Pookie's Ears

I finally acquiesced and allowed Pookie to get her ears pierced this past weekend.

And I came to the conclusion that I had been using excuses to not allow it for quite some time.

When she was a baby, I didn't have it done on the thought of germs and not being able to keep them clean enough and worries of infection. (One that I still happen to think is completely valid, so I don't count this one as an excuse.)

But since she has been begging since she was about four to have her ears pierced, I have been using other excuses.

"You're not old enough." That one worked for a while. Until she began to recognize the process of time passing and wonder, "When will I be old enough?"

When that question popped up, I said, "When you are eight, that's when I got mine pierced."

Then the whining of began about how far away that was. In her little mind, that was a lifetime.

But the reality was, in retrospect, that I didn't want her to get them done. Why? Because it meant that my little baby was growing up. My sweet, innocent, little girl, would, from then on, not be. Now, I know, that this makes no sense whatsoever. I realize that.

But until the moment after the second earring was poked through her little ear, I would have given you the excuse that she wasn't mature enough to handle cleaning her ears three times a day and they would get infected. (Which does still worry me, but that just means we adults clean her ears.)

The moment after her ears were pierced, and she looked at herself in the mirror, with her shining eyes, so full of joy and happiness, my eyes filled with tears that I had to quickly blink away so I didn't break down crying in the middle of the mall. Instead I hugged her tight and I can't deny a few drops found their way down onto that curly hair.

She is no longer a baby. And she hasn't been for a while. But my little Pookie will always be my baby. She is a seven year old with her own personality but just like me in so many ways. And even though she is no longer a baby, I am so incredibly proud of her.

Maybe this will make it easier when it comes time to let Cookie get her ears pierced. But I wouldn't count on it.

I've been gone for a while

And there have been so many things. I've seen a couple shows with a couple of my kids. My mom was in the hospital for 3 days. I made carrot cake cup cakes and I made a baby dress for a neighbor's daughter who is due in June. And the Great Plains Theatre Conference is coming up at the end of May, so that part of life is getting busy. And I'll be stage managing again next year. Not to mention all of the little things that the kids are doing: first jobs, first rollovers (Cookie, not a car lol). Oh, and my lap top died. So, as soon as I can I'll get back to you with a bunch of posts!

Pretending

Do you ever feel like you're just pretending to be an adult?

I've been feeling that way lately. Yes, I have a job, pay bills, take care of my kids.

But at times, deep down, I still feel like I'm the most immature person and question why on earth people trust me with anything much less the lives of precious little children.

I guess it doesn't help that I work in an industry where people pretend all the time, although I am on the other side of the industry. (i.e. I don't act; I work backstage.)

I love video games, and goofing off, and playing on the computer. And I can hardly wait for Elder Scrolls Online to come out next month.

But I guess I do have some rather adult hobbies, too. I love reading (especially mystery novels), crocheting & trying to knit, sewing, cooking (sometimes), writing this blog, writing a novel of my own (or at least researching to write one), genealogy and history in general.

But I still feel like someone, somewhere made a mistake and someone, one day, is going to realize it and take away my "You are an Adult" card.

Anyone else feel this way even once in a blue moon?

The Union for Contemporary Art

The Union for Contemporary Art is a uniquely amazing place founded by my friend Brigitte McQueen Shew. This amazing organization lives in this unassuming little building with a yellow front door.

I met Brigitte and was introduced to The Union in 2012 while I was working the Great Plains Theatre Conference. My friends, Jake, Elly, & I painted over an old mural (think 1980's with some of the people having the tall Bobby Brown hair) so that a new mural might be painted. The brilliant local artist, Wanda Ewing, then came in and painted the new mural which we used as a backdrop for a show that was done at the Union.

The Union for Contemporary Art is a small, non-profit organization that is dedicated to using art as a way to bring about social change and directly support local artists.

They offer six month studio fellowships to artists which offer studio space, monetary compensation for supplies, among other benefits. In exchange, the artists pay it forward with community service.

The Union also offers many community programs including mentorship programs for youth, programs for children and their parents, the North Omaha Tool Library, the Abundance Garden Project, and neighborhood clean up days.

This great organization is, of course, always in need of money. And they would be more than pleased to accept your donations. But they also have a wish list of equipment and services that they would love to have filled. You can find it here.

Please, please donate to this amazing, sensational, effulgent, and completely worthwhile organization. They'll appreciate it. I'll appreciate it. The community will appreciate it. (No to mention, you'll just feel good.)

Advice for New Moms?

Ok, well someone I know thinks I might know something about this parenting thing and has asked me for advice for new moms. (She shall remain nameless to protect the innocent lol.)

And it has given me much to think about. Of course, there's the stuff everyone knows. Don't drop the baby. Feed the baby. Change the baby. Bathe the baby. Repeat.

Then there's the stuff that I hope everyone knows by now. You can't spoil a baby. Don't give babies cold medicine. (Believe me, I fought my doctor on that on at first, too.) Don't put the baby to sleep on its tummy. Use car seats every time and use them properly.

But what is left?

Swaddle the baby or don't swaddle the baby? Well, it depends on the baby. I've had babies that liked it. And babies that didn't. Babies that liked being swaddled as long as their hands were free. Babies that loved being a little baby burrito. Work with your baby and figure out what makes them happy.

Put baby on a schedule or not? Personally, I don't. If the baby is hungry, feed the baby! If the baby has a wet diaper, change the baby! But realize that if you desperately need a shower and you're about to step in when the baby wakes up early from their nap, it's ok if you go ahead and take that quick shower. (I'm not saying spend an hour in there while baby screams. But a 2 minute shower to make you feel human again is fine as long as baby isn't hurting or in danger.

Let your spouse, mother, father, or any other responsible adult help. They can hold the baby, change the baby, feed the baby while you get a nap, or make something to eat besides a sandwich or take out.

Remind yourself, daily, or hourly if necessary. "THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION." Do what you feel is the best thing for you and your baby. Don't get into the arguments about co-sleeping, sleep training, bottle or breast feeding. It drains your energy and spends your time arguing when you could spend that time with your precious baby. Just do what's best for you.

Elder Scrolls Online

Ok, so I'm about to geek out. If you aren't into video games, my sincere apologies. But I sincerely request that you give this one a shot.

It doesn't come out until April 4th but I've been participating in beta tests for it for a little while now.

It is awesome! I've beta tested and played quite a few MMORPG's before and this one is right up there.

It has first person as well as third person playing views. (I prefer third person for the most part.)

There are only four classes but the skill trees make up for it. You can wield a sword, or a bow, or a staff no matter what class you sign up as. And any race can wear any armor or wield any weapon.

There are also morphing abilities. When a skill reaches rank 5 (and I think every 5 ranks thereafter) you have the option of morphing that ability into a new, stronger ability. Even summoned familiars can be morphed.

The quests are interesting and not the usual "go kill 10 rats." There is some of the typical, "go kill skeletons" but they are disguising it a little more with a bit of "investigate the temple." In other words, the writing of the script is better than I've seen in a while. Also, the voice overs are extraordinary.

The fights are more interesting, too. You won't be able to just hit your hot-keys. You'll have to actually use strategy against some of the antagonists.

The crafting is more interesting than most of the MMORPG's I've played, too. Even Dad likes it and, generally speaking, he hates crafting.

Please, give it a shot. And send me a message with your character name & we can group up and go questing!

Shot day!

Poor Cookie got her 2 month shots today. I took the day off work. (Jalapeno has reactions to some immunizations, so, just in case, I felt it was better for me to be home today.)

They have started combining so many immunizations. Not that I'm complaining, fewer pokes is a good thing.

But holy cow! She got 3 shots and an oral vaccine. But she was vaccinated against 8 things. One shot had 5 vaccines in it.

And they no longer give polio vaccines orally. That's built into a shot now.

And they also don't want you to give them acetaminophen. They prefer to let them run a fever because they have discovered that babies develop a better immunity to the diseases when they run a fever.

Even in just a few years, things change so much!

Also, in better news, Cookie bear seemed to really like our family doctor. She was making good eye contact and cooing at him almost the entire time.