There was a little girl, with a little curl...

[conuly]

Right in the middle of her forehead.
And when she was good, she was very very good.
But when she was bad, she was horrid.

Yes, that girl is Ana.

Even though I managed to cut our travel time to the museum in half, we still got there an hour late for the toddler program because Ana kept throwing tantrums. I had half a mind not to go at all!

And yet, intermittantly, she'd stop a tantrum to do something *really* adorable. Like reading to her sister (complete with turning the book around to show pictures, pointing at stuff to describe it, and singing "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"). Or, while we were putting on her scarf, and noticing it didn't fit inside the jacket so the ends had to go kinda around her stomach, crying out "Put-a doll! Put doll in scarf, please!" because, of course, her parents carry the baby around in a sheet that same way.

She was much better at the museum. Naturally.

We stayed a while and played with her friend Meghan for a bit. And then it was time to leave. Having two around is a bit easier - first you say "Look, Ana, Meghan's leaving, let's go with her!" and then you go "Look, Meghan, Ana's leaving, don't you want to come with us?" and you just keep that up all the way out the door.

They'd paused before putting their jackets on in order to get some water (which Meghan's mom and I put a stop to as they started to play with the water). And after Meghan's mother was holding the elevator, and Ana was ready to go in, Meghan went back for more water. Uh-oh...

So I run after her, because Ana's right in sight of Catherine, and I try to get Meghan to go back to her mom. And then, the flash of inspiration. Just like I would with Ana, I hold out my hand and go "Meghan? I'm very scared. Can you help me?"

Worked like a charm. Worked so well that I made a point of telling her mom what I'd done, because this is an impressive feat that it works not just with one tired, hungry toddler, but with two of them. I didn't know if it'd work on her! And now I'm telling all of you, in case it should ever come in handy.

And one last thing. I know I often ask for things jokingly. This time I'm serious - Ana *does not* have enough warm clothes, and Jenn *does not* have enough money to buy new (or even used) - she barely has enough to pay her bills. I'm asking quite seriously, if anybody has any sweatshirts or sweaters or heavy flannel tops in sizes 12m - 2T (or even larger, we can make do), or if they have any jeans, overalls, corduroy, sweatpants in sizes 18M - 2T, we'd be very much obliged. Her heavy jacket for this year not only doesn't fit properly (and it was bought to fit a 4-year-old, so that makes no sense) but the zipper is already broken - luckily, she still has her nice winter coat from last year, which fits fine, but it's still... *sighs* Honestly, I never intend for my "oh, I want this, and this, and this!" posts to be in any way taken seriously, that'd get real obnoxious real fast, but this time... She's drowning in clothes, but they're not warm enough for anything, and it's not like we can just walk out the door and into the car, we spend a lot of time waiting for the bus, or going to the outdoor playground. I didn't realize how bad the situation was because it's been so *warm* up until recently!

Edit: Love you all, seriously - don't go *too* overboard if it's not used, though - I have fears of drowning in warm clothes!

If you need contact information, there's a link on my user info. You *have to* comment there for me to add you. I won't tell you if I've added you unless you request it, because I'm lazy that way.

Comments

[mortaine.livejournal.com]

Freecycle.org is your friend!

How old is Ana?

[conuly]

2.5

Freecycle isn't your friend when everyone in the world wants baby/toddler clothes. You can't pick up what other people offer, because somebody else takes it, and you can't get any by posting wanted ads, either.

[beccak1961.livejournal.com]

I saw a TV show on abductions, and that helpless thing go the kids (and some adults) almost every time.
I lost my puppy, can you help me
can you show me where xxx is?

And Ted Bundy was known for wearing casts to look helpless.

All my baby clothes are long gone:(

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I don't have clothing to offer, but I do have some spare money to offer (well, 'spare' in that I have limited discretionary spending, which many people do not have). Would that be welcome?

[conuly]

Mmm. I'm reluctant to take actual money - not only does that feel like actual begging instead of "gifts" or "friends being friends", but I'm always scared I'll start spending money on the wrong things, which would be a real breach of trust. More importantly, I'd feel bad even if I *didn't* (I almost certainly wouldn't, but I also get scared when I go in trains because I keep thinking I'll stick my arm out in front of the moving subway. I'm odd that way), because you couldn't *prove* I didn't. Perhaps we could purchase clothes online? From trustworthy places...? That would certainly be most fair - and she really only needs... well, she needs *more* shirts, *more* pants, but if we do more laundry, she really only needs, I guess, seven of each, and we do laundry every week, no questions.

And then I'd really have to get you a Christmas present. Charity, all the way - pick one, I'll help out! (Gee, that really is a sucky present... Huh...) Or, I could, like, send you (if I remember...) a hat, scarf, or used book of your choice. We're drowning in those.

[conuly]

And *hugs* and thankies for even offering. I know it's a hardship even if you have the cash on hand, as it were. That's why I never really ask seriously for these things... Nobody has money.

[strangelette.livejournal.com]

Can I take this as permission to use your address again? Same situation as wispfox, no baby clothes but I'm happy to buy a little less music I don't really need this week in exchange for the fun of shopping for wee clothes (I love shopping but I don't really like having things around).

[conuly]

Honestly, I'd be thrilled, though I *did* post meaning to gather up used clothing :) You'll notice I'm not even saying "NO PINK! OR PURPLE!" like I normally do, which is a sign of how desperate I am here.

(Though, on that note, if people are willing to send, I might look to show links to the sort of clothes the family likes, though you should In No Way let that sort of thing hinder you if you disagree.)

[wodhaund.livejournal.com]

If I could, I would offer my old clothes, since my mother keeps things in museum quality condition, but for some unknown reason, she has tossed out anything larger than what an 8 or 9 month old would wear.

Although, there are still a few pairs of jeans from when I was 9, go figure.

[conuly]

We not only don't need those, we're full up on 'em already. But thanks anyway :)

[lizziey.livejournal.com]

hey. after the first we are buying seth and topher some more clothes. seth has a few pairs of jeans that are a little small on him, since he is getting so tall. i think they are 18 months. want?

[conuly]

Gladly. When are we meeting up? Maybe we could meet up tomorrow?

[eclectic-1.livejournal.com]

I don't have things under 2T, but I do have some warm things & could raid the local Goodwill.

But, getting it there. I'll need an address to ship to (my address is amethypia ~at~ yahoo ~dot~ org). Or, maybe I can talk to ladytabitha about bringing it down during one of her NY trips? Any other ideas?

[conuly]

I've got a post and a Friends group for people interested in my address, they're linked to on my user info. I'll add you now, but you have to go to the user info for the link, 'k?

[mortaine.livejournal.com]

Freecycle.org is your friend!

How old is Ana?

[conuly]

2.5

Freecycle isn't your friend when everyone in the world wants baby/toddler clothes. You can't pick up what other people offer, because somebody else takes it, and you can't get any by posting wanted ads, either.

[beccak1961.livejournal.com]

I saw a TV show on abductions, and that helpless thing go the kids (and some adults) almost every time.
I lost my puppy, can you help me
can you show me where xxx is?

And Ted Bundy was known for wearing casts to look helpless.

All my baby clothes are long gone:(

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I don't have clothing to offer, but I do have some spare money to offer (well, 'spare' in that I have limited discretionary spending, which many people do not have). Would that be welcome?

[conuly]

Mmm. I'm reluctant to take actual money - not only does that feel like actual begging instead of "gifts" or "friends being friends", but I'm always scared I'll start spending money on the wrong things, which would be a real breach of trust. More importantly, I'd feel bad even if I *didn't* (I almost certainly wouldn't, but I also get scared when I go in trains because I keep thinking I'll stick my arm out in front of the moving subway. I'm odd that way), because you couldn't *prove* I didn't. Perhaps we could purchase clothes online? From trustworthy places...? That would certainly be most fair - and she really only needs... well, she needs *more* shirts, *more* pants, but if we do more laundry, she really only needs, I guess, seven of each, and we do laundry every week, no questions.

And then I'd really have to get you a Christmas present. Charity, all the way - pick one, I'll help out! (Gee, that really is a sucky present... Huh...) Or, I could, like, send you (if I remember...) a hat, scarf, or used book of your choice. We're drowning in those.

[conuly]

And *hugs* and thankies for even offering. I know it's a hardship even if you have the cash on hand, as it were. That's why I never really ask seriously for these things... Nobody has money.

[strangelette.livejournal.com]

Can I take this as permission to use your address again? Same situation as wispfox, no baby clothes but I'm happy to buy a little less music I don't really need this week in exchange for the fun of shopping for wee clothes (I love shopping but I don't really like having things around).

[conuly]

Honestly, I'd be thrilled, though I *did* post meaning to gather up used clothing :) You'll notice I'm not even saying "NO PINK! OR PURPLE!" like I normally do, which is a sign of how desperate I am here.

(Though, on that note, if people are willing to send, I might look to show links to the sort of clothes the family likes, though you should In No Way let that sort of thing hinder you if you disagree.)

[wodhaund.livejournal.com]

If I could, I would offer my old clothes, since my mother keeps things in museum quality condition, but for some unknown reason, she has tossed out anything larger than what an 8 or 9 month old would wear.

Although, there are still a few pairs of jeans from when I was 9, go figure.

[conuly]

We not only don't need those, we're full up on 'em already. But thanks anyway :)

[lizziey.livejournal.com]

hey. after the first we are buying seth and topher some more clothes. seth has a few pairs of jeans that are a little small on him, since he is getting so tall. i think they are 18 months. want?

[conuly]

Gladly. When are we meeting up? Maybe we could meet up tomorrow?

[eclectic-1.livejournal.com]

I don't have things under 2T, but I do have some warm things & could raid the local Goodwill.

But, getting it there. I'll need an address to ship to (my address is amethypia ~at~ yahoo ~dot~ org). Or, maybe I can talk to ladytabitha about bringing it down during one of her NY trips? Any other ideas?

[conuly]

I've got a post and a Friends group for people interested in my address, they're linked to on my user info. I'll add you now, but you have to go to the user info for the link, 'k?