Thursday, November 8, 2012

Opposites Attract


“Vee cole, vee cole,” Claire said repeatedly.

Translation: "Feet cold".

My poor little baby had cold feet for the first time in her life. Actually, I think it was her first experience with cold in general. It isn't hyperbole to say that it took me an hour to warm them up, rubbing each tiny foot over and over again in my hands. I don't know who was more traumatized, her or me. Actually, I take that back it was me.

You see my husband, George, had taken her for an impromptu THREE hour trip to the zoo in FORTY degree weather wearing ONLY canvas sneakers!

I was mortified. I considered being mad along with mortified, but I’m trying to be more philosophical since having a kid. I can definitely cut him some slack this time too. First of all, how great is it that Claire and her papa went to the zoo together? And, really, George doesn't mean to be reckless. He’s barely used to being married, let alone having a child. There's a learning curve to fatherhood, just like anything else.

Same goes for motherhood. While I'm a stickler for schedules and routines, George would probably say I'm an old stick in the mud. He puts up with my neurotic need to make sure she eats on time, always has a nap at the appointed hour and that she's never, ever cold.

In other words, that Claire has a boring mommy, who doesn't know the meaning of the word "spontaneous" and never does anything fun with her daughter.

I'm the yin to George's yang, the traditional to his untraditional. We compliment each other nicely. So Claire can go on adventures and explore with her papa, and then come home to the warmth and security of her mama.

(In the future, I will just have to be more careful that I supervise how my child is clothed more closely.)

38 comments:

  1. Lol! It's the same in our house. Sometimes my hubby calls me the nemesis of fun! Lil harsh eh? Buti do need to ease up. But cold feet are the worse :)

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  2. I had to google that temperature because in Sydney 40 degrees is HOT, and I discovered it is only 4 degrees!! No wonder she had "vee cold", bless her little socks!

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    1. Love visitors from down under! Even if you can't tell the temperature :)

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  3. I'm sure at the time she wasn't even thinking about her poor little cold feet. It is wonderful that your husband spends that one on one time with her! Thanks for linking up with us this week for the #MTMmixer! Happy Hopping!

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    1. Yes, I was so happy they went to the zoo, whatever the consequences!

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  4. Great spin on this situation! My hubby and I are yin and yang as well, and I have to get used to the fact that we don't always prioritize things the same way. We do on the big stuff, and that's what matters, but it's the little things that get me! Great post! Hopping over from Friendly Fridays!

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    1. "Prioritize" is a good word, very diplomatic! I like it.

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  5. You have a very interesting blog - I'm stopping by from "I love my post" blog hop.
    Thanks
    Angie
    godsgrowinggarden.com

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  6. How am I not surprised! LOL!

    My dad was the one who allowed me to be adventurous, to climb trees, and scale brick walls (short ones). But he was always there to catch me... and I felt safe. He even let me go barefoot at the playground! I have memories of him wiping the sand from between my toes with my socks.

    Awe, now I feel all warm and fuzzy!

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    1. Glad to have sparked those lovely memories! I'm sure Claire will have them of her daddy as well.

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  7. LOL oh no! :P
    Dropping by from the blog hop. :)

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  8. Obviously that's 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cause if it was celcius there is no way her feet would be cold!
    Getting confused being in a different hemisphere! ;)
    It's great tthat you guys can compliment each other like that.

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    1. You're the second visitor from down under to say so!

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  9. Haha, sounds just like how we work in our home! My hubby does things with my daughter I cringe to watch, but if she grew up with me alone she would be a fearful and neurotic child! We do need each other! Great post.

    I am a new follower from the Friday blog hop! Looking forward to your blog!

    Tiffany
    http://thedwellingtree.blogspot.com

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  10. Lol! But yes - at least daddy and daughter are spending some quality time together! And hopefully they both enjoyed it. :)

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    1. They did. The funny part that I didn't mention in the post is that my daughter enjoyed the Polar Bears! She probably was feeling a bit like one!

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  11. Still sounds like a fun time despite the lack of proper footwear. I've had those moments too - very recently!

    Visiting from the blog hop. :)

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    1. They did have a good time. That's why I cut my husband some slack!

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  12. Yeah opposites certainly attract. My husband and I are definitely opposite...but sometimes I'm thinking, hmmm why can't you sip the coffee with me instead of turn your nose up at the smell....then the sane side of me says I should be thankful, "No one ever takes last of the pot!!" He's always hot, I'm ALWAYS cold. Sleeping together in the same room, while I'm hidden under covers, he's on top of them sprawled out sweating...I don't think that part will ever get better.

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    1. I like that...no one takes the last bit of coffee. Can't say the same at our house!

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  13. I have the same issue with my hubby and I. I keep telling him to dress the kids to the same comfort level that he has. How hard can that be? He's always freezing! lol

    Visiting from the Make my Saturday Sweet Hop! I already follow you so just saying hi! :)

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    1. Unfortunately for me, my husband is ALWAYS hot! Fortunately, it seems Claire has inherited this quality from him. Just not on the day of the zoo!

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  14. thank so much for linking up with us at an aloha affair! so happy to have you. have a great week-end!
    www.kendrakaypahukoa.blogspot.com

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  15. Poor cold little morsel. I bet she was frozen and very grateful for her mum's warm hands when she got home.

    Thanks for linking up :)

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  16. Oh that is so totally me too. I can't flex like my husband can...that's what she said..hee hee

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    1. Lack of "Flex" is a great term for my neurosis. Don't tell my husband!

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  17. That's how me and my husband are too with out daughter lol. Just take it in stride :))

    Thanks for linking up with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party. Thought I was following you but wasn't so now I am!

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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    1. It's great you can take it in stride. Most times, I can. Sometimes, I want a different husband!

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  18. I can absolutely relate to this. Sometimes it makes me fee tired, always being the "responsible" one, but we do balance each other out, I know. Thanks for linking up with #MTMmixer!

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    1. I'm trying really hard not to resent the "responsibility"!

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  19. I think that is usually the way it goes. In our home, I am the one who likes to be prepared and on time. Ty is spontaneous and is a lot more fun. We both play with the kids, but Ty is the one who rolls in the floor and chases them around the house and does the daddy, rough stuff. I am the one who kisses the boo boos and reads the books. Together we make a team, what one doesn't do so well, the other one does fantastically. I am sure it is that way in your own home as well, so don't resent the "responsibility" your daughter will know that each of you loves her, and it will help her to be a well rounded individual, with a good dose of being responsible but enjoying life as well.

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  20. Nice sharing of your family life. The joy of parenthood. Dropping by from " best post of the week" my entry: I hated my life: willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com

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  21. "I considered being mad as well as mortified." lol... Sounds like me, too.

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  22. i really like that you chose to embrace this as an adventure for your child rather than being angry at your husband. My husband and I do things differently and I think our son benefits from the variety. I'm pinning this post to the Sunday Parenting Party and featuring it on the SPP post this week. You ca grab an 'I was featured' button form my button page if you'd like one.

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    1. Oh, I feel so honored. Thank you! Especially since I really learn so much from your blog, and respect you and your work so much!!

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