The Incorrigible Night Owl

I just turned on Teletubbies for Eliza.
She has been a bit of a pain the past few days — whiny, complaining, fussy and snot-nosed. When I noticed that there are suddenly quarts of drool pouring out of her mouth (seriously, I had to change her and put a bib on her this morning after she’d soaked the front of her first outfit) it occurred to me to look in her mouth. Sure enough, she’s getting ALL FOUR of her canines at once. They are the only teeth she doesn’t have yet. Historically, my kids have all been easy teethers — I didn’t even realize she was getting her molars until they were already through. But I guess the quadruple whammy is too much even for her to take. Poor kid.
Anyway, she was crabbing around here a few minutes ago. I woke up this morning with a headache and the whingeing was making my head feel like it was about to explode. So, when I saw Teletubbies on the program guide, I decided to give it a whirl. The show was banned in our house when Mad was little because, at the time, I thought the ‘Tubbies were little rainbow-colored anti-Christs. I later relented and JZ watched it occasionally because it was one of the few things at which he’d even look. Eliza is now enthralled, dancing with the ‘Tubbies and telling them “Bye-bye” as they disappear. I know it’s basically eye candy for toddlers (or, judging by the way Eliza is staring at it, eye crack cocaine is more like it). But, guess what? It’s quiet. She’s not being a crabapple any more.
Turns out I actually can tolerate this show in small doses. There are a lot more shows that get on my nerves way more than Teletubbies. My grandma actually used to watch it. She thought they were so cute, so I bought her a Tinky Winky doll. It reminds me of her, so, while I know I should be horrified that it’s on my t.v., I can’t bring myself to think it’s all bad. After all, if this is the most annoying thing Eliza ever likes, we’ll be doing alright.
Barney just came on, though, and you can bet I grabbed for the remote, fast as lightning. I still have some standards, you know.