June 30th, 2009
After discovering BigMan in my container of flour and removing the remaining good flour I just let him be. As in, knowingly walked away while he sat right there on my counter and played contentedly with approximately 6 cups of flour.
And then I sat idly by while the others joined him in his “cookin’”.
And then I continued to sit there in my favorite spot on my couch while they offered to “clean up” the mess. So TheOldest retrieved the seldom-used vacuum and got started.
Then I sat idly by while all four of my children stood in awe at the workings of a vacuum cleaner.
I even sat there laughing while my husband said, “They don’t know what one is!”
I then got up from my peaceful spot and commanded little people to pick up toys enough that I could wipe, sweep, and vacuum.
And then I sat myself back down.
June 29th, 2009
It’s funny that y’all mentioned trust in the last post. I didn’t see it initially. The thing I loved most about those pictures on first look is my husband’s face in the second pic. Just look at that. Could he be any happier? Could I love him any more for it?
But when y’all said “trust” it got me to thinkin’. This is the child and the daddy that had me heart-broken 2 years ago. This is the baby that wouldn’t go to his daddy. Ever. If Matt picked him up he cried. And cried. And cried. If Matt (or any other adult person besides me, for that matter) even looked at him he screamed. Uncontrollably, until I swooped in and rescued him. It was this way from day one. The moment he came out. And it continued this way for well over a year. Just a few months ago if I attempted to leave him at home with his daddy for a brief outing to the store he wailed until I returned. That’s my fault, some of you will say. And you’re allowed to say that. Just as you’re allowed to be wrong. He is the fourth, remember? And by now I’ve learned every one of these little boogers has their own personality. From day one. Coddle them, carry them, pick them up, abandon them, leave them, “train them” at 3 months, whatever, sure, you can have an effect. However, you can have an effect on who they already are, not on a blank slate. I didn’t create this child to be attached. Thankfully, he was my fourth, and as I said as I was going through it, it was a season. I stressed some on it, because who doesn’t want to see the daddy of their child cuddled up in a naptime with his newborn infant? But, having seen the scale of the others, and seeing them grow over the years, I knew that they would turn into toddlers that would discover how great Daddy could be and slowly pull away from the comfort of my Mama’s hand into the fun filled Daddy one. I’ve watched all 3 other children make the shift from “I ont Mama!” to “No, Mama! Want Daddy!”. All of them. Without fail. Began to choose their Daddy over their Mama. And I rejoiced then, just as I am rejoicing now. It’s his season. And I love it. Not one ounce of me is sad to see the shift. Who could be, when looking at this picture?
So, Mamas out there who happen to have babies like this little guy who never seemed to “bond” with their Daddies, hang in there. Trust. Because one day it will happen. They will shun your hand and turn to his. And in that moment, all the guilt and worry you’ve had will wash away with joy.
June 26th, 2009
Almost as much as I do.
June 22nd, 2009
Since the end of last summer when we first bought the 4 foot deep pool we have had trouble finding something that works to keep our active, super independent toddler afloat and happy. He was about 17 months old when we bought it and was underweight. Let me tell you, it’s hard to find a floatie for a busy toddler that’s barely 20 pounds. We bought a good one that was for a small child but it was the life-saving kind that kept flipping him onto his back. Not cool. And he let us know about it. He hated the kind of floaties that they sit in. I have a girl that would’ve loved that kind of thing when she was that age, but we’re talking about Mr. Activitivo here. We tried the kind that are suits that you zip up – kind of like a floatie wet suit sort of thing. And maybe in a bigger city we could’ve found one to fit a less than 20 pounder, but no such luck around here. He’s very independent and didn’t want to be held onto the whole time either. The arm floaties weren’t enough even with his great sense of balance and desire to swim. And the floatie rings would let him slip out. The arm floaties PLUS the ring were okay, but he got really tired of the big uncomfortable combo.
So…
We Googled toddler swimming devices. Toddler floaties. 2 year old flotation devices. Everything we could think of and happened to run across these Puddle Jumpers, they’re made by Stearns and we love it. I know the weight says 30-50 and this may not have worked last summer when he was closer to 20 pounds, but now that he is between 20-30 pounds (and obviously at it’s lowest end – the strap is cinched up tight as it will go) it works just fine.
We found it at a local K Mart. LOVE this thing. We got one for our four year old girl and she loves it too, but that’s less than noteworthy since just about anything works for her. It latches in the back and is all one piece.
This thing keeps him upright. Stays on a small child. And allows him complete freedom.
I hope this helps some of my loyal readers and random Googlers alike! (Disclaimer: We always stay close to him and are not responsible for your children. Just sayin’.)
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