Common Sense!

I can not count how many times I have heard, said, or thought "Don't you have any common sense?"  However,  one thing parenting has taught me is that 'no, there is no such thing as common sense!'  I am so serious on that.  The things I have had to tell my children not to do are insane.  I have said things I never thought I would have to say to a person.  Seriously no joke!  The things you have to tell kids you could have never ever imagined in your wildest dreams! 

For example:  My infant son starts to cry while my daughter is playing so sweetly with him.  The cry isn't a normal hunger cry.  No this is a cry of pain!  So I ask my daughter "What did you do to your brother?"   Her response, "I accidentally bit him?"  I ask "How do you accidentally bite your baby brother?"   She explains, "Well I put his foot in my mouth and he kicked me, so I accidentally bit him!"    Hum... I see!   Now I am thinking why would you put a person in your mouth and why would you need to be told not to put a person in your mouth?  So I calmly tell her that it is inappropriate to put people in our mouths! 

Another example fast forward a few years my 7 year old daughter is in her brothers room yelling and about to do something to get him back.  He is hiding in the kitchen.  So I decide to intervene and stop this before something bad happens.  I ask her what is going on?  She is rightly mad.  Her brother went into her room and apparently rubbed his butt all over many of her belongings.  Thankfully he is 5 and did not think to take his pants off to do this!   Why he did this I have no idea!!!  So I explain to him it is not appropriate to rub our butts on other people or their belongings!  To which he asks "What if I rub my butt on my own things in my room?"   I feel like I am certainly failing somewhere as a parent!  My 11 year old yells before I can respond "Why would you rub your butt on your stuff, gross!"   So I explain that no its not OK to rub your butt on stuff!   I really thought that this conversation was not necessary, but then again parenting 101 no common sense actually exists! 

So I hope you do not need more examples to get my point, but if you do I have TONS more!  Common sense is a myth and there is in fact nothing common about it!  

The second First Birthday Party!

Christopher turned one on Jan. 25th. So we had a party at home for my family. He had a Batman cake, and lasagna for dinner. Daddy, Mommy, Evie, and Christopher were here of coarse. Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Isaac, Aunts Abbie, Racheal, Haley, and Ashley were here also. Ashley brought a friend over. It was a little crowded in our 2 bedroom apartment, but it was fun. Daddy worked the night before so he slept until cake time.

My mom's birthday was a few days before so we bought her a game called whonew (I think). We all played that after dinner it was fun. The kids played a lot. Evie and Christopher got a ride on train for Christmas, that they haven't been able to play with much. So Racheal and Isaac set up the tracks and helped them play with it. Christopher loves it, but he can't hold down the button to make it go. He was so excited that they helped him ride the train. Evie is slightly afraid of it. However, the kids brought over their Nintendo DS' which Evie loved. They let her play some game. She couldn't really do it, but she had a blast all the same.

When it was time for cake we turned off the lights and sung happy Birthday. Christopher cried. I don't think he knew what to think of all the attention. It was funny. I had to take him out of his highchair and hold him for a minute. He isn't that into cake anyways. He did eat some. He wanted to play more than anything. He actually unwrapped some presents finally. We bought him some super hero cars that go after you shake them up. Evie liked those to. He also got some mega blocks, diapers, an umbrella (that Evie quickly confiscated, so mommy had to hide it), and some money that we put into his bank account.

It was so much fun. The best part was having all of my family together. Except my 17 year old brother who is apparently to cool for us. He was mad a our parents for "ruining his life" so he didn't come. I was mad about that, but got over it. All in all it was a good party. Evie and Christopher were so excited from everything that despite being extremely over tired at the end of the party it took me forever to get them to fall asleep.

Worst Night!

Ok last night didn't go so well. Christopher woke up a lot. He ate a bottle before bed at around 8pm from then until 7:30am he ate almost 3 more bottles. The last one was only about half. He woke up another time because I moved his bed. I felt it was to close to the heater. He woke up another time, but I told myself if he wasn't crying I was not to go in. So I listened on the baby monitor and that time he fell back to sleep on his own. So all in all he was up 5 times.

That was not the worst part. The worst part was me. I could not sleep. I kept checking on him, and listening to the baby monitor. I need one with a camera so I can watch, or at least glance at him when I worry. I want a wireless one with two cameras so I can watch both kids where ever and when ever I want to. It is hard to let go and allow your kids to grow up. I was really worried he might cry and I not hear him. I imagined him crying all night long.

I was a wreck all night long. I don't think I slept much at all. The good part was that Evie slept pretty good having the bed to herself most of the night. If only I could get her to go to sleep in her own bed. One thing at a time. I think that it is really me who isn't ready for all this growing up stuff! My babies aren't babies their toddlers now. Just growing up and up!

Christopher Eating Update

I bought some bowls that sucktion cup down to the high chair tray. I don't like them, but they were the only ones Walmart had in stock. I wasn't willing to wait or look around, because we need them now. So we got them. He did really well tonight. We had Hamberger Helper, Cheese burger and macaroni, and he loved it. He feed himself mostly with me sneeking in a few bites for him. He doesn't do so good with a spoon. I hope he had enough to eat! He was so dirty afterwards, but so happy.

I am still looking for suggestions on healthy finger foods that are safe if anyone has any ideas. I tried to bake some carrots that I cut into tiny strips, but that didn't work. He couldn't chew them and gagged a little so I took them away for another day. I ate them though and they were really good.

Walker!

My little man is officially a walker! He has been cruising around since 9 months. He has been taking a couple steps on his own for about a month now. However, yesterday he just took off. He started walking all over. It was like he realized that he could do it. Now he is walking across the room going here and there. He still falls and takes off crawling. But the moment he gets somewhere to pull himself up he is off again. He also does this really cute bear walk. He has been doing that for about 2 months now. It is the sillies cutest thing I've ever seen.

The best part about it is Evie's reaction to him walking. She says, "Yea, baby walk!" She also says, "Baby, cute walk!" Then she will follow him chanting, "GO, GO, walk!" How cute is that! If you ask her she will say, "My baby walk!"

This is so much fun!

I'll do it!

My son refuses to eat anything I feed him. He screams when I try to give him a bottle. He spits out the food I spoon into his mouth. He wants to do it himself. I put a cheerio into his mouth he spit it out, and then put on in his mouth and ate it. The same thing with all his meals. I had to give him his plate last night so I could get him to eat dinner.

I know you are probably saying he's about 1 and should be starting to feed himself. The problem is the mess. He gets it everywhere. I'm talking he'd need a bath after every meal, and I need to shampoo the carpets. Last night The bowl was tossed over 3 times. Not intentionally, he's just not coordinated enough. When he tries to spoon out food the dish goes to. I need one that sticks to the high chair. Do they make those?

Once the dish ended up on my chest. I was picking food up off the floor! He did throw it over once he was done to! That was so much fun. The worst thing is it leaves me worring did he eat enough? I didn't really have this issue with my daughter. She still makes a horrible mess, but she didn't want to feed herself until later on. At that point she was coordinated enough she didn't have trouble. The mess she makes is because she likes to wear her food!

The fever!

It started Saturday night around 2 am, Christopher woke up crying and felt super hot to touch. I took his temp 102. I immediately gave him some motrin. It took a little bit, but I finally got him back to sleep. Then at 4 am he woke up again fever 102 again. I gave him some tylenol. I was worried but since within about 30 minutes each time his fever went down and he went back to sleep. I know that all in all a fever isn't a bad thing, it's our bodies defense against something. I was worried about what that something could be.

All day Sunday is was mostly his normal self. A little bit grouchier than normal and had a low fever off and on all day. He didn't seem to want to eat much. He only wanted to eat foods he could feed himself, and he refused a bottle. This could be due to not feeling so well or just a faze of growing up and developing his independence. Either way it is not pleasant.

Sunday night was the same as before up all through the night with a fever. What worried me the most was it was higher. Monday morning his fever spiked at 103.5. It took longer to go down, but within an hour he was playing and talking in the living room. He woke up from his nap Monday in a horrible sweat. So I took him to the doctor. They said his exam looked normal. So keep watching him and giving tylenol and motrin. He does have a little cough but other than that and the fever nothing.

His behavior has changed drasticlly though. He is still playing and talking, but he is cranky and mean. He doesn't want to sleep at all. So I have to fight with him to get him to sleep. This is new he was never this much trouble. He kicks his legs and arches his back when I try to hold him to put him down to sleep. I have to walk around gently bouncing him and swaying him back and forth until he falls asleep. Then sometimes he wakes up when I lay him down and starts screaming. So I have to start all over again!

He also doesn't want his bottles. The doctor looked and he doesn't have thrush or anything. I know he is at the age to get off bottles anyways, but sometimes he cries because he is hungry and it's 2 am. What are you going to do? He doesn't drink from a sippy cup much. Actually, he has trouble with it, he chokes because it comes out so fast. I think this is because he is used to drinking thicker liquids. I have always had to thicken his formula due to his acid reflux.

Plus, he only wants to feed himself, and is not letting me feed him. I give him a plate, but he just turns it over, and then he accidently drops it. He also tosses it over when he is done to. He doesn't really try to use his spoon. I know it will take practice, but it doesn't seem he is ready. Maybe he is trying to tell me he is.

I don't think he is teething. I don't feel or see anything. But that doesn't mean anything. He is chewing on everything, but he always does that. I don't know if he is still runing a fever it is hard to take his temp. Unless he is feeling really bad he won't sit still for me. So I usually don't force it unless he feels really hot. If he is cranky and feeling a little warm I give him motrin or tylenol. I just wish he could tell me exactly what was bothering him!

The worst part of all this is I am exausted. I ache all over from carrying him and rocking him in my arms while standing. I am tired from not sleeping enough. On top of all this I have a headache from the crying. I am quickly lossing my patience and compassion. I feel so bad for saying that, but it is true. I am at a point where I just want to say, "Oh, shut up!" That breaks my heart, and makes me feel like a horrible mother. I just want my nice predictable baby back. It is like in the middle of the night he was switched, and now he's a monster.

Overparenting?

I read an article in "Cookie" that talked about over parenting or helicopter parenting that really got me thinking. Do I or am I over parenting? First of all being a mom is my job, literally it's what I do, stay at home mom. So how do you over do that? Maybe I am just really good at my job!

Ok. Ok. My kids cry for mommy all the time. Especially my son, but he's only 11 months. That's what they do at that age, Right? I know they prefer mommy most times, but that is because I am always here for them. I change the diapers, make the food, kiss the boo-boos, give the baths, and on and on. Daddy helps, but in this house daddy means big fun. Seriously, he's a sucker.

Alright, time to be honest here. I am a little of a helicopter, but I give them their space as well. I do hold back when it comes to letting them do things on their own. I don't do it on purpose I just want to make sure they are safe and healthy. For example neither of my children held their own bottles until about a year old. Evie knew how to hold her bottle, but choose not to. She preferred me holding it instead, but when her baby brother was born she was forced to hold her own more often. Mommy only has two hands right. Often, I was still stuck holding a child in each arm and a bottle in both hands! Now Christopher only holds his bottle when he is really hungry! Which is my fault because I was always worried about him eating enough. He was always more interested in playing than eating! So I would hold him and feed him.

Evie is almost 2 and I can't get her off the bottle. I think it is because she sees her brother with one so she wants one to. Lately she says that she is the baby. She wants to be rocked and cuddled just like a baby. I think it is because Christopher is getting attention because he is learning to walk. We are trying so hard to encourage him without letting her feel left out!

Evie still sleeps in my bed. I have no idea when or how to get her out of my bed. I started sleeping with her in my arms when she was about 3 weeks old. Unfortunately, she never learned to soothe herself, and sleep on her own. Now nap and bed time I have to lay down with her so she can fall asleep. Otherwise she stays up late and doesn't sleep enough. Which makes life almost unbearable for the rest of us! She can be very cranky!

Now Christopher is about to turn one and make the switch from formula to whole milk. As well as hopefully ditch the bottle with little protest. I am not holding my breath on that one! He does reject his bottle more often than not during the day, but at night he downs two or three bottles. I still can't get him to sleep through the night! One day, some day I hope to sleep all night without anyone waking me up! One can dream right!

I know most of my problems are my own fault. The worst part is that know I don't know how to fix them. I can't take away bottle and binkies when the kids cry for them. I will not just let them cry. I am hoping that eventually they will stop asking for the on their own. I am just not going to advertise there existence. If the ask for them then they ask for them. Well, that is my plan for now. I know the pediatrician won't like it, but he doesn't have to hear the kids cry. The worst part is that when one cries the other usually starts in shortly after!

Babbling Baby!

Christopher has said his first baby words. "Da Da" was first two weeks ago. Followed by "Ba Ba" a couple days ago. I also swear he says "HI". I am trying for "Ma Ma," but all he does is smile.

Baby on the move!

Christopher has perfected his version of crawling. He is probably faster than any one in the military with his low crawl. It is the cutest thing to watch. He can crawl the right way, but his low crawl is just faster for him so that's what he prefers.

He is also pulling himself up on anything he can grab a hold of the tv stand, the couch, his sister, and the list goes on! He has even taken a few cruising steps around the couch. However, he is easily distracted and since his balance isn't that great he falls, ALOT! I have actually thought of getting him a helmet! NO Joke! But everyone assures me he will be fine. I remember thinking similar thoughts about my daughter as she was learning to walk. I didn't think she's make it to one. She started walking at 9 months, and brother is trying to beat her I guess! He just can't wait to be like his sister.

Sibling Rivalry!

I can not believe that my kids are fighting already. I did expect fights, but not this soon. The other day I put a cars tee shirt on my son. It was his shirt, but the problem was that I had allowed my daughter to wear it over the summer. My in-laws bought it months ago, and since it was to big for my son at the time I figured why not let Evie wear it. When I put it on him she was so mad. She signed cars and pointed at Christopher while she screamed. I was taken off guard I did not expect this. I told her he could wear it, and that she was already wearing a shirt so she couldn't wear it. This helped for a little bit then the tantrum hit again. Again I insisted there was nothing wrong with him wearing it and she had to share.

This was only the beginning of the brother sister madness over the week. My daughter has a pink toy laptop. We figured it would keep her busy when we were on our laptop. (Didn't really work!). However, she still plays with it. One day she sat on the living room floor with it and instantly brother noticed. He is mobile now. So within seconds he was at her side grabbing as babies do. This would not do. She began screaming as he grabbed and pulled. He is the stronger of the two, and would win this battle if I let it continue. I put her on the couch with the toy, and gave him something else to play with. He wasn't having it. He crawled to the couch and pulled himself up. Unfortunately, he couldn't reach his sister. He decided to scream out as he stretched as far as he could in hopes of obtaining the toy.

Again I was not ready for this. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't take the toy away for Evie. After all it wasn't her fault. Her brother loves her and is amazed by everything she does. He wants to be a part of it. Anything she has he wants. He always tries to be near her, and smiles the moment she walks in the room. He just doesn't know how to be gentle.

At 20lbs he is almost bigger than his 23lb sister. Soon he will be the bigger little brother. I want to be fair, and thought I knew how to handle these things. I was prepared for this type of stuff, when they get older. I had no idea it would happen so soon.

My son the independent sitter!

Last Sunday my son sat up for the first time. Now he sits up all the time, and moves his entire body while sitting so he can face another direction. It is so cute. He is also trying to pull himself up on things. He doesn't crawl crawl yet. He does the commando low crawl. He is very good at it to.

I worry about him because he doesn't seem to pay attention to his balance. For instance when sitting he often will look behind himself then fall backwards and land on his head. You know that hurts. He pulls himself up on things, but then just lets go. He either isn't afraid or just doesn't realize whats going on. He has gotten more bruises during the past week than he has had the past 7 1/2 months! I know he will make it through this but my nerves are shot! I am afraid to take my eyes off him for even a second who knows where he will fall next. The worst part is he's not even walking yet!

First Tooth!

Christopher dad his first tooth pop up. I noticed it Tuesday the 26th. I felt something sharp, and upon closer inspection realized you could actually see it a little bit. It is on the bottom left. I was so excited we did the "I did it dance"! We move our arms up and down as mommy sings "You did it, You did it, Yeah!" He loved the extra attention.

No wonder my happy guy hasn't been so happy lately!