funny story

Yesterday, I received an "incident report," indicating that Little Miss J had tried to bite several friends while playing with the sensory table at daycare. We were in a hurry so I didn't inquire further about what the context was - like if she was being malicious or she thought she was funny or something. I hate to think of my little girl being mean to other kids so Mr. Chunglund asked the daycare teacher this morning about the situation. As it turns out, the sensory table was filled with rice. Well, Little Miss J loves to eat rice. She thought these kids were out to steal her food, hence the attempted biting. Moral of the story? Don't get between the Asian kid and her rice.

where did you go?

Dear Little Miss J,

Where did my little Baby J go? I was sorting through old video of you tonight and comparing last summer to now  --you no longer look like a baby. You are getting to be such a big girl! Looking at this picture in particular, it really hit me how big you are getting!

You aren't really as tall or skinny as this picture would lead one to believe. You still have the rather chubby thighs that I like to pinch just to see you giggle. While I might miss my little baby, I definitely like seeing what my little girl can do. We've been teaching you to say "please" and "thank you", which means that we'll do pretty much anything for you when you say, "please" --probably why I ended up blowing bubbles for you for about an hour this evening. You have definitely started to cop some attitude and you can throw one hell of a long-ass tantrum. But in spite of this you truly are my sunshine. When you come into the bedroom, point at me, and say "umma", all is forgiven. You are the best little girl any mommy could ask for!

Love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

where do broken hearts go

As people remember her talent, Whitney Huston's voice is everywhere. She was very popular around the time my parents were splitting up and I remember my mom listening to her often. After my dad left, my mom bought this new stereo complete with a record player and a cassette deck - so v. high tech back in the mid-80s. I remember her playing her Whitney cassette tapes and dancing around the house with me.

Now as an adult with a bit more life experience than my 7 year old self, I can better understand the heartache and pain that my mom must have felt during that time - and it makes me sad to know that it was something that my mom had to endure. In spite of it all, she was strong for me and for my brother. She never faltered and while I am sure she had her moments, I don't recall ever seeing her breakdown. My mom was extraordinary.

I imagine she took solace in Whitney's lyrics and at the same time found hope for new love. Because it was also during this time that my mom found, Ralph, my stepdad. Again, as I look back and view that relationship through my adult glasses, I am able to see how special it was that they found each other. Ralph made my mom so happy and I know she did the same for him. I truly think he healed her broken heart and took good care of it until the day she passed away. I will always be grateful to him for loving her (and us).

Maybe my mom will be hearing Whitney belting it out in heaven.

RIP Whitney Huston.

little fishy

Little Miss J is on her third session of swim lessons. With Gus's new M-F job, he's been able to attend and get in the water with her, while I just relax in the sun and take pictures. She's doing so well in lessons - learning how to blow bubbles, climb out of the pool, float on her front and back, and kick her little legs. We've only got one more lesson for this session, but we're all signed up for the next session that starts in a couple weeks!