Dirty Little Secret

Asked for a break

a bit dizzy, had to sit

Ironflower MAD

It is the most gorgeous day of 2008 thus far, and after story time I took the kids to the playground. We had walked, so by the time we got to the park I was a little tired. On the way there, I had called Hubby and convinced him to bring us lunch so that we could have a family picnic. Upon arrival, the kiddos headed for the swings. Soon Lovebug wanted to get down and run around, but not Ironflower.

I soon realized that with the actual heat, the pushing the stroller full of library books and my  basic nausea that I needed to sit down. I told Ironflower that I was dizzy and needed to sit on the bench for a few minutes, so she would have to get out of the swing. Her response was to scream.

She screamed and wailed as I took her out of the swing. She kicked and stomped while I walked to the bench. She followed me, telling me how awful I was. She knocked over the stroller. I put her on the bench next to me for a time out. She continued to scream and wail. She tried to get out of her time out.

When Hubby showed up, instead of having a family picnic, we left. Ironflower screamed the entire way home and for a good half an hour in her room. I was so angry. I couldn’t stand this little brat who  had ruined our family’s day. And where the hell was my daughter?

When we talked to her about it later, all she would say was that she was mad at me for not playing with her. What have I done wrong?

Nausea, exhaustion

all from a little round grape

I want my caffeine!

If the general first trimester yuckiness wasn’t enough, this is the advice I got from my weekly pregnancy newsletter this morning:

Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby. Diane Sanford, a clinical psychologist who focuses on pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, encourages women to set aside two five- to ten-minute periods a day to think about their baby. Just after waking up and before going to sleep works well for many expectant moms. During these times, sit quietly and gently rest your hands on your belly. Focus on your breathing and then start thinking about your baby (your hopes and dreams, your intentions as a parent, etc.). It’s a great way to initiate the bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.

I hate advice like this. And had I read this crap when I was pregnant with Ironflower, I would have felt so guilty. At that time, I was working. I fell asleep as soon as I got into bed and rolled out when the alarm went off for the third time in the morning. Sure, I chatted with her when I drove to work and at other points in the day, but I never sat quietly and focused on my breathing while thinking about her. It’s just not my way. I chat with the Grape (that’s this week’s fetus size) often, too. But when I have a chance to sit quietly, I’ll be sleeping, thanks.

But what about “initiating the bonding process”? Give me a break. This makes the bonding process sound all complicated, like it’s something you have to work at. Granted, there are people who take longer to bond with their babies than “normal”, but it’s still something that just happens - it’s not rocket science. And it happens even when a woman doesn’t carry her child, so why stress out a woman in the first trimester with advice like this? (Though if you choose to do this, I’m not judging. Go right ahead, as long as it actually makes you happy.)

Noggin, my good friend

Makes the winter bearable

But Oobi is creepy

Pinky Dinky Doo

story structure, character

vocabulary

The Backyardigans

Imagination, friendship

geography too!

Noggin makes me smile

“From White Castle to the Nile”

Get the reference?

Yes, it’s Haiku Friday. But you know what else it is? It’s the Haiku Buckaroo Contest at My Mommy’s Place. That means you - or, I hope, me - can win fabulous prizes for writing haiku. PRIZES, people. And for those of you afraid to write haiku? (Don’t worry, everyone’s afraid of something.) You can still head over there to vote during the week of the 18th. Which you definitely should, especially if you decide to vote for me.

Anyway, I need to pick one of these haiku (haikus?) to enter in the contest. And that’s where you get to help me out. Which one should I enter? You can just leave the number of your favorite in the comments. Thanks for helping!

1.Wuv oo Lovebug says

Wrapping chubby arms around

My precious baby

2. I am a princess

I need to check my email

Ironflower smiles

3. Oozing, dripping chunks

Slither down into the sock

brown, green, stinky. . .Poop.

4. loud and stubborn or

passionate exuberance

depends on the day

5. Bang, scream, clank, yell, thud.

Silence propels to boy’s room

All well but my heart

6. Caress, snuggle, breathe

mouths explore, hands hold, eyes close

a shuddering moan

7. Family hug time

comforts mommy very much

and the kiddos too

Free day at play space

so many kids and their moms

I am exhausted

Ironflower smiles

Lovebug cannot stop grinning

ball pit so much fun

Most other kids nice

Except for that one kicker

You handled it so well

I am so so proud

you two are great in public

should we go out more?

Oh my Wordvixen
you have like seven great blogs
how do you do it?

And you make cool garb
when not reading, writing or
blogging everywhere

You make me laugh so
with your dry humor and wit
wise beyond your years

We are paid to post
sometimes the same exact thing
but yours are better

You are prolific
interesting and so fun
you should visit her.

(And on another note, thanks so much to the Binky Bitch for her wonderful Haiku Fridays, I never would have tried haiku without her.)

I am so tired
How long does tryptophan work?
I was up too late

Lovebug had a dream
He was so unhappy that
he could not calm down

Poor little baby
He seems very happy now
I am relieved

Ironflower sits
enchanted by Little Bill
no bad dreams for her

Daddy is sleeping
how long should we let him rest?
He hates the morning