So You Want to Be a Rock Star

I'm sitting in Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota to kill some time and write a little before my dentist appointment (see what I mean about the bopping?). And I have this overwhelming sense that, in the relative scale of things, I'm OLD. The good news is that I don't feel the least bit sad or disturbed by that. It's simply an observation. I do, however, feel the urge to tell this nice kid at the table next to me to pull up his sweatpants and go to class. That's probably just the teacher in me.

Forward

I've been reading about writing rituals, and I fear that the lack of one in my life is a major problem. I bop around trying to fit in some writing at this spot and then that spot when what I really need is a cozy spot and a routine. I have this wonderful office with lots of space and a great chair, but I can write there just once a week when Sam is off on adventures with Nana. So here's the thing. I think I have to work on the writing every night. I've been trying to avoid this move because I'm generally brain dead between 8 and 10 pm each day, but it must be done. For the sake of the ritual. Let it begin.

Round Four

I hate to say it, but we're sick here again. What's the deal? Apparently Sam catches everything. He's on day six of the World's Longest Cold, and suddenly, I'm feeling achy and sore in the throat. And I'm stuffy. I didn't notice this symptom too much myself, but Dave slept in the guest room due to the snoring. I'm thinking about keeping Sam from all human contact for the remainder of the fall and winter. That's not too extreme, is it?

Malladies

A couple of weeks ago, we all had an annoying cold that lingered a bit but was ultimately overshadowed by the Great Stomach Virus of 2012. We had almost forgotten about the cold until, last Saturday, Dave started to feel a little woozy. This didn't stop him from spending the day in a frigid lake pushing and pulling to remove dock parts from the water, and on Sunday, things were worse. Dave spent a couple of extra hours in the supine position, and when he finally tried to get up, his stomach betrayed him. He felt a little better after this but had a feeling of water in his ears and extreme vertigo for the rest of the day. 

This dizzy state continued into Monday, and finally, on Tuesday, Dave saw an ENT doctor who diagnosed him with labyrinthitis. It's a real thing. Apparently, his inner ear became infected and inflamed from the cold virus. Thus, the vertigo. Dave's lucky because 50 percent of cases of labyrinthitis are associated with hearing loss, and all tests show that Dave has near perfect hearing (which came as somewhat of a surprise given the frequency with which he does not respond to my direct questions).

Dave's unlucky, though, because there's no treatment and symptoms won't subside for 8 to 10 weeks. EIGHT TO TEN WEEKS! We're talking about 8 to 10 weeks of dizziness until his brain adjusts to the new level of functionality in his ear. That's just crazy to me. 

One week has almost gone by, and I do have to say that Dave seems a little better. He doesn't throw up each morning and fell over just once yesterday. Still, I feel pretty sorry for him. So sorry that I've been addressing all of the night-time noises from the toddler. 

But, between you and me, I don't have eight more weeks of that in me. Maybe one or two. Max. 

All Hail the Chief

Sam added the ladder to the costume himself. I think it was a nice touch. You know, in case he needed to rescue someone.

Fall Holiday

I have never been very good at getting into the Halloween spirit -- probably because I put too much pressure on myself to come up with a really great costume and am also prone to procrastination. Pressure and procrastination. A terrible combo. For Halloween and dissertation writing, it turns out. So I'm trying to lighten up and just enjoy the day. Sam has been in costume most of the day. He's a fire chief. Complete with siren sounds and an occasional "boo!" It's adorable, really. Later we'll stop at a few houses where Sam will say, "Treat!" but not "Trick-or." Also adorable. And we'll end the evening by handing out candy but mostly eating it because we don't get that many visitors at our end of the street. So hallowed, so good.

Elegant and Useful

I've been loving my ECFE class. Sam struggles a bit with the separation and has that post-crying hiccup when I return for circle-time, but I do enjoy my time in the parent room with the other moms (yes, all moms) who have similar questions about sleeping, eating, behavior, and managing family. I'm learning a ton.

The best part, though, is the amazing parent educator. Not only is she smart as heck, but she's also super thoughtful about her pedagogy, which is really important to me. I've been taking mental notes on her teacherly moves to build community, engage everyone in the discussion, connect research to practice, and bring in perspectives that might not otherwise be present at the table.

Last week, for example, when a few moms were talking about the GI bug that had taken over their families (at least we know where we got it), she pointed out that we should be grateful for our washing machines and healthcare at moments like those. So true. And yesterday, when we talked about babies and toddlers as young scientists, she said that children want their theories to be "elegant and useful," and when we simply observe their approach to the world they teach us how to help them explore it.

I always leave with a new perspective on parenting and a new respect for the remarkable little person who lives in our house. I've come to know that parenting requires bravery, but there is joy in even the most difficult of moments. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to be reminded of that each week.

All the Leaves Are Brown

We're up at the cabin for the annual dock take-out weekend. It's been chilly but lovely. I used to offer to get in a wetsuit to help out with the dock tasks, but over the years I've become wiser. There's just no compelling reason to get into a lake this late in the fall. I stayed on shore and lent moral support instead.