And so it is...

Imagine...
A preschool with a passionate director, an authentic Reggio approach, and a beautiful environment.  Yes, it's out of reach: with only a 1/2 day schedule and a 5-digit price tag plus an additional $2K for the art materials and registration fee.  The experience is worthwhile, this site is a testament to how the childrens' natural talents are nourished.  I knew the preschool search would be tough but didn't expect heartache to go with it.  What I have learned though is to use the same approach when selecting a day care site.  I didn't give myself enough time on that one.  I am happy with Vida's daycare but it doesn't have a bilingual component.  It's possible to have it all, it just takes a significant amount of planning.

We just wrapped up our second preschool tour and were super satisfied until we reflected on the price tag, it's more than our rent.  It will be a back up, pending my future employment.  When you compare it to the preschool above, it's a 'bargain'.  A huge bonus at this location is that the child can start on their second birthday, rolling admissions, and they don't have to be potty-trained.  So far this has been a rare perk: usually potty training is required and they can't start until they are 2.5.

I have 4 more preschool tours between November and January.  1/2 of them are not realistic due to their hours but I want to get a feel for what's offered in the area so that I can make an informed decision.

This is when you truly feel the middle class squeeze and your options are limited.  We want it all: a satisfying career, home ownership and a great education for our child(ren).  In CA, that combination is reserved for a few.

Oh, how I miss the days where I could scribble out a 5-year plan and everything worked out perfectly, falling into place at the right time.  Now, it's about the 10-year plan and holding our breath that it works out.  I guess, we can hold off on buying our first place until it's time for kindergarten or college.  I am an advocate of public education whether traditional or charter.  However, I feel strongly about a private high school education.  That view could change with some significant reform.

I read the The Complete TightWad Gazette to learn more tips about saving money.  To truly fit the bill there are some caveats: you need to have strong home ec skills, live in a rural area, and have one parent stay home.  Yes, there were multiple examples of families owning homes with only one income, granted their purchases were less than $50K.

Which brings me to my next topic...

How do I reduce my carbon footprint, live a frugal life, and increase family quality time factor?
(I would love to hear your answers to this question too.)

This BIG question evolved as I discovered the No Impact Man, the book mentioned above, personal finance blogs, a rigorous work environment, and the Story of Stuff.

So in my tiny universe I have taken these steps and noticed that some have the added benefit of a healthy lifestyle too:

1. Commitment to only 1 TV in our household and no cable.  We have always had 1 TV and the DirectTV was canceled months ago and replaced with a more affordable Netflix subscription (only 1 DVD at a time).  It still feels like we watch too much TV, between morning cartoons and our shows/interests, we're probably at 10 hours/week.  I would rather spend that time reading or doing something productive like household duties.  As Vida's school years begin, I would like to create the routine of no TV after dinner as it will be reserved for homework time and it only gets turned on after she's asleep.  We have ridiculously great weather, it was 90 degrees today, we should be outside more often. 

2. Making treats instead of buying them.  Like if I want to serve dessert for the family it will be something made from scratch.  Or if I want snack foods for work, it will be a home-made item.  So far this has been in effect 50%...

3. Buying in bulk and sharing the difference with family.  We're just two adults and a toddler, so I review a list of needs with my mom and we split the cost on some Costco purchases.

4. Using a Brita filter instead of buying bottled water, this one is tough because bottle water is such an evil, er, great convenience.  We're getting better at this one, I think a larger Brita contraption would help.

5. Menu planning: it makes so much sense and has significant pay off in terms of finances and stress.  No last minute decisions and panic fast food runs.  It's not intuitive or second nature yet but it has improved in the last 3 months.  Taking time off from working full time made a difference.  It also helps with grocery shopping and cuts down on throwing away unused food.

6. No full price purchases or dining: Basically take advantage of discounts, coupons, and perks if you want to treat yourself or indulge.  There have been multiple times that I found myself remembering that 'we had a coupon for that.  Dang it!'

7. Do significant research on any purchase over $50: First ask yourself is it REALLY necessary, then if it is, hunt for the best value.  Take Vida's bedroom furniture for example: the crib can be modified to a toddler bed and the dresser and night stand can plain-face or have colorful panels, it's also well made and will last.  I remember having my furniture for nearly a decade.  I can't say the same for our main couch, I think it's cush factor has a maximum of 5 years left.

Living this lifestyle is not difficult it just takes commitment, like my Jillian's 30-Day Shred work out.  :-) Bottom line: you can't procrastinate if you want to be successful with this lifestyle.  

I have no idea why but when Vida is adamant about not eating something or not doing something she will let you know with a definitive...

NO WAY!!!

It's not an expression we use so it must have been picked up at daycare.

Recently, she was overcome with frustration while Nani was watching her...

My mom told me that she was messing with the on/off switch on the TV and she told her not to do that.  Vida clenched her fist with fury and shouted NO WAY...AND slapped my mom two times!

She was taken aback and so was Vida.  She said Vida had a look of 'oh no, now I have done it.'  My mom couldn't come up with a response to discipline her.  It's very much out of character for Vida.

Just this evening we were in the food court at the local mall and took her to the play area for the 1st time.  She held her own very well with tranquility and patience.  There was a set of brothers about 5 and 2.5 who were acting like punks!  The 5 year old, Mikey, in particular was the Tazmanian Devil!  He went up to Vida and called her a 'baby' in a mocking tone over and over again.  She just looked at him and his brother with a look that said, 'Okay, and what of it?!?!?

Their father eventually came over because, the boys were not getting a reaction from Vida, so they began some physical contact.  This is when I was about to pounce on the punks, their father came in and said some weak, 'no, no' junk.  It didn't stop, at one point, Mikey was about to poke Vida in the eye.  These boys terrorized some other girls too.

I guess Vida was too young to think anything of their horrendous behavior.  She had fun doing laps around the gi-normous hot dog.  She enjoyed herself despite these two instigators.

Vida celebrated her 18 month birthday on Monday.  I had class that evening so DH got her a cupcake and sang "Happy Birthday" to her.  She loved it.  I got in on the fun the following day with a Hostess cupcake.  She loved the song and asked to do it again.  Vida participate more in the ritual than she did on her 1st birthday, when it all took her by surprise.

Some of her latest milestones and learning curves...

1. Counting: She can count from 1 through 9 when it's combined with an activity such as doing pull ups on Daddy's "As Seen on TV" pull up bar or climbing stairs.  We definitely have to capture this on video soon to prove it.  She impressed Nani today as she watched her on the pull up bar.

2. Self-feeding: Still in development but she's very eager to do it herself when it's a solid food.  With liquids or cereal, I set it up for her and she takes it from there.  There's a 'control freak' side of me that wants to do it for her in the name of efficiency.  In my child development class, I am learning about independence and interdependence.  If she wants to do it herself, I let her, otherwise I jump in and get it done.  For solids, I still keep food to finger-food size.  So if we're having chicken, I shred her portion.  If we're having cheese n' mac with that, she will use a fork.

3. Pre-potty training: Vida is getting better at undressing herself.  She's most proficient with her socks and shirt.  There's not much interest in pulling her bottoms down.  She recognizes and makes the names and sounds for potty time.  She will sit at her potty casually.  I let her come to the bathroom with me.  We're working on explaining the concept that 'pee' and 'poo' go 'bye -bye' in the potty.

4. Vocabulary: It's expanding weekly.  She's aware of when she hears a new word and repeats it again and again.  She participated in a study at the UCLA baby lab (it was her 4th visit) and I filled out a vocabulary inventory.  Vida knows so many more words than she can say.  It's amazing how much that little brain absorbs.  I recently checked out the The Read-Aloud Book from the library.  (Side note:  I don't even hunt for the books I am interested in on the shelves.  I simply go online and reserve it.  I am sent an email when it arrives at my local branch and I go pick it up.  Easy breezy!) So, I can't believe that I didn't already own this book.  It should be required reading in all teacher preparation programs.  The authors weaves research along with his professional and personal experience, sprinkled with some anecdotes to create the case for reading aloud to children throughout their entire life.  Yes, 0 to 18!  Sometimes it feels like a chore, when Vida picks up her 6th book to read aloud.  There's a mommy confession for you.  Now that I have the 3 chapters of this book and reflected on my teaching days in a high-needs urban area, I happily read the 6th, 7th, and 8th book of the day. 

The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition

Jim Trelease

Yes, all in one afternoon.

Yesterday, Vida, my mom and I attended a birthday party for a cousin turning 1.  There were mini cupcake centerpieces with super bright icing.  Vida had 2 with bright blue frosting.  Her poop had a light blue tint to it today.  I remember reading about the phenomenon that your child's waste can change color due to food coloring so I was prepared.  Otherwise, I would have been Googling, 'blue baby poop'.

We also had lunch at the Corner Bakery, a new one that opened up at a small shopping center.  The cutest family with 2 boys (5 and 2.5) were sitting next to us.  We were near the entrance, where there's a small couch area for people waiting for to go orders.  Vida was restless toward the end of the meal and decided to play in that area.  The boys wanted to join in.  When the 5 y/o entered the area, she approached him, babbled some gibberish, and acted sweetly toward him.  He was speechless and lost as to what to do, he ran back to his dad with his face blushing and buried himself into his dad.  His name is Bowie, as in David Bowie, super cute hipster kid.  His lil bro enters into 'Vida's play area', they hit off, chatting it up, doing some dance moves, climbing.  I think Bowie will pick up some girl tips from his lil bro, Phoenix.  Yes, those are their real names.  I know, only in L.A.  The parents were a beautiful down-to-earth couple.

It was so fun to watch Vida be so bold, she's comfortable approaching kids that seem to be having fun.  It seems to happen more often with boys who are about 3-5.  Perhaps, it's the girl-boy ratio at daycare that gives her the confidence.  It's a fine line to watch for sure, and it all may just disappear once she hits the 'tweens.  I watch with fascination as she tries to engage them in some conversation, she's relentless too.  If they don't answer her back, she will continue talking!  My DH will say something like, "that sounds familiar" when he reads this entry.  He is very good at decoding her words or so it seems...

I truly believe she is communicating with real words, just the pronunciation is off.  When she actually speaks in a sentence it's a mash up of all the words together.  I have to record some examples of her making an exclamation and my husband giving the translation.  One of the first phrases/sentences, he decoded was, 'Let me see."  It sounds like, 'lemme seeeeee."  She uses it when one of us is holding an object that she is interested in.  I am hesitant to agree with all the translation that DH comes up with but she speaks with a tone and command that I can't just chalk it up to baby talk.

Has anyone else seen this article on CNN.  It makes perfect sense: 'Spanking children predicts aggressive behavior problems at age 2'.  I was spanked as a kid and still remember it, I would hide my detention slips to avoid it.  I would beg my mom to not make me tell my dad.  It wasn't painful, it was simply humiliating!

Instead, my mother has introduced, 'pow pow', it's a phrase we started to use when she entered the phase of throwing food off the high chair.  My mom will put out her own wrist and mockingly tap it while saying 'pow pow'.  Vida is a natural mimic and would drop the food and then repeat the action.  It was a game...

I decided to say the words, 'pow pow', with a scowl and a stern tone.  I also tap her wrist briskly and she stops dropping food, throwing objects off shelves, and putting her mouth on the trashcan liner.  I know-gross!

I don't want to strike fear into her and manage misbehavior in that fashion.  As much as possible, I will return to the 'No, not for Vida' and remove her from the situation to distract her.  When I am thinking and processing the situation instead of simply reacting, the outcome and better for both of us, no frustration, no stress.

What has worked is chill out time, it's like 'time out but' more about taking time for herself.  One day, after daycare, she was antsy, playing destructively and unable to focus.  When she began to whine, I lifted her from the living room to the crib, all she needed was 5 minutes.  I expected her to commence with a protest of shrieking.  Instead, a subdued voice emerged, baby babble, and gentle play began.

When I cannot remove her (example: dining out), I whisper in her ear: 'Not right now Vida, you need to sit down, thank you.'  It buys me some time and she understands the concept.  Babies are so perceptive to body language and tone.  I am taking a child development class for my own sake and slowly building up to a director permit.  For one of my projects, we have to present a concept for a parent workshop.  I found inspiration at this site.  Enjoy!

Living the Big City life...

Fire and Brimstone
For starters there's the weather...apparently our L.A. fires are so significant it has made international news.  It has been nothing short of devastating, particularly with the death of 2 firefighters, both family men.  One was expecting his 1st child in 3 weeks.  I am thinking of looking up their registry online and sending a small gift.  In solidarity.

Toddlerhood in Hollywood
Vida had her first official gymnastics class today.  We sampled the program with a trial class 2 weeks ago and she was all over it.  Ms. Savannah, the gymnastics teacher, is a natural with the 'foxes and pups'.  That's the name used for the littlest kiddos.  Guess who is in her class?  Sunny, Adam Sandler's 10 month old daughter.  I made a huge boo boo and called her a boy.  Nice one.  Adam was there too.  See this is special for me...when Pablo and I were dating he asked who my Hollywood heartthrob was...my answer: Adam Sandler!  That's not what he expected, he was thinking Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, the usual.  I was like, 'Hello!"  Adam would keep me laughing.  Laughter = Happiness!
Vida is not is some super-posh studio, she's at JAG (Josephson Academy of Gymnastics) in Culver City.  I signed up for classes via our local community college, West L.A. College.  We get the same exact classes but at a discounted price and bypass the customary registration fee.  It's going well, it's great to see her learn how to use her muscles and develop some coordination.  Something both DH and I lack (he's fallen out of a tree and I am a klutz).

Playdates
So maybe Vida will be invited to Sunny's 1st birthday.  :-)
Right now, I am at a coffee shop catching up on things while Vida has a playdate with Lily.  I used to babysit Lily.  She seemed all good so I just tip toed outta there while she continued to explore their back yard.  I have only checked my phone 3 times in 30 minutes!  When I went to pick up Vida, she was a 'velcro monkey' attached to Lily.  It also made me cry that she didn't want to come home with me!  She had a great time.  It is noted that the combination of an intensive 45-minute morning gymnastics session combined with a 1-hour fun playdate makes for a GREAT 3.5 hour nap!

How fun is it to sing the 'ABC's' song?

It's my first round and I am loving it.  Vida sings along during certain portions.  She has a strong concept of letter and sound relationships.  She has even transferred it to graffiti, let me explain:
While at the park on Sunday, she was playing on the equipment and crawled through a tunnel that had some tagging, silly stuff like, 'cows eat poop' along with actual tagging.  She pointed to the letter 'C' and said it.

The night before we 'tagged' up the bathroom tile with Crayola's tub crayons and sang about the ABC's during bath time.  *Remember*: I am an educator and learning opportunities abound.  Below is a video of the final round, she's not participating as much.  Her voice comes through as a high pitch, my apologies in advance:

Vida has totally embraced toddlerhood...

* Exclaiming, "MINE', 'MINE'-whenever Nana teases her by taking a toy or other possession away.

* Bedtime Tantrums: We put an end to this one quickly- we've been doing the 4 B's (bath, bottle, book, bed) still she wanted to decide her own bed time.  We would attempt to rock her and she would have none of it.  So we turn off the light and walk away.  On the 1st night it was a 30 minute battle, we finally roker her to sleep.  Night #2 it was 15 minutes of blood curdling screams, and on the 3rd night, it was less than 10 minutes of protesting and screaming.
Basically, she finds her pacifier, rolls around, and settles down to sleep.

* Dancing: She plays her Leap Frog Fridge DJ and dances up a diddy with her twinkle toes.  She also spins in circles.  Vida has memorized lyrics to some classics, Ring Around the Rosies.  She says, 'fall down' on cue.  She learned the hand motions for songs like,  Itsy, Bitsy and Twinkle, Twinke a while ago.  Now she throws in a couple of phrases.

* Climbing: To the couch" hooray, let's celebrate that one.  From the couch to the end table, "NO !!!"  She also goes up the wrong way on slides, she also loves stairs and steps.  She counts them with you, some of the numbers are in order, some don't sound like numbers and others are repeated.  I have to record this because it's precious!

* A lovey: I am not a fan of that word, I can't explain it.  Anyhow, we visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park on super HOT Sunday.  At the end of our trip, she selected a Meerkat puppet.  It's her friend, she loves playing pat-a-cake with it and interacting with it.

*Straws: Straws were a great teething toy and now she knows their function. She drank from a Tree Top Apple Juice box at the Nordstrom Cafe today.  It's those little moments that I cherish.  Now she

*Eating: She does not want any help unless it's liquidy like yogurt.  She toys with the idea of using a spoon for things like couscous, otherwise she's perfectly comfortable with her fingers.  It's still necessary to make small pieces otherwise she ends up with a dangerous wad of food in her mouth.  At home, it's water only, I don't want her to develop a 'want' for sweet drinks.  I think it's a good idea not to drink your calories.  There are always exceptions like milkshakes or the occassional Jamba Juice.

We went in for our first appointment on Tuesday, and there was a discrepancy between the measurements from my pelvic exam (7 weeks) and my estimate ( 9 weeks).  Upon that news, I had a suspicion the baby stopped growing.  The ultrasound confirmed it, there was just a little lump, instead of the bouncy sac with the flicker of a heartbeat.  It was certainly disappointing, particularly because I had no signs (no cramping or bleeding).  I felt deceived by mother nature.
This pregnancy was a special surprise so I had not physically prepared as in taking pre-natal vitamins and losing those 20 lbs.  In the 'big picture' it's for the best.  That didn't comfort me when I had to take the misopostrol and pass the blood clots.  I hope it all is taken care of and I don't need a D & C.  I have an appointment on 8/7 for an ultrasound just to make sure.

The night before I took the pills, Vida was a wreck.  She normaly sleeps soundly all night.  On Tuesday night, she woke up at 1 am and wouldn't rest with Pablo rocking her.  He brought her to me, I was already mentally exhausted from the news we received earlier that day.  She was inconsolable, it's as if she knew.  I rocked her and told her she was okay, so was I and that there was no more baby.  I think she was just as devastated.  We held eachother, as I rocked her, Pablo held me.  She didn't want to sleep though.  Pablo retrieved her 'first friend', the glow worm.  We made her a bottle and she calmed down.  It must have been around 3 when she stopped fighting it abd put her selp back to sleep.  Poor thing didn't get to sleep in because of the gardners next door.  She was a cranky butt all morning.  I had an interview for a pre-school director position at a therapy center and took her with me.  Vida did not want to leave my side, as I toured the facility, I could hear her crying and crying and crying.  She just wanted to be with me.

Babies are so intuitive.  I wish I could have comforted her some more.  She will make a great big sister one day.  For now, Pablo and I are focused on her and some exciting events coming up.  4 sets of friends are getting married in a span of 5 months in 2010.

Here are some pictures of the lovely flowers friends and family sent yesterday to cheer me up!

She just keeps getting more affectionate, well, it's probably just separation anxiety.  Vida will latch on to me, sometimes I call her velcro monkey.  This is testing my patience when I am trying to do a chore in the kitchen and nothing works to distract her.  Well, I could open the fridge and let her explore, she is fascinated with its contents, clearly this exploration sets up a domino effect.

Other notes:
Says 2-syllable words clearly: Some examples include: , bubbles, hello, rabbit, doggy, baby. 
Other words include: Bye bye and hello to everyone, wa wa (agua/water), thank you, hi, shoes, go, up, down.
The baby signs are in full swing: she has all her meal time signs down solid.  Essentials first of course.  When we review them with her book, she's all about it.
She's a little mimic too!  My mom imitates the baby conductor in the Classical Baby series and she follows suit.  She will repeat your motions, does this with daddy most often.
Vida also enjoys going for walks, rides in the wagon or on mommy's back with the Ergo pack. 
She enjoys various foods: tofu, mashed potatoes, raspberries, most fruit, chicken, bread, and is still interested in baby jar food.
Drinking more water from the sippy cup.  As of last week, bottles are solely for whole milk.  I would like to end all bottle use in 3 months.  She's not attached to them so it should be a smooth transition.  VIda only uses a pacifier at night, usually doesn't keep in her mouth throughout the evening.

It saddens me that she is quickly moving to the 2T clothes, no more 'months'.  It's hard to find 24 month clothing, it sounds silly but it's how I hang on to her infancy stage.  I would get weepy when she grew out of her diaper sizes.  Now it's the clothes, next it will be the shoes...sigh all of the signs of growing up.

She played in her kiddy pool yesterday, as long as it was virtually dry.  The temperature was too cold for her so I had to dump most of the water out.  She spent quite a bit of time in there.  She let us know she was done by saying, "Go, go."  Although she understands opposites such as up and down and says them while motioning with her arms, she uses 'go' for down or done.

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