Couch Potato (What Have I Done?)

Disclaimer: If you love Baby Einstein or other shows for little people, you might be offended by some of what I am about to say. Just keep in mind I'm a new, idealistic mother with only one small child, so I can afford to be a little self-righteous. I'm sure in years to come, with the addition of one or two kids, I will be eating my words.

A few weeks ago I got sick. Worst sore throat I've had in years, painful to swallow and impossible to breathe out of my nose - plus I just felt exhausted all the time because I wasn't sleeping well. It lasted about a week, but after the first day I realized I couldn't possibly keep up with Daphne's energy level. I could barely keep my eyes open. So I did something I swore I'd never do. I let the TV become the babysitter.

Every day that week I gave myself a 37 minute break by popping in a Baby Einstein DVD and crashing on the Lovesac with Daphne. I made little comments here and there, but mostly it kept her attention without me getting involved. (I have to admit, I was impressed. These Baby Einstein people really know what they're doing if they can get a 16 month old to sit still for almost 40 minutes. Even longer if I hit "replay" like she always wants me to.)

But I never hit replay because I'm so against TV for toddlers. Actually I'm pretty much against TV in general, regardless of age. (Here comes the soapbox...) I don't care if it's Baby Einstein or Sesame Street or whatever educational justification there is behind it - I just don't think it's necessary and I really don't think it's more beneficial than just spending time playing together. In fact the only reason we had this particular DVD is because someone gave it to us. But there comes a time when you realize you just can't do it all. And for that week - Baby Einstein was a lifesaver.

these pictures are actually pretty inaccurate, she was tired that day - most of the time when she's watching she is bouncing around, dancing, pointing to things on screen and talking and even trying to repeat some of the words

The problem is, now Daphne knows it exists. And she loves it. And she asks for it every day - searching through the DVDs and finding the one with the elephant on it and bringing it to me and pointing to the TV. I only give in about once a week. She hasn't asked for it in a few days now, but that's only because I put it up on a higher shelf where she can't see it. Out of sight, out of mind - I hope.

So how can I deny my daughter something she loves so much? Is it really so bad to let her watch a purely educational show which helps her learn the names of animals around the world? Maybe not. But it comes down to choosing between the good, better and best things available for her. And I just don't see sitting in front of the TV as one of the best things for her. Even if it's very, very tempting sometimes (like the days I'm behind on housework, or when dinner is nowhere near ready and Steve is on his way home...)

Like I said at the beginning, having two or three kids might change my perspective - but for now we're keeping TV time to an absolute minimum.

Wild Blackberries

One of the great things about Washington is that blackberries are free. They grow all over the place. Like dandelions, except they taste better. Our neighbors showed us a good picking spot last week (we got about 4 cups of berries) and we returned there last night (and picked a half gallon more). We've got big plans for making blackberry ice cream, once I buy a good wire mesh strainer. We made ice cream with the first crop as well, and although it was delicious, and Steve didn't seem to mind, I found the seeds a bit distracting. I just couldn't fully enjoy it.

I know what you're thinking. Why don't you make jam? Or a blackberry pie? Well I would, but our neighbors already did that and shared with us each time! So ice cream it is... Not that we're complaining.

Our To Do Lists

Mom's list for Thursday morning...
1. vacuum downstairs
2. complete ab workout
3. empty dishwasher
4. practice for afternoon piano lesson

Daphne's list for Thursday morning...
1. get in the way of the vacuum as much as possible, to keep Mom on her toes.
bonus points for sneaking up behind her and knocking her over, or at least almost knocking her over.
2. sit on Mom's stomach while she tries to do crunches, to help her REALLY strengthen those abs.
bonus points for making her laugh mid-crunch.
3. climb onto and into the dishwasher, to make sure Mom doesn't forget anything.
bonus points for finding something full of water and dumping it on myself.
4. help Mom sharpen her focus during piano practice by hanging on her arms and making as much noise as possible. if this doesn't distract her, cry if you can, or else fake it.
bonus points if you can keep her from ever getting to the piano in the first place.

I'm pleased to report that although Daphne's agenda seems to be formulated to work directly against mine, I successfully completed all but one goal (piano practice). Daphne, however, checked off everything on her list - including the bonus points (hence, no piano practice).

I Don't Wanna Grow Up!

You know what I think is the worst part about being an adult? (aside from paying bills, that is)

Having to set up your own doctor appointments.

I mean, it's bad enough when you're a kid and your mom says "hey you've got a dentist appointment next Tuesday" or "you have to get some shots before school starts". But when you actually have to make the call and request an appointment, as if it was something you wanted to do when of course you'd rather do anything else... it's almost unbearable. Which is why I've put off calling an optometrist for almost six months now.

Unfortunately I'm on my last pair of contacts so I'll have to give in pretty soon. ugh....

Helpful Harvester

We are trying to grow tomatoes and bell peppers in our back yard. I wanted to do a whole vegetable garden but that was unrealistic given the time of year we moved in and all the work that had to be done on the yard to make it garden-ready. So I settled for two tomatoes and one bell pepper. The tomato plants are HUGE now, but the bell pepper is only a couple inches taller than when we picked it up at Home Depot. I don't know if that's normal, but I do know Daphne is NOT helping its chances...

While watering the tomatoes the other day, Daphne ran up to me with a big smile on her face and a little pepper in her hand. She had plucked our largest, though still very unripe, bell pepper. I was disappointed but not too upset, just kinda laughed it off and went back to picking yellow leaves off my tomato plants. Then I heard a crunch. She had bitten right into it! Luckily it was something edible, if not palatable.

 She clearly did not like the taste...

...but kept going back for more.

She hasn't harvested anything else, but of course I've kept a much closer watch on her since then. I've seen the way she looks at those green tomatoes...

"what IS this?!"

Did You Know...? (Hawaii Trip)

Did you know we went to Hawaii? How could you since I never blogged about it... It was like two months ago. Here's what happened, from Daphne's perspective...

 everyday my mom attacked me with sunscreen, it was awful!

 but the humidity curled my hair, which was nice

 I learned to sleep just about anywhere

I attracted the attention of local paparazzi (something about my blue eyes and light hair). of course my parents actually took this picture, but we know of at least two random strangers who took pictures of me as well... what can I say? I look good in a sunhat.

 shave ice is great - even though my parents only get me the unflavored kind. it's too hot to complain about that

 pineapples are interesting

 koi fish are weird

 my mom is nice

 and so is my dad

 I wanted to kiss this pineapple but Mom pulled me away

 hiking to Waimea Falls is easy when you're in a stroller

 the temple grounds are beautiful

 I especially liked the fountain area

 and the benches

 I always fell asleep on the way to the beach

 and as soon as I woke up my parents would dunk me - I hated it!

 ...a lot! (forget what I said about my mom and dad being nice)

but my Auntie Kristen is! she gives me all the mango I want

and bought me my first swimsuit!

so now we're good friends

And now from our perspective... we had a nice visit with Steve's sister (Kristen) and his parents, who were there for the last half of our trip. I really did a bad job of photographing the whole thing - so I don't even have a picture of Daphne with her grandparents. I blame the heat and the humidity. I wish I had better pictures to share! 

Basically we just hung out a lot, went to the beach a few times, had shave ice, went to an amazing Thai food place, walked around the swap meet, went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and Waimea Valley/Falls, saw the Polynesian Cultural Center's new night show (Daphne LOVED that... we were worried she'd be bored or scared but she was dancing and clapping along, totally mesmerized. We liked it too but didn't dance quite as much.) 

We took walks in the evening when it was cooler and considered it a success that Daphne didn't get sunburnt. We had a nice dinner with some of Kristen's friends... I almost didn't mention it except that I think it might have been Daphne's favorite part of the trip. The three kids played with her and entertained her all night - bringing her toys and singing her songs. Of course she had the doting attention of parents, auntie and grandparents the whole time... but it's just not the same as with other kids.

We were reminded how different vacations are with a baby. Still fun - but not the same. Much less adventurous compared to our previous Hawaii trip (though I can't say I was too disappointed about having an excuse not to go surfing this time... yikes.) We were happy enough to watch Grandpa learn to paddleboard while we sat lazily on the beach. (And when I say "lazily" of course you mothers out there know what I really mean - frantically trying to keep your kid from eating sand, wandering off, getting burnt, etc.)

I hope I remembered everything. This is so much harder without good pictures and when I put it off for two months. All I'm trying to say is we went to Hawaii and it was awesome and you should be jealous. The end.

Oh What A Beautiful Day

Daphne had a pretty full day last Saturday. We drove to Edmonds...

entertaining us in the car

Took the ferry to Bainbridge Island...

 waiting for the ferry

 there it is!

 sunny Seattle skyline

 first time on a boat, not a fan of the wind in her face

Had a picnic lunch and then played at the Bainbridge park and beach...

 discovering her love for Cheetos

 no rest for the weary

 walking on the beach

inspecting the shells

 Took the ferry back to the mainland... (we stayed inside the boat this time, she was much happier)

looking for seagulls
 

begging for handouts

Then drove to Uncle David's for a pool and pizza party...

 I thought for sure she'd fall asleep - you can see in her eyes that she needs to!

 second time ever in a pool

 a little nervous about all the screaming kids - the place was PACKED

almost having fun

And of course what visit to David's would be complete without a Rock Band session? Daphne danced her heart out despite powering through the whole day without a nap.

the family band

She waited until she was absolutely sure the fun was done. And even then she put up a valiant fight. I tried to upload the video of her dozing off on the car ride home - but it hasn't worked after three tries so I guess you'll have to imagine it...

So that was our day! It was so fun to get out and do something different. And nice to have my mom do all the driving. The weather was perfect and Daphne did great (just a bit of crankiness) and even Steve behaved himself... as usual!