Small Child Expresses Big Feelings

As moods are concerned lately, high highs and low lows predominate, but the edges of sleep (and its absence) are where she is most volatile—at her sweetest and most terrible. We are living a kind of Heisenbergian uncertainty with respect to her naps; the attention we pay to nap times seems to tell us a story about whether or not they are developmentally appropriate on this particular Sunday, even as she careens in a different direction for tomorrow. It is very much rocket science, but parents will know what I mean here.

There’s a full story in today’s edition, if you read between the lines. Yesterday, she took no nap, confidently watching an entire Studio Ghibli film (The Secret World of Arrietty, which is worth watching in its entirety, whether or not you are a toddler) as Laurea and I traded catnaps. This, the absence of sleep, was one of those languorous parenting moments you treasure—your kid leaning against you, transfixed by a story, asking in hushed tones about sugar cubes. What followed a few hours later, at the cusp of bedtime, was the payoff—a full-bore rage sesh that lasted from the opening of our front door, through bathtime, into the selection of pajamas, in and out of reading time, and straight to the edge of the bed. Ten minutes and two Baby Rainbow Unicorn stories later, she was out like a light. The final act, which takes place half an hour after she woke up this morning, involves her knocking over a full glass of orange juice as she tries to slug me with her foot—she does not particularly want me to be nearby when she’s waking up, preferring that I stay somewhere in the periphery, and preferably out of sight.

So when we were driving back from Red Hook with lunch today, and she fell asleep just before the exit to our house, we made an Observation: this is developmentally appropriate, and you should not wake her. We sat in the car for an hour, eating brisket with our hands as she slept in her car seat. She was an angel for the rest of the day.

Regarding the mushrooms

The mushrooms came as a surprise this morning, but I suppose the box did come with a guarantee. We plan to eat them on Wednesday. Kina does not like mushrooms.

Today’s Parade

Most of it is chalk, so I need to find a kind of fixative if we want it to last. It’s actually one of my favorites so far.

She’s sleeping now. You should, too, lest you find yourself kicking over a glass of orange juice in the morning. Happy to be here.

dad