Miriam .. you are so right about
the webcam! My husband has worked crazy hours our whole marriage. He has a 'regular' job, and owns his own business 'on the side'. So he was never here for regular stuff like meals, bedtimes, etc. We got a webcam and put it in the kitchen .. and David and Clara would have 'breakfast' together every morning. She was an infant ... strapped into her highchair ... and they would eat Cheerios "together" and he would read her a book or make funny faces ... it wasn't the same as having Daddy here, but he got to be part of her daily routine and she loved it as much as he did!
We also have a habit of video taping and taking pics of EVERYTHING around here. Not long videos, but short little clips ... like when she learned to tie her shoes, or sing a song, or brushing her teeth (and getting toothpaste everywhere but on her brush!) Originally, we did it so we could 'show daddy what he missed today', but it became second nature, and now we have this amazing digital history of Clara growing up. We send pics and videos on a flash drive to our inlaws and my brother who lives out of state often, and they love them!
Another thing we do is keep a 'journal' ... it's not a big deal and it takes less than 1 minute a day. I bought a spiral notebook years ago, and started a habit of filling 1 page a day ... (I write big) with what we did. Mundane and exciting stuff. I let the kids draw pictures in there, or write their names, I printed a couple of pics from the computer and pasted them in, and we keep it out on the living room table where everyone can see it. When family from out of town come, they always go right to it ... to see what's been going on. I found that it's the little stuff that they miss ... not so much the milestones. It's natural to call and say "Clara is WALKING now", but not so much "She wrote 3 letters in her name today!" or "We just finished reading Charlotte's Web" .... and it really helps them feel like they KNOW her, since they've only seen her 1 time in 5 years. (We used to mail the filled journals to Nan and Poppa ... and they ALWAYS were faithful about
mailing them back. We've gotten out of that habit lately though. I just can't bare to send them away!!!)
Marlee, I hope that by the time you're reading this, you're starting to feel a little relief. I'm so glad you got some "floor time" with the cutest great grandson of all time. (Which, I am sure he IS!) I have big pillows in my classroom ... they LOOK like they are for the kids, but actually, I use them a lot. Since I teach preschoolers, I am on the floor a lot, and I pay for it every day .. had to come up with something better. So I have some firm pillows and yoga props around the room that I use to put under my knees, under my back, etc .... the kids don't know it's a survival technique, but it does seem to help. At home, I use rolled up towels or blankets too ... and that vicodin suggestion always help too. ;)
wishing you LOTS more baby hugs!!!!
and ... as for the snow count .. we have 30 inches so far, and are expecting up to another FOOT today. this is the biggest snow we've seen in Virginia in a LONG time .... people either love it or hate it ... but there are lots of great pics flying around ! :)
Post Edited (do-over) : 2/9/2010 4:17:28 AM (GMT-7)