It Begins....

Well, our sweet little innocent boy has turned into a smart little guy who can throw a tantrum!!!  How the heck did that happen? LOL!

 

 

In the last month we have tried all different kinds of tactics – redirecting, saying no, giving warnings, getting angry, etc…  Nothing really has worked – things have only gotten worse.  Now it has become a game.  So, we have a “Plan B”.  Rob’s parents gave us some “Love and Logic” materials and then we purchased a L&L for 6months to 5yrs old CD.  We have listened to the CD’s and we’re going through the workbooks, and we have to admit – this program sounds pretty good.  So, today we have begun the journey with Love and Logic in the Hardenbergh Home.  So far Jonah has been in “timeout” 5 times this morning (granted, he has only been awake for about 2.5 hrs).  We know it will get worse before it will get better.  Anything that is difficult is worth it.  Jonah LOVES to hit the TV and play with the DVD’s – these are “off limits”.  So, of course that is his favorite place to be.  It’s so easy to get angry – but with Love and Logic the key is not letting them see you sweat!  So, instead of saying “No”… we “sing” the Uh Oh song.  “Uh Oh, Jonah chose to spend some time in his bedroom”.  Then we put him in his bedroom until he is “sweet” and a minute after that.  We are concerned though about making his crib a negative place.  So, we are going to take out his old bouncer chair that also can be a toddler chair.  We’re going to call it the Uh Oh Chair.  It will go in the hallway and that will be his time out spot. 

 

It sounds harsh, at this age.  But, as the authors say… dogs understand that they can’t poop on the floor – surely, our children are smarter than a dog.  (good point)  I think that the hardest part of this lifestyle change will be not to get angry and allowing them to make bad choices.  Rob has a temper and I like to save.  This journey will be not only be about Jonah learning but Mama and Papa too! 

 

The great thing is that our daycare provider, Sarah, also uses Love and Logic!  What a great consistent care plan!!!

 

So… it begins.  Raising a child isn’t for the weary – Thankfully there are two of us!

Mothers Day Eve - (the day of a 1st time mom)

I remember wanting children so badly and when Mothers Day would come around – I would find myself tearing up and feeling like there was something missing.  So – I have been gearing myself up for tomorrow needless to say.  I don’t know what tomorrow will be like – but I know what I don’t want tomorrow to be like, the way it was TODAY.  Here’s a run down:

 

Middle of the night:  Rob has a cold so he was up a lot coughing, blowing his nose, snoring and just trying to deal with sinus “stuff”.  This means – I did not get much sleep.

7am: Rob is snoring (of course) and Jonah wakes up.  He’s playful and in a good mood.

7:15am: Give Jonah a bottle, change his pants and get him ready for the day.  Then come in the living room and play!

8:30am: Breakfast.  I make Jonah a pancake and cut up fresh fruit.  He won’t eat any of the fruit, Rob is getting frustrated with him – tensions are high.

8:45am: Jonah is screaming – he has a meltdown, so breakfast is over (too bad I wasn’t done eating – oh well)

9am: I put him down for a nap (Rob goes down too)

11am: Jonah wakes up – he’s in a relatively good mood.

11:45am: Lunch – I make him a sandwich with the fruit he didn’t eat at breakfast and some green beans.  He only eats the banana and won’t really eat the sandwich

12:00pm:  Jonah is screaming – another meltdown, he wouldn’t eat anything and is just screaming and pulling his ears

12:25pm:  We are off to the medical center for the Walk In Clinic.  Jonah hasn’t really stopped crying and is not doing well – something is wrong.  Ear Infection

1pm:  Home – no ear infection, Dr. says he’s teething.  Rob puts him down for a nap

2pm: Jonah wakes up screaming and won’t stop crying.  Rob comforts him, doesn’t work.  I go in and he falls asleep on me for 20min – but just keeps waking up and crying.

2:45pm: Jonah comes out to the living room (won’t stop crying).  I make him a bottle and he drinks a little bit and starts screaming again.

3pm: Jonah falls asleep on Rob and is finally calmed down.

4:30pm: Wakes up (Jonah, Rob and myself) and even though I try playing with him he just keeps crying

5pm: Dinner…. This time we’re just having cheerios, goldfish and some pancake.

5:30pm:  HAPPINESS  Lots of playing, crawling and everything is right again

7:30PM: Bedtime – drinks almost all of bottle and goes down great

8:30pm:  WAKES UP SCREAMING again.  

 

That’s been the day so far. 

 

I hope tomorrow is better.  Someday I’ll get a macaroni necklace for this!!!!

Grandma & Grandpa

Rob's parents came up for the weekend! It was great to see them, 'cuz we haven't seen them since Valentine's Day. It only took Jonah a short time to warm up to them. Before you knew it he wanted grandma more than mom and dad!! We had fun at the park (even though it was cold) and played a lot. We'll post some pics soon!