...it worked with the sweetest response
My little Audrey has quite a temper especially when she has made up her mind.
Two days ago she decided after I had put her to bed that she wanted her door open. At the time I didn't really think anything about this simple request because all the kids were headed to bed at the same time that evening (it was a pretty late bedtime for her).
The following evening I noted my error when I was putting her to bed at her usual bedtime (7:30) and she wanted her door open again. Unfortunately the rest of the house was up doing their evening routine thing and thus were very distracting to her. I endured an hour of her calling for me, crying, asking for Will to come in, Abbey to come to her, etc...
That brings me to this evening. I tried for about fifteen minutes to endure the whines and cries that she didn't want to go to bed. That she had to have her door open. Finally I decided enough was enough, this was a silly request I had agreed to. So...
I closed the door.
The screaming started. The kind where my neighbors should probably call social services. I let her tantrum for a bit and then I thought I would try once more to calm her down.
Well in the couple of days before Mark left I had him change shirts several times with the intent the kids (and of course me too) might like to hold him as close as we could. So I went in with one of the shirts that Mark had left. And I said, "It is time to go to sleep. Mommy has to close your door now. But maybe, you might want to feel one of your daddy's hugs."
She looked a bit confused but I said, "Go ahead. Smell the shirt. Smell him Audrey, he misses you. A hug might make you feel better."
In less than a moment, my sweet little one, took the shirt, brought it close to her face and then laid herself down on it... Pulling that shirt in under her chin, just like she does her didi.
"da du momma" (thank you) she said.
And I closed the door.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
...to start potty training 101
...well we started.
Why not? Our life is pretty calm, low-strees, and consistent. Huh? Well, if I waited for these factors she'd be in diapers through out next two moves.
We had a 50% success rate today. That is better than 0%. If I had remembered to take her to the potty, she would have gone more. However, since at this point I can barely remember to brush my teeth in the morning...we have some serious work to do.
My plan: No diapers during the day including nap time. For two weeks. I can reevaluate our progress then. And decide to continue forward or wait a bit longer. She already knows what to do when she is set on the potty; now timing is the key...and of course getting her to tell me BEFORE hand.
If you think I lack a little confidence its because this is my fourth time doing this potty training thing. And if I know one thing, there is no right way to do it. If I push her too much she'll regress. If I don't push enough it won't work. Frankly, I wish she would just do it herself. Then I wouldn't have to ponder over silly things like stickers vs. M&M's or timers vs. asking her if she has to go. I am over the diaper thing. Now if only she'll buy in to my plan....
I'll keep you up on our progress.
Why not? Our life is pretty calm, low-strees, and consistent. Huh? Well, if I waited for these factors she'd be in diapers through out next two moves.
We had a 50% success rate today. That is better than 0%. If I had remembered to take her to the potty, she would have gone more. However, since at this point I can barely remember to brush my teeth in the morning...we have some serious work to do.
My plan: No diapers during the day including nap time. For two weeks. I can reevaluate our progress then. And decide to continue forward or wait a bit longer. She already knows what to do when she is set on the potty; now timing is the key...and of course getting her to tell me BEFORE hand.
If you think I lack a little confidence its because this is my fourth time doing this potty training thing. And if I know one thing, there is no right way to do it. If I push her too much she'll regress. If I don't push enough it won't work. Frankly, I wish she would just do it herself. Then I wouldn't have to ponder over silly things like stickers vs. M&M's or timers vs. asking her if she has to go. I am over the diaper thing. Now if only she'll buy in to my plan....
I'll keep you up on our progress.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
...to be a zen mom
...I wasn't.
Mark and I had several conversations before he left about all of the things that would become my responsibility while he was away. The hardest part about being a military spouse is that we have this impression that we need to be two persons while our spouse is away. Mark tried to help me realize this is impossible and instead I have to learn to focus on the important things and if that mean the office stays a mess for a year...than 'oh well'.
The other piece of advice that is ringing in my ear is one we both try all the time...to try not to yell as much. He just said, "Try to be a zen mom".
Every evening after my children are asleep and I have the chance to reflect on my day I always think:
1) Tomorrow will be better.
2) Tomorrow I will calmly repeat my directions.
3) Tomorrow instead of yelling I will whisper (the thought behind this is they'll have to cue in and listen more carefully)
4) Tomorrow I will not let the fighting, tattle-taling, and whining bother me.
5) Tomorrow I will be clear and concise. I will not argue with them. "No" will mean "no".
6) Tomorrow I will be the calm, composed, and collected mom.
Well here is my AAR (after action report) for today:
1) I guess that yesterday was pretty hard to beat after all.
2) How can I be calm when my three year old is running into the road chasing a balloon?
3) It is impossible to whisper over a lawn mower, a water slide, and a delivery truck driving by.
4) I failed. They are persistent. They have more endurance than I do. They WIN.
5) I speak English but I think they hear Latin. They simply cannot be ignoring me ALL the time. Can they?
6) The "crazy mom" in me made her appearance again today.
My friend Beth and I were having this very conversation at dinner tonight. And her comments were the same as mine. We both came to the conclusion that if they didn't give us reasons to be become unglued...than we wouldn't.
Although I tried, I wasn't the zen mom I wanted to be....maybe tomorrow will be better.
Mark and I had several conversations before he left about all of the things that would become my responsibility while he was away. The hardest part about being a military spouse is that we have this impression that we need to be two persons while our spouse is away. Mark tried to help me realize this is impossible and instead I have to learn to focus on the important things and if that mean the office stays a mess for a year...than 'oh well'.
The other piece of advice that is ringing in my ear is one we both try all the time...to try not to yell as much. He just said, "Try to be a zen mom".
Every evening after my children are asleep and I have the chance to reflect on my day I always think:
1) Tomorrow will be better.
2) Tomorrow I will calmly repeat my directions.
3) Tomorrow instead of yelling I will whisper (the thought behind this is they'll have to cue in and listen more carefully)
4) Tomorrow I will not let the fighting, tattle-taling, and whining bother me.
5) Tomorrow I will be clear and concise. I will not argue with them. "No" will mean "no".
6) Tomorrow I will be the calm, composed, and collected mom.
Well here is my AAR (after action report) for today:
1) I guess that yesterday was pretty hard to beat after all.
2) How can I be calm when my three year old is running into the road chasing a balloon?
3) It is impossible to whisper over a lawn mower, a water slide, and a delivery truck driving by.
4) I failed. They are persistent. They have more endurance than I do. They WIN.
5) I speak English but I think they hear Latin. They simply cannot be ignoring me ALL the time. Can they?
6) The "crazy mom" in me made her appearance again today.
My friend Beth and I were having this very conversation at dinner tonight. And her comments were the same as mine. We both came to the conclusion that if they didn't give us reasons to be become unglued...than we wouldn't.
Although I tried, I wasn't the zen mom I wanted to be....maybe tomorrow will be better.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
...to deal with incontinence
Yep. Why not? Doesn't everyone at one time or another think about this awful rite-of-passage? But seriously now...and with my DOG!
Ugh. The timing...really? What more can one person take?
Oh let me share...
Yesterday when the kids and I were driving Mark up to Newburgh to have one last breakfast at our favorite Panera, I had him call the Vet clinic to ask about prescribing our beloved dog something to help her. The good news was there is a remedy that may work but the bad news was I needed to collect a urine sample for them to rule out a UTI.
Really?
So there I was, barely awake this morning, schlepping Timber out on her morning walk with a short leash, a large tupperware container (for catching), and several baby wipes in hand. We paced up and down the sidewalk while I tried to "catch" her in the act at least eight different times. Oh, I must have been a sight!
What is next for me?
Ugh.
Ugh. The timing...really? What more can one person take?
Oh let me share...
Yesterday when the kids and I were driving Mark up to Newburgh to have one last breakfast at our favorite Panera, I had him call the Vet clinic to ask about prescribing our beloved dog something to help her. The good news was there is a remedy that may work but the bad news was I needed to collect a urine sample for them to rule out a UTI.
Really?
So there I was, barely awake this morning, schlepping Timber out on her morning walk with a short leash, a large tupperware container (for catching), and several baby wipes in hand. We paced up and down the sidewalk while I tried to "catch" her in the act at least eight different times. Oh, I must have been a sight!
What is next for me?
 |
| Could it be? |
Sunday, May 8, 2011
...to think about Isabella's First Communion
Our beautiful daughter received her First communion on Saturday morning. And so many of our family members and friends were able to be here to support her. I held back tears as I watched her walk down the aisle, so brave and careful to do everything just right. She is such a remarkable little girl. We are so lucky.
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| Isn't she lovely? |
Thursday, April 21, 2011
...to blog again!
I might have been helpful had I mentioned in an earlier blog why I went on hiatus...but Lent surprised me one day!
And because I knew that what I really wanted to give up wouldn't happen (yelling at my children....BTW if they wouldn't give me anything to yell about, I wouldn't have to yell!) I decided to give up something I knew I would really have control over.
So I gave up blogging. Yup. Writing them and Reading them. While it was tough and I didn't supplement that spare time with all of the reading materials at my bedside table like I wanted, it was a start.
So you are probably wondering why I am blogging now...its not Easter. Well according to the priest we met at the Sunday evening cadet mass, Lent ends on Holy Thursday.
Who knew?
Alleluia said my kids.
Catch up on all my blogs said I.
:)
And because I knew that what I really wanted to give up wouldn't happen (yelling at my children....BTW if they wouldn't give me anything to yell about, I wouldn't have to yell!) I decided to give up something I knew I would really have control over.
So I gave up blogging. Yup. Writing them and Reading them. While it was tough and I didn't supplement that spare time with all of the reading materials at my bedside table like I wanted, it was a start.
So you are probably wondering why I am blogging now...its not Easter. Well according to the priest we met at the Sunday evening cadet mass, Lent ends on Holy Thursday.
Who knew?
Alleluia said my kids.
Catch up on all my blogs said I.
:)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
...to take a long drive
...and it was even longer than I expected.
So here we are up at Fort Drum. Our family's new home to be.
I had heard it was cold. No big deal right? I am from Michigan. Well, I am weak. It is freezing here.
I had heard they get a lot of snow up here. No big deal; I am from Michigan. I lived in Colorado. Seriously, I am certain I haven't ever seen this much snow.
I had heard it was remote. No big deal; it's not as if West Point is a metropolis. Or that Highland Falls has great night life. Well the Family Dollar store looks as if it is the highlight of the brick and mortar stores.
I was envisioning that maybe I might save some money by moving up here...than thankfully I saw the UPS man on Post. Whew! Thank goodness for Amazon Prime!
Well the kids and I spent some time exploring the post. I was really surprised by how new everything appears.
The picture below is from a friend of a friend, who was kind enough to send me several photos of her home. We were able to look at the different housing areas. Again, it was a really great surprise by how nice the housing is.
So here we are up at Fort Drum. Our family's new home to be.
I had heard it was cold. No big deal right? I am from Michigan. Well, I am weak. It is freezing here.
I had heard they get a lot of snow up here. No big deal; I am from Michigan. I lived in Colorado. Seriously, I am certain I haven't ever seen this much snow.
I had heard it was remote. No big deal; it's not as if West Point is a metropolis. Or that Highland Falls has great night life. Well the Family Dollar store looks as if it is the highlight of the brick and mortar stores.
I was envisioning that maybe I might save some money by moving up here...than thankfully I saw the UPS man on Post. Whew! Thank goodness for Amazon Prime!
Well the kids and I spent some time exploring the post. I was really surprised by how new everything appears.
The picture below is from a friend of a friend, who was kind enough to send me several photos of her home. We were able to look at the different housing areas. Again, it was a really great surprise by how nice the housing is.
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| A three-bedroom single family home |
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