August 2008 Archives

Well, with the Michael Phelps saga done, I thought the whole family would be able to sleep earlier than midnight, but the Olympics is truly keeping us up! The boys enjoy watching most of the sports, anything with water being a major draw, and they loved the gymnastics competition. Of course, we don't miss anything about Kobe and the Redeem Team, and I am right there preaching about attitude and good sportsmanship and how hard the athletes work to get to this one day of competition.

On opening night, we allowed the boys to stay up and watch and we were wowed as well as anyone. One world, one dream, indeed! Wonder Boy's comment at the end of it all? "What a wonderful world!" like a mini-Louis Armstrong!

Last night, we watched the interview Bob Costas did with Michael Phelps and his mom, who, it turns out, is a principal back in Baltimore, Md. She was also a single mom with three kids who her son proudly says, lives her passion (teaching and changing childrens' lives.) That's the example he points out as a major factor in his success.

After the "aww" moment, I turned to my boys on the couch and asked, "Boys, what sport are YOU going to compete in in the Olympics?"

"What sport do you want me to join, Mama?" Joseph blithely replied.

Ahh, would that it was all so easy! But I did resolve to be truly conscious of what kind of example I am setting for my kids: when I grumble about housework, will they connect work to drudgery and not something noble? When I complain about the drivers on the road, or raise my voice to them when I'm tired, will they do the same when they're grown-up? And do they see me doing things I love? (Reading, scrapbooking, cherishing family?)

Debbie Phelps said it was hard to see her gangly, awkward son get teased at school for his big ears or to hear his teachers tell her his ADHD will get in the way of his success. Still, they found a way to channel his energy into something positive. (But I noticed she still remembers the bullies and tormentors of her only boy! I think I will be a fiercely protective!) D

Debbie also underlines the stress and nerves every parent feels when they watch their kids compete or do anything, really, where they can get hurt (physically or emotionally).

My sons don't have to win an Olympic medal for me to be proud of them. (I don''t think their Asian genes will allow them entrance into the NBA and the U.S. Olympic basketball team!) But I hope, hope, hope we will enjoy the same, easy, loving relationship Debbie Phelps has fostered with her son. And I pray that at 23, my boys will be as optimistic, hard-working, and humble as Phelps.

I'll always be on the sidelines cheering.

Today's column on co-sleeping is going to give me a good night's sleep.

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with comments and support, even those who don't co-sleep. I know us parents are apt to judge and compare ("Is he a good sleeper yet?" "Does she still use a sippy cup?") but I truly haven't met a parent in the San Gabriel Valley who put down the way I'm raising my boys. We're wonderfully polite! Either that, or their shocked looks or raised eyebrows just go over my head!

Anyway, Hugh from CoSleepingSurvey.com also e-mailed:

"Hi Anissa,
Here's a link to the site and other co-sleeping links, too, including my favorite Ask Dr. Sears. (askdrsears.com) I use him mostly for making sure I am giving the right dose of medicines to the little ones. As the daughter of two doctors, I have a healthy (harhar) respect for meds, unlike Hubby, who will NOT take a Tylenol for a headache if he can help it.)

Sherry and Karen also emailed and I had to tell them that while I love co-sleeping with my boys, I  have to admit my non-co-sleeping sister can get a whole lot of stuff done in the evenings when her three are in their separate beds. (Each child actually has their own room!) Anna can e-mail, gab on the phone, clean up a bit, watch "Lost" and work on stuff she volunteers for. I have to be more efficient, as when I lay my kids to sleep, 90 percent of the time I'm down for the night too!

But Hubby and I love it!

Here's the link to the column: Mom's the Word

After two kids, I know my parenting style leans more toward the relaxed mode. Sweetened breakfast cereal is now allowed in the pantry. I don't hyperventilate when my kids bike around the block. Even Spongebob Squarepants is now praised for the solid half-hour he gives me to do non-mommy stuff.

Hubby's the more vigilant one. He will choose lemonade instead of soda for their Happy Meals. He will remember to push veggies just one more time during dinner. And he's the one who will turn a deaf ear to the boys when they complain their seatbelts are too tight.

He's saving our boys' lives.

Congratulations to the new babies in our family, born on 08-08-08.

Hubby's first cousin gave birth to Kailyn de Jesus in San Dimas this morning and my sister's second child, Ethan Thomas Carreon, was born at 1 p.m. in Arcadia. Ethan weighed in at 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches! He's the champion baby in our family! And my sister sounded so well and rested when I talked to her a while ago, eager to have visitors come see her little boy.

When I gave birth (both times) I was exhausted and didn't really want to see anyone. It didn't help that I retained water so "attractively!" I cringe when I see the pictures still!

But new life is always cause for celebration, especially on such an auspiscious day as today! May both babies always be surrounded by love.

One of the things I missed most as a newbie parent was sleep.

Oh, to sleep a straight eight - no, six. Oh, just give me four - hours, with no interruptions, and I will change the baby's diapers with a smile, dance as I mop the pureed spinach slop from the floor, and never complain about anything else.

Oh, I love to sleep, and - upon waking - luxuriating in a tangle of blankets and stretching like a cat, taking my sweet, sweet time. Now that the boys are older, on some weekends, after my morning stretch, I can even go back to sleep. Yes, I know, a miracle.

In my family, sleep is a talent. We can sleep standing in a corner, sitting up, open-mouthed, anytime the car is running. One time my mom even woke herself up when she snored (sleeping in the car, as usual).

"What was that?" she asked with a start. "Was I asleep?"

My sons know to nudge me with an elbow when their bedtime stories start to sound like this: "Jack pointed to the pyramid picture in the Egypt book and the turn left did you see transparent okay."

"Mom!" they will chorus, and the Magic Tree House comes back into focus.

The day Firstborn Son was born, my husband woke up every few hours just to check that Joseph was breathing. He had a whole routine: put face close to baby's, feel the breath, put hand to baby's chest, make sure it's moving.

"Would you like a mirror, make sure it fogs up?" I asked helpfully.