We've got a bit of a bug problem. They are all over the yard, all over the outside of the house, and now creeping into the house, where my baby lives. Most people don't even think twice about killing bugs. They are annoying, sometimes harmful, and usually gross. You spray your yard and house with lots of poisons to kill them and keep them away from you. But I was thinking today, as I delicately transferred yet another from the baby's room to the toilet (that's right Anderson, I killed a bug! All by myself!), that maybe it's mean. Cruel to kill them. They are, after all, living creatures that experience pain. I don't imagine that drowning is a pleasant way to go. Or poisoning. Crushing at least is merciful, but messy.
With these bugs in particular, since they are not harmful, I started to question why I find the need to kill them. Shouldn't I treat them just as I would any other living creature, with kindness and respect? I realized that to some degree it boils down to prejudice based on outward appearance. Would I kill a ladybug that found it's way into my house? Or would I pick it up and take it outside, because it's pretty? Shouldn't I treat all bugs as though they are ladybugs?
Of course, there is also their status as invaders that impacts me. I don't routinely attack human beings, but if one invaded my home, you can bet I would. And I would feel perfectly justified and ethical doing so. Can I apply that principle to the bugs? Or does the fact that they are not quite so sentient and not at all malicious mean that I should be more understanding?
Is it less evil if I kill them using environmentally friendly products, at least?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Okay, here's what I really wanted to write about, but maybe it's weird for you to read about? Well, tough it out. Or not. You are warned and disclaimed.
So, nursing a toddler. First of all, at what age does a baby become a toddler? I say now. He is toddling around. Anyway, we're still nursing, but it's not all gummy baby sweet falling asleep nursing, with some little whines or cries to indicate hunger. It's, hey, let me stick my arm down the front of your shirt and see if those things are still there cause I kind of want them right now. It's lying in bed hoping for a moment to rest but instead get baby acrobatics all over the place. Let's see, can I stand up while I nurse? Can I climb on top of Mama? Or swing my leg over her side? Or poke her eyes? But I gotta say, I kind of love it. He's getting so independent and person-like, but still needs to come and snuggle and nurse. And while part of me is ready to be done with it, most of me is dreading the day.
I don't think that was as weird as I thought it might sound. I don't think. Just keep in mind I could have been a lot more explicit.
Next up, be impressed at all the things my baby can do when asked. Yes, all I do is ask him like I would ask a normal person! But he is just a baby! Or toddler. 13 months.
1. Put dirty clothes in the hamper.
2. Pick up toys.
3. Do things with toys (hide, stack, open, shake, etc).
4. Put trash in the garbage can.
5. Put ANYTHING in the garbage can (see previous post).
6. Find his shoes or my shoes. (Does this even when not asked, if he wants to go outside.)
7. Indicate his wants and desires.
8. Dance.
9. Bounce.
10. Kiss, hug, high five.
11. Be the best ever.
So, nursing a toddler. First of all, at what age does a baby become a toddler? I say now. He is toddling around. Anyway, we're still nursing, but it's not all gummy baby sweet falling asleep nursing, with some little whines or cries to indicate hunger. It's, hey, let me stick my arm down the front of your shirt and see if those things are still there cause I kind of want them right now. It's lying in bed hoping for a moment to rest but instead get baby acrobatics all over the place. Let's see, can I stand up while I nurse? Can I climb on top of Mama? Or swing my leg over her side? Or poke her eyes? But I gotta say, I kind of love it. He's getting so independent and person-like, but still needs to come and snuggle and nurse. And while part of me is ready to be done with it, most of me is dreading the day.
I don't think that was as weird as I thought it might sound. I don't think. Just keep in mind I could have been a lot more explicit.
Next up, be impressed at all the things my baby can do when asked. Yes, all I do is ask him like I would ask a normal person! But he is just a baby! Or toddler. 13 months.
1. Put dirty clothes in the hamper.
2. Pick up toys.
3. Do things with toys (hide, stack, open, shake, etc).
4. Put trash in the garbage can.
5. Put ANYTHING in the garbage can (see previous post).
6. Find his shoes or my shoes. (Does this even when not asked, if he wants to go outside.)
7. Indicate his wants and desires.
8. Dance.
9. Bounce.
10. Kiss, hug, high five.
11. Be the best ever.
a list of things
1. Abraham threw the phone in the garbage today.
2. He is obsessed with the garbage can. See above.
3. Should I write a fantasy novel? It seems like it would be easy.
4. Next year I will do more for Halloween. Like dress up and decorate.
5. Oh clutter, my old nemesis, you return!
6. I am impressed with my baby and how he knows words like a person.
7. Getting a hair cut tomorrow, for realz. Probably more than one. Probably all of them. Short.
8. Who wants to go to the zoo?
9. Why don't you return my calls? Okay, call. And email. And FB. Doesn't that count as more than one call?
10. The end.
2. He is obsessed with the garbage can. See above.
3. Should I write a fantasy novel? It seems like it would be easy.
4. Next year I will do more for Halloween. Like dress up and decorate.
5. Oh clutter, my old nemesis, you return!
6. I am impressed with my baby and how he knows words like a person.
7. Getting a hair cut tomorrow, for realz. Probably more than one. Probably all of them. Short.
8. Who wants to go to the zoo?
9. Why don't you return my calls? Okay, call. And email. And FB. Doesn't that count as more than one call?
10. The end.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Babies are people too
Recently I've starting giving Ham an after-bath massage with baby oil, and he LOVES it. It absolutely cracks me up the way he just lies there all relaxed, with a sleepy look on his face, while I massage him. I think part of what makes it so funny is that you don't see babies really holding still for things, but he does for this! Then last night, I decided to try a face massage and see what he thought. I kind of expected him to hate it, but he enjoyed it and started looking reeeeally sleepy. It was so sweet.
He did his first-ever actual person-like helpful thing today. My watch had fallen behind the bed, and when I pointed under the bed and asked him to get it, he crawled under there immediately, grabbed the watch, and brought it back out to me.
It's so amazing to me to watch his communication skills develop. Although he's not speaking at this point, he understands so many things, much more than we give him credit for, I think. Lately I have been testing his understanding by giving simple commands (which I normally do, but I've started including things that I don't expect him to actually know), asking him to find objects, etc. And it's incredible that he knows so much! I also love how affectionate he is, with me and his stuffed animals! He gives hugs and kisses when asked, and whenever he sees a stuffed animal, the first thing he does his hug and cuddle with it. Here he is cuddling with his cat.
He did his first-ever actual person-like helpful thing today. My watch had fallen behind the bed, and when I pointed under the bed and asked him to get it, he crawled under there immediately, grabbed the watch, and brought it back out to me.
It's so amazing to me to watch his communication skills develop. Although he's not speaking at this point, he understands so many things, much more than we give him credit for, I think. Lately I have been testing his understanding by giving simple commands (which I normally do, but I've started including things that I don't expect him to actually know), asking him to find objects, etc. And it's incredible that he knows so much! I also love how affectionate he is, with me and his stuffed animals! He gives hugs and kisses when asked, and whenever he sees a stuffed animal, the first thing he does his hug and cuddle with it. Here he is cuddling with his cat.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Smart things a baby done today
1. Took steps not toward a person, but toward something he wanted
2. Heard applause on TV and started clapping
3. While eating an apple, pointed to a picture of apples we have on the wall
2. Heard applause on TV and started clapping
3. While eating an apple, pointed to a picture of apples we have on the wall
Saturday, May 1, 2010
dear world, am i lazy?
So, I haven't posted in a while. But I've been thinking. About things. I've wanted to post something with substance, but I haven't had time. Something besides "omg, my baby is the bestest cutest ever" (although he is) or random thoughts about the weather and local wildlife. I've actually (in between raising a baby, cleaning the house, working, cooking, traveling, and the like) been thinking some big ol' thoughts about self and identity and community. I don't want to be one of THOSE people, but I guess being a mother has caused me to think more about my identity and who I am. Pre-baby, I was a certain person, and post-baby, I am someone a bit the same, but also very different. Obviously, being constantly responsible for the intimate well-being of another person is a big life shift. But I think also part of it is just the change of scenery. I have never been home this much. There has always been school or work (or school and work), with a bit of home on each end. Now, going to the grocery store feels like a fun outing!
But it's actually not true, the part about never being home this much. From 5th-8th grade, I was, when we homeschooled. It was different, aside from the obvious that I was a child and not raising one, because I wasn't alone. My mom and 3-4 siblings were home too. But it was a pretty sweet gig. Very earthy and self-reliant. We had a garden, ordered from the food co-op, baked bread, had various animals, climbed trees, picked wild blackberries and made tons of cobbler, wrote stories, studied whales, walked in the woods, read books and books. It was fabulous. And now that I'm home again, I want to recreate it. The funny thing is, apparently this is a trend. I've been reading about homesteading and femivores and want to laugh and get into it at the same time. I want to do some art and cook from scratch and compost. But, Lord, where is the time? By the time I start some laundry, load the dishwasher, and scrape together something to eat, the day is nearly done!
I feel as though I'm constantly working, but never getting anything done. Two steps forward, one step back. Constantly rolling a stone uphill. The usual metaphors. Which is why I sometimes do what's easy instead of what's best. Although I don't think that's entirely accurate. Sometimes what's easiest IS what's best. This ease and laze as it relates to motherhood is what I sat down here to write, but now it's late, so I'll stop and say that this is the back story. So that it seems more legit.
Another day, another dollar. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
But it's actually not true, the part about never being home this much. From 5th-8th grade, I was, when we homeschooled. It was different, aside from the obvious that I was a child and not raising one, because I wasn't alone. My mom and 3-4 siblings were home too. But it was a pretty sweet gig. Very earthy and self-reliant. We had a garden, ordered from the food co-op, baked bread, had various animals, climbed trees, picked wild blackberries and made tons of cobbler, wrote stories, studied whales, walked in the woods, read books and books. It was fabulous. And now that I'm home again, I want to recreate it. The funny thing is, apparently this is a trend. I've been reading about homesteading and femivores and want to laugh and get into it at the same time. I want to do some art and cook from scratch and compost. But, Lord, where is the time? By the time I start some laundry, load the dishwasher, and scrape together something to eat, the day is nearly done!
I feel as though I'm constantly working, but never getting anything done. Two steps forward, one step back. Constantly rolling a stone uphill. The usual metaphors. Which is why I sometimes do what's easy instead of what's best. Although I don't think that's entirely accurate. Sometimes what's easiest IS what's best. This ease and laze as it relates to motherhood is what I sat down here to write, but now it's late, so I'll stop and say that this is the back story. So that it seems more legit.
Another day, another dollar. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
incomprehensible.
So I was surfing the web, readin up on some a them messageboards where I lurk, checkin out the threads I'm followin. I post some blogs and click some links, upload some pics and download some viruses. Then I refresh my browser, eat some cookies -- I mean, enable some cookies (to be eaten), download some applets (baby apples), wish I had java, hunt for easter eggs, and clear some folders off my desktop, cause it's lookin pretty junky. Then I go to my toolbar (aren't they all, really?), create a table, and look at the menu. But my server crashes (into the busboy), so I have to go look out some real windows.
C'mon, internet, make up your own words and stop stealin my grandma's.
C'mon, internet, make up your own words and stop stealin my grandma's.
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