In less than 48 hours our little family of three will be in Miami Beach, FL! I would be excited...if only I could get past all my worry. I really don't travel well...I guess I'm not going to be one of those RV types when I retire...I'm just fine at home. I don't really deal with change well, and traveling means change. Change in schedule, change in scenery, change in eating habits, change in everything. I really am excited to see the ocean again, and watch Savannah's reaction as she discovers the ocean and sand. I know she will be amazed by it all, and I really am excited to see her eyes light up.
It's the "getting there" part I'm worried about. Saturday will be a very long day for us all...our flight leaves around 9:30am.....so we'll be waking up quite early. Then we fly...eventually we'll make it to Miami Beach, sometime around 3pm that afternoon. In addition to my natural dislike of flying, this will be Savannah's first trip on an airplane. This is really her first vacation ever (minus trips to visit family). I have tried to plan for everything...but I am sure things won't go just as planned. Packing for a week long trip with a one year old in tow is quite a bit of work! She has enough clothes, snacks, diapers, books, and toys to fill a large suitcase...all just for her! We also have the diaper bag as a carry on, included in our entertainment selection - portable DVD player (Thanks Ashley!). We also have to take a car seat for the taxi ride between the airport and the hotel (only a distance of about a mile, but a car seat is required none the less), and we'll have her stroller too. The amount of stuff one child needs is amazing! Security is also something that worries me a bit...not that I worry about being hassled, it's just going to be slow going. We have a child to get through (I'm not even going to bother with shoes that day) and then we have Carl's work laptop that has to go, and my purse, and a diaper bag, and a car seat, and a stroller, and we have to take off our shoes, and Carl always wears a belt....so after we load all our junk on the conveyor to be scanned, we have to put ourselves back together again on the other side. I am by no means complaining about security (I think it is a much needed measure), but I am worried about how other travelers will receive this. We will hold up the line a bit I'm sure....and some travelers are always in a hurry! Then the other main worry is the actual flight...I wonder if Savannah will like it or hate it. I don't think it's really the flying itself I'm worried about, but more the fact that she has to stay in one spot for so long...she doesn't like sitting still for very long...and the second leg of the trip is about 2 hours. I'm just hoping to keep her entertained with books and DVDs...and honestly (hopefully the health-nut police don't come after me) I think I may just let her eat Cheerios the entire time...she will sit and eat them forever if I let her...and if she's eating she can't be crying or squealing!
Once we are at the beach it should be a fairly relaxing vacation - well as much as a one year old relaxes anyway! It will be a nice break from cooking and cleaning and laundry...and hopefully during Savannah's naps I'll get a chance to catch up on some leisure reading...I'm actually taking a book and a magazine! Oh, how I have missed reading! (Well - I've missed reading things other than "Wibbly Pig" and "'Baby Farm Animals"....)
So please pray for us to enjoy a safe trip - and that other travelers find Savannah just as endearing as we do! :0)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
What Will She Become?
Does a squealing toddler turn into a whining college student? The past week has really been one of those "everything that can possibly annoy me, does" weeks. It was my first week free of the WVU class, and one would think this means I also would be free of the stress of 75 college kids constantly contacting me. Not so! I submitted my grades online on the 8th of May and WVU was scheduled to release grades to students on the 11th. Well, on the 10th a student emails me wanting his/her grade...honestly if I had replied to that student I would have had 74 other emails within an hour. Then Friday I was reviewing my course evaluations...while I thought I had done fairly well this semester, it became obvious that not all of my students felt this way. After reading them I was pretty much shattered...I had just starting seriously thinking about earning my PhD so that I can become a full professor, but after reading the comments you would think I'm some amateur that doesn't know a thing about teaching.
After picking up the pieces of my dreams I decided to look at the comments again, but sort them out a bit. First, several students said I was "in a bad mood"...while I can't think of a day I was in a bad mood, apparently it happened enough for them to comment on it. I attribute this to several factors. I'm an adjunct, so these kids see me 2 hours a week, and at 5pm after I have already worked an 8-hour day. So it's possible I appear tired, and sure maybe some days weren't the best, but they have no chance to see me at my best at 8:00am. Also, I can remember times I took a deep breath before I began teaching to calm my nerves (teaching new material to 75 college kids isn't easy!). Well, this can be interpreted I suppose as a lack of enthusiasm, or a sigh of frustration...so it's possible they saw something completely different than was the case. I also was criticized for being "condescending" towards students when they weren't interested in the class. I honestly can't think of myself as condescending...but I can recall a time I pointed out that yawning in my class wouldn't be tolerated. I was teaching a topic, and someone yawned very loudly...twice. I looked up and pointed out that while they may not enjoy the topic, it's rude to behave in such a manner. Another complaint was that I teach too much from the book and make them take notes the entire time. I just don't get this one at all. Yes, I refer to the book. Every time I present a new equation I tell them what page it comes from - a habit I thought would be very helpful to them! Apparently they expect me to devise new formulas and not refer to the book. I just can't imagine not tying the book into what I'm telling them! As for notes all the time...well, my class layout has been notes, I do a few problems (not copies from examples, I work out problems that they don't have access to in the book) and then I have them work out "end of chapter" questions from the book (to which they don't have solutions for). So there really is a lot going on besides just notes...do they want a song and dance? There also was some complaining about the project presentations being boring...well, in a class of 75 there were 20 presentations.....I refuse to give everyone a different project - can you imagine the amount of work that puts on me?! I will consider making 3 projects for the next semester, that way it gives us some variety at least. One of my students also expected me to be "an expert" since I was the professor. I really find this to be unrealistic. Maybe, MAYBE, if I were a seasoned professor should I be held to that kind of standard, but this was my second semester teaching this course...how am I supposed to be an expert!?! There also were a few comments about the content of the course - this isn't my responsibility or decision, at least in this case. I'm an adjunct, I'm told what to teach and what topics to cover. It isn't my course to run free with...some students wanted more theory...well the theory is covered in an advanced version of this class - a graduate level course. My responsibility is to teach the formulas, not to show how to get them, that comes later.
Ultimately I did find a few things that I can change, and plan to work on over the summer in revamping the class. The projects can be more interesting, and varied. As for the material, it is what it is. I will be more aware of how I am perceived, and regardless of how tired I actually am (I mean there's no reason a mom of a 13 month old, full time faculty at FSU, 30 minute each direction commute, type woman should be tired!) I must not appear in a bad mood. I will calm myself before entering the room, and somehow I will try to become an expert. I guess a lot of my issues arise from my adjunct status. I'm not available to students during "normal" hours, and they see me for a very short time each week. I am not a seasoned professor, and I can't anticipate all of their questions. There were days I was asked a question, wasn't quite sure of the answer, and instead of answering with a guess I said I wasn't sure and I brought the correct answer to class the next day. I almost think students would have evaluated me better if I'd just lied to them! Seasoned professors have taught the same courses for years - and generally have heard just about every question there is...I don't have this luxury yet. I think it is extremely unfair to compare me to their other, tenured, professors!
In the end I think I just hate the fact the 25 kids (only 25 of the 75 took the survey) were able to berate me without having any chance of defending myself. This kind of evaluation is on my record with WVU...I have no way of explaining this or defending myself. There were good reviews too (passionate about the topic, motivates students)...but I hate to not reach every student...and to be judged so easily. I also think that students are short-sighted...none of them appeared comfortable in my shoes when they had to present to the class...yet they expect me to be perfect. That chapter is over, and I will take the positive and move on...I may not be an expert professor yet, but no one said it'd be easy, or happen overnight. The more I teach, the better I will become.
So in addition to the craziness with a bunch of college kids, Savannah has discovered all kinds of new things. Some of which are incredibly amazing and endearing. She can point to her eyes and nose (and yours too - just hope your eyes aren't poked too hard!). She also will respond to the question "Where are your stinky feet?" by sticking her feet up in the air. Some less endearing new found skills include climbing on the couch unassisted (now cooking dinner while also keeping one eye on a child is going to become a new summer Olympic sport!) and squealing...about everything. I have learned that squeals are unique to her mood, much like her cries were when she was tiny. There's the excited squeal, the "I want that now squeal", the "Don't put me down!" squeal, and "The cat ran from me squeal". Each has it's own unique ear-piercing quality and length. After a weekend full of squeals I have been tempted to leave Savannah with Grandma and Grandpa when we head to Miami this Saturday...I really, REALLY, doubt others on board our flights want to learn about the range of squeals Savannah has. (Tune in soon for a post devoted to traveling with a small child...) Savannah is so talented with her squeals that she choreographs a dance with each one, too. The excited squeal is accompanied by clapping hands. The "I want that now" is almost always heard with an associated finger pointing. The "Don't put me down" usually has a combined dance maneuver in which at first she puts her arms in the air, but then twists into a full-out laying on her back, legs kicking motion. Possibly the most entertaining (if you can call it that) is "The cat ran away from me"...she crawls head down (some day she will figure out it hurts when you crawl into furniture and walls) after the cat that ran away...to which the cat that is trying to escape puts his/her ears back due to the squeal in the first place!
So what does all this squealing mean? Should we give in? Should we ignore it? I hate the squealing - I honestly had to go outside at one point yesterday because I couldn't take it any more. I want to do whatever it takes to stop it...but I'm not teaching her anything by giving in. Will the squealing eventually turn into the whining I heard from those college kids? I hope not...for now I see it as her form of communication...until she learns more words. I hope it truly is a phase...otherwise we may have to invest in some ear plugs.
After picking up the pieces of my dreams I decided to look at the comments again, but sort them out a bit. First, several students said I was "in a bad mood"...while I can't think of a day I was in a bad mood, apparently it happened enough for them to comment on it. I attribute this to several factors. I'm an adjunct, so these kids see me 2 hours a week, and at 5pm after I have already worked an 8-hour day. So it's possible I appear tired, and sure maybe some days weren't the best, but they have no chance to see me at my best at 8:00am. Also, I can remember times I took a deep breath before I began teaching to calm my nerves (teaching new material to 75 college kids isn't easy!). Well, this can be interpreted I suppose as a lack of enthusiasm, or a sigh of frustration...so it's possible they saw something completely different than was the case. I also was criticized for being "condescending" towards students when they weren't interested in the class. I honestly can't think of myself as condescending...but I can recall a time I pointed out that yawning in my class wouldn't be tolerated. I was teaching a topic, and someone yawned very loudly...twice. I looked up and pointed out that while they may not enjoy the topic, it's rude to behave in such a manner. Another complaint was that I teach too much from the book and make them take notes the entire time. I just don't get this one at all. Yes, I refer to the book. Every time I present a new equation I tell them what page it comes from - a habit I thought would be very helpful to them! Apparently they expect me to devise new formulas and not refer to the book. I just can't imagine not tying the book into what I'm telling them! As for notes all the time...well, my class layout has been notes, I do a few problems (not copies from examples, I work out problems that they don't have access to in the book) and then I have them work out "end of chapter" questions from the book (to which they don't have solutions for). So there really is a lot going on besides just notes...do they want a song and dance? There also was some complaining about the project presentations being boring...well, in a class of 75 there were 20 presentations.....I refuse to give everyone a different project - can you imagine the amount of work that puts on me?! I will consider making 3 projects for the next semester, that way it gives us some variety at least. One of my students also expected me to be "an expert" since I was the professor. I really find this to be unrealistic. Maybe, MAYBE, if I were a seasoned professor should I be held to that kind of standard, but this was my second semester teaching this course...how am I supposed to be an expert!?! There also were a few comments about the content of the course - this isn't my responsibility or decision, at least in this case. I'm an adjunct, I'm told what to teach and what topics to cover. It isn't my course to run free with...some students wanted more theory...well the theory is covered in an advanced version of this class - a graduate level course. My responsibility is to teach the formulas, not to show how to get them, that comes later.
Ultimately I did find a few things that I can change, and plan to work on over the summer in revamping the class. The projects can be more interesting, and varied. As for the material, it is what it is. I will be more aware of how I am perceived, and regardless of how tired I actually am (I mean there's no reason a mom of a 13 month old, full time faculty at FSU, 30 minute each direction commute, type woman should be tired!) I must not appear in a bad mood. I will calm myself before entering the room, and somehow I will try to become an expert. I guess a lot of my issues arise from my adjunct status. I'm not available to students during "normal" hours, and they see me for a very short time each week. I am not a seasoned professor, and I can't anticipate all of their questions. There were days I was asked a question, wasn't quite sure of the answer, and instead of answering with a guess I said I wasn't sure and I brought the correct answer to class the next day. I almost think students would have evaluated me better if I'd just lied to them! Seasoned professors have taught the same courses for years - and generally have heard just about every question there is...I don't have this luxury yet. I think it is extremely unfair to compare me to their other, tenured, professors!
In the end I think I just hate the fact the 25 kids (only 25 of the 75 took the survey) were able to berate me without having any chance of defending myself. This kind of evaluation is on my record with WVU...I have no way of explaining this or defending myself. There were good reviews too (passionate about the topic, motivates students)...but I hate to not reach every student...and to be judged so easily. I also think that students are short-sighted...none of them appeared comfortable in my shoes when they had to present to the class...yet they expect me to be perfect. That chapter is over, and I will take the positive and move on...I may not be an expert professor yet, but no one said it'd be easy, or happen overnight. The more I teach, the better I will become.
So in addition to the craziness with a bunch of college kids, Savannah has discovered all kinds of new things. Some of which are incredibly amazing and endearing. She can point to her eyes and nose (and yours too - just hope your eyes aren't poked too hard!). She also will respond to the question "Where are your stinky feet?" by sticking her feet up in the air. Some less endearing new found skills include climbing on the couch unassisted (now cooking dinner while also keeping one eye on a child is going to become a new summer Olympic sport!) and squealing...about everything. I have learned that squeals are unique to her mood, much like her cries were when she was tiny. There's the excited squeal, the "I want that now squeal", the "Don't put me down!" squeal, and "The cat ran from me squeal". Each has it's own unique ear-piercing quality and length. After a weekend full of squeals I have been tempted to leave Savannah with Grandma and Grandpa when we head to Miami this Saturday...I really, REALLY, doubt others on board our flights want to learn about the range of squeals Savannah has. (Tune in soon for a post devoted to traveling with a small child...) Savannah is so talented with her squeals that she choreographs a dance with each one, too. The excited squeal is accompanied by clapping hands. The "I want that now" is almost always heard with an associated finger pointing. The "Don't put me down" usually has a combined dance maneuver in which at first she puts her arms in the air, but then twists into a full-out laying on her back, legs kicking motion. Possibly the most entertaining (if you can call it that) is "The cat ran away from me"...she crawls head down (some day she will figure out it hurts when you crawl into furniture and walls) after the cat that ran away...to which the cat that is trying to escape puts his/her ears back due to the squeal in the first place!
So what does all this squealing mean? Should we give in? Should we ignore it? I hate the squealing - I honestly had to go outside at one point yesterday because I couldn't take it any more. I want to do whatever it takes to stop it...but I'm not teaching her anything by giving in. Will the squealing eventually turn into the whining I heard from those college kids? I hope not...for now I see it as her form of communication...until she learns more words. I hope it truly is a phase...otherwise we may have to invest in some ear plugs.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mother's Day Blessings...
Yesterday I enjoyed my 2nd Mother's Day. It was such a blissful day! Last year, I entertained both mother and mother-in-law at the house after church. While it was nice to celebrate both moms, it was so tiring with a 1-month-old! This year, I asked for a quiet Sunday, with no visitors. Carl and Savannah spent Friday evening with Carl's mother (I had to attend an Academic Achievement Banquet at FSU that night) and on Saturday evening we spent time with my mother. Sunday was reserved for me.
Savannah isn't quite old enough to plan her gifts for me...so she had some help from Carl. So Saturday night I kind of got a present...well, I was given the attempt at a present. While I was grading finals (all 75 of them!) he was doing something mysterious in the basement with Savannah...he took a plastic cup and a spoon down stairs and told me not to come down. But then, not even 20 minutes later he calls for me. I ask what he needs, and he says he needs my help. So down I go, and I find him with Savannah in the middle of our tiled bathroom floor. Savannah is a mess and so is the bathroom! He was attempting to make a handprint out of plaster of paris for me...but none of it worked and she had stuff all over her hands! That gift turned out to be more work than a gift...and the handprint never did work out.
Saturday night Carl asked if I'd like breakfast in bed...which I said was a nice thought, but not what I wanted. All I asked is that he wake up with Savannah and feed her...I could sleep in! So I slept for an extra hour, and then when I got up I made some muffins up quickly. One of my favorite fast breakfasts! I did get candy too - and a hand signed card from Savannah, which I will always cherish.
After church Savannah napped really well - which allowed time for me to nap also! I don't know when the last time I could relax at home was. Normally if she is sleeping I'm cleaning...but Sunday was the first time in a long time that nothing really needed done. The office is cleaned out (minus a few boxes to be moved to the attic tonight), the garage was cleaned out and organized (thanks to the yard sale - we had to go through it all!), and the unfinished side of the basement is organized with shelving, etc....and I didn't have any dishes, laundry, or cooking to do...so for the first time probably since....hmm...I don't know, before Savannah was born....I got to sleep in the afternoon!
After our collective naps, we dropped Savannah off at Grandma's so that Carl could take me to dinner...it was a nice Mother's Day/Date Night treat...and Savannah got to spend time with her Grandma too! I really think non-parents take for granted the feeling of eating warm food at the same time as their significant other. It has gotten better as Savannah has gotten older, but heading out to eat with a small child is never going to be the same as a dinner for two.
This Mother's Day was just what I wanted...the handprint didn't work out, but it's the thought that counts. I was able to catch up on some much needed sleep, and still love that my house is clean! I enjoyed every minute with Savannah...and I was celebrated as the mother of Carl's child (and someday that will be children instead of child!) at dinner. I feel like I finally found a piece of myself that had been missing for a while...I found that I am still Michelle...not just Savannah's Mom. I also found that I'm still a young woman - not some old crotchity lady! (Although I did take an afternoon nap...) I still love my husband so very much, and I look forward to the many new surprises and joys in our life together as parents to Savannah, and some day in the future Luke (Asher) or Ella (Faith).
Each and every day I am thankful for the life I live, and the people that are in it to make it so incredibly special.
Savannah isn't quite old enough to plan her gifts for me...so she had some help from Carl. So Saturday night I kind of got a present...well, I was given the attempt at a present. While I was grading finals (all 75 of them!) he was doing something mysterious in the basement with Savannah...he took a plastic cup and a spoon down stairs and told me not to come down. But then, not even 20 minutes later he calls for me. I ask what he needs, and he says he needs my help. So down I go, and I find him with Savannah in the middle of our tiled bathroom floor. Savannah is a mess and so is the bathroom! He was attempting to make a handprint out of plaster of paris for me...but none of it worked and she had stuff all over her hands! That gift turned out to be more work than a gift...and the handprint never did work out.
Saturday night Carl asked if I'd like breakfast in bed...which I said was a nice thought, but not what I wanted. All I asked is that he wake up with Savannah and feed her...I could sleep in! So I slept for an extra hour, and then when I got up I made some muffins up quickly. One of my favorite fast breakfasts! I did get candy too - and a hand signed card from Savannah, which I will always cherish.
After church Savannah napped really well - which allowed time for me to nap also! I don't know when the last time I could relax at home was. Normally if she is sleeping I'm cleaning...but Sunday was the first time in a long time that nothing really needed done. The office is cleaned out (minus a few boxes to be moved to the attic tonight), the garage was cleaned out and organized (thanks to the yard sale - we had to go through it all!), and the unfinished side of the basement is organized with shelving, etc....and I didn't have any dishes, laundry, or cooking to do...so for the first time probably since....hmm...I don't know, before Savannah was born....I got to sleep in the afternoon!
After our collective naps, we dropped Savannah off at Grandma's so that Carl could take me to dinner...it was a nice Mother's Day/Date Night treat...and Savannah got to spend time with her Grandma too! I really think non-parents take for granted the feeling of eating warm food at the same time as their significant other. It has gotten better as Savannah has gotten older, but heading out to eat with a small child is never going to be the same as a dinner for two.
This Mother's Day was just what I wanted...the handprint didn't work out, but it's the thought that counts. I was able to catch up on some much needed sleep, and still love that my house is clean! I enjoyed every minute with Savannah...and I was celebrated as the mother of Carl's child (and someday that will be children instead of child!) at dinner. I feel like I finally found a piece of myself that had been missing for a while...I found that I am still Michelle...not just Savannah's Mom. I also found that I'm still a young woman - not some old crotchity lady! (Although I did take an afternoon nap...) I still love my husband so very much, and I look forward to the many new surprises and joys in our life together as parents to Savannah, and some day in the future Luke (Asher) or Ella (Faith).
Each and every day I am thankful for the life I live, and the people that are in it to make it so incredibly special.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Learning and Growing and Changing - Oh My!
Each and every morning I wake up to see Savannah standing in her crib, peeking at me. Her nursery is just down the hall from our bedroom and the way the crib is positioned she can stand at one end and see down the hall into our bedroom - and see me on my side of the bed. When I was pregnant and discovered that I could see the crib from my spot in bed I thought "This is amazing! This is perfect!". Not so much. If she wakes up before I'm quite ready to roll out of bed, and she sees me, then it doesn't matter if I'm ready to get up or not - I have to get up or listen to wailing until I do. So Carl has been losing his sleep space inch by inch....if I am on his side Savannah can't see me, and then she's quiet until she does see someone. It's not that I don't want to go greet her smiling face, I just need some sleep once in a while!
Last night Savannah took what Carl calls her first steps. I don't know if I'd say that or not, but to humor him, I'll say it was just that. She has been really interested in standing alone this week. She will stand and just look around - like a prairie dog. Then she usually sits and crawls to things. Last night she was standing, but this time she moved her feet. I think she got about 4 little steps in before she fell over...but they were definitely steps she concentrated on. She took one, stood still and balanced, and then took another. It wasn't her usual "steps taken while diving for me" thing...this was concentrated movement...so I guess for the most part I would say they can be considered first steps. She isn't walking, but I don't think it's far behind.
She is growing and learning and changing so quickly. Not only has she decided to venture into a new mode of transportation, but she is developing in many other ways too. She has recently become very interested in books. She has always enjoyed them, but usually just liked to point and turn pages. In the past week she has decided to sit still while I read Dr. Seuss books before bed. She will sit while I read a book, word for word, and then when that one is done she points to the stack and I read another, and another. Sometimes she points at things on the pages, or she looks up at me while I read, but she has a newfound appreciation for being read to. It's a much different attitude than I'm used to. I love it! We get lots of cuddle time in while we read, and I know I'm helping her learn each and every night.
Not only have I seen her develop mentally and physically, but emotionally too! Savannah is empathetic. I have noticed some clues to this in the past two weeks, but yesterday it was confirmed. I was laying in the floor and Savannah had been crawling over and around me (one of her favorite games!). She pulled up and stood next to the couch, which happened to be near my head. She fell a bit and her hand hit my forehead. I said "Ouch" and rubbed my head. She looked at me, and then leaned in to give me a hug. So then I tested my theory. When Carl was home I "accidentally" bumped him and he said "Ouch". Savannah then gave him a hug! I asked both my mother and Carl if they had taught her that, and neither has. So this is a skill she developed and nurtured completely on her own! I've been trying to read about children and empathy, and for the most part it seems as if toddlers know when someone is hurt or sad and they generally want to fix it. Most children fix the problem the way they have seen their parents fix the problem. So Savannah has figured out that when she gets hurt and cries that we hug her and kiss her...so now when she sees us get hurt, she gives us the same we would give her! I am so proud to say that she wants others around her to be happy and not sad, and that she knows what to do to help. It also boosts my confidence in myself as a parent. If she thinks that hugs and love can solve a "boo-boo", then she knows we can (and do) solve her "boo-boo"s with loves and cuddles. While babies can learn a lot from books and educational toys, they learn just as much, if not more, from the interaction they receive from their parents/caregivers/friends/etc. Just the other day I was getting frustrated with Carl because he was taking an insane amount of time to get ready (he is always the one who takes the longest to get ready in the morning - and he doesn't wear make-up or eye contacts!), and I yelled up the stairs to hurry up. Savannah was quick to recognize a different tone. I saw it in her eyes - she was confused and unsure. So from now on I know that each and every action will truly be scrutinized by her. While I knew this to be true before, I have now seen a direct action in relation to what we have done...so our house is a house of love, and I intend to show Savannah that each and every day. Sure there will be disagreements, but just because we disagree doesn't mean we have to belittle or yell. She should be able to learn how to handle conflict without those tactics. We are her role models - so far she has only learned positive things, and I'll strive to keep it that way!
On top of all her amazing accomplishments this week (no wonder she is so tired every night - all this learning!), she also realizes that the baby in the mirror, is indeed, herself. I had dressed her in a little dress for church, and put her headband on. We went to admire ourselves in the bathroom mirror (another one of Savannah's favorite things) and she smiled, then touched her headband. Later she took the headband off and had been carrying it while I did some chores downstairs. Well, when it was almost time to go and Carl still wasn't ready (read previous paragraph) I was trying to keep her entertained so we looked in the mirror hanging above the couch. She touched her hair, but then turned to look into the kitchen - where she had left her headband. She pointed, so I went and got it, and put it on. We looked back in the mirror - she touched her headband and smiled. She most definitely knew that the headband belonged on her head so she could see it in the mirror!
It seems like she learns so much each and every minute of the day - I think that's one of the most rewarding things about being a mom. It is truly an amazing gift God gives parents - watching your child grow and learn.
Last night Savannah took what Carl calls her first steps. I don't know if I'd say that or not, but to humor him, I'll say it was just that. She has been really interested in standing alone this week. She will stand and just look around - like a prairie dog. Then she usually sits and crawls to things. Last night she was standing, but this time she moved her feet. I think she got about 4 little steps in before she fell over...but they were definitely steps she concentrated on. She took one, stood still and balanced, and then took another. It wasn't her usual "steps taken while diving for me" thing...this was concentrated movement...so I guess for the most part I would say they can be considered first steps. She isn't walking, but I don't think it's far behind.
She is growing and learning and changing so quickly. Not only has she decided to venture into a new mode of transportation, but she is developing in many other ways too. She has recently become very interested in books. She has always enjoyed them, but usually just liked to point and turn pages. In the past week she has decided to sit still while I read Dr. Seuss books before bed. She will sit while I read a book, word for word, and then when that one is done she points to the stack and I read another, and another. Sometimes she points at things on the pages, or she looks up at me while I read, but she has a newfound appreciation for being read to. It's a much different attitude than I'm used to. I love it! We get lots of cuddle time in while we read, and I know I'm helping her learn each and every night.
Not only have I seen her develop mentally and physically, but emotionally too! Savannah is empathetic. I have noticed some clues to this in the past two weeks, but yesterday it was confirmed. I was laying in the floor and Savannah had been crawling over and around me (one of her favorite games!). She pulled up and stood next to the couch, which happened to be near my head. She fell a bit and her hand hit my forehead. I said "Ouch" and rubbed my head. She looked at me, and then leaned in to give me a hug. So then I tested my theory. When Carl was home I "accidentally" bumped him and he said "Ouch". Savannah then gave him a hug! I asked both my mother and Carl if they had taught her that, and neither has. So this is a skill she developed and nurtured completely on her own! I've been trying to read about children and empathy, and for the most part it seems as if toddlers know when someone is hurt or sad and they generally want to fix it. Most children fix the problem the way they have seen their parents fix the problem. So Savannah has figured out that when she gets hurt and cries that we hug her and kiss her...so now when she sees us get hurt, she gives us the same we would give her! I am so proud to say that she wants others around her to be happy and not sad, and that she knows what to do to help. It also boosts my confidence in myself as a parent. If she thinks that hugs and love can solve a "boo-boo", then she knows we can (and do) solve her "boo-boo"s with loves and cuddles. While babies can learn a lot from books and educational toys, they learn just as much, if not more, from the interaction they receive from their parents/caregivers/friends/etc. Just the other day I was getting frustrated with Carl because he was taking an insane amount of time to get ready (he is always the one who takes the longest to get ready in the morning - and he doesn't wear make-up or eye contacts!), and I yelled up the stairs to hurry up. Savannah was quick to recognize a different tone. I saw it in her eyes - she was confused and unsure. So from now on I know that each and every action will truly be scrutinized by her. While I knew this to be true before, I have now seen a direct action in relation to what we have done...so our house is a house of love, and I intend to show Savannah that each and every day. Sure there will be disagreements, but just because we disagree doesn't mean we have to belittle or yell. She should be able to learn how to handle conflict without those tactics. We are her role models - so far she has only learned positive things, and I'll strive to keep it that way!
On top of all her amazing accomplishments this week (no wonder she is so tired every night - all this learning!), she also realizes that the baby in the mirror, is indeed, herself. I had dressed her in a little dress for church, and put her headband on. We went to admire ourselves in the bathroom mirror (another one of Savannah's favorite things) and she smiled, then touched her headband. Later she took the headband off and had been carrying it while I did some chores downstairs. Well, when it was almost time to go and Carl still wasn't ready (read previous paragraph) I was trying to keep her entertained so we looked in the mirror hanging above the couch. She touched her hair, but then turned to look into the kitchen - where she had left her headband. She pointed, so I went and got it, and put it on. We looked back in the mirror - she touched her headband and smiled. She most definitely knew that the headband belonged on her head so she could see it in the mirror!
It seems like she learns so much each and every minute of the day - I think that's one of the most rewarding things about being a mom. It is truly an amazing gift God gives parents - watching your child grow and learn.
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