Playground Politics

Today my little one was at the playground staring into this hypnotic circle thing that spins round and round by someone who turns it on the other side.  A little girl came by and wanted to stand right in front of it and put her hands on it.  So of course my son wanted to do the same.  But I could tell she did not want to share the space.  I don't know exactly what she said because I wasn't close enough to hear but I could see she was trying to block him and get him to go away.  But he's pretty persistent.  She then started to physically push him away.  And he went right back to stand next to her.  It was weird because she let this other little girl stand next to her and touch the circles but she was totally anti my son doing the same.  When she pushed him hard enough so that he fell to the ground, I thought that was a bit far so I pulled him up to his feet to take him away and I told the little girl that that wasn't very nice and that she shouldn't be shoving other people.  No parent/caretaker seemed to be around for her.  But I tried to drag my son away and he got upset and started crying.  There were other caretakers there who said I shouldn't move him away but speak to the girl to make her understand she should share the space and let others play there.  I just wanted to avoid conflict with a 3 year old or however old she was.  Am I gearing him up to get bullied in the future because I didn't try to make him stand his ground?  I just felt so awful he got pushed and I felt like he didn't understand why he got shoved to the ground.   Eventually he did stand there again.  The bully little girl went somewhere else to play and eventually he lost interest and we decided to go home.  But it really did just break my heart.  I don't want my kid bullied when he gets older and is alone at school or whatever.  I won't be there to watch over him.  I don't want to have to worry about that.  I also don't want him to be the bully because might that happen if he gets shoved around enough? 

A Healthy Snack Alternative?

So I enjoy baking and have been baking more since I have been unemployed.  I'm getting a bit worried because it's already been almost 6 months and I think my unemployment insurance might run out or get cut which will make things really difficult.  Anyway, last week I baked Peanut Butter Cookies and the little one scarfed several cookies down daily.  I think I managed to eat 1 or 2 and he practically ate all the rest by himself.  While it's good to know he was eating wholesome ingredients, these cookies did have a lot of sugar - brown sugar and regular sugar.  So I searched the net for a healthier alternative for a cookie and found this:
2 Ingredient Cookies

I had these old bananas and did not feel like making another Banana Bread which is also something that my little one will scarf down in seconds.  These cookies just have Banana and Instant Oatmeal in them.  I used 3 bananas instead of 2 and added more oatmeal to make up for it.  I also added a tsp of vanilla and tsp of cinnamon along with a small box of raisins.  I have yet to taste them but with no added sugar, I think these are a really good alternative for a snack for both kids and adults.  They were so easy to make but I have yet to actually taste them...The true test will be if the little man likes them. 

Remembering 9/11

Today is the anniversary of 9/11.  It happened in 2001 - 12 years ago today.  As a New Yorker, you can ask anyone what they were doing that day and for sure they will remember.  Ask me about another date in 2001 and I  probably can't give you any specific details but 9/11 for sure I do remember.  I was already at work on the 12th floor of 230 Fifth Avenue.  Someone from our Chile office called me to ask what was going on and I didn't know because I hadn't heard anything.  They knew before me and I was in NY?!!  It took about 15 minutes after the 2nd building collapsed for my radio station to go into Emergency mode, but still we were all confused about what just happened.  And no one knew what it was.  Was is an accident?  Was is a terrorist attack?  I think in Chile they already labelled it as a terrorist act.  I was feeling pretty numb.  I told her I would call her back when I found out what happened.  I checked with my coworkers to see if they had heard anything and I remember my coworker telling me that our coworker was driving into work and he called the office because he could see a plane crashing into the building and I think he turned right around and headed home.  I couldn't believe the buildings I walked towards every day and saw in the skyline just disappeared.  You can never really forget a day that changed the way you think about life.  I always felt safe in NY and in America.  It was the first time I really did feel a sense of fear and uneasiness.  It was really chaotic because we didn't know what was going on and it was of course so unexpected.  Although I did not lose any family or friends that day, we all felt the tragedy and felt pride in the courageous heroism that took place that day.  On that day and for many weeks after, I really feel like New Yorkers were one, united.  Yes, they say everyone was just a little bit nicer.  We eventually went back to our normal selves but you saw the compassion.  Our office did not close that day...they just left us to do what we wanted.  I stayed until 5.  My cousin was leaving early around noon to catch the metro north.  She called me to see if I wanted to head home with her.  But I really felt nervous and I didn't want to rush home.  I know most people wanted to get out of the city as fast and as far out as possible.  Her brother worked at the Twin Towers so I was really scared about that and I couldn't get in touch with him, but I found out later that he didn't even go to work that day..he was running late and his boss called him to not bother coming in because of what was happening...There was a lot of Fate that came into play that day.  I hung out with my friend for little bit before heading home.  I took the metro north and it was pretty quiet by the time I was on the train.  I remember my mom being really upset that I wasn't going home right away but I needed to take my time.  I remember there were about 5 of us in my train car.  A man was a few rows behind me and he was crying the whole ride up.  I think someone asked him if he was alright and he nodded his head, but I wasn't sure what to do to comfort him.  When I arrived at my station, there was a cop there handing out waters at the top of the stairwell.  And what did he say?  He said, "Welcome home." and it really touched me.  I really felt like breaking down and crying when he said that.  I will never forget it because there were so many people who were not able to arrive home that day. 

British vs American English - another strange difference

So I discovered another term that the Brits use differently than us.  I mentioned before for Halloween we wear costumes.  The British call it fancy dress.  When I hear fancy dress, I think formal attire so if I was invited to a fancy dress party, I would be totally wearing a cocktail dress instead of a zombie outfit.  Now I found out they call bathing suits and swim trunks a swimming costume thanks to watching Peppa Pig with my son.  Interesting!

Peppa Pig - Swimming!

speech and potty

So we took our little one to his 2 year old check up and they said he should get evaluated for a speech delay.  Apparently by 2, you should have 50 words in your vocabulary and start combining 2 words together, like "mommy up" or "daddy go".  Our NP had said they should speak 20-30 words by now but the evaluator mention only 20-30 words at this age would be a concern.  Our son doesn't speak any words really.  He tends to drag us and point to what he wants.   He has lately been saying mama and dada more but he still doesn't say it to call me and get my attention.  He just says it when he sees me.  He says random words every now and then and does babble in his own lingo.  Anyway, after the evaluation by the specialist and a speech pathologist, they felt he wouldn't qualify for early intervention because he is only delayed in one area which is actual speech.  Usually to qualify they need to be delayed in at least 2 areas so typically the child would have a delay in speech and and in speech cognition but our son seemed to be fine in everything else they examined.  We didn't get the final report yet, but that's where we stand as of now.  I'm thinking he's just a late speaker.  He is able to communicate his needs even if he isn't actually talking.  We'll just need to keep encouraging him to repeat sounds and words even if he doesn't reply necessarily.

My next big challenge will be potty training.  I have no clue where to begin.  I was waiting for him to be able to talk so he can let us know when he has to go, but with his delay in speech, I'm thinking we shouldn't wait for that.  I saw this great product on line that I think will be useful. For boys, it might be a little messy to use but a porto-potty for toddlers sounds perfect to have when traveling outside the house and you can use at home as well.  I haven't purchased it yet but it's on my wishlist. 

http://www.amazon.com/Kalencom-2-in-1-Potette-Plus-Blue/dp/B0016L0MMS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2J9LWBHE8JCB5&coliid=I24PSJB43JNVG3

I already purchased a cushioned potty seat for our house toilet.  I have yet to have him try and use it.  I think I may introduce him to the potty by showing it to him and letting him sit on it and see how it goes.  I've already spoken to him about being a big boy and using the big boy toilet so at least it's in his head.  I'm not sure if he comprehends what I'm saying but he is pretty good in that respect.