Zane (21 months) has learned how to crawl out of his crib.
This is bad news.
Bad, bad news.
He is a busy, busy, busy little guy. I mean, he never stops moving. Never. It’s been so hard during this pregnancy because I just don’t have the energy or the same physical ability to keep up with him.
His nap time and night-time were truly my only times of rest. And now…gone.
At 1:30 in the morning, Zane got out of bed. He went to Dylan’s room and started jumping on Dylan’s head. Dylan (7) came into our room with Zane, went over to Dwayne and said, “Who’s responsible for this one?” Then he turned around and went back to bed.
I hear ya, Dylan…and at 1:30am, I’m not sure I even want to claim him!
Dwayne put Zane back to bed and put up the baby gate, which he swiftly climbed over in the morning.
Tonight I’m putting a child-lock on his door handle – on the inside.
Put on your thinking caps ‘cuz when he figures out the child-lock, I’m coming back for suggestions.
Who's Responsible For This One?
Potty Training
Zane (21 months) has shown a recent interest in potty training. I'm not sure if I'm on board or not. Kobe did the same thing at the same age.
Because he was leading it, I thought it might be easy.
It was NOT!
A year and a half later, he was finally trained.
All of this reminds me of when Dylan was little...
I was pouring him a bath and he was standing naked outside the tub. He started to pee on his foot.
He felt it, looked down, smiled, looked at me, looked down again. He didn't know he was controlling it.
After the pee stopped, he tried in vain to make it happen again.
It must be true that they really don't have any control until they're ready.
So, here's the deal with Zane: If he's serious, I'm in. If he's piddling (ha!) around, he'll have to wait until he's ready-ready.
Clumsy Pregnant Chick
Today I had one of those 'I can't believe I did that' moments.
I was buckling Zane into his carseat after a visit with Mrs. Journey.
My shoe slipped on the side of the truck.
I fell out of the truck.
Because we were parked so close to the steep ditch, I had no place to put my foot down.
I fell from the truck to the ditch and then rolled down the - did I mention steep? - ditch.
What a sight I must have been! I haven't posted any pregnancy pictures lately, but people keep asking me if I'm having twins. You've got the idea...
In moments like this, why do you first look around to see if anybody saw you before you figure out if you're okay? I did this. I don't think anybody saw. Except Dwayne - who came bolting around to my side of the truck with the most panicked expression.
He brought me straight home and had somebody at my house within half an hour to help with the children for the rest of the afternoon - he had to go back to work.
I am sore. My belly was jolted and I feel like I've been doing situps. I hurt my back and pulled muscles all up through my shoulder blades. I'm laying down now while the babysitter plays outside with the children.
If you're bored and run out of things to pray about today...well, maybe you could send a quick one up for me.
I know. I'm a wimp.
Should Moms Work Or Stay At Home?
Heather was recently posting about blogging with integrity. A couple of people were offended by a statement she made about working mothers. It wasn't at all the point of the post, but seemed to hit a nerve.
Should moms work or stay at home? It seems to be a hot topic.
Since reading the comments on Heather's post, my mind hasn't been able to rest. I keep thinking about the process that got me to where our family is now...ending with me staying at home with the children.
Before having children, I was certain that I would continue to pursue my career once I became a mom. During a conversation with a stay-at-home mom on the topic, I remember being offended when she said, "Why are you going to have children if you're not even going to raise them?" My prickly and direct response was, "Many moms work. Many children go to daycare and they turn out just fine."
At that point in my life, all I could think about was the blood, sweat and tears it took to get my degree. I was not about to waste all that work on raising children!
After I had Dylan, I dabbled in some contract work. I was trying to get the best of both...working and staying with my little guy. I would work only when he was sleeping and give him my full attention when he was awake. It resulted in the housework falling behind and having to give up far more sleep than I could afford.
I was a new Christian and hadn't yet gotten a handle on the fact that when I made a committment to Jesus, I was saying that I would put my plan aside and follow His. I also didn't think about how much this new Holy Spirit within me would guide me - if only I took the time to ask and to search His desires for me.
I now have 3 children and 1 on the way. I am committed to following the Lord's direction in all facets of my life. I am prayerful about decisions - the little ones and the big ones. 'Pray without ceasing.'
He has answered me clearly on this debate. He wants me to stay home with the children He has entrusted to me. He wants us to be the main influence on our children. He wants us to say no to the money and trust Him. He wants me to look to Him for approval and validation, not to my work. He wants me to obey Him.
Does this require sacrifice?
Yes!
- My 'daycare' costs us around $70k per year. This is the money that I am saying no to when I stay home.
- Some people think my job isn't as important as a 'real' job.
- Some people think I'm wasting my degree.
- I get comments asking if I'm bored. Are you freakin' kidding me?
- There are days when I long for adult conversation.
- There are days when I hear the word 'Mom' and consider replying, "She's not here. She ran away."
But in this all, He has been merciful to me. He has changed my heart - my deep inside - to desire being at home. I do not desire to be away. I do not resent staying home. I desire to be my children's mom. Full-time.
There are some things that I just don't want to ask Him because, if I do, I may have to do something I don't want to. I want to close my eyes, put my fingers in my ears, and hum LOUDLY. "Hmmm, hmmmm, hmmm...I can't hear you..."
The problem with this is that His plans for us may be so much fuller than our wildest-imagined plans. You'll be missing out and not even know it!
So before entering into this hot debate, ask yourself if whatever you're doing - staying at home or working - is your plan or His.
End of debate.
I'll Just Do It Myself
Dylan (7) was deeply disappointed that I had looked at and considered buying blueberries for our camping trip, but had decided we probably didn't have extra room in the fridge.
He could just imagine how good the pancakes would have tasted.
When we got to our camping spot, he was exploring the bush next to it and what did he find?
You got it...wild blueberries!
...and the pancakes did taste so good!
Crazy Husband
Do any of you have one of those husbands?
You know...the fun ones, the crazy ones, the ones that just love spending time with their children?
I do.
I have one that finds gross animals late at night and wakes the children up to show them his discoveries!
I protest and pretend I don't . like it that he's young at heart and does goofy things like that!
Learning Tools As Home Decor
My desire is to decorate our home in a way that says...
Simply functional? Or stylish too? Any thoughts?
Rainy Day Delivery
Rainy day...
Lego order arrived...
Two happy, quiet boys for the entire afternoon...
A treat for them? Or a treat for me? *wink*
Bee Day
Ad in our local paper:
Are you a beekeeper or interested in bee keeping? Come meet with us to find out more about apiculture.
Okay, I am not interested in becoming a beekeeper. But we are interested learning about bees and the whole honey collecting process.
I took Dylan to the meeting and then they scheduled a 'bee day'. Dylan and I were the only ones interested in learning about it without actually becoming apiculturists.
Monica, the lady hosting the Bee Day, is fabulous with children. Dylan got some great hands-on experience and the chance to ask a million - yes, a million - questions.
Dylan purposely dipped his net in the bees to see if he could get them to crawl on it. It worked!
The bees were swarming around. I thought Dylan might feel nervous, but he wasn't at all. He was too busy looking, touching, helping ... and asking questions.
It turns out Dylan is a master honey-scaper...
...and honey tester!
What Are Fruit Loops?
This post from Mrs. Nurse Boy reminded me of a cereal story in our home...
In our home it's considered a nearly criminal activity to feed the boys sugar for breakfast.
We do not eat sugary cereals or sugar on our cereal.
No, it's not because I'm a health nut.
It's because my boys are active enough and I ain't no fool!
Shortly after the children stayed with Mrs. W, this conversation ensued:
Dylan (6:) "Mom, when we stayed with Mrs. W she let us pick our own cereal."
Me: "I let you pick your own cereal."
Dylan (6): "No, not Cheerios or Raisin Bran. She let us pick from the grocery store!"
Kobe (3): "I had circle ones that were all different colours!"
Dylan (6): "Yeah, those circle ones were good!"
Note to self: Pat yourself on the back because your 3-year-old and 6-year-old don't know what Fruit Loops are. *wink*
