Studying and Observing

02.27.2011

We were at an Oscar party held by some friends whose 9-month old baby boy presented me with a very sweet memory. When we got to their house, he took one look at Rob, who has a goatee and wears glasses, and just stared at him with his jaw open. You could see he was studying Rob’s face and was trying to figure out why he looked so different from daddy. To watch this was so cool. After a moment, he outstretched his hand, patted Rob’s face a couple of times before realizing that a goatee and glasses scare him.

I’ve always been an observer, studying any number of subjects, and I found it fascinating to study this little boy as he tried to figure out if Rob was acceptable or not. Eventually I told Rob that I found out a while ago from his mom that outside of his dad, he’s still very unsure about accepting the company of other men. Women, on the other hand, he adores. Rob’s response to this was, “That’s my kind of man.” Sigh…

TV Watching Bad for Babies - Duh!

02.17.2011

When I was a kid, we didn’t own a TV until I was 8 and then the only reason we got one was because my sister’s dad and daughter moved-in with us from Lithuania and my mom felt that it would help them learn English. I hated not having a TV but I only missed it when I was reminded of the fact that we didn’t have one that was, honestly, not often. I would listen to records, play outside alone or with friends, and, I believe, nurtured the neurons that help me be creative.

When I was about 10, my mom instilled a rule that I couldn’t watch TV during the week at all and on the weekends, I was allowed 2 shows on Saturday and 2 shows on Sunday. Oh boy, did I hate that rule and I exploited every opportunity I could find to watch more. And trust me, there were many. Every time I hear the theme to Taxi or Cheers, I’m immediately brought to the late nights at my house where my mom and other adults were partying and she thought I was asleep but I was holed up in a student’s room, on guard at any moment to bolt out of there should my mom come down the hallway. Haha…yes, fun memories.

Now, older and hopefully wiser, I’m so grateful for those rules and plan to instill the same kind of rules should we have kids. I’ve always flinched at the thought of letting babies watch TV and I’m very glad that this article presents data that supports the notion that it’s not a good idea. Interestingly, educational material was shown to have neither a positive or negative effect on babies’ brain development. It was other kinds of shows that caused a developmental delay. Whatever the case may be, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Kids learn their ABCs and numbers when they’re supposed to. A 6-month old shouldn’t be watching Sesame Street because a parent’s convinced that he or she will start speaking by watching it. What’s wrong with letting your child develop naturally? This leads me into a discussion of those parents who scout out schools the minute they learn they’re going to have a baby and start teaching languages, musical instruments, and other things the moment the kid is born. I mean…this stuff makes my head spin.

His Smile

02.13.2011

I spent the latter part of the afternoon today at a girlfriend’s house playing with her 8-month old firmly gripping my fingers while we walked the circumference of their living room over and over. It was tremendous fun to witness his amazement at every nook and cranny, although, the thing that was most heartwarming was listening to his excited shrieks while “walking.” If a picture speaks a thousand words then a child’s smile speaks a million more…

A Child's Smile

12.12.2010

My cold-hearted stance toward children must be dissipating because some friends came over with their 7–month old who would smile at me and cause my heart to melt.

Burping + Farting = Adorable

11.10.2010

A friend of Rob’s recently had a baby and left the following message on her FB status:

“JULIE POST: loves this burping farting little buddy.”[1]

We both thought it was cute and I’m sure no matter how noisy, how stinky, how colorful the bodily function may be, one’s child is perfect.

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[1] The friend’s name is changed.

Spirit in Turmoil

06.07.2010

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the Mother Jones article I spent so much time on and part of me is so angry. I’m angry because I’m taking so much into consideration and I’m angry because I feel like I’m alone in thinking about the future generations. Our educators aren't, many parents aren't, and our politicians sure as hell aren't.

I’m also angry that I feel like I need to sacrifice having a child because our world is so overpopulated while people pop out babies sometimes by the tens, or 20s if families like the Duggar family keep it up. It angers me that I care so much and that I’m unable to find a balance. I feel that if we have a baby I am betraying everything that I stand for environmentally and, if we don’t, then I’ve given in to those who keep having babies by saying, “I’ll sacrifice on your behalf.”

And, although I want to adopt and have wanted to since I was 15, I’m learning that it’s not as easy as it seems and it can cost into the tens of thousands of dollars to do so...money we don't have.

Why…why is it so hard to want to do the right thing?

BABIES - Official Trailer [HD]

05.06.2010

I’m looking forward to the Babies movie that’s out. It is a documentary following the first year of life of 4 babies from 4 different cultures. VERY, VERY CUTE!!

[This post is out of sequence cause I'm still Internet and blog challenged and just figured out how to post the video instead of the site address.]