Savvy, savvy, savvy

I never did do a proper post here announcing that cool new gig, but that was mostly since I created this for the public me, I figured no one would care. However, I'm in awe of of the other people writing for Savvy, so you should go read them, now. Here is a sampling

Backpacking Dad - I think the way I figured it, his daughter is almost exactly the same age as M. So now I don't feel so bad that we're on the young side of the toddler world.

A Mommy Story - First boyfriend's wife and the City Expert for Columbus, this whole thing is her fault.

Mike Adamick - You may have read him on Babble.com or heard him on NPR. (told you I was in good company) He's another stay at home dad, and he sews! (and you know that's sexy)

I'll keep mentioning them here as I read more, and continue to do a little more Wayne and Garth I am not worthy. In the mean time, go read and enjoy.

Miracle Shoes or the Adventures of Squeaky

Well, either the shoes are working, or we just had our shoe shopping trip timed perfectly. Walking with assistance only requires one hand, she is standing up fully on her own, and tonight, she stood up and took a couple of steps (before she realized what she was doing) then stood there clapping with us as we cheered her on. Daycare says she'll sit there playing, and then all of sudden just stand up on her own. I couldn't be more pleased. Since fully independent walking is now a pretty sure thing, I'm on the hunt for a pair of sandals. I think I know what I want, but they take weeks to ship, and I don't want to wait. We just hit the 80's, and full shoes may not be the best idea all the time. Pretty sure we're skipping the squeaks with the sandals, not sure though.

We may make our June 14th date after all.

Under Pressure

I swore, back forwards and sideways, that I wouldn't be one of those parents who pushed their kid, who tried to turn them into the next over achieving kid to have a nervous breakdown by the time they started elementary school. I've lived in areas where people do that, and it scares me. I figured I would present developmentally appropriate options, make sure she was getting good care, and let things happen. If she ended up being behind, or if there were obvious issues, I would be unafraid to get help.

However, things never go as planned. Daycare seems to have issues, and based on very abrupt, often complaining type interactions, I question the care she is getting. I don't think it is bad, but I don't know if there are challenges (as much as you can challenge a 14 month old) and I doubt that it is "great". My special requests for them seem to be an issue, even though they are more about making sure she has room to move (limited time in the exersaucer when she was littler) and good food choices (cheeze-its are not appropriate for anyone under the age of 16, if at all). I played with her, loved her, bought her way too many toys. Aside from hearing issues related to the ear infections from hell, that have been dealt with with tubes, things are going well.

She is tall, and tall kids tend to walk later. Something about trying to coordinate all of that height. I wasn't worried. That was, until.... I got her into the better daycare. However, at the better daycare, she would be in the toddler room. And at the better daycare, they have standards (same as current daycare when it comes to walking, but we were under no pressure to be ready for that room) and she needs to be walking, alone, all the time.

All of a sudden I am grabbing her finger, forcing her to stand and take steps, letting go of one hand and making her do it almost all on her own. I am pushing her in a way that makes me uncomfortable, and I try constantly to convince myself I am doing it for her own good. That having her close to me downtown, in a center that has a great school readiness program, better ratios, better staff retention, and did I mention close to me downtown, will be worth it.

The best part, today, I bought her these. Her first pair of real shoes. A says we got them for the fit, and that we'll take out the squeakers, but I know, I know that part of me really hopes that they get her walking more.

You lost me at hair transplant

While I don't entirely understand anyone who would want to carry six kids to term, I realize there are people out there with different view points than me, and scientifically speaking, what an amazing feat. I also have a guilty love of certain kinds of reality tv. I like odd science things, like Siamese twins, along with run of the mill nature shows (pass on the snakes however).

So, my latest guilty pleasure, the one that drives the husband nuts, is Jon & Kate + Eight. Yeah, love it. Love to watch them bicker, love to see the crowd of little unique personalities, and their living a "normal" life. I would never do it, but its voyeuristic to be on the outside looking in. I feel terribly guilty, but I just can't stop watching.

Until tonight. Tonight there is playing as we speak, an episode about Jon getting a hair transplant. A yuppy, vain, silly thing. (because bald is sexy, I swear) I could understand her full body lift. I know someone who had one (after gastric bypass that saved her life, then nearly killed her) and I appreciate that someone donated the surgery. You know, practice what you preach and be generous. I like that stuff. However... take time off from raising your 8 kids, which you chose to have, which you get all kinds of help with (yeah, I see that product placement, not everyone thinks you just up and go out to nannywhatherfacit.com all on yer own) to get a f-in hair transplant. Yeah, totally a needed thing. Yup, sure.

I'm done, has Eureka started yet?

Oh yeah, scruffy haven't shaved look, so not cute. Seriously, makes you look like you're sixteen and trying to grow a beard.