Exploring

The Bubs and I went exploring on campus the other day. We found a building next to the library and went inside. We climbed three flights of stairs and found this cool hallway that ran for roughly 40 yards in length. Each end of the hallway was a room containing a large, half-circle bench. We ran from one bench, down the hallway, to the other bench - and back again. Again and again we did this until I convinced him to head back downstairs. I was tired and we still had to walk home.

I remember going to work with my mother on a few occasions. There were these three-seat couches in the center of a high-school Guidance Department, where she worked as a secretary. These two couches were positioned with their backs to each other. This allowed me to crawl underneath and hang out for the day without being noticed. I would watch the feet of people, teachers, students and staff walk in and walk out. I remember being able to identify the feet to their owners and even predict which direction they would walk upon entering. I would hear my mom's voice talking and laughing. It was my own world under those couches and time flew by.

Although the Bubs was not in his mother's building while on campus, he was nearby. The "outing" reminded me of my time in Sussex County (NJ) Vo-Tech's, Guidance Department with my mom. These are good memories and I haven't thought about them for a very long time. It makes me wonder what kind of memories the Bub's is going to remember as we explore some more.

Rocket Boy

Our friends next door invited us to attend their rocket launch yesterday. The Bubs has never seen a live launch, but has enjoyed watching airplanes and rockets (and space shuttles) launch on Youtube. We set out for an open space at a nearby college campus to watch liftoff. 

Countdown... and liftoff. As the rocket launched, I had the video camera recording and could not see the Bub's expression. However, he was fighting for me to let him go (as he was before launch). I had to hold him back until the rocket left the platform. The rocket parachuted safely back to the ground. I let the Bubs go so to chase the landed rocket. However the bub's was more interested in where it took off from rather than where it landed.

 

The Art of Stuffing your Face

The Bubs sometimes is an aggressive eater. It is almost as if he is soothing a savage hunger inside of himself as he devours low-laying fruits and vegetables. Whenever I notice that he is "jamming" too much food into his mouth, I hold out my hand - palm up - just below his chin. This prompts the Bub to spit the contents out of his mouth.I continually repeat to him, "chew, chew, chew Bub!" Where did he learn to eat like this? Maybe he watches me eat?

I have the unique ability to clean the meat from a chicken wing bone in one swooping bite (or I least I used to). I've always had the knack for eating quickly. Some may think that I was from a big family by the way I attack my food, but that would be wrong. In fact, my elder sibling is seven year older and I've lived under a single-parent roof for half my childhood. There was no competition for food in my home(s).



Perhaps working in all the restaurants? Restaurant workers were typically forced to eat standing up when the house got busy. Also, when "mistakes" were made by the cooks, these dishes were usually devoured by the wait staff in a standing feeding frenzy. In addition, as a kid I ate my mid-morning snacks (type 1 diabetic) in the nurses office as an elementary student. Since none of us kids were allowed to eat outside of the lunch room, i.e. hallways, etc., I always had a fear that a peer would consider me different if he or she saw me eating my snake. This fear led me to eating very quickly. I remember the nurse always making comments that I should take my time and relax. Peer pressure is more powerful than any adult.

Perhaps my past has encouraged my own aggressive eating style? Am I influencing the Bubs? I'll start digitally recording our dinners and get to the bottom of this. ;)