« April 2008 | Main | June 2008 »
May 25, 2008
Oh, Crap!
The title isn't hyperbole. It's the subject of this post.
This afternoon, Shannon worked a short shift at work so I put Natalie down for her nap. She was restless, but that's pretty normal so I just let her be. Her babbling went on for about half an hour, then I heard her pacifier fall to the floor. Since that sound is usually followed by crying, I figured I'd head up and see what was wrong.
Before I describe what I saw, allow me to provide some needed context. Lately, Natalie has been in the habit of stripping off her clothes and her diaper while in the crib. Usually, this leads to nothing more than a wet diaper and a cold child. Needless to say, today was different.
Unpleasantly different.
As the title of the post implies, this diaper was not wet. And what was there had been spread on the pillow, the sheet, the crib railing and her hand. When Natalie saw me come into the room, she looked at her hand, then up at me with a thoroughly disgusted look on her face, a look I'm sure I matched when I saw what had happened.
The next few minutes were a blur, but that might be due to the fact that I was holding my breath as much as possible. Natalie got an early bath, everything in her crib was thrown into the washing machine and I scrubbed my hands until they were red.
My only consolation is the knowledge that I can (and will) tell this story to her future boyfriends.
Posted by Peter at 09:04 PM | Comments (2)
Pretty Boobs
So Natalie and I were outside yesterday, and she began to disrobe as is her habit of late. With her shirt halfway down, she looked down at her chest and exclaimed, "I have pretty boobs!" Stifling my laughter, I tried to respond somewhat seriously like a good mommy, saying, "Yes, you do, because God made them." I hope her self-esteem is always as good as it is now. Just have to teach her that boobs are pretty but private. :) I love this kid.
Posted by Shannon at 08:47 PM | Comments (3)
May 15, 2008
A Rough Couple of Days
It's been a rough couple of days for this Mom. Natalie's been up in the night for several hours at a time and then fussy and miserable during the day as a result. She's teething and going through the normal two-year-old stuff. Nothing is right, she wants to do everything herself and quickly screams when she's unsuccessful, any transition from one activity to the next produces a tantrum, she's forgotten her extensive vocabulary and prefers whining, and there have been several moments that I have no idea what she needs or wants (probably because she's not sure either) and I want to scream (and kinda have).
I'm relating to Amy's post of several weeks ago about feeling like a "crappola mom" as I've had a few times of just losing my patience, yelling, and spanking when I probably shouldn't have and feeling horribly guilty afterward. It's hard when you're sleep-deprived to remember things like:
"This is normal developmental behavior and you just need to ride it out."
"God is patient with me when I am grumpy and disobedient and don't know what I want."
"She's doing the best she can, also sleep-deprived, with fewer coping skills, and her little brain going through so much change."
"This phase will end."
"Yes, you will be able to manage this with a newborn."
No, my thought process has been more like:
"I'm a big fat mommy failure...oh, and bad wife too since I'm too tired and stressed to be very attractive or supportive right now."
"Why can't she just be reasonable and tell me what she wants!"
"How will I ever do this with a baby?"
"I'm not getting anything done."
"I really need to do my quiet time, but I'd rather SLEEP!"
"I'm so sore and tired, and this really stinks."
"I'd like to run away to the woods or the beach! Somebody else can be your Mommy. :) "
But God is good, and gently speaks to me and strengthens me through these times in so many ways.
1. Through an amazing hubby who quickly surmises when his girls are in need of some stress-relief and brings us home sushi and later the same day takes us out to eat (walked right in to a table at the Roadhouse and had a GREAT family time!), helps around the house and takes turns dealing with the DIVA (and Natalie too--ha ha). And most of all, works hard so that Natalie and I can be home together in the first place.
2. With His Word. When I made myself sit down with Him instead of running around the other day, it was just what I needed, and then Natalie slept super long (what she needed) and I was able to putter too.
3. By taking me outside myself. I can get so caught up in my own misery, it's shameful. He reminded me of my two girlfriends who have sick hubbies and are essentially single parents now, one of whom also has to work, and both of whom have two kids...and aren't complaining! Man, talk about conviction. Made me feel quite wimpy and very thankful for what I have.
Really, what I'm feeling is the spiritual "growing pains" of raising a toddler. When you have to train up a little person to be a decent human being, it forces you to die to yourself and look at your own stuff as well. As she struggles with her need to control, I must give up my own--OUCH. And I need to be demonstrating to her how to do that, instead of showing her how to have a tantrum :) It is a difficult time, but one I must see as a gift from God, a long-term investment in my own growth, and unlike me, He is a perfect parent. I am so thankful for His patience with me, and I never want to make her feel that I only love her when she's obedient or fun to be with. It's figuring out that balance of grace and truth that can be tricky. But I cling to James 1:5...
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Halelujah for that!
Oh, and I talked to my mom this morning...as difficult as it may be for my friends to imagine, it turns out Natalie and I are repeating history together...:)
Posted by Shannon at 01:21 PM | Comments (3)
May 13, 2008
More Adventures in Eating
To answer the obvious question, no...it's not raw. They're grilled salmon rolls, and she loved them. She especially liked gnawing on the seaweed wrapper. At this rate, I'm tempted to fry up some liver and onions as an experiment to see if there's anything she won't eat.
Posted by Peter at 02:51 PM | Comments (3)