Hi Friends!
I am having such issues with Isla lately to get a task done. She has turned into the Queen of stalling our routine. If any of you have advice I'm open ears!
I've blogged about the car issues before. She still won't get in her carseat without some serious threatening going on from me. If I try and put her in myself she kicks me and flips around and makes a HUGE scene. Today in the parking lot I swear this guy thought I was abusing my kid because she was screaming, "Don't touch me Mama!" and kicking me at the same time. I tried letting her do whatever she wanted to do to just get it out of her system but it entails buckling up her stuffed animals, arranging stuff in the front seats, messing with the gear shift and buttons (SO NOT OK!) and today when I thought she was finally done she then had to 'pet Elmo' for a full minute which makes me feel like this issue is a power struggle. She had her first breakdown in the car with B on Saturday but when he said, "Isla we're going to the park, lets go!" she just jumped in and they went. That would never fly with me. Any thoughts--
This may go hand in hand with the bedtime issue I'm experiencing. It takes me a good 45 to get Isla to sleep- that's just the time to have milk, read books, brush teeth and sing. Most of that time is spent curtailing negotiations she wants to make for more books, more talking, more milk, a new diaper, etc. I know that prolonging bedtime isn't an uncommon thing but is there a way to help ease the bedtime routine. Tonight- she took forever to drink her milk which she usually drinks when I read one book and she ended up throwing all the books out of her shelf and spilling her milk all over the rocker and wall when I told her to wrap it up. Total drama.
If anyone has advice send it my way- total case of the 2's going on over here!
S
Monday, August 24, 2015
#Truth
I thought you guys would appreciate this one because it's 100% true. For my kid it's the big Costco bag of croutons in the pantry. If she even hears a whimper of plastic we hear a tiny voice say,
"Kew-tawn for Isla Mommy?!"
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Rant: The Twos.
Hi Friends,
This one's going to be a totally scattered, lengthy rant. I apologize if it's hard to read- I just had to get it all out. I hope some of you out there can relate!
I am SO at my wits end with Isla's case of 'the Twos.'
For the last two or three weeks she has been such a challenging menace for me during the day. She has tantrums with me that she doesn't have with other people so when I ask for advice they just don't know how to relate. I like to get her out in the early afternoon before her nap because after her nap she usually just wants to relax and watch a show/play but she's really feisty in the morning. Every time we get in the car it is a HUGE thing. She refuses to sit in her seat, she goes for the gear shift and parking break. If I try and put her in her seat she 'alligator rolls' out of my arms or kicks me. It's ridiculous. Totally ridiculous and nothing raises my blood pressure more than fighting with her before we've even moved the car to reach our destination (which is usually somewhere really fun!) She doesn't do it with B or anyone else and I just don't know how to control it. I would cancel everything and bring her upstairs (which I've done) but honestly I can't handle being in our stupid condo any more than she can. If we had a yard it'd be much more tolerable but there's just no better option.
She has a really hard time leaving places. I usually give her lots of time and warn her before we leave. I have tried telling her to choose one more thing to do before we leave or say good-bye to whatever she's doing... it doesn't matter- it always turns into a power struggle with her running from me and making a huge scene. The other day in Target she was doing well and then totally fell apart when I wouldn't let her scatter 5 hand-held baskets all over the aisle blocking other people from shopping. I tried to talk to her, not talk to her, hug her, put her in the cart, put her on my lap and talk to her from behind- nothing worked- she ended up having an epic fit in the grocery aisle. It was such a mess- I was sitting on the floor- next to our cart holding my wailing 2 year old just thinking- 'this shit is CRAZY! Is this really my life?!!' It was such a 'thing' a Target employee came over to ask if I was OK. I was like, 'all good here' - it barely even phased me. She's been so crazy- it was a drop in the bucket.
I have also considered that she's bored at home with me and maybe preschool one or two days a week would be a good idea but she's not potty trained which pretty means preschool is pretty much off the table unless it's a co-op which is what we're already doing. I tried potty training last week and gave up when she peed on the floor for the third time in 30 minutes. I just didn't have the patience for it and she had zero desire to listen and go sit on the potty when the clock 'told her to.' The power struggle is a real issue these days. If anyone has advice on potty training please send it to me- I need all the help I can get!
I also have been looking into a babysitter because during the week when B has to work late and I need a break I have ZERO people who can help me. I have never so badly wanted to live closer to my Parents and family! I did a post on a local FB Moms Group but the replies I got were from a 12 year old and a recommendation for a Eastside Parents group who reccs babysitters to each other- which is a nice idea but too far-reaching for me. I reached out to my Cousin to see if anyone in her sorority would be interested but of course they're not. I know I need to find someone I just don't want to use somebody and worry the entire time about what's going on with her. Anyone have advice on a good service they've used?
Along with all of these things I'm trying to navigate I am stuck between the push and pull of feeling like a wonderful Mom when she's being really fun and engaging (her language skills are going crazy- big sentences going on over here!) and the bad/impatient Mom when she's pulling her antics and making me nuts. I know this is a phase. I'm sure it probably gets easier. I just feel SO STUCK IN IT--which is pulling me down and making me feel like I can't help myself- and more importantly help her wade out of it constructively, with a lesson learned. Ai-yi-yi.
And now the best part- the part all Moms can relate to, all I want to do is apologize for this rant because who wants to admit they don't have their sh*t together when it comes to dealing with a tiny human-- typical Mom emotions going on over here.
Thanks for listening (and commiserating, I'm sure :)
xo.
S
PS- I REALLY deserve one of those easy-going babies. Number 2- you better show up with a cup of chamomile and a real zen attitude someday.
This one's going to be a totally scattered, lengthy rant. I apologize if it's hard to read- I just had to get it all out. I hope some of you out there can relate!
I am SO at my wits end with Isla's case of 'the Twos.'
For the last two or three weeks she has been such a challenging menace for me during the day. She has tantrums with me that she doesn't have with other people so when I ask for advice they just don't know how to relate. I like to get her out in the early afternoon before her nap because after her nap she usually just wants to relax and watch a show/play but she's really feisty in the morning. Every time we get in the car it is a HUGE thing. She refuses to sit in her seat, she goes for the gear shift and parking break. If I try and put her in her seat she 'alligator rolls' out of my arms or kicks me. It's ridiculous. Totally ridiculous and nothing raises my blood pressure more than fighting with her before we've even moved the car to reach our destination (which is usually somewhere really fun!) She doesn't do it with B or anyone else and I just don't know how to control it. I would cancel everything and bring her upstairs (which I've done) but honestly I can't handle being in our stupid condo any more than she can. If we had a yard it'd be much more tolerable but there's just no better option.
She has a really hard time leaving places. I usually give her lots of time and warn her before we leave. I have tried telling her to choose one more thing to do before we leave or say good-bye to whatever she's doing... it doesn't matter- it always turns into a power struggle with her running from me and making a huge scene. The other day in Target she was doing well and then totally fell apart when I wouldn't let her scatter 5 hand-held baskets all over the aisle blocking other people from shopping. I tried to talk to her, not talk to her, hug her, put her in the cart, put her on my lap and talk to her from behind- nothing worked- she ended up having an epic fit in the grocery aisle. It was such a mess- I was sitting on the floor- next to our cart holding my wailing 2 year old just thinking- 'this shit is CRAZY! Is this really my life?!!' It was such a 'thing' a Target employee came over to ask if I was OK. I was like, 'all good here' - it barely even phased me. She's been so crazy- it was a drop in the bucket.
I have also considered that she's bored at home with me and maybe preschool one or two days a week would be a good idea but she's not potty trained which pretty means preschool is pretty much off the table unless it's a co-op which is what we're already doing. I tried potty training last week and gave up when she peed on the floor for the third time in 30 minutes. I just didn't have the patience for it and she had zero desire to listen and go sit on the potty when the clock 'told her to.' The power struggle is a real issue these days. If anyone has advice on potty training please send it to me- I need all the help I can get!
I also have been looking into a babysitter because during the week when B has to work late and I need a break I have ZERO people who can help me. I have never so badly wanted to live closer to my Parents and family! I did a post on a local FB Moms Group but the replies I got were from a 12 year old and a recommendation for a Eastside Parents group who reccs babysitters to each other- which is a nice idea but too far-reaching for me. I reached out to my Cousin to see if anyone in her sorority would be interested but of course they're not. I know I need to find someone I just don't want to use somebody and worry the entire time about what's going on with her. Anyone have advice on a good service they've used?
Along with all of these things I'm trying to navigate I am stuck between the push and pull of feeling like a wonderful Mom when she's being really fun and engaging (her language skills are going crazy- big sentences going on over here!) and the bad/impatient Mom when she's pulling her antics and making me nuts. I know this is a phase. I'm sure it probably gets easier. I just feel SO STUCK IN IT--which is pulling me down and making me feel like I can't help myself- and more importantly help her wade out of it constructively, with a lesson learned. Ai-yi-yi.
And now the best part- the part all Moms can relate to, all I want to do is apologize for this rant because who wants to admit they don't have their sh*t together when it comes to dealing with a tiny human-- typical Mom emotions going on over here.
Thanks for listening (and commiserating, I'm sure :)
xo.
S
PS- I REALLY deserve one of those easy-going babies. Number 2- you better show up with a cup of chamomile and a real zen attitude someday.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Monday
Happy Monday!
I hope your week started off right- we kicked off ours with a visit to the zoo. Super fun! To help get the good Monday vibes going a little 'funny' from my Dad. You gotta love a text from your Parents--this one is still cracking me up :)
I hope your week started off right- we kicked off ours with a visit to the zoo. Super fun! To help get the good Monday vibes going a little 'funny' from my Dad. You gotta love a text from your Parents--this one is still cracking me up :)
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Our Night Went Awry
Hi Friends!
I'm primarily writing this so the next time I have a really bad day I can look back and be like- 'Hey, remember that, it could be worse' or I can hopefully reach some poor Mom out there on her last strand of patience- 'I'm with you Sister! I had one of those nights too!'
Tonight was supposed to be my evening off. The Hubby and I are switching off a couple days a week so he can see Isla after work and then run to the gym while I put her to bed- then I get Tue, Thur and a weekend as my days. I usually opt to go for a walk, grab a coffee or run errands-- just get out of the house! Tonight he got stuck at work and I agreed to 'take one for the team' so he could work late and we can have a 'work-free' weekend. I wanted to see the singer playing at Music in the Park tonight so I decided to do a girl's date with my girl. I know...'FUN MOM' right?! Well- that's what I was hoping for. We had pizza at Zeeks' and then headed to the park for about 30 mins of playtime before the music started. The walk was great....
Park was great for 20 minutes and then the CRAZY STARTED.....
I told her that she could wade into the water but only up to her ankles. She decided she was going to not listen and hide behind some huge rocks by the side of the beach. There is a drop off on that side that I kept warning her about and she wouldn't listen to me telling her to come in closer. She ended up falling down fully clothed in the water and then proceeded to strip down to her diaper with all of her clothes (including her shoes) floating in the lake.
I wish I had a video of this whole thing- especially a close up of my face- just total disbelief. Not exactly shock because she has been on a particularly frustrating tear lately but just disbelief that she so readily disregards my perfectly reasonable instructions and that she was standing in the lake with all of her clothes floating around her.
As soon as she got close I grabbed her out of the water and she threw an epic fit as we left. It consisted of a lot of yelling 'don't touch me Mama' (such a favorite, ug!), going limp as we walked together (such drama!) and one last final throw down at the edge of the park. This picture below is the snapchat my girls got this evening- Isla in meltdown mode telling me she wasn't leaving...while laying on the dirty park grass in a soggy-lake diaper, her clothes soaking wet, our left over pizza soaking wet and me-- red faced and SO ANGRY! I mean seriously, SERIOUSLY!?!
Pizza was great.
Park was great for 20 minutes and then the CRAZY STARTED.....
I told her that she could wade into the water but only up to her ankles. She decided she was going to not listen and hide behind some huge rocks by the side of the beach. There is a drop off on that side that I kept warning her about and she wouldn't listen to me telling her to come in closer. She ended up falling down fully clothed in the water and then proceeded to strip down to her diaper with all of her clothes (including her shoes) floating in the lake.
I wish I had a video of this whole thing- especially a close up of my face- just total disbelief. Not exactly shock because she has been on a particularly frustrating tear lately but just disbelief that she so readily disregards my perfectly reasonable instructions and that she was standing in the lake with all of her clothes floating around her.
As soon as she got close I grabbed her out of the water and she threw an epic fit as we left. It consisted of a lot of yelling 'don't touch me Mama' (such a favorite, ug!), going limp as we walked together (such drama!) and one last final throw down at the edge of the park. This picture below is the snapchat my girls got this evening- Isla in meltdown mode telling me she wasn't leaving...while laying on the dirty park grass in a soggy-lake diaper, her clothes soaking wet, our left over pizza soaking wet and me-- red faced and SO ANGRY! I mean seriously, SERIOUSLY!?!
I have so many things to say- about how naughty she was being and how badly I wanted to just lose my cool but ... I held it together. I have no idea how considering how thin my patience have been lately but I did. (Yay me!) I definitely needed a cold shower and a dose of perspective when I got home but I held it together and did the right thing (for us) by marching her home and talking to her in the bathtub about what the better decision would have been. Who knows how much she absorbed but I know it was better than any alternative way I could have handled it. I'm disappointed I missed the show and we missed the great night I wanted us to have but I guess sometimes real life trumps the vision in your head. I would have really liked to be 'cool/fun mom' tonight and I feel like I turned into 'mean/enforcer' Mom but I know it was necessary. Just once Isla-- listen to Mommy so we can have a great time. Just once?! :)
Like they say- 'the days are long and the years are short' -- there's my dose of perspective for today. ai-yi-yi.
xoox.
S
Travel Tip!
Hi Friends!
We were at my Cousin's in Spokane a couple weeks ago and I forgot to bring Isla's plastic plates (I was too scared she'd break dishes at my Cousin's house) so I pulled a pinterest idea from my brain and it worked out awesome! Have you tried this?! It's a serious lifesaver when traveling or in a 'jam'- you can also try an ice cube tray for littler ones with smaller portions. Parenting hacks are great! :)
We were at my Cousin's in Spokane a couple weeks ago and I forgot to bring Isla's plastic plates (I was too scared she'd break dishes at my Cousin's house) so I pulled a pinterest idea from my brain and it worked out awesome! Have you tried this?! It's a serious lifesaver when traveling or in a 'jam'- you can also try an ice cube tray for littler ones with smaller portions. Parenting hacks are great! :)
xo.
S
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