Word of warning

Posted by kara

Since we are going on tour with Toshiko, I thought it might be good to give everyone a fair warning.

1. Toshi PINCHES. I’m not talking about cute little squeezes. I’m talking scream-out-loud-check-for-blood pinches. These pinches usually occur on the back of your arm when you are holding her. (Please don’t drop her.) Growing up, I thought I was immune to pinches, but these are piercing. Probably because…

2. … she has sharp nails. I try to keep them trimmed, but they grow like maniacs. And, she isn’t usually falling asleep in my arms anymore. So I have to beg her and distract her while I try to clip them. I usually average clipping about 2 nails/day.

3. Toshi slaps. This is actually kind of funny because it doesn’t hurt. I like to think of it as her way of showing affection (because she slaps me the most).

4. Earrings, hair, glasses– beware! If it’s within reach, she’s going to yank on it.

5. Toshi could bend backwards at any time. She likes to hang upside down, so sometimes when you hold her, she’ll arch her back suddenly. Be ready to catch her!

6. She likes to suck on arms. Don’t be alarmed at my arm hickeys… I’m Toshi’s pacifier. I let her suck on my arms– I probably shouldn’t, but every mom is allowed one guilty comfort thing, right?

7. Toshi drools and spits up. What baby doesn’t?

8. I know how you like your kisses extra sloppy! We are trying to teach her to give kisses. Her version of kisses involves slobbering and licking. And she likes to kiss books… it’s a long story.

9. My goal in life is to get Toshi to sleep. Paul thinks I’m crazy. The only way I can explain it is I know she needs sleep and will only sleep if I give her the opportunity. So mean mommy will take Toshi away from fun people and put her in her crib. She’ll cry. And then, hopefully, she’ll sleep. I’ll try to be as laid back as I can (because I know Toshi-time is so limited), but I can’t make any promises!

I think that covers pretty much everything. We can’t wait to see everyone!