Whine And Dine

I had forgotten what it's like to get a three-year-old to eat.  Consistently, that is.

Melanie practically inhales the breakfast I make for her each morning: old-fashioned oatmeal made with milk and a pinch of salt, to which I add a generous helping of cinnamon applesauce.  The bowl is full but she eats every bite with alacrity, and drinks some juice too.  That's no problem.  Likely that's her hungriest time of day.  Mine too.  I imbibe strong, fresh, hot coffee the whole time ... Folgers Coffeehouse Series Black Silk, with CoffeeMate (The Original, in liquid form ... no powder, no funny flavors).

I figured out right away that my darling's main problem was, she was overtired.

Lunch is dicier.  Yesterday for Princess Melanie I prepared a grilled cheese sandwich on Sara Lee Raisin Cinnamon Swirl bread (the only bread I had in the house) ... boy did it smell good.  I could have eaten a couple of those myself but I opted for an apple, a chunk of extra-sharp cheddar, and a few grapes.  Oh to be three again.  I cut the sandwich into four triangles and placed it in front of Her Highness.  She demonstrated a distinct preference for the points of each triangle, but the closer she got to the crust, the more she seemed determined to stage a sit-in.

What is it with kids and bread crusts?  I'd (happily ... nay ecstatically) live on any part of bread, up to and including the crust.  Bread and water (traditionally meager fare according to books and movies) has always sounded good to me ... although bread and coffee sounds better.  Throw in some Nutella and I quickly attain nutritional nirvana.  Just keep Jenny Craig on speed dial.

My own children always ate their crusts; I never once surgically removed a bread crust from a sandwich.  We just didn't throw food away (unless you count the furry leftovers that sometimes congregated in the back of the fridge). 

But La Mel can't seem to abide the texture of the toasted crust (just typing that makes my mouth water) after the texture of the softer triangle point oozing with warm American cheese.  At least I figure that's the issue.  She ate most of the sandwich, though, and I rewarded her with a snack pudding.  Amazingly she never balks at those!  I did not eat her leftover crusts; Javier did.  He's begging for another serving.  Pretty tasty when the mainstay of your diet is kibble, I imagine.

Supper is not too bad as a rule, but then again you never know what's going to happen.  Last night I made chicken, potatoes (with butter and sour cream), sliced carrots, creamed corn, and salad.  After preparing the food I had to run an errand so TG gladly agreed to oversee Melanie's gustatory activities as he savored his own meal.  I was gone for about an hour.  When I got home I immediately became aware of two things: Melanie had eaten only about a third of her plate, and she was crying.  Both she and TG had retired to the family room, where he was holding her as he attempted to watch The Golf Channel.  The Melster was visibly and audibly distraught.

TG reported that she had eaten some of her food (albeit reluctantly) but then became upset and refused to consume another bite.  He gave up and tried to comfort her by holding her and talking to her, but she clearly wanted me (poor surrogate for her own mother than I am ... I'm not much but at present I'm all she's got).  I figured out right away that my darling's main problem was, she was overtired.  She had a shakeup of a week last week, all discombobulated with the arrival of her baby sister and her mother being in the hospital for a few days.  Then there was traveling to my house and getting used to new surroundings.  By eight o'clock last night she was sound asleep (I persuaded her to eat a cherry vanilla yogurt first) and she slept for thirteen hours!

Conclusion: Melanie and I are having fun hanging out together.  Today she is positively wreathed in smiles; we've read several books, walked around outside, and discussed a number of subjects.  This afternoon following a spot of lunch, she'll have a nap and then a bath.  I'm sure she'll eat her supper with no difficulty.  We'll get dolled up and TG will gallantly chauffeur us to prayer meeting at church.  When we get back home tonight, it will be a snack, a snuggle, then bed.  

Since it is an election year, tomorrow I plan to introduce Melanie to state government.  A tour of the South Carolina State House is in order, I think ... and possibly McDonald's.  Pictures and a full report will be provided!  Watch this space.

Red Means Stop, Y'all

"So, which one of my kids did this?" TG inquired amiably as he surveyed the official-looking piece of mail I handed to him yesterday evening (this was just after he left me breathless with about 50 thrillingly passionate so-glad-you're-finally-home type kisses ... just so you know).  I laughed and revealed the identity of said offending offspring, i.e. our "baby" daughter, Erica. 

See, what happened was, the mail was courtesy of the City of Knoxville's "Photo Enforcement Program" and involved a certain incident in which, a few weeks ago, our college-senior kid was photographed running a red light.  The pictures are excellent!  I could make out her license plate number without reaching for my glasses!

This is only going to cost us $50. Chump change!

"I've already called and fussed at her," I told TG, whose handsome face wore an expression more of amusement than vexation (maybe it was all those kisses).  "She said the light comes up on you really fast and you don't want to slam on your brakes or anything."  Oh no ... not even to avoid entering a busy intersection when two round red unblinking eyes have been staring down at your lane of travel for 2.10 seconds!

See, I know exactly how long the light had been red when Erica went through it, because I was invited to visit www.photonotice.com and enjoy a video of her committing the crime (I had to provide my own popcorn).  I also know that she was doing 29 mph in a 35 mph zone at the moment she ran the light, so at least we can be relieved that she was not disregarding speed laws as well as automated traffic signals.  No doubt there would have been a separate citation for that!  In this life you learn to be grateful for small favors.

Speaking of which, this is only going to cost us $50.  Chump change!

I have no problem with paying the $50 as long as Erica learns something from the no doubt awe-inspiring experience of having flashbulbs go off in her face as she runs a red light.  Being a conservative, God-fearing, law-abiding (if a tad ditsy) citizen, I'm totally on the side of law enforcement.

However.

I wish there had  been more law enforcement on the job yesterday when I wended my way from North Carolina to South Carolina with the precious cargo of my granddaughter, Melanie, age three, snoozing in the backseat.  Because while I always set my cruise control four miles over the posted speed limit (so as to avoid being obliterated by those casually exceeding the limit by 15 mph), and am careful to occupy the passing lane only when overtaking slower vehicles (which doesn't happen very often), at least a dozen aggressive drivers (several operating semi-tractor-trailers) approached my bumper much too hurriedly before abruptly changing lanes to go around me as if my tires were full of concrete instead of air. 

It's scary.

If something happened to Melanie on my lookout, even if it were not technically my fault, I'm not sure I would survive it. 

By the way, she's standing four feet from me right now, working a puzzle about various modes of transportation, and she's making vociferous car sounds.  Kid's smart.

Amazingly, I saw not a single squad car of any stripe or persuasion as I drove for those three hours yesterday, save one that sat at a light about a mile from my home.  I'm not ready to live in a police state, but if they're going to put cameras at intersections so that a policeman who is somewhere else at the precise moment my child runs a light (I didn't say he was at Dunkin' Donuts ... why are you thinking that?), I wish law enforcement would be more of a presence on the interstates when you feel you're being hounded ... nay, terrorized ... by drivers who choose to egregiously (and with apparent impunity) ignore the posted speed limit.

They're not just guidelines, after all.  Everybody slow down, 'k?  And remember: red means stop.

Sweet Allissa

Update on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 09:04PM by Jennifer

Allissa is awake more each day!  She is so much fun to hold!  I hated to leave her but TG missed me so I came home today and brought Melanie with me!  Melly and I are going to hang out for about a week and have some adventures.  I'll report fully on those (you knew I would).

By the way, if you click on any one of the above pictures, it will take you to the Webshots album whence they came and you can see more pictures!

Hello World!

Here at last ... a picture of baby Allissa (and for good measure and in the interest of equal time, her big sister Melanie)!  She's doing fine and bringing so much joy to us all.  Stephanie is struggling with fatigue but otherwise in good shape.  I'll post more pics next week when I get home.  Thanks to everyone for your prayers, well wishes, and congratulations.

Baby Love, My Baby Love

This little funnyface is about to get a new baby sister ... which means TG and I (together with David and Debbie on the paternal side) are about to meet our new granddaughter!  Not to mention, Audrey, Erica, and Andrew will need to dust off their New Aunt and New Uncle badges ... along with paternal New Aunts and Uncles (and their spouses) Jonathan, James, Nate, Sheila, Tanya, and Sonya!  Our two families are nothing if not prolific and highly excitable!

She and I will share the distinction of being the second-born in each of our families.

Baby Allissa Joy is set to make her much-anticipated debut no later than tomorrow, according to the medicos.  Stephanie is excited if a little nervous ... you know, with Melanie (the darling pictured above, all smiling and in pink) there were a few complications.  Although we are very thankful to God that her condition was no worse, it was nevertheless a difficult and heartbreaking situation.  If you care to read all about that, I direct you to Melanie Noel.

So if you drop by in the next week and wonder why I don't seem to be around, it's because I've gone up to North Carolina to help out with Melanie and get acquainted with my new granddaughter.  She and I will share the distinction of being the second-born in each of our families, which I am certain will lead to some noteworthy experiences in the days to come!

Pictures will be forthcoming ... you know how grandparents are.