So I have been judgmental and Alex in all his wisdom knew that I needed some humbling. When Kevin and I first thought about starting a family we would talk about all the ways we would raise our imaginary children and how our imaginary family would be so wonderful or certainly not like... whatever train-wreck family scenario may have recently unfolded before our eyes. We would plot and plan our parenting prowess based on no actual experience at all but because we had the audacity to think parenting was straightforward and logical. Turns out there is more than one way to skin a cat and more than one way to parent a child.
I have no idea what's going on in others' lives and there certainly is no universal mom code or manual. I've never, intentionally, mom-shamed out loud but I totally have in my head. This week though it was my turn to be a spectacle. I have been a mess, my kids have been a mess and the TV has reigned supreme. Alexander's face has been perpetually and simultaneously snotty, dripping and crusty and laundry has completely taken over my home.
I've been sicker than sick this week. The kids were miserable, I was miserable and Kevin was earning his greys. Alex has been needy and whiny. Smiles are so rare I almost started to doubt they exist. He is eager to throw things, slam things, and when that's not enough collapse on the floor in violent, angry tears. I'll come back to him though... I still need a break.
Ellie hasn't been very sick, thankfully. She has had problems sleeping. This little girl would stay awake all day just so she could smile at the world. Also, it is really hard to sleep in a home with a rampaging toddler. She lights up my life and absolutely adores her brother. He can make her giggle and she's always trying to reach out to him. Elliott is in 12 month clothes and some of those I can't even button up under her three chins. She is the most adorable chubby bubbly baby. We're so lucky she's in our lives.
Ok, my sweet baby boy. I looked at my firstborn the other night and realized he's not a baby any more. He's favoring his father, rough and tumble, and independent as can be. He's curious, obstinate, sweet, and determined. It's bittersweet to watch him grow because he's getting so big so fast and I just want to hold my itty bitty baby real close and tight a few more times. He is currently asleep and the hallway is littered with all of his toys, the dresser, the lamp, and some boxes that were on his floor. He is gated in and there is NOTHING interesting left in the room to play with, it is literally an empty room with a bed in it, but he still managed to spend a good 1/2 hour entertained with the wall vent. He naps fine, well, except for today, but bedtime is totally random. Sometimes its fine and then sometimes it's a couple hours of "I won't stay in bed for anything and I'm never going to sleep neener neener".
Tonight when he took all of Ellie's folded baby clothes from her drawer in the dresser and left them pell-mell throughout his room, I lost it. I HATE doing laundry and it had taken forever to get her things put away nicely the first time. I was tired of saying "lay-down" or "go to bed" with no results no matter how I said it. So I announced he was getting a spanking. Kevin came in, realizing I was really mad and asked if I was sure because I've been insistent about not spanking except for very specific circumstances. I laid him over my lap, unsnapped his diaper and spanked him! Then Kevin burst into laughter and walked away. I was afraid I would hurt Alex and I knew I was mad so I didn't want to hit him hard but I have zero experience with this and no idea how to gauge. It was more of a polite pat than anything else and totally worthless as discipline. I'll leave that up to Kevin if and when he sees fit.
Anyway, I don't want to yell, and I don't want to spank so I'm going to need creativity. Most of all what I need is patience and consistency... the two things I am the absolute worst at! The theme of my entire life is going to be learning patience. Eventually I might have it down.
Having a two year old is like doing battle with a totally illogical and unpredictable combatant. He's not necessarily unpredictable but each new phase we encounter is new to him and we're never quite sure how he's going to react.
The great news is that I'm finally feeling better, can breathe out my nose and am starting to have energy again! I'll try to put up pics tomorrow and the details of our awesome amazing oh-so-good date.
I have no idea what's going on in others' lives and there certainly is no universal mom code or manual. I've never, intentionally, mom-shamed out loud but I totally have in my head. This week though it was my turn to be a spectacle. I have been a mess, my kids have been a mess and the TV has reigned supreme. Alexander's face has been perpetually and simultaneously snotty, dripping and crusty and laundry has completely taken over my home.
I've been sicker than sick this week. The kids were miserable, I was miserable and Kevin was earning his greys. Alex has been needy and whiny. Smiles are so rare I almost started to doubt they exist. He is eager to throw things, slam things, and when that's not enough collapse on the floor in violent, angry tears. I'll come back to him though... I still need a break.
Ellie hasn't been very sick, thankfully. She has had problems sleeping. This little girl would stay awake all day just so she could smile at the world. Also, it is really hard to sleep in a home with a rampaging toddler. She lights up my life and absolutely adores her brother. He can make her giggle and she's always trying to reach out to him. Elliott is in 12 month clothes and some of those I can't even button up under her three chins. She is the most adorable chubby bubbly baby. We're so lucky she's in our lives.
Ok, my sweet baby boy. I looked at my firstborn the other night and realized he's not a baby any more. He's favoring his father, rough and tumble, and independent as can be. He's curious, obstinate, sweet, and determined. It's bittersweet to watch him grow because he's getting so big so fast and I just want to hold my itty bitty baby real close and tight a few more times. He is currently asleep and the hallway is littered with all of his toys, the dresser, the lamp, and some boxes that were on his floor. He is gated in and there is NOTHING interesting left in the room to play with, it is literally an empty room with a bed in it, but he still managed to spend a good 1/2 hour entertained with the wall vent. He naps fine, well, except for today, but bedtime is totally random. Sometimes its fine and then sometimes it's a couple hours of "I won't stay in bed for anything and I'm never going to sleep neener neener".
Tonight when he took all of Ellie's folded baby clothes from her drawer in the dresser and left them pell-mell throughout his room, I lost it. I HATE doing laundry and it had taken forever to get her things put away nicely the first time. I was tired of saying "lay-down" or "go to bed" with no results no matter how I said it. So I announced he was getting a spanking. Kevin came in, realizing I was really mad and asked if I was sure because I've been insistent about not spanking except for very specific circumstances. I laid him over my lap, unsnapped his diaper and spanked him! Then Kevin burst into laughter and walked away. I was afraid I would hurt Alex and I knew I was mad so I didn't want to hit him hard but I have zero experience with this and no idea how to gauge. It was more of a polite pat than anything else and totally worthless as discipline. I'll leave that up to Kevin if and when he sees fit.
Anyway, I don't want to yell, and I don't want to spank so I'm going to need creativity. Most of all what I need is patience and consistency... the two things I am the absolute worst at! The theme of my entire life is going to be learning patience. Eventually I might have it down.
Having a two year old is like doing battle with a totally illogical and unpredictable combatant. He's not necessarily unpredictable but each new phase we encounter is new to him and we're never quite sure how he's going to react.
The great news is that I'm finally feeling better, can breathe out my nose and am starting to have energy again! I'll try to put up pics tomorrow and the details of our awesome amazing oh-so-good date.
Here is a picture we took over Christmas break.
It's a little blurry, but I love this picture! Alexander loves to "play" the piano and Jorah was showing him some skills.
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