Books

I'm loving that Connor is loving books so much right now. He comes up to me many times a day with a book and says, "Read?" It's too cute. It's nice to know that even though my active son has the attention span of nothing, he's still interested enough in books to try and sit still for a story. His favorites are all about vehicles, of course. Top two: The Big Book of Things and Go and Freight Train.

On a more adult note, I just finished two really interesting books: In Defense of Food and The Culture Code. Add them to your list, they're great!

Library Monster

So, today I was looking for something free and inside-air-conditioned to do with Connor, so I took him to the local library. We waited outside for the library to open and Connor found another toddler boy to play with. So far, we were having a great time. The library opened and we went inside. Connor was amused with the kids section, but couldn't really sit still to read a book with Mommy. That was fine. Then, he started running down the stacks away from me. I grabbed him and told him that was not okay. For awhile, he was cool again in the kids section. Then, he started to seem really crabby, so I decided it was time to leave. I picked him up along with the DVDs and books that I wanted to check out. We started to walk up front because I needed to get a library card. Well, Connor was not having being held by Mommy. He started to fuss. I told him no. He fussed more and got louder. I tried to bribe him with a fruit leather. That worked for about 5 seconds. Then Connor BOLTS from where we're standing in line. The sympathetic mom behind me told me that she's save my place. I ran after him, but before I found him I hear this scream. Connor had run to the quiet adult (read: grumpy library types) section and had bumped his head before I got there. He's so fast these days! Well, now he was screaming/crying at the top of his lungs in the middle of the library. Everyone was looking at me like I was the worst mom in the world. I truly wanted to crawl under a rock and die. I managed to comfort Connor enough to get him to stop crying, and finally got our freaking library card (while continuing to endure looks that could kill). Eventually, we made it to the car where I looked for any sharp implement I could poke myself with. Finding none, we proceeded home.

Conclusion: PARENTING SUCKS THE DIGNITY OUT OF YOUR LIFE.

Pacifier

When Connor was small I practically forced him to take a pacifier. I would have done almost anything at that point to stop the screaming! Fast forward 20 months or so, and here we are, taking his pacifier away. I was feeling so guilty about the whole thing, taking away his most precious comfort object. On David's brilliant suggestion, we decided to leave the pacis in the crib and cut of the tips, so there'd be no suction. It seems to be working! Last night he took longer than usual to fall asleep, but he still slept through most of the night. He woke up at 4:40, and we could hear him trying one "broken" paci after another. Then he started screaming. But, David went in, told him it wasn't time to get up, sang to him, and he went back to sleep for another 45 mins! Not bad, right?! So far, so good.....

Change in plans

Today I was supposed to spend the morning working in my studio, but my babysitter called at the last minute saying that her son was sick. So it goes when your help has kids. Connor just about broke me yesterday afternoon with his whiny, leg-grabbing self, so I knew we needed to get out of the house. We set out for the park in the stroller, and it couldn't have been more beautiful out. It's been hot here lately, even for Tucson. But, today was overcast and cool (70 or so). We got to the park and we were the only ones at the playground for a very long time. What is wrong with Tucsonans? When it's sunny and hot, everyone complains about the heat. Then, when a cloud enters the sky and it's finally cooler, they hide inside in case it rains. Really, people?! Are you going to melt?! It did start to drizzle at the park while we were there, but we stayed until the playground equipment started to get slippery. It was beautiful and fun. I love summer rain! Sometimes the simplest days turn out to be the most fun.

Connor's little hands

There's nothing sweeter in the whole world to me right now than when Connor takes my hand. This morning at the park he all of a sudden reached up and held my hand as we were walking. He's not a big hand-holder, so this completely melted my heart. The feel of his tiny, soft hand in mine is something that I will remember until the day I die....It's one of the best mommy moments ever!