Just what I'm thinking about...
Max is busy. Like SO busy. Like I feel like I am the only parent whose kid would run 50 feet away and wouldn't even turn back to see if I was still there or following. He just wants to roam and run free. It's his fearlessness that scares me the most. No Fear = Trouble. And if you are going to tell me that every kid is like this... they aren't. I just went to my work summer party and there are like 5 women with children around Max's age and the majority are boys, and I was the only one running up the hill to capture my child before he joined the pee-wee footballers or ran into the street. I feel completely exhausted if I take him anywhere. I feel bad sometimes because I feel like I have to conjure enough energy/motivation to take him anywhere. Anyway, I'm exhausted.
Sometimes I feel like I am ready for another baby. Then I have an exhausting day with Max and I can't even fathom ever having any more. The women who have 5 kids under the age of 5 must have really good babies, or are really brave (or CrAzY). I can't even imagine being pregnant/having a newborn with Max the way he is. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
Max is smarter then I realize sometimes. Every night before he goes to bed (between 7:30 and 8:00) he gets a bath. So every night before his bath I do the sign (as in sign language) "bath" as I run his tub. Well last night it was about 7:20 and he comes up to me and does the "bath" sign. I was like, "Oh it's time for your bath!" So I ran his bath. I thought it was so cute. He knows his routine well. He also tells me when he wants to eat and when he wants his milk without any prompts. He just signs. He has also learned the word Dog, Cookie, "What's that?", All done (he also sorta knows the sign), Bubble, Key (for blankie), and he jumps if you tell him to. He loves to jump.
I feel less stress now that Chris is working. The unknown was always hard for me, as well as the pressure to provide the primary income for our family. Especially with my work being slow and them calling off nurses often. I was getting more stressed about money, but I don't feel that pressure as much anymore. While we still have Chris's student loans to worry about, I feel better having both our income's to manage that. And we are working on getting me to 2 days a week.
We, like many other Americans, are stuck where we live. Not that we don't like where we live. It is actually a pretty good place, with a great ward, and a lot of amenities. But we want a house, with a back yard. Alas, if we sold our place now we would probably lose money, money we don't necessarily have. So we are stuck here. We have a little room to grow, but not much more. And I want a yard. A FENCED IN YARD, to keep my adventurous child from wandering into the road, or the Jordan River, or out of my sight.
Chris is enthusiastic about his job. I love that. He is studying hard for a certification test right now. He is getting paid to get certified/educated instead of us paying for it. I like that too. It seems like EMC is a good fit for him and I think he will do well, be happy, and have great opportunities for growth and advancement. It is crazy, in this economy, that this company is doing so well. They are a powerhouse for technology. I'm so grateful this opportunity came to us.
Anyway, life is good. I'm grateful for what we have, for Max (even if he is exhausting), for Chris and his hard work and intelligence, and for my parents and Chris's mom who have been so great at helping us with the transition to 2 full time working parents (for the moment) and being able to watch Max. Instead of being scared of the future, I'm actually excited for it!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Why All the Screaming?
While vacuuming my front room today Max was running around screaming. Screaming at the top of his lungs. I was trying to figure out if he was scared, or just trying to be louder than the vacuum. Though I highly suspect the latter.
He has been screaming a lot lately, mostly when he doesn't get what he wants or has trouble communicating with us. I have read that this is a normal part of his development. He is discovering his voice, what it can do, and what he can get from it. If you don't want to reinforce the behavior you are simply supposed to ignore it. If you respond emotionally i.e. hurry and run to his aid, or scream at him yourself, you only make the problem worse. So you just ignore it... which can be very hard to do.
That got me thinking. You know when you are in public and some kid's screaming at the top of his/her lungs or crying and it seems like the parent is just ignoring it!?! Well, that is what the parent has been conditioned to do. Ignore it or don't respond too emotionally. So they may in fact not even realize it is happening, or don't want to reinforce behavior they have worked so hard not to at home, in public. The best thing to do is for the parent to remove the child from the situation to a calmer, quieter, less distracting area (TIME OUT) until they are able to calm down. It can be difficult to find this place when you are in an airplane, or the checkout line at a grocery store.
I think every parent would like to think they have control over their children, but you don't. They are going to be their own little person. Some kids are easier than others. Some kids aren't screamers. And some are. Some are biters, and some aren't. Some wouldn't dream of disobeying their parents, while others look for any way they can rebel. We all have our challenges as parents. And every stage in life brings on so many more and different challenges.
Anyway, next time I'm in a place where a child is screaming or being disruptive, I will try to keep my judgements/disgust to myself. Because it could so easily be me trying to control my disruptive child.
Is it too much to ask for everyone else to do the same?
He has been screaming a lot lately, mostly when he doesn't get what he wants or has trouble communicating with us. I have read that this is a normal part of his development. He is discovering his voice, what it can do, and what he can get from it. If you don't want to reinforce the behavior you are simply supposed to ignore it. If you respond emotionally i.e. hurry and run to his aid, or scream at him yourself, you only make the problem worse. So you just ignore it... which can be very hard to do.
That got me thinking. You know when you are in public and some kid's screaming at the top of his/her lungs or crying and it seems like the parent is just ignoring it!?! Well, that is what the parent has been conditioned to do. Ignore it or don't respond too emotionally. So they may in fact not even realize it is happening, or don't want to reinforce behavior they have worked so hard not to at home, in public. The best thing to do is for the parent to remove the child from the situation to a calmer, quieter, less distracting area (TIME OUT) until they are able to calm down. It can be difficult to find this place when you are in an airplane, or the checkout line at a grocery store.
I think every parent would like to think they have control over their children, but you don't. They are going to be their own little person. Some kids are easier than others. Some kids aren't screamers. And some are. Some are biters, and some aren't. Some wouldn't dream of disobeying their parents, while others look for any way they can rebel. We all have our challenges as parents. And every stage in life brings on so many more and different challenges.
Anyway, next time I'm in a place where a child is screaming or being disruptive, I will try to keep my judgements/disgust to myself. Because it could so easily be me trying to control my disruptive child.
Is it too much to ask for everyone else to do the same?
Quiet Moments
Since becoming a Mom, I don't have as many quiet moments. You know, those moments in life where there are no distractions and you can think and reflect on how you feel about life. Moments where you can process your thoughts and feelings about a variety of different subjects. Since having Max, from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed, there is lots of noise and lots of distractions. And I have to admit, when he takes a nap or goes to bed, I try to squeeze in as much stuff including a nap for myself, or cleaning, or watching a TV show that I want to watch.
I feel like those quiet moments helped feed into my creativity. Since I don't have as many, I feel less creative and less reflective. I think that is why my blog recently is all about Max and his growth and development more than my OWN "life lesson's". He is what I think and reflect a lot about since he is such a major part of my life. He is my life lesson for right now. And he is teaching me a lot.
The most common time I get quiet moments are when I drive to and from work. That is the time when I don't have many distractions (besides other drivers) or noise.That is when I reflect and process and am more creative. I have actually felt like I have come up with great blog posts that I write in my head as I drive. But alas, I come home, put Max to bed and then feed myself, and then I usually want to go to bed. By that point, I have usually either forgotten about my clever blog post, or I don't feel like I have enough energy to type it in.
I know when my kids are grown, I may have too many quiet moments. And I will long for the days of the constant companionship of my little ones. I need to remember that.
But for now I will relish my quiet moments, even if it is driving to and from work.
I feel like those quiet moments helped feed into my creativity. Since I don't have as many, I feel less creative and less reflective. I think that is why my blog recently is all about Max and his growth and development more than my OWN "life lesson's". He is what I think and reflect a lot about since he is such a major part of my life. He is my life lesson for right now. And he is teaching me a lot.
The most common time I get quiet moments are when I drive to and from work. That is the time when I don't have many distractions (besides other drivers) or noise.That is when I reflect and process and am more creative. I have actually felt like I have come up with great blog posts that I write in my head as I drive. But alas, I come home, put Max to bed and then feed myself, and then I usually want to go to bed. By that point, I have usually either forgotten about my clever blog post, or I don't feel like I have enough energy to type it in.
I know when my kids are grown, I may have too many quiet moments. And I will long for the days of the constant companionship of my little ones. I need to remember that.
But for now I will relish my quiet moments, even if it is driving to and from work.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
ABC's of Lisa
I haven't done one of these for awhile, but I actually enjoy reading others who do them. So if you hate these then disregard this post. If not... enjoy!
Age: 29
Bed Size: Queen. But we are hoping to upgrade to a Cal. King. We fit, but not without the occasional slap in each others faces during sleep, and Chris's feet actually hang off the bed so I bump them if I get up in the middle of the night.
Chore I hate: The cat box and taking out garbage's... need I say more?
Dogs: Callie, may she RIP.
Essential start of my day: Waking up. It is so hard to do. (but sort of essential)
Favorite Color: To wear = black. In general? IDK Blue
Gold or silver: Silver
Height: 5’9"
Instruments I play (or have played): Piano, but never ask me to. I was terrible at sight reading and could barely stumble through a song.
Job Title: Registered Nurse (coming on 7 years {tear})
Kids: Max
Live: South Salt Lake
Mom's Name: Sheri
Nickname: Lis (lease)
Overnight hospital stays: If you don't count when I'm working, just when I had a baby. I don't remember it much (thank you Lortab)
Pet Peeve: Overly opinionated people. Let's have a little of an open mind and accept that not everyone thinks like you!
Quote from a movie: I never watch movies much anymore. I do quote Seinfeld a lot.
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: 2 sisters (in Cali... miss you guys!)
Time I wake up: anywhere from 4:45-8:00 am. Depends on if it's my alarm getting me up for work or Max waking me up.
Underwear: Yes
Vegetables I dislike: Bell Peppers. I will never like them.
What makes me run late: Looking for my keys
X-rays I've had done: Teeth, and KUB (to find my kidney stone... also had a CT scan)
Yummy food I make: I don't know how yummy it is, but Chris loves Hawaiian Haystacks and Chicken tortilla soup. I make a lot of peanut butter sandwiches and bowls of cereal.
Zoo animal: I've always loved lions and tigers (and bears Oh MY!)
Age: 29
Bed Size: Queen. But we are hoping to upgrade to a Cal. King. We fit, but not without the occasional slap in each others faces during sleep, and Chris's feet actually hang off the bed so I bump them if I get up in the middle of the night.
Chore I hate: The cat box and taking out garbage's... need I say more?
Dogs: Callie, may she RIP.
Essential start of my day: Waking up. It is so hard to do. (but sort of essential)
Favorite Color: To wear = black. In general? IDK Blue
Gold or silver: Silver
Height: 5’9"
Instruments I play (or have played): Piano, but never ask me to. I was terrible at sight reading and could barely stumble through a song.
Job Title: Registered Nurse (coming on 7 years {tear})
Kids: Max
Live: South Salt Lake
Mom's Name: Sheri
Nickname: Lis (lease)
Overnight hospital stays: If you don't count when I'm working, just when I had a baby. I don't remember it much (thank you Lortab)
Pet Peeve: Overly opinionated people. Let's have a little of an open mind and accept that not everyone thinks like you!
Quote from a movie: I never watch movies much anymore. I do quote Seinfeld a lot.
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: 2 sisters (in Cali... miss you guys!)
Time I wake up: anywhere from 4:45-8:00 am. Depends on if it's my alarm getting me up for work or Max waking me up.
Underwear: Yes
Vegetables I dislike: Bell Peppers. I will never like them.
What makes me run late: Looking for my keys
X-rays I've had done: Teeth, and KUB (to find my kidney stone... also had a CT scan)
Yummy food I make: I don't know how yummy it is, but Chris loves Hawaiian Haystacks and Chicken tortilla soup. I make a lot of peanut butter sandwiches and bowls of cereal.
Zoo animal: I've always loved lions and tigers (and bears Oh MY!)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Max's New Stats
Due to some scheduling issues around Max's 12 month check up we got behind on his Doctor visits. Then when we finally got him in when he was 13.5 months, he had a fever of 104.5 the night before so they recommended him not get his vaccinations at that time. Then we just were way behind, because they scheduled his 15 month checkup for today and he is 17 months. So we sorta had his 15 and 18 month checkup today.
He got 5 shots today to catch him up on his immunizations. :'( Now Select Care will no longer call me and harass me about not getting my child immunized and how it is comparable to not putting him in a car seat or placing a helmet on his head before recreational activities... Blah blah blah.
He did pretty well, not as much crying as I had expected. He has cried longer when I took away a piece of paper he was trying to eat then he did after getting 5 shots in his legs. He's a trooper.
His Stats:
Height = 34 inches (95%)
Weight = 28.4 lb's (85%)
Head Circumference = 19.8 inches (98%)
He's also right on track developmentally. My pediatrician agrees... this is just a hard age because it is the age of exploration, and everything still goes in his mouth. You have to watch him like a hawk.
I'm glad he is healthy and doing so well!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Where is your...?
Here's Max pointing to some of his favorite body parts:
His Belly Button is his favorite. And apparently he learned a new word, "Eye". Now if only I can get him to point to it instead of trying to eat the camera...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)