Apparently mama is the last holdout on naps around this house. I finally surrendered and allowed C to have "quiet time" in her crib today instead of trying to force her to take a nap. This is not very different from what we've been doing except that I didn't spend half an hour fighting with her to close her eyes at the beginning of the hour. I put some books and a few toys in her crib and told her I would be back when the timer beeped. She did really well for a first attempt. I only had to go in once when her band-aid started bothering her. And she played quietly, too, so I actually got in a short snooze. We'll see how cooperative she is this afternoon.
It really burns me that I have to be okay with this. I really want to be able to force her to take a nap, but that just isn't realistic. And it's not healthy for our relationship to have this daily struggle. So, I surrender. I'm not sure why they don't want to take naps. After all, I think it's glorious and look forward to that time of day more than any other. Okay, not quite...bedtime is definitely my favorite.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
This Post Brought To You By...
...a two-year-old who won't nap. Utterly infuriating! She's lying in her bed alternating between cute sing-songy play and downright belligerent demands yelled at her mother. "Mommy? Mommy, can you hear me?! I don't want to take nap! Get me out NOW!" Brief silent pause, then "itsy, bitsy spider-man went up the water spout." I don't know who told her it was Spider Man that went up the water spout, but she's convinced.
I really would be fine with her not napping if she would play quietly like her big sister. But this is a foreign concept to a toddler. That's why they are supposed to take naps. 'Cause if you're too loud during quiet time, then mommy doesn't get her nap and that's just bad for the whole house. Never mind that a toddler who won't nap is predisposed to lots of discipline as the afternoon stretches into evening.
And so mommy stands in front of the computer and tries to lose herself in bloggy world while eating chocolate and trying to make up the day's water intake. But don't think I can concentrate to really write anything significant or worthy of your reading. That will have to wait for another day.
I really would be fine with her not napping if she would play quietly like her big sister. But this is a foreign concept to a toddler. That's why they are supposed to take naps. 'Cause if you're too loud during quiet time, then mommy doesn't get her nap and that's just bad for the whole house. Never mind that a toddler who won't nap is predisposed to lots of discipline as the afternoon stretches into evening.
And so mommy stands in front of the computer and tries to lose herself in bloggy world while eating chocolate and trying to make up the day's water intake. But don't think I can concentrate to really write anything significant or worthy of your reading. That will have to wait for another day.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
It's Not Just Gas Prices
J sent this lovely piece of news to me almost a month ago and I've been meaning to pass it on. If you're wondering why produce prices are climbing, here's your answer: Food prices to rise...
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A Moment of Silence
Ladies and gentlemen, could we please observe a moment of silence for the monumental sacrifice that my husband has made in relinquishing his firstborn sailboat.
Yes, he made it himself from raw materials. Lots of sweat and tears went into that little beauty. I think he started it in 2007ish. I know A was around, but she was still too little to sail along. (She was too little and the boat was too "experimental.")
When we cleaned out the garage last month, he admitted that it was time to let it go. He hadn't touched it since we moved almost three years ago. This stage of life is just not conducive to time-consuming hobbies. I posted it on freecycle and we were thrilled to pass it on to a boy scout who was really excited to spruce it up, make it seaworthy and earn a few merit badges with it.
I say it was his firstborn sailboat because I know it won't be the last. This man loves to sail and make things with his hands. He hearts DIY sailboats. One day, his son will be ready to wield a hammer and slop paint and they will make amazing things together. I want that for him and can't wait to watch (with band-aids and wipes at the ready).
When we cleaned out the garage last month, he admitted that it was time to let it go. He hadn't touched it since we moved almost three years ago. This stage of life is just not conducive to time-consuming hobbies. I posted it on freecycle and we were thrilled to pass it on to a boy scout who was really excited to spruce it up, make it seaworthy and earn a few merit badges with it.
I say it was his firstborn sailboat because I know it won't be the last. This man loves to sail and make things with his hands. He hearts DIY sailboats. One day, his son will be ready to wield a hammer and slop paint and they will make amazing things together. I want that for him and can't wait to watch (with band-aids and wipes at the ready).
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Name Dilemma
No, not the baby's name. We've got enough ideas for boy names that we haven't really opened the door to suggestions yet. Not that we're opposed to audience participation. We've just already got some pretty strong options.
It's this blog! What am I going to call this blog now that I have a little boy to start writing about? Bring on the suggestions. And no, I don't think purple arrows are any more masculine than pink ones.
It's this blog! What am I going to call this blog now that I have a little boy to start writing about? Bring on the suggestions. And no, I don't think purple arrows are any more masculine than pink ones.
Monday, March 7, 2011
I Blame You
Alright, some more of you out there started praying for me; I can feel it. And, THANK YOU!!
I didn't mean to cause any concern with yesterday's post, just wearing my feelings on my sleeve. Thanks to those of you have sent me encouraging notes and made offers of help. I really am blessed with so many friends and family who genuinely care about how I am doing.
We've had a great day today. It probably didn't hurt that I spent a majority of the morning at the doctor's office sans kiddos for my glucose screening. No results until tomorrow, but I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary. Heartbeat sounded strong and the doc was pleased with normal progress. And she made a really sad, empathetic face when I whined about my symptoms. That's always nice.
J stayed home with the girls and even played phonics bingo with A while I was gone. Bonus! Schoolwork done while I was away!
Then there was this little jewel of a bubble-blowing episode. I don't usually let them blow bubbles with their straws because it causes a huge mess and really, who likes being splashed from someone else's cup while trying to eat? But, they weren't at the table...
They reveled in the freedom for almost twenty minutes. I thought one of them would hyperventilate and pass out. You can't see it very well in the video, but A's face was red from exertion. C obviously got bored with bubbles and started just dumping her water on the floor, but I'm cool with that because she also likes to wipe it up. Good clean fun! (I stopped the video right before A announced that she almost got snot in her cup. Yum.)
We even broke out the paint and glue and did a little art this afternoon. And we all enjoyed each other. That feels really good. And I blame you, friends. Thank you.
I didn't mean to cause any concern with yesterday's post, just wearing my feelings on my sleeve. Thanks to those of you have sent me encouraging notes and made offers of help. I really am blessed with so many friends and family who genuinely care about how I am doing.
We've had a great day today. It probably didn't hurt that I spent a majority of the morning at the doctor's office sans kiddos for my glucose screening. No results until tomorrow, but I'm not expecting anything out of the ordinary. Heartbeat sounded strong and the doc was pleased with normal progress. And she made a really sad, empathetic face when I whined about my symptoms. That's always nice.
J stayed home with the girls and even played phonics bingo with A while I was gone. Bonus! Schoolwork done while I was away!
Then there was this little jewel of a bubble-blowing episode. I don't usually let them blow bubbles with their straws because it causes a huge mess and really, who likes being splashed from someone else's cup while trying to eat? But, they weren't at the table...
They reveled in the freedom for almost twenty minutes. I thought one of them would hyperventilate and pass out. You can't see it very well in the video, but A's face was red from exertion. C obviously got bored with bubbles and started just dumping her water on the floor, but I'm cool with that because she also likes to wipe it up. Good clean fun! (I stopped the video right before A announced that she almost got snot in her cup. Yum.)
We even broke out the paint and glue and did a little art this afternoon. And we all enjoyed each other. That feels really good. And I blame you, friends. Thank you.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
What's My Motivation?
Yes, I know, it's been a month since I posted anything. No, I don't have a good reason. Some fun things have happened, some interesting things, some everyday things. But I just haven't felt like posting. I haven't felt like doing much of anything. I'm sort of dragging myself through the days lately, trying to put one foot in front of another.
I don't have a good reason for feeling so melancholy. I'm really blessed. But the discomforts of being six months pregnant have sort of become a burr in my saddle and my attitude has gone sour. My poor daughters get the brunt of my exasperation. I have zero tolerance for whining, complaining and not doing what needs to be done even though that's all I want to do...whine, complain, and procrastinate.
Not sure if it's hormones, spiritual attack, or just physical, but I really need it to stop. I've asked several folks to pray that this cloud would be lifted and I could face the next three months with joy and grace. I know prayer can accomplish much, so I'm pinning my hopes on that.
I don't have a good reason for feeling so melancholy. I'm really blessed. But the discomforts of being six months pregnant have sort of become a burr in my saddle and my attitude has gone sour. My poor daughters get the brunt of my exasperation. I have zero tolerance for whining, complaining and not doing what needs to be done even though that's all I want to do...whine, complain, and procrastinate.
Not sure if it's hormones, spiritual attack, or just physical, but I really need it to stop. I've asked several folks to pray that this cloud would be lifted and I could face the next three months with joy and grace. I know prayer can accomplish much, so I'm pinning my hopes on that.
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