Sugar and Spice

While we are on the subject of being spoiled and somewhere in that same universe, is the idea of excess. Last night, I got a little confirmation that we may be headed down that road. Or, at a philosophical minimum, I'm convinced that my child loves cake. I don't typically quote 50-Cent in a blog, but there simply were not more appropriate words to call this story. Yesterday was Pop's birthday and we had lots of fun in store for him, including a trip to the new waterfront restaurant an hour away and a delicious homemade (not in my home) red velvet cake (which, I learned last night over cake, he likes but is not his favorite despite my convincing myself it was). In any event, all of these festivities on a Thursday and a monthly dog grooming appointment had me home a little early with my arms full. Prioritizing those things which could and could not stay in the car by themselves, I quickly deposited Pumpkin at my side in the front yard, one eye on her; let the dog out to...

While many of you already know the answer, I’ll spare the rest of you inquiring minds and just cut straight to the chase. Pumpkin’s ears are fine. Actually, let me rephrase that and quote the chief of otolaryngology at Baylor School of Medicine…her ears are “perfect.” Yes, perfect. Because of the tubes, you might ask. Oh no, in spite of the tubes. Yesterday our visit to Texas Children’s was simultaneously one of my best and worst mother moments. The facilities and staff are amazing. If you ever need medical care for a child – and I hope you do not – this is the place to go. Except for the two minutes that a needle was in her arm and blood was being sucked from her body, Pumpkin didn’t shed a tear. She actually enjoyed the visit. Me, on the other hand…well, I can agree that the fish and the colors were nice, but the rest of the visit sent me into a frenzy of emotions ranging from utter joy, to sadness and guilt, to red-seeing rage. It all started when the dear, sweet, brillia...

Well, the ABs survived their trip to Florida and except for a violent stomach bug that spread to half the family and a killer diaper rash, they are no worse for the wear. I like to think Hubby has a newfound appreciation for me (or at least the second pair of hands I provide) after maneuvering luggage and stroller through the airport solo and changing a stinky diaper in the tiny airplane lavatory. Although they were only gone for a total of 48 hours, I swear Pumpkin grew and changed into even more of a little toddler-person than she already was. As I was watching her last night (my nightly entertainment) I started to think about all the amazing things she is learning. It’s little things like answering the telephone when it rings, or helping to put the dogs back in their kennels. Things we do every day – often begrudgingly – and never think twice about (unless the second thought is to begrudge, of course). So we all know (and God knows I’ve written about it), that Pumpkin is learni...

When last we met, Pumpkin was having a hard time adjusting to her new class and new schedule. For two solid weeks I would drop her off in tears, then start my own round of tears, and we’d do it all over again when I picked her up. It was miserable. I considered switching teachers, “holding her back” in the baby class, and even home-schooling. I tried different drop off and pick up times, I called the principal, I did everything I could think of and was getting very frustrated with my once-happy baby’s new sad outlook on school. I was settling in for a long 17 years. Then, one morning when I dropped her off, I sat her down on the floor like I always do and saw her face start to crumble. It starts in her forehead, then her lip juts out just before those little eyes brim over with tears. Yet, this time it stopped with the lip. Right as she started to conjure up another Academy Award winning set of waterworks, Miss Lana called to me from across the room: “Don’t you believe that, sh...