The Kids are fine. And so are we!: Put it down in Black and White

The Kids are fine. And so are we!

"The trouble with being a parent is that by the time you are experienced, you are unemployed." ~ Anonymous

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Put it down in Black and White

On top of the paper-plate project yesterday, I summoned my creative juices and conjured a mobile for the kid. Been wanting to get her a mobile for some time now. This self-taught new mother has been reading too much - mobiles (moving objects, flickering lights and soothing lullabies) are supposed to be stimulating and activate brain cells. 2 downtown trips and 3 major departmental stores later, it dawned to us that mobiles don't come cheap. Nothing is going for under $70! Toy-makers must have put two and two together. Baby-infatuated parents with big hearts have equal-sized wallets to match! I beg to differ. Cost of her new favourite toy - $0.50 (small paper-plate - 1pc, A4 paper - 4pcs, Laser-Jet Ink - Some, Green String - 1 metre). OK, so I have to provide the background music (likely to be out of tune) and make use of fan-power to move the mobile - she's loving it for now.

In true baby-sense, her black and white mobile reflects the absoluteness of her life right now. Baffling to the both of us, clear-cut to her. There are no shades of greys.
• Hungry - Feed
• Cranky while feeding - Attempt to burp
• Soiled - Change diapers
• Feeling hot/cold - Remove/Add appropriate amount of clothing etc
• Bath-water - Wrap blanket/Wear clothes
• Alert - Play, sing, rock, talk, coo, smile, stroke, show BW pictures, hang up the mobile, turn on the radio/TV (in no particular order or combinations)
• Tired - Rock, sing, walk the baby, change carrying position (again in no particular order or combinations) and then to the crib.
If only we know what is it that she needs.

The kid has been teaching me and her lessons are on patience. This is a girl whose nostrils flare while waiting for the thick dark Soya sauce ooze drop-by-drop from its container. Babies can't be rushed and won't let you do so. Two seconds ago, I attempted to put her down to sleep, well aware that she will protest as soon as her head touches the mattress. Don't ask me why I do what I do. They'll let you know they know!

Wil took charge of the baby from 8-9PM last night. I was going to the gym to rid the 2 inches from the waist and hips. A sweaty-filled hour of treadmill, weights, launches presses and crunches. Well, no prizes for guessing who’s got a wardrobe full of clothes waiting. I got back home promptly at 9PM to hear from the poor man that he has just put the kid to bed after rocking and singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and "ABC" over and over. At that time, the kid must have heard my voice for she started fussing again. What was I to do? I was going to let her feed from my sweat-caked body. It was not going to be a pretty sight (smell?). The good man took the kid and shooed me to the bathroom, telling me he will pacify her. And he did. This girl is most grateful.

As part of the loving-ourselves programme, I am devoting today to reading and learning how to improve this blog. Cheerio. Off to do the first thing on my list now.

Labels: list, motherhood, toy

posted by Chris @ 12:10 pm

0 Comments: