We were visiting with my mother-in-law this weekend. She was cleaning out her dad's house and giving us all kinds of stuff; some really very cool stuff and some things that I really didn't think I could find a spot for in my house.
The ceramic bison was one of those things. Not awful, just not my taste. Small, about 9 inches tall, and heavy. Something that belonged to my husband's Aunt Edie. Did we want it? Ummmm, no. Don't really have a spot for it.
And then Carter saw it and you could practically hear the music playing in his head (you know, the music they play during Summer's Eve commercials with the girl dancing in the grass? Happy, carefree music.). He stared and then crawled full-speed ahead. Stopped in front of it, laughed, pointed, and signed "dog". Over and over and over again. "Dog". Then he turned around and smiled at me.
Yes! Dog! Good job, Carter!
We now have a ceramic bison....on the kitchen counter. Off to find a spot for it.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Carter's Sign Language
Fan. Fan. Fan. Another fan.
12 weeks of sign language classes and our small genius signs "fan"...when he sees one, when he doesn't see one and sometimes just because. He even wakes up from a long night of sleep and starts maniacally waving his hand. Fan!
Actually, he has picked up quite a few signs. In no time at all he was signing dog, water, milk, more, and recognizing many more.
Then nothing. Even his signing for milk stopped. I think he realized he got the same results by slapping me in the chest or peering down my shirt and giggling.
A few weeks ago he kept signing fan every time we stepped outside. We were sad, maybe he wasn't so smart after all. We just smiled and said sadly, yes buddy, fan. And then it dawned on me. He is a genius! He was signing fan for wind! And in a way he was right...the wind is like the world's fan. Yay Carter!
And just this week we had a signing explosion.....song, light, hairbrush, and toothbrush are all part of our repertoire. They don't really look like they should, but he's consistent. He signs hairbrush to me every morning and I give it to him as reinforcement......I really hope he doesn't start signing steak knife any time soon.
12 weeks of sign language classes and our small genius signs "fan"...when he sees one, when he doesn't see one and sometimes just because. He even wakes up from a long night of sleep and starts maniacally waving his hand. Fan!
Actually, he has picked up quite a few signs. In no time at all he was signing dog, water, milk, more, and recognizing many more.
Then nothing. Even his signing for milk stopped. I think he realized he got the same results by slapping me in the chest or peering down my shirt and giggling.
A few weeks ago he kept signing fan every time we stepped outside. We were sad, maybe he wasn't so smart after all. We just smiled and said sadly, yes buddy, fan. And then it dawned on me. He is a genius! He was signing fan for wind! And in a way he was right...the wind is like the world's fan. Yay Carter!
And just this week we had a signing explosion.....song, light, hairbrush, and toothbrush are all part of our repertoire. They don't really look like they should, but he's consistent. He signs hairbrush to me every morning and I give it to him as reinforcement......I really hope he doesn't start signing steak knife any time soon.
Lactating at Work
So I had to share how my existence is shaking things up at work.
By way of background, I work in federal law enforcement, which has atendency to be fairly conservative and male dominated (to say theleast).
Well, every day I do what I jokingly refer to as the Walk of Shame,and drag my breastpump and its accompanying cooler bag down one levelto the nurse's office. Along the way people glance over, sometimesstop and talk to me and inevitably see the words on my bag: "Pleasereturn my mommy's milk to....". It makes them a bit nervous.Sometimes their sandwich is hidden behind the cooler full of Carter'smommy's milk and they always ask permission before moving it.So a few months ago I get to the nurse's office and there are two newemployees standing there, in their suits, ready to report forservice. The nurse turns to them says "oh, this is Wendy...she is oneof our lactating agents". I almost peed in my pants. That's what I'veworked my whole life for, the opportunity to be described as not astellar employee, but a lactating one.
And then today the email went out. An email sent to all of our swatteam medics (you know those big burly guys who really do look kindahot) and to me reminding us to have our vaccinations up to date incase we have to deploy somewhere. And at the bottom a note from thenurse: Wendy can't have any vaccinations because she isstill "breasting".Yup, breasting...not breastfeeding (cause that would make sense andcause me even less embarrassment).I am sure you can imagine the emails that were forwarded my way by the swat guys.
Maybe the next time the Director comes to town he will say, oh yes,you are that lactating agent! Keep up the good work.
By way of background, I work in federal law enforcement, which has atendency to be fairly conservative and male dominated (to say theleast).
Well, every day I do what I jokingly refer to as the Walk of Shame,and drag my breastpump and its accompanying cooler bag down one levelto the nurse's office. Along the way people glance over, sometimesstop and talk to me and inevitably see the words on my bag: "Pleasereturn my mommy's milk to....". It makes them a bit nervous.Sometimes their sandwich is hidden behind the cooler full of Carter'smommy's milk and they always ask permission before moving it.So a few months ago I get to the nurse's office and there are two newemployees standing there, in their suits, ready to report forservice. The nurse turns to them says "oh, this is Wendy...she is oneof our lactating agents". I almost peed in my pants. That's what I'veworked my whole life for, the opportunity to be described as not astellar employee, but a lactating one.
And then today the email went out. An email sent to all of our swatteam medics (you know those big burly guys who really do look kindahot) and to me reminding us to have our vaccinations up to date incase we have to deploy somewhere. And at the bottom a note from thenurse: Wendy can't have any vaccinations because she isstill "breasting".Yup, breasting...not breastfeeding (cause that would make sense andcause me even less embarrassment).I am sure you can imagine the emails that were forwarded my way by the swat guys.
Maybe the next time the Director comes to town he will say, oh yes,you are that lactating agent! Keep up the good work.
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