Mall visit

Today we decided to go to Rivertown Mall to burn a little energy. I have to admit that I was a little embarrassed of Sam Man's helmet when we first got it. I am now getting to the point where I don't even notice it anymore though. In fact, I think he looks a little odd without it. :) Sam is getting so used to it that he now hits his head on everything when it's off and then cries because he didn't realize he could hurt his head. Well, our visit to the mall ended up with us spending most of the time in the children's tree house area, playing with the other kids and Adri running around like a maniac (which she desperately needed).

I have noticed that a lot of people either stare, give dirty looks, or give us the "pity look" because they don't understand what the helmet is for and are too embarrassed to ask. We walked through the mall; enduring these looks and comments that people thought we didn't hear. Some people actually asked what the helmet was for, while another person stopped us to tell us how her niece had been in one for a year after being born without a soft spot and having cranial surgery. (I have to admit, talking to this woman about the helmet and feeling like we had something in common felt wonderful.) We're lucky, Sam wasn't born with any actual handicaps, and doesn't need surgery. The helmet is not a big deal (although I miss kissing Sam's sweet little head!). Sure, it looks funny, and you don't see every child wearing it, but it's not a reason to be ignorant. I've found that I would much rather have people ask and me be able to discuss it with them than have them just stare or pity us. Really, of all the childhood illnesses and problems he could have had, this is so insignificant and non existent! I like to joke and say that it's for his safety when he's playing with his sister, which we've actually found to be true. ;)

When we went to the playground, I let Sam practice standing against the small animals. He was so happy and actually shouted in glee over this. A lot of little kids came over and played with him, looked at him, and asked about his helmet. One little girl came over to play (she was probably about 2 or 3) and talk to Sam when her father actually yelled at her to "get away from him", like Sam was diseased. He said it with total disgust in his voice. I looked over at him surprised, but was unable to think of anything to respond with quick enough. At first I was mad, but after thinking about the incident I actually feel bad for the little girl. We are the role models for our children. If you don't discuss the things children don't understand and yell at them for being curious, you're only teaching them ignorance; which isn't fair to the child.

In other news, Sam Man decided he's not going to crawl. He's desperate to learn how to walk/run to get away from Adri. When we got home I heard Adri say "Mama! He's standing!!!". I had no idea who "he" could be, so I asked her. She said "Sam, Mama! Sam's standing!". All I could think was "no way! Please don't let him already be standing, he hasn't even started crawling yet!" Sure enough, I walked into the living room and he had pulled himself up on his toy box to see what he could find in there. Great...

A few pictures of the kids eating their holiday cookies they decorated at a friends house last weekend.

From Winter 2010

From Winter 2010

From Winter 2010

From Winter 2010