When I was pregnant and my head filled with dreams of overly simplified Mendelian genetics, I assumed a child of mine would look like me or, if he were a boy, my brother Steve. After all, my skin and hair color are dominant, and Matt’s are recessive. The universe had other plans: Seeing that my […]
Monthly Archive for May, 2009
Today was our slightly delayed 2 1/2 year check-up at the pediatrician’s office. The vital stats are: Height: 37 1/2 inches. 75th percentile. Weight: 29 1/2 pounds (in heavy diaper). 40th percentile. No head measurement! (but struggling to get a size 3T polo over his head is telling) All parts present and accounted for. Speech […]
When I was about six months pregnant with Simon, I started thinking about what his nursery would look like. I had, as no one who knows me will be surprised to learn, some ideas on the matter. The nursery had to be gender neutral. I wanted real, solid furniture the baby could grow up with. […]
Recitation
Posted in Jessica, Simon says..., Toddler! on May 5th, 2009
Sunday was a tough, tough day over here. (And Monday started off pretty rough, too.) Simon was in whiny mood, and by dinner-time I was ready to throttle him. Nothing grates on my nerves as much as when Simon looks at me, screws up his face, and whines and cries for no good reason. This […]
Onomastica
Posted in Jessica, Simon says..., Toddler! on May 3rd, 2009
Simon is learning names. His names, our names, the names of his friends and teachers, all of them. First came our names, Mommy and Daddy. They’ve been around since he was under one. Then came his own name, Si-moan. That’s newer. Next up came extended family, friends, and teachers and pets: Bubbie, Grandma, Lola, Greta, […]
Proactive Nostalgia
Posted in Jessica on May 1st, 2009
If I had to guess what the most universal piece of parenting advice is, I’d go with “Enjoy them while they are young.” The only thing I’ve heard even half as much is “Trust your instincts” or “You know your child better than anyone.” This latter advice, frankly, strikes me as well meaning but terribly […]