Through the Eyes of a Child

Kaia is fast approaching 17-months and has already developed an amazing sense of observation. She doesn’t have many words, but the few things she does know pop out at the most unexpected times… and NEVER when solicited.

She has developed some preferences and is really into the PBS Kids show “It’s a Big, Big World.” She is even beginning to identify favorite characters on the show including Snook, Ick and Oko, and it is just blowing me away how much she is paying attention to.

Last Friday, I took her for a hike around town. It was a sultry 28 degrees outside, and I thought it would be okay to take her to the park. On the way back, we stopped at the post office to thaw out and meet a few new people with some interesting features.

Many of the Barrow locals have not had access to the health and dental care that we have been accustomed to in the past, and some are victims of frostbite or the genetic defects of inbreeding. I’m not sure which was the case with a very nice older man we met at the post office. He was wearing oversized, thick yellow eyeglasses over his dark, round face with hints of purple scarring from frostbite. As an elderly man, his hands and face were well weathered, even by Arctic standards, and he was wearing a white fur ruff on the hood and sleevs of his parka. When he smiled, he revealed a large broken-toothed grin, and it was evident that Kaia had won his heart.

He was very friendly and kept her entertained for a good 15 minutes. I was a little nervous, and kept vigilaint watch, but Kaia was laughing, playing peek-a-boo and having a great time. She kept saying “Oko, Oko, Oko” which is very close to the Inupiat word “Aka” which means Grandpa. The man thought that she was so culturally advanced, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that she didn’t know that word.

It didn’t occur to me what she was saying until this morning while we were watching “It’s a Big, Big World.” When Oko came on, Kaia got all excited and repeated “Oko, Oko, Oko!” I immediately remembered her friend from the post office and had a good laugh about the amazing correlation. In case you haven’t seen the show, here is a picture of Oko.

I just wish I had a picture of the man to give you the full comparison... hum... how would I explain that one? "Excuse me Sir., can I take your picture so that I can compare you to a baboon?" Yah, not so p.c... I just hope I have done the story justice with my description.

Gratitude Sunday: MoJo

Today I am grateful for my MoJo, the magical motivation and guts to stick to my nutrition and work out programs. The truth is that lately it has all but dissappeared. I am only 3 weeks into an 8-week project, and I’m already sneaking goodies. Any little carb is my temptation, and I just can’t find it in me to get my butt out there on those stairs for my workout.

What I can’t figure out is why the mystical powers of motivation can be there so strong one day, and be MIA the very next. Why is it that acquiring healthy habits is so much harder than acquiring unhealthy ones?

At any rate, today I am feeling grateful for the MoJo all together. Whether I have it or not, I know that it is out there and it is what makes dreams come true. I am confident that I will get it back, but if any of you know how I can get it back in time to train enough for the Hard Rock, let me know.

Good Morning Mommy!

There is nothing like a wake-up call from Kaia. I guess it wouldn't be quite so bad if Daddy didn't give her cold water for amunition. I think that we are going to have to emphasize only giving her sippies.

Ben leaves for work at 6:15am and ususally, Kaia sleeps until about 7:30 or even 8:00 if I am lucky. However, this was not a usual morning. Kaia was up with Daddy, and he thought it was a great idea to give her a plastic cup of water. So what happens when Daddy leaves for work? Kaia finds her way into my bedroom, carefully climbs up on the bed, and proceeds to dump the entire contents of that 8 oz glass onto Mommy's head! Yah, not such a fun game.

This is the second time this has happened. The first time was unintentional, because the water was left on the nightstand from the night before. But this morning was a different story. He actually had to find a plastic cup, fill it with water and then leave her unattended... I vaguely remember him saying "go get Mommy" as he shut the door behind him. This just might be one of those situations where I have to do a little payback. I'll just have to wait until hubby is asleep in front of the TV or really into his computer games before I turn Kaia loose on him with icewater.

For now, I have to rescue her from falling asleep in her high-chair. She usually doesn't make it too far into the morning before crashing out when she gets up so early. I think we may have to restart this day in a few hours when she is fully rested.