want: part 1

So I indulged myself recently. I went out and got myself one of those new fangled iTouch thingamajigs. I already had a first generation nano (remember, when they were bigger than a chicklet?) to make my bad dangerous eclectic taste in music portable, what more could I need? The Luddite cheapskate side of my brain shouted "it was new in 2005 which wasn't that long ago, don't bother to see what updates and changes have been made" (that side of my brain isn't very succinct but sure is opinionated) so I felt no need to update my i-anything.

Then I saw the iTouch and the feeling of complete need and want for updating became pronounced.

And loud.

In my head.

What can I say? Sometimes I give in to my consumer urges (but only when justified, I swear on that pile of Hello Kitty post it notes over in my desk organizer - seriously, they are so cute and irresistible you'd find the justification too)

So a good price was found, it was in stock, and I decided to part from my cash, which I must admit was difficult. Ever since I gave up shopping - seriously, I did - I have had these real problems parting with money - it's like my wallet suffers from extreme separation anxiety.

Except when it comes to chocolate, not that that fact has any relevance to this story and only serves to confirm that I am capable of something normal... but I digress.

The reaction that I received when I got home with the new toy was definitely not expected.

Actually, SB's was expected: he was pleased because (a) he loves new stuff like this and (b) it wasn't his money. Holy crap, it's like we have two laptops now, it's awesome, how could he not be happy? Am I the only one who hears the sounds of my justification echoing in that last sentence? No? Cool, let me resume trying justify the guilt I feel for making purchases over 43 cents.

Anyhow, Gigi's reaction, well it was a bit more emotional than I thought it was going to be.

It all started when she saw how excited we were when we were opening the fancy casing around the new toy (for those learning from this "case study" part of the post, the action of opening the iTouch in front of child is MISTAKE #1).

Immediately she assumed it was hers.

We gently explained that it was mine and very fragile. We then talked about an incident at a recent playdate where another little girl kept playing with forbidden fancy snow globes and one eventually got smashed. Holy crap, Gigi is so sick of that story but holy great illustration of an important point that she understood. If you could see the dirty look she gives me when I start talking about the freakin' snow globe.

She pouted and I explained that no one was going to play with the new thing, I just had to set it up, get it charged, and synced up (which she probably understands because OMG she can turn on, play, and quit on Super Mario for the DS ~ and she does it all properly - I do not understand how she figures this stuff out, no one plays in front of her ~ could her gaming prowess be a result of genetics?).

She bought what I told her but she still pouted. At least the whining stopped.

Then she asked if I could share the new iPod with her and so help me, I didn't pull out the snow globe story again but I was this freakin' close because she was totally persistent.

Then she offered me a banana...
... and what can I say, I was hungry.

No seriously, I didn't go for the banana, but OMG she tried to sell me on it - hardcore. It went from, "hey mom, I'll give you a banana, and you give me the iPod" - isn't that cute, she doesn't know her iTouch from iPod - to having her one inch away from my face, screaming as loud as possible "MOM! PLEASE! Give! Me! The! iPod! Now! I! Give! You! Banana! PLEASE!"

I admire her sales pitch. And vocal range.

Anyhow, eventually the constant screaming numbed my senses and I gave in. I let her hold it and touch the screen but I'm not kidding, the entire time I was taking this photo I was hovering around her like a humming bird, chirping "don't drop it, be careful, omg, don't drop it - it's fragile Gigi, really REALLY fragile".

Now I see where she gets the "in your face" from. I honestly didn't see that revelation to come from writing this post. Seriously, I didn't. Revelations and motherbumper posts just don't go hand-in-hand.

But as the photos shows, she got to hold it, albeit for something around 90 seconds and that, I hoped, was the end of the curiosity.

Oh trust me, I hear you laughing from here and I haven't even pressed publish yet.

I'm not exaggerating when stating that not one of her waking hours has passed since the purchase where she hasn't asked for it. Wait, she may have not asked her teacher about it at school, but it wouldn't surprise me if she told them her side of the story. A story that left them wondering why it isn't her iPod because trust me, she's slick and can play heart strings like no ones business.

Needless to say, due to this "want" predicament, I do no iTouching until she's in bed and I can be alone with my new friend. Every one feels a little bitter in the battle of the "wants". I really shouldn't complain about this stuff yet I do.