Happy Birthday to the sweetest blue-eyed boy I know...the one who keeps us on our toes, and always laughing.

2008

2009

2010

Today

Savoring the last moments of babyhood

He says "will you do fingers on the furniture with me?" (fingers=his security blanket, basically playing with my fingers while he vegges)and "can I do fingers with ya on da couch?" on a daily basis.
This is what he told his teacher he wanted to say in his valentine note to mommy...
he's still a baby. But not for long.... trying to hang on to the glimpses I still get.

What The Little One Is Doing...

Wooden Peg Puzzles? A joke.
24 pieces? Whatever.
Even a 36 piecer is no match for the (self proclaimed)
PUZZLE MASTER


Some of our favorites include this and this from Crocodile Creek, and this one by Mudpuppy.

{ALMOST} Wordless Wednesday

Ho ho ho!

Should I Cut It?

When I combed out my Z's hair today, I was torn....

Now mind you, when I spray it it is still nice curly-q's... this look is pretty pouffy!

Is it time for that first haircut?

Be honest!

A Job Nothing Can Prepare You For- Happy Mother's Day!

Being a mom is something I always wanted. Even as a kid, I knew motherhood was in my cards in one way or another. One thing I did not anticipate: IT"S HARD! Hard in a fulfilling and welcoming kind of way.... but hard.
I have not read this yet, but the title "I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids" by Trisha Ashworth always elicits a chuckle for me. In my first 3 years of foster care work, I was a case manager working with seasoned foster parents and usually mothers of their own grown children. I would work with them on behavior management and how to handle the parenting woes of kids in foster care. I was "well trained" in Common Sense Parenting and MAPP Foster Care Curriculum, and had a practical parenting tip for all situations. I would be empathetic to their needs, in a very textbook kind of way. I wish I could go back and give "young me" some advice- to not give advice. There is truly no way to know what it's like until you've been there. For me, I am sure the foster parents appreciated me trying hard, but really... there is no textbook for this job!
Here is me four years ago:
- if they won't sleep, let them cry it out
- if you say no stick to it no matter what
- kids don't get to ask "why" when told to do something
- no spanking
- no junk food!

Here is me 2 kids later:
- 2 kids in our bed just about every night at one point or another , lots of cuddling. I never had the will to let them cry it out. I'm not ashamed or sorry about this one!
- Trying hard to stick to what I say, but knowing my kids well enough to know when they are exhausted or not feeling well and need compassion not stern discipline.
- Actually enjoying explaining "why" questions because of the adorableness of the curiosity behind it
- A little spank on the behind never hurt anyone!
- Mostly fruit, veggies and lean meats, but treats are commonplace around here!

And, I love it.

Moms of toddlers, close your eyes and imagine with me... you are gazing at your adorable baby as he/she sleeps peacefully. He stirs, eyes open. You say "good morning", he replies "NO". You say, "ready to go downstairs?", he says "NO". While playing alone in the dining room I hear "NO NO NO!" to no one or nothing in particular.
"No! Downstairs"
"No No! I outside"
"No NO NO Diaper"

Do you see a theme here?

I feel like a rookie here. I do not remember this the first time around. The thoughts "he's lucky he's cute", and "I am not sure I will make it though this" are often.

Here's an article from Parents magazine, it gives some good info and reminders. Why Toddlers Always Say "No!": Focus on the Positive As parents, we usually know what we should be doing, such as giving small choices, rewards,follow through on consequences and reframes, but sometimes we need reminders. I said to Paul, "I think Zachary said "no" 300 times today.". Then, as I thought about it, I wonder how many times I said "no" to him. Imitation is flattery, RIGHT? Ugh.


Can't you just see the mischief under that hair?

5 Steps or Less!

To handling a "terrible two's" tantrum!

Disclaimer: This opinion is not coming from an expert. Just a highly imperfect mom who has a strong willed child doing this- all the time.

1. Try not to get angry. Stay calm. If possible, ignore the beginning of a tantrum and it might stop once they realize you are not watching.

2. Recognize and acknowledge the frustration your child is having. Even if it is over wanting "I-CEAM" and throwing oneself on the floor if there isn't any, or their desire to play in their tomato soup rather than eat it. They still have a limited ability to express themselves with words.

3. Remove child from situation (yes, it hurts to leave that full grocery cart, I know.) Paul and I had to scoop Zachary up off the floor 3/4 of the way though Sesame Street Live last week and leave. It was not ideal, but necessary.

4. Provide a safe, calm time away spot (we use the stairs at home, or at times just a hug/hold to help the calming process) and teach another skill. Ours lately has been "show me how you wait" then model sitting down, folding hands etc...

5. Laugh later with someone. "Did you see how he stomped away then threw himself on the ground? Man that's some will..... Did you see that fake crying? Where would he have learned that? "

Decisions, Decisions...

As some of you may know, my little Zachary has a preoccupation with ladybugs, or "aye-eee-uggs". For some reason, we have had ladybugs turning up in the house all winter, which has provided much delight and entertainment for my high spirited son!
As the little guy's birthday approaches, I am looking at cake ideas, which one do you like best? (Or, should I give up my Martha Stewart aspirations and just see what Wegmans has to offer?)


1.
2.
3.
4.

Well, one of us is festive at least.

The More Things Change...

The more they stay the same!

I still do not know what I am going to do with him.

But, I am obviously in for a good time as I figure it out!

Cheesin'


Who can resist a set of baby blues?


We spare our children no comforts


For the 100th time today "Zachary STOP JUMPING ON THE COUCH" (and I teach parenting classes... lol)


"I dare you not to love me"

I Heart My Cell Phone Camera

Thankful that when I cannot grab our awesome but large camera that I can usually capture some fun with my subpar but very accessible phone!

Moms out there...do pursed-lip-pass-outs melt you like they melt me??


And how about those fun moments where you know you must strip your kid down so they can enjoy their favorite snack (oh, and pardon the randomness of my dinner table)?


Or times when the thing you absolutely don't need turns out to be just the thing they needed...

And, I've spent the better part of the last week with the image of Adam's smitten face at the sight of Santa at Walmart...
3 seems to be the magic age where Christmas means something to them.
It didn't hurt that he yelled 'Santa, I need a drum!" as we walked away.

Am I Out of Ideas?

I feel I have reached a bit of a writers block...

Work has been stressful

The house has been messy

The kids have been handfuls

We have been busy!!


I have not been shopping much, I have not been Internet surfing much, frankly I have been in a bit of a funk....



I am currently reading



On Strike for Christmas
by Sheila Roberts (review to follow)












Self Magazine, November 2009 (p.s. - magazines at Sam's Club are 30% off or more everyday...)















I am currently loving





Aquaphor (lip saver, dry skin healer, little bum soother + more...)










Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner in Bronzed Brown











Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Bars












70 degree November days that involve using the hose...











I am currently laughing at:


Zachary's hair











Adam response when asked "what do you want to be when you grow up".... "Um, Adam Vinkle" (so far I have no doubt in my mind that my son will always be who he is...)

Sick Kids Are No Fun

We battled sickness all last week.
Zachary got it worse than Adam, but they both had it.

The fever, the cough, the ear infection the respiratory issues... all horrible.
Seeing your baby look at you with unfamiliar eyes, ones that have a glaze and dark circles beneath- ugh. And to have your usual little firecracker and not able to pick their head off the pillow, despite their most favorite episode of Elmo playing (see photo below below).

Makes my heart and prayers go out to those mother's of sick children. The pain must be unbearable.

Finally, the blue eyes I love are back. That spark of mischief and iron will have returned. All those things that make my baby my baby are back.

My Little Stinker

When Paul and I first brought Zachary home, we were shaking our heads in amazement at how peaceful and quiet he was. Not an ounce of colic or fussiness in him. Now, I spend a lot of time shaking my head with a combination of amusement and fear with my little man, Zachary. Talk about personality and will... his is off the charts!!
With Adam, he was always mellow, compliant and relatively easy. Zachary is, well... none of these things (makes me wonder if Zachary is just typical, where Adam was unique)!! Fortunately, he has such a sweetness that it's easy to overlook. But, I believe I need to get out the books on managing a strong willed child. I heard a quote, not sure of who said it, but it is: "if you teach a strong willed child to do what is right, then they will will be strong willed to do what is right.".


Some things I witness on a daily basis.
- screaming until he gets what he wants
- snagging cookies off the island which he can barely reach
- refusing to hold hands or be picked up unless it's at his own request
- packing food into his cheeks for hours at a time
- howling if he cannot get to what he wants
- running at roadrunner speed from one end of the house to the other, hitting the wall and saying "GUH"
etc, etc, etc...

But, on a cute note... he is starting to talk!! What a bright little guy. He is doing animal sounds, saying please and thank you, asking for help, and even said his first "sentence".. "take socks off". Sounded more like "tak-schoks-ruff", but adorable nonetheless.
I love this little boy. I love that I have my work cut out for me. I love that God is showing me daily the unique spirit he gives each person..

Could It Be?

Is my son the next psychology guru?
Here is a Rorschach Inkblot (you know, the one where they ask you what you see in the image to see if you are crazy or not, lol), then a craft Zachary did! You decide!

Seriously...Seriously...

Could he be any cuter?

What Am I Going to Do With Him??

Ahhhh, Zachary.....
When he was born, I held him amazed at how quiet, calm, and peaceful he was. From the first moment, he was at ease in my arms, sweet as can be, cute as a button. Paul and I would forget he was in the pack and play for a minute because he was so content to lay there.
Today, he is still sweet as can be and cute as a button. All other bets are off.
So, like any doting parent, I embraced his craziness, laugh a lot, and try to catch him in action if safety allows for it!
Here are some of his shenanigans I've observed lately: