The Developmentalist and the Theologian

Every now and then, a moment of everyday life captures my educational interest. And sometimes, there is even theologically revealing (and solid) moment. This morning happened to be one of both...

It is December 21, and Isaac has already outgrown his winter coat (the one I bought huge for him in October). It is also twenty degrees with a windchill around ten (yes, folks, that is Fahrenheit). I have to be at church this morning to teach Sunday School because my helper has missed most of the last six weeks. Otherwise, we would have stayed home this morning.

So, I throw a lightweight fleece afghan (which also is very warm) in the car, because good mommy (or lazy and not wanting to deal with ear infection number five over Christmas mommy) is going to use it to keep a little man warming dashing from the car on the one horse open mom. Did I mention that Isaac HATES having his head covered (or blankets over him period)?

We get in, we make it through church and Sunday School, and I take every peripheral item (diaper bag, purse, Christmas presents, Christmas cards, art projects, kitchen sink) out to the car and come back to get the I-man. He is having a blast in the nursery and has to be convinced with promises of lunch and bye-bye to go. He waves bye-bye to Dixie (our preschool director whom he ADORES) in the hallway. And so this Norman Rockwell get-up heads to the car.

And this is where our tale unravels...

From the minute we step out the door (after promising a spanking if he took off his hat) into the freezing (or rather, sub-freezing) cold, he is fighting me, the hat, and the blanket. His hat comes off his head, and he is clawing madly at that mean old blanket (and the mommy on the other side). All the while he is screaming, "DIXIE!!!" After several yells, he shrieks, "JEEESUUUUSSSS!!!"

And here my friends is where theology and praxis meet everyday life. The developmental aspect of my education is thrilled that Isaac is identifying his Preschool Minister and Mom's Day Out teacher with Jesus. He is precociously recognizing that Jesus goes with church and those who interact with him represent Jesus (this is usually a development that happens a few years later than now, but he's a sharp kid). He is also recognizing, in the middle of the Christmas hub-bub that Jesus Saves! He might think that Dixie saves (and she does sometimes from a stressed-out mommy), but more importantly, even when trusted people fail us, Jesus will save us.

And, by the way, he did still get the spanking for taking off his hat. God keeps his promises too.

Those weren't sleighbells jingling...

I have a theory about that song (Winter Wonderland). I don't think in the modern-day it is sleigh-bells jingling. Instead, I think it is really the sound of more "stuff" to do. PDA's and cell phones chirping, email alerts chirping, and AIM ringing.

It's a wonder we don't go mad. Or maybe we are and just don't know it.

So, anyways, here's to slowing down and enjoying the holidays.

Just don't get run over by a reindeer while you're slowing down...Grandma was enough.

Despite all whining to the contrary...

God is still God. He did not suspend himself from omnipotence, omniscience, or omnipresence. And folks, I don't think he was surprised by the outcome of a presidential election in the little corner of the world we call America (but think is the center of the universe).

While it is true that national leadership and policy are promulgated by a single person (and their myriad of advisers and special interest groups), what influences this country the most are the individuals who live their day-to-day lives. A thorough reading of the Old and New Testament would acquaint us with a biblical view (imagine that!) which shows that God has a history of dealing one-on-one with the "little people" first. God has consistently used the lowly (read: not kings, presidents, or chief priests) as the obedient agents of his purposes. Even when dealing with the leadership, it is often the outsider or societal outcast who is the messenger of God's word.

Now, let's put that into 2008 context. Is whoever has been elected president the ultimate example of God's divine providence or grace? Likely not. It is you, the person living your life in radical obedience to Him which makes the eternal impact. Pray for the President. Pray for the country. But most of all, pray that YOU will be the salt and light you've been called to be before judging another person's ability or relationship with God. In fact, just worry about being who you are supposed to be. If we all could manage that, then we wouldn't have to worry about the national level.

Now quit reading political commentary (and this blog) and be Jesus to somebody. I don't know that any President will compete with that!

Radical Environmenalism

I've decided something. If you want to be a radical tree-hugging environmentalist, you should eat meat. Think about it...all of those poor, little blades of grass and tender, young plants being mutilated by those big mean animals. And vegetarians too! They eat those baby lettuces. I can hear the little greenies screaming to their death...

So, eat a steak. Save a blade of grass.

If it doesn't say "meow," then it says "Roar"

There is a loose wild animal roaming around my house. Sometimes it meows, sometimes it roars. One can never be too sure of its mood. One thing is for sure though; this two-legged kitty is on the prowl. When asked what the pig says ("roar"), then asked what the camel says ("roar"), there follows no small amount of meowing. It meows in its cage, it meows in the ring.

Oh wait, now it's singing "I like fish."

If only I could get it to eat its fish sticks...

Heck, I'd settle for its chicken nuggets.

Yes, Mommy Loves You, and No, You May NOT Play in the Trashcan!

Our fifteen-month old son, while very verbal, still gets into everything like every other fifteen month old. After scolding him several times for trying to play in the kitchen trash can, I finally picked him up, and firmly said, "Isaac may NOT play in the trash!"

He started to cry (a normal reaction for him being disciplined). Realizing that he also had a dirty diaper, I proceeded to carry him toward his room to change it. He took a deep breath to stop crying, with little crocodile tears on his face, he looked me square in the eye and started singing at the top of his lungs:

"JESUS loves the little children!"He stopped at the end of the first line, blinked looked at me and asked pointedly,

"Mommy love?"

Stupid Parents (and their kids)

Isaac's allergies are bad (again!). His little nose won't stop running with ooey-gooey clear snot and it runs down his throat too. Mostly when he's sleeping (or trying to), and makes him gag, cough, wake up, and cry (and sometimes cry and wake up). It's not fun trying to sleep and be awakened gagging. So, Triaminic Vapor Patch to the rescue. I had used them on myself for years when nothing else helped (and when I was pregnant or nursing and couldn't take anything for the headcolds I invariably get in the middle of the winter). I had one left in the box after putting one on Isaac (for the second night in a row), so I figure I will pick up a box or two (you know, stock up) at Kroger. They don't have any. The pharmacy tech (who is NEVER helpful) says, well maybe they were included in the recall from a couple of months ago (since it is now apparently not safe to give little kids cold medicine).

So, I go to Walgreens. The pharmacist there is usually helpful (even if they did forget to close the bottle of purple syrup awhile back, making a nice puddle in my car). He came out and helped me look and agreed with me that since it actually worked, it must not be available anymore. So, I thank him, decide I'll check the internet and he wishes me luck.

Fast-forward two hours. I finally get a chance to look for it online (after calling my mom and asking her to keep a lookout for it), and discover that the stupid little patches were recalled almost TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO!!! AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so maybe there was some legitimate reason for recalling them. I don't know, call it melanine. This is where I really made my mistake. The reason for the recall? Some stupid parent who obviously did not use the brain God gave them sued because their kid ate a patch and had an adverse reaction. Hello?!?!? Does your kid also use a bandaid to eat Vicks out of the jar, because that's basically what it is. What kind of food was that parent feeding their kid that they thought it was an improvement to their diet?!? The labeling instructions indicate that it's safe for kids 2 and up. Now, I know, Isaac is nowhere close to being two yet (despite his propensity for toddler tantrums). But, if you put the kid in appropriate pj's (like a sleeper with a zipper and a snap over that), you can prevent your charming child from proving Darwinian theory.

So, if you see me wandering around town, looking tired, drifting in my lane, or other such sure sign of a tired mommy, give me a wide berth, nod sympathetically when I'm screaming with road rage at the long line for the drive-thru at McDonalds, and understand that...

I have not slept all night for days. Well, at least after tonight.

Let Darwin have his day...bring back the patch.

Maybe there's a patch for stupidity?

A sign and a thought

While on our way from the pumpkin patch to Dairy Queen today, we saw an interesting church sign.

"Lead me not into temptation. I can find my way there just fine."

It's funny (not really) how we blame God for a lot of the things that we simply just don't choose to have self-control over, or that we don't want to confess our own selfishness (read: desire to be God), and blame the temptation (or God not protecting us from it).

He protects us from it...He left us a book. I would suggest reading it. It's a good place to start.

Storing Up Treasures

The type of treasure always changes, but the quest to hang onto the important things in life seems to spring from an early age. Right now, my bottom utensil drawer is "the treasure place." Things like blocks, ookie bear, and sippy cups are stored away until the melt-down moment when we must have it yet can't remember where it went occurs. At least, this is the toddler incarnation of this quest for hanging onto stuff. As we age it becomes movie ticket stubs, conversations that hurt or helped, or clippings of a life we no longer live, but are reluctant to renounce.

Some days I wonder if our quest for stuff is like God's quest for us. We might seem pretty useless or superfluous to the Almighty, but He keeps us in his treasure drawer. In times of spiritual dryness, it seems like we are the forgotten treasure, waiting to be taken out and greeted with a "HI!" But God doesn't forget us...he keeps us as his treasure.

A different kind of tooth fairy

I think I'm going to take away Isaac's teeth. The ones which have come through, and the ones he's working on getting in. I hate the biting and I hate the irritability, drool, diaper rash which accompany the many week process of gettin in a tooth.

Think about it. No teeth means he doesn't bite, and not coming in means that I'm not buying infant Motrin by the gallon, I'm sleeping all night, and my not-usually-picky little eater is, not picky.

If anyone has the number for this particular tooth fairy, would you please pass it on? I would love to have all of my wishes come true. I'm a girl on a budget, so a payment plan would be good too (if it's not too much trouble...).

Worried? Maybe...

So, I get my new One Step Ahead catalog in the mail today. The one with the Christmas toys and the Halloween costumes. Because Isaac doesn't think that anyone can read mail in our house without his presence, be is sitting on my lap looking at the toys, childproofing paraphernalia, and Halloween costumes. Half-kidding, I ask him which costume he would like to be for Halloween. He points to the pink princess fairy.

I hope this is a phase, or he is just preparing for tea party play dates with all of his little girl friends close to his age.

Amazing, isn't it?

Sorry one little blog-watcher, wherever you are...I know this has been a long time coming...

Isn't it amazing how pre-kid, you are an individual. You have ideas which might be considered rational, maybe even good (sometimes), and occasionally, brilliant. You are an expert in your field. And then you have kids, and you become just a psycho-mom, who hasn't a clue what she's talking about.

Where did all of those productive little brain cells go?

They're probably sitting on the couch, eating bonbons and watching Blue's Clues.

Where's my clue, Blue?

Isaac's Birthday Extravaganza...part 1

Isaac's Birthday was (and still is) celebrated in high style. We went to Applebee's for lunch on his birthday, and we're having the family party on Saturday (with what family can make it).

So Big...

Today marks the end of an age...in a somewhat literal sense. Isaac's last day before his first birthday. As he naps, I can't help but think of all the changes that we have experienced in this, his first year. He has gone from a completely helpless, completely reliant little chap, to an independent-minded, busy little man. The sheer number of new things he does everyday is impressive, as is the volume of his yell when he wants attention.

Mommy and Daddy love you baby!

An Astonishing Thing

An astonishing thing happened today. Not amazing, simply astonishing. We went on our first "family mini-trip" to Land Between the Lakes, and the Kentucky Dam today. Isaac chased a turtle, went nose-to-beak with a turkey, and hooted at an owl. That wasn't the astonishing thing. The astonishing thing is that Mommy took some pictures. I should be able to get them posted later today or tomorrow.

He definitely hoots like an owl.

Ins and Outs

That which is in does not need to stay in. That which is out need not stay out. It is possible for things that are in to come out, and to demand the return of things that are out. In other words, the toys are flying out of the crib. The food is coming back out of the mouth and over the tray.

Hip, Hip, Hooray...

Bye-Bye Dinner

This shouldn't be funny, and we shouldn't laugh. Last night at dinner (we splurged on steak, potatoes, and steamed broccoli at home), Isaac decided to sample each bite on his high chair tray, make a face, take it back out of his mouth (with his fingers), lean over his tray, dropping said pre-tasted bite on the floor, after which he was compelled by some unknown force to sing, "bye-bye!" It kind of reminded me of Joe's Crab Shack, except instead of a bachelorette turning her back on swinging singledom, the exile of a perfectly good dinner.

The Land of Thrown Cheerios

Gravity is amazing. Of course, so is the staying power of damp cheerios on the side of a table. I am actually kind of astonished that my college friends who dropped all sorts of things from heights (including Dreamcasts, tv's and couches), never experimented with Cheerios. On the other hand, perhaps that's where they got their start. If such is the case, then I am in for it, and we will forever live in one-story houses with safety latches on all of the windows.

A Pretty Typical Day

It's raining (nothing too typical about that, though we've had a record amount of rain this year), and it's a little bit cool for May (61 and the sun's been up for 3 hours).

Isaac woke up about 6 (he's feeling a little bit better, eating and playing nicer). Chris got up with him and let me sleep until 7 (makes me a better Mommy). I got up to sweet "ba-ba-ba's," loud and proud on the part of both of my boys as Isaac ate his breakfast.

I gave him his meds (again not typical, but I am struck by how blessed we are that he is overall healthy, and I don't have to give him 3 different meds, 3 times a day, every day forever), and he got down to play, playing hard until almost 8 when he showed definite signs of needing a nap. He snuggled up with Ookie, Bear, and Elephant, and Personal Penguin (one of our two current favorite books). I finished my coffee and the morning sudoku from the paper as Chris went to the Y for the treadmill run he hasn't felt like doing all week (he has bad allergies and is on antibiotics for a sinus infection). I'll go to the grocery and the Y later for my exercise (not that you can tell it's doing any good).

Chris' mom is coming over to play with Isaac later, and Chris and I are going on our weekly "date." We started working through "10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage" after hearing Dave and Claudia Arp speak at Lifeway's Festival of Marriage a couple weeks ago. I highly recommend attending if you ever have the chance. And do any workshops by the Mucci's. They're fabulous. Anyways, Chris' mom is leaving for Florida in a few days to see his cousin graduate from high school (she's the littlest cousin-sort of), and she wanted her Isaac fix before she left. So, that means that she has kept the little man so I could take Ned to the vet, get my hair cut, go to lunch with a friend, and now, go on a date with my hubby. There are some advantages to living in a small town with Grandma.

Well, I'm going to go pick up a few things (Chris got most of it done while I was sleeping), but there's always something that needs to be done.

Maybe today isn't so typical after all...

Him who has ears, let him have amoxicillin

Well, the overachiever has gotten a double ear infection. That would be the littlest overachiever in a long line of overachievers. He couldn't just have one ear infection for his first. Oh, well.

Got somewhat nostalgic today. This fall will mark 10 years since my senior year of high school. Lots of things have changed since then. I have changed since then. It will be interesting to see what if anything is done with our reunion.

Go Greyhounds!

Boo-boo's

Well, the inevitable of small people, particularly little boys happened yesterday. We had our first trip to the emergency room. This was the one day I REALLY missed living in Lexington. In Lexington, I know that my pediatrician would have gotten on the phone with me, and probably had me come into the office, seen us right away and would have made both of us feel better without charging more than a $25 copay. Instead we paid $100 to be told we were idiots for bringing a little man into the ER (as my insurance told me, given our limited treatment options).

It's out of season, but "bah humbug"!

The little man is okay though, despite his propensity to pull up on things and pull them over on himself, bad allergies (thank you daddy genes), and an uncomfortable rash on a butt.

(TMI, I know)

May today be better, although at least today started with a full night's sleep, a nap today, and a washer, dryer, and bookcase coming!

My favorite time of day

My favorite time of day is naptime, after reading a story (or two or three), and laying that sweet little boy down on his bed where he smiles up at me, rolls over to look at his book and snuggle his ookie bear, and sings himself to sleep...no intervention from Mommy required. This is my peace and quiet, amidst the "ba-ba-ba" and squeals of delight as a forgotten toy comes back to the forefront of attention once again. Even the cats are quiet, and if my coffee were warm, the laundry done, all would be perfect.

Getting so big...

We are getting to be BIG (and vocal) with so much to say! we babble a lot, don't like the sun in our eyes, stand and cruise as much as possible, and will only eat off from mommy (and sometimes daddy)'s plate. Red ripe strawberries, bagels, and yogurt are some of our favorites. We are taking swim lessons, and we haven't decided whether we like them or not.

We do have new phone numbers, so email me if you need them...

bububububu (Isaac's favorite word)

Catching up

Lots of things have happened lately. Since closing on our last house (in Lexington), we have been through the rollercoaster that is the current real estate market. We were told on Monday (last week) that we would not be able to close before Friday. Not pleasant, but worse because I had made arrangements with the movers to deliver everything on Wednesday. Fortunately, the previous owners all0wed us to have everything put in the garage. Yay.

Fast forward to Thursday. Oops, no there's one document we still need, and we can't reach the person we need to get it from. Can't close until next week. Bleah.

It's 11 am Friday. Can we close at 3? You bet your boots! If I have to stand on my head naked on Main St, I will be there at 3!

So, we are not homeless anymore.

I spent most of Saturday and Sunday painting with Chris' mom. Chris is no longer ever allowed to be in the same room with paint (another long, sad story). His mom kept Isaac Monday afternoon so I could try and finish. I didn't quite get done, I still need to paint Isaac's room, and the spare bedroom. I'm hoping to finish all of the painting this afternoon after Chris' mom gets home and can keep Isaac.

We have had very little sleep the last few days. Isaac has decided to try and cut three teeth at once. He is such an overachiever. He seems to have the most trouble with his top teeth, and one is finally through, the other top one is pushing through, and his lower gum is swollen on one side. Long live Baby Motrin, aka Mommy's juice box.

Well, I'm going to get cleaned up so that I can get Isaac his snack and go to the grocery when he wakes up. It's time to start restocking the pantry...for the new house!

BTW, Isaac was definitely not switched at birth. He makes the same face his daddy does when he is concentrating, and he likes black olives!

Homelessness

I think we are officially homeless now. We have sold our house in Lexington, and have yet to settled closing on a new house. I believe that leaves us in the classic definition of homelessness. Let's hear it for the in-laws whom without we would have cold, wet, feet and cold, wet heads.

The Roaming Gnome

Well, Isaac and I are back in Lexington tomorrow; Chris will be joining us in the evening. If you are in the vicinity and wish to help us pack (or play with Isaac so we can do the boring packing), call me on Chris' cell phone (which is mine temporarily).

The snow is gone and it is supposed to be warm this week.

I am going back to the giggle-box!

Snow Day

There are not too many things prettier than waking up to 8 inches of snow on the ground, and no where you have to go. And then sunshine all day! Of course, ambushing your husband with snowballs is lots of fun too...especially when he has no idea that they are coming.

Isaac's eyes got so big looking at the snow. His mouth made the little Shirley Temple "OH!" I think he would have gone out to play in it if he were a little bit bigger.

The streets are drying out but are still slippery. I think they are going to cancel early church tomorrow, and just have Sunday School and late church. But I will get Cracker Barrel, so that is good too.

Going to go look at the snow again...

Gripe Water

While looking for eczema cream for Isaac the other day, I came across a product (for babies) called "Gripe Water." Who knew you had to medicate a kid to gripe. Maybe that's what's in my water right now.

Wiggle, squiggle, giggle butt

Well, it is official. Isaac is a mover and a shaker. He crawls all over, bites kitty cats and giggles and clamors for attention. He is a wiggle, squiggle, giggle butt.

I found the virtual tour...

For likely a limited time only, the following link will let you see what my new house looks like (before I pick out new paint). Unfortunately, the tour does not let you see the lovely shade of magental fuscia that is Isaac's room-to-be.
http://heritagehomes.kentucky.remax.com/listings/ListingDetail_r4.aspx?LID=37391687#aTop

Just like everybody else...

Well friends, it seems that everybody blogs. There's a children's book called "Everybody Poops," so I guess this is the new manifestation of it. I probably won't update this as regularly as I could, should, or might, but I will attempt to put new pictures, and information up so that those "far and here" can keep up with what is going on.