1. We are in the verge of a lesson in "Nature, red in tooth and claw" at the Two Square house. A bird built a nest in our very dead hanging plant on our front porch, and we noticed Wednesday that the eggs had hatched. They must have hatched a while ago, because yesterday we had a fledgling trying hard to learn how to fly. The boys and I have loved watching the mommy bird bring food to her babies and encourage them to fly.
The problem? Our neighbor's cat has also enjoyed watching them, a little too much. So we spent yesterday helping the fledgling back to its nest every time it made a failed attempt at flying. We would take the hanging basket down, let the bird hop back up, and hang it back on the porch, hoping the cat didn't see its next fall before we did. Unfortunately, we came home from dinner out to find the fledgling missing and the cat waiting eagerly for another one to fall. Could get interesting today.
2. Speaking of hungry animals, I have enjoyed making lists of all of the foods Linus has tried at this point. I wonder how he ever survived just on breastmilk, honestly. He has tried all of the major fruits and veggies, rice, barley, oats, yogurt, chicken, beef, and turkey. That's the short list. Some of this is store bought baby food. Some of it is made by me. Seems the store bought kind is too smooth for this bottomless pit of a baby. He likes it as close to the real texture as he can get. In fact, he was happy to down some banana pudding and blueberry batter pie at our 4th of July picnic. And plain rice cakes that he can feed himself? Those are good for 30 minutes of entertainment, at least.
3. This constant eating is finally producing better sleep. Though Linus is not completely sleeping through the night for 10 or 12 hours, he is usually only waking once. Bliss!
4. Have you heard of this book? I have been thinking a long time about how our culture tries to turn motherhood into a profession that can be perfected and about how the attachment parenting movement, despite its good intentions, has left so many mothers feeling like failures because they can never give enough of themselves. Seems I'm not the only one. I'm looking forward to reading this and seeing what she has to say. I don't know if she explores the effect this type of over-anxious parenting may have on our kids, but I would be interested to know.
5. Speaking of parenting books, has anyone read Siblings Without Rivalry? If so, do you recommend it? Calvin and Hobbes are driving each other (and me) up the wall. I know some fighting is normal, especially between two boys so close in age, but really, does every playtime have to end in a fist fight? Mothers of boys, how much should I just overlook?
Lest you think they are terrors, here are two cute moments from yesterday:
6. Today's the day the dinosaurs have their picnic...
I love my boys' growing imaginations. This was set up before breakfast this morning...before I even got out of bed. Apparently, dinos eat Nerf balls. Who knew?7. And, saving the best for last, a Calvinism for today:
Me (talking on the phone to my mom about my mother-in-law's fam): "They're great problem solvers. They'll figure something out."
Calvin: "I'm not a great problem-solver."
Me: "Yes, you are, Calvin!"
Calvin: "No, I'm not a great problem solver. I'm a problem maker."
Truer words were never spoken. For more quick takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary.
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4 comments:
My babies have always preferred more texture in their food than baby food provides, too. And that's good, b/c it's cheaper to just give them your dinner smashed up a bit anyway, and they get used to your style of cooking. Score!
I LOVE that Calvinism! Too funny that he knows himself so well :)
I read Siblings Without Rivalary a few weeks ago. Most of the examples are of the more extreme variety, but the end of chapter summaries leave you with what sound like good techniques to try. Obviously I haven't tried to use any of these yet, but I've heard several other people say they've found it helpful.
B also liked having chunks of food he could feed himself.
Love the Calvinism. :)
My youngest son (now 2) gave up on babyfood pretty early and switched to whatever we were eating- I think it was the texture thing for him too. My older one has never been adventurous food-wise. Funny how babies are so different about food.
I just finished my "summer read" so think I'll order the Perfect Madness book and we can have an e-discussion on it... if you want!
Did you ever read Growing Strong Daughters (I know, I know)? It is a great way to think through how you were raised, what myths/truths you believe about women, and how to raise your children (of either gender) to have healthy, interdependent relationships with females.
L
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