Monday, March 10, 2008

random amy


My friend Pam tagged me. She's asked me to share 7 random things about mothering.

1. The cd player in the car is currently loaded with toddler singalongs and lullabyes. My favorite is a cd of lullabyes sung by Judy Collins...the voice of an angel!

2. I've scarcely watched the news or heard the weather report since Baby arrived. I have to step out my door, seriously, to know if it's cold enough for a coat or whether just a jacket might do.

3. Baby knows us as "Amy" and "Rich"...since he will most likely be going back to his mother we didn't want to confuse him further by referring to ourselves as Mommy and Daddy.

4. People often do a double take when they see me pushing Baby in a grocery cart. You see, Baby and I don't share the same ethnicity. People are plainly confused by this. You'd think since we live in such a culturally diverse area people would be a little more, uh, sophisticated. But, alas...stares and confusion and silly remarks.

5. I had a bit of a lesson in humility when I had to take Baby to the Department of Health for his immunizations. The closest I can come to how it felt was spending the day at the DMV...so just imagine taking a baby to the DMV, waiting what feels like an eternity in a crowded, dirty, and noisy room with rows of chairs, waiting and waiting and waiting for your number to be called.

6. I have a string of lights above my mantel that are connected to "The Clapper". You know..."clap on...clap off...clap on, clap off...the clapper!" I demonstrated to Baby how it works and it quickly became his favorite activity. If you ask him now, in any room, to turn on the lights, bless his heart, he claps his hands. I bet the inventor of "The Clapper" would be happy to see that.

7. I am inspired by the graphics I see on Noggin. Go here and watch the one called "Everywhere I Go" by Moose and Zee to see my very favorite. I bet you'll love it too...and the song is the "singy-est!" (The graphic at the top of the post is from that video)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ref. #4 -- Yes, you would think people were beyond such things in the day and age. My sister is a blond -- fair skinned with blue eyes, but her son is dark skinned, black haired and has brown eyes (his father being Hispanic) and she has mentioned getting some of this.

Amy R. said...

I love the graphics on Noggin too...I know my husband thought I was kooky when I mentioned that. Glad I'm not the only one. I love the newspaper hats and buttons and well, pretty much all of them. :)

Unknown said...

When our first child was born we went on WIC to help out and we had to go down and do all that at the DHS offices too-and yes, it is just like the DMV and it is very humbling no matter your reason for being there. Sounds like you and Baby just keep on havin' fun! Love the eggs from yesterday!

said...

I also love the graphics on Noggin. They're very inspiring. :)

When my husband was unemployed for a time and COBRA was too expensive for us, I had to take our daughter to the Dept. of Health and Human Svcs for her vaccinations. I hated it so much. It definitely was a lesson in humility. The ladies always commented when I brought her in...wow, we never see white babies in here! Yeah, thanks for making me feel even worse.

You're an angel...I don't think I could be a foster parent.

Anonymous said...

That song is the greatest. I have no kids, but I wish I could buy it, I just laughed and laughed. Rabbits are the bunniest, oh man! I wonder if they have it on itunes. Classic.

Sarah and Jack said...

That noggin video was so cute. We love TMBG's kids CDs around here, but Dan Zane is on my list of things to acquire. Hmmmmm, maybe from the Easter bunny!

Susan said...

I didn't get a chance to comment on those fabulous eggs. Amy, you are just so talented and creative! I would love for you to post about your creative process one of these days. Also, I really think you should approach some publishers about doing a crafting/decorating book. Just the ideas from this blog would fill a volume and would be a big hit, I'm sure! I've already got it planned for you- a section on home decor, a section on stuff for kids & kids rooms, a section on holilday crafts, a section on miniatures... I'd pay top dollar for it- that's for sure! Just think about it!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Amy. I have loved your blog for some time, but I guess I am what they call a lurker... I've never written before. I became an adoptive mom, about 35 years ago, of a racially mixed baby boy, and we got him when he was 2 months old. I got such a lovely, complete set of written notes from his foster mom (who of course I never met) that he had lived with for the months since his birth. And I was so grateful, and I often think of how hard it must have been for her NOT to fall in love with him, and how hard to send him to us...because he was such a little cutie. So it makes me think of that when I read your blog, so full of love... and so full of generosity!

The thing in your blog that made me laugh was the idea of your not being his ethnicity. When we did our adoption, we already (yes, we WERE crazy!) had our own two home-made little white kids, and wow! How confusing was THAT, 35 years ago, to folks who saw us meandering down the street? It still makes me giggle.

Anyway --- you are doing a terrific job, it sounds like, and Baby is a lucky little kid. Lots of love to you both, from a lady who's been there... sort of.
Grandmom in Maryland.

Tracey said...

I can finally admit to someone that my husband got me The Clapper for Christmas and I LOVE IT! (I have secretly wanted one since their invention.) We call it the knocker because it actually responds better to a knock than a clap, which is convenient because you can do it with one hand.

And who doesn't love the "singy-est?" I find myself humming it at random times. Have you guys watched "Jack's Big Music Show?" It's a fun musical show on Noggin with catchy, not annoying songs and sweet characters.

Wendy said...

I have two Chinese born daughters and a biological(caucasian) son. We get looks too, but they're usually accompanied by smiles. Foreign adoptions are pretty common here in the Chicago area. What gets me a little though is when people ask if they're "real" siblings and while I know they mean "are they biologically related", I still answer yes. It doesn't get anymore real than what they have.

And thank you for the egg project! I love it and will be making some for this year.

Holly Mathis Interiors said...

we love noggin..i agree about their graphics..just darlin..and OMG, MAX AND RUBY is the cutest show...i love their drapes and sofa! lol!

Anonymous said...

Ahh,.."Everywhere I Go" We like that song too! Sophia loves Moose A Moose and stops whatever she is doing to stare at him when she hears his voice.

Pamela Jane said...

So glad you found time to share a random glimpse of your new life with us. It sounds as though Baby is enlivening your world as much as you are filling his. And Judy Collins has been a favorite of mine since two friends at college introduced me to her. That day, at a casual afternoon tea they arranged, she sang and played guitar to just the three of us with that same beautiful and magically clear voice. Unforgettable!

Charlottesville House said...

Hi Amy. Thanks for sharing those 7 special things about being a mom. I won't be having any more kiddos, so it is wonderful to be experiencing the fun through your insights! By the way, I really like your paper mache Easter eggs. Very "plain and fancy"! :o)Sharron

gkgirl said...

have you watched the upside down show
on noggin?

clearly my favorite-show-ever.

Michelle said...

I just found your blog, and love your design and content. As an adoptive mother, I applaude you brushing off comments and stares. Everyone should have an open heart and open mind. Smiles, and give Baby an extra hug.
Michelle

mo said...

I have a fantastic compilation disc that I put together of some really fun kids songs that aren't too hard for a parent to stomach- if you like I will burn you a copy and send it over for you and baby in the car. We gave it out a couple of years ago as a party favor at my daughter's bday and I still get comments on how much people liked it.

Wanda said...

Of our 5 children, two are of a different race than we are. I got some 'looks' and comments back in the 80's when they were very young, too. But then I got lots of nice interactions too, and a nice group of friends who also had similar family makeups. We live in South Texas and have 3 blond/e /red-haired sons and a daughter, and 2 Black sons. Now we have 5 grandchildren in the family that reflect that mix. Life is an exciting journey. :)