( 6/25/2004 10:19:23 PM )
Father's Day
I've been so insanely busy that I forgot to talk about Ella's first Father's Day!
The day was pretty low-key. We went to dinner the night before and in the morning, Miss Ella presented her daddy with Dads and Daughters: How to Inspire, Understand, and Support Your Daughter When She's Growing Up Sofast.
The hubby had requested the usual male-toys like a MP3 player, "West Wing" Season 2, and other entertainment stuff, but I had read a review of that book in "Chicago Parent" last month that I knew Ella had to get it for him.
Obviously, the crisises we face with Ella right now is getting her to fully wean from my boob, get her off the pacifer, and to fall asleep without someone holding her. But damn, almost 11 months have flown by in a heartbeat and before we know it, she's gonna be handing us bigger shit to deal with.
I also am determined that Ella have a better relationship with her father than I have with mine. I know that for one, the hubby is a different type of guy than my dad. So that'll help. He shouldn't be as emotionally distant as my dad is to me. Being a daughter myself, I just know there are things that Miss Ella will present the hubby that he won't be ready for as a father - not as a parent, but as the man in her life.
The hubby isn't a sexist pig (I'd never would have married him), but I also think it's good to remind him (and other daddies) that he is the male figure in her life. That the way he treats women in front of her, she'll internalize it and know that's how women are treated.
I know that if we decide to have a second child and it's a boy, I'm going to be downing all the mommy-son books out there.
I do have to say that I took some time to read the resources in the back, the citations, and the introduction to make sure I wasn't buying some wacked-out fundie right-winger. Joe Kelly is the husband & father of the founders of New Moon magazine. I found that magazine at the Feminist Expo in 2000 and knew that if I had a daughter, I'd want her to read it. I think a few of you have sent me their website for Ella as well. So I figure he's got the feminist street cred.
The evidence:
Joe was Dad of the Year 2001
His organization, Dads and Daughters
New Moon Magazine
#:::
#:::
#:::
#:::
#:::
#:::
( 6/25/2004 09:59:58 PM )
Mama collage
I like to say that in life I don't have one role model. That I pick and choose bits from people in my life and try to replicate those things. The same goes for being a mom to Ella. Since my mom is dead and can't be here to answer my questions I post them here, I email girlfriends, I ask my aunt, or coworkers. Just about everyone has been pretty good at helping me out. Some give me "the answer" and other like Dawn at this woman's work tells me a story, asks me what I value, and makes me think about it. Basically she makes me figure the damn thing out.
She's decided to hang up the blog, put the "Gone Fishing" sign up and spend more time with her adorable kids.
I'm going to miss her dearly. I know she'll still be just an email away, but I'll miss hearing all the silly and cute things those kids do on a regular basis. Yet I know all too well the way time becomes even more precious once you have a child, much less two of them.
So Dawn, take care, good luck, and remember that we're here in case you get itchy for more.
( 6/23/2004 08:27:54 AM )
Snip Snip
This morning was Miss Ella's first haircut.
It was a traumatic experience for the hubby & me. I really wanted to not cut her hair until her first birthday, but it was getting really long in the front and into her eyes. Since she likes to eat everything in her world, hair clips weren't the answer either (believe me, I tried). So after her morning tooth brushing, the hubby made she smile and I snipped just the front of her hair. She now has the bangs I've wanted my entire life. haha!
It's funny how different she looks with just this small trimming.
( 6/18/2004 12:17:55 PM )
Brusha...Brusha...Brusha
Miss Ella *loves* to get her teeth brushed. I use this infant toothbrush that goes on my index finger with a dab of infant toothpaste. She just loves it! Every morning before we head out the door, I grab her, sit her on the toilet seat (can you believe she can stay there on her own?), get the toothbrush & paste out (she starts to giggle), and after I get it ready I ask her to open up. And guess what? She does! She even says "ahhhh" some mornings. It's just too cute.
Of course, she loves it so much cause her teeth hurt and my brushing is actually rubbing on her gums. I also let her bite down pretty hard when I'm brushing her teeth. She seems to love that part as well.
The hard part is that I've read in some books that we should take her to the dentist as soon as the first tooth is out. Well in about 2 weeks she'll have 5 (two are coming in right now) and we haven't taken her. Her doctor said to wait until she's a few years old. I don't want to ignore her dental health (like my parents did to me) because we do have dental insurance (unlike my parents), but I don't know when to go! Maybe in the fall. *shrug*
( 6/5/2004 10:20:18 AM )
Ask and you shall receive
Here's a pic of Miss Ella a few weeks ago with her two bottom teeth peeking out of her smile. I'm still trying to get her smile so I can see her vampire tooth. 
update: I went back to the photo and made it easier to see her lil teeth. 
( 6/2/2004 11:05:55 AM )
Fang
Ella's vampire tooth is officially out. It had been peeking out for sometime, but it's now very apparent. Especially when she flashes you a big ole' grin and there it is staring at you. It's a very funny sight!
She's also all about testing it out. She loves to rip bits of cookie off, bite down on your arm, and even drag her tongue across her teeth. She's a riot! So if you run into her, be careful with your finger! She may be small, but she packs a lot of power in them teeth.
