Traditions

I'm looking forward to Christmas.  Even though I'm not religious, I've always loved the holiday.  I love how beautiful the houses and trees look when they're all lit up; I love how most people go out of their way to be extra nice this time of year; I love wrapping presents!    I also love family Christmas traditions. 

In my family, we'd argue about how to decorate the tree, and sing carols together.  Everyone got to open one present on Christmas eve, so we'd stop bouncing off the walls and go to bed!  As I got older I got to stay up late and help my mom fill the stockings.

For Richard I want to start a new tradition. Now that he's old enough to be opinionated, every year for Christmas he'll get to choose an ornament.  I'll write his name and the year on the back.  When he's an adult and celebrating Christmas in his own home, I'll give him all of his ornaments to start him off.  Today he chose his first ornament.  It's a green monkey.

Not So Awesome Day

I love being a mom.  I feel very fortunate that I get to stay home with Richard.  I get to witness his exploration and discovery of the world.  I saw his first smile and his first steps.  We have our ups and downs, but most days are more good than bad.  Most days, not all.

On Tuesday Richard was sick and grumpy.  Understandable, and he was nearly back to normal by that night.  However, Wednesday morning he was clearly still not feeling well.  He was extremely grumpy and clingy.  I put him down for a nap, but he slept for less than an hour before he started fussing.  I brought him downstairs and 10 minutes later he was asleep in my arms.  Then it took another 20 minutes for him to stop crying and waking any time I stopped patting his back.  Finally got him back in his bed and hoped he'd be better after he finished his nap.  No such luck.

He would play for a few minutes, then get upset by nothing in particular.  Every little thing set him off.  I couldn't leave his side without him following after me, crying.  I think the longest we went without him having a meltdown was about 20 minutes.  It was rough on both of us.  I was approaching my breaking point, and very ready for a drink, by the time Sam got home.

Not exactly the best day ever.

I'd still rather be home than anywhere else!

Awesome Day

2 years ago Sam and I had tickets to go see Wicked.  I'd been wanting to see the show for years, and I was so excited!  I'd been on bed rest for a week, but the day before my doctor cleared me to go.  Richard, it turned out, had other plans.  Instead of seeing Wicked, I had a baby!  Last night we finally made it to the show and it was awesome!

Today, Richard's birthday, is shaping up to be a pretty good day.  Richard is being cuddly.  It's snowing.  My mom and aunt are coming for a visit.  And now it appears that Richard is going to be sharing his birthday with his brand new cousin!

Busy Busy Busy

This time of year is busy for most families.  Usually our household doesn't get crazy until a bit closer to Thanksgiving, but this year we're starting early.  And it's all my fault!  I may have gone a little bit crazy when it came to scheduling myself over the next month or so.

Over the next month we have visits from family and friends, a party at the library, swimming lessons, doctor's appointments, Richard's birthday party (I still don't know how many people are coming), learning to can, a road-trip to Omaha with girlfriends, a science fiction convention (Richard's first!), going to see Wicked, and Thanksgiving!

December will bring it's own fun,  with birthdays, cookie decorating party, and an average of 4 family Christmases.  Not to mention all the fun of trying to get all the Christmas shopping done!  But first we have to survive November.

How crazy is your schedule?

A bedtime(?) story.

It was the wee hours of the night when the villagers were awakened by the fearsome cries of the dreaded no-sleep dragon. The terrible creature was well-known to the villagers, but had not been heard from in some time. They had hoped that it was gone for good.

Immediately the villagers sought to appease the beast. Songs and sacrifices were made in its honor. Soothing comforts were offered. Everything that had ever worked to satisfy the dragon was tried, but to no avail. The dragon continued to roar and wail.

Just as the villagers despaired of ever being able to sleep again, one arose as a hero and champion to all. Long did he battle the dragon. Many times he thought the beast defeated, only to see it rise again. At last, weary beyond measure, he chose to make of himself the ultimate sacrifice. He laid himself down before the dragon, no arms or armor at his side, and offered forth his hand and utter supplication.

The dragon was pleased by this tribute, and accepted the honor as its due. It laid its head down, and silence was heard throughout the village. The hero had triumphed, and sleep was once again known to all.

 

This is what my brain was doing at 2 o'clock this morning.

Choices

Being the parent of a toddler is never an easy job.  I'm fortunate to have just about the easiest, most laid-back, happy toddler you could hope for; but even he can be a struggle.  All toddlers have tantrums/meltdowns/screaming fits from time to time.  All toddlers revel in being contrary.  All parents get frustrated with it at some point!

The root cause of these stereotypical toddler behaviors (terrible 2's) is a greater understanding of the world around them.  Children in the 1 1/2 to 3 age range are discovering that other people (parents, teachers, older siblings) dictate every thing that they do.  Add to that the fact that most toddlers lack the language skills to fully express themselves.  Toddlers have ideas, opinions, and desires that they can't get the people around them to understand.  What they can do, is refuse.  They say no, they resist, they throw tantrums.  They express their frustration at having little to no control over themselves.

One thing that can help with tantrums, is giving choices.  You just have to make sure that you are offering genuine choices.  If you ask a child, "Do you want to go to bed?"  They'll probably say no.  Unless you're ok with them staying up, this was not a genuine choice.  What I usually try (let's be honest, none of us will get it right 100% of the time) is asking, "do you want Mommy or Daddy to put you to bed?"  He still has to go to bed, but he has some control over how it happens.

The above choice has worked out overwhelmingly in my favor.  Since Sam works away from home most days, Richard is always eager for Daddy time. I get to sit down and enjoy a few minutes of quiet while Sam puts him to bed.  Except last night.  Last night, when offered the choice, Richard threw himself in my arms and laid his head on my chest.  Somehow I didn't miss the few extra minutes to myself.

Farewell Lobster

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday.  I enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, too, but Halloween will always hold a special place in my heart.  Now that I have a child, it's even more fun for me.  Last year (as you can see in my profile picture) Richard was an adorable lobster.  Everyone loved the costume.  But now, it's time for it to go.

Richard has long since outgrown the lobster, so on Saturday we're taking it to a costume exchange in Ames.  Someone else will take the lobster home; and we will, hopefully, find something cute for Richard to wear this year.  While part of me will be sad to see it go, I hope it will make someone else happy.  Now I just need to decide what I'm going to do for my own costume!