Rachel's First Trip to the Movies

Yesterday was Rachel's first trip to a movie theater. I can't say that I am totally surprised that she couldn't sit still through most of Charlotte's Web, but at least it was a Summer Movie Express for all ages at Regal Cinemas. My kid was not the only one making a fuss, but she did try to steal the show.

In all fairness to her, she did make it through at least the first half-hour and was impressed by all the little creatures in the movie (Dakota Fanning excluded). Then, I had to take her out for a diaper change. Stupid me, I decided to get snacks while we were out. Needless to say it was not easy trying to get back into a crowded aisle with my hands full of snacks and a tantrum-throwing toddler. I decided to just make my way all the way to the top of the stadium and sit in an empty row, leaving my friends and their obedient kids to wonder "what happened to Baby Rachel?" There, in isolation,  she had her snacks and a multitude of fits because I refused to let her run up and down the aisle stairs. We managed to get to the end of the movie and then I high-tailed it out of there. 


I think the most fun Rachel had on this adventure was getting chased around the theater lobby by my friends' boys (ages 2 and 4). If this is a sign of things to come, please kill me now.

Gymanstics success

I signed my baby girl, Rachel, up for "Twinkling Stars" gymnastics for summer through our community parks and rec. It was a 4 week class and today was the last meeting. The first 2 meets were a complete bust, where I left in tears because my kid is so independent and WILL NOT LISTEN! 

While all the other kids were having a blast walking across the balance beam, climbing the rock wall, or doing somersaults, my kid is throwing tantrum after tantrum because she just wants to run around doing her own thing. I guess it's a good thing that she is independent and I hope she will always have that quality to her, where she marches to the beat of her own drum. But I desperately wanted her to just be "normal" and follow the coach's instructions and the other kids' examples. Why did I have to be the one with THAT KID who was wreaking havoc? "She's only 2 years old" you say? Well so were the other 13 kids! Oy.

I told Ben I was ready to give up after the last session, which I had to leave early because my little demon was unbearable. He said I needed to keep challenging her. I can't just give up on her and give up doing good things for her because it's easy or because I want to avoid negative situations. She will never learn to be in those kind of settings if I avoid them. He's right.

So we missed a week due to our trip to NY and we were back today for another session. I told myself on the drive to the studio, "have a clean slate, it's a new day. Don't expect the worst." Ahhh, the power of positive thinking! Rachel was so great! She sat with me (instead of running off to avoid me), she watched the coach's examples of the exercises and instructions on how to use the apparatuses, and she had fun! Full moon, Armageddon?  I don't care! The most important thing is I made progress. And I didn't give up on her. This particular class is now over, but in 2 weeks we start "Tumbling Teddies." I hope it will be another step forward, but if it's not, I will just keep challenging her anyway.

Long time no see...

Since the last time I posted, in May 2008, we've had a baby, Ben had a book published, and we're now expecting a second baby. A few things have happened in between, but I can't remember it all. I guess I should start blogging more.