Taunting

" Hey, I tried to post to your blog last night but it wouldn't let me sign in-- I hope Harry inherits my triple tongue roll! "

This would be from "My Meghan", Harry's favorite aunt.

Since I cannot seem to post either, I am forwarding this to Kevin to please post. But it is from me. Kim. Or Kimberly as I am supposed to be called since there is already a Kim McD on my team. So now my name is "Kim-I-mean-Kimberly." I call myself this, as do my teammates. But we also have two Andreas and Two Lisa's, one Lisa G. and one Lisa Z. Let's just say, teleconferences are interesting! And it is not a huge group....only a handful of us!

Anyway, back to the tongue rolling. Yes, Harry rolls his tongue. Kevin and Harry both taunt me with their ability. And Kevin's response is, "I guess he IS my son." Duh! Did the cookie habit not give that away?

The whole thing is really kind of funny. I laugh, and Harry does what I can only assume is the triple tongue roll.

Film at 11:00.

-Kimberly, 8:36 AM

It's Snowing!!!

And as I just looked up, white fluffy snow was falling down and flocks of dark birds were flying up. Very cool.

I hope we get some more accumulation. The neighborhood kids spent Sunday and even Monday morning sledding on snow dusted grass. The scene was even reflected on the cover of The Washington Post. Kids love snow and this may be it for us. In fact, as I write this, it's already gone...

I hope there are a couple of remaining chunks of ice for Harry to shovel!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

I may have mentioned this before, but I had a conversation with friend Claudette once about how we similarly believed we were spontaneous, make- the- most- of- the- day kind of people. Claudette's very reasonable sister informed her that this was, in fact, not true. She is a bigger planner than anyone else out there. Our agreed response was: How else can you make the most of the the day? You can't be spontaneous unless you make time for it! (A little insight into what Kevin refers to as "Kim's World" where there are lots of circles and no straight lines).
So, speaking of circles, before we headed off in search of a "circle cookie" from the "cookie store," Harry and I took advantage of the dryer weather and Kevin being stuck at work to head to the park at Mt. Vernon Elementary. It is on a rubber surface, so less mud. Before I knew it, Harry and I were both running around like maniacs! We had no less than a dozen races, with official race start formation and "On your mark, get set, go!" I added obstacles (go under the slide and through the gate and end at the bridge!) and everything, yet Harry still won every race (due to my new "aim backwards" running style). I think I actually got a work out in! And Harry didn't complain once when I scooped him up and headed back to the car (he ALWAYS wants 2 or 5 more minutes). I also had a blast, and even with time to pick up Thai for dinner and go to "the cookie store" for a fresh out of the over oatmeal cookie and a big circle vegan chocolate chip for dessert, we were still home by 5:30. I usually feel the need to PLAN to go to the park and pick up dinner, but this was all spontaneous, and didn't even disrupt my schedule.
We made it home just before Kevin and were working on taking sneakers off when he got home. As far as I know, Harry watched less than 1 hour of TV yesterday, which is pretty amazing. We had a lovely dinner and pre-bedtime conversation. We discussed Harry's visit to Sage's house where he played harmonica. Sage and Aisha also visited Menike's all day on Monday while Arlington county schools were closed for "snow." "Honey" visited as well. I asked Harry about her baby sister Julia and what color hair she has. I asked if it was black, but Harry said "No, brown." His hair is "Yellow."
Harry amazed PopPop with his counting ability. All the way up to 10 automatically (he can follow along up to at least 30). He also seems to have perfected his baseball stance. PopPop says he is a natural. Kevin is aghast. He's not raising a baseball player! It doesn't conflict with hockey season, so we'll see. At least they play at normal hours. In daylight.
Aside from Harry's counting and shape recognition, I am blown away by his tongue rolling...and R rolling. I cannot roll my tongue. Kevin can. Harry is amused by this and seems to understand that I am just incapable of it. It is freaky to me that he is so skilled at it and is aware of this, and that I have no ability whatsoever. He is so matter of fact about it. Same with his R-rolling, such as when he pronounces "Dora." Who says TV can't teach you anything? I have been practicing for years! The only thing I can score "Native Speaker" on is "Si."
I think TV also helped with the baseball stance. He learned it from Franklin. And the racing is from Austin and the other Backyardigans. It's all good.

harry on harmonica

You might think it's funny

but it's snot.

Save The Date!

Just a reminder, Harry's 3rd birthday is April 22nd. We will be having a "Tailgate Party" themed birthday on either Saturday, April 21 or Sunday, April 22, complete with nacho dip and a moonbounce. For those of you who live out of town but think that you can make it, please let us know in advance. We'd love to have you celebrate with us! We are also still deciding which day will be easier to have the party, Saturday or Sunday, since we have had requests for the traditional tour of DC on the opposite day. Let us know what works for you (just assume you are invited).

Little Things Mean A Lot

Things That Make Me Happy:

• The video below of Harry saying "Pedal, pedal, pedal. That's Right! Keep pedaling!"

• The plastic flowers planted in the median at the intersection of Shirlington & Glebe.

• Myers- Briggs results on a license plate: INTJ
  

• "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" written by my esthetician on the memo of my check that I reviewed online

• Even though I bundled Harry's guys in a pile on top of many other stuffed animals and toys this morning, the cleaning people returned the four of them to his pillow after the bed was made.

• Menike told me the librarian could not believe Harry was only 2. He was teaching all of the other kids their shapes and colors while on an outing with Menike. (Okay, that one is not a little thing, but it makes me happy!)

• Bailey comes home Thursday!

• Books on tape for long rides

• The dry cleaner finally replaced the buttons they lost on my red sweater.

pedal, pedal, pedal!

Highlights

Another lovely weekend at the McDermott abode.
Saturday was in the 70s and we headed out to Burke Lake. Would have been awesome for some muddy biking, but we did a short hike instead. Kevin took some awesome photographs of geese...but they are surrounded by 900,000 flying insects!

Harry picked the warmest day of the winter to take a 3 hour nap, but when he finally awoke, we strapped on his bike helmet and headed across the street to ride around in the parking lot. I think he looks like Elmo riding a tricycle, but he is a skilled little rider! Nicholas from down the street went to get his bike and helmet so they could ride together. Lots of giggles ensued!

Yesterday we went to Old Town to look for a jeweler to take links out of my new watch. The old one disintegrated. I was almost having seizures at the thought of a bare wrist, so I picked up a $15 model at CVS to tide me over until I can find someone to size the new one. REI will replace the old one, but for some reason Kevin is against it. Why? Because it's been on my wrist for over two years straight, and removed only for massages and acupuncture? Big deal!

Anyway, while I was on a fruitless search for a jeweler, Harry was on an equally fruitless search for a Mickey-Mouse-on-a-skateboard-with-a-helmet tattoo, so much so that he didn't want to make a single purchase at The Whistle Stop. I ended up pasting him with an old marathon tattoo, but he decided he didn't like it. Luckily, we easily covered it with his sleeves.

My fabulous husband (Kevin) cooked several wonderful meals this weekend. Even during breakfast and lunch Harry wanted to play our dinner game of High/Low: "Ask me 'bout my daaaay. How my day was?" So I ask. "Harry, how was your day? What was the best part of your day?" Harry looks to the ceiling in thought (always) and dramatically says, "My day waaaas...." Normally, he finishes this thought with a story of being lost or driving his car. This weekend we had variations of "Eating dinner with you, Mommy!" or "Playing Play-doh with you. Mommy!" What a charmer. The other day he told Kevin he didn't like him. I figured Mr. It-Rained-During-My-Entire-Childhood expected this, but I think he still had tears of joy in his eyes over Harry's follow up of "I Love You." Yes, Harry has learned the value of shock value!

Speaking of shock value, I myself am still recovering from the thought of my college partner in crime with an unannounced newborn, when I found out that Osama Bin Laden is hot for Whitney Houston. Am I the only one who didn't know this? Interesting on so many levels.

Okay, off to work for me, but I will leave you with one other piece of information for today. My other fellow Today Show December Capricorn, Meredith Viera, would like to add a monkey to the show and name it Harry. December Capricorns rock!

A Fellow December Capricorn,

Matt Lauer also hates surprises and loves Five For Fighting's 100 Years.

For My Father Who (some may argue) Is Bordeline Computer Illiterate and Cannot Easily Navigate Away From HarryMcD.com (and for anyone else who smokes)

Top 10 Reasons Why Smoking Stinks

It’s Time to Kick the Habit!
By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, LifeScript Staff WriterThursday, January 4, 2007
(my commentary is noted in red)

Smoking used to be so in vogue that tobacco companies branded their products with hip characters like the notorious “Joe Cool” Camel and the Marlboro Man, who rides off into a cloud of cigarette smoke at sunset. But smoking isn’t cool anymore. Both cigarette manufacturers and smokers have had to answer to the mounting evidence that proves smoking kills. But just in case death isn’t enough to scare you into dumping this addiction, here are the top 10 reasons you should quit smoking – today.

If smoking wasn’t bad for you, there wouldn’t be so much controversy surrounding it. There wouldn’t be the Truth® campaign or 10-step programs that help you quit smoking, and there certainly wouldn’t be a “how to quit smoking” section on the Philip Morris tobacco company’s web site. So if you’ve ever wondered why your doctor jumps down your throat about not smoking, there’s good reason.

In fact, there are 10 good reasons:
1. You Stink!
You don’t just smell like cigarettes while you’re smoking, you reek of them all day long. The scent of stale cigarettes saturates your hair and clothes and follows you wherever you go, including your vehicle, your work and your home. Smoking also gives you terrible breath, and there’s no mint in the world that can get rid of the smell of a pack-a-day habit.

2. You Have 10 Times More Wrinkles
Hah! So much for staying out of the sun!
You can always pick a regular smoker out of a crowd, not just by the stench but by his or her skin quality as well. Smokers have 10 times more wrinkles than non-smokers. They also have pale, ashen skin and yellowing teeth, fingers and fingernails. In fact, a study published by the British Medical Journal found that smokers with prominent wrinkles are five times more likely to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like emphysema and bronchitis than non-smokers.

3. Your Lungs are Full of Phlegm and Tar
Smoking causes sticky, black tar to build up in your lungs, reducing the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients between its tissues and the bloodstream. This negatively affects your entire body, but you’ll especially feel it in the lungs. Smokers have more of a difficult time breathing and are more likely to develop painful chronic coughing due to the increase in phlegm production. The good news is that if you stop smoking, your lungs can clear some of the tar and heal significantly. According to the National Cancer Institute, your body begins the healing process just 12 hours after your last cigarette. Improved lung function and circulation can take up to three months.

4. Smoking Can Cause Depression
Feeling moody lately? Outlook on life a bit pessimistic? Smoking has been shown to be a major cause of depression, so don’t just blame the rain if you’re feeling blue. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry followed more than 1,000 smokers and non-smokers over the span of five years and found that the smoker group was twice as likely as the non-smoker group to suffer from major depression.

Some smokers actually turn to cigarettes to ease depression, but this only contributes to the problem. Kick the habit and you’ll have the chance to rediscover a sense of control over your life that may help lift depression.
I will bite my tongue on the I told you so I feel coming on.

5. It’s Expensive
If the fact that smoking is burning a big hole in your health and happiness doesn’t move you, maybe the fact that it’s burning a big hole in your pocket will. Depending on where you live, a single pack of cigarettes can cost up to $6, and if you smoke a pack a day, that’s almost $2,200 a year!

Just to drive the point home, let’s say you start smoking at age 18 and live to age 68 (since you’ll most likely die young from smoking). Over the course of those 50 years, you will have spent almost $110,000 on cigarettes alone. And that doesn’t include the extra gum and breath mints, in addition to higher dry-cleaning bills for getting the smell of stale smoke out of your clothes.

6. You’re Becoming Infertile
It has long been known that male smokers generally have a low sperm count, but recent studies also show that genetic mutations of sperm from male smokers may also be to blame for infertility. Male smokers are also at a higher risk for erectile dysfunction. Female smokers may also have a harder time getting pregnant.

7. You’re in for a Difficult Pregnancy
If you do actually become pregnant, you’re in for a rough ride. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience ectopic pregnancies, which occur when the fertilized egg begins to develop in the slender fallopian tube instead of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be fatal for both mom and baby. Other risks to the baby’s health include lower birth weight and birth defects. Women who smoke during pregnancy are also more likely to deliver prematurely or miscarry.

8. You’re a Bad Influence
Kids imitate their parents. So if you smoke in front of your kids, they’re likely to copy you- unless they are brilliant geniuses. One study presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting showed that 50% of kids whose parents were smokers thought smoking was “cool.” Fifty-five percent of kids of smokers planned on smoking in the future. Children brought up by smokers have also been found to be generally less active and develop poor nutrition skills. If you want to positively shape the futures of your children and the other children around you, quit smoking and be a healthy role model.

9. Second-Hand Smoke Kills
Not only is smoking a bad influence on those around you, it’s killing them too. You can’t contain cigarette smoke, which means that innocent people breathe in your second-hand smoke. Children and adults who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease, as well as other respiratory problems including shortness of breath, coughing and increased production of phlegm. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are particularly at risk for developing asthma.

10. Smokers Die Young
Smoking is the #1 leading cause of preventable disease and death in America. And it’s not a pleasant way to go. Smokers risk developing cancer of the mouth, throat and lungs, as well as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smokers are also more prone to high blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, stroke, and heart disease. In fact, a smoker’s risk of dying from sudden cardiac death (heart attack) is anywhere from 2-4 times greater than non-smokers.

Whipping out that Pilates video might help to get your mind off of smoking....

Other People's Kids

I still don't like most of the bratty white kids at the parks during the day, but there is a lot that can be learned from other people's kids, both for me, and for Harry. Who needs how to books and magazines when you have friends? (Although working mother magazine suggested to use Peapod, and I love it!)
So, on New Year's Eve Hannah taught Harry how to like carrots. Yesterday I recalled when Ledi moved here from Albania, she was capable at age 4 of taking her dishes to the sink when she was done. Never one to underestimate my child, Harry now takes his dishes to the counter when he is done (at least, he did last night, but he's been taking his sippy cup there for a while, and also throwing out some of his own trash in the trash can).
Last year Hannah taught Harry how to use Play-doh, and that was an invaluable lesson. We likely could not have made it through this year without it. Yaaaay, Play-doh!
So, I am thinking we will take a lesson from Kelly's kids and Harry will have 1 fruit and 1 veggie at every meal, not just PB&J. Last night, grapes and carrots. It is going to be Harry's resolution. Kevin's is not to eat bacon at work. Mine is to actually stick to Weight Watchers beyond Tuesday of each week, and to work out DAILY again.
So, I had all kinds of stuff to talk about here, but I need to get to work. Happy New Year.