Accidental homicide and a pre-schooler

The subjects in the topic are actually unrelated.

We welcomed our second unsuspecting victim ("Z2") to the new little fish tank yesterday. What fish tank? What victim? I didn't even get a chance to post a blog or a photo of the first fish...When I was in DC, Paul bought Anna a beta. And while I expected simply a fish in a bowl that was just enough for Anna to simply feed and gawk at, I came back to a little aquarium with like lines with bubbles and power and rocks and even a scuba diving Elmo. And a red beta fish was in there too. Because Paul kept calling it a "beta", Anna started saying she wanted to feed "Zobeida" (our friend's name). Zobeida survived the first two weeks in our household, even when we left him this past weekend to visit friends in Pennsylvania. Since it's entirely Paul and Anna's fish, Paul dutifully cleaned the tank when we got back. Even commented on how pretty the fish looked.

Then it started turning brown. The fish, that is. Shortly after the water was changed. And it didn't look like it was breathing too well. Now I was having flashbacks to when I had betas in high school. I remembered they turn brown when they start to die. Yeah he was dying right before our eyes. Why? Who knows. Paul asked: "do you think the chlorine in the water could be interacting with the air in the bubbles from the filter, creating an acidic environment?" Um, no, that's a little complicated for a simple beta, hon. Maybe we starved him afterall and he waited till we got home to watch the horror on our face as he slipped into death.

In about 3 hours, he was laying on the colored rocks at Elmo's mercy. Then Paul looked up the fact that "betas are very forgiving but you MUST dechlorinate the water when you change it! Chlorine kills betas." And here in Houston you can often smell the chlorine as you're drinking it. Turns out the stuff we drink kills betas.

Purchased over Paul's lunch break yesterday, we are on beta #2, named Zobeida-2 (Z-2 for short). He has dechlorination drops. And spring water even.

And no, Anna didn't even noticed the dead fish laying on the rocks.

Also turns out we have several friends who can empathize with our story and never knew till now that was the same reason their betas died when they changed the water. So many good intentions have killed so many good betas.

Don't ask me about a cat or a dog. Ain't happening anytime soon.

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PRE-SCHOOL STARTED TODAY

We officially have a pre-schooler. What a big girl! She ended her year with Miss Kelley and Miss Hilarie to start a new one with Miss Dawn and Miss Romie. The new teachers are really awesome. They've decorated the room so cute and with so much love and welcome, it's really neat. They have given me a sheet of paper to write up Anna's likes/dislikes and goals for her learning. In fact, these teachers are so cute and sweet and calm, I wonder if the tantrums will run right over them? One is brand new to the school and the other was here last year.

Yesterday we had a private meeting with me, Anna, and the 2 teachers and they had Anna create a paper doll to post onto their door. When it came time for Anna to pick the hair part, out of all of the styles, my child chose the dark black afro! So there sits her doll on the door, surrounded by others with pigtails and short cuts or whatever, and Anna has a ‘fro! Hahahahahaha!! The teachers giggled too but they were polite so I can't really tell if they were giggling for the same reason I was giggling or if they thought it was funny that Anna simply picked a style so different than hers.

Potty training is going well, DESPITE us. Well, I guess it's potty training. I say DESPITE us because we're so busy and all over the place that she does the best she can in telling us when she needs to go to the potty. 50% of the time we make it. 50% of the time is going in diapers. But she makes it to the potty around 6 times per day and is successful (pee-pee) about 4 times. She's good at going when she first wakes up and right before bed or bath too. Bless her heart. She's even peed on the potty at the airport (and jumped right off when the thing self-flushed and she was still on it) and at the Hayford's house this weekend. Even without the seat adapter so her poor tiny butt is hanging into the big potty with me holding onto her. Anyway, she's a trooper. If I were a truly devoted mom and stayed home with her over a long weekend I bet we'd get it totally worked out. But that's just not the case and she's doing fine progressing at her own pace. I'm even honestly afraid to push for fear of retaliation or set back. She's doing great and so we'll keep supporting her. At home that consists of chocolate rewards and at school it's stickers (so shame on us for the chocolate: I guess it should be stickers).

Yesterday when I picked her up from her new teachers' room she announced she wanted to go home to get gum. I told her, really? Yes Daddy does chew gum, baby! I played dumb, pretending I didn't know what she was telling me in front of her nice new teachers, which was basically: "I want gum! Daddy gives me gum!".

Is it bad for a 2 year old to chew gum? Paul started it and it was something I didn't even have a second to consider. Good or bad? What makes it bad? She looks like a 2.5 year-old cow chewing cud? OK, next? That she could drop her gum onto my carpet or couch, or clothes or hair, etc? OK, check. What about safety: is that the real threat to gum chewing this age? I guess the piece is super smaller than her windpipe so it's not really a concern. But something tells me it's not acceptable or responsible parental practice to have your 2.5 year-old chewing gum. I can't quite pin down why, but it's just so. Growing up, gum was for older kids.

Anyway, now I blame the husband. So when she asks me for gum I send her straight to Paul and I can simply dismiss her requests with "go ask your daddy." Because frankly, gum is not an extra toddler supply I really should have to worry about to have on hand to prevent tantrums, know what I mean? We're just getting over her Colorado Rollo withdrawals.

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QUICK BITS OF NEWS:

1. She is finally wearing shoes other than pink crocs. She's mercifully branched out to tennis shoes and sandals and even consents to socks these days.
2. She is bummed that the paci in the car is broken (yes I cut it again) but she's actually OK with it. As long as I have an ample supply of orange Tic Tacs.
3. Diapers or pull-ups? Have both handy because it changes like the wind.
4. Toot-toots are funny.
5. Cheese grits are a must-have.
6. NEEMO edged out over Yo Gabba Gabba for a pleasant few weeks.
7. There are so many clothes in her closet she's outgrowing because she refuses to wear them. They're really cute, too.
8. Karmalena and Ryan are going with her to her new pre-school classroom. But the rest of the kids are new to her and her old friends have otherwise been scattered around other classes.
9. She must have an ice pack for every little cut or injury.
10. She likes to cuddle.

Just posted a bunch of photos

I just posted a blog entry with a bunch of photos. Since I started it a long time ago, it actually filed itself into my blog stream as such. It's here:

http://spacemamasjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/data-download.html

Things have been busy. I mean busy such that Paul and I can barely hold a conversation of anything substantial. Tonight will be the first real night home where things may start to take on routine again. Which is good because if I don't get back on track with piano, I suspect my instructor might beat me. I'm just saying.

Been in Pennsylvania visiting the Hayfords since Thurs. Having fun and headed home tomorrow. Anna will try to smuggle the dog. I'm on to her.

How to order Rachel's Book

Thanks for asking where to find Rachel's book, Super P! Silly me...you can find it at Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/Final-Approach-Rachel-Brady/dp/1590586557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251171103&sr=1-1

Rachel's new book

Rachel Brady is a friend of mine who pretty much rocks at most everything :) She's a NASA engineer, insane runner/triathelete, and a novice guitar player with three young children. She's written a mystery novel that's due out NOW called "Final Approach" and here I'm using my blog to encourage my three readers to check it out. It's her first novel and she's already working on another. How she pulls it all off is actually the mystery to me but she motivates me to at least keep my running up when I start to slack. She's also just a super cool, friendly personality.

Anyway, check out her blog and more info on her book at:
http://writeitanyway.blogspot.com/2009/08/free-books-free-skydives-final-approach.html#comment-form

I'm not in it for the free sky dives and I'm pretty sure she'll autograph my book :) I just wanted to help her get the word out!

Peace.

Data Download

It's been a crazy but fun summer and I've had a tough time keeping up with the blogging about details. So let's do another picture dump. Here we go...

Honestly I've been trying to post this draft for weeks.

Our big girl. About two or three weeks ago.

Shucking corn with her cousin Ashlyn.

Her first busted lip. She accidentally took MM's foot to the mouth when they were goofing around one night. Spouted blood and everything. Pretty impressive! Was fat for a few days after.

Daddy bought her a kicking new playdough set.

A new requirement for watching TV: the fort.

A new basketball hoop we thought she'd enjoy but doesn't really touch yet.

Ah yes, Anna's opinion of the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo moonlanding event at the Space Center Houston. We skipped out on most of it because of the crowd/lines and went to dinner instead. Showed up at the end of the event to meet with a few friends and get the low-down of what we missed on this historic night.

The OSB-II room I presented to during my quick trip to KSC this summer. Was it July or August? Can't remember. It was more intimidating in person. Can you tell which one was my laptop? Anna's shining face greeted everyone as they walked through the main doors. All nations. And I just realized it when I posted this picture.

I scraped my elbow and there is still a scar during this fun jump time. Flesh burns with friction on this bouncy material. Ouch. It's OM's and MM's birthday party. Super fun!

I spared the shot that Paul took of me accidentally letting her tumble down. Oops. She's a trooper.

A visit from my dad and his wife keeps Anna busy.

And a visit from Paul's brother and daughter keeps her busy at the Children's Museum.

My job is so cool. I am sitting in the auditorium at the National Academy of Science to kick off their decadal survey of human exploration. SO. COOL.

Everyone eating dinner alone here in the hotel restaurant is surfing their phones. Like me.

Albert Einstein planetarium. I always been a sucker for planetariums. This show is about black holes.

Alan Bean's Apollo paintings are really neat in person.

On my way to air n space museum. I can't wait till Anna is old enough to join in.

On my way to air n space museum. I can't wait till Anna is old enough to join in.

How long has it been since I've been in a cab? Almost tried to get into the front seat! Hello DC.

Rolocado: We pulled it off!

Tired on the road. Spent the night in Amarillo.

Anna packed in like steerage.

1.5 days later, We made it! Nevermind her carseat hair. She's an hour late for her nap and passed out about 20 minutes later.

Her first hot chocolate ever. She also had smores but it was near raining so we didn't have time for pictures of it.

Roasting her first hot dog. You know, it's not her first hot dog, but her first time roasting one...

One view from our cabin.

A brief hail storm.

Rainy.

Paul's start at a fire.

A Daddy in action.

The water was too cold for my taste.

Enjoying peanut butter and jelly.

Cute picture? Yes. It was taken right before a massive anti-life jacket tantrum that forced us out of the boat after only 15 minutes. What a booger.

And you wouldn't guess all hell was about to break loose on the water...

Prepping the boat. Probably planning the details of her anti-life jacket boat tantrum.

Testing the boat's battery. I guess.

Loved to watch the chipmunks.

Our cabin.

Our booger.

She's obviously enjoying her vacation. Even if I'm too lazy to rotate the picture on this blog.

The bubbles were a great idea (credit: me) and kept her plenty busy! Never used that chair.

Daddy's teaching Anna how to use her little fishing pole. She enjoyed her gummy worms in her tackle box (credit: Paul).

She did fantastic on the car ride, which was my biggest fear. I can't believe this was the same child who was fighting the car seat in May and has never really enjoyed being strapped down for even the quick trips around town. She just hung out and only complained if her diaper was wet (I'd complain too). On the drive to Colorado, she kept busy with toys, books, colors, and her imagination. She now reaches into her pocket and hands me a butterfly (or doggie, or flower, etc) to which I respond with a colorful comment or pretend to let the butterfly go (or I pet the doggie or kitty cat). At one point there was a string on her shoe, and that's where her butterflies came from. She even pretended to make me food and juice, and "poured" a cup of juice for us into our hands. I love how she's pretending like that. It's so freaking adorable. When she wasn't doing those things, DVD player to the RESCUE. It's something we had sworn we'd never do, citing all of the fun activity books and car games and sleep that we figured would be better and more fun for our child, but now that reality hits, we know that at this age of almost 2.5 years old, the DVD player is our friend. The activity books and car games are probably more appropriate as she gets a little older. I feel fine about a mix of all things available to her at this age. But then on the ride home, we wera all too exhausted to care and she was pretty much zoned out to Wonder Pets (save the Blow Fish! That whale!) and Yo Gabba Gabba (Sleep, "Little Balls", "Share"), and thankfully, Mary Poppins (Supercallifr...you wanted me to write that word didn't you? Well, "Spoon Full of Sugar" instead).

She even napped well (though late naps) in the car seat, thankfully.

Once there, she and I picked up some respiratory nonsense, which I thought was allergies to Colorado's dry air and dust and new trees and stuff (get real) but now Paul's got his so I think it must have been a little virus we picked up ahead of the trip. It was just runny noses and sore throat and itchy eyes and lots of sneezes but not a real show-stopper. In fact, I have to knock on wood and I KNOW I am jinxing myself when I say this but Anna (and I) have only been sick like once this year, and it's been nothing that's kept her out of school (though in March it did knock me out of work for 2 days). And now that I've put that out there, please, oh please, continue to keep us healthy through this year!

We rented cabins this year because the weather looked like rain. We brought the tent just in case. We never ended up using it because it turns out it was the worst year for bears this campground had ever seen! Our first night in, we awoke to scratching on our screen in the bathroom, and yep, Paul had to chase off a black bear that smelled the food we had inside our cabin. It tore through the screen, then proceeded to dig through the bed of Paul's truck in search of food (of which there was none). We weren't exactly scared or anything but I was reassured in the decision to go with a cabin and not a tent...toddler + tent = twinkie to a bear ;)

I thought we'd be bored there with the days we had to just do nothing but sit around and maybe fish. I mean, I wouldn't be bored, but the little toddler creature might. But it turns out that throwing rocks into the water and illegally feeding the chipmunks kept her busy enough. She even learned to suck and spit our sunflower seeds (the chipmunks loved the fact she hadn't figured out how to crack them open to get the seeds before she spit them). She casted a few lines for "fishing" with the little Barbie fishing pole Paul got her, and filled her tackle box with gummy worms. She enjoyed pretending to cook like daddy did. And there were a few very large humming birds who'd zoom by and hover in front of her face if she were eating something that appeared yummy to them. That was pretty cool!

Tantrum moments included not wanting to wear the life jacket, after much life jacket hype and excitement, and after we cleaned and inflated the boat, and got out to the middle of the lake. Another brilliant one was when a little bit of her dreamsicle dripped onto her hand. You know, the white part. When the rest of it was orange, this freaked her out to the point of throwing the popsicle down onto the ground. And that completely enraged her and caused a scene. It was a nice one, but I refused to buy her another 50 cent dreamsicle for the principle of the thing. So she shared daddy's while hers sat in the dirt. And the little booger ate part of my Drumstick, and demanded I hold on to the best part till later for her: the part at the bottom that has the chocolate plug in it. So there I was, holding that chocolate bottom for her until she was done playing in the lake. And yes, she kept looking back to ask if I still had it.

She tended to lose her cool towards the end of the days. Just punchy, tired, off schedule and out-of-sorts. One evening she asked me if she could get her paci and her Tiger and lay on the bed and watch Yo Gabba (unfortunatley we couldn't escape YGG, not even by fleeing to the mountains). She came out after the show was over and re-joined us. It dawned on me that even she needed some winding down time, and this was how she chose to do it. My equivalent of grabbing a naughty snack and hunkering down on the couch in front of the TV after a long day. So I get it.

And the paci wasn't an issue while there like it was for Niagara Falls. She really only asked for it at bedtime, and even in the car she'd hand it over to us if we asked her for it. So it wasn't very central on this trip.

We did get a short rain shower every afternoon, which also included some small hail. Nothing to ruin real plans, though.

We three shared a queen size bed in the cabin, which went over well except it seemed that as the trip progressed, she'd have more nightmares, including kicks and punches to whichever adult body was in her path. I think she was dreaming of fighting bears. ;) Or mommy.

Already I've waited too long to post this blog and I'm forgetting the little things I know I wanted to post about. This is how memory goes and my brain is already filling up with the memories of this week, which will be pushed out next week when I am in DC without Paul and Anna.

When we got home, the first thing she did was run over to her chair in the living room and plop down and smile. We had a great, busy trip with lots of family time but there's nothing like coming home. Even she got that :)

What followed the days after our return home was so much oppositional booger behavior, the worst tantrums we've seen since her horrible teething tantrums in May (remember those?) and overall downright rotten attitude. Just like May, the seat belt is too tight, her diapers are too tight, shorts and shirts and shoes are too tight and this has led to scream fests that include kicking and Time Outs, just to get out the door in the morning. Even bath times were a fight, and as for bedtime?! She's been crying herself to sleep, including one night when Paul couldn't fight to get her PJ's on: cried herself to sleep in a diaper only! Forget the PJ's.

This behavior has subsided alot since Wed, though, so I hope we're back to pre-travel Anna. Even last night bedtime was a non-issue, just like pre-Colorado. Not sure if she was sick or just testing the old routine or what. Usually when she complains something's "too tight" it's because she's not feeling good (sore throat, teething, etc). Who knows, but hopefully we're on our way out of this one just in time for me to have to leave Paul alone with her next week when I go to DC for work.

Anyway I know I'm leaving out tons from this trip that's up in my brain. If I remember more, I'll jot it down here later. Otherwise I think the pics say alot. Overall, I am glad that Paul encouraged the trip. He is the eternal optimist while I am the cautiously optimistic (let's call it what it is: "Realist"). But it's a good mix that pushes us into new experiences...within reason :)

Colorado Updates

We got home on Friday but I haven't found the time or energy to post about our trip! In the meantime, the highlights:

Anna was GREAT in the car.

It was dirty.

There were bears.

And chipmunks.

And some rock throwing.