Hana did fabulously. To be honest, I was a bit stressed about it. After all, there is nothing like a bad first experience to create a lifelong fear of the dentist. But prizes and rewards were given throughout the entire experience, at each progressive stage from brushing to spitting, to getting in the chair, and finally the cleaning and exam. After the hygienist cleaned her teeth, the dentist came over to do the exam. Before he even had his gloves on she had her mouth open wide for him. Afterwards, she explained to him that ice cream has sugar in it which can cause holes, so she had to brush her teeth after eating ice cream. As you might imagine, the dentist was very impressed with her sophisticated knowledge of dental hygiene.
The visit was so successful that Hana has been asking every day to go back to the dentist. I wish I felt that way about the dentist!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Almost 3
It's been such a long time since I've posted. Hana is a nonstop whirlwind of activity, leaving little time for writing.
Hana is very much looking forward to her birthday party. She has declared that she would like to have it at Fairyland (the local amusement park) and that she would like both cupcakes AND cake, all strawberry. She would also like one of those candles shaped like the number 3.
Her favorite colors are pink and purple, and according to her, she doesn't like any other colors. She loves to dress up in outlandish layered outfits - skirts upon dresses, different colored socks, fancy shoes, and stylish sunglasses. Dramatic play is one of her favorite amusements. We play waitress, circle time, riding in the car, going on a train trip, mommy/baby, and lots of other games. Chase and hide and seek are also favorites.
She is doing fabulously in school. She is known there as the "mama hen." She likes to remind her classmates of the classroom rules, and often helps out the littler ones with putting on their shoes and jackets when teachers are busy. She is a one-woman welcome wagon for new classmates, adopting them on their first day, holding their hand, showing them around the school, and explaining how things work. She is very loving and nurturing to her friends and loves to give hugs and kisses.
She continues to have a fierce independent streak. Everything is "I can do it myself" (unless, of course, she's "in a mood" in which case she whines for help with even the simplest of tasks, such as walking. :) Usually, this self sufficiency is a good thing - except when we are in a hurry, or most recently, when she insisted on clearing the table after dinner and dropped some glass dishes into the sink, shattering several. She has mastered and honed her negotiation skills to the point where I wouldn't want to face her in court, and she is an expert at drawing out the bedtime routine. I am wise to it, though, and manage to maintain a small degree of control. Her ace in the hole after I put her down is to remove her diaper, requiring me to come back into the room to put her diaper back on and resume negotiations: "Pet me." "Mommy, can you lay on the pillow?" "Mommy, I want water." etc. The latest solution is I leave a few pullups in her crib. If she wants to change her diaper, she can do it herself! Now if I could just get her to go to sleep before 9:30 or 10:00 pm, we'd be in business.
She is finally daytime potty trained. We had a 2-month stretch last fall when she was potty trained. Then she announced that using the potty was not fun, and that was the end of that. About 2 months ago she began to show a renewed interest and now there are virtually no accidents and she likes to wear "unders" as she calls them.
So all in all, she's doing great and is a lot of fun to be around. Check back in a month for pics from her birthday party!
Hana is very much looking forward to her birthday party. She has declared that she would like to have it at Fairyland (the local amusement park) and that she would like both cupcakes AND cake, all strawberry. She would also like one of those candles shaped like the number 3.
Her favorite colors are pink and purple, and according to her, she doesn't like any other colors. She loves to dress up in outlandish layered outfits - skirts upon dresses, different colored socks, fancy shoes, and stylish sunglasses. Dramatic play is one of her favorite amusements. We play waitress, circle time, riding in the car, going on a train trip, mommy/baby, and lots of other games. Chase and hide and seek are also favorites.
She is doing fabulously in school. She is known there as the "mama hen." She likes to remind her classmates of the classroom rules, and often helps out the littler ones with putting on their shoes and jackets when teachers are busy. She is a one-woman welcome wagon for new classmates, adopting them on their first day, holding their hand, showing them around the school, and explaining how things work. She is very loving and nurturing to her friends and loves to give hugs and kisses.
She continues to have a fierce independent streak. Everything is "I can do it myself" (unless, of course, she's "in a mood" in which case she whines for help with even the simplest of tasks, such as walking. :) Usually, this self sufficiency is a good thing - except when we are in a hurry, or most recently, when she insisted on clearing the table after dinner and dropped some glass dishes into the sink, shattering several. She has mastered and honed her negotiation skills to the point where I wouldn't want to face her in court, and she is an expert at drawing out the bedtime routine. I am wise to it, though, and manage to maintain a small degree of control. Her ace in the hole after I put her down is to remove her diaper, requiring me to come back into the room to put her diaper back on and resume negotiations: "Pet me." "Mommy, can you lay on the pillow?" "Mommy, I want water." etc. The latest solution is I leave a few pullups in her crib. If she wants to change her diaper, she can do it herself! Now if I could just get her to go to sleep before 9:30 or 10:00 pm, we'd be in business.
She is finally daytime potty trained. We had a 2-month stretch last fall when she was potty trained. Then she announced that using the potty was not fun, and that was the end of that. About 2 months ago she began to show a renewed interest and now there are virtually no accidents and she likes to wear "unders" as she calls them.
So all in all, she's doing great and is a lot of fun to be around. Check back in a month for pics from her birthday party!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Uh Oh
I just took a trip down memory lane and was reading old blog posts. In many a post, I said something like "thank god this is just a phase." But...I realize that I kept saying that over and over about the same things!! Things I thought were phases have turned out to be just part of her temperament.
Namely, the strident, obstinate "I am going to do it my way, on my timetable, on my terms, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it" attitude. Who am I kidding? I'm completely at her mercy. I have no control whatsoever. I'm terrified of the teenage years!!
Fortunately, the biting has stopped. It took about 2 years. Now we're down to scratching, hitting, and hair pulling. *sigh*
And the sleeping. I've always thought of her as a "good sleeper." But looking back on the posts, I see how much WORK we had to do to make her be what amounts to about an average sleeper. She's still a handful at bedtime. Just doesn't want to go down.
Finally, and thankfully, the sweetness and joyful spark are still there. Morning reunions after a night of sleeping in separate beds are oh-so-cuddly. "I love you" still makes an occasional appearance. She is greatly concerned for the comfort and well-being of her many stuffed animals, making sure they are properly fed, blanketed, pushed in the stroller, and comforted when they are crying. She's just full of energy and positively glows while enjoying the simplest pleasures, like jumping on the bed.
I can't wait to shake this miserable cold/infection I've got so I can keep up with her again!
Namely, the strident, obstinate "I am going to do it my way, on my timetable, on my terms, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it" attitude. Who am I kidding? I'm completely at her mercy. I have no control whatsoever. I'm terrified of the teenage years!!
Fortunately, the biting has stopped. It took about 2 years. Now we're down to scratching, hitting, and hair pulling. *sigh*
And the sleeping. I've always thought of her as a "good sleeper." But looking back on the posts, I see how much WORK we had to do to make her be what amounts to about an average sleeper. She's still a handful at bedtime. Just doesn't want to go down.
Finally, and thankfully, the sweetness and joyful spark are still there. Morning reunions after a night of sleeping in separate beds are oh-so-cuddly. "I love you" still makes an occasional appearance. She is greatly concerned for the comfort and well-being of her many stuffed animals, making sure they are properly fed, blanketed, pushed in the stroller, and comforted when they are crying. She's just full of energy and positively glows while enjoying the simplest pleasures, like jumping on the bed.
I can't wait to shake this miserable cold/infection I've got so I can keep up with her again!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Holiday Highlights
Hana's 2012 NY's resolutions include no more hitting, kicking, or otherwise abusing mommy; rediscovering that it really IS more fun to go in the potty than to deliberately pee on the floor and watch mommy blow a gasket; and agreeing to put clothes on in the morning, every morning, without a knock down drag out WWF-style confrontation that ultimately results in arriving at school naked. (OK, so those are MY new year's resolutions for her...)
I do love this girl, but I must admit I am really really hoping that the oppositional behavior has peaked and we are on a trajectory towards relative peace and calm. The good news is that she is a perfect angel at school and in most social situations. It's mostly with me and sometimes with Pete that the devil appears. I suppose it's all normal, but consistent with her temperament, Hana does 'normal' with great flair and intensity.
Hana had a great holiday, traversing the midwest and visiting with Coan and Geckeler relatives. She was quite excited about Santa. The first thing she said when her eyes opened on Christmas morning were, "I don't think Santa came!!" She hadn't heard him come in, so she was worried he might have forgotten. So we had to go out and see if he's eaten the cookie and eggnog, which he had.
Oh, and apparently she's a ping pong prodigy. Who knew?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tiny Adult
Potty training. Check. (Big girl underpants all day, every day. Woo hoo!)
Literacy. Check. (Can write an "H." Can recognize "M" and "D.")
Driving. Check. (Helps me park the car at home.)
Ornery when doesn't get nap. (Same as me.)
Doesn't like to clean up messes. (Ditto.)
Makes powerful and convincing arguments about why things should be done her way. (Future attorney?)
It is very challenging to maintain parental authority, credibility, and control with a 2 year old who thinks she is an adult. Fortunately, she is such a good-natured fun-loving kid that the terrible twos are really not so terrible after all. While there are fleeting moments of terrible-ness, they are far outweighed by delight. If I can get her on film showing off her dancing moves, you will see what I mean.
Literacy. Check. (Can write an "H." Can recognize "M" and "D.")
Driving. Check. (Helps me park the car at home.)
Ornery when doesn't get nap. (Same as me.)
Doesn't like to clean up messes. (Ditto.)
Makes powerful and convincing arguments about why things should be done her way. (Future attorney?)
It is very challenging to maintain parental authority, credibility, and control with a 2 year old who thinks she is an adult. Fortunately, she is such a good-natured fun-loving kid that the terrible twos are really not so terrible after all. While there are fleeting moments of terrible-ness, they are far outweighed by delight. If I can get her on film showing off her dancing moves, you will see what I mean.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Whopper
Hana told her first full-fledged, pre-meditated, manipulative lie this past Sunday as we were driving home from Tahoe.
It all began with predictable whining about wanting to get out of the car. After all, it is a long drive, and it's no fun being stuck in the car seat all that time. About 20 minutes from home, she notified us that she needed to go potty. I told her it was OK to go in her diaper and that we weren't near a potty. The next 5 minutes went something like this:
H: I need to poop.
Me: OK, you can go in your diaper.
H: [grunt, grunt, grunt] I pooped. I need a change.
Me: Hmmmm, Pete, what do you think? Can we make it home or should we stop and change her?
H: I need a change!!!!!
Me: OK, guess we should stop.
H: Mommy, do you have a plastic bag for the poopy diaper?
Me: Not sure, I'll have to check.
H: [As we are pulling into a gas station, Hana sprouted a giant grin] Actually, I didn't poop.
She knows that when she poops she needs to be changed right away, and she used that to get us to let her out of the car!!! The whole diaper thing has now become her ticket to get what she wants. She uses it at night - holds it until after I've put her to bed, then poops, then I have to get her out and change her. Last night she even took off her diaper in her crib so I would have to come in and deal with it.
Sheesh!
On another note, we had a wonderful first camping experience in the preschool back yard. Here are some photos.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Toddler Heaven
What more could a toddler want than to meet Curious George and get her face painted like Spiderman all in one weekend?
Last Friday evening, we all went to the Bay Area Discovery Museum (thanks for the membership Grandma and Grandpa Geckeler!) for a special event - meeting Curious George. Actually, the main event was a musical performance, but obviously the highlight of the evening was meeting George. The museum was well-prepared for the stir his appearance caused. George had his own bodyguard/handler that kept him safe and moved him along through the throngs of groping toddlers and hoards of parents with cameras. Hana was quite excited to meet him, although a bit nervous about getting too up close and personal without one of us right by her side. She did give him a high five though.
Then on Saturday it was "Kids Fun Day" at her preschool, where she got her face painted. Despite the best efforts of the (ahem) "traditional" volunteer parent who tried to steer her towards a princess or a butterfly design, she picked the Spiderman face out of the book of pictures. So that's what she got. I was a little worried she might be scared when she saw herself in the mirror, but she took it all in good stride. She had a nap afterwards and when she woke up, she said "Mommy, want to see the Spiderman all over the crib?" The paint was all over her sheets.
On another note, Hana has developed a serious case of the "why's." No response is ever sufficient explanation. Tonight I was patting her belly to help her go to sleep and I stopped and she said, "Mommy, why did you stop?" I said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it was an accident." The response: "But mommy, why did you stop though?" After several fruitless attempts to claim it was an accident, I finally said, "Because Mommy's brain wandered and thought of something else and forgot to tell her hand to keep patting you" to which she responded "Oh."
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Role Reversal
Hana: I'm drinking soda [or coffee].
Me: That's only for grown-ups. Are you a grown-up?
Hana: Yes.
Me: Can I have some?
Hana: No, you're not a grown-up!!!
Me: That's only for grown-ups. Are you a grown-up?
Hana: Yes.
Me: Can I have some?
Hana: No, you're not a grown-up!!!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Abracadabra
"Abracadabra, I'm going to turn you into a cat!"
This is a new favorite game. Turning me into a cat (or a dog), then asking me to turn her into a cat (or a dog). In general, she is very into pretending to be someone or something else. Sometimes she is a baby and likes to be carried and rocked and pretends to nurse. Sometimes she is a mommy to her dolls and stuffed animals. And when she's pretending to be a dog, we play "fetch" and she brings the ball back in her mouth. :)
Potty training is going well. I must say, though, that the term "potty training" implies that the parent is doing something to train the child to use the bathroom, as if there is some sort of methodology. As it turns out, just about everything I've read is completely contradictory to that. In fact, the child is actually the one in charge, and any pushing by the parent before the child is ready is bound to be counterproductive. Hana is on her own timetable and process for this one. She's got all the skills and awareness necessary to use the potty, but motivation has been intermittent.
Today, we had a break though, which I attribute to what was probably a lot of healthy peer pressure to use the potty at preschool this week. She ran around the house after her bath for 3 hours naked today, and spontaneously used the potty three times during that period!! Two of those times, she insisted on doing the whole thing completely on her own, and wouldn't even let me in the bathroom. I could hear her going through all the steps - peeing, wiping, dumping it in the big potty, flushing the toilet, putting the lid down, and washing and drying her hands. She was very proud of herself for doing the whole process from start to finish.
Sleeping in the big girl bed, on the other hand, is pretty much on hold. We still have the pack n play, so that's her night time home for now.
This is a new favorite game. Turning me into a cat (or a dog), then asking me to turn her into a cat (or a dog). In general, she is very into pretending to be someone or something else. Sometimes she is a baby and likes to be carried and rocked and pretends to nurse. Sometimes she is a mommy to her dolls and stuffed animals. And when she's pretending to be a dog, we play "fetch" and she brings the ball back in her mouth. :)
Potty training is going well. I must say, though, that the term "potty training" implies that the parent is doing something to train the child to use the bathroom, as if there is some sort of methodology. As it turns out, just about everything I've read is completely contradictory to that. In fact, the child is actually the one in charge, and any pushing by the parent before the child is ready is bound to be counterproductive. Hana is on her own timetable and process for this one. She's got all the skills and awareness necessary to use the potty, but motivation has been intermittent.
Today, we had a break though, which I attribute to what was probably a lot of healthy peer pressure to use the potty at preschool this week. She ran around the house after her bath for 3 hours naked today, and spontaneously used the potty three times during that period!! Two of those times, she insisted on doing the whole thing completely on her own, and wouldn't even let me in the bathroom. I could hear her going through all the steps - peeing, wiping, dumping it in the big potty, flushing the toilet, putting the lid down, and washing and drying her hands. She was very proud of herself for doing the whole process from start to finish.
Sleeping in the big girl bed, on the other hand, is pretty much on hold. We still have the pack n play, so that's her night time home for now.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Born to Go To School
Hana started preschool this week. She absolutely LOVES it and we couldn't be more thrilled with the school. The facility is fabulous, the teachers are wonderful, and there is a strong parent/family community. The teachers and director have all said that Hana is adjusting perfectly to the new environs - she's outgoing, participatory, energetic without being domineering, friendly with the other kids, and a general pleasure all around.
She is already learning new things. Today she showed off her new vocabulary word - "germs." :) When I went to change her diaper this evening, she asked me if I had gloves. I didn't know what she meant, but said yes, figuring she was referring to winter gloves, since that's the only kind of gloves she knows. Then she told me I had to wear them while changing her diaper so we don't share germs. (I told her since we are family it's OK to share a little bit of germs, but if you are not family you should try not to share germs.)
Also, she made "apple pie" today (apple muffins) with the organic apples from the tree in the yard. She's fed celery to the goats, and dressed up like a zebra. She's played in the sandbox, read books, sang songs, napped on her monkey mat, and lots of things I'm sure I don't even know about. It's toddler heaven.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hana Is Starting Preschool
A surprise twist in Hana's day to day life - she will be starting preschool next week! We had been casually exploring preschools, without much hope for this year since slots fill up 6 months to a year here in the Bay Area. I had pretty much given up hope and was resigned to waiting until next year, when we found a great place that was affordable, flexible, a great environment, and they had openings in their "Sprouts" classroom (2 year olds).
Hana will get to play inside and out, have singing and reading during circle time, tend the garden, explore the "forest" (a small collection of fruit trees and vines), enjoy healthy organic snacks, and feed and care for the farm animals - 5 chickens and 2 pygmy goats - that live at the school. She hasn't been to visit yet, but we are pretty sure she will love it there. The teachers are very nurturing and patient and there is a strong parent community as well. It's hard to see what the downside is, except...
Hana will have to give up her nanny. This makes us very sad, because Hana just adores her and she loves Hana. Hana will still see her for another month as she transitions to school, so there will be time to say goodbye. Even though she is sad too, the nanny agrees Hana should go to school because she really needs more of a learning environment.
Tuesday will be her first day. Pete and I will stay with her for an hour or two and then will leave and we'll see how it goes.
Hana will get to play inside and out, have singing and reading during circle time, tend the garden, explore the "forest" (a small collection of fruit trees and vines), enjoy healthy organic snacks, and feed and care for the farm animals - 5 chickens and 2 pygmy goats - that live at the school. She hasn't been to visit yet, but we are pretty sure she will love it there. The teachers are very nurturing and patient and there is a strong parent community as well. It's hard to see what the downside is, except...
Hana will have to give up her nanny. This makes us very sad, because Hana just adores her and she loves Hana. Hana will still see her for another month as she transitions to school, so there will be time to say goodbye. Even though she is sad too, the nanny agrees Hana should go to school because she really needs more of a learning environment.
Tuesday will be her first day. Pete and I will stay with her for an hour or two and then will leave and we'll see how it goes.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Big Girl Bed!
Tonight is the second night Hana has actually slept in her big girl bed! We've been trying for about a month, but it hasn't taken. She'll start out there, but as soon as I leave the room, she's out of bed asking for me to come back and cuddle. Then I'd put her (over strong objections) in the crib and she'd pass out right away.
Last night and tonight, she employed her usual procrastination techniques and begged me to stay and cuddle, but ultimately ended up staying in the bed and falling asleep. Perhaps it has something to do with the magic sparkly fairies that I promised would come if she closed her eyes and went to sleep. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that her 2 year molars are just about completely in and the teething pain has resolved. Perhaps it is just maturity. Or maybe she somehow knows we have to give the crib back to Izzy this weekend and she figured it's time. Whatever the reason, we are very proud of her for being so brave and sleeping in the bed all by herself!
Last night and tonight, she employed her usual procrastination techniques and begged me to stay and cuddle, but ultimately ended up staying in the bed and falling asleep. Perhaps it has something to do with the magic sparkly fairies that I promised would come if she closed her eyes and went to sleep. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that her 2 year molars are just about completely in and the teething pain has resolved. Perhaps it is just maturity. Or maybe she somehow knows we have to give the crib back to Izzy this weekend and she figured it's time. Whatever the reason, we are very proud of her for being so brave and sleeping in the bed all by herself!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Hana Is Finally 2!!
Hana had a packed, fun-filled birthday week. It inadvertently began last weekend, at our friend Andrew's birthday at the Tilden Park merry-go-round. All week, Hana has been saying it was her birthday party. Then, we spent 3 days in Tahoe with Grandma Sharon and Papa Don, and finished off the mini-vacation with a chocolate birthday cupcake. The presents have been coming all week - a tool box from the Coan grandparents, some cool games from the Geckeler grandparents, and a wonderful book from her friend Hudson on the east coast.
Today was her official birthday party (a few pics of the day above). The day began with soccer class, followed by the party with several toddlers and adults and lots of grabbing and shouting of "mine!" Then a much needed nap (she fell asleep in the car while holding her balloon), followed by a swim in the pool. She had such a great day! She even blew out the candles on her cake all by herself.
One of the most exciting things that happened this weekend was that Hana's friend Izzy got a new little sister named Millie, on Hana's birthday!!! So now Hana has a birthday buddy.
Happy fathers' day to Pete and all the dads out there!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Preschool?
We went on our first preschool visit today to a local Montessori. We really liked it! There was music in the classrooms, it was very spacious, most of the kids seemed engaged and enjoying themselves. They have Spanish lessons once a week, and they do phonics and math as soon as the kids seem ready. The classrooms are mixed age from 2-5, and a lot of the learning is peer-based with the older kids teaching the younger kids how to do things. Unfortunately, sending a child to a full time Montessori program in the Bay Area costs about the same as a Harvard education. We have several other schools to look at before we make any decisions, so we'll see.
Hana is also going to soccer class this summer. The first class was last Sunday and she did fabulously! She listened to the coach, followed all the instructions, actively participated in all the games, and pretty much put the other kids to shame. If I can get her on video, I'll post it here.
We are still struggling with various forms of physical assault from time to time - biting, scratching, grabbing, and my favorite - grabbing fistfuls of my hair and refusing to let go. It seems to happen when she is already wound up, and she is usually wound up in the early evening. Time outs don't work anymore. The nanny says she now just gives her a tight hug that physically prevents her from biting and explains "no biting." Tonight I was able to catch her right before she did it and talk her down, and then she calmed down and was very sweet the rest of the evening. Trial and error, trial and error. Fortunately, this is something she mostly does to me, sometimes to Pete, sometimes to other people she knows well, but not to strangers or other kids she doesn't know well. In other words, she's not indiscriminately aggressive. I think there is something about "feeling safe" to act out with people she knows. She somehow instinctively gets that we are not going to leave her.
Hana is also going to soccer class this summer. The first class was last Sunday and she did fabulously! She listened to the coach, followed all the instructions, actively participated in all the games, and pretty much put the other kids to shame. If I can get her on video, I'll post it here.
We are still struggling with various forms of physical assault from time to time - biting, scratching, grabbing, and my favorite - grabbing fistfuls of my hair and refusing to let go. It seems to happen when she is already wound up, and she is usually wound up in the early evening. Time outs don't work anymore. The nanny says she now just gives her a tight hug that physically prevents her from biting and explains "no biting." Tonight I was able to catch her right before she did it and talk her down, and then she calmed down and was very sweet the rest of the evening. Trial and error, trial and error. Fortunately, this is something she mostly does to me, sometimes to Pete, sometimes to other people she knows well, but not to strangers or other kids she doesn't know well. In other words, she's not indiscriminately aggressive. I think there is something about "feeling safe" to act out with people she knows. She somehow instinctively gets that we are not going to leave her.
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