So Aenaon has begun to tell his first intentional "fibs", which is a rather interesting transition intellectually. But, in truth, it seems to be brought on by the dynamics of relationships themselves (and particularly parent-child ones), where one can't always "control" their own situation, or have their will met, or wishes granted. And, quite frankly, the lying has come out in the realm of poop. (See, I said before how many crucial cycles begin and end with poop (and now the 'cycle' of lying- but hopefully, I can manouever well enough that he doesn't feel he "needs" to lie...).
Tonight, for example, when I told Aenaon to go get some books for me to read to him and Adara- he excitedly ran off on his mission, and then took a little too long. When he came back in he was walking with his knees practically glued together, and there was a certain stench emanating from his general direction. "Aenaon," I said, "did you poop?" Aenaon: "No?" (I put the question mark, because he uttered the word 'no' as if it were a question. (I want you to believe me, Mom, but can I get away with trying to have you tell me I didn't do it?) I asked again, and this time the answer was uttered more defensively, and he looked ready to run if I were to move in on him, and perform Operation (tackle) Diaper Change (one of our least favorite games- although he loves it as long as he can run away from me...). Anyway, the diaper change itself went smoothly enough since I told him we could read while I changed his diaper- so we didn't have to run any touchdowns tonight. But he has really only lied about pooping so far- as far as I can tell. But then again, if a child says he/she wants something, but then doesn't touch it- is that considered "lying"- or simply misperceiving one's own state- or even, simply a matter of short attention span, i.e., it was what I wanted two minutes ago, but now I'm just not interested. Or, the classic, the eyes are bigger than one's stomach, or 'the grass is always greener' syndrome (it looks better when you don't have it yourself). Probably it's all of these things at different times.
Aenaon is growing so quickly- I feel that he's so much more mature than he was when last I wrote a blog entry on his behalf. I hear "he looks older than that" all the time now when I tell people he's two. He is a very thoughtful, considerate person, and continously shares with those around him with no prompting whatsoever. I feel he's been a little easier on Adara, too, this past week, which, of course, is always a welcome development. Plus, Adara sustained a shoulder injury (which I'll write about on her blog) so I think he knows he has to be extra careful.
He now loves to sing his A,B,Cs and Happy Birthday (the two biggest hits, of late, for sure!). He still counts to ten, but now he adds "thirteen, thirteen, thirteen, etc." for the rest of the numbers. He definitely understands and does his best to communicate comparatives, or degrees of difference. (Usually they consist of 'big' and 'little'- but he's really able to use a few simple words in such a variety of instances that he makes them mean things one can easily understand, even though they're not formally used that way.)
He has been having trouble sleeping the past two weeks. For a while he would wake up in the middle of the night, and move into our bed. It often seems he feels most comfortable with the ceiling light on- which, of course, feels totally counterintuitive, but he fares all right falling asleep with it. I ususally compromise with a little lamp. He will stay up much later now, and at times, has been waking up earlier (there were nights recently where he didn't fall asleep 'til nearly ten o'clock, and then would wake up before the sun!). Fortunately, things were returning to normal last night, and I hope that continues. I think it might be due in part to the change in season, and length of the day. It was as though they were suddenly staying up well past nightfall, and then they would be waking up before daybreak. So I have been trying to get them to bed at least a few minutes earlier.
We walked through the woods today, and hiked up to the top of a rocky hill (one baby on my hip, holding hands with the other one). Then we discovered a delightful puddle on the rock left over from last night's rainfall, so I ended up letting them, essentially, swim in it. (Fortunately I had a bag with diapers...) It was definitely a pleasure and an adventure to keep company with our brothers and sisters in Mother Nature's playground.
Other recent favorite activities include dancing madly about to Olatunje's Drums of Passion. (Aenaon picked out the CD for me to play and it became an instant favorite.) Now not a day goes by where we don't get our tribal souls on. (Sometimes working up an immense sweat, in all honesty.)
All right. I am back. Aenaon just called to me from his crib (even though I'd put him to bed nearly an hour before) saying, "pooh pooh". And, indeed, he had pooped. So I changed him, and then he insisted on reading a book, so we agreed that we'd read just one, and then go straight to bed- no singing. We upheld the deal. One interesting note- Aeanon continually reverts to confusing cows with pigs, even though a full year ago he knew them distinctly, without ever making mistakes about them. Now he goes back and forth. But tonight, he was calling the cows pigs, and then, even after I'd reminded him they were cows, when I asked him where the pigs were he pointed to the cows. Oh well, as far as I can tell, it's kind of funny to teach them all about these animals, farms, etc. when they don't interact with them at all in their daily life. (I am all for nature, honestly, and wish we lived in much closer commuion with her) but I think it is hard for little people to really understand what things are if they never actually come into contact with them. And then, of course, we judge them by these markers (sounds like standardized testing, doesn't it?). Ah, the meeting of purpose and application.
Enough for now.
:)
Tonight, for example, when I told Aenaon to go get some books for me to read to him and Adara- he excitedly ran off on his mission, and then took a little too long. When he came back in he was walking with his knees practically glued together, and there was a certain stench emanating from his general direction. "Aenaon," I said, "did you poop?" Aenaon: "No?" (I put the question mark, because he uttered the word 'no' as if it were a question. (I want you to believe me, Mom, but can I get away with trying to have you tell me I didn't do it?) I asked again, and this time the answer was uttered more defensively, and he looked ready to run if I were to move in on him, and perform Operation (tackle) Diaper Change (one of our least favorite games- although he loves it as long as he can run away from me...). Anyway, the diaper change itself went smoothly enough since I told him we could read while I changed his diaper- so we didn't have to run any touchdowns tonight. But he has really only lied about pooping so far- as far as I can tell. But then again, if a child says he/she wants something, but then doesn't touch it- is that considered "lying"- or simply misperceiving one's own state- or even, simply a matter of short attention span, i.e., it was what I wanted two minutes ago, but now I'm just not interested. Or, the classic, the eyes are bigger than one's stomach, or 'the grass is always greener' syndrome (it looks better when you don't have it yourself). Probably it's all of these things at different times.
Aenaon is growing so quickly- I feel that he's so much more mature than he was when last I wrote a blog entry on his behalf. I hear "he looks older than that" all the time now when I tell people he's two. He is a very thoughtful, considerate person, and continously shares with those around him with no prompting whatsoever. I feel he's been a little easier on Adara, too, this past week, which, of course, is always a welcome development. Plus, Adara sustained a shoulder injury (which I'll write about on her blog) so I think he knows he has to be extra careful.
He now loves to sing his A,B,Cs and Happy Birthday (the two biggest hits, of late, for sure!). He still counts to ten, but now he adds "thirteen, thirteen, thirteen, etc." for the rest of the numbers. He definitely understands and does his best to communicate comparatives, or degrees of difference. (Usually they consist of 'big' and 'little'- but he's really able to use a few simple words in such a variety of instances that he makes them mean things one can easily understand, even though they're not formally used that way.)
He has been having trouble sleeping the past two weeks. For a while he would wake up in the middle of the night, and move into our bed. It often seems he feels most comfortable with the ceiling light on- which, of course, feels totally counterintuitive, but he fares all right falling asleep with it. I ususally compromise with a little lamp. He will stay up much later now, and at times, has been waking up earlier (there were nights recently where he didn't fall asleep 'til nearly ten o'clock, and then would wake up before the sun!). Fortunately, things were returning to normal last night, and I hope that continues. I think it might be due in part to the change in season, and length of the day. It was as though they were suddenly staying up well past nightfall, and then they would be waking up before daybreak. So I have been trying to get them to bed at least a few minutes earlier.
We walked through the woods today, and hiked up to the top of a rocky hill (one baby on my hip, holding hands with the other one). Then we discovered a delightful puddle on the rock left over from last night's rainfall, so I ended up letting them, essentially, swim in it. (Fortunately I had a bag with diapers...) It was definitely a pleasure and an adventure to keep company with our brothers and sisters in Mother Nature's playground.
Other recent favorite activities include dancing madly about to Olatunje's Drums of Passion. (Aenaon picked out the CD for me to play and it became an instant favorite.) Now not a day goes by where we don't get our tribal souls on. (Sometimes working up an immense sweat, in all honesty.)
All right. I am back. Aenaon just called to me from his crib (even though I'd put him to bed nearly an hour before) saying, "pooh pooh". And, indeed, he had pooped. So I changed him, and then he insisted on reading a book, so we agreed that we'd read just one, and then go straight to bed- no singing. We upheld the deal. One interesting note- Aeanon continually reverts to confusing cows with pigs, even though a full year ago he knew them distinctly, without ever making mistakes about them. Now he goes back and forth. But tonight, he was calling the cows pigs, and then, even after I'd reminded him they were cows, when I asked him where the pigs were he pointed to the cows. Oh well, as far as I can tell, it's kind of funny to teach them all about these animals, farms, etc. when they don't interact with them at all in their daily life. (I am all for nature, honestly, and wish we lived in much closer commuion with her) but I think it is hard for little people to really understand what things are if they never actually come into contact with them. And then, of course, we judge them by these markers (sounds like standardized testing, doesn't it?). Ah, the meeting of purpose and application.
Enough for now.
:)
posted by Anthe at 5:38 PM
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