Alexis brought homework home for a parent tonight. It was this grid thing with letters down one side and numbers across the top, and pictures drawn in some of the squares. There were 4 questions (plus a bonus question worth 200 points). Each question was really just a “what is in square A3?” type of thing. Well, I made Chris do the homework, because well, I already played the subtraction card game with her — which was actually hard and kinda fun, but I digress.

So Chris answers all of the questions with her standing over his shoulder coaching him. When he finishes (and the bonus question was hard I tell ya — it was a trick question — there is no cell E1!) she looks at him and snatches the page and says, “I’m going to grade it now.” Which she does with very little fanfare.

As it turns out she was actually supposed to return this parental homework, but she left it sitting on the computer desk between us. I picked it up to take it to her homework bag — don’t ask me, I don’t know why they don’t just use a folder — when I noticed the grade she gave Chris.

+++A+++

Seriously. I guess he passed.

Alexis - a conversation

December 12, 2008 | 2 Comments

Alexis has been practicing reading the story of Jesus’ birth. It’s a tradition in our family to read that passage instead of saying grace before the Christmas Eve meal. The youngest member of the family who is able to read is the lector.

When she finished reading the passage tonight, Chris asked her if she knew what the book she was reading from was. Smartly, she closes the book and reads the title aloud. “The Chocolate Living Bible”

That’s my girl!

Last night while we were watching the end of the democratic primaries, one of the candidates - I can’t remember who - said “… but first we are Americans.”

Alexis sits up and looks at the TV incredulously, and spouts, “Um, duuuh. First we are babies.”

babysacksocks.jpg I don’t know what my problem is, I’ve had this adorable pair of socks and baby sacque done for weeks and I couldn’t get it posted. The pattern is Knitting at Knoon’s Sweet Pea (what is my problem? I consistently type “Sweat Pea”…), and the yarn is the suggested Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

As cute as it is, and as perfect a baby gift it will make, I don’t think I will ever do this pattern again. Can you say “boring”? I’m talking about stockinette stitch. On size 3’s. For miles. I thought it would never end, and just when I thought I was done with it, and could do (whee!) reverse stockinette, that is, when I reached the end of the decreases - which were themselves like 15 rows apart - I double checked the pattern and see that now I’m supposed to continue for another four inches. Yeah, I put the knitting down and walked away.

babysack1.jpg

So now I’m on the hunt for something a little less traditional. But still cute! It must be cuuuuute. And I’m flat out rejecting anything that has even a few rows of stockinette. I think I’ve met this year’s quota. Bleh.

I’m scouring Ravelry, but it seems like every FO or pattern on there is from the same three patterns. I’m thinking some sort of rainbow variegated yarn would be nice. This mommy has a completely different style… think, Grateful Dead meets Paul McCartney and Bobs Dylan and Marley. And throw in just a touch of Mary Poppins. She’s also my oldest friend. So it has to be perfect whatever it is.

Anyone got any bright ideas?

These days it seems like everyone I know is pregnant. I’ve been so busy making baby things, that my etsy shop is really suffering. But really, who cares? Teeny tiny clothes are so much fun to make!

Two of my best friends recently discovered that they will be mommies this year, and it’s really got me thinking. I’d love to have another baby to snuggle and love and nurse and be the sibling that Alexis wants so badly, but I don’t know if I can take the long nights or the late feedings. Why does everyone tell you that having two children is exponentially more difficult than one? How does the human race survive - even thrive - when there is that kind of threat on the parents sanity?

p1010003_1.JPG Alexis was/is so good at entertaining herself. You don’t have to run to the next room because it’s too quiet. My aunt who has worked with children in public schools for years, tells us how lucky we are, and that we have no idea what it’s like to have a “normal” child. She raves about how gentle Alexis is, and how you don’t have to worry about her messing with stuff she shouldn’t. And she’s right, we barely did any baby proofing when she was small. I’m afraid of the possibility of getting a “Holy Terror” for a second child.

I also wonder if it isn’t too late for Alexis to have a close friendship with a sibling. At this point, she’d be in 2nd grade before she could even really play with him or her. And even then the baby would only be a year old.

lainiealexissmall_1.jpg Then there is the matter of space, and money. Daycare is ridiculously expensive. The idea of paying upwards of $1000/month for the next five years for childcare just fills me with dread. And this house is already in need of another room but we love it so much there is no way we’re going to move. There is a good place to put that extra space, but again, the cash to do it would be outrageous.

But even with all those fears and worries, I still feel envy for my friends who are embarking on such a rewarding journey. There is just nothing like watching your child grow up. They surprise and delight you every day.
Perhaps that’s why people keep having kids despite the enormous amount of work. So for now, I guess I will have revel in the fact that I’m going to soon meet two new babies, and I will love them almost as much as I love Alexis. And I can spoil them even more rotten because I can give them back to their parents when I’m done.

Congrats ladies.

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