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uses of the word NO
Jun. 14th, 2016 01:11 pmThe kidlet now has three different types of "no".
I find it interesting that, ever since the kidlet started saying "no" at all, everyone has assumed that he's yelling "No! I won't do it!" at me. Which he still hasn't done, even at all. What he has been doing is this:
1) "Do you want a biscuit?" "No."
This is a very short, definite no. It's invariably a simple answer to a question of the "do you want..." variety. Very informative. SO helpful when he started doing this - suddenly our interactions involved a lot less guesswork.
2) "Do you have a wet nappy?" "Nooooo..."
Stretched out no - pretty much used as a response to nappy questions or other quests for information. This has been happening for about a month now.
3) "No, you can't play with the knives." "No, no! No, no!"
This is often accompanied by a wail of upset disbelief. The "no!" here isn't him saying no to me - it's him expressing his displeasure that I have said no to him. And it's very cute.
I find it interesting that, ever since the kidlet started saying "no" at all, everyone has assumed that he's yelling "No! I won't do it!" at me. Which he still hasn't done, even at all. What he has been doing is this:
1) "Do you want a biscuit?" "No."
This is a very short, definite no. It's invariably a simple answer to a question of the "do you want..." variety. Very informative. SO helpful when he started doing this - suddenly our interactions involved a lot less guesswork.
2) "Do you have a wet nappy?" "Nooooo..."
Stretched out no - pretty much used as a response to nappy questions or other quests for information. This has been happening for about a month now.
3) "No, you can't play with the knives." "No, no! No, no!"
This is often accompanied by a wail of upset disbelief. The "no!" here isn't him saying no to me - it's him expressing his displeasure that I have said no to him. And it's very cute.
*shakes fist at terrible memory*
Dec. 22nd, 2015 09:29 amDon't you hate it when you have an excellent idea for a blog post, but by the time you actually sit down to post it, you've forgotten what it was? *sighs*
So, random life update:
- Am almost finished with Latin book 5, at which point I will be a (self-described) Advanced Latin Student, ready for such majestic heights as fairytales-in-Latin, Harry-Potter-in-Latin, and short-excerpts-from-classic-Latin-texts-with-the-translation-right-there-in-case-I-get-confused. Very awesome.
- Am feeling very organised, because all my Christmas presents are wrapped.
- The boy is now walking all day, and getting rather adventurous. Fun, but slightly exhausting.
- We are between heatwaves, so having nice sunny weather. Most of my plants have survived so far.
- The husband is now halfway through season 3 of Farscape. He's enjoying it, most of the time.
So, random life update:
- Am almost finished with Latin book 5, at which point I will be a (self-described) Advanced Latin Student, ready for such majestic heights as fairytales-in-Latin, Harry-Potter-in-Latin, and short-excerpts-from-classic-Latin-texts-with-the-translation-right-there-in-case-I-get-confused. Very awesome.
- Am feeling very organised, because all my Christmas presents are wrapped.
- The boy is now walking all day, and getting rather adventurous. Fun, but slightly exhausting.
- We are between heatwaves, so having nice sunny weather. Most of my plants have survived so far.
- The husband is now halfway through season 3 of Farscape. He's enjoying it, most of the time.
randomness
Dec. 5th, 2015 07:19 amThe problem with not posting regularly is that I then feel like I can't post anything until it's the BEST POST EVER ...so I don't post at all.
Stuff:
- I swear, the scene in Half Blood Prince where the vampire comes to Slughorn's party - Rowling clearly wrote it purely so that she could have her Italian vampire called "Sanguini" and giggle at her awesome Latin pun.
- My son is now walking and talking - for a given definition thereof. He is, as always, extremely cute.
- Despite being halfway through Murdoch Mysteries, Elementary, Newsroom, and Despicable Me, I am eagerly rewatching Heroes - which I haven't seen in its entirety (ie: the first season, which is ALL THAT EXISTS) since it was first broadcast. It's kind of awesome.
- Finally finished the blanket that took me two damn years, and can move on to other crochet projects that interest me a bit more. (Steadfastly ignoring the cross-stitch project that's been half-complete for four years now.)
- Will put Christmas tree up today. Will then spend three weeks keeping one-year-old from destroying Christmas tree.
(Excuse me. The kidlet is demanding that I read him a story.)
Stuff:
- I swear, the scene in Half Blood Prince where the vampire comes to Slughorn's party - Rowling clearly wrote it purely so that she could have her Italian vampire called "Sanguini" and giggle at her awesome Latin pun.
- My son is now walking and talking - for a given definition thereof. He is, as always, extremely cute.
- Despite being halfway through Murdoch Mysteries, Elementary, Newsroom, and Despicable Me, I am eagerly rewatching Heroes - which I haven't seen in its entirety (ie: the first season, which is ALL THAT EXISTS) since it was first broadcast. It's kind of awesome.
- Finally finished the blanket that took me two damn years, and can move on to other crochet projects that interest me a bit more. (Steadfastly ignoring the cross-stitch project that's been half-complete for four years now.)
- Will put Christmas tree up today. Will then spend three weeks keeping one-year-old from destroying Christmas tree.
(Excuse me. The kidlet is demanding that I read him a story.)
1 year old today
Nov. 9th, 2015 10:00 pmThe kidlet is 1!
And highly awesome. And very cute. And many other things.
He's on the verge of walking, and is currently experimenting with how many different ways he can get down the stairs (three so far). He loves the cat, the piano, the garden, and anything car-shaped that he can "vrrrm" across the floor. He can say "Mum", "Dad", "hi", "yeah", "Grandma", and "round and round". He is patient, sociable, curious, and listens well. He likes looking at birds, listening to stories, and grabbing random parts of my face.
And the rest is photos:
( far too many photos )
I love him dearly. He is my favourite little boy in the world, and I have enjoyed this year beyond anything - sleep deprivation and all.
And highly awesome. And very cute. And many other things.
He's on the verge of walking, and is currently experimenting with how many different ways he can get down the stairs (three so far). He loves the cat, the piano, the garden, and anything car-shaped that he can "vrrrm" across the floor. He can say "Mum", "Dad", "hi", "yeah", "Grandma", and "round and round". He is patient, sociable, curious, and listens well. He likes looking at birds, listening to stories, and grabbing random parts of my face.
And the rest is photos:
( far too many photos )
I love him dearly. He is my favourite little boy in the world, and I have enjoyed this year beyond anything - sleep deprivation and all.
Last night, after half an hour of trying to get a shrieking child to sleep, I grabbed his soft toy lion, and informed the kidlet that Lion needed to go to sleep.
Lion then snuggled down on the kidlet's chest, made a few snuffly noises, and then started snoring. I pointed out that Lion snored just like Daddy, but in lionese ("RAA-pheeeeew... RAA-pheeeeew..."), and asked the kidlet to stay very quiet, so we didn't wake him up again.
A few minutes later, Lion wanted to lie down in bed, but was a bit worried about lying there alone, so the kidlet was very friendly and lay down with him so that he wouldn't feel lonely...
Lion then snuggled down on the kidlet's chest, made a few snuffly noises, and then started snoring. I pointed out that Lion snored just like Daddy, but in lionese ("RAA-pheeeeew... RAA-pheeeeew..."), and asked the kidlet to stay very quiet, so we didn't wake him up again.
A few minutes later, Lion wanted to lie down in bed, but was a bit worried about lying there alone, so the kidlet was very friendly and lay down with him so that he wouldn't feel lonely...
getting bigger
Jun. 3rd, 2015 07:25 amThe kidlet has just outgrown his size 0s and moved into his far-too-large size 1s.
Being the 90s teen that I am, I looked at him wearing his oversized baggy tshirt with fake wearing-long-sleeve-shirt-under-this sleeves and thought "Damn! My kid is cool!" Then he coughed and grabbed my nose and I remembered that it's no longer the 90s, and he's probably not that cool - but, my word, he's CUTE.
Being the 90s teen that I am, I looked at him wearing his oversized baggy tshirt with fake wearing-long-sleeve-shirt-under-this sleeves and thought "Damn! My kid is cool!" Then he coughed and grabbed my nose and I remembered that it's no longer the 90s, and he's probably not that cool - but, my word, he's CUTE.
My old computer having finally died, I've bought a new one. Behold, my ability to type a paragraph in less than half an hour!
The kidlet is doing well, and is semi-mobile. He's not crawling yet, but is moving enough to grab random objects before I've realised that he's now two metres away from where I left him.
I've decided that Elementary is the best show of all the shows - at least this week. Miles better than most Sherlock Holmes incarnations, at least, due to his wonderful ability to not be a total arse to everyone he encounters.
We're about to start a weekly, parent-friendly roleplaying group at our house. Haven't done this in nearly a decade, and now I suddenly have to create a session-long Firefly campaign out of thin air! Help!
I've ditched book 5 of my Latin course, and have raced back to book 1 to revise. Am now no longer feeling like a dunce, but instead marvelling at my ability to speak extremely basic Latin with such finesse.
...I totally have time to sign up for this year's Remix, right? Right?
The kidlet is doing well, and is semi-mobile. He's not crawling yet, but is moving enough to grab random objects before I've realised that he's now two metres away from where I left him.
I've decided that Elementary is the best show of all the shows - at least this week. Miles better than most Sherlock Holmes incarnations, at least, due to his wonderful ability to not be a total arse to everyone he encounters.
We're about to start a weekly, parent-friendly roleplaying group at our house. Haven't done this in nearly a decade, and now I suddenly have to create a session-long Firefly campaign out of thin air! Help!
I've ditched book 5 of my Latin course, and have raced back to book 1 to revise. Am now no longer feeling like a dunce, but instead marvelling at my ability to speak extremely basic Latin with such finesse.
...I totally have time to sign up for this year's Remix, right? Right?
"Nephew, the Kidlet needs some quiet so he can eat. Can you please find something to play with that isn't noisy?"
"Sure!" Runs to toy box, pulls out first toy. "Is this noisy?"
"No, that's fine."
"How about this one?" Rattles toy, loudly. "Is this noisy?"
"Yes, that is. Please play with something else."
"How about this?" Proceeds to pull every single toy out of the box, one by one, asking (loudly) for my opinion on whether it's noisy or not, experimenting (loudly) to check how much noise they can make, and placing all the noisy ones (loudly) in a pile so he'll know not to use them.
*sighs*
"Sure!" Runs to toy box, pulls out first toy. "Is this noisy?"
"No, that's fine."
"How about this one?" Rattles toy, loudly. "Is this noisy?"
"Yes, that is. Please play with something else."
"How about this?" Proceeds to pull every single toy out of the box, one by one, asking (loudly) for my opinion on whether it's noisy or not, experimenting (loudly) to check how much noise they can make, and placing all the noisy ones (loudly) in a pile so he'll know not to use them.
*sighs*
report from the front
Mar. 23rd, 2015 08:43 pmElf is sick of being overlooked in favour of the baby. He just meowed me indignantly to the couch, where he proceeded to grab my hand with both paws and smugly purr all over me. Every time I try to move, this whole cycle starts all over again.
In other news, I'm enjoying a fun activity I call "parenting through peer pressure". It involves the kidlet sitting in his highchair with his plastic cutlery (no solids yet) while we eat dinner, and using his gumbrush while I use my toothbrush. The idea is that he thinks this is just What We Do, so that I can avoid having to introduce him to Scary New Things and instead just slide him effortlessly into our everyday lives. (Those of you who are parents, this is where you get to laugh hysterically at me using "effortlessly" in a sentence about parenting.)
So far, it's working well.
In other news, I'm enjoying a fun activity I call "parenting through peer pressure". It involves the kidlet sitting in his highchair with his plastic cutlery (no solids yet) while we eat dinner, and using his gumbrush while I use my toothbrush. The idea is that he thinks this is just What We Do, so that I can avoid having to introduce him to Scary New Things and instead just slide him effortlessly into our everyday lives. (Those of you who are parents, this is where you get to laugh hysterically at me using "effortlessly" in a sentence about parenting.)
So far, it's working well.
Progress report
Mar. 13th, 2015 06:38 amPlease note my icon. RIP, Pterry. You will forever be remembered as "that guy with all the footnotes" and "wasn't there one chap who wrote fantasy, only funny?"
In other news:
- We have successfully changed continents, and are now happily ensconced in our messy Melburnian home. Visitors welcome.
- The kidlet is four months old, and growing like a weed. He can roll over, fiddle with things, play the piano, and throw almost all of Daddy's food onto the floor.
- I am back in the land of physios, and my back is thrilled. Hurrah for people who can stop me being in pain!
In other news:
- We have successfully changed continents, and are now happily ensconced in our messy Melburnian home. Visitors welcome.
- The kidlet is four months old, and growing like a weed. He can roll over, fiddle with things, play the piano, and throw almost all of Daddy's food onto the floor.
- I am back in the land of physios, and my back is thrilled. Hurrah for people who can stop me being in pain!
3 months old!
Feb. 9th, 2015 03:27 pmI have a very cute kid.
He's started trying things out - like pushing into a standing position, sitting up, and experimenting to see just what it sounds like when he hiccups in the middle of making a noise (and then laughing at the result).
I am rather squeeful. And desperate to take him home so that everyone else can finally meet him.
Gorgeous boy:
He's started trying things out - like pushing into a standing position, sitting up, and experimenting to see just what it sounds like when he hiccups in the middle of making a noise (and then laughing at the result).
I am rather squeeful. And desperate to take him home so that everyone else can finally meet him.
Gorgeous boy:
they should come with an off switch
Feb. 5th, 2015 02:58 pmNever realised, pre-kidlet, just how much "sleep" is unconnected to "tired" in the mind of a baby.
He's tired. He's VERY tired. And yet he refuses to go to sleep, because he's TOO TIRED. WHY ARE YOU HARRASSING ME WITH DIFFICULT TASKS, MUMMY? CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TIRED?!!!
Have spent much of today
a) leaving him to cry in his cot (and hopefully fall asleep) while I do things around the house
b) leaving him to cry in his pram (and hopefully fall asleep) while I go grocery shopping
c) leaving him to cry in his carseat (and hopefully fall asleep) while I drive
d) leaving him to cry in his sling (and hopefully fall asleep) while I carry him around the house
...because there's only so much I can do to get him to sleep when he flatly refuses. Which, from his perspective, probably makes me a terribly mean mummy who's ignoring him - but, screw it. Mean mummy it is. GO TO SLEEP, KID.
Currently, sheer exhaustion is making him finally fall asleep in his sling. I'm trying to remain quiet and peaceful, in the hopes that he doesn't wake up againEVER until the husband gets home.
He's tired. He's VERY tired. And yet he refuses to go to sleep, because he's TOO TIRED. WHY ARE YOU HARRASSING ME WITH DIFFICULT TASKS, MUMMY? CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TIRED?!!!
Have spent much of today
a) leaving him to cry in his cot (and hopefully fall asleep) while I do things around the house
b) leaving him to cry in his pram (and hopefully fall asleep) while I go grocery shopping
c) leaving him to cry in his carseat (and hopefully fall asleep) while I drive
d) leaving him to cry in his sling (and hopefully fall asleep) while I carry him around the house
...because there's only so much I can do to get him to sleep when he flatly refuses. Which, from his perspective, probably makes me a terribly mean mummy who's ignoring him - but, screw it. Mean mummy it is. GO TO SLEEP, KID.
Currently, sheer exhaustion is making him finally fall asleep in his sling. I'm trying to remain quiet and peaceful, in the hopes that he doesn't wake up again
two months in
Jan. 9th, 2015 01:21 pmIt's rather interesting getting to see what raw emotion looks like.
I thought I had seen people acting genuine, pure misery before - but really, if you think about it, most actors* are actually trying to convey the concealment of misery. Genuine emotion, in adults, most often looks like someone trying to restrain that emotion.
With babies, on the other hand...
When the kidlet is miserable, he is MISERABLE. No holds barred unhappy, with the facial expressions to show the world. Being within ten metres of him at all times means that I am getting an excellent education in the actual, unrestrained versions of emotions like misery, happiness, worry, tired grumpiness, and contentment.
It is extremely fascinating.
* with the exception of James Van Der Beek in that hilarious Dawson's Creek gif
I will now leave you with a display of genuine happiness, for your edification:
I thought I had seen people acting genuine, pure misery before - but really, if you think about it, most actors* are actually trying to convey the concealment of misery. Genuine emotion, in adults, most often looks like someone trying to restrain that emotion.
With babies, on the other hand...
When the kidlet is miserable, he is MISERABLE. No holds barred unhappy, with the facial expressions to show the world. Being within ten metres of him at all times means that I am getting an excellent education in the actual, unrestrained versions of emotions like misery, happiness, worry, tired grumpiness, and contentment.
It is extremely fascinating.
* with the exception of James Van Der Beek in that hilarious Dawson's Creek gif
I will now leave you with a display of genuine happiness, for your edification:
foreign babies
Dec. 18th, 2014 08:09 amPeople have different first names in different countries, for the record. It's like this whole thing.
I have found it very interesting having a son in Germany, for many reasons. But mostly because his name's gone all weird.
In Australia, he has one of the most common names ever to exist. It's been in the top 20 Aussie baby names since before we were even a country. In Australia, everyone already knows the spelling, the pronounciation, and the nickname, without having to ask.
In Germany... it's not just an uncommon name; it's a non-existent name.
Here, I'm getting very used to having the exact same conversation over and over:
"What's his name?"
"Lachlan."
"...what?"
"Lachlan."
"...Lach-lan?" (as though I've just presented them with a random mash of syllables that must be carefully tested)
"Yes. Lachlan. It's Scottish."
"...oh."
"Yep."
"...so she's a girl, then?"
They cannot pronounce my son's name. They cannot spell my son's name. The correct spelling convinces them they were wrong about the pronounciation. And they're all sure he's a girl.
It's rather fascinating.
I have found it very interesting having a son in Germany, for many reasons. But mostly because his name's gone all weird.
In Australia, he has one of the most common names ever to exist. It's been in the top 20 Aussie baby names since before we were even a country. In Australia, everyone already knows the spelling, the pronounciation, and the nickname, without having to ask.
In Germany... it's not just an uncommon name; it's a non-existent name.
Here, I'm getting very used to having the exact same conversation over and over:
"What's his name?"
"Lachlan."
"...what?"
"Lachlan."
"...Lach-lan?" (as though I've just presented them with a random mash of syllables that must be carefully tested)
"Yes. Lachlan. It's Scottish."
"...oh."
"Yep."
"...so she's a girl, then?"
They cannot pronounce my son's name. They cannot spell my son's name. The correct spelling convinces them they were wrong about the pronounciation. And they're all sure he's a girl.
It's rather fascinating.
one month old
Dec. 9th, 2014 06:45 amThe kidlet is one month old today!
While he is showing hints of personality, mostly it’s still pretty obscure, expressed only in blinking, crying, and occasional wriggling. So this post will be mostly about the photos.
( a few photos, as promised )
While he is showing hints of personality, mostly it’s still pretty obscure, expressed only in blinking, crying, and occasional wriggling. So this post will be mostly about the photos.
( a few photos, as promised )
hello, my life, how I've missed you
Nov. 30th, 2014 06:34 pmBabies are really portable, guys.
The world seems determined to convince pregnant ladies that they're using up the last vestiges of free time they will ever have. "Go out and enjoy yourself while you can!" it cries. "You will soon have your life swallowed up by a baby!"
I, on the other hand, had a rather difficult pregnancy. And right now I want to track down all the ladies battling through difficult pregnancies filled with nausea and headaches, hug them, and say "You're about to be able to go out for coffee! Without lying down, or anything!"
In the last two weeks, I have repeatedly gone out for coffee, I've caught several trains, I've been to two Christmas markets, I've bought tonnes of groceries, I've been to a carols concert, I've gone out for dinner, and I'm about to take a sightseeing trip to Salzburg. AND ALL I NEED TO DO IS TAKE NAPPIES WITH ME.
Babies are SO PORTABLE. You have no idea.
The world seems determined to convince pregnant ladies that they're using up the last vestiges of free time they will ever have. "Go out and enjoy yourself while you can!" it cries. "You will soon have your life swallowed up by a baby!"
I, on the other hand, had a rather difficult pregnancy. And right now I want to track down all the ladies battling through difficult pregnancies filled with nausea and headaches, hug them, and say "You're about to be able to go out for coffee! Without lying down, or anything!"
In the last two weeks, I have repeatedly gone out for coffee, I've caught several trains, I've been to two Christmas markets, I've bought tonnes of groceries, I've been to a carols concert, I've gone out for dinner, and I'm about to take a sightseeing trip to Salzburg. AND ALL I NEED TO DO IS TAKE NAPPIES WITH ME.
Babies are SO PORTABLE. You have no idea.
one week old
Nov. 16th, 2014 05:12 pmThe kidlet has now been around for one week (minus a few hours). So far, he's pretty cute.
( giving birth )
( the boy )
( giving birth )
( the boy )
