Getting Older and Riding the Bus

This past fall one of NHV's good buddies started going to preschool two days a week.  Often times - on the days he was at preschool - Natalie would ask to play with O.  I'd have to explain to her that O was at school, so he couldn't play today.  Inevitably, that explanation would prompt Natalie to inquire about this whole "school" thing. 

She'd say, "Owen go to cooool to-day? I go to cool, too?  I wide de bus to cool?"

And I'd always reply, "When you get a little bit older, you'll go to preschool.  And mommy will drive you; you won't ride the bus."

"Na-nee wanna wide de cool bus."

It cracks me up that her understanding of school is closely related to her desire to ride the school BUS.

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Well, yesterday morning we attended our first preschool open house (yikes! I am so not ready for this!).  After breakfast I told Natalie about our big plans for the day, and she was beyond excited ... like to the point that waiting 8 months to actually start going to preschool is likely to cause her serious mental and emotional anguish ... and to drive me crazy! 

As I was rushing around to get us ready, Natalie had a ton of questions ... or rather the same few questions ... asked over and over and over again. 

Top on her list, "I older now?  I go to precool yike O-wen?"

And then, "We wide de bus to cool dis mow-ning?"

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Again this morning, NHV expected to go back to preschool.  We aren't even registered yet.  Heck, I haven't even decide which school she'll attend.

"Mommy, I go to cool dis mow-ning?"

"No, baby, not today."

"I not older anee-more?"

Oh, the adorable confusion!

Original Songs

My husband is quite talented when it comes to writing new lyrics for "old" songs. And, I have a feeling other new parents take to this creative outlet when sleep deprivation settles in. I also know that his/our original songs have served us well and made us laugh - out loud - many, many times.

I've highlighted his talents here a few times:

• Dad at Work: New Lyrics
• Daddy Idol

Just yesterday, Chitown Momma threw down the original-song-writing guantlet ... well, that's not exactly true. But she asked if I know of an alternative to the super annoying Clean Up song that everyone sings.

And, I didn't, so a new original song was created ...

• Would you like a new Clean Up song to add to your daily routine repeteroire?
  Would you like to banish the Barney version from your head, ears, and home?
• You could be kicking off the weekend with a great new song stuck in your head!
• Your kids will think you are super fun and creative! What could be better?

Well, you're just one click away ... what are you waiting for?

An Original Clean Up Song, Just for You

ToddlerBrain

Just letting you know that I've launched a new blog ...

ToddlerBrain

... maybe you want to check it out?

I have a week's worth of posts ready to roll, and I'm working on next week ... frequent visits are encouraged :)


Oh, and feel free to let me know what you think ...

if you have friends with toddlers, please send them the link ... thanks!

Binky Dilemma and What Are You?

Ugh! I am beginning to truly dread the binky separation that is imminent. NHV has always l-o-v-e-d her binky. She still sucks an infant Soothie, like the one she was given at the hospital. Soothie makes a version for older babies - older than three months, I think. But NHV doesn't like this firmer, different-colored version. And so, my 22+ month old continues to suck an infant Soothie. Oh, the angst of it! What am I going to do?

For a long time now, we've only allowed her to have it while in her crib - for naps and bedtime. In fact, you can ask her, "When do you get your binky?" And she'll reply, "Naps. Nigh-nigh." I feel good about that ... despite that if you calculate the amount of time that wonderful child sleeps, you'll find that her sucking potential is around 14-15 hours a day ... if said binky stays plugged in her mouth the entire time. I know her adorable little smile and our orthodontia bills will suffer some day!

Recently, we've been broaching the subject of ditching the binky. Explaining that "babies have binkies" and NHV doesn't need a binky anymore because she's not a baby. I feel a little guilty about putting this kind of pressure on her, but desperate times ...

Sitting around the table after dinner, we started having this same conversation. I think she brought if up by saying something like, "Baby. Binky." And I replied, "That's right. Babies have binkies, and you're not a baby, right, N?" CPV chimed in with another question, "Natalie, what are you?"

Following a brief pause, N happily and clearly answered ... exactly what Chad expected and what sounded to me like "Cowgirl." A cute answer, for sure, but I was a little confused. I looked to Chad for confirmation only to be surprised to learn what Natalie was actually saying ... "Toddler."

Unbeknownest to me, she and Chad had a semi-related conversation earlier today, and he taught her a new word, "toddler." And she remembered that conversation from about 10 hours earlier.

I am not sure we are any closer to getting rid of that darn binky, but I am impressed with Natalie's growing vocabulary and her ability to remember ... everything ... a trait that is sure to get us in trouble in the near future!