Worries

Kira recently started her second session/semester at an Isis class.  They have a great MO; most of the instructors have some certification in child development or lots of experience.  While the kids are engaged in some activity, the teacher goes around and talks to the parents about how things are going at home, what their child is going through, and any concerns they may have about their child's development.  I've realized that ALL parents worry...and about different things.  Yesterday I met a mother who was super stressed out about brushing her son's teeth.  She has a solid routine of brushing twice a day...with toothpaste!  And yet, she is totally convinced that her kid's teeth are going to rot because he resists and she can't get to the back teeth.  I thought she was crazy...but then I thought, who's to say my worries aren't crazy?  Here are my worries:

1. Too much TV.  Since I'm pregnant, I get tired very easily.  Sometimes I need to just sleep for a few minutes on the couch.  I turn on the TV and let her watch while I rest.  I also let Kira watch TV while I'm making dinner, or if I'm on the phone, or if I'm eating.  Overall, I think she gets about 1 hour of TV per day...at least.  She watched a lot less TV before I was pregnant.

2. Diet.  Kira just had her 2-year appointment, and she is underweight...no surprise there.  The striking thing the doc mentioned was that we had enough data points to see her progress, and she's not progressing as normal kids do, even within her own range.  The doctor is encouraging me to continue as I have been with replacing less fatty foods with more fatty foods.  But I'm worried that's not enough because after 6 months of dairy, dark meat, eggs and butter, she's still not gaining weight.  Sometimes I wonder if I should start introducing more junk food, like ice cream and cookies, but that doesn't feel right.

3. Control and impatience.  As Kira learns to talk more and more, she has become increasingly controlling and demanding.  Dealing with this has required a lot of patience on my part: waiting for the meltdowns to subside and then explaining proper behavior in terms she can understand.  It hasn't been easy with my lack of energy.  Sometimes I just give up and give her what she wants and that scenario has occurred more and more in the past few weeks.

4. Exposure to new things; the doldrums of repetitive days.  The weather and my pregnancy really deter me from taking Kira places.  I don't even want to venture to the mall on my own.  The thought of heaving her into the car, the stroller, and the bulky coats makes me want to take out the baking stuff and just bake something instead.  I wonder if she is bored.

5. Washing toys.  Kira finally got over her cold.  It took her two weeks to recover; not bad considering how bad colds can be.  We stayed home that entire week and she played with ALL her toys, using her sometimes snotty fingers.  I'm daunted by how to clean all her toys!  I will definitely need some help.  Maybe today while my sister is here, we will divide out the toys into plastics, woods, and plush and bleach, wipe, and laundry (respectively).

I'm pretty sure I have other worries, but these are the big ones.  I'm hoping Jane will call me and tell me that I have nothing to worry about.  That's what she usually does.  Thanks Janey!