My mom and I ran across some real cute water shoes for Gusi today. Unfortunately they didn't have his size in one pair I liked and the other I liked did not fit his rather plump feet. I was ready to walk away when my mom noticed the Crocs. Now, as a fashion statement PapaGus and I have questioned the popularity of these but I'll add that I've always thought they look cute on kids. We managed to get a pair onto Gusi's feet and he was able to walk just fine, so we got them.
As mom was checking out we noticed they had balloons behind the register. Actually, Gusi noticed as he lunged out of my arms toward them. He got a balloon, tied to a nice little balloon holder for convenience, and off we went to a restaurant in another part of the mall.
He didn't eat very much. I resisted the temptation to order from the kiddie menu, but when he resisted the mozzarella, the mashed potatoes and only nibbled on the fried calamari, I decided it was time. I ordered him the only thing that came with a side of fruit--a fluffer nutter sandwich. This was my first time ever seeing one and all I could think of was PapaGus's voice telling me how he didn't want Gusi growing up eating junk food. Sigh. Still, I thought, the peanut butter has protein, is high in calories (which Gusi needs right now) and certainly outweighs the fluffer part of the sandwich. Plus, there's the fruit cup that comes with it. He ended up eating most of the sandwich but the big surprise for us was how he gobbled up the sweet, fresh pineapple.
As he finished his last pieces of banana, he noticed the waiter bring each of the three children that were seated a few tables away from us a balloon. Even though he was already holding onto his balloon he wanted another one. He grunted and lunged at the other children and their balloons until we asked if he could also have one. We pointed to the logo of the children's shoe store on the one he already had to show that he had brought this one with him. He got his wish and out of the restaurant we strolled with two balloons flying with fluffer nutter mix smeared all over them.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
It's a Farm Out There
Gusi got a great book from his grandparents for his birthday, one that he loves to read. It's a bilingual version of Old MacDonald in a nice foamy, cloth complete with movable farmer and animals. He's starting to learn the farm animals in both Spanish and English and he is really into the sounds that go along with each animal, provided by whomever is reading to him at the moment.
For a while now he has opted to bark like a dog when he sees or hears one instead of signing it. I don't mind, I know that when he barks there's a dog somewhere around. He got some great bilingual flash cards from a playmate for his birthday and when he sees the card for el perro he barks. When he sees the card for el pájaro he signs *bird*. He's communicating and I understand him, so however it happens I'm happy.
I thought I'd have to learn some more signs for barn yard animals when he started getting into his Old MacDonald book. Not quite. My mom, ever so clever, is teaching him how to crow like a rooster--in English. In Spanish roosters say qui-qui-ri-qui, but Gusi is learning cock-a-doodle-do. He loves it. Today in the car both mom and Gusi were crowing and I couldn't help but laugh--they were both so into it.
And another strange thing is occurring, Gusi has started calling me like a lamb would call a sheep. I've gone from being Mama to Baaah. Perhaps the farm theme creeping a bit more into every day life than I had expected, but I'm going with it. He likes the petting zoo at the zoo quite a bit, but I might skip it next time we go.
Gusi is processing the neigh of the horse--he's not too sure what to do with it yet and I haven't learned the sign for horse so I'm going with the sound for now. The quack and oink are not really big hits, but he does know that ducks are birds since he makes the sign for bird when he sees them at the zoo.
Maybe with Easter coming up we'll have the chance to silently hop like a bunny while wiggling our noses.
For a while now he has opted to bark like a dog when he sees or hears one instead of signing it. I don't mind, I know that when he barks there's a dog somewhere around. He got some great bilingual flash cards from a playmate for his birthday and when he sees the card for el perro he barks. When he sees the card for el pájaro he signs *bird*. He's communicating and I understand him, so however it happens I'm happy.
I thought I'd have to learn some more signs for barn yard animals when he started getting into his Old MacDonald book. Not quite. My mom, ever so clever, is teaching him how to crow like a rooster--in English. In Spanish roosters say qui-qui-ri-qui, but Gusi is learning cock-a-doodle-do. He loves it. Today in the car both mom and Gusi were crowing and I couldn't help but laugh--they were both so into it.
And another strange thing is occurring, Gusi has started calling me like a lamb would call a sheep. I've gone from being Mama to Baaah. Perhaps the farm theme creeping a bit more into every day life than I had expected, but I'm going with it. He likes the petting zoo at the zoo quite a bit, but I might skip it next time we go.
Gusi is processing the neigh of the horse--he's not too sure what to do with it yet and I haven't learned the sign for horse so I'm going with the sound for now. The quack and oink are not really big hits, but he does know that ducks are birds since he makes the sign for bird when he sees them at the zoo.
Maybe with Easter coming up we'll have the chance to silently hop like a bunny while wiggling our noses.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Soy to the World
Over the last week Gusi has had the opportunity to try a number of new foods. He has had two different kinds of soy-protein "meatballs" which he gobbled up promptly. He tried some actual soy beans today that were in a chicken and veggie teriyaki medley that I made for him. He actually cast aside some of the chicken to pick out the soy beans, and he loved the baby corn pieces too. And finally he tried soy milk (vitamin enriched of course).
I was told that Gusi can now start to drink whole cow's milk. It's interesting that a lot of my mom friends who nurse (with babies 12+ months) are hesitant to give their kids milk, but not me. I think it's great. The problem is that I never liked milk as a kid. My mom never made me drink it and when my grandmother did she quickly found herself looking for the mop to clean up the aftermath. It just tastes weird to me and unless it's camouflaged in some way (in coffee or tea, with chocolate or in a fruit smoothie) I still won't drink it. It does make my tummy rather upset as well, so I stick to rice milk which I use in just about everything.
So when Gusi first took a sip of milk out of his sippy cup I thought that he would love it because most kids do. He wrinkled his nose, made a gag-type face and promptly spat it out. I tried on three other occasions and got the same reaction. Ok, perhaps he's like me? I then tried the rice milk. He didn't gag but he did wrinkle his nose and spit it out. I was at a loss. What to do now? Is it the taste, is it the presentation? I picked up some chocolate milk and mixed a few drops of it with his regular milk thinking that would do the trick. Nope, same gag, same wrinkly nose, same results. Finally I picked up a set of small boxed drinks of soy vanilla milk (vitamin enriched). He's really into straws lately so when he saw that there was a straw he was curious. I held it out for him to try which he did hesitantly. He sipped and spat. I wasn't going to push it--obviously he's not ready. But then as I was going to put the box away, he asked for it again only to spit it out all over. Then he asked for it one more time and this time it took. He drank for quite a while, albeit slowly. He was chewing the straw and playing with one of his toys while he sipped. Finally he said *enough* and that was that.
So, is it no to cow's and rice and yes to soy? Or is it no to sippy cups and yes to boxed drinks? This is what I'm wondering. I suppose I could get more boxed drinks of cow's milk or rice milk, but I think I'll just finish the ones of soy milk first. I've already gotten stuck with a half gallon of whole milk and a small carton of chocolate milk, I'm not about to spend more $ for nothing.
On another note, Gusi has learned how to sign *milk*--which is how I knew he wanted more soy milk--and *light*--that was a while ago, I just forgot to write about it. He showed me that the light in my car goes on when I turn the motor off and take out the key. Every time I turn the motor off he babbles and makes the sign for *light* because he knows that comes next. Sheer brilliance, wouldn't you say?
I was told that Gusi can now start to drink whole cow's milk. It's interesting that a lot of my mom friends who nurse (with babies 12+ months) are hesitant to give their kids milk, but not me. I think it's great. The problem is that I never liked milk as a kid. My mom never made me drink it and when my grandmother did she quickly found herself looking for the mop to clean up the aftermath. It just tastes weird to me and unless it's camouflaged in some way (in coffee or tea, with chocolate or in a fruit smoothie) I still won't drink it. It does make my tummy rather upset as well, so I stick to rice milk which I use in just about everything.
So when Gusi first took a sip of milk out of his sippy cup I thought that he would love it because most kids do. He wrinkled his nose, made a gag-type face and promptly spat it out. I tried on three other occasions and got the same reaction. Ok, perhaps he's like me? I then tried the rice milk. He didn't gag but he did wrinkle his nose and spit it out. I was at a loss. What to do now? Is it the taste, is it the presentation? I picked up some chocolate milk and mixed a few drops of it with his regular milk thinking that would do the trick. Nope, same gag, same wrinkly nose, same results. Finally I picked up a set of small boxed drinks of soy vanilla milk (vitamin enriched). He's really into straws lately so when he saw that there was a straw he was curious. I held it out for him to try which he did hesitantly. He sipped and spat. I wasn't going to push it--obviously he's not ready. But then as I was going to put the box away, he asked for it again only to spit it out all over. Then he asked for it one more time and this time it took. He drank for quite a while, albeit slowly. He was chewing the straw and playing with one of his toys while he sipped. Finally he said *enough* and that was that.
So, is it no to cow's and rice and yes to soy? Or is it no to sippy cups and yes to boxed drinks? This is what I'm wondering. I suppose I could get more boxed drinks of cow's milk or rice milk, but I think I'll just finish the ones of soy milk first. I've already gotten stuck with a half gallon of whole milk and a small carton of chocolate milk, I'm not about to spend more $ for nothing.
On another note, Gusi has learned how to sign *milk*--which is how I knew he wanted more soy milk--and *light*--that was a while ago, I just forgot to write about it. He showed me that the light in my car goes on when I turn the motor off and take out the key. Every time I turn the motor off he babbles and makes the sign for *light* because he knows that comes next. Sheer brilliance, wouldn't you say?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Where's My Baby?
We had a small birthday party for Gusi today. Some of his little friends from our play groups stopped by as well as some other friends and family. It was lots of fun and Gusi especially enjoyed having chocolate cake, pizza and tortilla chips. Plus he got to open up lots of presents and tear lots of wrapping paper.
The only thing though is that I now have a toddler and not an infant. I miss my baby boy though I love and adore my toddler son. He is walking on his own now, he is eating chocolate cake, he is signing what he wants, he is a joy to have and yet I can't help but miss my baby boy.
The five things I miss the most about my infant son:
1. Kissing his bald head. Gusi was born with a monk-type hairdo; a bit of hair around the edges but nothing on top. I kissed the top of his bald head so many times while he slept and while he was awake but now when I kiss it I get all this hair in between me and his skin.
2. Having him sleep in my arms. He still does this but now I see this long body trying to fit in the rocker with me. I miss having that tiny baby who nuzzled into me so easily.
3. Having his scent on me. I would carry him around so much that I could smell him on me when I set him down. Now he's so big, so mobile, starting to find his own way in life and my shirts smell only of my perfume.
4. Changing him on the changing table without any fuss. He would sit still while I changed his diaper--the most exciting it ever got was when he would make it *rain* indoors. Now he screams, he twists, he turns--he hates it and would rather go naked and diaper-less, thank you very much.
5. Being able to put hats and sun glasses on him. Last summer he was just the right size that I could strap hats and glasses onto him and he couldn't do anything about it (he looked adorable). Now he rips them off immediately.
Alas, he is growing up and I look forward to it even if I do feel a bit nostalgic. He's communicating, he's exploring, he's walking, he's thriving and I do take pride in his accomplishments which I see as small steps toward greatness.
The only thing though is that I now have a toddler and not an infant. I miss my baby boy though I love and adore my toddler son. He is walking on his own now, he is eating chocolate cake, he is signing what he wants, he is a joy to have and yet I can't help but miss my baby boy.
The five things I miss the most about my infant son:
1. Kissing his bald head. Gusi was born with a monk-type hairdo; a bit of hair around the edges but nothing on top. I kissed the top of his bald head so many times while he slept and while he was awake but now when I kiss it I get all this hair in between me and his skin.
2. Having him sleep in my arms. He still does this but now I see this long body trying to fit in the rocker with me. I miss having that tiny baby who nuzzled into me so easily.
3. Having his scent on me. I would carry him around so much that I could smell him on me when I set him down. Now he's so big, so mobile, starting to find his own way in life and my shirts smell only of my perfume.
4. Changing him on the changing table without any fuss. He would sit still while I changed his diaper--the most exciting it ever got was when he would make it *rain* indoors. Now he screams, he twists, he turns--he hates it and would rather go naked and diaper-less, thank you very much.
5. Being able to put hats and sun glasses on him. Last summer he was just the right size that I could strap hats and glasses onto him and he couldn't do anything about it (he looked adorable). Now he rips them off immediately.
Alas, he is growing up and I look forward to it even if I do feel a bit nostalgic. He's communicating, he's exploring, he's walking, he's thriving and I do take pride in his accomplishments which I see as small steps toward greatness.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Can I Get a Drink?
Yep, you guessed it. Gusi has signed "drink".
I decided to take him out to lunch to this vegetarian restaurant that I had read was child-friendly. The food was good, the waiter was great, Gusi was well behaved so it may seem petty of me to complain that they didn't have a changing table anywhere in the restaurant. I think reviews should specify child-friendly but not entirely baby-friendly.
In any case, while sharing a falafel sandwich he signed "drink" and was thrilled when he got to drink out of the straw and cup that the waiter had brought him. Oh, and yes, I don't believe I mentioned that Gusi can now drink from a straw all by himself. That's big stuff for a guy who just a few months ago needed help sitting up.
I'm working on "dog" since he really likes dogs, as well as "change" and "diaper" so he feels forewarned and not caught off guard when I pick him up to change his diaper. We'll see what signs come next.
I decided to take him out to lunch to this vegetarian restaurant that I had read was child-friendly. The food was good, the waiter was great, Gusi was well behaved so it may seem petty of me to complain that they didn't have a changing table anywhere in the restaurant. I think reviews should specify child-friendly but not entirely baby-friendly.
In any case, while sharing a falafel sandwich he signed "drink" and was thrilled when he got to drink out of the straw and cup that the waiter had brought him. Oh, and yes, I don't believe I mentioned that Gusi can now drink from a straw all by himself. That's big stuff for a guy who just a few months ago needed help sitting up.
I'm working on "dog" since he really likes dogs, as well as "change" and "diaper" so he feels forewarned and not caught off guard when I pick him up to change his diaper. We'll see what signs come next.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Eat. More. Bird.
I've been signing with Gusi since he was born with stretches of not doing so because I just didn't see it going anywhere. Today was a real breakthrough though and I'm glad I've stuck with it. He was having his morning snack of crackers and raisins. I asked him if he wanted more crackers and he didn't really respond either way. I thought it was a set back from the "finished" sign he had already learned and was getting discouraged. I decided to put some raisins in his bowl to see if he'd fish any out. He ate all of them happily and began grunting. I asked and signed "more" pointing to the box of crackers; "finished" he signed back. I thought, ok, he hasn't forgotten, but he kept grunting. I asked "more" and pointed to the raisins on the counter top and he signed "more". I was ecstatic. I praised him for being such a wonderful little boy and promptly put some more raisins in his bowl. He hummed as he ate them, but eat them he did. Then when the last one was gone he signed again "more"--without me even asking him! So I gave him a few more and when those were done he signed "more". I couldn't believe it. First of all he's getting this signing thing and second of all, boy oh boy does this kid like raisins! He signed "more" once more, ate a few raisins and then signed "finished". I was so thrilled and he could see that he had done something to please his mother so he was happy too. Later in the evening I realized that so many raisins going in means lots of poop coming out, but that's another story.
As the day went on we played inside mostly since it looked like it would rain, but we could hear lots of birds chirping from his room. At one point he stopped playing with his toys, looked up at me and signed "bird". I looked around and couldn't find a bird, but he stared out the window and signed "bird" again. He was telling me that there was a bird singing outside! I whistled and made the sign for "bird" and he signed back to me. Is this kid brilliant or what?
And as if two signs in one day weren't enough he surprised me with a third. My mom stopped by to see Gusi and at one point he wanted her to carry him. Looking back on it, I realize that it's my mom who often gives him his dinner since it coincides with her visit (plus it gives me time to do things like check emails). So, she picked him up and he kept grunting. We both asked him what he wanted and he finally signed "eat" and "more". He was using two signs together! We were so taken aback.
As the day went on we played inside mostly since it looked like it would rain, but we could hear lots of birds chirping from his room. At one point he stopped playing with his toys, looked up at me and signed "bird". I looked around and couldn't find a bird, but he stared out the window and signed "bird" again. He was telling me that there was a bird singing outside! I whistled and made the sign for "bird" and he signed back to me. Is this kid brilliant or what?
And as if two signs in one day weren't enough he surprised me with a third. My mom stopped by to see Gusi and at one point he wanted her to carry him. Looking back on it, I realize that it's my mom who often gives him his dinner since it coincides with her visit (plus it gives me time to do things like check emails). So, she picked him up and he kept grunting. We both asked him what he wanted and he finally signed "eat" and "more". He was using two signs together! We were so taken aback.
This parenting thing is starting to move to a new dimension of cool. Gusi is really getting into communicating and that makes me happier than I ever imagined. I've now bookmarked several American Sign Language websites as well as dog-eared my Baby Sign Language book. It should be very interesting to see what interests him the most in this big, new world.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Molar Beholder?
I must admit, I wasn't ready for this just yet. I would have appreciated a bit more time in between, but it looks like more teeth are coming in. Gusi is in an awful mood and when I say awful I mean down right dreadful. Everything upsets him--when his father leaves for work in the morning, when I won't let him play with the electrical cords, when I fail to give him the right Mardi Gras bead. Plus he was drooling again like a fountain and he's constantly got a finger shoved in his mouth. And, he has decided that he's going to fast for Lent apparently because he wants nothing to do with food. Oh, and did I mention that he's waking up every two hours at night? PapaGus is more than doing his job as a father--he got up with him every single time last night to rock Gusi to sleep. I feel that my days are long and my nights are longer so having PapaGus shoulder this is a blessing.
I read up on which teeth come in next (after #8) and I think our neighbors heard my jaw drop when I saw it was the molars. Isn't this too soon? He doesn't need them right now, does he? He can just keep gumming food for a few more months, right? Ugh. Alas, nature is taking its own course. A mom friend of mine with three kids said her first two had no signs of teething except the teeth themselves but her third one was the clincher. She said his molars came in right at a year and it was the most miserable he's ever been. Great. Another mom friend with four children chimed in that the molars were the worst and she's glad those days are behind her. Splendid was all I could think.
I keep trying to dig in Gusi's mouth to see if I can feel anything, but even on the rare occasion when he lets me I feel nothing. Plus, I've never felt that far in the back of his mouth so I don't know if his gums are swollen or not.
Everyone told me about the sleepless nights with a newborn, but they forgot to mention this to me. I've got several friends who are now expecting their first child and I've thought about telling them to not get too comfortable but then I realize that they'll figure it out soon enough. Why ruin their happy moment?
I read up on which teeth come in next (after #8) and I think our neighbors heard my jaw drop when I saw it was the molars. Isn't this too soon? He doesn't need them right now, does he? He can just keep gumming food for a few more months, right? Ugh. Alas, nature is taking its own course. A mom friend of mine with three kids said her first two had no signs of teething except the teeth themselves but her third one was the clincher. She said his molars came in right at a year and it was the most miserable he's ever been. Great. Another mom friend with four children chimed in that the molars were the worst and she's glad those days are behind her. Splendid was all I could think.
I keep trying to dig in Gusi's mouth to see if I can feel anything, but even on the rare occasion when he lets me I feel nothing. Plus, I've never felt that far in the back of his mouth so I don't know if his gums are swollen or not.
Everyone told me about the sleepless nights with a newborn, but they forgot to mention this to me. I've got several friends who are now expecting their first child and I've thought about telling them to not get too comfortable but then I realize that they'll figure it out soon enough. Why ruin their happy moment?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Finished, Finito, Done
My son is a genius. I don't use the term lightly either because I have proof. He has a few words in his vocabulary plus he is now starting to sign those more complicated ones. Yep. He now signs with his little hand when he is done eating by waving it from left to right and right to left . It makes life easier for me since I don't need battle with him to eat what's left on his plate. When he signs that he's done I offer "dessert" which is usually fruit. Sometimes he'll bite, other times I get the hand wave, but we are starting to communicate.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
No Bib Policy
It is official. Gusi no longer will tolerate wearing a bib. He's not terribly messy when I feed him (with PapaGus it's a different story) but food does not exactly go where it's supposed to either. I tried putting a bib on him yesterday and then again today. It was just such a distraction that he didn't want to eat; he kept yanking it off. I finally gave in and the meal was finished without a fuss.
I suppose this means I should buy more stain removers and detergent.
I suppose this means I should buy more stain removers and detergent.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Annual Appraisal
Dear Gusi:
Below you will find my annual self-appraisal. I do, however, believe your role as President of Gusi, Inc is honorary, correct?
Regards,
MamaGus
Dear MamaGus:
You will find my feedback comments as well. As for my role, it is honorary but I still believe in staying on top of things.
Regards,
Gusi
MamaGus's 06-07 Annual Appraisal
Goal #1: Breastfeed
Objective #1: Breastfeed exclusively for 6 months
Result: It took you a while to get the hang of it, but with some professional help (literally) we made it work. You also were very interested in solid food early on so with your doctor's approval, we started you on rice cereal when you were 4.5 months old.
Gusi feedback: It's hard to learn new skills when you're one minute old and have just been kicked out of the warmest, luxury home one could possibly imagine. But I came through for you, didn't I?
Objective #2: Breastfeed until you are at least 12 months.
Result: You are a healthy little boy who has never had formula during his almost one year of life. And since you seem to be dwindling your demand, so my supply is dwindling. One day you will not be interested in nursing and I believe that day will come soon.
Gusi feedback: Those are yours? I thought they were mine. I'll have to do a survey of all toddlers in the household to see whose they really are.
Goal #2: Provide a safe and stimulating environment for play and exploration
Objective #1: Baby-proof the household before you teach us the hard way how we failed
Result: This task was harder than it seemed. Your interest in electrical cords has only grown over the year. Your climbing skills are developing quite rapidly. And you have figured out how to slip your little hand through the "locked" cabinets. I believe this is an area where I need improvement and suggest rolling it over to the next fiscal year.
Gusi feedback: I believe there is a budget line item for a stool, is there not? I suggest we procure it so I can more easily reach the medicines and all other hazardous materials that are up high. That will ensure high appraisal ratings for the next fiscal year.
Objective #2: Do not drop, burn or otherwise harm the baby
Result: Aside from a tumble of about half a foot (onto the bed) when I was trying to put you in a sling, I have never dropped you. Your bath water may have been too hot once or twice when we were first learning to bathe you, but I share that fault with PapaGus since he was present for those first baths.
Gusi feedback: That was you!
Objective #3: Read plenty of books
Result: Every day you take all of your books off of the shelf, pick one, turn the pages and "read". You do this often. You also love reading before bed time. I consider this a big success and also an on-going activity.
Gusi feedback: Please ask the procurement department to procure more books. I particularly like the ones with pages that are easy to turn, few words, big pictures, and if there are animals in the story then all the better.
Objective#4: Expose the baby to music
Result: We signed up for music class which you love. You cry when we leave class and you use your percussion instruments when we sing the class songs at home. I think you will even say your music teacher's name before you say your own. You also love hearing music from all over the world no matter the language. You and I dance to our favorite songs on a daily basis. I'd say we pretty much have this covered.
Gusi feedback: I totally love the teacher, she's so awesome, she always lets me play with all of the instruments. I dig the dancing with you too, but I need to figure out how to climb up to where the CD player is so I can push those buttons which are begging for my fingers!
Objective #5: Take the baby outside as much as possible when the weather permits
Result: We have gone to the zoo several times, different parks, strolls around the neighborhood and spent plenty of time in the back yard. I have a feeling that you'd like to go out more though.
Gusi feedback: I love the flamingos, they're so colorful and they squawk so much. I am not a big fan of the stroller--perhaps you could carry me every where?
Goal #3: Provide nutritious food
Below you will find my annual self-appraisal. I do, however, believe your role as President of Gusi, Inc is honorary, correct?
Regards,
MamaGus
Dear MamaGus:
You will find my feedback comments as well. As for my role, it is honorary but I still believe in staying on top of things.
Regards,
Gusi
MamaGus's 06-07 Annual Appraisal
Goal #1: Breastfeed
Objective #1: Breastfeed exclusively for 6 months
Result: It took you a while to get the hang of it, but with some professional help (literally) we made it work. You also were very interested in solid food early on so with your doctor's approval, we started you on rice cereal when you were 4.5 months old.
Gusi feedback: It's hard to learn new skills when you're one minute old and have just been kicked out of the warmest, luxury home one could possibly imagine. But I came through for you, didn't I?
Objective #2: Breastfeed until you are at least 12 months.
Result: You are a healthy little boy who has never had formula during his almost one year of life. And since you seem to be dwindling your demand, so my supply is dwindling. One day you will not be interested in nursing and I believe that day will come soon.
Gusi feedback: Those are yours? I thought they were mine. I'll have to do a survey of all toddlers in the household to see whose they really are.
Goal #2: Provide a safe and stimulating environment for play and exploration
Objective #1: Baby-proof the household before you teach us the hard way how we failed
Result: This task was harder than it seemed. Your interest in electrical cords has only grown over the year. Your climbing skills are developing quite rapidly. And you have figured out how to slip your little hand through the "locked" cabinets. I believe this is an area where I need improvement and suggest rolling it over to the next fiscal year.
Gusi feedback: I believe there is a budget line item for a stool, is there not? I suggest we procure it so I can more easily reach the medicines and all other hazardous materials that are up high. That will ensure high appraisal ratings for the next fiscal year.
Objective #2: Do not drop, burn or otherwise harm the baby
Result: Aside from a tumble of about half a foot (onto the bed) when I was trying to put you in a sling, I have never dropped you. Your bath water may have been too hot once or twice when we were first learning to bathe you, but I share that fault with PapaGus since he was present for those first baths.
Gusi feedback: That was you!
Objective #3: Read plenty of books
Result: Every day you take all of your books off of the shelf, pick one, turn the pages and "read". You do this often. You also love reading before bed time. I consider this a big success and also an on-going activity.
Gusi feedback: Please ask the procurement department to procure more books. I particularly like the ones with pages that are easy to turn, few words, big pictures, and if there are animals in the story then all the better.
Objective#4: Expose the baby to music
Result: We signed up for music class which you love. You cry when we leave class and you use your percussion instruments when we sing the class songs at home. I think you will even say your music teacher's name before you say your own. You also love hearing music from all over the world no matter the language. You and I dance to our favorite songs on a daily basis. I'd say we pretty much have this covered.
Gusi feedback: I totally love the teacher, she's so awesome, she always lets me play with all of the instruments. I dig the dancing with you too, but I need to figure out how to climb up to where the CD player is so I can push those buttons which are begging for my fingers!
Objective #5: Take the baby outside as much as possible when the weather permits
Result: We have gone to the zoo several times, different parks, strolls around the neighborhood and spent plenty of time in the back yard. I have a feeling that you'd like to go out more though.
Gusi feedback: I love the flamingos, they're so colorful and they squawk so much. I am not a big fan of the stroller--perhaps you could carry me every where?
Goal #3: Provide nutritious food
Objective #1: As solids are introduced, ensure that natural whole foods are given
Result: I made all of your introductory food from scratch until you discovered the joy of feeding yourself finger foods. You have had different kinds of grain cereals from a box and now you love your "baby power bars" and organic cheese crackers, but you also love broccoli, peas and green beans. Not bad.
Gusi feedback: Who doesn't love broccoli?
Objective #2: Instill good eating habits
Result: You may be cautious but you do try just about anything. I'm not so sure the spitting out of food when you don't like it is the road I want you to go down, but I'll figure out soon enough how to explain that that is not good table manners. Also, you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fruit, yogurt and cheese. I think we're off to a good start. My only complaint is that you chomp huge pieces of food instead of taking little bites--this results in choking and sending me into a panic, though the food usually ends up going down again.
Gusi feedback: I love food, what can I say?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Gusi, Inc.
Dear MamaGus:
As you know I have come to love Gusi, Inc. like my own family, yet even with family it is good to have feedback as to how things are going. So, I will be conducting the first annual appraisal over the following days. You will be asked to honestly rate your performance over the past year according to goals and objectives set out at the birth of our organization. I will review the appraisal, provide feedback and set new objectives to meet the overarching goals for the next year.
I thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Sincerely,
Gusi
President, Gusi, Inc.
Dear Gusi,
I feel that the past year at Gusi, Inc. has been both exciting and challenging. As you know, I left a more lucrative position in order to work here yet I have enjoyed every minute of this new adventure. I will work on putting together a self-appraisal for your comments and feedback.
Sincerely,
MamaGus
COO, Gusi, Inc.
As you know I have come to love Gusi, Inc. like my own family, yet even with family it is good to have feedback as to how things are going. So, I will be conducting the first annual appraisal over the following days. You will be asked to honestly rate your performance over the past year according to goals and objectives set out at the birth of our organization. I will review the appraisal, provide feedback and set new objectives to meet the overarching goals for the next year.
I thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Sincerely,
Gusi
President, Gusi, Inc.
Dear Gusi,
I feel that the past year at Gusi, Inc. has been both exciting and challenging. As you know, I left a more lucrative position in order to work here yet I have enjoyed every minute of this new adventure. I will work on putting together a self-appraisal for your comments and feedback.
Sincerely,
MamaGus
COO, Gusi, Inc.
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