CommuterMom: A Work of Art

I got the best gift in the whole world yesterday. CommuterDad picked up CommuterGirl from child care (no, that wasn’t the gift) and they presented me with an original work of art. I’d like to call it modern art by CommuterGirl. Written on top of the creative combination of purple, red, and green was a quote from CommuterGirl. “This is for my Mommy. I love her SO much.”

Good thing CommuterGirl can’t drive, I’d probably buy her a car right now if she asked for it.

I love being a Mommy.

P.S. Thank you to CommuterGirl’s teachers for writing it down and making my day…no, week…OK, month.

NewMom: Supernanny

I hate to admit it, but I’ve become a Supernanny fan. NewDad was a fan even before we had kids. It always struck me as odd because he hates most junk TV, but now he has me hooked. I am fascinated by the most outrageous behaviors among children and their parents. Often you can tell little JoJo is facing an overworked Mom and a frustrated or distant Dad. How that manifests itself may be different each time, but it’s the typical scenario.

Recently, however, the show featured a family with six children and the most emotionally detached mother I have ever seen. Dad seemed willing to give things a try, but you had to wonder why this Mom ever even agreed to do the show (do they pay these families?), let alone have six children. She couldn’t even bring herself to hug her 13-year-old daughter. I know it’s just TV, but that’s actually the depraved beauty of it. It gives us all free license to criticize, analyze, and judge someone else’s parenting skills, or lack thereof. NewGirl’s too young to do anything that would merit a trip to the “Naughty Chair,” but I’m going to keep watching Supernanny anyway. It’s a great ego boost and makes me feel that Mother of the Year may not be that far out of reach for the rest of us after all.

CommuterMom: Family Time

It was really nice to have a day off on Monday. We have Saturdays and Sundays, but there is something about a holiday that makes us want to do something special as a family. President’s Day may be my new favorite holiday. There were no extended family obligations. No shopping or cooking was required in preparation for the big day. We got to focus on us.

We split up for the morning. CommuterDad took CommuterGirl out for breakfast at a local bakery. Our favorite place was closed, but they found another good option around the corner. Then they did a little shopping, CommuterGirl got a light up Minnie Mouse pink glitter pen, and then met me in Cambridge for lunch. After lunch we made a bold decision; we went to the Children’s Museum. President’s Day and Massachusetts school vacation week? It was packed! But, it was well worth the trip. I’m not sure who had more fun – CommuterDad or CommuterGirl. There were bubbles, trucks, cars, play kitchens, computers…and so much more!

That night, CommuterGirl got on the phone with her grandfather. I encouraged her to tell him what she had done during the day. Her response “Bakery closed.”

CommuterMom: Dating

I love play dates. I love watching CommuterGirl interact and play with friends. I love not having to entertain her. I love getting out of the house and checking out someone else’s toys. I love the opportunity to chit-chat with other parents.

But, as I was at a play date the other day it dawned on me that the concept is kind of odd. It’s one thing to go to our family friend’s house, or the house of someone from my mom’s group I went to when CommuterGirl was a newborn. I know those families; I have relationships with those mothers. But, a few weeks ago we had our first school-friend play date. I don’t know the mom other than to say hello as we are both juggling morning drop-off. I went to a stranger’s house and drank coffee and ate blueberry muffins while the girls played. It’s kind of strange when you think about it. But, we all had fun. The mother was very nice and CommuterGirl had a ball.

I’m looking forward to the next date.

CommuterMom: Milestone

CommuterDad and I had a milestone moment with CommuterGirl today. We went shopping for big girl underwear.

CommuterGirl has been using the potty every once-in-a-while. She has been pretending to wear a pull-up like some of the children in her class – she tries to take off her diaper without undoing the tabs. Over the weekend I talked to her about how she could wear big-girl underwear when she started to use the potty. Well, this morning, she said she wanted underwear. Of course, we had none. So, after school today we went to Target and she got to pick out whichever pair she wanted. The first pair that caught her eye was the “choo choo” underwear. But, unfortunately, they don’t make train underwear for girls. Luckily, she then spotted her favorite, Curious George. Underwear in hand, she walked through the store and told anyone who would listen (and some who didn’t) “I have underwear.”

I’m really nervous about potty training, but her teachers are wonderful and are very open and willing to have her come to school in underwear and work with us to get her out of diapers entirely. Thank goodness they aren’t afraid of accidents. Of course, they recommended that we send LOTS of extra clothes – including a change of shoes.

On the one hand, I’m thrilled the end of diapers is nearing. On the other…my baby girl is growing up. Next thing you know, I’ll be taking her to pick out her first bra.

NewMom: On a Positive Note

I was just looking at the comments posted to one of CommuterMom’s entries (Juice) and noticed the praise for the positive post. It made me realize that I tend to post about problems and concerns. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to just riff on what I love about NewGirl and being a working mom.

I love her gummy, toothless smile…and that she loves watching other children play…that NewDad and I get along even better since becoming parents…that NewGirl has teachers that she and I both LOVE LOVE LOVE and who love her back…that I have a great boss and great team at work that give me the flexibility I need to be a good and unstressed gainfully employed mom. I love seeing her learn new things without even being taught…I love her rock-hard abs (seriously!) and strangely long tongue…I love being able to give valuable experience-based advice to another mom facing an issue we’ve overcome or just looking for good ideas…and I love getting ideas and advice from other moms and dads who have recently “been there, done that.” I love the sheer sense of completeness of holding a content sleeping baby for a long, long time…the unmitigated motivation to get off the couch and out of the house every weekend…the giddiness of doing old things for the first time again (like taking NewGirl to vote for the first time this coming SuperDuper Tuesday and then planning for the 2044 campaign when she’ll be able to run for President). I love the risk-taking thrill of sneaking into her room to watch her sleep, and the successful escape without waking her…I love the sheer joy she brings me every day, the pride I have in her and being her Mom, and the knowledge that the rest of her life is full of adventures that have yet to unfold for her and me both.