Sylvia and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday with some of Darcie’s book club friends. The place is huge and we were only able to cover a small portion before the kids began to crash.
Well, we had a little night visitor at 4 am last night. Scared the pajamas off of me having this little voice standing beside me, “Mommy?” We pulled her into bed with us (against our better judgment and against what all the books say about easing this transition), but it was 4 am. At 5:30 am she asked to go back to her own bed, thank goodness.
Nap time and bed time have been new adventures. It is always hard for me to be stern without laughing (because there is that voice that seems somewhat reminiscent of my own parents – yikes!). Both times, she has taken about an hour to explore getting out of the bed and running into the other room in this, “Look at me, I’m all independant and free!” I can only imagine what she must be feeling is like getting to drive a car for the first time, all alone. Kind of exhilarating, frightening, but excited to know that there is a certain level of trust developing.
I suppose over the next week, we will all be in transition as usual. It’s always a transition for us parents.
It’s not really a new bed, just the toddler transitional piece. Sylvia and I put it together this afternoon and she got a chance to “pretend” sleep in it. She was quite excited when the package arrived; however, when we got her down for the night she asked for the “big white piece” and we asked her to give the new bed a try. We decided to move to the toddler bed after Sylvia was attempting to climb in and out of her crib.
Hopefully, all goes well tonight (translation: no little night visitor to our room).
Well, yes, it’s -10 degrees today. It kind of makes my eyes water a little when I walk outside. Everyone assumes that since we’re from the south that this is miserable for us. However, I think that being from the south is what makes this more manageable. I still find the snow beautiful. And, I have a new love for hot chocolate, tea, and soup. Also, I feel energized by walking through the cold and I secretly love wiping the snow off the car. Sylvia and I have it down to an art now. I load her in the car. Turn it on with her favorite tunes and wipe the snow off. Sometimes, she thinks the swishing sound is funny so this makes it even more enjoyable.
And, while I don’t want to spend more that 20 minutes outside today, watching Sylvia run around in her boots and hat makes me want to run around as well. There is something about this bone numbing weather that makes me feel stronger. Sylvia also seems completely and utterly unaware of how cold it is sometimes so I vicariously want to feel that same imperviousness. In fact, she made a mad dash away from me today so that she could stay out in the snow longer. I had to plead with her to cooperate so that I could get back inside. Anyway, while we won’t be out sledding today, we will be marveling out our window at the winter wonderland.
And, this gloating feeling that I’m feeling towards winter will wear off around March when I do start crave spring.
We’ve been getting a lot of snow in Chicago which means we have perfect snowman building conditions.
A snowstorm outside and what’s the first thing I do when I get to work? Snap my glasses in half.
Chris | 
01 27th, 2009| 
