Toddler Hijinks

Severin becomes more of a toddler day by day. While the tantrums are thankfully not that common, they are becoming a daily occurrence, usually when he wants Waybuloo on (and he wants it *now*) or when he wants me to open the fridge for him and give him milk. 

His latest antics involve pulling his nappy (and sometimes pyjama bottoms) off at night. The first time I walked in on him face down, bottom up wearing only a blue top, I knew something wasn't quite right but it took me a few seconds to work it out. He's at it again tonight. Turns out it's not uncommon and the solution seems to be tape the nappy shut, put on one piece pyjamas with a zip, possibly on backwards and use your sleep sack (again backwards). Why he does it, I don't know, but there's something wonderful about being further submerged into the secrets of motherhood and babydom.

Taking Stock At the End of Another Academic Year

In academia, you have the chance to assess the events of the year twice--once at the end of December (like everybody else), then in April/May/June (depending where you teach). We're not quite at the end of the year yet: I have one class, some exams, three Gallatin colloquiums and a field trip to the Charles James exhibit at the Met before graduation, but it's so close that I'm thinking about what I did, what I didn't do, and what I'm hoping the next year will bring.

This (academic) year saw my book release, four conference papers and one published article (with another hopefully accepted and two more proposals solicited for upcoming anthologies). Much of this work was either completed before this year or produced in draft form/in terms of conference papers due to Severin. As he sleeps better, I'm starting to produce more developed work and as I sleep better after a prolonged period of severe insomnia during and after weaning him, my brain is beginning to work again. Hopefully I'll be able to capitalize on these efforts and get more substantial work done this next year.

Severin's accomplishments are more impressive. When I look at photos from last May, our dear little boy was just beginning to leave babyhood behind. He was on the cusp of sitting unaided, a development that would herald his acceleration into greater independence and activity, becoming more himself every day with his huge, joyous and highly social personality. It's amazing how grown up he seems at 16 months, even as I realise this is only the start of major transformations to come.

While time seems to have flown, last May seems a long time ago. I had barely left Severin other than to work and was limited in my actions by breast feeding (something so worthwhile but more life changing than I could have imagined). I miss those days and so hope I can repeat them with another child sometime soon. I'd also not heard of Waybuloo nor had I been introduced to the world of V-Tech toys and Severin's love for musical, light up bright coloured plastic. I was barely familiar with Julia Donaldson's work and now I'm able to recite chunks of Tabby McTat and Tiddler from memory.

In many ways, late April and early May are the best times of year. I'm totally exhausted with the extra hours I'm putting in at work and I've been eating horribly--too much bread, sugar and other carbs. I suspect my blood sugar has been sky high on a couple of occasions when I've eaten the food offered at work and the alternative was not to eat at all. But the entire summer is ahead, full of possibilities and unsullied by the realities of ambitions unfulfilled and potential disappointments. Standing on the cusp of this time allows me to hope for the best and deal with my current exhaustion--even as I vow not to indulge in carbs, to lose the pounds I must have gained recently and to lower my A1c before I see my endocrinologist in June. 

A little gift

Last week, Severin got his second cold. Thankfully, it was short lived but my poor little darling was particularly uncomfortable at night, as might be expected. I remember rubbing my eyes after cuddling him and realising I might very well have infected myself. There was no way I wasn't going to cuddle him, especially as he needed that affection so much.

So yesterday, I came down with a cold. As uncomfortable as I am right now, I'm thrilled that I can now say I caught it from my son. A cold may be an unwelcome gift but Severin is the greatest gift I have ever had. I so hope I can one day give him the gift of a sibling.

Black Apple

For years, I've wanted an Emily Martin/Black Apple original painting. Once I had my chance at a Brooklyn craft fair but rain was forecast and I didn't want to damage the painting. Plus, as lovely as it was, I really coveted one with a girl and a cat (any of her girl/cat combos) and this had a girl, boy and an umbrella. I wish I had pounced and got a cab home but hindsight is always best. Her work is increasingly had to find as she seems to have moved more in the direction of picture books and it always sold so quickly anyway that after a period when I'd go to her Etsy site and refresh until the store was updated only to find that the paintings sold before I could even see them, I just gave up and obsessed over other things. While some people were able to buy multiples, most fans like me couldn't get anything.

I bought my niece her first book (Oddfellow's Orphanage) and she loved it. Severin is way too young for it right now, but fortunately she has a new and beautiful picture book, Dream Animals. It arrived a few days ago in perfect time for Easter and I had to give it to him just a little earlier. It still may be a little too difficult for him, but it is so beautiful that I hope he'll cherish it forever.

Now I just have to save and hope that I can one day own an Emily Martin original painting. I imagine they cost a lot more now and are even harder to get.

Bargains

I know it's a good idea to buy seasonal winter basics on sale in the spring, but when it still feels like winter, it's not particularly thrilling. That said, Club Monaco had a couple of cashmere sweaters on sale for $99 with an extra 30% discount, meaning I had to bite. I'm pretty certain I'll get some wear out of them before the semester is over.

I had already purchased this in camel from an earlier markdown. I'd liked it at the original price but now wish I'd waited just a little longer.

I've not seen this one in stores (not that I have much time to shop these days with Severin and work--any free time is for writing, cleaning house or maybe sleeping) so I hope the quality and fit is decent. It's pretty much a basic so it should be useful.

Although the trees are blossoming, it doesn't look like I'll be out of sweaters for some time yet.

Severin's latest obsession

He's only allowed a little television and this programme is his big treat. I think if he had his way, Severin would watch it almost all the time. There are only a few clips on youtube so we brought him a dvd last week and he's (too much) in love with his Waybuloo. The BBC make the best children's shows.

And here is the little Waybuloo fan himself. 15 1/2 months old.

Conference

I'm in Columbia, MO for a conference--away from the boys for just a couple of days. I've realised I wake at 7 or so, expecting to hear Severin's cry so my (one) opportunity for a lie in didn't happen. I'm presenting tomorrow morning so I'm getting up early, eating a big breakfast (I'm staying in a B&B that makes amazing breakfasts, including a baked oatmeal blueberry custard), packing, presenting and then heading home. Two flights, a time change and Saturday will be over. I'm missing those boys a lot and it will be lovely to see them again.

I'm finally getting a taste of spring too--it's in the 70s and sunny and tomorrow I'll be teased by a warm morning (it will be 80 here but I'll have gone by then) before heading back to something a little less spring-like.

As a non-Facebook user, I'm always a bit peeved by the ways social media has changed conferences--less ad hoc gatherings of old and new friends as everybody prearranges their dinners and lunch dates. Last night, I met a great woman and had dinner, so tonight I'm fine with reading over my paper, watching TLC and walking the 15 minutes or so to the small college area and picking up a sandwich. I've realised I can't carb watch away from home, where there are no grocery stores and all the food is aimed at the fast metabolisms of college kids.

I have a magnolia tree outside my window, a couch to sit on and feel lazy enough to just stay in. But that would leave me the bad option of granola bars for dinner...