Hi friends! So it turns out that a few people actually did read my blog from time to time, who knew!?! So since we've now completed the whole move-to-a-new-state thing, I'm thinking it's time to dust this little corner of the Internet off and start contributing again. Who's excited!?!
Anyway, I haven't really thought about what type of content I'll post yet, it'll probably be a little of everything and fairly rambly, because that's kinda how I am. I still have unpacking to do, so I may throw in some organization, definitely kid updates, maybe some pop up posts by Mike, you know, basically whatever it occurs to me to share. (I'm also up for some suggestions if there is something you want me to post about. So I guess that's it for now, I'll type at you later! Bye!
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Ch-Ch-Ch Changes
Okay, so I know I've not done a good job at. all. of even trying to blog through out this pregnancy. But let's just say that life is hard and busy right now. I'm completely out of head space to devote to things like a blog at this stage of our lives. But I did want to write down all the things going on in our lives right now, just so that when I look back I can keep perspective and not beat myself up for not writing as much (or at all).
So first things first. Pregnancy wise I am now 32 weeks. I have also been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. So starting this week I'm going to be having ultrasounds every week to check the function of the placenta, because GD is centered all around the placenta and how it is functioning. I'll also be going to a high risk doctor every other week to start having growth scans on the baby, because again, GD causes any excess sugar in me to be passed onto baby and the baby then takes that sugar and converts it into excess fat that will cause her to be bigger than she should be for her developmental age. Along with my ob and high risk doctor I've also been given a nutritionist to try to control the diabetes through diet. So far, I've been able to get things under control with diet alone, but as I've been told over and over again, that could change as I get closer to delivery. So fingers crossed that all of these upcoming scans are good and that little miss will stay in there until May. Which I should mention that if the placenta stops functioning correctly we may need to look at having her early, also if she gets too big, that may be a factor into what is the best option for baby. But for now we are just chugging along with a special diet and food log and blood sugar testing 4 times a day.
(Disclaimer: This is just my understanding of our situation, I am by no means an expert and am relaying things as I understand them)
Next big thing going on in our lives is that we are moving. Out of state. (But it's only four hours away) Mike has been offered this really great opportunity at his company that would allow for me to stay at home with the girls, which has always been the dream. So we have been working toward this goal for awhile now and it's all coming together in April. We've found a good transition house that we signed a lease on last week and will be moving the bulk of our stuff the first weekend in April. We are pushing hard to get the house set up before 36 weeks, because my doctor does not want me further than an hour away at that point. (And I don't really want to be traveling back and forth at the point either). So when we were looking at moving with a newborn versus moving pregnant, pregnant seemed way easier since she's still contained and won't need my time and attention as much right now. The basic plan is to move all the stuff down and set it up, then be back to our old area to have the baby and for a couple weeks of recovery. I'm not changing doctors at this point and we have an extensive support system here that has been generous in offering to let us stay while we wait and recover. (Also, I'm sure this goes without saying, but I am not moving all the stuff, we have men coming to do that, I'll be doing the packing/unpacking and directing of furniture)
Along the lines of us moving, I am currently working my last full week. The company I work for is amazing and the only reason I'd want to leave this job is to stay at home with the kids. So that makes leaving very bittersweet. I love my co-workers and the work that I do. I will still be working some throughout April when I'm in town to catch up any work that needs to be done and to train my replacement, but it won't be the same after this week. It's been such a joy to work for a company that values it's employees and has been a relatively low stress job. I'll be sad to leave because I know what a diamond in the rough I've been blessed with. (My job before this being horrible!)
We've also had a lot going on in our extended family lives. We were blessed with the arrival a new nephew. My brother and sister in law welcomed their second baby boy on Monday March 21st. His arrival has a been a source of celebration among everything else.
Unfortunately we also lost my Grandpa last week. He was 87 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer a short time ago. There is a lot heartache surrounding his passing, none of which I will be blogging about, but I know the heartache will take a long time to heal. So please say a prayer for my family as we start to work through the grief.
So yeah, all the many many details of Gestational Diabetes, combined with all the details of moving, combined with busy schedules and general life, my head space is gone. I'm doing good to remember to set up trash services at the new house (wait, I haven't done that yet, better write myself a note). So not to be making excuses, but life is busy busy busy!!
So I'll try to get some more posts up in the near(ish) future, but I'm not going to make any promises. Hope you are all doing well!
So first things first. Pregnancy wise I am now 32 weeks. I have also been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. So starting this week I'm going to be having ultrasounds every week to check the function of the placenta, because GD is centered all around the placenta and how it is functioning. I'll also be going to a high risk doctor every other week to start having growth scans on the baby, because again, GD causes any excess sugar in me to be passed onto baby and the baby then takes that sugar and converts it into excess fat that will cause her to be bigger than she should be for her developmental age. Along with my ob and high risk doctor I've also been given a nutritionist to try to control the diabetes through diet. So far, I've been able to get things under control with diet alone, but as I've been told over and over again, that could change as I get closer to delivery. So fingers crossed that all of these upcoming scans are good and that little miss will stay in there until May. Which I should mention that if the placenta stops functioning correctly we may need to look at having her early, also if she gets too big, that may be a factor into what is the best option for baby. But for now we are just chugging along with a special diet and food log and blood sugar testing 4 times a day.
(Disclaimer: This is just my understanding of our situation, I am by no means an expert and am relaying things as I understand them)
Next big thing going on in our lives is that we are moving. Out of state. (But it's only four hours away) Mike has been offered this really great opportunity at his company that would allow for me to stay at home with the girls, which has always been the dream. So we have been working toward this goal for awhile now and it's all coming together in April. We've found a good transition house that we signed a lease on last week and will be moving the bulk of our stuff the first weekend in April. We are pushing hard to get the house set up before 36 weeks, because my doctor does not want me further than an hour away at that point. (And I don't really want to be traveling back and forth at the point either). So when we were looking at moving with a newborn versus moving pregnant, pregnant seemed way easier since she's still contained and won't need my time and attention as much right now. The basic plan is to move all the stuff down and set it up, then be back to our old area to have the baby and for a couple weeks of recovery. I'm not changing doctors at this point and we have an extensive support system here that has been generous in offering to let us stay while we wait and recover. (Also, I'm sure this goes without saying, but I am not moving all the stuff, we have men coming to do that, I'll be doing the packing/unpacking and directing of furniture)
Along the lines of us moving, I am currently working my last full week. The company I work for is amazing and the only reason I'd want to leave this job is to stay at home with the kids. So that makes leaving very bittersweet. I love my co-workers and the work that I do. I will still be working some throughout April when I'm in town to catch up any work that needs to be done and to train my replacement, but it won't be the same after this week. It's been such a joy to work for a company that values it's employees and has been a relatively low stress job. I'll be sad to leave because I know what a diamond in the rough I've been blessed with. (My job before this being horrible!)
We've also had a lot going on in our extended family lives. We were blessed with the arrival a new nephew. My brother and sister in law welcomed their second baby boy on Monday March 21st. His arrival has a been a source of celebration among everything else.
Unfortunately we also lost my Grandpa last week. He was 87 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer a short time ago. There is a lot heartache surrounding his passing, none of which I will be blogging about, but I know the heartache will take a long time to heal. So please say a prayer for my family as we start to work through the grief.
So yeah, all the many many details of Gestational Diabetes, combined with all the details of moving, combined with busy schedules and general life, my head space is gone. I'm doing good to remember to set up trash services at the new house (wait, I haven't done that yet, better write myself a note). So not to be making excuses, but life is busy busy busy!!
So I'll try to get some more posts up in the near(ish) future, but I'm not going to make any promises. Hope you are all doing well!
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Quick Check In - 26 Weeks
Just wanted to do a little check in to have it down somewhere how this pregnancy has been going. So I can say that this time around, this pregnancy is going.... Great! It's actually trucking along with mostly no complications or complaints.
Right now I am 26 weeks pregnant. That makes me 6.5 months pregnant and finishing up the 2nd trimester. Wow, time is really going by fast. I can feel baby girl all the time now, and it's such a wonderful feeling! Already this little one is different from Sarah. Where Sarah preferred big movements in my womb, this one is my little tapper. She kicks her little feet at me all day long. I can tell that she likes to hang out head down and feet up. So her little heels are always at the top of my bump and her little head is usually pressing down on my bladder. My theory is that she thinks it's a nice warm pillow. (I know that sounds gross, but hey, that's what I think). And this little girl has just not had all that many big rolling movements. But I love all of her little quick little kicks. I feel like she is more subtle in a way. Bonus, she does not shy away when others try to feel her the way that Sarah did, so Mike and Sarah have been able to feel her several times.
I do feel like my bump is slightly bigger this time around, but overall I don't think I've gained as much weight elsewhere. I have been dealing with some crazy skin issues, like my face is more oily now, but the rest of my skin is way dry. So it's been interesting finding the skincare to use. But after conversations with my sister on my face, I've found the right products, and am basically putting on homemade body butter all the time to help the rest of me out. So I think I've hit a stride there. Knock on wood, I haven't had very much swelling this time around, but then I'm not in my 3rd trimester yet, so that could change.
Let's see, what else!? I have to admit that this time around I have not found myself to be mellowed out the way that I did last time. I've definitely had my moments of moodiness and crankiness. Which I really hate. I don't want to be snappish, especially at Sarah, but it has happened. It kills me really, so I try hard to keep myself in check. Hormones are no joke though, and sometimes you just can't help it.
Also I've been trying to respect my pregnant self and limitations. So I've been not lifting the heavy boxes or climbing up ladders. I also have not rearranged our furniture, even though I projects I want to finish that involve all of those things. I'm accepting and asking for help. So I feel like I've grown in that area.
Other than that what can I say? She is growing right on track. Every ultrasound I've had has been right on track to the day if not a day off. She has long fingers just like her sister and I'm getting super excited to meet her. I can't wait to see her little face and get to know who she is. I'm so excited to have a new little squishy baby in our house again.
So I'm sorry for the lack of posting, but I feel like life is just going hard all the time. We're busy. We made it through all the holiday's, and birthday season. So now I feel like I can finally focus of new baby Gill.
Also, in case you haven't picked it up yet, we're having a girl! Yay!
Right now I am 26 weeks pregnant. That makes me 6.5 months pregnant and finishing up the 2nd trimester. Wow, time is really going by fast. I can feel baby girl all the time now, and it's such a wonderful feeling! Already this little one is different from Sarah. Where Sarah preferred big movements in my womb, this one is my little tapper. She kicks her little feet at me all day long. I can tell that she likes to hang out head down and feet up. So her little heels are always at the top of my bump and her little head is usually pressing down on my bladder. My theory is that she thinks it's a nice warm pillow. (I know that sounds gross, but hey, that's what I think). And this little girl has just not had all that many big rolling movements. But I love all of her little quick little kicks. I feel like she is more subtle in a way. Bonus, she does not shy away when others try to feel her the way that Sarah did, so Mike and Sarah have been able to feel her several times.
I do feel like my bump is slightly bigger this time around, but overall I don't think I've gained as much weight elsewhere. I have been dealing with some crazy skin issues, like my face is more oily now, but the rest of my skin is way dry. So it's been interesting finding the skincare to use. But after conversations with my sister on my face, I've found the right products, and am basically putting on homemade body butter all the time to help the rest of me out. So I think I've hit a stride there. Knock on wood, I haven't had very much swelling this time around, but then I'm not in my 3rd trimester yet, so that could change.
Let's see, what else!? I have to admit that this time around I have not found myself to be mellowed out the way that I did last time. I've definitely had my moments of moodiness and crankiness. Which I really hate. I don't want to be snappish, especially at Sarah, but it has happened. It kills me really, so I try hard to keep myself in check. Hormones are no joke though, and sometimes you just can't help it.
Also I've been trying to respect my pregnant self and limitations. So I've been not lifting the heavy boxes or climbing up ladders. I also have not rearranged our furniture, even though I projects I want to finish that involve all of those things. I'm accepting and asking for help. So I feel like I've grown in that area.
Other than that what can I say? She is growing right on track. Every ultrasound I've had has been right on track to the day if not a day off. She has long fingers just like her sister and I'm getting super excited to meet her. I can't wait to see her little face and get to know who she is. I'm so excited to have a new little squishy baby in our house again.
So I'm sorry for the lack of posting, but I feel like life is just going hard all the time. We're busy. We made it through all the holiday's, and birthday season. So now I feel like I can finally focus of new baby Gill.
Also, in case you haven't picked it up yet, we're having a girl! Yay!
 |
| A family photo from Haley's sweet 16 two weeks ago |
Friday, November 13, 2015
We're Back!
Drumroll please .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- We're Pregnant! Like really and truly pregnant. I say that only because it's been a struggle to get pregnant and stay pregnant with another baby. After trying for over a year and a miscarriage back in June, I am absolutely delighted that we are back in the saddle again.
After the heartache of the miscarriage in June (which felt wrong from the start), this pregnancy has been like a beam of light. I found out the day after my expected period. I just knew I was pregnant. Usually I'd wait a few days before testing, just to be sure that I wasn't just late, but like I said, I knew I was pregnant. So I tested, and got a big, fat, undeniable, postive result! Immediately the image that came to mind was the Heaven's opening up and God winking at me. That might sound silly, but I got this overwhelming peace about this baby. I truly feel this is the child that we are meant to have. This is the missing person in our family.
So here I am again, dusting off the old blog. I mean, I need a place to record all of the thoughts and feeling of this pregnancy. I still feel like other social media sites are not really appropriate to post all things pregnancy related, and I want to be able to share my joy with those who want to know without infringing on those who are struggling to have a baby (or let's be honest, don't really care about being pregnant). Being the couple that has been trying to have another child for over a year and going through several miscarriages, we can certainly relate and be sensitive to the feelings of the those that would give anything to pregnant, and don't need reminders that they aren't.
The only other note I want to leave you with right now is, we've already been to the doctor and confirmed the viability, and it's in the uterus (always a concern after our ectopic pregnancy) And if all goes well then we'll have a cute squishy baby in May 2016. Whoo hoo! Be on the lookout for future blogs where I'll discuss some symptoms and thoughts from this time around! If you're inclined to pray for us, pray for a happy and healthy baby and pregnancy :-D .
After the heartache of the miscarriage in June (which felt wrong from the start), this pregnancy has been like a beam of light. I found out the day after my expected period. I just knew I was pregnant. Usually I'd wait a few days before testing, just to be sure that I wasn't just late, but like I said, I knew I was pregnant. So I tested, and got a big, fat, undeniable, postive result! Immediately the image that came to mind was the Heaven's opening up and God winking at me. That might sound silly, but I got this overwhelming peace about this baby. I truly feel this is the child that we are meant to have. This is the missing person in our family.
So here I am again, dusting off the old blog. I mean, I need a place to record all of the thoughts and feeling of this pregnancy. I still feel like other social media sites are not really appropriate to post all things pregnancy related, and I want to be able to share my joy with those who want to know without infringing on those who are struggling to have a baby (or let's be honest, don't really care about being pregnant). Being the couple that has been trying to have another child for over a year and going through several miscarriages, we can certainly relate and be sensitive to the feelings of the those that would give anything to pregnant, and don't need reminders that they aren't.
The only other note I want to leave you with right now is, we've already been to the doctor and confirmed the viability, and it's in the uterus (always a concern after our ectopic pregnancy) And if all goes well then we'll have a cute squishy baby in May 2016. Whoo hoo! Be on the lookout for future blogs where I'll discuss some symptoms and thoughts from this time around! If you're inclined to pray for us, pray for a happy and healthy baby and pregnancy :-D .
Friday, April 24, 2015
To Blog or Not to Blog
To Blog or Not to Blog, That is the Ever-Loving Eternal Question Here. Am I right? Who's with me?
It's been awhile, I think I've truly gone off of the whole blogging thing. It wasn't intentional, it's just that life happened. And I am possibly the world's worst at documenting anything. I don't have a bazillion pictures of our family because I don't take a bazillion pictures. I really and truely make it an effort to be present whenever we are doing fun things. I don't want to view our life through a camera lens, but then I have nothing to look back on and go, oh yeah! We did that really fun thing that one time. In fact, I usually can't even find my phone with the decent camera, if by chance I do want to snap a quick photo, so I usually just tell Mike to take the picture. But then that leaves all the pictures on his phone, and I don't have them to share or look back on because they are on some stupid icloud somewhere in cyber space. (I wish our icloud would gather enough pictures for a storm and rain some random photos down to my computer - wouldn't that be cool!? Switch on your computer to see a virtual storm of past pictures raining down on your desktop? Okay maybe not imagine trying to sort them into some searchable format, but still, at least you know where my brain went for a minute... #tangent) (Oh and I'm really into #hashtags this year, it was my New Year's Resolution on Facebook, because I don't really use #twitter)
So now I'm in this never ending circle of thinking I should blog, just to record what we did and where we were and what I was thinking. But then I think, I don't have time, it's hard enough working full time, getting in good quality time with Sarah before bed every weeknight, and catching up on all the household chores before the weekend so we can do the really fun stuff. You know life. So I think I may try to start this whole blog back up, but I'm just not going to commit. I'm just dipping a toe in a testing the water again.
If you read this blog ~ yay you! You are probably the only person left who actually expended effort to check if anything had been updated. You should get a prize. How about: A Lifetime Supply of Oxygen, A Bucket of Water, and a Stick!? (#throwback #sorryyourprizesucks #thanksforreading)
#comeback #wherehasthetimegone #jmmtb #bloggingiscool
It's been awhile, I think I've truly gone off of the whole blogging thing. It wasn't intentional, it's just that life happened. And I am possibly the world's worst at documenting anything. I don't have a bazillion pictures of our family because I don't take a bazillion pictures. I really and truely make it an effort to be present whenever we are doing fun things. I don't want to view our life through a camera lens, but then I have nothing to look back on and go, oh yeah! We did that really fun thing that one time. In fact, I usually can't even find my phone with the decent camera, if by chance I do want to snap a quick photo, so I usually just tell Mike to take the picture. But then that leaves all the pictures on his phone, and I don't have them to share or look back on because they are on some stupid icloud somewhere in cyber space. (I wish our icloud would gather enough pictures for a storm and rain some random photos down to my computer - wouldn't that be cool!? Switch on your computer to see a virtual storm of past pictures raining down on your desktop? Okay maybe not imagine trying to sort them into some searchable format, but still, at least you know where my brain went for a minute... #tangent) (Oh and I'm really into #hashtags this year, it was my New Year's Resolution on Facebook, because I don't really use #twitter)
So now I'm in this never ending circle of thinking I should blog, just to record what we did and where we were and what I was thinking. But then I think, I don't have time, it's hard enough working full time, getting in good quality time with Sarah before bed every weeknight, and catching up on all the household chores before the weekend so we can do the really fun stuff. You know life. So I think I may try to start this whole blog back up, but I'm just not going to commit. I'm just dipping a toe in a testing the water again.
If you read this blog ~ yay you! You are probably the only person left who actually expended effort to check if anything had been updated. You should get a prize. How about: A Lifetime Supply of Oxygen, A Bucket of Water, and a Stick!? (#throwback #sorryyourprizesucks #thanksforreading)
#comeback #wherehasthetimegone #jmmtb #bloggingiscool
Thursday, October 16, 2014
That's it, You're Going to Time Out
So, you know how they have that old saying "monkey see, monkey do". And you know how they say this a lot when you have children, as they are great little mimikers...
We've reached that stage, you know the one. The one where your nothing but sweet little child has decided that they need (or maybe "need" is too strong of a word, "want" might be more appropriate...) to find out exactly where the boundaries lie. Just how far they can push until something, anything changes, and how bad will it actually be? I know that this is in their tiny little heads, because I remember thinking the exact same thing.
So up until recently just the threat of some form of discipline was enough to stop our 2.5 year old right in her tracks. And she is clever enough to have figured out that a pouty lip and an "I'm sorry, mommy" was enough to get her out of trouble. Until that routine was just too boring for her, or until it dawned on her that she didn't actually know what she was sorry for. (example: I'm sorry mommy, as she is coloring directly on the table) Either way, the time out chair has been brought out and she has become acquainted with it.
I knew this day was coming. I had bought a little chair at Goodwill with every intention of it being a time out chair. I kept it out in the garage until the day we would need it (Or maybe I planned to paint it all pinterest like, and never got around to it.., potato, tomato). I thought very carefully about how I wanted to handle discipline, so I came up with all these guidelines for myself, always with this perfect senario playing out in my head that involved a screaming defiant child, and a patient loving but firm parent.... where has my mom of the year award gotten off to? But as children do, mine threw me for a loop. Our first encounter with the chair went something like this...
Me: Sarah, stop doing that or I'm going to put you in time out
Sarah: looking at me I'm sorry momma pouty lip, continues doing thing
Me: Sarah, I said stop, do you want to go in time out?
Sarah: Yes!
Me: Okay.... let me go get the chair brings in chair
Sarah: Oooo! I love my time out chair momma, it's just my size.
Me: Hang on, let me clean it first. Okay, sit in the chair and be quiet for 2.5 minutes
Sarah: Still talking about how much she loves the chair.
Me: You have to be quiet or I'll start the time over.
Sarah: Starts whispering about the lovely chair and how it's just her size, she loves the little cut out heart.
Me: That's it. I'm starting the time all over again, this time no talking.
Sarah: Staring to realize it's meant to be punishment. Shifts into pitful woe is me, child. Reaches hand symbolically out to me. Mommy hold my hand, I'm scared.
Me: Trying to remain patient firm parent and not laugh at the rapid change of tatics. No, you're in time out.
Sarah: lip out, hand outstreched, knows she almost has mommy smiling, and if she can just get a smile out of me, knows it's not really a punishment
Me: Just don't look at her, it's almost over. This sets the precedent for all future time out sessions.
TIME OUT ENDS
Me: Walks back to Sarah kneels down in front of Sarah, Sarah, Do you know why you're in time out?
Sarah: I love my time out chair mommy.
Me: Yes I know, but do you know why I made you sit in it and be quiet?
Sarah: Yes, I was doing that thing you told me not to.
Me: Why did I tell you not to do that?
Sarah: Because I made a mess, and you said "Stop doing that thing" and I kept doing it.
Me: That's right. So next time mommy tells you to stop are going to listen?
Sarah: Yes
Me: Okay, not tell me you're sorry and give me a hug
End.
So that's the set-up. Here's the almost-comical antidote.
Fast forward, a few days and time outs...
Sarah still loves the time out chair. I often hear her saying she's going to sit in the time out chair. Like she wants to go in time out to get to sit in the chair. (I may need to think of a more suitable teaching method). Anyway, I'm playing with Sarah. We're playing with her Minnie Mouse dolls, that have clip on dresses, bows, shoes, etc. So I'm dressing a Minnie doll to go to a tea party, and I don't pick the right bow to go with dress. So I explain, that I can dress her how I want, and that it's okay for our friends to have different idea's, etc. etc. You know trying to mold her into a good friend and play buddy. Well after the umteinth time of her correcting how I'm dressing these dolls, and me explaining that it's okay for me to have different ideas and we can both still play together. She looks at me and says:
Sarah: That's it mommy. You're going to time out.
Me: What did I do wrong? Why do I have to go to time out? Decides to play along, see where it goes. How does she view time out?
Sarah: pulling me toward the chair, or attempting as she does not have the kind of strength needed to actually physically move me. You need to go to time out. You need to sit in the chair.
Me: playing along, sits on chair Why am I in time out?
Sarah: Shhh. Mommy no talking, or hand holding while in time out. Sits down with pretend phone where I always sit when she's in time out
Me: Reaches hand symbolically out
Sarah: No mommy. You need to think about what you did.
Me: What'd I do? starting to laugh
Sarah: I'm going to start your time over.
Me: sits patiently
Sarah: gets up comes over and kneels in front of me, rubs my leg. Do you know what you did wrong?
Me: No, what did I do?
Sarah: Are you going to do it again?
Me: No
Sarah: Okay give me a hug and say you're sorry.
Me: Sorry gives hug
Sarah: That's better mommy
So your opinion... Am I in trouble here with this whole time out thing? Monkey see, monkey do. Is she mocking my attempts at creating a well adjusted child? What are alternatives (I'm not a spanking kind of mom). My kid loves time out, loves the time out chair, loves to pretend to be in time out, has acted out a scene with me in time out. (Which, by the way, will not happen again, as I've now realized it was a big mistake to even let her act as if she has that kind of control over me. She does not. I am mom, she is child. End of story.) So let's hear it, how do you mold your child into a non-brat. Because let's be honest, that's what all of our end goals really are right!? To raise non-brats?
We've reached that stage, you know the one. The one where your nothing but sweet little child has decided that they need (or maybe "need" is too strong of a word, "want" might be more appropriate...) to find out exactly where the boundaries lie. Just how far they can push until something, anything changes, and how bad will it actually be? I know that this is in their tiny little heads, because I remember thinking the exact same thing.
So up until recently just the threat of some form of discipline was enough to stop our 2.5 year old right in her tracks. And she is clever enough to have figured out that a pouty lip and an "I'm sorry, mommy" was enough to get her out of trouble. Until that routine was just too boring for her, or until it dawned on her that she didn't actually know what she was sorry for. (example: I'm sorry mommy, as she is coloring directly on the table) Either way, the time out chair has been brought out and she has become acquainted with it.
 |
| The Chair |
Me: Sarah, stop doing that or I'm going to put you in time out
Sarah: looking at me I'm sorry momma pouty lip, continues doing thing
Me: Sarah, I said stop, do you want to go in time out?
Sarah: Yes!
Me: Okay.... let me go get the chair brings in chair
Sarah: Oooo! I love my time out chair momma, it's just my size.
Me: Hang on, let me clean it first. Okay, sit in the chair and be quiet for 2.5 minutes
Sarah: Still talking about how much she loves the chair.
Me: You have to be quiet or I'll start the time over.
Sarah: Starts whispering about the lovely chair and how it's just her size, she loves the little cut out heart.
Me: That's it. I'm starting the time all over again, this time no talking.
Sarah: Staring to realize it's meant to be punishment. Shifts into pitful woe is me, child. Reaches hand symbolically out to me. Mommy hold my hand, I'm scared.
Me: Trying to remain patient firm parent and not laugh at the rapid change of tatics. No, you're in time out.
Sarah: lip out, hand outstreched, knows she almost has mommy smiling, and if she can just get a smile out of me, knows it's not really a punishment
Me: Just don't look at her, it's almost over. This sets the precedent for all future time out sessions.
TIME OUT ENDS
Me: Walks back to Sarah kneels down in front of Sarah, Sarah, Do you know why you're in time out?
Sarah: I love my time out chair mommy.
Me: Yes I know, but do you know why I made you sit in it and be quiet?
Sarah: Yes, I was doing that thing you told me not to.
Me: Why did I tell you not to do that?
Sarah: Because I made a mess, and you said "Stop doing that thing" and I kept doing it.
Me: That's right. So next time mommy tells you to stop are going to listen?
Sarah: Yes
Me: Okay, not tell me you're sorry and give me a hug
End.
So that's the set-up. Here's the almost-comical antidote.
Fast forward, a few days and time outs...
Sarah still loves the time out chair. I often hear her saying she's going to sit in the time out chair. Like she wants to go in time out to get to sit in the chair. (I may need to think of a more suitable teaching method). Anyway, I'm playing with Sarah. We're playing with her Minnie Mouse dolls, that have clip on dresses, bows, shoes, etc. So I'm dressing a Minnie doll to go to a tea party, and I don't pick the right bow to go with dress. So I explain, that I can dress her how I want, and that it's okay for our friends to have different idea's, etc. etc. You know trying to mold her into a good friend and play buddy. Well after the umteinth time of her correcting how I'm dressing these dolls, and me explaining that it's okay for me to have different ideas and we can both still play together. She looks at me and says:
Sarah: That's it mommy. You're going to time out.
Me: What did I do wrong? Why do I have to go to time out? Decides to play along, see where it goes. How does she view time out?
Sarah: pulling me toward the chair, or attempting as she does not have the kind of strength needed to actually physically move me. You need to go to time out. You need to sit in the chair.
Me: playing along, sits on chair Why am I in time out?
Sarah: Shhh. Mommy no talking, or hand holding while in time out. Sits down with pretend phone where I always sit when she's in time out
Me: Reaches hand symbolically out
Sarah: No mommy. You need to think about what you did.
Me: What'd I do? starting to laugh
Sarah: I'm going to start your time over.
Me: sits patiently
Sarah: gets up comes over and kneels in front of me, rubs my leg. Do you know what you did wrong?
Me: No, what did I do?
Sarah: Are you going to do it again?
Me: No
Sarah: Okay give me a hug and say you're sorry.
Me: Sorry gives hug
Sarah: That's better mommy
So your opinion... Am I in trouble here with this whole time out thing? Monkey see, monkey do. Is she mocking my attempts at creating a well adjusted child? What are alternatives (I'm not a spanking kind of mom). My kid loves time out, loves the time out chair, loves to pretend to be in time out, has acted out a scene with me in time out. (Which, by the way, will not happen again, as I've now realized it was a big mistake to even let her act as if she has that kind of control over me. She does not. I am mom, she is child. End of story.) So let's hear it, how do you mold your child into a non-brat. Because let's be honest, that's what all of our end goals really are right!? To raise non-brats?
Monday, August 25, 2014
So Many Summer 1st's (2014)
Hi! I wanted to do a quick summer wrap up, but as I was scrolling through my camera, I realized that even though Sarah is two and a half, she had quite a few "1st('s) this summer, so I think I'll focus on those and it'll naturally lend itself to a summer wrap up of sorts :D.
So starting back in May:
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| 1st Backyard Water Fun (of the season) with Brayden 5/31/14 |
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| 1st time all by herself at the "kiddy" table |
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| 1st Haircut! (Sidenote: She got "fairy dust" in her hair and it smelled like a cupcake!) 6/11/14 |
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| 1st Pedicure (Well getting her toes professionally painted) 6/13/14 |
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| 1st time being in a wedding 6/14/14 |
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| 1st night in a big girl bed 6/21/14 |
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| 1st time bowling 6/29/14 |
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| 1st face painting (It's a firework) 7/3/14 |
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| 1st pony ride 7/4/14 |
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| 1st time playing Candy Crush with Muncle Toddy |
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| 1st time helping mommy bake brownies and getting to lick the spoon and bowl 8/11/14 |
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| Fair Fun 2014 (Not a 1st, but fun none the less!) 8/23/14 |
So even though we didn't really get to travel this summer, because of the wedding, we sure did fill with it with lots of fun things to do around home!
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