My little brother John Edward and his fiancee Gina Coletti just had a beautiful daughter on a beautiful Sunday in Boston. She was almost delivered in my brother's truck, and she weighs a whopping 7 pounds and 7 ounces.
Congratulations! I'll be sending in a nice bouquet of flowers for the family. And, my nephew Sean (their son born in 2006) will have a little sister to play with soon enough.
31 December 2007
27 December 2007
Absolutely Laughable
Raina had an expected ring at the backdoor yesterday, post-Christmas. It was a bag with a box loosely wrapped in Christmas gift-wrapping as though some toddler had done it...or was it just someone who had undone the wrapping?
The blue bag with the blue wrapping paper seemed at once inviting. So, rather than unwrap it for Raina, I let her have a go and what was inside made her eyes sparkle like brown diamonds reflecting sunlight in water. It was a Laughtop. Even I was intrigued and so was Tiffany. So, I quickly took out my pliers and began ripping the plastic ties and cardboard covering off of the toddler-sized computer. It's a toy but small enough for Raina to tote in a backpack, or just carry with one little puggy hand.
It was about two minutes when Raina learned she had a video game console, or something like it, at her fingertips. I remember when my brother John and I had our first Nintendo game console. It was a 16-bit graphic supported game system, and not a BIT less exciting. We played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from sun-up to sundown. We were for a long time addicted until we had families, and our fake fantasy came crashing down around us. But, now I can pass along the fiendishly bad habit of starving the brain of really good education and leaving it the ravenous dogs of wasted time and idle hand and eye movement of videogaming combat.
JUST KIDDING!
Raina's Laughtop has four different sections of games all devoted to phonetic learning, but it would be a shame to allow her to fall prey to using it as soon as she wakes up, or right before she goes to sleep.
Technology isn't bad, it just should not drive the motive of living and be the focus of learning. She's still has much to learn, and from my lessons I can nip that wasted time to just 30 minutes per day. She loves the Laughtop because it's laughable!
The blue bag with the blue wrapping paper seemed at once inviting. So, rather than unwrap it for Raina, I let her have a go and what was inside made her eyes sparkle like brown diamonds reflecting sunlight in water. It was a Laughtop. Even I was intrigued and so was Tiffany. So, I quickly took out my pliers and began ripping the plastic ties and cardboard covering off of the toddler-sized computer. It's a toy but small enough for Raina to tote in a backpack, or just carry with one little puggy hand.
It was about two minutes when Raina learned she had a video game console, or something like it, at her fingertips. I remember when my brother John and I had our first Nintendo game console. It was a 16-bit graphic supported game system, and not a BIT less exciting. We played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from sun-up to sundown. We were for a long time addicted until we had families, and our fake fantasy came crashing down around us. But, now I can pass along the fiendishly bad habit of starving the brain of really good education and leaving it the ravenous dogs of wasted time and idle hand and eye movement of videogaming combat.
JUST KIDDING!
Raina's Laughtop has four different sections of games all devoted to phonetic learning, but it would be a shame to allow her to fall prey to using it as soon as she wakes up, or right before she goes to sleep.
Technology isn't bad, it just should not drive the motive of living and be the focus of learning. She's still has much to learn, and from my lessons I can nip that wasted time to just 30 minutes per day. She loves the Laughtop because it's laughable!
26 December 2007
The Two Parkers
Okay, so we're riding in the car. I'm sitting front passenger while Tiffany is driving, and for some reason we bring up the fact that Raina happens to be close two people with the same name: Parker.
I slowly (and carefully) explain to Raina that she knows to Parkers, to which she immediately says: "No, I don't!" When you hear Raina negate your arguments or any statements, valid or not, it is just the most hilarious time to have.
Let me get back to the story. We're riding along in the car coming from St. Louis city, and Tiffany and I are almost pleading to Raina that her grandfather Poppi's name is also Parker. In adddition to this, her closest friend is named Parker as well. The big difference is their age. So, we characterize them as "Little Parker" and "Big Parker."
Raina gathers the most stern, serious, stiff face that she has mustered in sheer dismay. She looks to the front of the car almost zoning out and she then says: "Is this a joke?"
To say the least, Tiffany and I were completely blown away by this statement. Tiffany said, and looked to me, "I didn't know she knew that phrase. Where did she learn that?" At a completel loss, I just stupidly shrug my shoulders, but we both decide the best expression of surprise is our laughter. We tell the story now as a nice dinner conversation or in passing with friends whom we visit, and Raina is there with us to back up the facts. She can recite her lines verbatim, she is good with words!
I slowly (and carefully) explain to Raina that she knows to Parkers, to which she immediately says: "No, I don't!" When you hear Raina negate your arguments or any statements, valid or not, it is just the most hilarious time to have.
Let me get back to the story. We're riding along in the car coming from St. Louis city, and Tiffany and I are almost pleading to Raina that her grandfather Poppi's name is also Parker. In adddition to this, her closest friend is named Parker as well. The big difference is their age. So, we characterize them as "Little Parker" and "Big Parker."
Raina gathers the most stern, serious, stiff face that she has mustered in sheer dismay. She looks to the front of the car almost zoning out and she then says: "Is this a joke?"
To say the least, Tiffany and I were completely blown away by this statement. Tiffany said, and looked to me, "I didn't know she knew that phrase. Where did she learn that?" At a completel loss, I just stupidly shrug my shoulders, but we both decide the best expression of surprise is our laughter. We tell the story now as a nice dinner conversation or in passing with friends whom we visit, and Raina is there with us to back up the facts. She can recite her lines verbatim, she is good with words!
23 December 2007
Is Raina an Astronaut?!
I remember the first three days of snowfall this month, about 8 days ago. She was dressed in her "Stay Puffed Marshallow"man suit. It's purple. A suit of chunked-up overall pants with a heart-shaped pocket front and center, and with a matching hooded winter coat. She's so adorable in that thing. All we'd need would be a circular, glass helmet and a silver backpack with purple boots. I guess we'll have to settle for the pink, Dora the Explorer boots (thanks Aria McMullin!).
She loved sledding down on the soft, powdery white snow on the borrowed sleds from the dorm closet. When Tiffany had been catching up on her sleep from the 60-70 hour workweeks of the 17-week fall semester, Raina and I would steal away to sled in the mornings on the small hill facing toward the soccer fields. At the point of the end of sliding down, Raina would purposely fall off the sled and roll around pretending to have lost control, only to quickly regain her true confidence and get up and grab the sled for another go-round. Or, is it "go-down?"
Speaking of great things and encouraging astronautical feats. Ever since, we learned of my parents plans to visit us at Christmas, Tiffany and Raina have been counting down the days until Barbara and Larry arrive. It's something that both constantly take much delight. They have been steadfast in remembering to count down each day, everyday until today, Sunday, December 23.
Only about three hours left until lift-off. Three, two, one.... FUN!!
She loved sledding down on the soft, powdery white snow on the borrowed sleds from the dorm closet. When Tiffany had been catching up on her sleep from the 60-70 hour workweeks of the 17-week fall semester, Raina and I would steal away to sled in the mornings on the small hill facing toward the soccer fields. At the point of the end of sliding down, Raina would purposely fall off the sled and roll around pretending to have lost control, only to quickly regain her true confidence and get up and grab the sled for another go-round. Or, is it "go-down?"
Speaking of great things and encouraging astronautical feats. Ever since, we learned of my parents plans to visit us at Christmas, Tiffany and Raina have been counting down the days until Barbara and Larry arrive. It's something that both constantly take much delight. They have been steadfast in remembering to count down each day, everyday until today, Sunday, December 23.
Only about three hours left until lift-off. Three, two, one.... FUN!!
18 December 2007
Naptime, Naptime...Give it a rest, and then have a snack, jellybean
You know it's funny and wonderful how refreshed you can feel after a break from the noise of a busy life and just have time to settle down, lay out or sprawled on a bed, and drift off into a comfortable rest. We take our naps and play, and play some more. We hit the "hay" at late (and early) hours.
For my daughter, Raina, it has not always been naptime day in and day out. For that matter, I thought that when she started napping I would too. Not the case at all. But, when she sleeps...oh, the relief...you don't always need to run around to feel busy or that you had a full day.
Just recently, Raina has been wondering off to sleepyland around the late afternoon (2-2:30). She's getting older, so she's got better mileage. I'd say the efficiency rating has risen by some 200%. Her MPP, or miles per pound, improved markedly over a short period of 5 months.
And, honestly, I haven't measured her for height for quite sometime, but my weight-scale readings show a whopping...get this folks, THIRTY-SIX pounds. She's a whopper, alright. But don't tell her, Raina hates when I make verbal comments on her physical similarities to food. Oh, and it gets nasty!
For my daughter, Raina, it has not always been naptime day in and day out. For that matter, I thought that when she started napping I would too. Not the case at all. But, when she sleeps...oh, the relief...you don't always need to run around to feel busy or that you had a full day.
Just recently, Raina has been wondering off to sleepyland around the late afternoon (2-2:30). She's getting older, so she's got better mileage. I'd say the efficiency rating has risen by some 200%. Her MPP, or miles per pound, improved markedly over a short period of 5 months.
And, honestly, I haven't measured her for height for quite sometime, but my weight-scale readings show a whopping...get this folks, THIRTY-SIX pounds. She's a whopper, alright. But don't tell her, Raina hates when I make verbal comments on her physical similarities to food. Oh, and it gets nasty!
- "Your belly is full of jelly"
- "Raina bear with the jelly hair"
- "Smelly cheese Green"
- "Cheesy chunk"
- "Your head is shaped like a strawberry, Raina"
- "Little on-yon" (slurred French accent)
- "You're shaped like a peanut"
- "Hey Rai, it's not my fault you have juicy buns"
- "Now, I going to squeeze the cheese" (followed by squeezing together her cheeks!)
Countless other name-calling terms have been thrown around to taunt and tease Raina. She's definitely not lacking any self-confidence, because of the fact that she rebukes every statement now made against her. Her self-esteem is rock-solid and mountain high. Now, when I make a rude statement about her, she slowly turns her head around and shouts back, "No! Quiet, you phatty!" I guess I kind of desrve it. I'm tired from all the chaos, I'm going to take a nap, then when I wake up maybe Raina will let me have a snack for being so quiet.
16 December 2007
Tightly Held in Fear and Overly Fearful Rules
I was talking with a fella at dinner on Sunday night about a shocking incident with an Illinois middle school and one of its students. You think that a hug is okay, but in today's highly overpoliticized, hyper-commercialized media circus, where the press is no longer a genuine term, a hug can become an offense.
Hugs are customary, right? And, they are needed. Perhaps if a friend needed consoling or a genuine act of affection to lift them above their fears or worries, would it be alright to give your friend, teacher, or peer a hug? Or, for that matter, can you give a hug for the sake of giving a hug?!
My friend Jared and I were hashing out thoughts over an article published on November 6, 2007 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about an Illinois eight-grade student named Megan Coulter, punished with two days of school detention for hugging some friends at school.
Vice Principal Randy Blakely of Mascoutah Middle School warned Coulter on a couple of occasions that any public display of affection would be in violation of school policy. I deduce from the school administration's thought: Coulter's behavior models for other students inappropriate displays of affection publicly or worse. If that is the case, I would think that they would need to examine the root cause of the action. If not, their policy should not be as severe as blanketing all students under a "blind" policy, where the punishment for a 13-year old amounts to two days of detention. Of course, he was doing his job, but could have made a better judgment call.
"Grinding," kissing, or any lewd act would be a negative slope to follow, if Megan Coulter were doing that, but according the short story, which was followed by a longer, detailed follow-up, that was not the case. I really have a problem believing a hug makes other uncomfortable, especially when girls hug girls, or even the opposite sex when it is genuine and innocent. If you ask me, the vice principal perhaps looked too hard at this one student and incident, deciding it was enough to tip the scale. Please!!! There are more important things to look out for -- a hug?
Of course, the student's family is following up with the school's board to appeal her detention and what is to me, a callous treatment of what good is left in the thoughts of this young girl. The policy needs to a little more specific and when there is a serious violation it is followed by just treatment of the offender(s).
Hugs are customary, right? And, they are needed. Perhaps if a friend needed consoling or a genuine act of affection to lift them above their fears or worries, would it be alright to give your friend, teacher, or peer a hug? Or, for that matter, can you give a hug for the sake of giving a hug?!
My friend Jared and I were hashing out thoughts over an article published on November 6, 2007 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about an Illinois eight-grade student named Megan Coulter, punished with two days of school detention for hugging some friends at school.
Vice Principal Randy Blakely of Mascoutah Middle School warned Coulter on a couple of occasions that any public display of affection would be in violation of school policy. I deduce from the school administration's thought: Coulter's behavior models for other students inappropriate displays of affection publicly or worse. If that is the case, I would think that they would need to examine the root cause of the action. If not, their policy should not be as severe as blanketing all students under a "blind" policy, where the punishment for a 13-year old amounts to two days of detention. Of course, he was doing his job, but could have made a better judgment call.
"Grinding," kissing, or any lewd act would be a negative slope to follow, if Megan Coulter were doing that, but according the short story, which was followed by a longer, detailed follow-up, that was not the case. I really have a problem believing a hug makes other uncomfortable, especially when girls hug girls, or even the opposite sex when it is genuine and innocent. If you ask me, the vice principal perhaps looked too hard at this one student and incident, deciding it was enough to tip the scale. Please!!! There are more important things to look out for -- a hug?
Of course, the student's family is following up with the school's board to appeal her detention and what is to me, a callous treatment of what good is left in the thoughts of this young girl. The policy needs to a little more specific and when there is a serious violation it is followed by just treatment of the offender(s).
15 December 2007
What's All That Noise?
I was sitting at the computer, of course minding my own business of chatting on email or browsing the Internet aimlessly when the little gremlin creeps up behind. I nearly jumped out of my seat, because her stealth ninja feet could not be heard on the newly-laid carpet in our apartment. Sure, if you weigh under 40 pounds you don't have to worry much about making a lot of noise until the very last second. And, it wasn't funny when she looked at me and smiled. She's not cute, she's evil. I can prove it.
Her moves and words are so precise. It's unconscionable what she is able to achieve in only her first 3 years.
So, eventually I calmed myself down after pushing my eyeballs back into my sockets, my heart pumping so much blood through my head. I was nearly nauseated, but I kept my cool and asked, "What's up, buddy?"
You have to speak cordially and warmly, otherwise your life is in serious risk. You can die a brain-numbing scream or a deep bite to your own skin puncturing flesh, and stunned by the shock, you will certainly bleed to death.
Oh, yes! Parenting is this hazardous and gruesome. When you're with your kids it's almost like taking care of double the people, because they all have a good and bad side which they nurture, depending on how much you piss them off. And, it also depends if you're prepared to answer to, what's all that noise in the background.
Her moves and words are so precise. It's unconscionable what she is able to achieve in only her first 3 years.
So, eventually I calmed myself down after pushing my eyeballs back into my sockets, my heart pumping so much blood through my head. I was nearly nauseated, but I kept my cool and asked, "What's up, buddy?"
You have to speak cordially and warmly, otherwise your life is in serious risk. You can die a brain-numbing scream or a deep bite to your own skin puncturing flesh, and stunned by the shock, you will certainly bleed to death.
Oh, yes! Parenting is this hazardous and gruesome. When you're with your kids it's almost like taking care of double the people, because they all have a good and bad side which they nurture, depending on how much you piss them off. And, it also depends if you're prepared to answer to, what's all that noise in the background.
It's Time to be a Daddy (part one)
It's funny when you become a father, especially a young father. I was 24 and had not even really soaked in the fact that I was one until 3 months later. Yeah, it soaked it in really good like a wet diaper invades the nasal cavities and you have to get your tired ass up and change your child. My mind was changed. I had this bundle of human flesh in my hands and a pair of eyes breathing back into mine. I don't know what happened to me, but I felt that for the first time I was looking into a ray of sunshine...then, the little crappy pants spit up on my shirt.
And, it didn't matter whether it was a favorite shirt or a tee that needed to be laundered and was overdue by a couple weeks, I would let her vomit on me just so that she would feel better. We do so much for our kids so that they feel better. We stop eating so they can take all of one hour to eat a small morsel of food that would certainly be eaten off your hand by any person in the third world. In fact, you might want to just put the food on a plate so that they wouldn't eat your hand while trying to stuff as much into their own mouth. But for my little girl, she took one hour to consume 4-6 ounces of baby formula dissolved in luke warm water. Yeah, 4-6 ounces. Of course, she was only born 0-7 months at that point.
Now, well, she consumes more liquids than she can probably hold. But she's come a long way. She's pretty much potty-trained now. I don't keep as close an eye on her as I once did. She's going to be a tall girl like her mom. I don't know if she'll be a volleyball goddess. But, she could certainly follow in Ali's footsteps as a boxer, or she could take up ballet. She's got strength, finesse and a certain "je ne sais quoi."
And, it didn't matter whether it was a favorite shirt or a tee that needed to be laundered and was overdue by a couple weeks, I would let her vomit on me just so that she would feel better. We do so much for our kids so that they feel better. We stop eating so they can take all of one hour to eat a small morsel of food that would certainly be eaten off your hand by any person in the third world. In fact, you might want to just put the food on a plate so that they wouldn't eat your hand while trying to stuff as much into their own mouth. But for my little girl, she took one hour to consume 4-6 ounces of baby formula dissolved in luke warm water. Yeah, 4-6 ounces. Of course, she was only born 0-7 months at that point.
Now, well, she consumes more liquids than she can probably hold. But she's come a long way. She's pretty much potty-trained now. I don't keep as close an eye on her as I once did. She's going to be a tall girl like her mom. I don't know if she'll be a volleyball goddess. But, she could certainly follow in Ali's footsteps as a boxer, or she could take up ballet. She's got strength, finesse and a certain "je ne sais quoi."
I accepted your invitation
Hey, Phattie! Thanks for the invite. This will be a great way to see what you're doing, and write stuff to you and the phamily.
Love,
Mom
Being a dad, a giver
Raina attends a Spanish Montessori school, and it's expensive to say the least. What I'm doing for Raina any father would do, or ought to want to afford to do, which is to find the right academic setting and situation for their child and make the right moves to set their kids up for success. And, success is a tall order indeed.
I was just putting together a dinosaur puzzle with the little "chunk," as I like to sometimes jokingly name her, and I realized how much I will miss her being away at school and doing all of the learning that I could not provide for her outside of the traditional sense of learning, academically and intuitively. She'll be just fine and will get the hang of hearing her teacher, the school's director, giving her directives in Spanish. The language immersion at this young age will give her the experience of being in a place where her first language is not the primary langugage and I want her to experience that right now, because we can't afford to have her go to school outside the country, nor would I want to at the age of 2 (almost 3).
It's awesome to be a father, but to be Raina's daddy is far greater.
I was just putting together a dinosaur puzzle with the little "chunk," as I like to sometimes jokingly name her, and I realized how much I will miss her being away at school and doing all of the learning that I could not provide for her outside of the traditional sense of learning, academically and intuitively. She'll be just fine and will get the hang of hearing her teacher, the school's director, giving her directives in Spanish. The language immersion at this young age will give her the experience of being in a place where her first language is not the primary langugage and I want her to experience that right now, because we can't afford to have her go to school outside the country, nor would I want to at the age of 2 (almost 3).
It's awesome to be a father, but to be Raina's daddy is far greater.
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