Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Leaping Out of the Gene Pool

This morning I put an assortment of berries on my daughter’s breakfast plate and watched as she began sorting them by type into the little compartments of her plate.  Raspberries to the left, strawberries in the middle, blackberries to the right.

Now, I might eat my M&MS in order by color.  I might have this “thing” about how boxes are taped up.  And I might occasionally make a conscious effort to avoid stepping on the sidewalk cracks (which shouldn’t really count because it’s more of a leftover habit from childhood games).

BUT I DO NOT SORT MY FOOD.  SHE DID NOT GET THIS FROM ME.

And since her father does not have an OCD bone in his body, I can only assume that she gets this from her Grandpa ... along with her habit of going through the cup of crayons to make sure they’re all pointing the same direction. 

So you see, it is apparently possible for the tendency toward OCD to leap out of the gene pool* and cross 2 generations. 

Those are some serious genes.

* Since my brother and I are adopted, we’re not genetically related to my dad.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Smart Mouth

This morning Kaelin was informing me of how much she really really wanted to watch some TV before Tuesday School.  I told her that she could watch 1 show if we had time, but that we had to do her hair before any TV.

“I don’t want to do my hair.”
“If you want to watch TV, we have to do your hair first.”
“Suddenly, I don’t wanna watch TV.”

I’m not really sure where she picked up the word “suddenly,” but I don’t know where she gets half the things she says these days…

Nature Preserve

Yesterday after Jens got off work, we all took a trip to the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.  It was such a beautiful day that it seemed a shame to stay inside.  I know, I know, I’ve been a little shutter happy recently.  I’m making up for all those months when I didn’t pull the camera out.

It’s weird to think that Kaelin just has a few more weeks of being an only child - and therefore only a few more weeks of being the only one subject to my camera-clicking whims.  She’ll probably appreciate getting to share that responsibility.

Playing with the water


Throwing rocks in the stream


Throwing rocks in the stream. I don't know what my camera was trying to focus on in this shot, but apparently it wasn't Kaelin.






Chillin' on the playground. Kaelin asked me to take her picture right here about 12 times. I obliged.






On the swing set. This is the first time she's ever expressed any interest in swinging on her tummy.


On the way out, she spotted this little patch of flowers and plopped down in it. She was up and out of there just as quickly once she spotted a bee.

Monday, April 28, 2008

More Bubbles

The weather is perfect today, so Kaelin and I hung out in the back yard before her nap, blowing bubbles and just having fun.  And of course, taking pictures…