Monday, July 14, 2008
Comments
Just realized I had turned off the ability for people to comment. It's turned back on, so comment away...
Some days...
No new pictures today, just a little note about my buddy Dylan. I'm trying to teach him words to identify his feelings, because I'm getting a little tired of the tantrums. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to want something, but be unable to express it, so I usually try to be pretty sympathetic to the tantrums. This morning however, I had zero sympathy.
Dylan said he wanted to sit at a different spot than his usual spot at the table. I said okay and started moving his chair with the booster seat attached. He started howling and whining. I understood he didn't want the booster seat, but there was no way I was going to let him eat cereal without his seat. I've tried it before, and when the mouth is a good six inches below the bowl and spoon, it results in a complete mess.
I left him to fuss while I went to the bathroom. As I slid the bathroom door open, I saw him fling his cereal bowl across the table, and saw it splatter the wall, rug and floor. It's not so much the floor, rug or wall I care about. It made me really mad that he felt he could act that way. I hauled him up to his bedroom and told him to sit there until I told him to come out. I hate days like this - when my blood is boiling before 6:30 a.m. NOT the best way to start the day.
After about ten minutes he came out of his room and said in a cheerful voice "I'm not crabby anymore!" I told him I was still crabby and wasn't ready for him to come out yet. I just didn't know what to do, how to either teach him or discipline him in this situation. It's a very helpless feeling to have your kid act like such a brat, and to not know what to do about it. I wanted to yell at him, but I've learned raising my voice means he listens less.
He's two, and he acts like it. Sometimes that's the only thing I can tell myself to make it all better. I don't like the "Mine, Gimme, I Want!" attitude, but I know it's normal two-year old stuff. Normal aside, it's some of the most frustrating crap I've ever had to put up with in the workplace! I wish there was a boss I could go to and tattle on Dylan.
Despite all the anger I was feeling, my heart was still swelling with love for that kid. He's just so darn smart and cute!
Dylan said he wanted to sit at a different spot than his usual spot at the table. I said okay and started moving his chair with the booster seat attached. He started howling and whining. I understood he didn't want the booster seat, but there was no way I was going to let him eat cereal without his seat. I've tried it before, and when the mouth is a good six inches below the bowl and spoon, it results in a complete mess.
I left him to fuss while I went to the bathroom. As I slid the bathroom door open, I saw him fling his cereal bowl across the table, and saw it splatter the wall, rug and floor. It's not so much the floor, rug or wall I care about. It made me really mad that he felt he could act that way. I hauled him up to his bedroom and told him to sit there until I told him to come out. I hate days like this - when my blood is boiling before 6:30 a.m. NOT the best way to start the day.
After about ten minutes he came out of his room and said in a cheerful voice "I'm not crabby anymore!" I told him I was still crabby and wasn't ready for him to come out yet. I just didn't know what to do, how to either teach him or discipline him in this situation. It's a very helpless feeling to have your kid act like such a brat, and to not know what to do about it. I wanted to yell at him, but I've learned raising my voice means he listens less.
He's two, and he acts like it. Sometimes that's the only thing I can tell myself to make it all better. I don't like the "Mine, Gimme, I Want!" attitude, but I know it's normal two-year old stuff. Normal aside, it's some of the most frustrating crap I've ever had to put up with in the workplace! I wish there was a boss I could go to and tattle on Dylan.
Despite all the anger I was feeling, my heart was still swelling with love for that kid. He's just so darn smart and cute!
Some Days...
No new pictures today, just a little note about my buddy Dylan. I'm trying to teach him words to identify his feelings, because I'm getting a little tired of the tantrums. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to want something, but be unable to express it, so I usually try to be pretty sympathetic to the tantrums. This morning however, I had zero sympathy.
Dylan said he wanted to sit at a different spot than his usual spot at the table. I said okay and started moving his chair with the booster seat attached. He started howling and whining. I understood he didn't want the booster seat, but there was no way I was going to let him eat cereal without his seat. I've tried it before, and when the mouth is a good six inches below the bowl and spoon, it results in a complete mess.
I left him to fuss while I went to the bathroom. As I slid the bathroom door open, I saw him fling his cereal bowl across the table, and saw it splatter the wall, rug and floor. It's not so much the floor, rug or wall I care about. It made me really mad that he felt he could act that way. I hauled him up to his bedroom and told him to sit there until I told him to come out. I hate days like this - when my blood is boiling before 6:30 a.m. NOT the best way to start the day.
After about ten minutes he came out of his room and said in a cheerful voice "I'm not crabby anymore!" I told him I was still crabby and wasn't ready for him to come out yet. I just didn't know what to do, how to either teach him or discipline him in this situation. It's a very helpless feeling to have your kid act like such a brat, and to not know what to do about it. I wanted to yell at him, but I've learned raising my voice means he listens less.
He's two, and he acts like it. Sometimes that's the only thing I can tell myself to make it all better. I don't like the "Mine, Gimme, I Want!" attitude, but I know it's normal two-year old stuff. Normal aside, it's some of the most frustrating crap I've ever had to put up with in the workplace! I wish there was a boss I could go to and tattle on Dylan.
Despite all the anger I was feeling, my heart was still swelling with love for that kid. He's just so darn smart and cute!
Dylan said he wanted to sit at a different spot than his usual spot at the table. I said okay and started moving his chair with the booster seat attached. He started howling and whining. I understood he didn't want the booster seat, but there was no way I was going to let him eat cereal without his seat. I've tried it before, and when the mouth is a good six inches below the bowl and spoon, it results in a complete mess.
I left him to fuss while I went to the bathroom. As I slid the bathroom door open, I saw him fling his cereal bowl across the table, and saw it splatter the wall, rug and floor. It's not so much the floor, rug or wall I care about. It made me really mad that he felt he could act that way. I hauled him up to his bedroom and told him to sit there until I told him to come out. I hate days like this - when my blood is boiling before 6:30 a.m. NOT the best way to start the day.
After about ten minutes he came out of his room and said in a cheerful voice "I'm not crabby anymore!" I told him I was still crabby and wasn't ready for him to come out yet. I just didn't know what to do, how to either teach him or discipline him in this situation. It's a very helpless feeling to have your kid act like such a brat, and to not know what to do about it. I wanted to yell at him, but I've learned raising my voice means he listens less.
He's two, and he acts like it. Sometimes that's the only thing I can tell myself to make it all better. I don't like the "Mine, Gimme, I Want!" attitude, but I know it's normal two-year old stuff. Normal aside, it's some of the most frustrating crap I've ever had to put up with in the workplace! I wish there was a boss I could go to and tattle on Dylan.
Despite all the anger I was feeling, my heart was still swelling with love for that kid. He's just so darn smart and cute!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Rolling Over and Sitting Up!
We've just been hanging out at home the last few days.
Dylan finger painted on Tuesday. He really seemed to enjoy getting his fingers all goopy and spreading the paint all over the paper. He actually was slapping the paper more than he was rubbing it around, but hey, maybe it's a new method of creating texture!
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Mr. Brody started rolling from his belly to his back - so now he can go both ways! I'm happy about that, because he used to roll to his belly and get stuck, which led to lots of fussing!
He also has gotten stronger, and as a result, can sit up in the Boppy for longer periods of time now. He's not quite ready to do it on his own, but maybe in a few weeks. It's hard to imagine that he's already big enough to be sitting up on a blanket, playing with toys.
In fact, he looks rather surprised himself, doesn't he?
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Whoa, I'm sitting up!
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You mean I don't have to lay down all the time anymore?
Now that calls for a celebratory thumb suck!
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Look Mom, I can do tricks too, like tipping from side to side!
![]()
Dylan finger painted on Tuesday. He really seemed to enjoy getting his fingers all goopy and spreading the paint all over the paper. He actually was slapping the paper more than he was rubbing it around, but hey, maybe it's a new method of creating texture!
Mr. Brody started rolling from his belly to his back - so now he can go both ways! I'm happy about that, because he used to roll to his belly and get stuck, which led to lots of fussing!
He also has gotten stronger, and as a result, can sit up in the Boppy for longer periods of time now. He's not quite ready to do it on his own, but maybe in a few weeks. It's hard to imagine that he's already big enough to be sitting up on a blanket, playing with toys.
Whoa, I'm sitting up!
You mean I don't have to lay down all the time anymore?
Now that calls for a celebratory thumb suck!
Look Mom, I can do tricks too, like tipping from side to side!
Rolling Over and Sitting Up!
We've just been hanging out at home the last few days.��
Dylan finger painted on Tuesday. He really seemed to enjoy getting his fingers all goopy and spreading the paint all over the paper. He actually was slapping the paper more than he was rubbing it around, but hey, maybe it's a new method of creating texture!
Mr. Brody started rolling from his belly to his back - so now he can go both ways! I'm happy about that, because he used to roll to his belly and get stuck, which led to lots of fussing!
He also has gotten stronger, and as a result, can sit up in the Boppy for longer periods of time now. He's not quite ready to do it on his own, but maybe in a few weeks. It's hard to imagine that he's already big enough to be sitting up on a blanket, playing with toys.
In fact, he looks rather surprised himself, doesn't he?
Whoa, I'm sitting up!
You mean I don't have to lay down all the time anymore?
Now that calls for a celebratory thumb suck!
Look Mom, I can do tricks too, like tipping from side to side!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
4th of July
Happy 4th of July!
We celebrated in Galena, with Grandma and later Papa joined us for the weekend as well.
There was a parade in the evening on the 4th. We arrived early to get a good spot (and it's a good thing too!). The city doesn't require the cars to move from parking spots on the street, but we managed to get a spot right near a fire hydrant, so we didn't have a problem of cars blocking our view. We got to town about 4:30, and the parade didn't start until 5:30. We ordered a pizza from a little restaurant down the block and ate our pizza on the blanket, right there on the curb! It is a fun memory!
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While we waited for the parade to start, Daddy read a book to Dylan. I just love the way Dylan propped his sunglasses up on his forehead so he could see the book.
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At the beginning of the parade, the firetrucks stopped and raised the ladder on their big truck, and released red, white and blue balloons.There were many fire trucks in the parade. While it was cool to see, they were very close to us because the road is so narrow and they were VERY loud. Dylan was shaking and crying at one point.
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After the parade, I asked Dylan what his favorite part was. He responded "Suckers and Candies!" I thought he might say Fire Trucks, but no, suckers and candies.
On our way back to the cabin, we saw hot air balloons lifting off. We drove over to the take-off point, and were able to see a balloon launch, and another one go from being in a large bag to being filled, turned upright, and then taking off. It was very neat!
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The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing. We brought Dylan's bubble tiger, so he played with that a bit. Of course he spent lots of time with Mr. Potato Head. I brought sparklers, and we lit a few of those one night.
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Grandma bought Dylan a cool light-up toy, and he was so kind to show it to Brody. The little babe loved the lights as much as his big brother did! Dylan took the toy to bed with him, to use as a flashlight, and by morning it was broken. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
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At the pool earlier today, a lady asked me how old Dylan is. I hesitated, then told her almost two and a half. For some reason, I really hate to make my kids sound older than they are. For fear people will expect him to behave more like a two and a half year old than a two year old? Because it's wonderful but hard to see your babes growing up so fast? Who knows. But this I know...he won't be two and a half for another month!
Papa drove over from Cedar Rapids on Saturday evening. He has been working very long hours because of the flooding in Cedar Rapids, and aside from a bout with the flu, this was only his second day off since the flood. Brian had smoked some ribs that day, and we had a nice dinner for Papa last night. After dinner, Brian and his dad did a little bonding over cigars.
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We celebrated in Galena, with Grandma and later Papa joined us for the weekend as well.
There was a parade in the evening on the 4th. We arrived early to get a good spot (and it's a good thing too!). The city doesn't require the cars to move from parking spots on the street, but we managed to get a spot right near a fire hydrant, so we didn't have a problem of cars blocking our view. We got to town about 4:30, and the parade didn't start until 5:30. We ordered a pizza from a little restaurant down the block and ate our pizza on the blanket, right there on the curb! It is a fun memory!
While we waited for the parade to start, Daddy read a book to Dylan. I just love the way Dylan propped his sunglasses up on his forehead so he could see the book.
At the beginning of the parade, the firetrucks stopped and raised the ladder on their big truck, and released red, white and blue balloons.There were many fire trucks in the parade. While it was cool to see, they were very close to us because the road is so narrow and they were VERY loud. Dylan was shaking and crying at one point.
After the parade, I asked Dylan what his favorite part was. He responded "Suckers and Candies!" I thought he might say Fire Trucks, but no, suckers and candies.
On our way back to the cabin, we saw hot air balloons lifting off. We drove over to the take-off point, and were able to see a balloon launch, and another one go from being in a large bag to being filled, turned upright, and then taking off. It was very neat!
The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing. We brought Dylan's bubble tiger, so he played with that a bit. Of course he spent lots of time with Mr. Potato Head. I brought sparklers, and we lit a few of those one night.
Grandma bought Dylan a cool light-up toy, and he was so kind to show it to Brody. The little babe loved the lights as much as his big brother did! Dylan took the toy to bed with him, to use as a flashlight, and by morning it was broken. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
Papa drove over from Cedar Rapids on Saturday evening. He has been working very long hours because of the flooding in Cedar Rapids, and aside from a bout with the flu, this was only his second day off since the flood. Brian had smoked some ribs that day, and we had a nice dinner for Papa last night. After dinner, Brian and his dad did a little bonding over cigars.
4th of July
Happy 4th of July!
We celebrated in Galena, with Grandma and later Papa joined us for the weekend as well.
��There was a parade in the evening on the 4th. We arrived early to get a good spot (and it's a good thing too!). The city doesn't require the cars to move from parking spots on the street, but we managed to get a spot right near a fire hydrant, so we didn't have a problem of cars blocking our view. We got to town about 4:30, and the parade didn't start until 5:30. We ordered a pizza from a little restaurant down the��block and ate our pizza on the blanket, right there on the curb! It is a fun memory!
While we waited for the parade to start, Daddy read a book to Dylan. I just love the way Dylan propped his sunglasses up on his forehead so he could see the book.
At the beginning of the parade, the firetrucks stopped and raised the ladder on their big truck, and released red, white and blue balloons.��There were��many fire trucks in the parade. While it was cool to see, they were very close to us because the road is so narrow and they were VERY loud. Dylan was shaking and crying at one point.��
After the parade, I asked Dylan what his favorite part was. He responded "Suckers and Candies!" I thought he might say Fire Trucks, but no, suckers and candies.
On our way back to the cabin, we saw hot air balloons lifting off. We drove over to the take-off point, and were able to see a balloon launch, and another one go from being in a large bag to being filled, turned upright, and then taking off. It was very neat!
The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing. We brought Dylan's bubble tiger, so he played with that a bit. Of course he spent lots of time with Mr. Potato Head. I brought sparklers, and we lit a few of those one night.��
Grandma bought Dylan a cool light-up toy, and he was so kind to show it to Brody. The little babe loved the lights as much as his big brother did! Dylan took the toy to bed with him, to use as a flashlight, and by morning it was broken. ��Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
At the pool earlier today, a lady asked me how old Dylan is. I hesitated, then told her almost two and a half. For some reason, I really hate to make my kids sound older than they are. For fear people will expect him to behave more like a two and a half year old than a two year old? Because it's wonderful but hard to see your babes growing up��so fast? Who knows. But this I know...he won't be two and a half for another month!
Papa drove over from Cedar Rapids on Saturday evening. He has been working very long hours because of the flooding in Cedar Rapids, and aside from a bout with the flu, this was only his second day��off since the flood. Brian had smoked some ribs that day, and we had a nice dinner for Papa last night. After dinner, Brian and his dad did a little bonding over cigars.��
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