The Ups & Downs of Being A Mother, Wife and Woman.

Dream A Little Dream


ocean sky

Originally uploaded by Rockwave

Do all parents covet sleep like me or am I the only one? My bedtime is the most precious and valuable thing to me besides my family of course.

Last night, I chose to see a late movie making the burden of babysitting easier on my husband. At nightime, the two-year old is definitely asleep so my husband really only has to watch over the infant.

My biggest problem with this is the fact that the time I went was my PRIME sleeping time. My son still wakes up once in the night and it’s between 1-5am. He’s usually up for the day from 5-6am on. What I’m trying to say is that my sleep from 1am on is interupted and very short.

Will I ever be able to go to the movies again without a babysitter? Sometimes I just want to be myself, not a mother or wife but me and go to a movie. With the price of lost sleep to venture out it seems hardly worth the big hassle and effort.

I need to remember that these years with my children are short and more important than trivial things like movies or SLEEP. I wonder why we were designed to sleep at all.

Posted on July 14th, 2007 by admin
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My Dog

big-poodle.jpg

We have a 13 year old poodle at home. Poor thing gets more senile as the day is long.

After 13 years of using a doggy door to go out and do her business, she mysteriously can’t find the door anymore.

Is it true that dogs can get alzheimers?  I believe it if it is so.

 It’s hard to get too mad at the dog when she makes a mistake because I’m sure our time is limited. 

Their Golden years are pretty hard but it is worth it to me.  I love puppy dogs!  They are such a part of the family. 

I told my husband the next time I get baby hungry we should get a new dog.  But next time we’ll get a bigger dog that can take a beating from a 2-year old. Haha

Posted on July 13th, 2007 by admin
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My Husband




A love of reading

Originally uploaded by misspiepie

Did I ever tell you about the time that my husband changed my life?

Well, he did and for the better. He grounded me by slowing me down to a peaceful existance.

As a young student, I was angry about the twists and turns of my life. I was always in a hurry to get NOWHERE!

Now, that we’re married, I’m happier and I don’t rush around honking at people because he’s usually with me. I just want to be with him so there is no need to escape.

Now that I’m a mother, he is even more important to me. He works hard at keeping us all happy. I’m so glad I have him around to help me through parenthood.

I have such respect for single parents. It would be so hard to do this alone. Being a mother is draining at times and I ache for the moment that my husband walks through the door after a long day at work.

Posted on July 6th, 2007 by admin
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Potty Time

I expect potty training to be difficult but I didn’t realize it would take so long for my daughter to even start the process. My daughter is 2 1/2 now and she still has not done her business on the potty. I’m not worried, I know she will use the potty one day.

That’s the funny thing about being a mom. I was so worried that she got her first teeth at a year old instead of 6 months like ‘normal’ infants. BUT you know what? She has all her teeth now, it just took a little longer. She didn’t start walking on her own until 2 weeks after her 1st birthday also. My point is, kids are on their own time table. If they aren’t walking or teething or using the potty NOW, they will eventually. I Promise. Like when you feel you have been pregnant forever and you think you’ll never have your baby, you will eventually have your newborn. It just depends on when your baby’s ready.My daughter is giving me cues for potty training and I blame myself for the lack of progress. She at times will undress and take off her diaper right after she ‘goes’. She will sit on the potty but it’s basically a reading chair. She accidentally went #1 on the floor after a shower about a month ago. I hadn’t got her diaper on yet. As she went she yelled, “A mess, a mess,” and pointed to the floor. But besides her occasional undressing, she still won’t ‘go’ on the potty. In fact, she usually immediately goes once I put her diaper on after sitting on the potty.

I make it a point not to make this potty training a big deal because I don’t want her to have any issues in this department.My goal will be to make her sit on the potty more often than I am currently. Maybe this will make her feel more comfortable and she’ll ‘accidentally’ go on the potty.

My irrational thought at this point is her infant brother will use the potty before her! I know that’s ridiculous.

My advice:

Watch movies and read children’s books that are about this issue. We watched ‘Elmo’s Potty Time’ and ‘Potty Power’ was also recommended to view.

Modeling is also very important. Let your child watch you use the potty.

Get them involved! If they go #2 in their diaper, put it into the potty. Show them that this is where it goes! Also let them flush the toilet and say bye-bye to their peepee or poopoo.

Be really excited for them!

Posted on July 2nd, 2007 by admin
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I Love My Family


≈ 2 sKy hEaRtS ≈Originally uploaded by Jennifer Esperanza

As each day passes, I find myself happier & more loving! I’m a LOVE & LOGIC advocate! Our home is happy and peaceful again! HORRAY!

My sister was shocked to hear that I had turned into a yelling mother because she loves her niece so much and couldn’t imagine anyone yelling at her darling relative. Truth be told, I shocked myself with how mean I was sounding.

I accidentally yelled at my daughter on Saturday. I felt so bad to react so negatively that quickly. She was bringing a big bowl of cereal with milk into her carpeted room and I automatically yelled at her. It took me ten seconds to realize that she just wanted to be with me and finish her cereal at the same time. She was really just being a sweetheart because she didn’t want to be alone. I immediately apologized, hugged & kissed her and took us all back into the kitchen so she could finish her cereal.

She did spend a few times in time-out on Saturday but didn’t go into time-out at all on Sunday! It’s nice to have one day without any small issues.

My little family is getting happier and stronger. I can’t wait to see where tomorrow will take us.

See? I’m not perfect.

Posted on July 2nd, 2007 by admin
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this is MY cookie


this is MY cookieOriginally uploaded by liyen

My daughter’s favorite word is, “MINE”! It was one of her first words. This is unfortunately a four-letter word for toddlers. Or you’d think so after the looks I get from other Mommies.

The word is really taken out of context because she doesn’t truly understand what she’s saying at this point in life. She wants it. She doesn’t understand possession or ownership like I don’t understand Chemistry 101. Other than the fact that she wants it, whatever it is, to belong to her. It doesn’t matter if it does belong to someone else, she doesn’t understand that yet and so that is why I’m here.

My role as a Mom is to help her understand this. Whether it be through examples and/or consequences. As with any learning process, it will take time to accomplish this goal. For the moment, I’m trying to make her say, “Please,” instead of “MINE”. It just sounds more polite and I almost want to give in.

I am loving the LOVE & LOGIC Parenting technique! I don’t have it all figured out, it is a work in progress for my family. BUT I haven’t yelled at my daughter in 4 days! This may sound sad that 4 days seem like a long time not to yell at a child but I will admit I was getting out of control. Like I’ve said, I needed the regrouping corner more than my child.

I didn’t like who I was becoming, so I made a drastic change for the better. I really thought that I could handle my 2 year old without a good parenting technique and both of our bad behaviors’ were surfacing and then spinning out of control.

Our troubles didn’t start until the birth of my son 5 months ago but then again I should have started LOVE & LOGIC with her as an infant and then it could have been second nature.

I recommend learning this ASAP. It has been a wonderful addition to our family and I already see some results. It’s so easy for me to be a happy Mom when I have guidelines to follow. I will be the first to admit that I needed help and there is nothing wrong with that!

Without the help from my daily (hourly) prayers, tips from family and friends, I would surely be spiraling down a horrible path towards bad parenting. My kids don’t deserve a cranky Momma! They need a loving, caring, sweet mother who helps build them up. I intend to do this every moment of the day. It is my purpose now.

Obstacles will be thrown at me constantly all day long.  It is my job to take a deep breath and approach them one at a time.  Her struggles with “MINE” is merely a struggle we’re having at the moment.  It will pass in time with proper guidance.  Hopefully, by giving her more control in her life with many choices to make throughout the day, she won’t feel compelled to be so closed-fisted about toys and possessions.

Posted on June 26th, 2007 by admin
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Magic

stool.jpg We’re starting Love & Logic  Parenting.  I’ve got some CD’s and I’m trying to absorb all the content.  I need to stop being in battle all day with my 2 year old.  I had 3 close friends recommend this approach…so here goes. 

Instead of yelling, I would use empathy for discipline.  For example: Uh-Oh, That’s so sad, I guess it’s time to practice quiet-time.

They say that consequences are the best way to teach your child discipline and responsibility.  For example:  When her toys are left out, I would ask if she wants me to pick them up or if she would like to clean up.  If she forgets to clean up, I would hide them away until she notices their disapearance.  Then I would ask if she wants them tomorrow or the next day. 

The point is to give them the responsibility by giving them choices all day long.  Even if they are silly choices as long as they are safe for everyone. 

I’m personally thinking that she’s too young to understand but they say the sooner you start the better.  I feel maybe I waited too long because she’s 2 1/2 now and out of control for my standards. 

Yelling, spanking, the naughty chair (or as we call it= the regrouping corner) weren’t working in this household.  I needed the regrouping corner more than anyone else in the house but my kids wouldn’t let me stay in it for 27 minutes.  Wouldn’t 27 minutes of alone time be refreshing?

It’s best to have all the guardians use the same approach.  This seems really easy yet stimulating for everyone. 

 I’ve caught myself all day long with a yell in my throat desperately yearning to makes itself known.  I have a long way to go personally.  I’ve always considered myself pretty relaxed but I’m constantly fighting anymore.  My first response to ill behavior is yelling.  I can say over and over again to stop but I think this new approach will help guide me away from it.

 My husband and daughter also need to learn the skill.  At least if we learn this now it’ll be second nature with our son. 

Posted on June 20th, 2007 by admin
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Mt. Everest


Mt. Everest

Originally uploaded by Leonid Plotkin

One of my husband’s and my favorite shows this winter was ‘Beyond the Limit’ on the Discovery Channel. It was an awesome show about a team of hikers climbing Mt. Everest and all the dangers that go along with it. I was pregnant at the time that the show aired and I was having some amazing dreams. Every night I dreamed we were climbing Everest. Now because I was pregnant and my baby was pressing on my lungs to capacity, I really thought I was there where there is 50% less oxygen.

My husband is a very active man. If we had the resources and I gave him the OK, he would climb it in a minute! No hesitation. Unfortunately for him, he’s married to a very cautious and worrying wife that would never ever in a billion years allow him to go on such an adventure.

Well, I was searching the web one day and I came across a Mt. Everest site. On the site they gave just Basecamp tours. I understand that to Basecamp is higher than I’ve ever hiked but I figure maybe a Yak would give me a lift. So, it’s official! I’ve put Mt. Everest on my List to do before I die! I’m so excited! Now, don’t expect the pictures to come anytime soon. I’m sure it’s at least a decade away before we do this. I’m starting the Mt. Everest Fund today!

Posted on June 18th, 2007 by admin
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A Little Consultation


quiet momentsOriginally uploaded by aperitive 

OK, so I have no idea what to do with my unruly 2 year old child. We’re really struggling with transitioning.

Every single time we go to leave the park, zoo, swimming pool, or a friends’ house she refuses to listen. She ignores me at first, then once I try to get her to go she kicks, screams, cries, scratches, bites at me as I desperately TRY to get her into the car!

It’s not like we’re at the park for JUST 5 minutes. We’re there for 30-60 minutes. I’ve tried saying, “We’ve got five more minutes–then we need to leave.” Not Working–Any Advice?

I know she’s just two–and they’re supposed to be “terrible” in their twos but she isn’t totally helpless.

Posted on June 14th, 2007 by admin
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HOME SWEET HOME


flower_door.jpgI’m such a home-body, which is a good thing because I’m taking part of my favorite career, a Mother.

I don’t have any alarm clocks with scheduled times to wake me up. Just a two year old’s beautiful eyes and the sweet coos from my son waking me up every morning. A little early at times it seems but these moments with my children are short in the scheme of things. I’ll never get this time back, so I must cherish them.

Posted on June 13th, 2007 by admin
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