tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post115767808470710045..comments2024-03-28T05:23:10.052-04:00Comments on ben and birdy: BenBirdy1http://www.blogger.com/profile/13328557199418095755noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158810193366013682006-09-20T23:43:00.000-04:002006-09-20T23:43:00.000-04:00Pre-school started at our house last week (am a li...Pre-school started at our house last week (am a little late getting in on this entry). So far, my C. is the only child NOT standing at the little baby gate craning his neck for a first glimpse of me at pickup time. No, no, he's running in the other direction wailing, "Oh, no, it's Mommy! No, I don't want to go hoooommme!" I guess I should be offended, but I'm left thinking, "I've raised a pretty secure kid who can fully embrace preschool and not ever want to leave it."<BR/>We, too, have our first cold of the preschool year - paseed along quite swiftly to our 5-month-old who, bless his heart, needs that most awful of tools, the nasal aspirator, to relieve his suffering. Rev up the Vitamin C! <BR/>Hope Birdy's having a blast...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158809003621983432006-09-20T23:23:00.000-04:002006-09-20T23:23:00.000-04:00Love your writing...Good luck Birdy and parents. G...Love your writing...Good luck Birdy and parents. Good luck Ben!<BR/>~D<BR/>P.S the scene you painted of Michael and the kids playing instruments to the Patty Griffin song....made me emotional! So sweet and yet a bit heavy hearted. I loved it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158348925144361782006-09-15T15:35:00.000-04:002006-09-15T15:35:00.000-04:00First day for my 3-year old this week, too. After...First day for my 3-year old this week, too. After the first 10 minutes in the classroom she turned to me -post earlier (clearly fake) tearful farewell - and said, "Mommy, you can go now."<BR/><BR/>They're growing up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158280823489888252006-09-14T20:40:00.000-04:002006-09-14T20:40:00.000-04:00from anyababa "You kill me, Catherine. You just ki...from anyababa "You kill me, Catherine. You just kill me."<BR/><BR/>I feel the same and am a new poster myself rather than only a lurker which makes me feel like I am trying to be a "friend" even more than I was before without posting!! I feel like a stalker with the thoughts I have about wanting to meet this wonderful loving family. I AM a stalker wanna be too. <BR/><BR/>I would be interested to know how it changes things when people see you like this, mini fame in your town Catherine I guess, maybe? Are the new photographers a nuisance or are they great and not in the way when they are there. It seems like they capture life so I cant help but think they are following you a lot (which I doutbt they ARE) but I think, maybe they do on some days like you are on a mini reality show!<BR/><BR/>For me however, the nostalgia is brand new. I have not considered myself as such in the past but I am changing and learning so much about myself through these kids. <BR/><BR/>I am only now realizing you can't go back or hold on to ALL of the connections and relationships you make, time is too precious. <BR/><BR/>You hear it all the time, they are only young once. treasure the moments. they grow up before your eyes. But it is not only kids, it is life. Look at old pictures, we change, A LOT and sometimes quickly. <BR/><BR/>I am realizing I have the naive/false hope that I can remain and be friends with everyone I bond with. I think I can take a whole lifetime of experience with me as a resource every time I change. I do but you cant keep in touch with every decent friend/good connection you have ever had since birth, there just is not time. You cant remember everything. <BR/><BR/>Last year someone cried at the end of the Its a Wonderful Life song in our three year old, co op moms are in the class half the time two day program. The teacher teared up too and blamed her for starting it. I love both of these women to death but it took until today for me to realize that I am an optimist and NAIVELY assume that we will all remain friends and keep some connection and see each other so I dont need to be sad. <BR/><BR/>But my emails to the group and tons of failed group togethers, tells me that is a pipe dream in this day and age. You cant do it, you have to choose the best ones that suit you (and/or your child) and work on those relationships HARD. <BR/><BR/>In reality, I know there are people that I get along with better but I think I will still have some connection and see the others or at least hear updates. I might but odds are I will not see them and I wont see them like I did that whole year. <BR/><BR/>I am so glad that Catherine is still here. Someone at BabyCenter compared her leaving to a neighbor moving and I was like, yeah, a neighbor DYING cause you can never talk to them again. But like I said before, the CHANCE of losing Catherine has made me re-double my efforts at staying connected and strengthening those connections but also to be more efficient about it and CHOOSY with who I spend the time doing it. <BR/><BR/>The connections have to be more personal to last. We all need to go for coffee if we live in the same state. Lets do it!! Make it real. Catherine, if you blog we can unite via email or something and try to eventually get you to be our guest for tea or something (after we kick out the mean and loony people, of which I may be one of!!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158276274713056042006-09-14T19:24:00.000-04:002006-09-14T19:24:00.000-04:00okay, there are hidden articles too!!! I just fou...okay, there are hidden articles too!!! I just found a new catherine story Vacation from a vacation story under life with little ones at wondertime!! It is great as usual and the link is on the home page but:<BR/><BR/>http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/vacation-from-vacations.html<BR/><BR/>Please let us know if you have any other articles up at wondertime and I also get Family Fun too so any article in there too, so I can read it first. I will get to it eventually otherwise.<BR/><BR/>My friend and I plan to meet in Capitola next summer or soon. Please also share any good camping spot recommendations between LA and Sacramento.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158249548652896932006-09-14T11:59:00.000-04:002006-09-14T11:59:00.000-04:00Aww, I just read the Happy Sad season (my link was...Aww, I just read the Happy Sad season (my link wasn't working earlier in the week). I totally feel that way, even though it's really not cool here yet. (Unless 95 is cool, and then I guess I shouldn't be complaining.) <BR/>Anyway, I'm really feeling it this year. My baby is turning 1 on Sunday! How is that even possible? How is it even possible that I'm a mommy? I'm still barely holding it together like I was in college. One of these days the Imposter Police will show up and point me out and tell everyone what a fraud I really am, and the game will be up.pacalagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12498703982601315908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158247921150119162006-09-14T11:32:00.000-04:002006-09-14T11:32:00.000-04:00YAWN!!!!!YAWN!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158237689564114312006-09-14T08:41:00.000-04:002006-09-14T08:41:00.000-04:00Hi Catherine, Keep up the good work, your writting...Hi Catherine, <BR/>Keep up the good work, your writting is very much appreciated!<BR/>KristinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158213766645411282006-09-14T02:02:00.000-04:002006-09-14T02:02:00.000-04:00Okay, do you still read every comment? Because 96...Okay, do you still read every comment? Because 96 is a lot, but I just had to write and say that your column this week was beautiful. I mean, I'm never disappointed, but this one was just lovely. And by the way, the pics of you and your kids over there are fabulous. That's all.<BR/><BR/>DeniseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158203335151179322006-09-13T23:08:00.000-04:002006-09-13T23:08:00.000-04:00Hey! Look at you! Look at this! So great.See...Hey! Look at you! Look at this! So great.<BR/>See you tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158199318191734662006-09-13T22:01:00.000-04:002006-09-13T22:01:00.000-04:00Just read your column at Wondertime. The back to ...Just read your column at Wondertime. The back to school melancholy hits me hard too. That feeling that something's over and the excitement of something new beginning. Another lovely column but you're wrong about peeling peaches. It sucks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158194215612008212006-09-13T20:36:00.000-04:002006-09-13T20:36:00.000-04:00I hear you - we had kindergarten for our big boy o...I hear you - we had kindergarten for our big boy one week, and pre-school for our little girl the next week. Lots of tears (Mommy's) and wishes that summer would go on forever.<BR/><BR/>Just bought my first issue of Wonder Time, and like it so far - have been checking out your column there every week.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for keeping us updated - I love that you have a blog!Mommato2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13475207169746158064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158154755770690032006-09-13T09:39:00.000-04:002006-09-13T09:39:00.000-04:00That's it they are all jealous cause for some reas...That's it they are all jealous cause for some reason they can't get how important it is to know I am not the only one that questions myself sometimes hey if you don't like it don't read it personally I feel you are wonderful. My 4 year old Ethan just started pre scholl last week he was so excited me a little excited a lot sad he is my last baby which he is no longer my daugther Delaney is 9 and just started forth grade around here almost to middle school so scary. Anyway so happy your still writing where we can find you. Thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158127933779590762006-09-13T02:12:00.000-04:002006-09-13T02:12:00.000-04:00Love you love you love you...my son is not even 10...Love you love you love you...my son is not even 10 months old and I am sitting here crying about the day he goes to school....thanks for not making me feel pathetic about that and I have such a craving for peaches now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158117050510127872006-09-12T23:10:00.000-04:002006-09-12T23:10:00.000-04:00Another great column at Wondertime, Catherine. No ...Another great column at Wondertime, Catherine. No doubt peach envy will ensue come Valentine's Day. In response to your parenthetical comment about playing pick-up in the bar with one's husband -- there's a story by Milan Kundera called The Hitchhiking Game (included in a book called Laughable Loves) that has always given me pause when I think about taking on new personas with my loved ones -- I recommend it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158077803036020382006-09-12T12:16:00.000-04:002006-09-12T12:16:00.000-04:00I'm enjoying the blog and the column, but how abou...I'm enjoying the blog and the column, but how about some bigger and darker type in the column? Maybe 3 kids have done a number on my eyes, but I'm squinting to read it :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158076334833655032006-09-12T11:52:00.000-04:002006-09-12T11:52:00.000-04:00Last night Rachel, my Birdy-aged daughter, sleepin...Last night Rachel, my Birdy-aged daughter, sleeping with me because of the 'bad booboo on my face' (almost a week past, the last of the scabs from the tumble down the porch stairs is barely hanging onto her cheekbone)looked at me seriously from about 8 inches away from me, both our heads on the same pillow, and gently smoothed the hair back from my face and pressed a kiss on my forehead. "I love you. Now go to sleep", she said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158072420823496272006-09-12T10:47:00.000-04:002006-09-12T10:47:00.000-04:00Okay, hopping on the bandwagon here!My six-year ol...Okay, hopping on the bandwagon here!<BR/><BR/>My six-year old started grade one last week.<BR/>My four year old starts junior kindergarten on Friday. (I am a Major Groupie from Canada) <BR/><BR/>I feel all your pain/joy. Rhetorical question: Does it ever get any easier? I am happy sad. ”I am stuck in my foolish blues. Is every autumn of my life going to feel like the end of an era?”<BR/><BR/>Good luck to you and Birdy.<BR/><BR/>Hugs and kisses (through tears and smiles),<BR/>MaxineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158064714372498402006-09-12T08:38:00.000-04:002006-09-12T08:38:00.000-04:00You kill me, Catherine. You just kill me. Where ar...You kill me, Catherine. You just kill me. Where are you, anyway? Because I'm here, feeling those same things and people are looking at me like I'm nuts. If I had you here for backup, maybe I wouldn't seem so strange.<BR/>This melancholy joy--this need for the children and the exact same need for the children to leave me alone. I ache from it. I wear myself out with it. <BR/>I need solitude--I need time with peaches (which, girl, I totally GET. You'd be amazed at the peaches I've peeled. Like taking the shirts off of tiny, sweaty babies.) But I also need my little boa constrictors near me, squeezing the ever-loving life out of me.<BR/>I've been so melancholy since school started. And when I tell other mothers, they say, "Oh, I get it. Because [insert attempt at empathy here]?" And I say, Nope! That's not it. It's something else. And I can't explain it. --But, apparently some lady named Catherine Newman knows what I'm feeling, and I've never so much as even laid eyes on her. <BR/>It just kills me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158028410774572752006-09-11T22:33:00.000-04:002006-09-11T22:33:00.000-04:00I love this week's Wondertime piece, but I have to...I love this week's Wondertime piece, but I have to embark on a total tangent and say that your description of applying eyeliner to your inner eyelid made me laugh out loud! I had a girlfriend who taught me to soften the eyeliner a bit by putting the tip of the pencil <I>directly on the bare lightbulb hanging from my closet ceiling</I> before smearing it on. Dear God. So glad we made it through that phase, right? Anyway, I had completely forgotten about that tragic era in my early experimentations with cosmetics. Thank you for the reminder. And for the wonderful image of red-gold peachy orbs. Delish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158025449625824732006-09-11T21:44:00.000-04:002006-09-11T21:44:00.000-04:00OK, you mentioned divorcing Michael. ROFL. So yo...OK, you mentioned divorcing Michael. ROFL. So you <I>are</I> married. I guess?! It never occurred to me to wonder until you made some comment (at some point) about it cracking you up that people hysterically ask if you are or aren't. At that point, I decided that you must not be. After all, I also think I remember you mentioning at another time that you're pagan and "we're" not as wrapped around marriage as some people (my hubby and I tied the knot solely to get him on my dental insurance when his crown fell off). I guess my point is that I wonder about your marital status simply because you want us to. :oD <BR/><BR/>Seriously, Catherine....you guys are the highlight of my week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158009595305101332006-09-11T17:19:00.000-04:002006-09-11T17:19:00.000-04:00Yay, Birdy!! You speak so in depth about these li...Yay, Birdy!! You speak so in depth about these little ones that I feel as though they are my family. I, too, remember when you wrote about Camping on the Cape back at babycenter and were unaware of Birdy's sweet little self growing inside of you. It just doesn't seem all that long ago...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1158000885552763572006-09-11T14:54:00.000-04:002006-09-11T14:54:00.000-04:00Re: your latest wondertime post:My mother used to ...Re: your latest wondertime post:<BR/>My mother used to can peaches. I know exactly what you are talking about -- boiling the water, dropping the peaches in, how the skin slips off. It is one of the most fabulous and sensual experiences and eating the peaches after they've been skinned that way -- they taste as perfect as they look. I remember those afternoons eating peaches vividly every time I see a basket of peaches in season. I have never encountered a description of how evocative and memorable that process is, until now. Thank you.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10056240730820855316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1157986361893152612006-09-11T10:52:00.000-04:002006-09-11T10:52:00.000-04:00Aren't beginnings bitter sweet? Preschool was a b...Aren't beginnings bitter sweet? Preschool was a big event in our lives last year. Now my DS is the 'old man' in the preschool classroom. Teachers rave at how he can resolve kids arguments over the same toy by telling them there is another one they could use. Next year - kindergarden will surely do me in. Catherine, you are my hero! I wonder, did you have a wonderful parenting relationships with your folks? I don't remember you writing a lot about them. My parents are quickly aging and I think a lot about them in relation to my parenting. I wonder what yours were like?Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11048735889043562296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1157984334650196562006-09-11T10:18:00.000-04:002006-09-11T10:18:00.000-04:00I feel your pain. My oldest daughter just started...I feel your pain. My oldest daughter just started kindergarten. We started the first day of school all huddled in bed together, laughing and giggling. Then Brenna says to me (so earnestly that I thought I might die), "Mommy, you can't cry when I get on the bus."<BR/>While I wish I could say that I was planning to be strong, I fully expected to weep like a baby as the bus pulled away. So I just replied, "Oh. I can't, huh?"<BR/>"Nope. Daddy, you can't cry either."<BR/>And since my daughter hasn't mastered the detection of sarcasm yet, my husband felt free to respond with, "I'll try my best."<BR/>I told my little girl that she should sit near the front so the bus driver could help her; to which my husband began grousing that she could sit where ever she wanted. He had always liked the back of the bus and his baby can sit there too. I pointed out that the big kids sit in the back, to which he replied "Pffft." (And yes, he is still alive.... barely.)<BR/>But when the bus came and took my baby away to her first day of school, we waved and didn't cry. And my husband leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Boy, those *are* big kids in the back."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com