Single-Parenting it

The weekend approaches. 3 days in with this single-parenting thing... working on a new sleep routine for Abi, since Robin usually puts her to bed. No idea what we'll do this weekend.

Abi went to the beach with daycare this week. She really loved it and told me all about playing in the sand and water and beach on the way home. She also listed all the foods she ate, and one I couldn't identify. She named it again today on the way home. Finally called J to figure out what it is... Goldfish. And it's not even her who eats them - it's the other kids, though I'm sure they share with her. She was very excited to talk about eating Goldfish. Of course, every day she tells me "I already had two cookies." Yes, yes you did Abi... 3 days ago... I guess if you already had 2 cookies you don't need any more today. What's the other thing she tells me she already ate...? something that seems funny to me.

Her favourite phrases are funny. "My daddy/mommy told me that." "I already..." "Remember when..." "Can I have a cookie please? One cookie, two cookies! I already had two cookies, mommy!"
"Mom, I want to go home. I want to go to bed." she says with her head on my shoulder
"you do?"
"No! I don't want to go to bed!"

I have a couple good video waiting to be formatted and will share soon.
g'night

Mimic

I have this "thing" where I unconsciously tend to mimic speech and behavioral patterns. I can only assume it comes from moving around as a kid and was part of how I would fit in to new situations. Or maybe everyone does it. Certainly it has certain benefits for group identity and depending on what psychologists or sociologists you ask you'd get a different explanation. For example, I remember noticing in junior high how my friend used to walk with her palms parallel to the ground. Then one day I noticed I was doing the same (and I still do slip into that mode sometimes). It certainly wasn't intentional -I thought it was funny. When I lived in Newfoundland, I picked up several turns of speeches (some of which I am trying to rid myself of, like "where you to?" which bothered me to hear and I can't imagine why I would mimic it - perhaps I also subconsciously enjoy tormenting myself).
There are words and pronunciations I retained from when we lived in England and I'm sure there are other subtle things I've never noticed or had pointed out to me yet.

Lately I've been frustrated by my mimicking of Abi's speech. It is counter-productive! As you know, I don't believe in "baby talk" and we have always used regular words with Abi. Nevertheless, there are "baby" words she has picked up elsewhere. I know, for example, some of the kids at daycare and the park use them, probably either because they are used to baby talk or because they treat her like a baby. Words like "horsey" rather than "horse". (I know this is not how her daycare provider speaks.) Other things are her own experiments with phrases and sentences. Upon occasion I have caught myself mimicking Abi. So, when she is looking for a toy, such as a horse, I may accidentally say I found her "horsey" - using her words back to her. It is very frustrating to me! I still also catch myself refering to myself in the third person. Now that she clearly knows the proper uses of "you" and "me" and "I" and "your", etc, I think it's safe to eliminate phrases in which I refer to myself as mommy instead of I.

I expect there will be extra postings for the next little while as I become hyper-critical of my own single-parenting* and spending extra time with Abi (now that I'll be putting her to bed, which is about the only thing I don't do, so I suppose that's not much extra time).

*This is not a permanent state! Robin is going away for work.

sorry honey

It has been brought to my attention that I may have slightly exaggerated the case when I stated Robin had not added programS. In my whining I forgot to consider that he'd really only intended to add the one (Zotero) that he forgot. The rest are things I need to add; programs he doesn't realize I use. Like the photo software for the camera, the software for my digital voice recorder, etc.
Sorry honey.

All set up

For the most part I'm all set up on the new computer in my office. Files have been transferred. Most of the programs are uploaded (apparently after switching to 64 bit Robin neglected to once again upload the programs - so really he wasted a bunch of time and had me trying to search out the programs he'd said he had added - programs I need to work).
Alas, no new monitor yet. Waiting for a "super sale" :( WOrking from the ol' massive monitor that takes up half the desk. So unpractical! Where will my work papers go? This is half the reason I had a laptop in the first place - to save space. For now, the speed and functionality of the new harddrive outweighs the inconvenience of the monitor, so I'll make do. But I may whine a little.

Getting used to a full keyboard again (back to my original keyboard, because at least I was once familiar with it and it works well) and a mouse (wireless!). Orienting myself to Windows 7. Trying to figure out why I can't update the flash player (giving up for now!) The usual new-computer stuff.

In Abi news.... let's see... counting up to 20 for fun. Have I previously mentioned her love of the book Everyone Poops? It's been her favourite for a while now. You can tell because she recites the book (or as she says, she reads it) almost exactly. "Fish poop. Birds poop. And bugs too!" With summer in full swing around here, she's enjoying playing outside with water - except for the getting wet part. The seeds we planted together are growing well and she enjoys watering those for us.
I promised photos, so let me go check the files and see what I have. I'm going to time how long it takes to find stuff on the new computer... There you go, up top. Abi trying to tie her own laces. she can get a half-knot.
Let's see about a video...



Which reminds me that she also feeds the cats as well as Darla now.

(PS It was very fast to upload and find photos.)

Daddy loves me

It's been a while since my last post. Sorry. Been busy. Among other things, we're switching over to a new computer! I can't wait to start working on it in my office. So far Robin's been setting it up with the programs I need. It runs Windows 7 and it's fast. That's all I care about - speed. And I'm looking forward to having two documents open side by side so I can take notes while reading e-articles. To do that we need to buy a new wide monitor. This is my first time on the new computer, which is still in the basement.
We've also had several funerals to attend. My great aunt a couple months ago, then my grandpa and two of his siblings last month all within a few weeks. It's been a bad time to share my family name. We've seen the extended family a lot lately. Abi has quite enjoyed that aspect of it, especially trips to see Em - or as she calls her, Emy. She's quite enamored of my cousin. My dad, sister and nephew were also in province visiting my grandpa before he passed away, so Abi talks of her cousin DoDo a lot and wants to see him.
Yes, I know, we're working on that - moving home.

In Robin news, guess who's going to Mexico for 3 weeks without his family soon. Good guess! Now, you might be inclined to think him fortunate, but he's going for work, it's freakin' hot there, and he can't drink the water or ice - so I don't know how much fun he'll have :P Or so I tell myself as I prepare to single-parent it for 3 weeks. I may see about taking a few days vacation at my aunt's (hi Rita...) if she's available.

As for Abi, she's as cute as ever. I'm not just saying this, honest. I can't go anywhere with her without a couple people at least saying so. I swear, I don't know why she's so smiley and happy all the time. Every time she cries I like to point it out to people: see, see, she's not always happy! She's extra talkative lately. She enjoys telling me all about her day. She plays a lot of imaginary games. I continue to be frustrated by her puzzle skills (or lack thereof), but I know it's because her skills lie elsewhere right now. Nevertheless, I don't like doing puzzles with her! lol It's been fun listening to her language develop, such as coming up with her own complex sentences such as "daddy loves me".
Yep, life is full and wonderful and exciting. Which is why I've not been online much. I have some photos on my ol' laptop, but nothing special. I promise to share some good pictures when I have them.