Transitions

We had some exciting news the other day ... Baby Three has a tooth! After what seemed like months of drooling and swollen gums, it pushed through on Sunday.
The next day I got up and dropped Kid One off at a South Side high school to spend the day shadowing a student, getting a glimpse of what high school life is like. Not that the vision is very real; I expect any school would choose those students likely to give a good impression to host middle school "shadows" and warn them to be on their best behavior. And the shadow day ended at 2:25 pm, with the end of the last period, well before I usually caused any trouble in my high school years.
Still, Kid One got to see a wider academic world than she has in elementary school, and she could imagine how she'd fit into that world. She will likely check out several other high schools before we choose.
In the meantime, Baby Three is fitting herself into our world, attending plays and hockey games and cross country meets and usually finding all of it a lot of fun. I hope that doesn't end as she becomes a toddler.
Truth be told, I wish she would stay a baby for a while. Watching Kid One and Two grow up, I have an idea of how fast it happens. We're already losing that toothless grin (for one that will be equally cute, but with teeth). Next thing you know, we'll be looking at high schools for her.

Forget me not

Forget me not






Have you ever heard the phrase “she’s forgotten more than you’ll ever know about (insert topic here)” whatever, as a way of saying how much someone knows?

I think I have. I forgot who said it.

I forget a lot of stuff these days.

I forget to blog (for almost a month).

I forget to bring the stuff I need. That might be something to do with how much stuff I have to bring with me. Keys, breast pump, various breast pump parts, wallet, did I mention keys?, insulin, glucose monitor … the list goes on. When I leave for work in the morning I’m schlepping enough stuff for a short expedition to the Himalayas.

I forget to leave home the stuff that needs to stay. Like the car seat, when Big T needs to take Baby Three to the sitter.

I forget to sign school papers, and if I don’t RSVP to a party invitation as soon as I get it, I often forget that too.

I forget who has heard which stories.

I forget the names of people I’ve just met, and those who I’ve known for a long time. They usually come to me sooner or later.

So far, I haven’t forgotten anything really important, like one of my kids. I might run late, but I always know where they are and that I have to get them.

Someone did a study about why middle-aged women (and I think they would include me in that group) are so forgetful. The hypothesis seemed to be that it was hormonal. Turns out that the brains of middle aged women are no more forgetful than anyone else’s. It’s just that they have too much to remember.

Add in the sleep deprivation that comes from three widely spaced children, and it’s a recipe for forgetfulness. So I’ll keep making calendar notes and reminder lists and looking and listening for clues to the identity of the person I’m talking to. And if I’m lucky, I’ll forget everything I’ve forgotten.