It's already 9 weeks ago that Miss N is born. I know I should have been writing every single day about her little moves and changes, the reaction of her sisters and more. But it's busy with a baby, family, house, husband, myself... Although I did have time to go out to a movie one evening (Jane Eyre, was OK), it's hard to steal time from anything just to turn on the computer and write.
Miss N is taking most of my time, but she is the easiest baby we had. She just does her baby things. I went out to lunch with her couple of times, she just slept through the whole meal. She sits in the car seat for hours so tat I can go get the groceries and to the post office, pick up kids, bring them to their activities etc, etc....Since week 6 she is smiling more and more. This week, i can see more alertness, more reaction to our actions. She is falling in love with her sisters. Already, they are interesting for Miss N. Although she is the best sleeper we have, I still couldn't figure out a good schedule. Two weeks ago, she was sleeping at 9.30-10.00, waking up in the middle of the night, around 3.30, and then not sleeping for 1,5 hours. I thought it was a pattern. This week though, she wakes up at 1.00am and 4.00 something.
Anyway, let's leave the sleeping patterns. What did we do lately. P went to his first trip when Miss N was 3 weeks. Did I have help! I had dinner brought every day to our house. Miss F and Miss A grew overnight. They had an understanding, I needed help, I didn't manage everything as before. One morning I went downstairs and they had breakfast ready, even a bowl of cereal for me.
During the week P was gone, Miss F said once to Miss A, as a matter of fact way - not sad, not mad, maybe a bit teasing, "She(meaning me) loves her (meaning Miss N) more then us, you know." She said it when I could hear her and I know she didn't mean the exact words. She meant to explain to Miss A that I just needed to spend more time with the baby. How do I know that, I can't explain. If she had mean it, I would be hurt, but I understood that she understood our situation. My biggest help, my little mothers.
Miss N was 4 weeks when Miss A turned 5. So proud was she, with her huge basket. She made her lunch all by herself and didn't express any reproach or sadness for staying at school until 2.30 instead of 11.30. She did ask me to pick her up as the first, but she always does that, so what's new?! The same evening, we had a sitter and went to Brooke's 40th bday dinner. It was at a restaurant in Lake Forest. We arrived 40 minutes late because Miss N was crying and I just couldn't leave. I literally arrived trembling and the first thing I did was to order a gin and tonic, my only drink the whole night.
Our first outing as family was to the Museum of Science and Industry, which went quite fine with three kids.
when Miss N was 6 weeks, Siska came for a week. It was fun, busy but fun. We went shopping, out for lunch, to kids' activities - ballet and gymnastics. We spent Sunday at the Museum of Science and Industry, Siska and I saw the Body World exhibition. It was very interesting to see all the mummified bodies and body parts. Miss N didn't like it, though.I had to nurse her twice in three hours and walk around holding her. Nevertheless, the exhibition was great. The same evening, we had dinner downtown - with a baby!
We had quite some guests at home. Blai and Carmina, Anne and Jeff. After Siska left Melinda and Toni and their families came over for dinner. Then last weekend, we had the big party, Miss A's Indian bday party. I spent days and days driving around to buy the necessities, cutting Indian tunics and head pieces, drawing indian figures on the big canvas that we turned into a teepee. I shouldn't forget Siska's help with the goodie bags, that was a lot of work, too. We had 19 kids + our two and couple little ones. I had help from 2 middle school kids, otherwise I wouldn't have survived it. We had to do the head pieces and tunics in the basement, the weather was cold and cloudy. The kids painted the canvas on the garage floor. During all this, poor Miss N was held by everyone, except me. At the end, P set up the teepee in the backyard. It looked - and still looks - great! after the party, 5 families stayed for dinner. The kids played in the teepee for the whole evening. It was, I think a successful party, it was surely fun.
Finally, the party is over, there are no visitors, no big dinner plans... I finally had two days that I could enjoy being home with Miss N. She is making the baby noises and gets mad at me when I put her on her belly. She can spend quite some time alone, she looks around, traps her legs and waves her arms. When I go back to her, she smiles. I read quite some Jane Eyre, which I read for my coming book club. She is 4,5 kilos already, almost double the birth weight. She grows so fast, and the other two grow so fast... I just want to slow the time and watch them growing every inch, every knowledge, wisdom and maturity level. Don't want to miss a thing!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Baby oh Baby!
How much can somebody complain about pregnancy! I managed a good deal in the last ... 9 months. Some love being pregnant, I remember being over the clouds for the first two, but this time, I just couldn't wait it to be over. Tired, sick to my stomach and just uncomfortable, that's how it was. Oh, I did love the little kicks and the views of the little creature on the ultrasounds, of course I did. But it didn't stop me feeling like I was weeks overdue 3 weeks before my due date. I was just so sure this baby was going to be early, I think I gave everyone around me the same feeling of impatience.
When I went to the OB on Monday to hear that I was at just two and a half centimeter, I was truly disappointed. What was my fortune cookie saying just the Saturday before that: 'Good things come to the ones who wait. Be patient.' The air was full of signs that as a primer, this baby was coming after my due date. After March 26??!! That's like ages.
Then Monday evening at 11.30, I decided that I was not 'comfortable'. I couldn't go to bed. I walked around thinking, 'Will this go away, or are we on something?' 2 hours later, I decided to wake up P, I just couldn't count the minutes and honestly, I just didn't want to have contractions alone. P was deep asleep. Poor guy, he looked tired when he came downstairs to meet me. Then the contractions started to get stronger. I still wasn't sure, I didn't want to alarm everyone for nothing. But finally we decided to call Chris, who was my biggest support for this pregnancy, she was to take care of the other girls. P started calling, but we kept on getting her voice mail. The same for the home number and the same for Steve's cell. Then I started to get anxious. I was hoping that they were not at some other hospital with Steve's mother or something bad like that. I was also trying to think about our options. Who would come over to take care of the girls, or who would take them to their house? Who can we call in the middle of the night? P said he will go to Chris' door and knock, and tried to call their home for one last time. To our luck, Chris answered. She was over 15 minutes later and we were on our way to the hospital. It was after 2.00 am.
Last time at Condell, the ER was very crowded and I had to wait in line. This time I was lucky though, there were no one else to see. I got in a wheelchair in no time and was brought to the New Life Maternity Center. Everyone who saw me said "Oh, you are looking uncomfortable." They knew right away that I was to stay. Normally pregnant women go to the first room to be checked, if they are far enough, they are admitted. They brought me to the first room and after a look at my face, they brought me straight to the delivery room. The doctor was called, she was to come from Lake Forest. Mary Ellen, our doula arrived quite fast, she lives across the hospital. To my luck, the OB was Dr. Nakanishi, the nicest of the whole practice. While waiting for the OB, my contractions got stronger and stronger. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to wait for the doctor to arrive. But it was really our lucky day, she arrived just on time, and short after, Miss N was born. It was 3.43 am.
I wanted to hold her right away, Mary Ellen told the nurses to give the baby to me. I was in a state of extreme happiness. "She is so pretty" I kept on saying. After all the cleaning and apgar score etc, when they brought her back to me, I actually thought she was not so pretty. Oh well, Miss N, if you read this later, for your information, I think you are the prettiest little baby on earth. I just didn't like that they washed your hair I think. Oh, that hair of yours, the whole maternity wing had over your hair. So much and such a nice dark shade of brown.
I was brought to the recovery room, more a hotel room than a hospital room. P went home around 7am to wake up Chris and the kids. He brought the kids to the school and came back. He picked the kids up at 11.30 and brought them to the hospital. The girls were over the clouds!
I spent two nights at the hospital, which was really great for me. I let Miss N go to the nursery in the evenings so I could get some rest. P and the girls came over to visit everyday. Thursday, I went home with Miss N and now life goes on again. P spent 7 days at home and did such a great job running the household. We hardly had to cook thanks to the beautiful tradition of bringing over food when somebody is out of the hospital for any reason. We are still in this euphoria of happiness and I hope it will not leave the house for a long time. Miss N is already a part of this family, it's like she was meant to be here for years and we were waiting for her to come! And now, here she is!!
When I went to the OB on Monday to hear that I was at just two and a half centimeter, I was truly disappointed. What was my fortune cookie saying just the Saturday before that: 'Good things come to the ones who wait. Be patient.' The air was full of signs that as a primer, this baby was coming after my due date. After March 26??!! That's like ages.
Then Monday evening at 11.30, I decided that I was not 'comfortable'. I couldn't go to bed. I walked around thinking, 'Will this go away, or are we on something?' 2 hours later, I decided to wake up P, I just couldn't count the minutes and honestly, I just didn't want to have contractions alone. P was deep asleep. Poor guy, he looked tired when he came downstairs to meet me. Then the contractions started to get stronger. I still wasn't sure, I didn't want to alarm everyone for nothing. But finally we decided to call Chris, who was my biggest support for this pregnancy, she was to take care of the other girls. P started calling, but we kept on getting her voice mail. The same for the home number and the same for Steve's cell. Then I started to get anxious. I was hoping that they were not at some other hospital with Steve's mother or something bad like that. I was also trying to think about our options. Who would come over to take care of the girls, or who would take them to their house? Who can we call in the middle of the night? P said he will go to Chris' door and knock, and tried to call their home for one last time. To our luck, Chris answered. She was over 15 minutes later and we were on our way to the hospital. It was after 2.00 am.
Last time at Condell, the ER was very crowded and I had to wait in line. This time I was lucky though, there were no one else to see. I got in a wheelchair in no time and was brought to the New Life Maternity Center. Everyone who saw me said "Oh, you are looking uncomfortable." They knew right away that I was to stay. Normally pregnant women go to the first room to be checked, if they are far enough, they are admitted. They brought me to the first room and after a look at my face, they brought me straight to the delivery room. The doctor was called, she was to come from Lake Forest. Mary Ellen, our doula arrived quite fast, she lives across the hospital. To my luck, the OB was Dr. Nakanishi, the nicest of the whole practice. While waiting for the OB, my contractions got stronger and stronger. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to wait for the doctor to arrive. But it was really our lucky day, she arrived just on time, and short after, Miss N was born. It was 3.43 am.
I wanted to hold her right away, Mary Ellen told the nurses to give the baby to me. I was in a state of extreme happiness. "She is so pretty" I kept on saying. After all the cleaning and apgar score etc, when they brought her back to me, I actually thought she was not so pretty. Oh well, Miss N, if you read this later, for your information, I think you are the prettiest little baby on earth. I just didn't like that they washed your hair I think. Oh, that hair of yours, the whole maternity wing had over your hair. So much and such a nice dark shade of brown.
I was brought to the recovery room, more a hotel room than a hospital room. P went home around 7am to wake up Chris and the kids. He brought the kids to the school and came back. He picked the kids up at 11.30 and brought them to the hospital. The girls were over the clouds!
I spent two nights at the hospital, which was really great for me. I let Miss N go to the nursery in the evenings so I could get some rest. P and the girls came over to visit everyday. Thursday, I went home with Miss N and now life goes on again. P spent 7 days at home and did such a great job running the household. We hardly had to cook thanks to the beautiful tradition of bringing over food when somebody is out of the hospital for any reason. We are still in this euphoria of happiness and I hope it will not leave the house for a long time. Miss N is already a part of this family, it's like she was meant to be here for years and we were waiting for her to come! And now, here she is!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
ER
While I'm sitting by my computer a the kitchen island, the wind is blowing like crazy outside. The big blizzard is all around us, swirling white pearls all over. Luckily, at this moment, there is no emergency on our side related to the storm.
It was months ago, someone was telling me about her emergency room trip with her son, he had a bad fever or something like that. I happened to tell her "Gosh, I'm glad we never had the emergency room experience with the girls." And I know how good I am at jinxing!!
Couple months later, at a P'less weekend, we started a beautiful day. It was Sunday, January 16 We saw Tangled with Tricia and the kids. Hannah and Miss F were giggling like teenagers behind us. After the movie, I took Miss F and Miss A ice skating. After we arrived, the rink started to get crowded with hockey players. I thought telling some to go to the other side, where the hockeyers are supposed to be. However, we were the only skaters, they seemed careful and I was keeping a close eye on the girls - I thought. I did tell the players who got close to the girls to be careful and to give them some space. At a certain moment, the rink got really crowded. I thou gt I should just take the girls to Westpark, where the rink is bigger, but on the other hand, we were almost going home. I actually started to get ready to go and gave the girls just a couple more minutes before I called them. One of those moments that you go back over and over again, I wish I just had called them at that moment! One moment they are skating, the other, Miss F is laying on the ice, crying!
She said she saw an older boy skate fast towards her. He must have been far, because I was watching the girls and there was no one close to them. She said as well that the boy was far, but he was very fast. Miss F thought he wouldn't stop, although at the last moment she saw the boy change direction. It was too late though, she got scared and made a weird turn.
Pretty scared to be on the ice with my pregnant belly, I ran to her as fast as I could. The blood gushing from her chin already made big stains on the white ice. I got her up to her feet, hoping that it wouldn't be a big cut. Of course it was, it was pretty nasty. After that, I had a Hulk moment. I don't exactly know how I did it, but in a very short time, I had two kids, still in their ice skates, in the car. I don't remember how I carried Miss F, because she is just too heavy for me at the moment, but I did.
We drove 60 miles and hour on the small streets to the... Emergency at Lake Forest Hospital. Our previous experiences with that hospital were less than pleasant, so I was a bit unsure about going there, but it was the closest place. I called Fauzia from the car, because Miss F spitted out pieces of teeth and I was devastated with the idea that her new teeth were broken. I literally thought she was missing half of her front teeth! Fauzia calmed me down a bit, I just had to go to the hospital and start from there.
Short after we arrived, we were taken care of. I knew she needed stitches. I asked right away for a plastic surgeon. Stitches on my pretty baby's face! The doctor came and took a look. Miss F was crying and I was holding her hand, trying to be calm so that she didn't get even more scared. The wound looked pretty deep to me and blood was still gushing. Miss A was watching silently. I signed her not to make a sound or say something so that she didn't scare Miss F. She was very brave and didn't interrupt a moment. She did get a good look at the wound.
The emergency room doctor got a bit angry with me for asking for a plastic surgeon. He said he could do as good job and the wound was under her chin. I should have asked him before asking for a plastic surgeon. I really didn't need the pressure. I told him I needed to talk to someone else before I make the decision. The doctor and the nurse left me alone with the kids. I started calling - luckily there was a phone on the wall, of course my cell battery was low! I just couldn't get a hold of anyone! Fauzia didn't answer her phone, p was nowhere to find... I finally got a hold of Nalissa. I had heard that her daughter had stitches lately. She told me her situation and why she choose a plastic surgeon. I was quite convinced by that moment that my decision was the right one. After talking to her, I got hold of Fauzia who assured me further and then I talked to P. When I told him we wanted to go on with a plastic surgeon, the doctor was not pleased but he did give us his number and acted more friendly when we were going home. Oh, I forgot to tell, the plastic surgeon was coming four hours later!! We were first going home to come back around 9 pm.
At home, I called Chris to see if she could have Miss A. After I told her the situation, she told me that the same plastic surgeon put stitches on Lauren's face. It was a disaster - not the result but the process. Well, exactly what I needed, knowing how scared Miss F was already about getting stitches. I needed help, I needed another grown up with me. Steve agreed to come to the hospital. Gosh we are so lucky with such friends! In the mean time, I managed to find a sitter for Miss A so that she didn't have to leave the house while I was gone with her sister.
Just a little side story here. I called couple people to see if they were available to babysit. One of the girls was not home but her mother was. I told her the situation and asked if Veronica was available. She was not home. After I hung up, our neighbor called back to say that they heard my message and that their daughter would be happy to come over to help out. While I was on the phone, I got a call from Veronica's number. I called back. It was actually her mother calling back to offer help, she wanted to babysit for me. I thought it was so nice of her!
Back to the story... At home, Miss F was doing quite OK. She was actually doing hand stands!! We had dinner and brought Miss A to bed - she was not pleased! At 8.30, we left her with Gretta and picked up Steve. At the hospital, Dr Lu came to check the wound. The blood started gushing again. (A nurse gave me a chair so that I could sit by F, instead of standing. Nobody wanted me to go in labor at that moment!) The Doc said he will give the sedative shot without any local anesthetic - exactly what upset Lauren a year ago. The local would take 50 minutes to work he said. I still cannot believe that there is no local anesthetic that works faster. There are cooling sprays and other stuff, right!? But he insisted there was no option, and he knew nobody wanted to wait until 10pm. So he gave the shot and made my baby scream. Steve said "tell me when to hold her" and I said "sit on her!" but it was not necessary. Miss F calmed down pretty fast and got the stitches. My brave big little girl! Just looking at the scar made my heart hurt. When we went home, she looked tired and shaken, but OK. She slept that night right next to me and every time I woke up - and I did wake up quite often, I had that heavy feeling in my chest. "My beautiful girl" I thought "My beautiful girl!" I couldn't stop thinking why on earth I hadn't get the kids in the car and drove to Westpark. I saw it coming. Why? I still think about it time to time, and feel bad.
I almost forgot to write about the teeth. Well, she did chip some teeth, but baby teeth. Her new teeth were intact and I am so thankful for that!
Blizzard is going on and so is my story. Oh, yes I am not done.
Five days after the stitches, on Friday, we went to the Doctor Lu's office to get the stitches out. Unfortunately, Miss F's friends told her that taking off the stitches hurted more than getting them. She was so nervous! It was of course no big deal and I told her to tell her friends how it went. Her face looks better than I expected. Of course there is a scar, it's not on a visible spot and it's healing beautifully. After telling that she would never ever skate again, she said last week to P that she actually would like to get new skates from Holland.
Before the stitches were out, I had a little moment with Miss A. As I said before, she saw everything, the wound, the blood... I hadn't realize the effect of the events on her, I was so focused on Miss F. Days after the stitches, out of nowhere, she started asking questions about wounds and blood and what happens to people when they bleed. Poor thing thought that her sister's wound would stay open forever. I'm glad she saw the closed wound and the much better looking scar and I think she is OK.
This brings us to Saturday, January 23rd. I'll tell this one next time.
It was months ago, someone was telling me about her emergency room trip with her son, he had a bad fever or something like that. I happened to tell her "Gosh, I'm glad we never had the emergency room experience with the girls." And I know how good I am at jinxing!!
Couple months later, at a P'less weekend, we started a beautiful day. It was Sunday, January 16 We saw Tangled with Tricia and the kids. Hannah and Miss F were giggling like teenagers behind us. After the movie, I took Miss F and Miss A ice skating. After we arrived, the rink started to get crowded with hockey players. I thought telling some to go to the other side, where the hockeyers are supposed to be. However, we were the only skaters, they seemed careful and I was keeping a close eye on the girls - I thought. I did tell the players who got close to the girls to be careful and to give them some space. At a certain moment, the rink got really crowded. I thou gt I should just take the girls to Westpark, where the rink is bigger, but on the other hand, we were almost going home. I actually started to get ready to go and gave the girls just a couple more minutes before I called them. One of those moments that you go back over and over again, I wish I just had called them at that moment! One moment they are skating, the other, Miss F is laying on the ice, crying!
She said she saw an older boy skate fast towards her. He must have been far, because I was watching the girls and there was no one close to them. She said as well that the boy was far, but he was very fast. Miss F thought he wouldn't stop, although at the last moment she saw the boy change direction. It was too late though, she got scared and made a weird turn.
Pretty scared to be on the ice with my pregnant belly, I ran to her as fast as I could. The blood gushing from her chin already made big stains on the white ice. I got her up to her feet, hoping that it wouldn't be a big cut. Of course it was, it was pretty nasty. After that, I had a Hulk moment. I don't exactly know how I did it, but in a very short time, I had two kids, still in their ice skates, in the car. I don't remember how I carried Miss F, because she is just too heavy for me at the moment, but I did.
We drove 60 miles and hour on the small streets to the... Emergency at Lake Forest Hospital. Our previous experiences with that hospital were less than pleasant, so I was a bit unsure about going there, but it was the closest place. I called Fauzia from the car, because Miss F spitted out pieces of teeth and I was devastated with the idea that her new teeth were broken. I literally thought she was missing half of her front teeth! Fauzia calmed me down a bit, I just had to go to the hospital and start from there.
Short after we arrived, we were taken care of. I knew she needed stitches. I asked right away for a plastic surgeon. Stitches on my pretty baby's face! The doctor came and took a look. Miss F was crying and I was holding her hand, trying to be calm so that she didn't get even more scared. The wound looked pretty deep to me and blood was still gushing. Miss A was watching silently. I signed her not to make a sound or say something so that she didn't scare Miss F. She was very brave and didn't interrupt a moment. She did get a good look at the wound.
The emergency room doctor got a bit angry with me for asking for a plastic surgeon. He said he could do as good job and the wound was under her chin. I should have asked him before asking for a plastic surgeon. I really didn't need the pressure. I told him I needed to talk to someone else before I make the decision. The doctor and the nurse left me alone with the kids. I started calling - luckily there was a phone on the wall, of course my cell battery was low! I just couldn't get a hold of anyone! Fauzia didn't answer her phone, p was nowhere to find... I finally got a hold of Nalissa. I had heard that her daughter had stitches lately. She told me her situation and why she choose a plastic surgeon. I was quite convinced by that moment that my decision was the right one. After talking to her, I got hold of Fauzia who assured me further and then I talked to P. When I told him we wanted to go on with a plastic surgeon, the doctor was not pleased but he did give us his number and acted more friendly when we were going home. Oh, I forgot to tell, the plastic surgeon was coming four hours later!! We were first going home to come back around 9 pm.
At home, I called Chris to see if she could have Miss A. After I told her the situation, she told me that the same plastic surgeon put stitches on Lauren's face. It was a disaster - not the result but the process. Well, exactly what I needed, knowing how scared Miss F was already about getting stitches. I needed help, I needed another grown up with me. Steve agreed to come to the hospital. Gosh we are so lucky with such friends! In the mean time, I managed to find a sitter for Miss A so that she didn't have to leave the house while I was gone with her sister.
Just a little side story here. I called couple people to see if they were available to babysit. One of the girls was not home but her mother was. I told her the situation and asked if Veronica was available. She was not home. After I hung up, our neighbor called back to say that they heard my message and that their daughter would be happy to come over to help out. While I was on the phone, I got a call from Veronica's number. I called back. It was actually her mother calling back to offer help, she wanted to babysit for me. I thought it was so nice of her!
Back to the story... At home, Miss F was doing quite OK. She was actually doing hand stands!! We had dinner and brought Miss A to bed - she was not pleased! At 8.30, we left her with Gretta and picked up Steve. At the hospital, Dr Lu came to check the wound. The blood started gushing again. (A nurse gave me a chair so that I could sit by F, instead of standing. Nobody wanted me to go in labor at that moment!) The Doc said he will give the sedative shot without any local anesthetic - exactly what upset Lauren a year ago. The local would take 50 minutes to work he said. I still cannot believe that there is no local anesthetic that works faster. There are cooling sprays and other stuff, right!? But he insisted there was no option, and he knew nobody wanted to wait until 10pm. So he gave the shot and made my baby scream. Steve said "tell me when to hold her" and I said "sit on her!" but it was not necessary. Miss F calmed down pretty fast and got the stitches. My brave big little girl! Just looking at the scar made my heart hurt. When we went home, she looked tired and shaken, but OK. She slept that night right next to me and every time I woke up - and I did wake up quite often, I had that heavy feeling in my chest. "My beautiful girl" I thought "My beautiful girl!" I couldn't stop thinking why on earth I hadn't get the kids in the car and drove to Westpark. I saw it coming. Why? I still think about it time to time, and feel bad.
I almost forgot to write about the teeth. Well, she did chip some teeth, but baby teeth. Her new teeth were intact and I am so thankful for that!
Blizzard is going on and so is my story. Oh, yes I am not done.
Five days after the stitches, on Friday, we went to the Doctor Lu's office to get the stitches out. Unfortunately, Miss F's friends told her that taking off the stitches hurted more than getting them. She was so nervous! It was of course no big deal and I told her to tell her friends how it went. Her face looks better than I expected. Of course there is a scar, it's not on a visible spot and it's healing beautifully. After telling that she would never ever skate again, she said last week to P that she actually would like to get new skates from Holland.
Before the stitches were out, I had a little moment with Miss A. As I said before, she saw everything, the wound, the blood... I hadn't realize the effect of the events on her, I was so focused on Miss F. Days after the stitches, out of nowhere, she started asking questions about wounds and blood and what happens to people when they bleed. Poor thing thought that her sister's wound would stay open forever. I'm glad she saw the closed wound and the much better looking scar and I think she is OK.
This brings us to Saturday, January 23rd. I'll tell this one next time.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NYC and sleepover
I resisted going to NYC for a while. I'm not very energetic and where do I leave the kids when we are gone??!! Well, it was Tricia who convinced me that I just had to go. That one night we were planning became two nights and last friday, we were at the Big Apple!! It took me a while to get used to the idea that the kids would be OK. But of course they were just looking forward to the sleepover. Miss A said in this proud tone,
"Am I not too young to have a sleep over?" ("Yes baby, you are actually, but mama-papa are ready to bend some rules to please themselves!!!>>>")
Miss F was staying not one but two nights at her best friend's house, she couldn't be happier. She did make sure that I put one of new school pictures of both in my valet and she made me order copies of family pictures for them to take to Tricia's.
I realize how hard I found it, look how much time I spent just writing about leaving the kids home. Now it's time to go further, because we went to NYC and that is something!!!!
We arrived to LaGuardia in the evening, took the taxi to the hotel I found in 5 minutes on Internet. Honestly I was a bit nervous about it. Because of us Eddie and MA had changed their reservation. But the New York Manhattan hotel was quite OK. The nicest thing was the location, it was on the Korean street, always full of young people, lively and full of restaurants. Since Eddie and MA were at a musical, P and I decided to go out and eat something - which I do continuously lately, it's almost scary!! We found a Korean restaurant where the BBQ is in the middle of the table. Before we ordered, Eddie and MA arrived and it was a blast. Good food, good friends, what more can I say.
From there, we walked to the Times Square. A little disappointment, it is busy and surrounded with colorful screens, but further??... Then of course we had to go to a bar. Without a local, the best way to find a decent place is to ask a local. So we asked a police guy where we could have a drink. (I just couldn't come up with the word decent, so I said "family bar" to the policeman. He probably thought I was stoned or something...) We ended up in a street where Irish bars were lined up. We entered the most cosy looking one. When we arrived back to the hotel, it was around 3am. I ended up sleeping around 4am, something to pay for later!!
The next morning, of course getting up was hell, but we managed. We made an attempt to have breakfast at a nice looking bakery just under the hotel. Unfortunately they had nothing without milk or milk products. Disappointed, we left for the Central Park. Ah, what a beautiful day and what a beautiful place. Autumn colors and the sunshine just made it. People were jogging and biking on the streets, jazz musicians were giving little concerts, families cruising around... We saw the carousel and the ice skating rink. I just had the book club back at home about the "Catcher in the Rye" and scenes of the book came to life. Then we found (again asked someone) for a place to sit and eat. We ended up at the boathouse, which Sonja was telling me about. We had a fancy brunch.
After brunch, we walked through the park a bit more, and went to the 5th Ave. We walked to the Rockefeller Building. We went to the observation deck and had a great view of New york and the surroundings. It was good for the orientation, to see how Manhattan is an island and New Jersey looks so different and greener than NYC. The Central Park is really is a jewel in the middle of the concrete forest.
Eddie and MA were planning to do some shopping. We decided to take a cab and try to see the Statue of Liberty. Well, the taxi drive was much longer than expected, and when we arrived to the dock around 3.40, the last ferry to the Statue was gone. The seashore was beautiful though, so we walked around a bit. By that time, I was dragging my feet behind me, the tiredness was unbearable. We decided to go back to the hotel after seeing the Ground Zero. It was something to see where the Twin Towers were standing and the plans for the new building. We walked through the financial buildings, saw Deloitte's nice spot at the Big Apple, and of course all the hot shots in exactly same suits, like school kids in uniforms.
At the hotel, I wasn't the only one exhausted. P and I both fell asleep. When we met with Eddie and MA at the lobby, I was still not feeling fit. However, the story the came up with did cheer me up. They had the most hilarious story. After we went to Statue of Liberty, they ran into a crowd. The police was keeping people away from a movie set just on the street. So the two somehow ended up inside the police line and all of a sudden, they were the part of the crowd (all casted and paid actors) acting in the "crowd" scene. I can't remeber which movie it is, but we'll find it out. They had to act like they were watching someone climb or jump from a building. They had to give facial reactions to the command from a speaker. It's so funny that the people around them were paid actors and were seriously acting to the commands. I wonder if someone will realize at the montage the tall guy and the little girl with the backpack. And they were just next to the "star" of the scene. Hilarious!
To celebrate the breakthrough of Eddie and MA, we went tout for dinner. Well, actually the dinner arrangements were done by my assistant Tricia (in the car while I was driving to IKEA) couple days ago. I wanted to keep it as a secret, but P had to tell something and before I knew Eddie knew all about it. So we took a cab (that's what you do in New York) to "Lucky Chengs", a restaurant where the waiters are travesties in sexy lingerie. The guys (or women, or bitches as they kept on calling around) did little gigs, shows and a competition. (Six ladies from the restaurant guests had to do a lap dance for a guy, again, a restaurant guest. We were supposed to select he best one.) It was an experience. I liked the food but I understand that not every one's food was as good. It was quite loud, though. It just sucked the energy out of me. Ah, this little baby must be thinking the world is a horribly loud place. Even before the end of the dinner, I was exhausted. After we were done, MA and I decided to take a cab to the hotel. Oh, it was such a good night sleep!
Sunday morning, we had just enough time to have a breakfast and P and I had to say goodbye to our friends. Of course Eddie and MA went back to the city for some more shopping, I think they filled a whole big suitcase while in NYC for almost 4 days! P was actually not ready to leave, he still wanted to see more of the city but I think I was quite ready to see our babies. I knew they had great time, but still, they belong by us.
We picked up the girls from Tricia around 4pm. They had a lot to tell. Well, the first night, Miss F was a little sad and had to take out our family pictures. The next evening, it was Miss A's turn. It's good to know they did miss us, because Miss A said she could have stayed another 3-4 days. Nice to hear! Of course the top moment was when Miss F, at Rowan's b-day party, got to choose her own American Girl doll. Seven girls and Brooke went downtown in a limo, had dinner at the American Girl place and each girl got her own doll. Brooke found it over the top herself, but it was a Grandpa treat for Rowan.
It was a dream come true for Miss F, who wanted to have such a doll for the longest time. We have been very strict about it. She was always allowed to buy one with her own savings, but she realizes that it would cost her all her savings, so she didn't want to buy one herself. Oh, so many tears I had to wipe from her face in the last months. And now she has her own doll (and her savings!!) The funny thing is, she came home with her doll and the pictures of 4 other dolls. Both girls want one doll from the pictures from Santa. What happened to being happy with the one doll she got at the b-day party?? The whole situation is a bit sad for Miss A, I really think she believes she will receive a doll for Christmas. Back from NYC to tough parenting issues. But still I'm rather here then sitting at a loud restaurant with dick shaped balloons sticking from people's head around me.
Greetings to Eddie and MA, it was fun and see you soon!
"Am I not too young to have a sleep over?" ("Yes baby, you are actually, but mama-papa are ready to bend some rules to please themselves!!!>>>")
Miss F was staying not one but two nights at her best friend's house, she couldn't be happier. She did make sure that I put one of new school pictures of both in my valet and she made me order copies of family pictures for them to take to Tricia's.
I realize how hard I found it, look how much time I spent just writing about leaving the kids home. Now it's time to go further, because we went to NYC and that is something!!!!
We arrived to LaGuardia in the evening, took the taxi to the hotel I found in 5 minutes on Internet. Honestly I was a bit nervous about it. Because of us Eddie and MA had changed their reservation. But the New York Manhattan hotel was quite OK. The nicest thing was the location, it was on the Korean street, always full of young people, lively and full of restaurants. Since Eddie and MA were at a musical, P and I decided to go out and eat something - which I do continuously lately, it's almost scary!! We found a Korean restaurant where the BBQ is in the middle of the table. Before we ordered, Eddie and MA arrived and it was a blast. Good food, good friends, what more can I say.
From there, we walked to the Times Square. A little disappointment, it is busy and surrounded with colorful screens, but further??... Then of course we had to go to a bar. Without a local, the best way to find a decent place is to ask a local. So we asked a police guy where we could have a drink. (I just couldn't come up with the word decent, so I said "family bar" to the policeman. He probably thought I was stoned or something...) We ended up in a street where Irish bars were lined up. We entered the most cosy looking one. When we arrived back to the hotel, it was around 3am. I ended up sleeping around 4am, something to pay for later!!
The next morning, of course getting up was hell, but we managed. We made an attempt to have breakfast at a nice looking bakery just under the hotel. Unfortunately they had nothing without milk or milk products. Disappointed, we left for the Central Park. Ah, what a beautiful day and what a beautiful place. Autumn colors and the sunshine just made it. People were jogging and biking on the streets, jazz musicians were giving little concerts, families cruising around... We saw the carousel and the ice skating rink. I just had the book club back at home about the "Catcher in the Rye" and scenes of the book came to life. Then we found (again asked someone) for a place to sit and eat. We ended up at the boathouse, which Sonja was telling me about. We had a fancy brunch.
After brunch, we walked through the park a bit more, and went to the 5th Ave. We walked to the Rockefeller Building. We went to the observation deck and had a great view of New york and the surroundings. It was good for the orientation, to see how Manhattan is an island and New Jersey looks so different and greener than NYC. The Central Park is really is a jewel in the middle of the concrete forest.
Eddie and MA were planning to do some shopping. We decided to take a cab and try to see the Statue of Liberty. Well, the taxi drive was much longer than expected, and when we arrived to the dock around 3.40, the last ferry to the Statue was gone. The seashore was beautiful though, so we walked around a bit. By that time, I was dragging my feet behind me, the tiredness was unbearable. We decided to go back to the hotel after seeing the Ground Zero. It was something to see where the Twin Towers were standing and the plans for the new building. We walked through the financial buildings, saw Deloitte's nice spot at the Big Apple, and of course all the hot shots in exactly same suits, like school kids in uniforms.
At the hotel, I wasn't the only one exhausted. P and I both fell asleep. When we met with Eddie and MA at the lobby, I was still not feeling fit. However, the story the came up with did cheer me up. They had the most hilarious story. After we went to Statue of Liberty, they ran into a crowd. The police was keeping people away from a movie set just on the street. So the two somehow ended up inside the police line and all of a sudden, they were the part of the crowd (all casted and paid actors) acting in the "crowd" scene. I can't remeber which movie it is, but we'll find it out. They had to act like they were watching someone climb or jump from a building. They had to give facial reactions to the command from a speaker. It's so funny that the people around them were paid actors and were seriously acting to the commands. I wonder if someone will realize at the montage the tall guy and the little girl with the backpack. And they were just next to the "star" of the scene. Hilarious!
To celebrate the breakthrough of Eddie and MA, we went tout for dinner. Well, actually the dinner arrangements were done by my assistant Tricia (in the car while I was driving to IKEA) couple days ago. I wanted to keep it as a secret, but P had to tell something and before I knew Eddie knew all about it. So we took a cab (that's what you do in New York) to "Lucky Chengs", a restaurant where the waiters are travesties in sexy lingerie. The guys (or women, or bitches as they kept on calling around) did little gigs, shows and a competition. (Six ladies from the restaurant guests had to do a lap dance for a guy, again, a restaurant guest. We were supposed to select he best one.) It was an experience. I liked the food but I understand that not every one's food was as good. It was quite loud, though. It just sucked the energy out of me. Ah, this little baby must be thinking the world is a horribly loud place. Even before the end of the dinner, I was exhausted. After we were done, MA and I decided to take a cab to the hotel. Oh, it was such a good night sleep!
Sunday morning, we had just enough time to have a breakfast and P and I had to say goodbye to our friends. Of course Eddie and MA went back to the city for some more shopping, I think they filled a whole big suitcase while in NYC for almost 4 days! P was actually not ready to leave, he still wanted to see more of the city but I think I was quite ready to see our babies. I knew they had great time, but still, they belong by us.
We picked up the girls from Tricia around 4pm. They had a lot to tell. Well, the first night, Miss F was a little sad and had to take out our family pictures. The next evening, it was Miss A's turn. It's good to know they did miss us, because Miss A said she could have stayed another 3-4 days. Nice to hear! Of course the top moment was when Miss F, at Rowan's b-day party, got to choose her own American Girl doll. Seven girls and Brooke went downtown in a limo, had dinner at the American Girl place and each girl got her own doll. Brooke found it over the top herself, but it was a Grandpa treat for Rowan.
It was a dream come true for Miss F, who wanted to have such a doll for the longest time. We have been very strict about it. She was always allowed to buy one with her own savings, but she realizes that it would cost her all her savings, so she didn't want to buy one herself. Oh, so many tears I had to wipe from her face in the last months. And now she has her own doll (and her savings!!) The funny thing is, she came home with her doll and the pictures of 4 other dolls. Both girls want one doll from the pictures from Santa. What happened to being happy with the one doll she got at the b-day party?? The whole situation is a bit sad for Miss A, I really think she believes she will receive a doll for Christmas. Back from NYC to tough parenting issues. But still I'm rather here then sitting at a loud restaurant with dick shaped balloons sticking from people's head around me.
Greetings to Eddie and MA, it was fun and see you soon!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Independence in Montessori
Very now and then, there is a presentation of teachers at our Montessori school about a subject important for the education of our kids. This time it was about independence. Of course Montessori education implies a lot of independence, what why is it so important.
The presentation started with the class of 3-6 year olds, called primary. With examples from the class, we saw how the kids are gently maneuvered to be self sufficient (tying shoes to choosing their own work) and how they are let free to make mistakes and learn from them. (breaking a glass to spelling phonetically.) Especially the spelling was very interested. When a kids is trying to spell a word and asks a teacher how to make the "u" sound to write America, the teacher gives the letter "u" instead of "a". This goes on until the kid is ready to learn the proper spelling of words.
In the lower elementary (6-9), we saw how the children are give a general story about a part of history and tools to dig in whatever is interesting for them. They have freedom to choose their work partners, pursue their interests and work independent from teacher and a curriculum.
In upper elementary (9-12), they are allowed to do research on subjects they are interested in. After doing research at school, they can organize a trip to a museum or a college, where ever they can get more information about the subject. They have to plan all the trip details, get permissions, contact the authorities and people in question, find a parent to drive them to the location and after the trip, send thank you notes.
These were interesting, but the creme de la creme was the presentation from the two secondary level (12-14) teachers. At that level, the independence really finds its use. The children are self sufficient, as individuals and as together as a group. They follow a tough curriculum with the freedom to choose their own pace. Next to the studies they do, they also plan these trips (3 per year.) They literally have all the responsibility, choosing the place, getting the directions, planning cooking, finances, everything. I wouldn't be able manage such a complex process, it's so much work. The trips aren't without purpose. They build, they help, they discover... They use everything they learned from all the way from primary to that day. They are self sufficient, independent and harmonious as a group.
when we started Montessori education with Miss A at the Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 year), we would say with other parents that it would be so nice to be in that classroom. We wished we were at that age and in there. Now I prefer Secondary. The only problem is, even though I would manage Young Children's Community without problem, I am not so sure about the Secondary level. I doubt I have the life skills the kids get from all those years at the Montessori School.
The presentation started with the class of 3-6 year olds, called primary. With examples from the class, we saw how the kids are gently maneuvered to be self sufficient (tying shoes to choosing their own work) and how they are let free to make mistakes and learn from them. (breaking a glass to spelling phonetically.) Especially the spelling was very interested. When a kids is trying to spell a word and asks a teacher how to make the "u" sound to write America, the teacher gives the letter "u" instead of "a". This goes on until the kid is ready to learn the proper spelling of words.
In the lower elementary (6-9), we saw how the children are give a general story about a part of history and tools to dig in whatever is interesting for them. They have freedom to choose their work partners, pursue their interests and work independent from teacher and a curriculum.
In upper elementary (9-12), they are allowed to do research on subjects they are interested in. After doing research at school, they can organize a trip to a museum or a college, where ever they can get more information about the subject. They have to plan all the trip details, get permissions, contact the authorities and people in question, find a parent to drive them to the location and after the trip, send thank you notes.
These were interesting, but the creme de la creme was the presentation from the two secondary level (12-14) teachers. At that level, the independence really finds its use. The children are self sufficient, as individuals and as together as a group. They follow a tough curriculum with the freedom to choose their own pace. Next to the studies they do, they also plan these trips (3 per year.) They literally have all the responsibility, choosing the place, getting the directions, planning cooking, finances, everything. I wouldn't be able manage such a complex process, it's so much work. The trips aren't without purpose. They build, they help, they discover... They use everything they learned from all the way from primary to that day. They are self sufficient, independent and harmonious as a group.
when we started Montessori education with Miss A at the Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 year), we would say with other parents that it would be so nice to be in that classroom. We wished we were at that age and in there. Now I prefer Secondary. The only problem is, even though I would manage Young Children's Community without problem, I am not so sure about the Secondary level. I doubt I have the life skills the kids get from all those years at the Montessori School.
Back to life
Last weekend was "back to life". Friday evening, we were invited to Melinda's house for a dinner with her and Tony's family. This time, we said "yes". I tried to rest during the day to be able to make it, and I did.
When we arrived, I loved the expression on especially Lillian and Amelia. They were genuinely excited. Tally to Miss A from the hand and they were gone for the rest of the evening. P had a nice conversation with Tony's husband and we got to know their families better.
Saturday morning, Miss F had her b-day party at the bowling place. 9 girls and 1 boy bowled for an hour. Then we had some cake in the party room. It was great, the bowling place arranged everything for us, we hardly had to do anything. P has a video of the kids literally screaming a song - all of them!
Even though it was all well arranged, I came home exhausted. But there was no time to rest. P went to play tennis with Paul for a short while - which probably looked like anything but tennis!! Then we left for Deniz's house. We saw them one whole year ago. The little Alexander was not so little anymore, more like a giant 2 year old. The girls had Alexander had a blast. They are so welcoming and nice, we ended up leaving pretty late. Of course in good old days, late would be 1 am (with the kids) or later (without the kids.) It was 10.30 when we arrived home. Still I had to pay for it the next day.
Sunday, Paul came for a crepe breakfast. So I got up, made crepes and had a major bleeding that scared the sh.. out of us. Now we know that it's all OK, but at the moment, I literally screamed when I saw what was happening. That same day, after quite some doubt, P left for Europe. This is his first trip since 3 months!!
Looks like I'm OK, the baby is OK and I manage the household - not without hiccups- without P. I even went to swim today, for 12 minutes!! 12 long minutes. Had to sleep on the couch for 1,5 hours after that, but I did swim!!
When we arrived, I loved the expression on especially Lillian and Amelia. They were genuinely excited. Tally to Miss A from the hand and they were gone for the rest of the evening. P had a nice conversation with Tony's husband and we got to know their families better.
Saturday morning, Miss F had her b-day party at the bowling place. 9 girls and 1 boy bowled for an hour. Then we had some cake in the party room. It was great, the bowling place arranged everything for us, we hardly had to do anything. P has a video of the kids literally screaming a song - all of them!
Even though it was all well arranged, I came home exhausted. But there was no time to rest. P went to play tennis with Paul for a short while - which probably looked like anything but tennis!! Then we left for Deniz's house. We saw them one whole year ago. The little Alexander was not so little anymore, more like a giant 2 year old. The girls had Alexander had a blast. They are so welcoming and nice, we ended up leaving pretty late. Of course in good old days, late would be 1 am (with the kids) or later (without the kids.) It was 10.30 when we arrived home. Still I had to pay for it the next day.
Sunday, Paul came for a crepe breakfast. So I got up, made crepes and had a major bleeding that scared the sh.. out of us. Now we know that it's all OK, but at the moment, I literally screamed when I saw what was happening. That same day, after quite some doubt, P left for Europe. This is his first trip since 3 months!!
Looks like I'm OK, the baby is OK and I manage the household - not without hiccups- without P. I even went to swim today, for 12 minutes!! 12 long minutes. Had to sleep on the couch for 1,5 hours after that, but I did swim!!
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