Back to School

My vacation ended today and the family was forced to return to the same old routine. Cutie Pie went back to school today and I went back to work. I was prepared for the worst when I dropped him off at school this morning. I put a tissue in my pocket in preparation for the flood of tears that was sure to come. I knew in my heart that Cutie Pie would take one look at his classroom and clutch my shirt, begging me to take him home. None of this happened. Instead, we were greeted at the door by his Teachers. Everyone was delighted to see my Cutie Pie after his week away from school. He was thrilled to be getting so much attention. He started smiling and flirting, using his special Cutie Pie powers to charm everyone in sight. The least he could have done is cry a little bit. Is that really asking too much? It turned out that I didn't even need the tissue. I was able to hold my tears back all the way to work.

I returned to my role as a working mother. I have two lives: Mommy and Professional. As Mommy I am often covered in baby food and drool. I sing Cutie Pie's favorite songs endlessly, I dance around and make funny faces. I try not to cry when Cutie Pie gets a big handful of my hair, which is already falling out in clumps and does not need any extra help from him, thank you very much.

As a professional, I dress up but sometimes still wear a little drool. I listen to whining all day and say things that other people want to hear. I still make funny faces but only when my office door is closed. I have a Neverending To-Do list that I never seem to put a dent in. No one tries to pull out my hair but I get the feeling that they would if they could. So my days at work are spent pretty much like they are at home. The only difference is that I get to interact with adults, make a difference in the lives of the people in my community and I miss my Cutie Pie.

Cutie Pie also seems to have two lives. At home he hates bananas. He has never eaten a spoonful of bananas in my presence. I tried to give him a taste of bananas over the weekend to see if he changed his mind. He gagged like I was choking him and spit it right out. Today at school, he ate all his bananas. That's my little monkey!

When I went to pick up Cutie Pie this afternoon, I heard three words I never wanted to hear: Boo-Boo Report. Cutie Pie is still an amateur sitter. He bumped his head on the floor, leaving a little pink mark on his bald spot. I myself have thought about wearing a catcher's glove when he's practicing his sitting to help me catch his little noggin. Under "treatment" on the report it said they gave him hugs and kisses until he felt better. He was fine when I got there to pick him up. It turns out Cutie Pie did cry today after all.

My head doesn't go on the floor, the floor goes on my head!

http://theadventuresofcutiepie.blogspot.com/

King Kong

Feeding my Cutie Pie has become quite an adventure. The airplane makes it's approach toward the mouth, complete with putputputput noises. The mouth opens and just when you think all is safe, King Kong comes out of nowhere and swats the airplane down sending peas in all directions!

I've noticed that King Kong only comes out to play when Mommy is doing the feeding. I've watched Daddy and Grandma and Cutie Pie's Teachers carefully. I've studied their technique and style. I've tried it all and to no avail. Feeding time is just dangerous when Mommy is at the other end of the spoon.

I invented my own technique of giving Cutie Pie his own spoon to play with. My rationale is that if he already has a spoon then surely he won't try to grab the one with the food on it. Right? Wrong, Mommy! Cutie Pie and I have tried this at least a dozen times and it hasn't worked yet. When will Mommy learn?

I guess Cutie Pie will just have to work harder to teach me to feed him neatly. Sometimes I'm not such a fast learner. We were just getting the hang of breastfeeding when the doctor sprung this solid food business on us! What do you mean we can start giving him cereal and baby food? He's still a baby!

We haven't stopped breastfeeding completely yet. I read that six month old babies begin to lose the immunities their bodies stored while in the womb. I think it is fabulous that my milk helps to protect him from germs.

The early days were very difficult. King Kong first made his appearance in the hospital. Cutie Pie would thrash and fight when it was time to eat. Each feeding session was like a wrestling match! Then somehow it got easier. Now feeding Cutie Pie is so relaxing that I sometimes fall asleep. I love breastfeeding. I love getting to stare into my Cutie Pie's eyes while he eats. I love cuddling and bonding with him.

Everyone has an opinion about breastfeeding. When I was pregnant, everyone was sure to share their breastfeeding opinion with me. I thought that most people would push me to breastfeed, after all, "breast is best." But I was surprised to learn that several of my friends thought the whole thing was disgusting. One of them actually told me it reminded her of watching monkeys at the zoo and she would never let her child suckle like an animal! My little monkey and I are doing just fine. It's King Kong I'm worried about!