The Discipline Diva

The day started with the rousing chorus of "Up, Up... Simon.... Ballloooon" coming from the room next door. After a major meltdown over cereal (drat... we ate all the bread already?) and a time out (poor Claire is always "left out", our day proceeded with a series of scream fests and meltdowns.
After lunch, I decided I needed to leave these four walls and see the sunshine. I piled the kids into my buddy Bob and headed out of the garage to the wail of a baby and toddler. Once we got going, they settled down. The only problem was that Simon was obsessed with his "little snowball" (which is very hard to hold onto wearing mitts) and he kept dropping it and screaming. He also kept screaming "flag! flag!" (our destination had flags). After we reached our destination with flags, he started to scream and sob "up", "all done", "Simon's house" and flailing in the stroller. I was that Mom with that kid. Fortunately, it's winter and there aren't too many other walkers out and about.
When we got home, I plunked him in his crib after stories, snuggles and prayer and didn't hear a peep for 2 hours.
Unfortunately, the good mood he woke up in didn't last too long.
Good thing Claire's such a chipper little thing.

Our time outs are evolving from some time in Mommy and Daddy's room alone with Mommy (or Daddy) into Simon alone in Simon's crib sans stuffies. Soon we'll have a timer and a naughty mat. Sigh...
Any discipline tips?

Maybe it's an ear infection. The earliest appt with our Dr. will be on Wednesday.
Maybe it's teething.
Maybe it's that he's almost 2.
Maybe I've got to step it up as the boss of the house and show my little dictator that I mean business. After all, this why I get paid the big bucks, right?

A Slippery Slope

It's become apparent to me over the past few months how easy the decline of mental health can become. I'm a very positive person. However, with the cold of winter keeping us inside these four walls day in and day out, I can see how easy falling into depression can be. I have two very needy little people clinging to me, fighting sleep and wanting my attention (at all hours). I'm getting less sleep then I'd like and both kids don't seem to want to nap. (Claire can't beat her 45 minute sleep cycle sans help and Simon plays in his crib all nap time.)
In order to stay positive, I have forced myself to not wallow. I get up and I put on make-up before the kids. I plan (and over plan) play dates and activities to keep us busy. I embrace nap time and try to do something for myself every day. I pray with my kids and for my kids. I bake, I online shop and I sniff sunscreen. :)
I'm fine. Please don't worry about me because I have not slipped off the slope of sanity. However, this winter, I have become very empathetic to those who do. If we choose to have an Ender (third), I hope I can time it so that he or she is born in early spring so I can get my Vitamin D fix!

The above pic is of my little graduates. Simon is now is his booster seat (with his precious dinosaurs place mat) and Claire is now being social in her highchair. I thought Simon would be sad to leave his high chair but, he's excited to eat with his dinosaurs every day.

Our Someday House

As I've already written, Trevor and I have been looking for a new nest for our chickies. We thought we found the most perfect house (it was) in an artsy area of town. We were pretty sad when it sold to someone other then us. I've been glued to MLS since Simon was about 5 months old and I hadn't found anything that I liked in areas that I liked (sauf the home we never bought).
We've finally decided to give in and build. We've looked into building before but, we just didn't feel comfortable with any of the builders we'd talked with. Until now. We've met with a great, little building company who will take their time, answer our questions, let us customize what we need and let us do a few things on our own.
Yesterday, Trevor gave them a deposit (gulp) and we now have a pretty little lot in the northwest area of town. Our lot backs a beautiful environmental reserve (and future bike path) and is a hop, skip and jump away from some good friends.
There are a ton of pros and cons about building. There is a piece of me that feels guilty because we're just expanding our environmental footprint. I also feel a little selfish to have something so good just for us when we could be using that money to minister to others. I think about friends of ours who live and work in NorthCentral and still others who have traveled half way across the world and I do feel a little guilty.
However, I'm also super excited.
I'm excited to have a play space for my kids.
I'm excited to sit on our deck at night and see stars (and nobody else's backyard).
I'm excited that we'll be near green space.
I'm excited for a walk in pantry, kitchen island, fireplace, ensuite and kid's rooms with closets.
We don't expect to be in until just before Simon's 3rd B-day.
Our next step is to talk with a drafts person.

Know anyone who wants to buy our cute little bungalow? It'll probably be on the market by Christmas.

3 months!

Little Miss Claire is 3 months (today) going on 30 months. :) I feel like she's finally "woken up" from that lingering newborn drowsiness. Now, she fights sleep with all she's got. She's a terrible nurser. It's like she does 2-3 minute shots all morning and then has long, lingering, sleepy feeds all afternoon. She used to be a dreamy sleeper at nights but, she's become a much more realistic baby now. I'm fine with 1-2 feeds a night. I wish that our nights didn't end with her needing to be in my bed right beside me but, I'm sure that this is just a funny faze that we'll help her get through.
She's full of little giggles and loads of smiles. She's super strong and loves to spend her awake time kicking and playing on her tummy. She's rolling over already and I have a feeling that I will have a little goer on my hands in no time.
Simon has started to clue in to the fact that she's a little person and he talks about her a lot. It'll be fun to see them interact. :)
Claire, you fascinate me and never cease to amaze me. I am looking forward to getting to know you as you change and grow. Happy 3 months, Little One!

Milestones

In my vast experience as a parent (insert self-deprecating chuckle), I'm learning that my job is to basically guide my kids from milestone to milestone. Simon's peed on the potty (reward = sticker and putting toilet paper in the toilet - he LOVES doing this) twice for me this week. My hope is to be diaper free (just Simon - Claire's not that amazing) by the end of summer (fingers crossed). Claire rolled over on Sunday. I think I'll have to watch out with that little Maghoo; I don't think she'll stay where I plunk her for long.
These are just two of the many, many mini and mega goals my children will set and reach for with me. It's a pretty exciting journey we're embarking on.

On a whole other note, I am eagerly anticipating spring. I've stopped getting really keyed up about my birthday or Christmas, my wedding and 2 due dates have come and gone. I long for sunshine without a bitter windchill, stepping outside without having to bundle the kids up and going on walking adventures with my amazing stroller. Until then, I'll sniff sunscreen to get my fix.

Levi Darrel

Congratulations Tim and Karri on the birth of your beautiful and sweet son, Levi Darrel. He was 9 lbs 4 oz (yikes). Mommy and baby are doing really well and should be out of the hospital by Tuesday.
After watching Simon and Elizabeth play together so well and love each other so much, I'm so glad that Claire will have a little same age cousin to play with too!
I'm thrilled to be an Auntie again! :)

The Sound of Silence

Claire has been on a bit of hunger strike lately. She'll cry when I try to nurse her in the mornings, eat all afternoon, cry in the early evening and nurse to sleep at night. This on/off (quite literally) behaviour has been driving me bananas!
Today, I was at my Mom's in the morning. She suggested that I take Claire to a very quiet spot and nurse her. She was a champ!
Turns out, she just wants peace and quiet when she eats.
Sigh.
Mom said I was like that until I was about 4-5 months old.
Sigh.
Princess might have to go hungry in the mornings because who can silence a 21 month old?