June 23, 2011

Today is DEAN'S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!

I remember clearly the hot summer day when Dean was born. I wrote about it here and honestly remember it as clearly now as I did when writing! Dean is an amazing little guy: loving, silly, creative, shy, artistic, funny, smart, thoughtful, playful, ... and super cute :)

Today is also the day Drew will graduate from Kindergarten

I can't believe his first year of elementary school is finished (well, almost). This year has been SO transformative. Drew has learned to READ, WRITE, do MATH, keep a journal,...he's learned about planets, space, our environment & state, how trees become wood, how to be a good friend, dinosaurs and mammals, 3-dimensional art... His kindergarten teacher, Mrs. B, was loving, kind, science-oriented, fun, free-spirited, and perfect for Drew! I can NOT believe he'll be in first grade in September.

And today Melia pooped in the potty without my soliciting it!

Ok, I am missing the perfect potty shot here...but had to include a picture ;) Melia has peed and pooped on the potty before, but today she said "poo poo" and went over to the potty and sat down. So cool! I would be beyond excited if she potty trained this summer!!

These things I know to be true...

I have my own words of wisdom ~ led by my own experiences ~ which I share often. These are the things I know to be true. This is for the mamas...

We are more alike than we are different

Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, co-sleeping or far away from your baby...you are doing the best you can do for your family. We can have different experiences, different perceptions, different values, but we all love our babies.

Anything goes in the first few months

Don't sweat it if you're taking naps with your baby, letting him sleep on your chest - or in the swing, carseat, stroller. Don't worry if you nurse, rock, hold, bounce your baby to sleep. Forgive yourself for creating any bad habits. Whatever you need to do so you all get some rest, do!

BAD HABITS CAN BE BROKEN

If it isn't a problem for YOU, then it's not a problem

People always want to know if they should sleep train their child who's waking once or twice a night to feed. Sometimes they are completely exhausted and frustrated...and I share information with them regarding sleep training. Other times they are totally fine with it, but worry everyone thinks something is wrong. If you don't mind, who cares what other people think! And it reminds me,

If someone asks you if your baby is sleeping through the night,

SAY YES!

This too shall pass

I may never forget the days of colic, or the anxiety of bedtime, or the drama among kids, and that's fine. What I do know is that it will end. It's will be a part of the past someday. And we'll have new challenges. Something really difficult - or frustrating - today, will not be an issue tomorrow. We just need to make it through THIS moment. Stages and phases...it's all stages and phases. And no,

The grass is not greener on the other side

Once you go there, you can't go back

This is how I think of food: Start with plain yogurt - because after you eat the vanilla you'll never want the plain. Or, don't give the kids artificial sweeteners because the real fruit tastes so sweet! And it makes sense in other ways: Once you use food or reward incentives - or, on the contrary, punishments - to movitate behaviors, you may find yourself in a rut. So, start simple. Simple foods. Simple routines. Simple structures. Simple behaviors.

Cherish the relationship with your partner

It's hard to make time for relationships when you've been giving so much to a child/children all day. However, in 18 years the children will be moving forward with their own lives; and wouldn't it be nice to have your partner, your best friend by your side? Aren't you both worth it?
Relationships take work

Work at it