For some reason, over the last few days I have read so many "horror" stories about children Amelia's age. From a child being killed in a daycare to a child dying from cancer.
The daycare story broke my heart. Both my husband and I shed tears over this. Basically a child was killed in daycare by a stressed out worker. I won't get into it to much because I will cry again. There is a line explaining how the little child grabbed his blanket and curled up to die. My god I can feel the tears. This honestly scared the hell out of me. My husband too. Amelia is a blanket baby. She'll cuddle her blanket when she's sad or tired. All that went through my mind was, my God that is what Amelia would do. I can feel the tears again. I am SO thankful that I am a stay at home mom because if I wasn't I would have quit my job and taken Amelia out of daycare the next day. This is why we go without. I don't trust anyone I don't know with my baby. If my mother was still on this earth I would trust her but not a daycare. Not people I don't know. I just couldn't and this story sealed the deal for me. If you want to read it the link is
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/suburban-infant-taken-from-daycare-center-later-dies.html
Tonight I was reading the story of a toddler who is dying from cancer and it's reminded me to be more thankful than I am. Don't complain when your children are under your feet. Don't wish your children would sit quietly and watch TV. Enjoy the noise. Don't will your child to go to bed early. Cherish the extra minutes you have with them that night. Think of every stupid thing you complain about your children doing...now imagine them never doing it again. So many people who have lost children would give anything for those little annoyances. Cherish them.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Chatterbox!
I must admit I've spent a few weeks worried out of my mind about Amelia's language skills. Well really it was after she got the MMR shot. I had been against her getting it so young but the nurse talked my husband into it.
Before the shot she was all talk. She had loads of words and she attempted a lot too. Well after her MMR she went very quiet and didn't feel well. This lasted for maybe 3 weeks. Her speech never really picked back up. Then I picked up my "What to Expect, The Toddler Years" There is a section in it about toddlers and regression. One note said that they will sometimes halt in one area to work on another skill. Well that struck a huge note with me. Amelia is a fantastic walker. She has amazing balance and never falls. She will always catch herself and regroup. I noticed that she is now spinning around in circles and dancing, running and walking backwards. It eased my mind that I could relate this.
On that note... This morning Amelia was FULL of chatter! She was talking about "the goggies an da gaga say woof woof" meaning the doggies are in the garden barking! So I feel better! I worry a lot being a SAHM that I'm not doing enough for her. I sometimes have to shh myself and say that she has a lot of other things down to a tea. She can feed herself, follow ANY "order", copies any action, pours me a cup of "tea" and drinks it too.
I wish there was a badge for milestones met as a mommy!
Before the shot she was all talk. She had loads of words and she attempted a lot too. Well after her MMR she went very quiet and didn't feel well. This lasted for maybe 3 weeks. Her speech never really picked back up. Then I picked up my "What to Expect, The Toddler Years" There is a section in it about toddlers and regression. One note said that they will sometimes halt in one area to work on another skill. Well that struck a huge note with me. Amelia is a fantastic walker. She has amazing balance and never falls. She will always catch herself and regroup. I noticed that she is now spinning around in circles and dancing, running and walking backwards. It eased my mind that I could relate this.
On that note... This morning Amelia was FULL of chatter! She was talking about "the goggies an da gaga say woof woof" meaning the doggies are in the garden barking! So I feel better! I worry a lot being a SAHM that I'm not doing enough for her. I sometimes have to shh myself and say that she has a lot of other things down to a tea. She can feed herself, follow ANY "order", copies any action, pours me a cup of "tea" and drinks it too.
I wish there was a badge for milestones met as a mommy!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Bubbles
Awww bubbles... I have to say I have never lost my love of these. From my very early years I can remember spending hours in the back yard blowing bubbles. Cheap, yet provides hours of entertainment. Today we had Amelia in the yard and she was dancing around the bubbles we blew. Laughing, dancing, pointing, singing.
Is it the colours? The way they dance around in the wind, the fact that they are there and then gone? Isn't it amazing that every child at some stage loves bubbles? With all the crazy new technology that appears everyday I love that children still enjoy something as simple as bubbles.
Personally I worry that Amelia won't play as much as I have done in my childhood. I worry she'll grow out of dolls before she's old enough to really use her imagination. It is a very high priority for us to teach Amelia how to play and how to amuse herself without the use of computers or toys in which you push a button and watch them play.
Of course I know I can't block her from the world of technology that she will be thrown into. I don't want too. I know she will want a computer and television, a phone and got knows what else but I do plan on avoiding buying her these things for as long as possible. I'm not anti technology by any means. I will be honest and say that yes Amelia has battery operated toys and yes she watches a few shows on television but she also has wooden toys that do nothing and mini world play sets that at most have a door bell sound. Personally I'd feel like I failed her if she didn't play. I'd feel like I let the world of technology raise my child instead of me doing the job.
If there can be nothing else, I hope at least she will always enjoy one simple little thing. Something that makes no noise and has no flashing lights. I hope she will always enjoy bubbles.
Is it the colours? The way they dance around in the wind, the fact that they are there and then gone? Isn't it amazing that every child at some stage loves bubbles? With all the crazy new technology that appears everyday I love that children still enjoy something as simple as bubbles.
Personally I worry that Amelia won't play as much as I have done in my childhood. I worry she'll grow out of dolls before she's old enough to really use her imagination. It is a very high priority for us to teach Amelia how to play and how to amuse herself without the use of computers or toys in which you push a button and watch them play.
Of course I know I can't block her from the world of technology that she will be thrown into. I don't want too. I know she will want a computer and television, a phone and got knows what else but I do plan on avoiding buying her these things for as long as possible. I'm not anti technology by any means. I will be honest and say that yes Amelia has battery operated toys and yes she watches a few shows on television but she also has wooden toys that do nothing and mini world play sets that at most have a door bell sound. Personally I'd feel like I failed her if she didn't play. I'd feel like I let the world of technology raise my child instead of me doing the job.
If there can be nothing else, I hope at least she will always enjoy one simple little thing. Something that makes no noise and has no flashing lights. I hope she will always enjoy bubbles.
VOTE FOR AMELIA!
Please go to...
www.findthefaceofbluezoo.com
filter to Girls, Age group 1, Rep of Ireland and Amelia is in that group. You do have to sign up but there is NO JUNK MAIL!!
You can vote once per day. Please vote as often as you can!
Roz x
www.findthefaceofbluezoo.com
filter to Girls, Age group 1, Rep of Ireland and Amelia is in that group. You do have to sign up but there is NO JUNK MAIL!!
You can vote once per day. Please vote as often as you can!
Roz x
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Letter "A"
Amelia is home with me most of the time because childcare is so expensive that if I go back to work we're almost paying out more money than i'd earn so it just doesn't work right now. I am trying to fill in some of the things she'd learn in daycare. I don't want her to be a child who sits in front of the television all day.
This week we have been working on the letter "A"
We coloured lots of pictures I drew. Ant, Australia, Art, Alien and I held her hand and helped her write Amelia and the letter "A" and "a"
I'm planning on doing a letter a week and hoping some info sticks in her head!
This week we have been working on the letter "A"
We coloured lots of pictures I drew. Ant, Australia, Art, Alien and I held her hand and helped her write Amelia and the letter "A" and "a"
I'm planning on doing a letter a week and hoping some info sticks in her head!
Needing the Summer
So, my husband is Australian and though we have tossed back and fort between wanting to move there or stay in Ireland we decided Ireland offered a lot more for Amelia. Easy to travel, cheaper, better school which will cost us thousands less a year. But no one could ever deny Amelia is 1/2 Aussie! She wants to be outside all the time and bear foot! Right now it's still quite cold out so she can't. She is not impressed!
I'm trying to keep her amused but it's hard because at her age each activity gets boring after maybe 3 minutes! We've had such a bad winter that she's inside most of the day for the last few months. Her toys are becoming boring, her books are lasting for a page if i'm lucky. She will colour for 5 or 10 minutes but then wants to run around with the crayon which ends in a tantrum when mommy says no.
I have plenty or ideas for summer. Water games, sand games, getting her swing out which she LOVES. We're planning on clearing up the garden now that she's on her feet. Or course the problem with this is we need no rain to get these things sorted...hmmm could be a problem with wanting no rain in Ireland!
I'm trying to keep her amused but it's hard because at her age each activity gets boring after maybe 3 minutes! We've had such a bad winter that she's inside most of the day for the last few months. Her toys are becoming boring, her books are lasting for a page if i'm lucky. She will colour for 5 or 10 minutes but then wants to run around with the crayon which ends in a tantrum when mommy says no.
I have plenty or ideas for summer. Water games, sand games, getting her swing out which she LOVES. We're planning on clearing up the garden now that she's on her feet. Or course the problem with this is we need no rain to get these things sorted...hmmm could be a problem with wanting no rain in Ireland!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Remote For Life?
Can I have one? A life remote that is. Like that movie click...
Today, watching Amelia I was hit with a wave. My baby is SO grown up! Amelia, as i've said, is 14 months old. She is tiny and slim. She has fantastic balance and loves music. (dancer?)
She understands everything I say. I realised this the other day when she was having a tantrum about having to go back to the car. I said "Amelia, if you want to walk you have to hold mommy's hand and when we go to the car you can have a drink." That was it! She held my hand and we trotted to the car. When did she become old enough to understand reasoning? Am I lucky that my 14 month old will calm down like this?
Amelia is almost off her bottle and almost off her paci. Though i've had to make myself wean her. I have and am finding it hard to come to terms with the change in just over a year. She now only has her paci at bed time and only has a bottle before bed too. I have no intention of getting rid of that any time soon. I will change the way I give it to her but that's it for now. I need an ajusting period! Am I alone in this want for the early days? Everyone told me to treasure the early days because they go by so fast. I did and I still do treasure every second but this doesn't make the changes any easier, or prepare you for how fast it really does happen.
There is a huge list of things that fasinate me about her. She will feed herself with a spoon or fork depending on what she's eating. (she'll choose which she needs) she'll tell me when she wants to go for a nap or when she wants to go to bed. She can sort her shapes and do her wooden puzzles. She will give her baby doll kisses and cuddles. I could go on and on. I guess as a FTM (first time mom) all these things seem even more amazing to me but I hope I never forget to treasure every second.
Today, watching Amelia I was hit with a wave. My baby is SO grown up! Amelia, as i've said, is 14 months old. She is tiny and slim. She has fantastic balance and loves music. (dancer?)
She understands everything I say. I realised this the other day when she was having a tantrum about having to go back to the car. I said "Amelia, if you want to walk you have to hold mommy's hand and when we go to the car you can have a drink." That was it! She held my hand and we trotted to the car. When did she become old enough to understand reasoning? Am I lucky that my 14 month old will calm down like this?
Amelia is almost off her bottle and almost off her paci. Though i've had to make myself wean her. I have and am finding it hard to come to terms with the change in just over a year. She now only has her paci at bed time and only has a bottle before bed too. I have no intention of getting rid of that any time soon. I will change the way I give it to her but that's it for now. I need an ajusting period! Am I alone in this want for the early days? Everyone told me to treasure the early days because they go by so fast. I did and I still do treasure every second but this doesn't make the changes any easier, or prepare you for how fast it really does happen.
There is a huge list of things that fasinate me about her. She will feed herself with a spoon or fork depending on what she's eating. (she'll choose which she needs) she'll tell me when she wants to go for a nap or when she wants to go to bed. She can sort her shapes and do her wooden puzzles. She will give her baby doll kisses and cuddles. I could go on and on. I guess as a FTM (first time mom) all these things seem even more amazing to me but I hope I never forget to treasure every second.
Barney Mania
I never thought I would let my child watch Barney. Not that it's not a good show, I just planned to have her watch very little television in her early years. We bought her a small barney soft toy after her 12 month shots...well she has made the connection BIG TIME and now when she wants Barney on, she will pick up her one, march to the television and stomp her feet for Barney. She only pays attention to the songs so I guess it's not too bad because she's not "watching" it.
Today though, I couldn't get over how much she has learned from the show in the few times she's seen it. She'll copy the dances and actions. I'm still not for a 14 month old watching television BUT considering she's learning something as she goes I can't really fault the big purple dinosaur.
It has also added a new thing for us. I am a mother who will dance around the kitchen with my child and now Barney comes too. She will hold one of his hands, I hold the other and we dance in a circle. :)
Today though, I couldn't get over how much she has learned from the show in the few times she's seen it. She'll copy the dances and actions. I'm still not for a 14 month old watching television BUT considering she's learning something as she goes I can't really fault the big purple dinosaur.
It has also added a new thing for us. I am a mother who will dance around the kitchen with my child and now Barney comes too. She will hold one of his hands, I hold the other and we dance in a circle. :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
She's a GIRL!!
This has been happening more often lately and it is driving me insane. My daughter is not a boy! My daughter does not look like a boy! Granted she still does not have a huge amount of hair but there is a little bit of curl at the back.
I'm hearing this from many women with children around Amelia's age. This same problem happening to us all. A friend of mine told me her son (wearing a football outfit) was called a princess! What are we supposed to be dressing our children in? Should a boy always be in blue? Should a girl live in pink? Or should members of the public who feel the need to comment on our children open their eyes and LOOK at what the child is wearing?
Today, for example, Amelia was wearing her lime green shorts with matching tights and a flowery top. She had a brown cardigan with a diamond "A" on it. OK ok I did forget to put a hair bow on her but still! I feel like raiding her wardrobe and throwing out everything that is not 100% girl like. Though I don't know anyone who puts their little boy in tights....
Is there something i'm missing? Frilly dresses don't suit Amelia so we spend a lot of money getting things made that suit her BUT still make her look like a girl. Clearly that has been wasted money. Does this mean if our next child is a boy he will mistaken for a beautiful princess?
People please LOOK before you speak! I will no longer reply in a polite manner I WILL be a smart a$$!
I'm hearing this from many women with children around Amelia's age. This same problem happening to us all. A friend of mine told me her son (wearing a football outfit) was called a princess! What are we supposed to be dressing our children in? Should a boy always be in blue? Should a girl live in pink? Or should members of the public who feel the need to comment on our children open their eyes and LOOK at what the child is wearing?
Today, for example, Amelia was wearing her lime green shorts with matching tights and a flowery top. She had a brown cardigan with a diamond "A" on it. OK ok I did forget to put a hair bow on her but still! I feel like raiding her wardrobe and throwing out everything that is not 100% girl like. Though I don't know anyone who puts their little boy in tights....
Is there something i'm missing? Frilly dresses don't suit Amelia so we spend a lot of money getting things made that suit her BUT still make her look like a girl. Clearly that has been wasted money. Does this mean if our next child is a boy he will mistaken for a beautiful princess?
People please LOOK before you speak! I will no longer reply in a polite manner I WILL be a smart a$$!
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