny how those things come back to haunt you.
Same thing happens around food. I was not allowed to eat cereal that had sugar in the first three ingredients. Do you have ANY IDEA how many cereals that eliminates? Like, all of them. Except Cheerios. So I stopped eating breakfast. I developed an appetite for sugar, but I think we all have that anyway - it's just when you don't have parents telling you not to eat it.... Anyway, I am now looking for quick snacks for Chase, and everything has sugar, fructose, and other sugary ingredients. I have decided that I am using the 9 gram rule. Nothing with more than 9 grams of sugar per serving. We'll see how that works.
Moderation, moderation, moderation...
It feels like so long ago, but I sure do remember not wanting to go outside in China.
Chase is out of 18-month-old clothes. She is now wearing size 2T and 3T (depending on brand). The cuffs on the pants need to be rolled up, but other than that, the clothes seem to fit her.
Why is she 18-months and wearing clothes for 3-year-olds?
Her hair is getting longer. Much longer. I am now fighting her at night to comb through her tangles. And so Hubs bought product. De-tangler to be precise. Seems to be working so far.
She names things all day long. And if she doesn't know the name, she always gets the syllable count right.
She loves the TV program Little Einsteins. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the program makes her smarter, on the contrary, there have been a lot of studies that show that they do just the opposite. But there are times when Mom needs a break, so a half hour here and there - without commercials, with classical music, is okay. (My mom would argue against this statement).
For those who don't know, I was only allowed four hours of TV a week. I absolutely understand why my parents did this, but I sure did miss out on a lot of pop culture. And I'm not sure it made me any smarter. I'm sure it made me more creative. But it's not like I can compare my now self, to a self that was allowed to watch TV. What I do know, is that I experience deep, inner conflict as soon as I turn on the TV.
Funny how those things come back to haunt you.
Same thing happens around food. I was not allowed to eat cereal that had sugar in the first three ingredients. Do you have ANY IDEA how many cereals that eliminates? Like, all of them. Except Cheerios. So I stopped eating breakfast. I developed an appetite for sugar, but I think we all have that anyway - it's just when you don't have parents telling you not to eat it.... Anyway, I am now looking for quick snacks for Chase, and everything has sugar, fructose, and other sugary ingredients. I have decided that I am using the 9 gram rule. Nothing with more than 9 grams of sugar per serving. We'll see how that works.
Moderation, moderation, moderation...
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Poop
So Hubs asked me how my day was, and I just couldn't bring up the fact it was filled with poop. Just when I thought Tag had the "gotta go outside to do his business," he went and pooped inside. Twice. After he had spent a long time outside, no less. Maybe he got inside and outside mixed up? It wouldn't have been so bad, if I hadn't stepped in it. In bare feet.
And Chase spent a good part of today without a diaper on. It was so warm and beautiful outside. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Let's just say I'm glad I was looking down.
It's days like this that make me want to go back to "work."
And Chase spent a good part of today without a diaper on. It was so warm and beautiful outside. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Let's just say I'm glad I was looking down.
It's days like this that make me want to go back to "work."
What A Stinker!
When I heard Bush chose to veto a bill that would have provided 10 million American children with health care for the next five years, it put stepping in dog poop (in bare feet) into perspective.
Now I know $35 billion for five years sounds a little expensive, but to date, U.S. taxpayers have spent over $387 billion on the war in Iraq - that's $13,750 per Iraqi in the country - although most of the money has gone to U.S. soldiers. And did you know that if you divide the money by the number of U.S. troops stationed in the country - it equates to over $2 million per soldier?
I'm not saying one is more important than the other, I'm simply comparing things. Dog poop. And where money is being spent - and not spent.
For more information on where money is spent on Iraq, check out Foreign Policy In Focus - http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4106
Now I know $35 billion for five years sounds a little expensive, but to date, U.S. taxpayers have spent over $387 billion on the war in Iraq - that's $13,750 per Iraqi in the country - although most of the money has gone to U.S. soldiers. And did you know that if you divide the money by the number of U.S. troops stationed in the country - it equates to over $2 million per soldier?
I'm not saying one is more important than the other, I'm simply comparing things. Dog poop. And where money is being spent - and not spent.
For more information on where money is spent on Iraq, check out Foreign Policy In Focus - http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4106
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Walmart
So I was in Walmart today, picking up art supplies for my favorite lass.
At check-out, I was mortified by what the lady behind me (with three kids) was buying. She had a dozen instant noodle boxes, some kind of crazy fruit drink with a faux flavor, cookies, and chicken that comes in different shapes. It made me sad. Really sad.
I wanted to report her to the child welfare department.
At check-out, I was mortified by what the lady behind me (with three kids) was buying. She had a dozen instant noodle boxes, some kind of crazy fruit drink with a faux flavor, cookies, and chicken that comes in different shapes. It made me sad. Really sad.
I wanted to report her to the child welfare department.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Today
So I am not getting any Mommy-of-the-year awards this week. With a new puppy, loads to sort and unpack and a toddler running a-muck, I broke down and turned on Sesame Street and put Tag in his kennel for a little while, just to find time to go to the bathroom, clear my head and make a couple calls (to register our new car, old cars, and track down two checks that have gone missing).
I've gotta run, Chase's 3 minute attention span is up - and I'm sure Tag could use more playtime.
I've gotta run, Chase's 3 minute attention span is up - and I'm sure Tag could use more playtime.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Puppy Notes
So we picked up Taggart yesterday. He is SO mellow in comparison to our last Boxer. It may be because he's stressed at the moment, but all he seems to want to do is sleep. Chase cuddles up close to him and he puts his little puppy paws on her head. It is super sweet with sweet on top.
With Hubs not available next week to help with Tag, I've got my fingers crossed he will start to sleep through the night. Last night, Hubs got up twice to take him outside.
It's like we have another baby, but at least this one only gets up twice a night, rather than Chase, who was awake every two hours.
With Hubs not available next week to help with Tag, I've got my fingers crossed he will start to sleep through the night. Last night, Hubs got up twice to take him outside.
It's like we have another baby, but at least this one only gets up twice a night, rather than Chase, who was awake every two hours.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Moving Day: Take 2
Today our things arrived from China. Strangely enough, everything seems to go together. Weird.
Our neighbor stopped by and said, "I saw the moving truck and so I made you lunch, because you can't possibly be able to make lunch right now."
I was floored. We have been blessed with a neighbor who has owned her own catering business, so "throwing something together," is something that comes easily to her.
About a half hour later, she brought by risotto with spinach, a fresh olive bread loaf (from our local bakery), pork tenderloin in a maple glaze with baked apples - and carrot cake for dessert.
I am SO not kidding. It was amazing.
Our neighbor stopped by and said, "I saw the moving truck and so I made you lunch, because you can't possibly be able to make lunch right now."
I was floored. We have been blessed with a neighbor who has owned her own catering business, so "throwing something together," is something that comes easily to her.
About a half hour later, she brought by risotto with spinach, a fresh olive bread loaf (from our local bakery), pork tenderloin in a maple glaze with baked apples - and carrot cake for dessert.
I am SO not kidding. It was amazing.
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Name Game
Every time Chase wakes, she immediately starts naming things. Or at least tries to come up with names for everything she sees. It's pretty cute. It's like roll call, but for objects, not people. Just making sure everything is there....
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Overheard At The Kiddie Park
"So I have to take care of Mona's twins and brand new puppy this weekend," one mom said to her group of mom friends.
"What? Mona has a new puppy? Is she insane?" One mom replied.
Meanwhile, I just agreed with Hubs last night that we would pick up Taggart this weekend.
Crazy is my apparently my middle name. Who else takes a small child to a remote city in China? A puppy just doesn't seem like such a big deal when one compares it to traveling to over 20 cities (ok, so I'm sure it's more than this, but I stopped counting after 20) in the first 18 months after having a baby.
But enough about me, I'm thinking that the crazy person in this scenario is the mom who agreed to watch the twins and the dogs in addition to her own child and dog.
Seriously. Pot calling the kettle black.
"What? Mona has a new puppy? Is she insane?" One mom replied.
Meanwhile, I just agreed with Hubs last night that we would pick up Taggart this weekend.
Crazy is my apparently my middle name. Who else takes a small child to a remote city in China? A puppy just doesn't seem like such a big deal when one compares it to traveling to over 20 cities (ok, so I'm sure it's more than this, but I stopped counting after 20) in the first 18 months after having a baby.
But enough about me, I'm thinking that the crazy person in this scenario is the mom who agreed to watch the twins and the dogs in addition to her own child and dog.
Seriously. Pot calling the kettle black.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Work Continues
Still unpacking. Chase has started to whine a lot. Like she wants to say something but can't. I think she might be getting molars, because she is extra cranky with crank on top.
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