It all started at his birth. You see, for some reason, my baby and I have bonded in a totally different way than my other children. I believe it all started at his birth.
"I'm sorry," the nurse said to me when I walked in. "You are at an 8. You will not be having an epidural."
"I'm sorry," I frantically responded. "I don't have babies without epidurals.'
After about 15 minutes of convincing, they finally gave me an epidural...or so they said. Turns out whatever they put into my back was not an epidural. I felt everything. Luckily it was fast. But it hurt. A lot!!
So when they gave him to me a few seconds after he was born, I wasn't ready to hold him. Not because I didn't love him, because I did. I just had never experienced that extreme pain and I was trying to wrap my mind around what had just transpired and couldn't emotionally wrap my arms around my child. It was odd.
That is where it started.
Or maybe it was because I wasn't able to nurse him because he was tongue tied and by the time we figured that one out, I was a mess. He still got the good stuff via pump and bottle, but it wasn't the same...to me at least.
Plus he is a pretty even-natured kid. He doesn't show much emotion either way. He is loving, cuddly and he is wonderful. But when the occasion arises when he is engaging, I try and grab it.
So the other day when he came up to me and was poking me with his finger, I was ready to play. He would go away and then sneak back and rub his finger on my leg. I thought it was so cute.
Cute until I peeked to see what he was really doing.
He would walk away, put his finger up his nose and retreave a little treat. Then he would return to share his treasure with my pants.
Oh, yes. Our bonding rituals are unique...to say the least.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Rubber Ducky...outta my face!
Dear Mommy and Daddy,
I am not sure how to tell you this...because I have tried crying, screaming, and even throwing things, but you obviously aren't catching on.
Let me put it to you plainly...
I HATE BATHS!
For starters, I need some privacy. Hello!! Everytime you bath me, there is at least one if not two other people in with me. Can't a guy get some privacy around here? Guess not. What's worse is that they are looking at me. Sometimes even goosing my hiney, commenting on how cute it is. Awkward!
Secondly, I don't like water. Well, I do like to drink it...water and nothing else; milk - totally overrated. But I don't like sitting in it. And so I don't. I will stand in the water, squat in the water, pour the water, but I will not sit down. I think that my fear of water started when Camden poured a cup of it on my head, causing me to inhale about 1/2 the cup and scaring me to death.
I do like the bubbles that you put on my hair. But I have figured out that once that stuff goes on, eventually it has to come off. Knowing this will include pouring water on my head, I start wailing the minute I see you with the shampoo. I do this in hopes that you will change your mind...but you never do.
My favorite part of bathtime is when I turn around, put my arms in the air and you lift me out. Hooray.
So, just so we are clear. I Hate. Baths!!!
Love,
Baby Briggy
PS Thanks Mama Kat for giving me the opportunity to vent.
I am not sure how to tell you this...because I have tried crying, screaming, and even throwing things, but you obviously aren't catching on.
Let me put it to you plainly...
I HATE BATHS!
For starters, I need some privacy. Hello!! Everytime you bath me, there is at least one if not two other people in with me. Can't a guy get some privacy around here? Guess not. What's worse is that they are looking at me. Sometimes even goosing my hiney, commenting on how cute it is. Awkward!
Secondly, I don't like water. Well, I do like to drink it...water and nothing else; milk - totally overrated. But I don't like sitting in it. And so I don't. I will stand in the water, squat in the water, pour the water, but I will not sit down. I think that my fear of water started when Camden poured a cup of it on my head, causing me to inhale about 1/2 the cup and scaring me to death.
I do like the bubbles that you put on my hair. But I have figured out that once that stuff goes on, eventually it has to come off. Knowing this will include pouring water on my head, I start wailing the minute I see you with the shampoo. I do this in hopes that you will change your mind...but you never do.
My favorite part of bathtime is when I turn around, put my arms in the air and you lift me out. Hooray.
So, just so we are clear. I Hate. Baths!!!
Love,
Baby Briggy
PS Thanks Mama Kat for giving me the opportunity to vent.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Be kind...Rewind. Please!
Wait a second. Where has all my time gone?
Wasn't it just yesterday when my 5th grader was my baby?
And my 3rd grader ...just look at her!!
And when did this guy get to be a kindergartner???
Preschool already? Seriously?
Lucky for me I still have one little rascal around.
Where does the time go?
Monday, August 16, 2010
So I Married a Deaf Man: Delayed
My name is Stef and I am an attention addict. It is true. I love to be in a group of people and be the one that is making them all laugh. It's what I do...or did.
You see, since marrying my husband, things are a little more complicated. If we are in a group with deaf people or hearing interpreters, all is well. In fact, my sense of humor is a lot funnier in the Deaf community. Can you imagine...a funnier me? Hard to believe that I could get funnier that I am now. (harhar..snarf)
It's when we are in the company of all hearing people that things get tough. You see, at that point I become an interpreter, not me. I am the ears and voice for all around me. Church gatherings, family reunions, couples night out....work work work.
It's not so bad when it is one other couple. We are able to converse back and forth, no big whoop. However, when there is more than that, we are out of the conversation...out for the count. By the time I interpret a comment and Hubs is ready to jump in, the conversation has moved on...onto greener pastures...
Don't misunderstand, it isn't intentional. I think we, as hearing people, are uncomfortable with silence. And so, with the slight delay (and it is slight because I am pretty fast at the whole interpreting thing), or the moment of silence, we have to fill it. And fill it we do.
This can be frustrating for my husband, though he is probably the most patient, kind, even-keeled man I know. But for me, it makes me crazy. Not only am I trying to mediate between the two worlds...deaf and hearing...but I am also dying to participate.
I can still hear the conversation as it chugs along ahead of us. To jump in would only leave my husband out...but to keep my mouth shut is almost more than I can take. So many opportunities to throw in a clever line...or say something sarcastic. Instead...I interpret.
So many missed opportunities.
But on the flip side, my husband and I have had some great conversations with each other when this happens. We have each other, always each other...with no delays.
We are real time.
You see, since marrying my husband, things are a little more complicated. If we are in a group with deaf people or hearing interpreters, all is well. In fact, my sense of humor is a lot funnier in the Deaf community. Can you imagine...a funnier me? Hard to believe that I could get funnier that I am now. (harhar..snarf)
It's when we are in the company of all hearing people that things get tough. You see, at that point I become an interpreter, not me. I am the ears and voice for all around me. Church gatherings, family reunions, couples night out....work work work.
It's not so bad when it is one other couple. We are able to converse back and forth, no big whoop. However, when there is more than that, we are out of the conversation...out for the count. By the time I interpret a comment and Hubs is ready to jump in, the conversation has moved on...onto greener pastures...
Don't misunderstand, it isn't intentional. I think we, as hearing people, are uncomfortable with silence. And so, with the slight delay (and it is slight because I am pretty fast at the whole interpreting thing), or the moment of silence, we have to fill it. And fill it we do.
This can be frustrating for my husband, though he is probably the most patient, kind, even-keeled man I know. But for me, it makes me crazy. Not only am I trying to mediate between the two worlds...deaf and hearing...but I am also dying to participate.
I can still hear the conversation as it chugs along ahead of us. To jump in would only leave my husband out...but to keep my mouth shut is almost more than I can take. So many opportunities to throw in a clever line...or say something sarcastic. Instead...I interpret.
So many missed opportunities.
But on the flip side, my husband and I have had some great conversations with each other when this happens. We have each other, always each other...with no delays.
We are real time.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Recipe Swap
Every Sunday, without fail, we wake up in the morning and tell the kids to get their church clothes on. And without fail, this is the response I get:
"I hate church!"
"Church is stupid."
"Church is so boring."
I wish that I could say that I was joking. I wish that I could say that I saw this on a movie. Unfortunately this scene takes place in my house.
Does anyone have the recipe for children who love to go to church? If you do, please pass it on.
Here is the recipe for rainbow Jell-O. It will be a hit! I can promise you that.
You need:
7 boxes of Jell-O. (Red and green are great for Christmas, but for other times I use the whole spectrum.)
8oz Sour Cream
12oz Cool Whip
Mix 1package of Jello with 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve. Take 1/4 cup of the Jell-O and put it into a small bowl. Add 1 Tablespoon of sour cream and 2 Tablespoons of Cool Whip. Stir until smooth. Pour into a 9X13 pan and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Pour the remaining Jell-O over the first layer. Set. Repeat these steps with each color of Jello you are using. The setting time will decrease as you go. I always top with the left over Cool Whip.
**Tip: Pour the Jell-O in the same corner and then tilt the pan to spread. This way the warmer Jell-O doesn't melt the cooler layers.
"I hate church!"
"Church is stupid."
"Church is so boring."
I wish that I could say that I was joking. I wish that I could say that I saw this on a movie. Unfortunately this scene takes place in my house.
Does anyone have the recipe for children who love to go to church? If you do, please pass it on.
Here is the recipe for rainbow Jell-O. It will be a hit! I can promise you that.
You need:
7 boxes of Jell-O. (Red and green are great for Christmas, but for other times I use the whole spectrum.)
8oz Sour Cream
12oz Cool Whip
Mix 1package of Jello with 1 cup of boiling water. Dissolve. Take 1/4 cup of the Jell-O and put it into a small bowl. Add 1 Tablespoon of sour cream and 2 Tablespoons of Cool Whip. Stir until smooth. Pour into a 9X13 pan and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Pour the remaining Jell-O over the first layer. Set. Repeat these steps with each color of Jello you are using. The setting time will decrease as you go. I always top with the left over Cool Whip.
**Tip: Pour the Jell-O in the same corner and then tilt the pan to spread. This way the warmer Jell-O doesn't melt the cooler layers.
Friday, August 13, 2010
We're Jigglers
Some people are really good at making bread. Others really know how to BBQ. Me? I am really good at making Jell-O. Not the normal kind of Jell-0.
Rainbow Jell-O.
Have you ever had it?? It is so fun to eat. It takes about 4 hours to make. "For Jell-O?" you may ask. Yes, people. That's how fun it is.
The first time I had it was when I was on a mission for my church and I was being transferred to another state. The people from my church threw a going away party and this was one of the dishes. I loved it! So much that I think I had like 4 helpings.
I make it every year for our Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. While others are making rolls and yams, turkey and stuffing, corn and potatoes, I am plunked on the couch waiting for my Jell-O to set up. (Not really. I am helping out, but I always wish that I was.) In the end, mine is always gone...no leftovers, I tell you.
I may be stretching here...but rainbow Jell-O is a lot like my family. Think about it. Everyone is their own person with their own attributes that make up their flavor. Some are strawberry: who doesn't love strawberry? Others are lime...a little harder to get used to. And still some of us are orange; likeable, but not super popular. And when you put them all together, the blending of all the colors and flavors is spectacular!
Just like my family!
Rainbow Jell-O.
I got this picture from here. But it looks exactly like mine.
Have you ever had it?? It is so fun to eat. It takes about 4 hours to make. "For Jell-O?" you may ask. Yes, people. That's how fun it is.
The first time I had it was when I was on a mission for my church and I was being transferred to another state. The people from my church threw a going away party and this was one of the dishes. I loved it! So much that I think I had like 4 helpings.
I make it every year for our Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. While others are making rolls and yams, turkey and stuffing, corn and potatoes, I am plunked on the couch waiting for my Jell-O to set up. (Not really. I am helping out, but I always wish that I was.) In the end, mine is always gone...no leftovers, I tell you.
I may be stretching here...but rainbow Jell-O is a lot like my family. Think about it. Everyone is their own person with their own attributes that make up their flavor. Some are strawberry: who doesn't love strawberry? Others are lime...a little harder to get used to. And still some of us are orange; likeable, but not super popular. And when you put them all together, the blending of all the colors and flavors is spectacular!
Just like my family!
Why? Do tell....
Why is it that wings are almost always served with celery and ranch dressing?
Seriously!
Maybe this is a no-brainer for all of you, but I really am curious. Is there a secret special something that is released from celery that increases the enjoyment of eating a buffalo wing?
I never eat them. I just simply look at it and think, "Am I missing something? Really? Why?"
If you know the answer to this question, please do share.
Do you have an ever burning question that you still don't know the answer to?
And that, my friends, is all.
Seriously!
Maybe this is a no-brainer for all of you, but I really am curious. Is there a secret special something that is released from celery that increases the enjoyment of eating a buffalo wing?
I never eat them. I just simply look at it and think, "Am I missing something? Really? Why?"
If you know the answer to this question, please do share.
Do you have an ever burning question that you still don't know the answer to?
And that, my friends, is all.
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