Why Kids Are Smarter Than Adults

I like to blame my loss of brain cells on the fact that my daughter robbed me of them when I was pregnant. I find comfort in knowing that maybe...just maybe carrying her in my womb for several months stripped me of all intelligence. You know...We shared the same food supply, so maybe we shared a brain? Wishful thinking on my part, I guess!

Well, I've discovered that toddlers are indeed smarter than adults.

Case(s) in point:

My three year old nephew was in my Dad's garden feeding the goat.
My sister-in-law: Wow! That goat is eating a lot! What a piggy! Oink! Oink!
Three year old nephew: (laughing) Mommy's silly! That's not a pig! It's a goat!


After not seeing my twin nieces in months, they were up for a visit. Forgetting that children sometimes make strange when they haven't seen people in a while, I lunged forward to cuddle my Goddaughter. She didn't cry, but it was clear that she wasn't sure she wanted to be cuddled by this strange woman she hasn't seen since March.
Me: (Looking at my three year old nephew) I'm so sad! I don't think your sister remembers me!
Three year old nephew: I think Brookie is shy.

Having to go to the bathroom but not wanting to leave my toddler unattended, I paused to think of whether I seek out a family member to watch her or take her to the bathroom with me. My three year old nephew looked at me as I thought out loud.
Three year old nephew: You can go to the bathroom. I'll watch her. I'll take care of her.

My adorable little nephew smiled and squealed in delight as he played with his cousin, Little One.
Three year old nephew: I love [insert Little One's real name here]! Her is such a sweetie! Her has beautiful eyes too!
(Seriously! What three year old says things like that!?! Absolutely precious!)

After my cousin's wedding, we were looking at photos on the digital camera. Some of the photos were really funny, as our family is fun-loving, amazing, and completely crazy. There was a photo of my sister-in-law, cousin, the girlfriends of my male cousins and my youngest brother's girlfriend. We were all drinking wine and had a bit too much wine that night.
Three year old nephew: (laughing hysterically at one of the photos) ALL DRUNK!!!

Ahhhh! I don't want my twin nieces and three year old nephew to go home! I want to freeze our time together forever! I don't want to let go our days together. They are so, so, so sweet! I love my little K-town munchkins!

Short, Shorter, Shortest!

I am embarrassed to say that I have somewhat neglected myself. I get so wrapped up in taking care of my toddler, my husband, work, students, the home, and everything else...and as a result, I am always placed last.

I don't do this to be a martyr or anything. I just get so busy with everything and everyone else, that I often forget about myself.

I often marvel at how some of my mommy friends have things so "together". They also work, take care of their kids, and still look like they've stepped out of a magazine spread! Me? No such luck. I don't know why. When I lived in the city, I never left the house without make up on. I never just threw on whatever was on hand.

Now, I'm lucky if I even just put on some lip gloss or have socks that match! Heck...I'm lucky if I even find socks in this crazy house!

I made the decision yesterday, that this needs to change. My friend and I packed up our kids, ran some errands all over the Island, had lunch, had a caramel frappe at the Loco Beanz in Little Current and another one at the Loco Beanz in Manitowaning (yes, it's an addiction)...and I got my hair cut.

I needed a new look. I wanted something fresh. Something not like my standard, boring, one length 'do.

This is what I ended up getting done...
Lots of layers, some length in the front, and very, very short in the back. It's something I'm not normally daring enough to do, but I just LOVE it! Gotta love the way you feel after leaving the hairdressers!

It may sound like a trivial thing, but sometimes a good new 'do, a new outfit, and some make up really do boost one's mood and can give some new zip in one's life. Amazing how something so little (like a new hair style) can change one's perspective and give new energy.

Sweet and Spicy Shrimp

Our summer student is going home this weekend. She's been staying with us for the summer while working on the Island as a fish culture technician. Little One will certainly miss her. Little One is her shadow. Whenever the student comes home, Little One gets really excited and runs to her room. They dance to techno music together and just hang out together. I'm going to miss the student too. She's been great help keeping Little One occupied when I cook supper or get things done around the house.

The time has come for her to start the new college semester. As a parting gift, I cooked one of her favourites. SHRIMP!

Yes, she is addicted to shrimp.

I was going to make Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, but at the last minute I decided to make Sweet and Spicy shrimp instead. Here's the recipe I came up with. It was pretty good for something that I made up as I went along!

C's Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
vegetable oil
1 carrot, sliced thinly
green beans, cut thinly and on an angle
deveined, uncooked shrimp
soy sauce*
sesame oil*
sugar*
cornstarch, 2 teaspoons
crushed red pepper/chili pepper*

* I don't really measure when I cook. I generally just go by taste. Use as much or as little as you like, depending on your taste.

- In a pot, stir together the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper/chili pepper.
- In a pan/skillet/wok, heat veg oil (on medium-high heat). Cook onion and veg until tender crisp.
- Add shrimp and sweet and spicy sauce mixture to the pan/skillet/wok. Cook until sauce thickens and shrimp turns pink and firm, but don't overcook the shrimp.
- You can serve this on top of a bed of piping hot steamed rice. I served this with glass noodles/rice noodles and a salad.

Enjoy!

The Life of a Single Child

Little One is a happy kid.

She's our pride and joy. She's everything to us. There has never been a day that goes by when I forget about the miracle that she is. With my high risk pregnancy to her preterm birth, I never take for granted that she is here and that she is a fighter. Thankfully she is a feisty little one...Otherwise she probably wouldn't be here today. Feisty is good...for the most part.

Friends and family always ask us when we're having Baby #2. We constantly get the "Little One NEEDS a sibling", "You should start on a brother or sister for Little One SOON!", "It's good to have your kids close in age" or "You guys aren't getting any younger".

I suppose everyone is right. I mean, this is what happens when your child's only siblings are of the canine and feline variety...
She loves her doggy, Chance.
She loves all the barn kitties too.
She thinks she's one of them.
Sharing her won tons with Spike.
Oh, dear. She even eats like her canine and feline siblings!

Yep. Perhaps it's time to start thinking about having a human sibling for her.

**Photos taken by Hubby's aunt when the family was visiting us on the Island the other weekend. Had I seen my daughter eating off of the floor, I would have stopped her immediately. YUCK!**

Because I'm Crazy Like That

We had our cast party for the Burns Wharf Theatre Players the other week and it was so much fun. Great company, great food, great location, and great times. It was a potluck dinner and since we *did* perform in Gilbert and Sullivan's musical operetta, Iolanthe, I decided I'd make Peers and Fairies cupcakes.

With a toddler running around and destroying the house, and me having to work in the morning, I was a bit too ambitious in my thoughts of making exquisite cupcakes for the party. I ended up just making Private Willis and Iolanthe. For a rush job, they turned out okay.

Not bad, considering I did this all in less than two hours (including baking time). Oh, and there was a *tiny* situation too. Little One discovered that she could push the dining chairs to the table so she could climb on top of them and then hoist herself up onto the dining room table. She then proceeded to sit on the table and help herself to cupcakes. Luckily, I managed to save all but one poor cupcake.

When I said, "[insert toddler's real name here]! Did you eat a cupcake?!" she looked at me (with icing all over her face) and furiously shook her head "No"! What a kid!

I also baked a cheesecake for my Grandmother's 90th birthday on August 11th. Though she celebrated her birthday in the Philippines, I baked a cheesecake in her honour. We ate her birthday cheesecake while talking to her on the telephone.

Little One thinks the idea of "Cheesecake eating & telephone sessions" is pretty odd. I think she was also confused because we were yelling on the phone. Great-Grandma was having a difficult time hearing us, and the long distance connection was terrible.

Happy 90th Birthday, Mommy! We love you!

In case you're wondering who that girl is beside Little One, that's our summer student! :)

Spending My Days With You

I never ever imagined wanting to stay at home with my kids once I became a parent. I knew I'd go back to work after a year of maternity leave.

Now, the thought of not being able to spend my days with Little One makes me sad. If I could just teach part-time until Little One starts school, that would be perfect.

I don't want to miss out on anything that happens in her life right now. Our time together is just too precious.

Blog Hop Friday

I've always wanted to participate in something like this!I know that Kady at hosts Blog Hop Fridays, so I thought I'd check it out. Click on her site and find out more!

AWKWARD

...watching True Blood with Hubby's family from out of town. Now, that is awkward!

The entire family (with the exception of Little One, who was already asleep in bed) watched the steamy vampire love scenes (ummm...okay, perhaps "love scenes" is downplaying things a bit. It was pretty hardcore!). Everyone was old enough to watch the HBO show, but it didn't change the fact that it was a bit embarrassing sitting there with Hubby's aunt, uncle, cousins, and his cousin's girlfriend.

The scene with Eric and Talbot...Need I say more!?!

Dearest Little One

Who would have thought that we'd go from this...

to this....
in the span of 21 months?

Yesterday, you turned 21 months old. I still cry whenever I see photos of your very first days. I cry because I'm happy. I cry because I remember those early days in the NICU so very well. They seem like just yesterday, yet at times they seem so long ago.

You will be 2 years old on November 11th. How quickly time flies.

Yesterday, you spent your monthaversary in the "Big Smoke". You dazzled your medical team at your Neonatal Follow-Up. You showed them that you could dance, run, clean up after you've played with toys (something you have never done at home!), colour with crayons, twirl, sing, tell stories, feed a baby doll, and do all kinds of amazing things.

It really is hard to believe that when we first started going to your Neonatal Follow-Ups, you were so tiny. Now, you're pretty much caught up. The Speech Pathologist was very pleased with your ability to communicate. The Physiotherapist was impressed by your range of motion and ability to do so many things that they didn't expect you to do until after you turn 2 years old.

You are still only 21 lbs. We thought you'd be much heavier because of the way you eat. You are an eating machine! Your nutritionist said that we can bump up your fat intake if we want to. They aren't worried about your weight and say that you are well in your range and just have a very fast metabolism. In other words, you are so active and burn off your calories quickly. In any case, we were told to put extra butter on your veggies, potatoes, and bread, and give you milkshakes (with fruit!). The medical team really isn't concerned though. They say you're absolutely fine and not all babies are chubby babies.

The only thing that Mommy is worried about is your night terrors. Apparently, this is not uncommon for wee ones. Your pediatrician said it's due to an active imagination combined with a developing brain. There isn't much Mommy and Daddy can do about this, but keep you safe and comforted. It really is sad and scary to see you screaming in your sleep at night. Hopefully, your night terrors go away soon.

Happy monthaversary, Little One.

Love,
Mommy

The Tale of the Little Sleep Crier

I've always prided myself in the fact that we've been extremely lucky that Little One is a good sleeper. The girl values her sleep. She pretty much goes to bed at 9PM and wakes up at 9:30AM. At 20 months old and sleeping so well, I think that is phenomenal.

This said, I've been told my some moms that I put my toddler to bed way too late, but honestly, I'd rather that she go to bed at 9PM and wake up at 9:30AM than go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. These same moms are the ones who complain to me that their kids go to bed at 6:30 and get up at 5AM.

I'm not one for being all playful and energetic at 5AM, so I'd take Little One's current schedule over an earlier one.

I say, whatever works for you and your family is what's best. Yes? I've been trying to shake the whole "You should do this with your child" from others. Quite frankly, every kid is different and every family is different. Little One gets 12 hours of sleep, and that's fine with me! :)

I have learned that pride is not a good thing though. Remember how I prided myself on Little One being such a good sleeper? She sleeps 12 hours a day and takes a nap in the morning and a nap in the evening.

Well, she seems to be dropping her morning nap and in the past week she has been "sleep crying" (as my husband and I have dubbed it). She SCREAMS in her sleep. It's the most heart-wrenching cry ever. Seriously. It is the saddest thing I've ever heard.

I don't know if it's teething, growing pains, or nightmares. She just cries in her sleep. Anyone else experience this with their toddlers? Any ideas what this sleep crying is all about?

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The expression "Kids say the darndest things" could not be any truer!

Driving home from the beach with my toddler, my niece and my niece's best friend, my niece's best friend and I were talking about how she is related to almost everyone on the Island.

K: I'm related to [so and so] and [so and so].
Me: Really!?! Wow! What a small world! I know [so and so]! He's hilarious!
K: Yeah, he can't take my family for extended periods of time.

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My 20 month old toddler was running around the house naked. When I tried to put clothes and a diaper on her, she squealed in delight...

"I NAKED!!!!" and covered her boobies.

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Grampy's conversation with my 3 year old nephew about the new goat.

Grampy: What should we name him? Billy?
Kenny: Hmmmm. How about Aca?
Grampy: Aca? Why Aca, Kenny?
Kenny: Because he has acorns on his head!

Too funny! The goat has acorns (aka "horns") on his head!!!

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Driving along the winding country roads with my nieces and my toddler. A deer jumps in front of my vehicle.

Me: (in shock) OH, $h!t!!!!!!
Both girls remain very quiet.
Me: I'm sorry girls. I don't normally say bad words. That was very inappropriate, but I was startled and thought we were going to die.
Niece 1: Oh, it's okay Auntie C! We've heard worse!

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After having supper at a friend's house, we decided to throw all of the kids in the bath (they were filthy from eating supper). My friend has two kids. A boy and a girl. Little One was swimming in the bathtub and climbed on top of my friend's son.

Friend's son: MOMMY!!!!! SHE'S TOUCHING MY VA-VI-NA!!!!

Hahaha! That's right, folks! His "vavina"! Too funny!

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We have a summer student staying with us for a few months while she works for the Ministry of Natural Resources. This week, we also have our friend's daughter (the Tween) who is playing the role of my "Mother's Helper" so I can get a lot accomplished in between work, the farm, writing, the baby, the household chores, etc.

At supper, this was the conversation we had.

Tween: (to the student) So, what do you do here? Where do you work?
Student: Oh, I work for the MNR. I'm a fish culture technician.
Tween: Oh, so you're a cook?
Student: (after a long pause) Ummm. No. I raise fish.
Tween: Like as pets?
Student: No, not really.
Me: She "grows" them.
Tween: What for? For pets?
Hubby: (laughing) No, there are like 3 million or so fish!
Student: We raise them to reintroduce and maintain the fish population in the lakes.
Tween: Oh.

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I have been having issues getting Little One to go to sleep at night without her fighting sleep. She just doesn't want to miss out on anything and lately, after brushing her teeth, singing to her, reading to her, and cuddling with her, I've been having to put her in her crib, play her bedtime music, close her door and let her cry for a few minutes before she finally falls asleep.

My friend's tween has been staying with us for a few days and managed to get Little One to sleep without fussing.

Me: Bravo! That is awesome!
Tween: You just need to be more assertive and tell her that she has no choice. You have to be tough sometimes.

What is the funniest thing you've heard your kids say?