Category Archives: Motherhood

Just like his mother

My grandmother was a big believer in astrology. She spent hours drawing up charts and reports and I know a lot of people thought it was crazy – and I was one of them. But still, every now and then, I use astrology to explain away some of the character traits of those I love. For example, my parents were both Virgos and I blame that on the fact that my mother couldn’t deal with my messy adolescent bedroom. It was the stars.

Then I found out I was pregnant with my first child and that it was most likely that he was going to be a Virgo. I was a little frightened. Being the child of two Virgos can have a lasting effect. There are definitely traits about Thomas that are Virgo-esque. He’s a little obsessive (the colour yellow, Star Wars, certain clothes and underwear and, right now, the Beatles), but I am yet to see the obsession with cleanliness. How much of it is regular toddler behaviour and how much can be attributed to the phase of the moon?

When I first realized that Samuel was going to be a Taurus, I was proud. You see, I am a Taurus and I think there are many great aspects to the Taurean nature – loyalty, strength and reliability are just a few. I was even proud of my own stubborn nature because it meant that I stood up for my principles. What’s not to like?

But every positive trait has a corresponding negative. This weekend Samuel showed us his stubborn side.

Yes, my child that eats just about everything decided that he would limit his intake to a few select foods. And he learned the word “no”. At first it was cute – the way he said it in his little tiny sticcato voice – but it has become irritating. The worst part is that he doesn’t seem to know the word “yes” so he uses NO for everything – even things he actually wants. And Samuel KNOWS what he wants.

Enter the stubbornness that is destined to follow him into adolescence.

Don’t get me wrong, most children are stubborn at some point in their lives, in fact I think it’s a right of passage for all toddlers. It just feels like Samuel is starting early. I thought our honeymoon period of having him follow directions and do what we want was going to last more than a couple of months.

Who knows whether it’s the second child syndrome (this child wants to be heard) or the fact that he was brought into this world in the month of the Bull. One thing is certain, though, this is definitely MY child.

I guess you could call it payback. And, Mum, don’t think I can’t see you nodding your head on the other side of the world.

Blue

This is how Thomas came home from school a couple of days ago. And this was AFTER his teachers at after school care had cleaned him up.

Apparently Thomas was drawing with a blue marker a decided it would be fun to turn it around and start colouring his face. Ahhh, the impulsive actions of a four year old.

This week has had its ups and downs. The shine of a new adventure has started to wear off, friends are being made – as are a few foes. We had an “incident” early this week where Thomas was on the receiving end of another child’s impulse. I won’t go into details, but the school took it seriously and spoke to the kid’s parents about it. Thomas told me it made him really mad and then I guess the next day he decided it was payback and threw bark chips at the child. Then Thomas (and I) got a talking to (although secretly Kei and I could understand Thomas’ behaviour).

This is the toughest part of working full time. It’s difficult to discipline when you’re not there to see the event and act in the moment. And it’s often difficult to determine the truth from a well-told story. While I want to stand by my child and believe every word he says, he can tell me a story of complete fantasy with such conviction that I have no idea if the other things he tells me are truthful. Kids have great imaginations.

On the drive home the other day I heard all about how Samuel went to visit Thomas at school by crawling and walking there in the middle of the day (about 15 miles). The story even included things that Samuel said to Thomas when he arrived. And, if I didn’t know that my 16 month old is incapable of traveling that distance and…well…of talking… then I may have believed it, simply based on the way the story was told.

The definite up side is that Thomas is being challenged every day and he loves to learn. He can now count to 5 in Japanese and say a handful of basic phrases. He even taught Kei and I a few words.

It’s all a learning process and we’re still getting in the groove of a new schedule. And let’s face it, the things that happened this week were not terrible in the grand scheme of things – I have a friend at work who is having a much tougher time with her child. This is just a new parenting experience and Kei and I are learning as we go.

What a Glorious Feeling…

One of the best things about our new schedule is the extra time I get to travel in the car with him each day. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not always fun and games. “Are we nearly home” chanted over and over again does get tiring on a 30 minute drive, but every now and then I hear a comment or two from the back seat that provides me with some insight into a four-year old brain. A few examples:

“Mummy, I really want an invisible friend. I will name him George Harrison.”

After a period of listening to the radio and driving without talking: “Mummy, we have a long way to drive. We really should talk. Let’s talk about Star Wars.”

“About Vietnam. They have animals”

And one of my favourites so far on the first rainy day of autumn. “Mummy, it’s raining. When I get home I must get my hat and umbrella and do some singing in the rain.”

He certainly followed through.

Then daddy was asked to join in.

While Samuel watched from the audience.

Take a bow.

Still Here.

It seems that I have been slacking a little on the blog posts lately due to a number of reasons:

  • Life.
  • Pre-school.
  • Work.
  • Lightroom.

The first three are pretty self-explanatory. The last one, although exciting and challenging, has been impacting my ability to edit and post photos. Let’s face it, any new toy software has an adjustment period. I had my workflow all set with PSE and now Lightroom has thrown me for a loop. Just the sheer number of presets available for free download has sent me into a tailspin.

And to add a little additional complication – we have an (almost) new Mac that I have been largely able to avoid until now. Part of the reason for purchasing Lightroom was so that I could start editing photos on the Mac (a prospect that frightens me somewhat because that enormous screen certainly does point out the flaws in your photography). Unfortunately this raises a whole series of issues:

  • Do I import the iphoto catalogue to Lightroom
  • If so, how?
  • And where do I even begin with the tagging of thousands and thousands of photos?

So I have quite the task ahead of me but, thankfully, a gorgeous little 3 month old photo subject presented herself on the weekend so I have about 250 photos to work on. I should be a Lightroom expert by the end of the week (hah!).

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a couple of  photos of the child that DID NOT cling to my legs and beg me not to leave him at pre-school this morning. On no, this child cheerfully said goodbye as I walked out the door. I’m not sure which is more heartbreaking. (Photos edited in Lightroom).

Happy Monday.

Waving, Not Drowning

I know it’s only the first full week of school and I’m only half way into it and I have to allow time to adapt to the new schedule, but this being a parent of a pre-schooler has made our lives a little crazy – well, crazier than usual anyway. I’m not sure if it’s the extra artwork he is bringing home (I think I’ve counted 8 pictures of Darth Vader so far) or the extra hour of commute each day or the fact that I now have PTA meetings and teacher conferences, but this feels like a full-time job.

Good thing Thomas is taking it all in stride. Sure, on Monday morning he whined about being tired and that he didn’t want to stay, but by Tuesday afternoon he declared loudly (and unprompted) that pre-school was fun, fun, FUN. I think some of that has to do with a teacher who’s son is similarly obsessed with all things Star Wars and can effectively hold up her end of a conversation about the power of the Jedi.

I’m sure we’ll get into a rhythm soon, but in the meantime I am comforted by the fact that Thomas seems to be having the time of his life.

First Day

The day started early for my four (!) year old. I asked him if he’d grown overnight but he said “not enough to be four years old”.

We made it out the front door before 8am – a minor miracle.

The backpack and Star Wars lunchbox were early birthday presents.

He had a little trouble looking away from the lunchbox.

Then Kei walked with the boys to… daycare. Mum and I picked Kei and Thomas up about three blocks away for the drive to school.

The drop off was quick and (relatively) painless. Thomas was excited but nervous. After spending some time looking around the classroom the teacher asked the parents to leave, and that’s when Thomas looked at me and said that he didn’t want to be left there by himself with people he didn’t know. I told him he’d have fun and then the teacher came over to distract him while I left. I lost it a little when I walked out the door. It’s hard to leave your baby by himself with people he doesn’t know…

And of course I forgot to take photos in the classroom. I had to make do with some paparazzi-style shots through the barred classroom windows. He seemed to be ok…

We picked him up 3 hours later and asked him numerous questions about his day until he told us he was tired of answering questions.

Then we went home and he napped for three hours. I’d say that was a successful (if exhausting) first (1/2) day at school.

The day ended with a little family birthday celebration and more presents. Thomas took it all in stride, but it may be a little too much for his mother.

The Real Story

OK – so apparently I left something out of my last post. Kei said I should have posted this photo as well.

That’s full brotherly love for you. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt – or just incredibly pi**ed off.

Brothers

What do you do with 30 minutes at an airport waiting for your Nan’s plane to arrive?

You do what brothers do. You run around, wrestle, laugh and have fun. You make strangers laugh (even the ones who may be just a teeny bit annoyed at the two crazy boys running around).

You take advantage of the fact that your little brother is now mobile enough to make chasing him somewhat of a challenge (although he’s not so great at doing the chasing yet).

And you make your mum hope that you will always be friends – just like you are right now.

Fun with noodles

I know he’s my son and I am most probably biased, but he is seriously the funniest 15 month old that I know. Sometimes he looks at me in a way that makes me realize just how much mischevousness is going on in that little head. I think this child is going to be a trouble maker.

And, for the record, this was a pain in the butt to clean up.