November 7, 2010

• bits and bobs

  Although Asher continues to grow like a weed, it has been Judah in the last few weeks that has demonstrated the most growth. I am so proud of the big brother he is becoming. He is so helpful when i ask him to get things for me or for Asher when we’re tied up doing something (like eating) and he also discerns often how to best help Asher when they’re on their own playing or whatever. Usually in the mornings Asher wakes up first and alternately talks to himself or schlems as he feels led that morning. Now that Judah is in the same room with him (we’re prepping for December when bedroom space will be at a premium) he is wakened earlier and will invariably pull Asher out of his crib and they will trot off together to Dad’s side of the bed (smug smile). Often i hear Judah conscientiously close the gate at the top of the stairs as he goes by so that Asher wont be tempted to pitch down them while unattended. There are innumerable other ways he helps Asher out or entertains him when needed that i cannot list them all. Suffice it to say that Judah is a remarkable big brother and i am so thankful for him!

  Judah has also been coming up with French phrases and declarations at home during the course of the day. Just yesterday, for example, he was playing with Josh and Ash on the carpet in the living room when Asher said some baby garble to which Judah responded, “he just said, “un renard”, that means “fox” in french.” (ok, i’ll confess that i didnt know that. I had to go look up how to write it just now in the dictionary so i could write it here). He says these kinds of things often – just out of the blue saying, “Mom, do you know what ______ means?” Usually i know the vocabulary he’s asking about, but i’m not doubting that in the next short while he’ll be surpassing me in vocabulary. It’s a bit unsettling actually… ack!

  He’s also starting to pick up more Malagasy words, most likely because he sees me studying it and wants to be in on the action. I find it humorous to hear him speak Malagasy with a sort of Italian accent. “Tsara be-ah” for example.

  He is becoming increasingly brave not only in the pool, where he used to just stand around and now he “swims” with his face in the water!!, but also with jumping off high buildings his play structure with zip-line handle in a firm grip. He just learned how to climb up the hanging rope with the knots all the way up to the cross beam of the swing set. He’s also learning to put sounds together in early attempts at reading. Yikes! Although i’m ready for him to be able to read on his own, i cant believe that i am a mother of a 5 year old already. Jeepers!
  

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  I have to add an additional comment or two to the previous blog to which my dear friends commented about the quilt and our workers.

  1. i confess that i had my househelp lady finish the quilting for me. I didnt do it myself. I think had just under half finished on my own, then waited 2.5 years, and then when i realized that my lady does embroidery and was asking for more work on the side i thought to ask if she wouldnt mind completing my project. i paid her for it. I still need to do the binding. She was thrilled with the task and completed it overnight (! – ok, that made me a bit flabbergasted since it’s taken me so long to get to that point in the quilt and she just finished it in a night) and was eager to do another one when i had it pieced together. So! horray for me and horray for her!

  2. letting my children hang with the help has taken MANY years of mental preparation. i still have the gut reaction to snatch Asher away when he toddles to the day guard, but it’s a work in progress and i want to be someone who is able to let them develop those relationships. One major difference between our workers and yours, C, is that your workers are only there for a short time while mine are here for years! And in most instances we are their only ‘client’ which means they are more willing and susceptible to build relationship with us than if we were just someone they worked for occasionally.

  • 12:20 pm
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