Tori’s Writing Hole

Ok, first of all, it took me three tries to just SPELL the word toilet. That’s maybe a sign? Julia, at the ripe ol age of 25 months, is old enough to use a potty. That’s the theory. However, she (or at least her bladder) does not agree. We went to the store - bought training pants - she promptly used them as diapers. So, Stephen thought, upon hearing advice from the mommies at his job, that we would get her “big girl” undies (she picked out Dora and My Little Pony) and that wetting these panties would be an incentive to use to potty. Nope.

So right now, she’s in diapers again. And I feel like a failure. According to the millions of web pages out there, she should be ready (has words for pee and poo, can walk, can notify us when she’s got a poop) but her little bladder can’t allow her to stay dry for the prerequisite 2 hours (showing body readiness). She was a preemie, so I guess this is to be expected.

I know I can’t force her to hold it, or to go on command - but this feels just like the “she’ll never walk” or “she’ll never crawl” moments. And those were tough. With all of my own insecurities, I feel like I’M the one doing the wrong thing - by not pushing her. I don’t want her to be scarred for life, afraid of toilets either. Hmm.

I guess the only thing left to do is to go buy some more diapers and give Julia a big hug.

Technorati Tags: diapers, potty training, toilet, preemie

I guess it’s because not much has changed lately. I’m going to be able to register for classes tomorrow for my online college, and I’ve been writing like a madwoman to make some moolah. Julia talks constantly, or as she’s doing right now, screams - and she seems to be having a bit of separation anxiety lately. She just has to know where everyone is at all times. She even brings me the phone and demands I call her daddy or Nana… “talk Daddy” “talk Nana”. Julia really likes to take inventory of the family.

I’m subbing poetry, but it seems like I’m in a rejection phase instead of acceptance. Poop. But I know this is the way writing goes. Along with the face that I had issues with medications again, I’ve been mightily busy.

Technorati Tags: college, anxiety, family, poetry

Well, Julia is just too smart. I swear, I’m waiting for her to wake up and start reciting pi to 30 places, or the preamble to the Constitution. When she hears something, she remembers it. Which can be a problem, in the case of bad words or expressions (hearing a 2 year old exclaim, “Oh God! Jesus!” is hilarious, but just not right) but can also be a blessing.

So far, she’s learned her alphabet (with intermittent missing letters), how to count to 20 and she’s finally picked up on her colors. Yay! “Tinkle Tinkle Start” (Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star) has become her anthem, and she’s also become quite a helper around the house. Julia has decided that her job is to pick up any stray scraps of paper (whether they’re important or not) and put them in the garbage. She’ll crumple them, run to the trash can and put them in, proudly exclaiming “Trash!”.

Stephen said the cutest thing the other day about our little girl - “We’ve got a new little friend.” That’s really what it feels like. She may be little and not quite fluent in English yet, but she’s eager to please - and nothing feels better than having your child say “I love you, Mommy”. Julia usually follows the phrase with “hold you, Mommy” or “hug you, Mommy”. Music to my ears.

Technorati Tags: mommy, daughter, toddler, alphabet

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve decided to re-enroll in college, so I’ve started the application for financial aid, contacting my mentors (I’m going online at Empire State College) and generally psyching myself up for another few years spent completing my degree. For those who don’t know, I’m going to finish my BA in psychology, and then either go for a Master’s in Social Work or a PhD in psych, depending on how much punishment I want to take.

The strange thing is, it will have been 10 years of on again off again schooling at this point, and I’m still 40 credits or so away from graduation. Shows you what illness can do to a person (oh, and having a baby ). I don’t regret a single thing - it’s just going to take me longer to complete, as I’m only going to be able to take 2 courses or so a semester. I just hope that nothing causes me to have to stop… again.

I’m excited though - basically, I love to learn. So college is actually fun for me, more than it is for others, I’ve gathered. So, I’m looking forward to September!

Technorati Tags: college, psychology, illness