tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368432608250728072024-03-05T19:43:30.081-05:00Tahlia RecountedMany people told us, before Tahlia was born, to not rush anything. That kids grow so quickly. Parenting offers many challenges, and remembering the small moments is one of them. These are moments in Tahlia's and Asher's life that we want to remember. The moments that we're not wishing away and would love to have back. Those of you who know Tahlia and Asher will see them in these events.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-13999236818780751822011-10-12T21:45:00.002-04:002011-10-12T21:59:49.795-04:00Just before leavingI had given her her last kiss, and was about to leave. <div><br /></div><div>"Daddy," she whispered, "This is what I wrote."</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no idea what she is talking about, but I watch and listen as she slowly starts to recite her writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>"H....A......P......P.......B...P.B..P...B... no, P...new word"</div><div><br /></div><div>She keeps on, "B....(pause - her mouth moves, eyes staring off)....R.TH...d.d..D.....A.. Ms. Renee. Ms. Kim wrote Renee on the board. Renee is really hard Daddy." She continues, filled with awe, "It has three "E"s." Her eyes are huge.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yeah," I say with feigned enthusiasm, "'R', 'E', 'N', 'E', 'E'." I spell for her. I now realize that she is talking about a birthday card she wrote for her principal.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Three "E"s," she repeats not having heard anything I said, "And," with complete consternation, "Where are they? I mean, there aren't any "E"s!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Knowing how she would spell Renee, I say, "Yeah, I mean, there is an "R" (I make the rrrrr sound), an "N" and an "A" -- where are the "E"s?"</div><div><br /></div><div>She is in complete agreement.</div><div><br /></div><div>I give her a kiss on the head, and tell her she's amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving, I say, "Sweet dreams Tahlia."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Sweet dreams, Daddy."</div><div><br /></div><div>But I already have them.</div>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326904344938328948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-24218862523937910722011-10-12T21:33:00.002-04:002011-10-12T21:45:27.376-04:00Not a good trickAsher was climbing into his car seat today, and Mommy noticed that he was wearing a different shirt. Mommy decided to find out why.<div><br /></div><div>"Asher," she inquired, "what happened to your shirt?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"I got pee on it." He sat down in his seat.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Was it your pee, or someone else's pee?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"My pee." One arm was now in a strap.</div><div><br /></div><div>"How did you get pee on your shirt." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Alex," one of his classmates," Said it would be a cool trick to pee in the same urinal." He finished buckling himself. "But I peed on myself. So it wasn't a cool trick." </div>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326904344938328948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-12331419815033360352011-10-04T20:45:00.002-04:002011-10-04T21:01:03.483-04:00Bike ridingWhen he was three and a half, Asher asked to have his training wheels taken off. And he gave it a shot.<div><br /></div><div>Although it was a tough go, mostly because he is like his dad in that he has to pay attention to everything that is going on around him, which results in a boy who is riding down an empty alleyway with his head whipping back and forth as his bike zigs this way and zags that way with a father shouting "Look forward! Look where you're going" just prior to him slamming on his breaks so his bike slides to the right like he is driving the General Lee just prior to approaching a bridge that they wouldn't be able to jump to come to a sudden stop.</div><div><br /></div><div>For three days, he rode sans training wheels. Then, because he wanted to go "super fast" the wheels went back on.</div>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326904344938328948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-42251120043945024052011-10-04T20:27:00.002-04:002011-10-04T20:45:15.158-04:00Who is that child?Today, Tahlia told Mommy that she was going to teach a song that she made to her music class. Mommy smiled and wished her luck. <div><br /></div><div>She has created a song, it is called "Cherry Cherry Bim Bam". It has its roots in a Jewish song that she learned at her preschool, but she made up the rest. Over the summer, we have heard this song in varies stages of creation.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how does it go?</div><div><br /></div><div>"Cherry Cherry Bim Bam"</div><div><br /></div><div>Cherry Cherry bim bam</div><div>Cherry Cherry bim bam</div><div>the mouse ran into the house</div><div>the mouse ran out of the house</div><div>the mouse ran on to a car</div><div>the mouse ran off of a car</div><div>the mouse ran back in teh house</div><div>Cherry Cherry bim bam</div><div>Cherry Cherry bim bam</div><div>Cherry Cherry bim bam the mouse</div><div><br /></div><div>Mommy and I didn't expect that she would sing it. But, when she climbed into the car today, Mommy asked how music went. Evidently, she told Mr. O that she wanted to sing a song that she had made up. He asked the class if they wanted to hear a song that she had created, and the said yes. So, she sang it. By her account, after she finished singing Mr. O told them to clap, and they did. </div><div><br /></div><div>Would Mommy have done this as a child, or I? No.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's pretty amazing to see a child who is all her own.</div>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07326904344938328948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-82050964691043655762010-08-19T21:28:00.002-04:002010-08-19T21:36:22.517-04:00What kind of man do you want to beWe were sitting on Asher's bed while at the beach in Duck, N.C. It was a new book about Jack's house and the real story behind Jack's house. You remember the original book:<br /><br />"This is the house that Jack built. . ."<br /><br />Anyway, we were reading the new book that actually reflects on the fact that someone else actually built the house for Jack but he got all of the credit.<br /><br />Suddenly, he turned and looked up at me,<br />"Daddy, you're sweet."<br />"Thanks Asher," I replied, with a quick laugh. "You're sweet too."<br /><br />And we kept reading. I was only about three words in when he turns to me again, interrupting with,<br />"Daddy, you're a good man."<br />I laugh, "Thanks Ash. You're a good boy."<br /><br />And he snuggled into my arm, and we kept reading.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-22434695070853730842010-08-13T17:12:00.005-04:002010-08-21T21:57:23.211-04:00PiratesLately, Tahlia has become infatuated with pirates. We have pirate books and recently visited the beach, which I think has made her fascinated with them. This fascination grew exponentially the other day when, shortly after her rest time (naps are no longer) she asked me to make a pirate flag. Well, the flag happened, and was lashed to the couch, which, of course, became the pirate ship. Then, a map was made, followed by a hat -- black and adorned with the skull and crossbones. I was able to fashion the hat so that it sat on Tahlia's head properly -- not one of those newspaper hats, but with a slight tilt and everything. I even went so far as to create a sword for her. In the subsequent days, Asher also was given a sword that could second as a red jalapeño pepper, complete with a green handle, or stalk. The swords were not a big hit with Mommy, but, I felt if they were going to be pirates, they should probably be prepared to deal with other pirates, who were definitely going to have swords. <br /><br />For several days, the pirate play went on. There was arrrrrging; there was shouting; there were scalawags. And after a while, there was enough. <br /><br />The flag started falling off of the boat more and more, which would result in crying. Sometimes it was stolen by a small being who no longer longed to be a pirate. This scamp would snatch the flag, with no fanfare or flourish, and dash away, gleefully. In the wake of him, there would be a devastated-once-pirate (pirates, in general, do not throw themselves on the floor crying about a flag). <br /><br />Although Tahlia was the self-proclaimed captain, the admirals of the much larger ship being driven through this life were growing tired of pirate games. For, with more reading, it started to become clear to the head pirate that pirates really aren't good people. Discussions were started about why people needed to walk the plank, or why did the pirates attack a ship and them make everyone get off prior to sinking it. And as there was a greater understand as to the type of people pirates were, there were behaviors that went along with acting like a pirate.<br /><br />One day, Daddy was trying to get the captain to eat something. I didn't care what it was, but I was hoping that she would have a little variety in her diet. To that extent, I was trying to make sure that she ate something other than a second banana for the day. She was pretty set on eating a banana, so I thought I would just clarify something. <br /><br />I asked, "Do pirates eat a lot of bananas?"<br /><br />She looked at me, and with a look of incredulity, stated, "Daddy, pirates do what ever they want."<br /><br />I guess we can move onto the next role play -- this one is clearly understood.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-15950994430559936882010-08-12T13:11:00.003-04:002010-08-12T13:25:36.110-04:00If you were four, what would you be?If you were at the beginning of your life, and you could do it all over again, would you want to change the job that you have? I often think about the work that I do as a school teacher. While there are tons of emotional perks to the job -- influencing children's lives, helping them to learn and grow, watching them grow and mature, having them come back and thank me -- I am often in awe of the community's lack of financial support for teachers. When I think of Tahlia and Asher, I want them to chase their dreams, I want them to pursue that which will fill their souls and allow them to lead rich, full lives. As a pragmatist, I also want them to pursue something that will allow them to have the monitory freedom that will also allow them to do what they want -- for whatever that means. These are my thoughts -- I don't bestow them on the children -- the most they interact with them is when I grow brooding and silent. <br /><br />Sometimes, however, Tahlia will let us know exactly what she wants to be:<br /><br />We were driving down the road that leads to our house. It is a long stretch, and, as we headed home, the four of us were quiet, I'd like to think it was in anticipation of being home after a lot of travel -- more likely, though, it was because everyone was too tired to talk, or sing. Tahlia suddenly had a revelation:<br /><br />"Daddy," she stated, "When I grow up, I want to be a paleontologist."<br />In my head, I start thinking about what this will mean for her -- jumping far ahead of the personal satisfaction one gains from chasing a dream. What will this mean for her family? Will she travel a lot and be away from her family? How will it pay? Will she be able to do other things she and her family want? Yes -- I know -- it is too far away.<br />"Oh," inquired Mommy, "You want to study dinosaurs?"<br />"No," She corrected, "I want to be a paleontologist-princess-mommy."<br /><br />I guess my worries can wait -- she seems to have everything thought of already.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-15773179439844675762010-03-30T22:29:00.002-04:002010-03-30T22:35:30.472-04:00Fly like an EagleWhen he was younger, and he wanted to go really fast, Asher would lean forward, extend his arms directly behind him, hands up, and dash forward, as if he were flying. <br /><br />When you have children, you become accustomed to loss. Loss of those funny words they once said. Loss at the ways they used to walk or smile. Loss at giving them baths. <br /><br />But sometimes, things have a funny way of coming back.<br /><br />Once again, when he wants to go really fast, a just-two-year-old Asher leans forward, arms extended, hands towards the sky, and he dashes forward. So fast, his eagle wings almost make him fly. He is, for a moment, a jet plane. An airplane. He soars. <br /><br />For a moment, we hold onto the now and store it forever.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-29773157425146617772010-03-30T21:12:00.002-04:002010-03-30T22:28:34.417-04:00Christmas or Chanukah of something else altogetherMommy and Tahlia were getting ready for bedtime. <br /><br />There is a much reduced ritual around this time, but currently the ritual is two books, two stories, and one time back.<br /><br />Instead of picking two different books tonight, Tahlia had picked a book that was made of three different stories. One of the stories being <span style="font-style:italic;">The Night Before Christmas</span>, another was about the Baby Jesus being born, but it is from the animals in the mangers point of view. The third story, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Christmas Story</span> is a Golden Book about Mary and Baby Jesus -- there are angels and everything. <br /><br />The first story that Tahlia wanted read was the one about the Baby Jesus being born. This book mentions The Son of God a lot. Towards the end of this book, Mommy told Tahlia, "See Tahlia, some people believe that Jesus is the Son of God. And some people believe that Jesus was a very wise man who did a lot of wonderful things and was very kind and knew a lot about kindness and God." Because Tahlia goes to a preschool that teaches about the customs of Judaism, we felt it was important for her to know that the information that she is learning there isn't the only information about religion.<br /><br />Without any prompting, and without any solicitation - almost before Mommy could finish, Tahlia stated, "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God." And that was that. <br /><br />Well, until the next story was read.<br /><br />The next story was <span style="font-style:italic;">The Night Before Christmas</span>, which Tahlia loves to hear even as daffodils are popping out of the ground. <br /><br />In the middle of it, right around "Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer! and Vixen", Tahlia interrupted and stated, "Mommy, I don't want to believe in Christmas, and I don't want to believe in Santa and I don't want you to believe in it too."<br /><br />Mommy said, "Ok, that's fine." and kept reading a little bit. Who can really fault a small child for not wanting to indulge in a mostly commercialized holiday that has lost much of its true meaning when not done correctly. And Tahlia, being at the age she is, was more about the gifts and Santa then the Christian aspects of the holiday. She truly is all about the giving, which we encourage, but she is also, definitely, about the receiving.<br /><br />Suddenly, Tahlia asked, "Mommy how many days?"<br /><br />"How many days?" Mommy inquired<br /><br />"Yeah."<br /><br />"Do you mean how many days do you get presents?"<br /><br />"Yeah"<br /><br />"Well," said Mommy, "For Christmas, one; for Chanukah, seven."<br /><br />Again, without any prompting, without any solicitation, and almost before Mommy could finish, Tahlia stated matter-of-factly, "I want to believe in Chanukah; I want to be Jewish."<br /><br />And, even though we just read <span style="font-style:italic;">The Grinch Who Stole Christmas</span> last night, and Tahlia heard as the Grinch ponders "how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags", and then concludes his pondering to wonder "what if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" Maybe she really isn't forgoing Santa to boycott capitalism. Maybe seven days of presents means a little bit more.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-83865773821022781672010-03-29T17:51:00.002-04:002010-03-29T17:54:08.903-04:00TollHouse CookiesYou might wonder what the correct response to the question of "Do you want chocolaty-things for dessert, or a cookie?" is.<br /><br />It is really obvious, if you ask Tahlia, "Oh yeahhhh. That would be great!"Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-75063354929764361352010-03-18T21:54:00.002-04:002010-03-18T21:58:21.274-04:00As you leave her roomIf, after you have said good night to her through the crack in the door, move away a little so she can't see you anymore, then listen, you will hear one of the sweetest prayers you have ever heard.<br /><br />"I love my Mommy and my Daddy and my myself AND my baby brother Asher."Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-27534439370904251552010-02-19T20:08:00.002-05:002010-08-12T13:09:54.950-04:00After the car was hitA while ago, Mommy brought the kids to the doctor. While in the doctor's office, someone hit our car with their car in the parking lot. The mysterious hit-and-runner didn't leave any information, but we were able to get to the bottom of the problem, just by having a quick conversation with Asher.<br /><br />Mommy: "Oh my God, who hit my car."<br /><br />Asher: "Lady hit your car"<br /><br />Asher: "No Mommy lady not do it. I did it."<br /><br />Mommy: " You hit my car."<br /><br />Asher: "Uhhuh."<br /><br />Mommy: "Asher, what did you hit my car with?"<br /><br />Asher: "Jackhammer."Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-928745199685429582010-02-18T22:58:00.004-05:002010-02-19T20:21:12.534-05:00Words you should knowParents all know that words for their children change quickly. But, when raising a child, everything changes quickly.<br /><br />Tahlia has always had a lot of words; one of our earliest favorites being when she would stand at the front door door shouting "Da-ba-da" as the garbage truck drove by.<br /><br />And Asher definitely takes after his sister.<br /><br />Here are some of the current things he says:<br />A bump-duck is a dump truck<br />A did-de-doder is a skid steer loader (or a baby scooper)<br /><br />But they're not just single words.<br /><br />He often attempts to hit the phone out of Mommy's hand telling her to "Get off the phone." <br /><br />When Mommy's on the computer, he let's her know she needs to "put that down." <br /><br />But he is also amazingly sweet. When he snuggles in close to Mommy, he often says, "Mommy's baby." This was fun, until, one day, Daddy tried to get a "Daddy's baby." I'll admit, I tried to push him to it, "Asher," I asked as I hugged him close, "Whose baby are you." <br /><br />He snuggled in close and I heard a muffled, "Mommy's baby."<br /><br />Ah, the things they say.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-71712967138632025752010-02-18T22:10:00.004-05:002010-02-18T23:13:07.895-05:00How to test for a witchDisney has entered our house, in the form of Cinderella, and YouTube. <br /><br />When the snows hit, and we were all trapped inside for days on end, except for the brief respite when we would flee outside for a few minutes for Tahlia to gobble up snow-cones made out of real snow and flavored with, well, snow and dash around tossing snowballs at Asher, who would laugh madly every time a white sphere would crash into him or at Daddy, who would scream in pain at the nearest touch of snow, we finally succumbed to Walt and his Disney magic. It started off simply, innocently, and from a book. <br /><br />The kids had received <span style="font-style:italic;">Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</span> as well as <span style="font-style:italic;">Cinderella</span> in book form. Both children were drawn to the dwarfs and wanted to know more about this song with the "Hi" and the "Ho." So Daddy, yes, the no T.V. enforcer, had the bright idea of turning to the internet to show his kids what the dwarfs sound like. He found an adorable short where the Dwarfs hammered and picked away at a mountain that seemed to hemorrhage jewels. The Dwarfs gleefully hi hoed and hi hoed. It was only a few minutes. Then a few minutes for Snow White. Then just the first Cinderella, max ten minutes. Well, the first and the second -- probably twenty minutes and four seconds. There was an agreement about after nap and more. Until one day, the snow was too great, and the cold was to severe, and the madness had set in that the full movie, in approximately ten minute intervals was watched.<br /><br />Tahlia started wondering about the movie. "Why do the mice call her Cinderelli?" "Why does she like the cat?" "Why does Gus say 'Happy Birthday'?"<br /><br />But, the focus quickly settled on the ugly stepsisters, specifically, their singing in contrast to Cinderella's. <br /><br />"Sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale, ah aha ah aha ahhhhh."<br /><br />Now, if it is Cinderella, you can just imagine the cherubic sound created by her heavenly voice. <br /><br />However, if it is one of the stepsisters, or, dare I say it, the mean stepmother, the sound is soul wrenching. For there is nothing good about those individuals in the story, even their voice. <br /><br />Soon, a game arose that Cinderella would be at the door, and we would have to check to make sure it was really Cindrella.<br /><br />Tahlia, of course, does a flawless rendition of both the princess, of which she is often one, and the evil trio. <br /><br />But, suddenly, unexpectedly, at dinner the other night the game changed. <br /><br />At the dinner table, as dishes were near empty, the game began. But, suddenly, Asher wanted to play. <br /><br />"Not Not." He says as he knocks on the table.<br /><br />"Who's there."<br /><br />"Dindella." He says looking around.<br /><br />"Cinderella, can you sing 'Sweet Nightingale' so I can make sure you're a real princess?"<br /><br />And in his most beautiful voice he sings, "ring nigh-en-ale, ring nigh-en-ale, ahhhhahhhhahhhahhhah." His small little mouth expanding into the larges "O" possible.<br /><br />And he is pleased when his Daddy and sister determine he sounds just like a little princess and he is allowed entry.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-19622217434761955502010-02-18T22:00:00.002-05:002010-02-18T22:08:18.844-05:00A competition of loveTahlia continues to let us know how much she loves us.<br /><br />Sometimes it is in a simple way. <br /><br />"Mommy, do you know how much I love you? I love you more than the whole world."<br /><br />Sometimes she plagiarizes.<br /><br />"I love you all the way up to the moon."<br /><br />But recently, she has gone further than anyone could think.<br /><br />"I love you all the way to God."<br /><br />Mommy would counter with, "WOW! That is a lot. Tahlia, I love you all the way to God and back."<br /><br />Tahlia, of course, would have to concede.<br /><br />But today, there was no competition.<br /><br />"Mommy, do you know how much I love you?"<br /><br />"How much Tahlia?"<br /><br />"I love you more than God loves you." <br /><br />A hug, "Oh Tahlia, that's a lot."Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-21123198469780350692010-02-11T21:17:00.001-05:002010-02-11T21:17:57.272-05:00TodayI don't have much to say today, but I wanted to write. I was looking at the blog and realized that it has been a long time since I have written. At first, it was because of how hectic life has become. But then, after a little while, it was more because I hadn't written, and a concern over what I would say. <br /><br />I'm sorry that I've lost so much time in the last year. I've seen so many amazing things occur over the last year in both my daughter and son. And here we are, just after the fourth birthday of Tahlia, and racing towards the second birthday of Asher. <br /><br />So here I go. Back in. Recounting the two of them.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-65592018936510165612009-03-26T20:45:00.003-04:002009-03-26T20:48:13.665-04:00Who am II jumped in the car yesterday to go with Mommy, Tahlia and Asher for Asher's one year well checkup. <br /><br />In case you're concerned, Asher is well. <br /><br />But when I sat down in the car, Tahlia all of a sudden hollers "Dad!"<br /><br />I'm not really sure when I went from being Daddy to Dad, but it seems that the transition has happened. <br /><br />"Tahlia," I asked. "Who am I?"<br /><br />"Dad." She says with a smile. Not really Dad, more like Daaaad.<br /><br />"Who is she?" I point to Mommy.<br /><br />"Mom." Again, more like Moohm<br /><br />She smiles. I smile.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-33032353823068620172009-03-26T20:43:00.002-04:002009-03-26T20:44:52.589-04:00KissesAsher has started making all kind of kissing noises, and he kisses everything. Everything.<br /><br />He kisses the table cloth, other children, his sister, well, everything.<br /><br />He even knows how to blow kisses.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-73013389846779971482009-03-15T22:24:00.002-04:002009-03-15T22:33:17.084-04:00A birthdayToday is Asher's birthday.<br /><br />So what can a one year old Asher do?<br /><br />When not put on the spot, he can take seventeen steps. For Daddy, he only takes nine. He can crawl much faster than he can walk, so two is the usual number of steps prior to plopping down on all fours to zoom across the floor. <br /><br />When not walking, he wants to hold onto someone's hand -- usually Mommy's. He is in the one-hand-holding stage. But it must be constant.<br /><br />He can say the beginning of various words such as:<br />"ba" = meaning: bread, bird, ok, pretty much anything that starts with a "b"<br />"bal" = balloon. Currently, the there are two still flying from Tahlia's birthday, but the rest are Asher's; as one can guess, a point of some contention.<br />"tr" = usually tree<br />"bubl" = bubbles -- this was a first today -- neither Mommy or I had heard it before.<br />"bl" = blanket -- this is the warm and fuzzy he takes to bed with him each night. Don't tell Tahlia -- it was actually a gift for her that she didn't latch onto. It is Asher's prized possession.<br />"boh" = ball<br />"poh" = pop -- like you do to balloons, or when Daddy makes his head pop after sticking his fingers in his ears.<br /><br />He is still the happy little guy that he has always been. Soon, we will test milk out on him. He still does not sleep through the night, and that will be addressed soon -- when soon is is still being debated. <br /><br />As was with Tahlia at this age, Daddy's spaghetti sauce is the favorite meal. Although Baby Mum-mums are a close second. <br /><br />He can climb on most anything -- including Tahlia's bed which usually receives a laugh from Tah. He likes to stand on her bed and hold onto the end and gyrate back and forth. <br /><br />He enjoys putting things into stuff and taking things out. <br /><br />He loves his sister, and she loves him.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-15604914425367023642009-03-02T20:57:00.003-05:002009-03-02T21:11:04.210-05:00Nap timeIf you were to read a book to a dog, what content would you choose. <br /><br />Really, the answer is simple. But I'll get to that.<br /><br />As many know, between three and four, children drop naps all together. Tahlia has never been a strong napper, so, Mommy and I have realized that this nap drop may come earlier rather than later. But we're not happy with it, and have decided to hold onto the one nap that we have come to cherish. So how do you make a three year old nap, when she states, "I'm not tired"?<br /><br />We fell upon an idea. Maybe the nap wasn't as important as quiet time. So, during a weekend, this weekend as a matter of fact, we decided that I would implement a new wave of nap -- quiet time. After three days of Tahlia screaming and waking up Asher, as well as making Mommy run a marathon up and down the stairs for various reasons including, but not limited to: needing a drink, pee pee in the potty, blanket fixing, needing to lie on the other side; we decided that something needed to change. The change was that, as I was putting Tahlia down, I explained that Mommy and I were going to take an nap, and in the mean time:<br /><br />1. Mommy and I wouldn't be coming back until her music was over (about an hour)<br />2. She could get out of her bed if she wanted.<br />3. She needed to be quiet.<br /><br />Mommy didn't think it would work. <br /><br />Can you keep a secret? I was unsure that it would work.<br /><br />But, I left her room, and hoped.<br /><br />Mommy was already in bed when I climbed in. We listened. Nothing came over the monitor, but, with in seconds of me leaving, we could hear the pitter-patter of little feet out of bed. <br /><br />We waited in anticipation of a call, a cry, a plea for company.<br /><br />But we heard nothing. <br /><br />Soon, we fell asleep. <br /><br />Soon, we woke to Asher waking.<br /><br />Tahlia's room was quiet.<br /><br />We wondered what was going on in there, but, apparently, she was sleeping.<br /><br />We went and picked up Asher and went downstairs to wait. After a miraculous hour and a half, she cried out for Daddy.<br /><br />I ran upstairs to find her on her bed. Surrounding her were a plethora of books and stuffed animals. The reason for her crying? She needed to go pee-pee in the potty. I picked her up and asked, "Tahlia, were you reading books?"<br /><br />"No Daddy," she stated. "I was reading books to Dog-Dog." <br /><br />"Oh really, and then you just fell asleep?"<br /><br />"Yeah. I was reading doggy books to Dog-Dog."<br /><br />And I looked on the bed. I'm not really sure how she found any room to sleep, but, closest to the tiny empty spot where a three year old body could have been curled, were a book about a little white dog named Tucker, and the Hairy McClary book. Apparently, she fell asleep reading to Dog-Dog.<br /><br />Apparently, you read books about dogs to dogs.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-10234408398073732402009-02-16T20:37:00.003-05:002009-02-16T20:39:34.888-05:00Sickness invadesTahlia is sick - gook in eye, red eye, cough, runny nose sick. It really isn't any fun. She calls at night at doesn't want us to leave.<br /><br />She is now three and a big girl. Her birthday week was good, winding up when she was sick at the end. During her party, she was a trooper and gave it her all. <br /><br />Asher is growing and growing. Last week, he took a step. Today, he took two steps in a row twice -- pretty exciting.<br /><br />I'm sick, and I'm tired. Mommy is the most amazing Mommy in the world. She is the rock of the family. She is the binding.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-8553045867799105432008-12-05T21:08:00.002-05:002008-12-05T21:35:28.609-05:00Run and hugI've just come down from putting her down. Mommy is doing the dishes. We stand in the kitchen discussing the day. <br /><br />Suddenly, the loudspeaker blares: "ATTENTION DADDY! ATTENTION DADDY! I ALLOWED YOU TO LEAVE AND NOW NEED TO USE THE POTTY! ATTENTION DADDY! PLEASE RETURN TO TAHLIA'S ROOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! ATTENTION DADDY!"<br /><br />Ok. So she didn't say that, it sounded more like: "DADDY! DADDY?!? I need to go pee-pee! Daddy!"<br /><br />I grab the potty and head up the stairs.<br /><br />The room is black as I enter. The small night light is not enough to even cast a light shadow across the room. As I place the potty in its base, I hear the rustling of a small child clambering out of bed. I have enough night vision established now to see a toddler sized body hurtling at me. It slams into me, then clamps it's arms around me. In my ear, I hear, "I love you this much."<br /><br />I try to hold on.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-10738306282917689132008-12-05T20:43:00.003-05:002008-12-05T21:08:18.510-05:00Mixed animalsShe is mixing animals.<br /><br />It started a last week. We were driving in the car, just Tahlia and me, singing Old MacDonald. Currently, when singing Old MacDonald, Mommy and I pause to let Tahlia tell us what animal we should have on his farm. <br /><br />We started out with a normal animal -- a horse. The second round, though, became a little odd. <br /><br />"Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O. And on that farm there was a . . . what was there Tahlia?"<br /><br />"Roar hop." She calls from the back seat.<br /><br />"What?"<br /><br />"Roar hop."<br /><br />I'm not sure what she means. In our house, a roar equals a lion. A hop equals a bunny. "Tahlia, are you a lion-bunny?"<br /><br />"Yeah." She giggles and smiles.<br /><br />And we keep singing.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-77617839840336307262008-11-30T19:32:00.002-05:002008-11-30T19:33:33.486-05:00The WeaselShe is almost three, and although we feel her ability to speak is very advanced, there are still many words that she pronounces incorrectly. We are happy that she pronounces them incorrectly because, at the end of the day, Tahlia uses her words more than she doesn’t use her words, which makes our lives so much easier.<br /><br />For example, she entered into the demanding phase:<br /><br />“Daddy give me that.”<br /><br />“That is mine.”<br /><br />“I want a banana.”<br /><br />Because we don’t want to raise a rude little cherubim, we work on her being polite.<br /><br />“Daddy I want that.” She’ll state.<br /><br />“Daddy, may I have that please?” I’ll say back to her.<br /><br />“May I have that pleeece?” It is soft, almost inaudible, but it is a move in the right direction.<br /><br />Sometimes, I try a different approach, “Tahlia, can you ask for that politely?”<br /><br />“Pleece.” Yes, it is not a question. It is a statement, but, at least, it is the right word.<br /><br />And in this drive to say things in a nice way, we are glad that she says so many things.<br /><br />Many of the things she says make us laugh out-loud. Recently, for Thanksgiving, Nona gave Tahlia a little pilgrim and Native American bear from Hallmark. She decided that Asher would keep the Native American, and she would keep the pilgrim. But it's not pilgrim, it's “Pidum bear.”<br /><br />One of the cutest things she says, though, is when she wants to use her Melissa and Doug easel. We keep it in our kitchen so that she can color, chalk, or paint on it when ever she wants. Well, she actually can’t do any of those things when ever she wants. We have removed the chalk tray because Asher, when he would see it, would high-tail over to it before you could grab him so that he could shove chalk in his mouth. The whole time you would say, “Asher, wait, wait, wait,” with the utmost urgency, “we don’t put chalk in our mouths,” he would have a giant grin on his yellow, pink, or purple chalked mouth. The tray for the paint is there, but it is empty, for the same reason we removed the chalk tray. But, when she wants to paint, we’ll give her the paints – same goes for the chalk. <br /><br />She knows that when she wants to use the easel, all she has to do is ask.<br /><br />“Mommy, can I use the wheesel?”<br /><br />The first askings were difficult, but we quickly figured it out.<br /><br />We, of course, without mocking, always reply, “Yes, Tahlia, you can use the weasel.”Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-636843260825072807.post-81471189325788753232008-11-28T22:14:00.005-05:002008-11-28T22:22:43.046-05:00MamamamamHe must be the only baby in the world who has called his mother's name first.<br /><br />Evidently, saying "Da-da" is far easier for a baby than saying "Ma-ma." Evidently, that is only true some of the time. I have yet to hear a "Da" come out of my son's mouth. <br /><br />But "Ma-Mamamamamamm"s are everywhere in our house. <br /><br />It started about two days ago when Asher sucked in his lower lip and let out a "mmmammamammam." I was ecstatics and told him he did a great job saying "Ma-ma." He smiled, especially when Mommy ran into the room. Since that day, any time he makes any sound resembling a "m," Mommy comes running. Now, pretty much on cue, if you ask him to say "Ma-ma", he will smile and let out a pretty close approximation. <br /><br />Of course, Tahlia joins in because she wants some of the kisses that Mommy is raining upon Asher. <br /><br />And, because she is magnanimous, and, because she can speak, she sees that Daddy needs some attention too, and will let out a "Da-da."<br /><br />I think it is because she doesn't want me to be left out, but it could be so that she can attain the kisses that I freely give for any sound that resembles my name.Tahliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01910778397462544814noreply@blogger.com0