November 09, 2007
deja vu sort of
We have full cable right now and Stephen loves to watch Scooby Doo on Cartoon Network in the mornings. I have decided I don't like C.N. They are different than the Disney Channel or PBS because they play all the toy commercials. Every time the commercials come on my kids start up a chorus of "I want that" each trying to egg the other on to yell louder and jump higher while saying it. I am quite sure that I must have done the same thing when I was little. Commercials really haven't changed much since we were little. The hotwheels and baby doll commercials all seem very familiar and can bring up that deja vu sort of feeling. Only now as a parent I want all the different things for my kids that I know they would enjoy instead of for myself. There is nothing wrong with them wanting stuff. We all want stuff. But as a parent it gives me a sort of sick feeling inside because I know there are very important lessons that I need to be teaching them concerning all the "wants." Lessons like being grateful for what we already have and realizing how hard Daddy works for us to have the things we have. Or how much other people love us and that they are sharing that love when they give us something. Lessons like not everybody gets everything they want. And lots of people don't have anything. That the ultimate gift has already been given and even if we have nothing we still have everything. And that when we look out for and give to others we are doing it unto the Lord Jesus. Lessons like delaying gratification and that we can't just go to "Ma-Mart" right then and there and get whatever they want just because they want it and it is so cool and but, Mom...
You see everything differently when you are a parent. I now see advertising companies and all the companies producing everything as out to get me and make my life more difficult through my kids. Just kidding, well sort of. They aren't out to get me, just my money. And they are going through my kids. And they don't care if the only lesson my kid learns is to open another credit card and always have everything they want the second they want it.
I want to give my kids toys and things that I know they will derive hours of endless entertainment out of, but I also want to give my kids a correct perspective. That is the hard part. When commercials come on and they are yelling, "I want that" I am searching for the correct responses to that. The responses that will teach their little hearts to be grateful, patient, and content. I have seen children whose parents have taught them this and they can walk through a toy store w/o their kids having a meltdown. My kids aren't that bad, but still I just want to make sure they get it and I'm not sure how to do that. And really, do I really get it?
Lord, grant me the grace to be content and grateful for the things I have. You have blessed us with blessings too numerous to count. And grant me the creativity, patience, and grace to teach these important lessons to my kids.
Posted by adrienne at 03:18 PM | Comments (1)
August 15, 2007
full blown boy
Wow. I'm not sure what else to say but wow. This morning I had one of those moments where I didn't know if I was going to laugh, cry, or yell. Here is what happened...
I am in the kitchen fixing a cup of coffee and visiting with my sister when Stephen comes running back down the hall (Stephen always runs. He only has one speed) and into the kitchen and says with an absolutely boyish grin of pure delight, "Mommy, when I was tee-teeing in your bathroom I was moving my wee-wee all around and I was tee-teeing on your wall."
My first inclination was to laugh with amused incredulity. But that would not have been good. I don't want him doing it again! I think he was pretty scared of the consequences by the look on my face as I asked him to go down the hall and show me what he was talking about. Sure enough there is tee-tee on the seat and a small trickle down the wall. Very sternly, I told him that was not funny or cool and he was most definitely not to ever do that again.
You just don't have to tell little girls not to go tee-teeing on the walls! I am finding myself saying all kinds of things I didn't imagine I would have to say. I am discovering that just like little girls don't have to be taught to flirt or pout or prance there are certain things that little boys don't have to be taught either. They are just inherently boy. There are so many things that he finds funny now and I am realizing he is not a toddler anymore, but a strange creature called a boy. It is fun to throw things, destroy things, hit things, anything. Fast is always better. There was another story that went with this post but now I can't remember it. (darn pregnant brain) Oh, well. If I think of it I will post it later. I sure do love my little boy.
Posted by adrienne at 11:45 AM | Comments (1)
February 03, 2007
you gotta watch out for those girls
This morning there was a battle of the wills. Parents v. Lexie. It started with Brad and Lexie first thing this morning. She likes to have a cup of juice and a banana. We have been trying to get her to say something that we at least know means banana. But she points and she pleases and because she knows we know what she wants she refuses to say anything else. A few times this past week we have gotten her to say something like 'nana' and been happy with that. But this morning she refused. Over an hour before she said 'nana' and got her banana.
Before she ever gave in and said banana though she was into sharing my cup of coffee. I asked Stephen to go get her sippy cup off the counter for her and he gladly did and handed it to her ever so sweetly. I asked her to say 'ta-ta' (means thank you in our world) which she does all the time no problem. She wouldn't say it. I ended up popping her on the thigh twice and still she just stood there with her lips tightly closed. You could almost see the lines drawn. She understood what was going on. I think more than obeying me she just didn't want to say thank you to her brother. Brad took her to the back and applied some loving discipline. She came back out and finally said 'ta-ta' but to Brad. She refused to look at her brother and say it to him. We coached her on, but no go. She just looked at all of us and kept her mouth tightly pursed. Brad took her back there again. This time she was ready to obey. She looked her brother in the eye, said 'ta-ta' and gave him a hug. And we could tell her spirit was different.
As parents we knew a moment of panic because she really seemed like she had no intention of giving in. We don't enjoy disciplining our children. I definitely had no idea that sending Stephen for her cup would turn into a battle of the wills. But I also know that it is very important for her to understand that when Mommy and Daddy ask her to do something she needs to obey, whether she feels like it or not.
As she is getting older and beginning to show off her personality we are learning how truly different each of your kids can be. And those second kids are a special case unto themselves. Even at younger ages you can expect more from them than you did the older ones. Because they are watching. They are watching everything those older ones do and get disciplined for. I can see her working these things out.
She has finally learned to say something like Stephen and now she squeals all the time running down the hallway to find me. Then she will point and emphatically say her version of Stephen. I am learning to investigate these incidents. A few months ago any time she squealed I pretty much automatically would holler for Stephen to leave her alone. It was a pretty safe assumption that he was sitting on her or some such aggravation. But she has watched all of this and learned. Now she thinks she can squeal and I will just holler at him. But not anymore. I am finally on to her. I am trying to teach her to say "Stephen please stop." Not much luck yet.
She may be the cutest thing since sliced bread but she has her own sin nature just like the rest of us. Lord, please grant us the grace and wisdom to help shape her into the woman you want her to be. Amen and amen.
Posted by adrienne at 12:15 PM | Comments (5)
September 18, 2006
Snaggletooth
Stephen had his front left tooth pulled this morning. He looks so cute, even though it is sad that he is a snaggle tooth a few years early.
Ok, here's the deal. He had banged this tooth a few times before and from those times it was already grey and kinda crooked. Well, he banged it again yesterday morning dancing in church (insert finger wagging here for those who don't like dancing in church) and it started bleeding and there was a large purple knot on his gum above the tooth and it was loose and wiggly. This morning the gum looked alot better, though still bruised, but he didn't want me to touch it. He said it would hurt. So I didn't push him. But because of the history with this tooth we decided to take him to a pediodontist(sp?) here in Houma. Good thing we did. She took an x-ray and said it was abcessed and that the roots were almost all gone. So she had to pull it.
He was so brave. He did great. He picked the red (strawberry) "smurf nose" for the laughing gas. But they said the laughing gas didn't really do much for him. Probably cause he wasn't really breathing through it. The only part he cried on was the numbing shots. They had to hold him down for that. But the tooth-pulling wasn't any thing at all. She just wiggled and out it came. It is currently sitting in a little plastic green case on the counter.
He didn't know about the tooth fairy. I hadn't told him about the tooth fairy because he is only three. We weren't supposed to be dealing with this yet. Oh well. Now he knows. It is so sweet and sad... He keeps asking to go to the store and buy a new tooth. He just keeps saying where is his new tooth, and can he just have his new tooth already. Poor baby, gonna have to wait a few years until God makes his new tooth grow.
I took some pictures, but can't upload them down here. So I will post some pictures when we get back home.
Posted by adrienne at 02:58 PM | Comments (5)
September 06, 2006
First Day of School
Stephen started school yesterday. He will be going 3 days a week this year. I think it will be good, but it is really weird having him gone 3 days in a row. (last year it was just tues. and thurs.) His teacher is Mrs. Misty and she seems really great. He cried when I left him yesterday, but she said later when I picked him up that he quit pretty soon after and joined them in 'circle time' for a story. He seemed fine when I picked him up and was very informative about his day. (that is a great improvement over last year. last year I had to read his take home reports and then question him. mostly all I got were yes or no answers. I know a year in his age makes a big difference, but sometimes this stuff just sneaks up on you. Just when you think you know what they are capable of it changes.) He told me about playing on the playground and going to sleep and that he painted me a big red apple.
He is a big boy now. Seems to be doing fine with going potty at school. No accidents yet. (hallelujah!)
So far Lexie hasn't really had a chance to miss him. When we get home from dropping Stephen off it is time for her nap. Then it is a late lunch and off again to pick him up.
Well, you might not can tell, but this is a picture of him from his first day of school last year. He looks so little. And now he is so big and grown-up. Sniff. Ok I don't usually do this, but gosh it can getcha sometimes, ya know?
Posted by adrienne at 05:52 PM | Comments (2)
June 12, 2006
Whoo-Hoo!
Stephen is currently at Wal-Mart right now picking out a toy Harwey (Harley motorcycle). It is not his birthday. It is not Christmas. Why is he picking out a toy Harwey?
Why thank you for very much for asking. HE WENT POO-POO IN THE POTTY! for the first time this afternoon. Ever since then he has been anxiously waiting for his daddy to come pick him up and take him to get his motorcycle. He has tee-teed in the potty several times, but lacks a consistent mommy. But anyways, just wanted to share our excitement and news with the WWW. I'm posting this under the category of mommy angst, not because I am going to miss changing his diapers any, but I just can't believe I have a child old enough to be potty trained. Whoever sped life up does not have my thanks.
Posted by adrienne at 07:22 PM | Comments (2)
February 16, 2006
I'm so glad that wasn't my kid
That is a really awful title, but I couldn't help thinking it this afternoon. As Stephen and I were coming out of the church where his school/mother's day out is held we saw a little boy, probably about 3, who had fallen behind as he was following his mom to their car. He had stopped on this little square of grass in the middle of the parking lot and had his pants and underwear/diaper pulled all the way down. He was holding his wee-wee and looking down like he was trying to figure out how to work it. His mom who had already reached their car and was putting their stuff inside turned around and saw him and then cried out his name and asked him what in the world he was doing. At this point she saw us walking by and me smiling as I gripped Stephen's hand tightly lest he get away and do something equally embarrassing. I waved and called out something about him just being a boy. She quickly shut the door to their car and ran to scoop him up. I heard her telling him "we don't go potty out here, we'll go inside and go potty, come on..." as she ran for the door inside. I guess this is a hazard of potty-training little boys. I haven't heard too many stories of little girls just deciding to go potty wherever they are standing. Anyways, it was pretty funny, but I'm glad it wasn't my kid guilty of indecent exposure.
Posted by adrienne at 04:04 AM | Comments (1)