Just add water – Team Mom Review
I’m loving this Team Mom thing. We received two new products last week – the newest ones are the Bath Blizzard and the Aquadoodle Draw ‘N Doodle both from Spin Master. Oscar and I are huge fans of these. I was most excited about the Bath Blizzard, which I ripped open as soon as it arrived (c’mon, who doesn’t like bubbles?). This is a smallish (the size of an old fashioned radio, if you’re old enough to know what I’m talking about) battery operated machine that hangs onto the side of your bathtub that sends a barrage of bubbles pouring into the water. Spin Master has a new Kid Kleen line of toys, a line of kids’ bath activity toys that are safe, non toxic, hypoallergenic, and tears free – all of their products have been tested and approved by ophthalmologists and pediatricians. I was a bit concerned about putting so much soap into the bath with Oscar’s post-measles skin, but it wasn’t drying at all. Nanny Norma gave him a bath last night without the bubbles and Oscar demanded them. I’m guessing it’s a hit.
The other product we received was the Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t all that excited about this one initially. I’ve always wondered what the appeal was with these things, as I tend to think that childhood is all about fun and vibrancy and the dull blue colors that you get out of these pens left me a little cold. I suspected these were popular with high-maintenance moms who freaked out at the prospect of their kid leaving marks on the walls, furniture, etc. from markers and crayons. Ok, I was wrong. Oscar loves this thing. He’s just getting the hang of writing, so his “art” is a bit immature, shall we say. This has become the go-to toy in our house each and every morning. It’s great - there is absolutely no mess – all you do is add water to the Aqua Pen that comes with the mat and your kid will draw (or in our case, scratch) on the doodle mat. The mat is really quite durable and reusable for many, many hours of mess-free fun! (yes, if you’re picking up on the fact that I like the no-mess aspect of this, you’re right – I’m coming to terms with the fact I’m one of those high-maintenance moms I mentioned).
You can find both of these products at major toy retailers (including Amazon and eToys – suggested price of the Bath Blizzard is $19.99 and the Aquadoodle is $24.99).
Fully mobile toddler
He’s realized he doesn’t actually have to sit around while I snap his picture anymore. I fear the cute photo ops are going to be extremely limited from now on.
Put your fingertips together for
more, more milk.
Most of you have no idea what that means, but there are a few of you who are right now cursing me for putting that *&$%^! song into your head. We’ve been watching the DVD Baby Signing Time for the past 10 days or so, and I can tell you that I find it probably more annoying than anything else I’ve ever watched. It was recommended to me by another parent who has incredible success with it, and I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical. At the time we started watching it, Oscar had exhibited virtually zero interest in communicating. When he starting signing “more,” I figured it was a bit of a fluke (I’m not really sure he knows what it means – he signs it when he wants to feed me a Cheerio). BUT – tonight he signed “milk” for the first time when it was time for him to go to bed – you know, when he gets his bottle. Amazing. I want to awaken him just to get him to do it again.
My dream vacation
For months now I’ve dreamt of taking Oscar back to Vietnam (not for good, of course, just for a visit). I want to do this fairly soon – like next spring. This means, of course, that my desire to take him back there really isn’t about developing in him an appreciation of his birth country. I guess it’s about me. We saw some great places when we were in Vietnam earlier this year, but I don’t think I really enjoyed our experience at all. While I loved meeting the different people we encountered, the experience itself was marred by the constant worry that I was not going to get visa approval and would have to spend at least a couple of years living in exile.
So many people talk about taking their internationally adopted kids back to their birth countries when they’re anywhere from 10-14 years old. If possible, I’d love to take Oscar back every few years. I want to avoid putting too much importance or significance on one birth country visit. I think that’s just too much for a pre-teen to shoulder.
But I do have to wonder if taking a toddler to Vietnam is crazy. He’d do fine once we were there, I’m sure. The people there so adore children. It’s one of the things I marvelled about during our stay, and still love about the country. I am fairly afraid of the flight, though. Oscar did not do well on the flight from Taiwan to San Francisco. I fear that now that he’s mobile he’d do even more poorly. So, this is what I’ve been day-dreaming about lately. Finding a way to return to the country where I spent two months dreaming on a daily basis for a visa that would allow us to leave. Go figure.
Something strange
is afoot. Oscar has spent the past two days jabbering away and even pointing. He’s like a different child. I mean, it’s not like he’s actually saying any words (at least not in a language I recognize), but it’s clear to me that he’s trying to say something. He’s even mimicking me to an extent. He’s gone from being practically mute for a little over two months to being as vocal as the other little kids I’ve been around. Have any of you with internationally adopted kids gone through a “quiet period” with your kid(s)? I’m terrified that this newfound attempt at communication is going to be a phase. It’s not a phase, right? It’s my greatest hope that I’m going to look back at this quiet period longingly and fondly remember the peace and quiet.
Slowing things down
Okay, I know I mentioned I was slowing down my second adoption. I’ve decided that that decision might have been a bit reactionary. I don’t like the idea of waiting at all. And this doesn’t even have anything to do with my I want it now problem (believe me, I might have a problem in that arena). I just feel like since I waited so incredibly long to start my family, it’s time to complete it.
The past month may have been pretty stressful – the still undiagnosed eye thing, the autism and developmental delay worries, the incredibly unhelpful “early” start people (which I’ll write about when I’m not so angry), Oscar’s viral thing (which really might be the measles) and of course the global financial melt-down - but other than the last thing, they all seem to be the sort of “life” events that just happen and you deal with them. Part of me was thinking it would be nice not to have that “am I going to get my referral today” cloud hanging over my head. Instead, what I’ve found in the past few days is that I was thinking more of what happens if I can’t adopt from Ethiopia, and what happens if Oscar ends up being an only child, and even more, why am I letting economic worries keep me from finding my daughter. Lastly, I found out that my brilliant home study agency forgot to send a copy of their license when they delivered the final document. My reaction to this wasn’t “no big deal, I’m on hold.” It was much more of an “are you kidding me, they’re holding up my adoption.” Pretty good sign that I’m not ready to give this up just yet. Sorry, Oscar, you really are getting a sister.
Playing doctor
What viral infection has a rash like Rubella (although it lasts for at least 10+ days and itches, but that does not cover the face, soles or palms), causes vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, coughing spells and general fussiness? Seriously, do you know? My crackerjack doctors at Stanford can’t figure it out, and I’m betting one of you is as smart as they are, so . . .
***Updated – um, so looking at this again, I want to make clear that I know you’re all at least as smart as the knuckleheaded doctors – likely smarter. Sorry about that – operating on limited sleep lately.
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Etta’s Hats
Where I’ve Been
