So, since Scott and I aren't exactly caught up with all the latest technology, does that mean we'll be doing our kids a disservice as they get older? It's not that we're opposed or afraid of all the latest advances; we're just not interested.
I asked myself this question the other day after my dad showed me his latest techie gadget: the Nook Color 2 (think that's what it's called). I've been thinking about e-readers, and whether or not that would be something I should save for. This isn't an easy decision, especially since I love the feel of an actual book. Still, if I were to enjoy the technological advances of today, that might be one that I'd actually use. Then Daddy showed me his Nook. Very cool. Very. Shocking as this might sound (especially to my friends who know how prehistoric I am), I could actually see myself using something like that. Even more, I could see my kids using it (supervised, of course).
One of the Nook's features is the read aloud feature for children's stories. Very cool (please excuse the overuse of this phrase. I'm sure it'll reappear several more times before I'm done writing.). Leah was enthralled. What little one wouldn't be, especially when it's a book on the computer (basically)? Plus, Leah could "flip" the pages. Seriously?! She's 2.5! (I know, this was rather eye-opening for me to observe since she doesn't get to "play" with technology that much, unlike other kids her age who are rather adept at using their parents' iPhones, etc.) Which begs the question posed above: am I doing them a disservice by not consuming all these advances?
I'd like to think not, especially since I'm not OPPOSED to said technology. We just don't have a need for it. Plus, we do allow Leah on the computer (we even have a kid-sized keyboard & mouse for when she's older) to play games. Right now, though, it boils down to whether or not she has to learn these devices now. Really, what's the hurry or need? By the time she can truly use many of them, the current technology will be obsolete. (Makes me think about how quickly the school computers (and floppy drives) became dated once jump drives burst on the scene.) Plus, like many kids, she's a fast learner, so when it comes time, she'll be ready to learn (and perhaps fully appreciate) the available technology.
Besides, she doesn't need anything too fancy right now anyway; after all, Christmas is coming, and I know that at least one gift will be more than enough technology for her.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
A Little of This, and a Little of That
I've been racking my brain, trying to determine a post topic, and haven't had much luck. Could it be that there's nothing of note to post? Or maybe it's due to a sleep-deprived five months. (I think it's the latter, to be honest. Forming cohesive, coherent thoughts are a bit challenging these days.) So, just some random bits from our lives as of late.
LEAH: "It's kind of like... (fill in the blank)". She uses this phrase regularly, and we're not sure where she picked it up. What's funny, is when she uses it to make a non-comparison, like when describing her pink Barbie Jeep: "It's kind of like pink."
(A note about this Jeep. Leah loves crawling on and playing in it, but she refuses to drive it. She'd rather Hunter "drive" it. Scott's been encouraging her-- when it comes to driving-- and he's making some progress, but she's not quite ready to venture out on her own. Is this a sign of what's to come when she's 16?)
Her imagination is taking off, too. Now we're often story or movie characters. As of this morning, I've been Cinderella AND Duke (from the Diggingest Dog). (For the record, she was the Fairy Godmother AND Sammy Brown.) Last night's roles took a new twist:
Leah (to me): You be Cinderella, and I be the Fairy Godmother.
Me: Who is Hunter?
Leah: He's the Cat in the Hat.
Me: Who's Daddy? Is he the prince?
Leah: No, he's Scott (giggle, giggle).
*I'm so thankful that I have at least one child who cooperates for photos these days, and no, it's NOT Leah. Trying to take her picture is like trying to walk a cat. Neither one cooperates. Go figure, then, that when my dad was taking pictures of Leah and her cousins in their Christmas pajamas for my parents' Christmas card, Leah was all smiles, and so cooperative. As soon as I tried, though, she immediately reverted to her too-busy-to-pose self. *sigh*
LEAH: "It's kind of like... (fill in the blank)". She uses this phrase regularly, and we're not sure where she picked it up. What's funny, is when she uses it to make a non-comparison, like when describing her pink Barbie Jeep: "It's kind of like pink."
(A note about this Jeep. Leah loves crawling on and playing in it, but she refuses to drive it. She'd rather Hunter "drive" it. Scott's been encouraging her-- when it comes to driving-- and he's making some progress, but she's not quite ready to venture out on her own. Is this a sign of what's to come when she's 16?)
Her imagination is taking off, too. Now we're often story or movie characters. As of this morning, I've been Cinderella AND Duke (from the Diggingest Dog). (For the record, she was the Fairy Godmother AND Sammy Brown.) Last night's roles took a new twist:
Leah (to me): You be Cinderella, and I be the Fairy Godmother.
Me: Who is Hunter?
Leah: He's the Cat in the Hat.
Me: Who's Daddy? Is he the prince?
Leah: No, he's Scott (giggle, giggle).
Generally speaking, I think Hunter resembles me more than Scott, but in this photo, I definitely see his daddy.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thankful
Apparently, most FB users are giving thanks daily throughout November until Thanksgiving day. Considering my inability to check FB regularly, I thought I'd simply blog about twenty-four blessings for which I'm thankful. So below, in no particular order, is what I'm thankful for.
1. A relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose abundant grace covers all my sins
2. Scott, who brings a smile to my face, and who loves me deeply
3. Leah, whose joyful and loving spirit warms my heart and makes me laugh
4. Hunter, my happy, cuddly baby boy who reminds me to slow down and play
5. My parents and their loving, constant support
6. My in-laws, who truly treat me and love me like a daughter
7. Baby Tylenol, the miracle in a bottle that provides sweet relief to my teething baby
8. Leah's imagination and the many worlds it opens to her ("Mommy, you be Duke --the dog--, and I am Sammy Brown" [From "The Diggingest Dog"] or "Mommy, you be Bob the Tomato, and I am Larry the Cucumber.")
9. A roof over our heads
10. The funds to pay for unexpected (but much needed) home repairs (the chimney comes to mind)
11. A full night's sleep (haven't had one since June 24, but boy, will I enjoy it when I do!)
12. Coffee. Caffeinated. (See why in #11)
13. Girlfriends, who offer encouragement, friendship, a listening ear, and advice (but only when solicited!)
14. Phones and email that allow me to stay in touch with loved ones who are far away (NY, GA, SC, NC)
15. Fresh air and sunny fall days
16. A clean house (working on that one this week)
17. A completed to-do list (yes, I'm Type A, though a mellowed out version thanks to the kids)
18. An engrossing book (Right now it's The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Who wants it next?)
19. Dark chocolate. (I can't believe I didn't mention that earlier!)
20. Baking. There's something comforting about whipping up a batch of cookies for my family or friends. The only drawback (no, it's not extra calories)? Sometimes I'll back instead of working on the to-do list (see #17).
21. Thanksgiving Day itself. Absolute FAVORITE holiday.
22. Scrapbooking. It's my creative venue and release
23. Fuzzy slippers or socks, comfy pajamas, and a roaring fire
24. The freedom to speak my mind and share my opinion without fear of repercussion
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Four Months
Hunter turned four months old a week ago Monday. Four months! The time has certainly brought some changes, most for the better. Below, a run-down of our baby boy's progress.
*Hunter is cooing & laughing much more now. He loves interacting with us, especially Leah (that hasn't changed much). Peek-a-boo and patty-cake are two favorites of his. During dinner, he has to be at the table with us. Instead of sitting in the bouncy seat ON the table, he'd rather be on Scott's lap AT the table. He could be fussing in the bouncy, but as soon as Scott picks him up, he's all smiles. (The he proceeds to grin at me the rest of dinner. So endearing!)
*Physically, he can now roll over from back to belly. The first time he did this (a week ago today), neither Scott nor I saw it. I was making dinner, and Scott and the kids were in the office. While Leah & Scott played computer games (check out pbskids.org), Hunter entertained himself on his back on the playmat. When Scott turned around to check on him, there was Hunter, smiling, and on his belly! Sneaky boy!
Hunter is also learning how to hitch. Leah was a pro at the army crawl (she was mobile by this age), but Hunter has discovered his own way of moving. He sticks his butt in the air, and then pushes with his legs. Of course, he needs the right motivation to do so. He only moved when he saw Daddy on the other side of the playmat. As soon as Scott moved behind him, he stopped inching along. See what I mean about social?
*Sleep is the only area that hasn't improved much. Lately, he's been getting up more and more often during the night. *sigh* I know that he'll learn eventually, but reminding myself of that truth isn't easy when I feel like I'm spending more time in his room than mine during the night. On the bright side, he is doing (a little) better about napping during the day so long as I put him down at the right time (as in, before he's overtired).
One-on-one time with him is so precious, and he always rewards me with a big smile. When I feel frustrated that I'm not as productive as I used to be, being with him, hearing him laugh, and seeing his toothless grin remind me that he's much more valuable than anything else on the to-do list. What a joy and blessing he is!
*Hunter is cooing & laughing much more now. He loves interacting with us, especially Leah (that hasn't changed much). Peek-a-boo and patty-cake are two favorites of his. During dinner, he has to be at the table with us. Instead of sitting in the bouncy seat ON the table, he'd rather be on Scott's lap AT the table. He could be fussing in the bouncy, but as soon as Scott picks him up, he's all smiles. (The he proceeds to grin at me the rest of dinner. So endearing!)
*Physically, he can now roll over from back to belly. The first time he did this (a week ago today), neither Scott nor I saw it. I was making dinner, and Scott and the kids were in the office. While Leah & Scott played computer games (check out pbskids.org), Hunter entertained himself on his back on the playmat. When Scott turned around to check on him, there was Hunter, smiling, and on his belly! Sneaky boy!
Hunter is also learning how to hitch. Leah was a pro at the army crawl (she was mobile by this age), but Hunter has discovered his own way of moving. He sticks his butt in the air, and then pushes with his legs. Of course, he needs the right motivation to do so. He only moved when he saw Daddy on the other side of the playmat. As soon as Scott moved behind him, he stopped inching along. See what I mean about social?
*Sleep is the only area that hasn't improved much. Lately, he's been getting up more and more often during the night. *sigh* I know that he'll learn eventually, but reminding myself of that truth isn't easy when I feel like I'm spending more time in his room than mine during the night. On the bright side, he is doing (a little) better about napping during the day so long as I put him down at the right time (as in, before he's overtired).
One-on-one time with him is so precious, and he always rewards me with a big smile. When I feel frustrated that I'm not as productive as I used to be, being with him, hearing him laugh, and seeing his toothless grin remind me that he's much more valuable than anything else on the to-do list. What a joy and blessing he is!
Four months old
Future Warrior
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