Category — Random Bits

This evening seems almost surreal and when he’s older we’ll tell the Dooz stories about how this one night, he was allowed to watch television and stay up a little later than usual. We’ll tell him how this was the evening when there was finally something to celebrate amidst uncertain times and a constant stream of discouraging news. And we’ll tell him how this was the night that made history while he slept soundly in his crib.

As of late, there have been several occasions where co-workers have said with surprise,”You’re a mom?” or “You have a kid?” I’m not certain how to accept their surprise. Either it’s insulting (”Wow, you are so irresponsible and foul-mouthed that I can’t believe you actually influence a young life”) or flattering (”Wow, you are mom and aren’t wearing mom jeans or driving a mini-van … or the Seattle equivalent … a Subaru”). No offense to the Subaru drivers. I’ve never been quite sure.

ISO Mom from Kim N on Vimeo.

You know that mother who doesn’t mind that her house is littered with toys or that she doesn’t know where the hot new restaurant is or that she has rice stuck to her arm? (Oh wait, I DO care about that last part. Why didn’t you tell me damnit?) That’s ME. This is the post where I talk about how much I enjoy being D’s mom. So, feel free to tune out, or at least have the courtesy to suppress your gag reflex.

Seriously though, I adore this child. Everything he does is just so fascinating to me and before he was born people would always say things to us like, “Say goodbye to sleep!” and “Enjoy your nights out now!” and even “Just wait until the baby comes, you won’t <insert anything you enjoy doing now here> anymore!” But, I guess the thing they didn’t mention that although most of those things might be true, we didn’t mind at all. In fact, we didn’t really care because we are so in to the Dooz. He is literally our favorite person in the entire world and we get to see him all the time. It’s awesome. 

Never mind that he tried to poke the dog’s eye out and bludgeoned his father over the head with a book (all things that happened in the first hour or so of the day). And those who know me well, know that I’ve had some serious challenges with post-partum depression, but it doesn’t change the fact that this boy is just so sweet, adorable and uber funny every single day. So yeah, I am THAT mom. But hey, I don’t care

So many things have happened and at the moment I’m in the midst of an epic sinus infection. It’s kept me from getting online and writing. And so, here I am, head full of snot (I know) and breathing through my mouth because my nasal passages are no longer functioning properly.

Let’s see … my sister got married and we took the Dooz over to Whidbey Island for the wedding weekend. We were a little concerned about how the sleeping was going to work (um … it didn’t) for both naps and at night. He sleeps in his crib at home, but is notoriously unwilling to sleep in a crib anywhere else. We opted to just take turns keeping an eye on him while he slept in the bed, which for the most part worked out fine. But, with all of the activity, new people and places to explore, napping didn’t really happen. Mark was the shining example of a dad as he chased D around while I focused on wedding preparations. There was a brilliant moment when I walked down the aisle when it was utterly quiet and Dooz yelled “mama!”. It was extra nice, especially since we often have a conversation about how he says “Dad!” all the time, but doesn’t usually say “mama” unless he’s hurt. Thanks Dooz!

It’s finally fall and my favorite month of the year. Those who know me well, know that this it’s officially Shocktober (mwaa-aaa-aaaaaaa!) when we only watch horror movies all month. Over the years, this has become a less and less charming ritual to Mark but he always manages to muster up enthusiasm. Tonight I put up the giant skull and bat window clings (very spooky), a black wreath and a black light on our porch. I’m looking forward to building up our Halloween stash this year with more creepy decorations from Fright Catalog. No, we don’t go for cute Halloween at this house … that is, except for Dooz and his new penguin costume. He LOVES it and wants to wear it all the time. I almost can’t stand the cuteness, it’s that cute. And since he doesn’t speak in full sentences (yet), he also reminds me alot of Pingu while wearing it.

Next on the agenda, Craven Farm (or maybe even Remlinger Farms … though that seems like quite a spectacle) for pumpkins, hot cider and cinnamon doughnuts. Yum. Did I mention I LOVE fall?

Besides being fall, it’s a great time for Dooz (well, really anytime is great for D). Everyday he does something new that surprises, delights and all out cracks us up. Today, he turned on the alarm clock radio (the boy loves anything that plugs in) to the Rolling Stones Honky Tonk Woman started pretend snapping his fingers and dancing. And let me tell you, the kid has some moves. He’s saying lots of words which is totally satisfying to him since it’s like he’s been trying to tell us stuff from the day he was born. This afternoon he pointed at Primo and said “bad dog” which means he is also observant.

I can’t even imagine what he’ll be doing in December, when we’ve committed to flying (insert shudder, I HATE flying) back to Detroit to spend Christmas with Mark’s family. It makes me a little anxious to think of him cooped up on a plane for 5 hours, especially with his need to explore … but I suppose if those people on TV can have 8 kids, we should be able to take one on a plane trip right?

My parents are in town visiting for a semi-long stay as we prepare for my sister’s wedding next weekend out on Whidbey Island. It’s especially nice to have them out here to spend time with their first grandson and the Dooz loves to see them. The first day they were here, he walked right up to both of them and gave them a big hug.

This morning, we picked them up, indulged in Top Pot Doughnuts and then headed to the Woodland Park Zoo for a zoo day with families of my co-workers. We had a great turnout, a beautiful day and it even happened to be member appreciation day … which translated into flamingo hats, bounce houses and ice cream. We had a nice range of ages for the kids that came and it was nice to see their parents outside of work where we don’t have to talk about how we’re going to squeeze two months of work into one month. The interesting about my workplace is that I work with a bunch of really cool people. Many people have kids and there are regularly kid-related events, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t also flip cup tournaments, film festivals and a full bar behind reception.

Anyway, I digress. All in all the trip was a success and anytime other kids can tire out the Dooz is a good time in my book. We came home and he dropped off for an immediate two hour nap. He was turned over with bum in the air before I even closed the door to his room.

Tomorrow the parents begin their week long stay at our place and I’m really looking forward to that. It’s a great treat to watch my parents interact with him. They get just as much joy from seeing him (maybe even more, as if THAT’S possible!) than we do and he adores them. Oh and did I mention they are baby sitting so Mark and I can have a much needed night out. We’ll be having drinks with friends and seeing Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Showbox downtown. Cannot wait!

The Dooz had quite a busy weekend that included a trip to the park, water balloons, vietnamese pancakes and a cold. The weather has been hot and steamy (ending as I type with cool air moving in smelling like rain) and we’ve tried to keep him cool all weekend. Yesterday, we hit a neighborhood park with a big green expanse for him to explore. He very much enjoys the freedom to be able to walk wherever he wants. Unfortunately, that also comes with the inevitable scratches and scrapes.

You know that song from Lou Reed, Perfect Day? The one that may be ingrained in your mind as the one that plays in Trainspotting while Ewan MacGregor slips away into his heroin induced carpet coma. It’s a beautiful song and to be honest, I tend to forget about it. That is, until I’m in the midst of a day that can only be described by that specific song.

Yesterday was one of those days. For the first time in a very long time, I actually had nothing going on at work and decided early in the week to take the day off. And so we woke up early and Mark had a chance to stay in bed for just a bit more. I sat the Dooz in his high chair while he happily munched on some Os and pointed out things in the dining room. He has this way of asking what things are and/or pointing them out by saying “S’dat?” I whipped up some homemade vanilla/cinnamon pancakes just in time for Mark to wake up. And it was so lovely, just eating breakfast as a family with no pressure of places to be, things to do.

Post breakfast, we decided to head to the zoo. It was such a clear and shiny morning, it seemed just right for walking around Woodland Park. We actually scored a free parking spot right in front of the west entrance and made it inside just in time for the gorillas playing right up at the glass of their enclosure. The Dooz was SUPER excited to walk around and even more excited to hit the Zoomazium. Basically, it’s a place to let your kids go crazy in one spot that happens to have lots of carpeting and cushion. We even had time for a snack on the grass by the family farm area.

Afterwards, we went in to Ballard to run some errands and walked over to the park which happens to have a nice little splash area. Though no one was dressed for it, we let D walk through through the water spots, pat the concrete urchin and splash through the area until he was totally soaked. He was so dang happy, I couldn’t have pulled him away if I wanted to.

And then, home in time for a nap and a little time to read and sit in the sunshine on our deck with the dogs.

The perfect day. And though I have a tiny bit of video of Dooz at the zoo, I didn’t have the camera for our impromptu soak fest at the park. At first, I cursed myself for not taking the SLR, but now I think that maybe it was for the best. Maybe days like this are best left to memory … like some special little secret.

There’s not denying it, I’ve been made soft by the Dooz (and not just physically). Prior to having the boy, I could watch, read and hear all manner of things. AD (or After Dooz), I find myself unable to hear anything that involves a child suffering. It’s exactly like my inability to watch the dog/cop show on Animal Planet (which begs the question, why the hell would I want to watch that show?).

Case in point. Over the weekend a friend had lent me the book The Other Boleyn Girl and I was looking forward to a good, quick summer read. In the midst of this book, Mary Boleyn’s children are taken from her at very young ages and she’s not able to see them for long stretches of time. It literally made me feel sick. Thinking about being away from D for even a couple of days is something I haven’t done yet. I had to put the book down for a bit. No, really.

Another example? The news. Something awful is always happening to the news and I can’t bear to hear about children (especially D’s age) being mistreated, abused, etc. Mark has taken to making sure that I’m not in earshot if he’s discussing stories like that.

There’s just something about having a baby that changes your perspective in ways you’ve never expected. It’s not as earth shattering disruptive as it seems when people tell you about it. For me, it happens at surprising moments and in a permeating way. As if it’s something that’s just seeping through everything and before I know it, certain areas are saturated.

We totally need this to hide the hideous cords that D is always gravitating towards. It meets our 2 criteria: inexpensive and nicely designed.