My Bundle of Joy….Still
Tyler is 20 months old now. I sang “Happy Birhtday” to him yesterday and he said “birthday”. He has an impressive vocabulary and it is always interesting to see what is on his mind and what observations and connections he will make. He is incredibly mobile and is starting to break out into this cute running walk when he is in a hurry. He is more confident about taking big steps up and down and is working on walking down stairs. He has turned into our little monkey boy and loves to climb everything. I remember when I never thought he would master climbing stairs up to a slide - well, he is a pro these days. He has also figured out going down the slide and all of the sudden LOVES the toddler swing.

Above anything else though - Tyler loves water. He will spend lots of time simply pouring water from one container to another and loves his little water sprinkler can. Oddly, he gets very bored in a pool - unless it is a wading pool where he can walk around. I think he prefers the freedom he has in a shallow pool. He will only spend about 30 minutes in the pool these days (…at 6 months he would spend 1.5 hours!)

He loves to say “hi” and has to repeat it saying “hi,hi”. When I am angry and he is unsure about my mood, he will come up to me and say “hi,hi” to check in with me. It is cute and it is hard to stay angry when he does that. I usually laugh and say “hi” back. He is a major flirt already. We were at the park the other day and there were 5 girls sitting on a bench eating lunch. They were probably 5 years old or so. Tyler went over and stood in front of them chatting for about 10 minutes. I can’t believe I am raising a “ladies’ man”!

He is so quick to pick things up and is amazing little boy. Few people can resist his charm or his smile and he has tested both on quite a few people. I am so lucky that I get to enjoy both every day!

Music Man
So a Joe Ely song came on the radio yesterday. Tyler picked up his shaker eggs and started shaking away! I got in on the action slapping my leg to the time of the music. Tyler finds this interesting, puts the shaker eggs down and begins to slap his own legs. It was so cute to watch him dance away and enjoy all the ways he can make music! I am going to try harder to do more music play during the week because he enjoys it so much and it is a great outlet for all that energy!

Front Row Seat to Life
Quinn is such a little observer. She has her moments, but all in all I find her to be incredibly patient and fascinated by all that is around her. The one thing that blows me away is her crying in the car. When Tyler did this - once he stopped, that meant he had gone to sleep. Quinn doesn’t fall asleep - she is awake just looking around. I swear today though, she was giving me some stink eye after hauling her all over the place this afternoon. Nevertheless, it is as if she has had her say and now is just going to hang out and see what is going on. That or she is stamping her little toes waiting for some action… :-p

Attitude and perspective - everyday is a struggle to keep them positive and open. I am trying harder and harder to slow down and enjoy all the moments. The upside to my naptime walk? Two sleeping kids - today anyway. Quinn had a dry diaper and enough boob, so she has crashed out along with Tyler. And it was a quick walk today - only about 20 minutes. And ya know what? I am starting to look forward to the walk - it is a nice midday break for me, gets me some excercise and helps acclimate me to the heat. We have 2.5 months of summer left if not more, so getting used to the heat of the day isn’t such a bad thing. I know I can’t walk them forever, but the chance of a rain day here is small. It won’t be this way forever, but this works. It was very peaceful around here today. I didn’t feel one twinge of anger. I have resigned myself to the walk - adjusting my expectations does wonders.

The Pressure of Being a Mom
Being a Mom is such a hard job. Today I was wondering if I was doing enough for Tyler. Should we be doing more structured activities? Should I be involving him more in my cooking? Is he old enough for me to start getting him to pick up toys? Then I get exhausted just thinking about how I am going to introduce all these new things. And darn it - have I put him on the potty today? You can really make yourself crazy everyday. I keep hoping that we will get back into a rythm of some kind. I thrive on routine and predictability. I want to have morning songs and way more “connection ” time with both my kids. Sometimes I feel like I move so fast, and sometimes i wonder if I really have to. Is it my kids spurring that or me?

Funny Stuff

Nooooooooo!
So we were in the car the other day and Tyler was having fun repeating over and over again in his sing-song voice - “Nooooooooo!”. I started to have some fun with this and wanted to see if I could throw him off. I say “Tyler want some ice cream?” and without skipping a beat, the “No’s” come to and end and Tyler says “ice cream?” Chris and I were laughing so hard -can’t sneak anything by this kid!!

Memories
Tyler is making memories and it is so cool! He found a toy that looked like a big bubble blower and comes up to me as says “Bubbles” and then says “Grandma”. I think he remembered my Mom blowing bubbles for him in San Antonio. Another time we were looking at a picture of a peacock and he says “Grandma”. He was remembering when the Wiley’s took him to Mayfield Park to see peacocks. And just this morning, I sang “Happy Birthday” to him because he is 20 months today. He looks at me and says “Pop” because we sang Happy Birthday to my Dad this past weekend when celebrating his birthday at my brother’s house. It is just so cool to see all these little connections he is making. I love it!

I love my little girl!!
I am really trying to savor every newborn moment I can. I love to snuggle her, caress her head and cheek, hold her over my shoulder and have my face next to hers, watch her sleep, observe her as she observes the world, and care for her with the confidence of a second-time Mom. I love the butterflies I get when she gazes at me. Inside I feel like “Yes! Yes” It’s me - your Mommy!!” I feel so lucky to have one last time to really drink up these little moments that will fade so quickly.

Stuffy Noses
I figured that a summer-time baby wouldn’t have the stuffy nose issues we had with Tyler during the winter with the heat on. Well, lo and behold, Quinn wakes up yesterday at 5am with a stuffy nose. Urg. Out come the saline drops and aspirator. I know this drill and I dread it. I am hoping that my nights of just feeding her and having her fall back asleep aren’t coming to and end. I am pulling out all the stops tonight - a wedge for her to sleep on to keep her more upright, a humidifier going in the room (I am skeptical about these, but we will see), and I will try to clear out her nose before she finally goes to bed tonight. Sadly, she is much to young for any Vick’s or similar product to put under her nose. We will see if anything helps.

Mary Poppins Knew What She Was Doing
Tyler loves music and songs. Inspired by the positive guidance class and a great book that a friend gave me, I made up an “after mealtime” song trying to curb Tyler’s throwing his food and plate on the floor when he was done. It has worked fabulously the last two nights. Bascially when he is done, he hands me his plate. My song won’t win any awards and is pretty awful, but my son loves it and that is all that matters. Basically, it goes “If you’re all done, hand me your plate (and I emphatically hold out my hands for his plate) and let’s cheer that dinner was grrreat!” (here I do this thing from music class he likes with a whoop! at the end) I sing that verse like three times and then the ending, “Now, we will pull back your chair, give me your hands and you’ll fly through the air!” (Here I lift him from his booster seat into the air)

Anyway, I am realizing that instead of getting fussy and fighting - if I get creative and PLAYFUL, it is SO much easier to redirect him and encourage the desired/appropriate behavior! Score 1 point for Mom!!

Thank you!
I wanted to mention this cute thing Tyler does. When I go to Starbucks or any drive through and place my order, I usually say “thank you” as I drive to the pick-up window. Tyler has started yelling “thank you” to the speaker right after me! It cracks me up!!

I was reading another Mom’s blog the other day and was giggling to myself. In it she was thanking her Mom for the gift of a housekeeper and celebrating the day the housekeeper came because the floor was no longer gritty when she walked on it. I laughed because a huge pet peeve of mine is walking on the floor barefoot (which I enjoy) only to get all this grit on my feet!! The laundry room where the litter boxes are is the worst! I keep a dustpan up there and sweep it almost every day. Anyway, knowing that things aren’t going to get better I have succumbed to wearing socks and covering up my pretty painted toes. This bums me out and here is why…

One of my favorite books, Let the Baby Drive, had a comment in there where the author notices that all the seemingly happy, well-adjusted Moms have pretty, painted toes. I didn’t get that until a few months ago I used a gift certificate to get a pedicure. My toes made me so happy! I would have no makeup on and dishoveled hair, but felt like a million bucks because my toes were pretty. Sounds dumb, but it is true!! Since then I have found the time to paint my toes every couple of weeks. Huge breakthrough for me because I hardly make time to do anything for myself. In a couple of weeks, when I get the green light from my OB, my goal will be to keep my toes pretty and to find time everyday to do at least 15 minutes of exercise - even if it is only to stretch for a few minutes.

Tour De France
Chris and I love watching the Tour de France and this year with Lance retired, it is really exciting becaue it is anyone’s guess as to who will win it. Chris’ folks had purchased a bike jersey and shorts for Tyler and we thought the Prologue time trial was an appropriate occastion for him to try it on!

Our friends, the Pizzos, have joined us on the first day of the Tour the last two years for a little viewing party. In this pic, we had given both the kids some instruments and they were having a good ‘ole time making music while I sang a song from their music class. These two have grown up so much!!

We had the cutest 4th of July outfit for Quinn and we tried to have her in it as much as possible. I loved the cute ruffled sleeves!

We went to P. Terry’s for milkshakes after a walk around Zilker park. We were able to conceal this fact from Tyler until we got home. I decided to let him have the last few sips of my milkshake. The boy was practically licking the cup clean!!

When she is awake, we sometimes have Quinn hang out in her activity gym on the boppy. I swear one time I saw her batting the ladybug - although it may have been just reflexes. Caught this surprised look on her face and wonder if her brother was the culprit. I can only imagine what she would say about him so far….

Guess what? Guess what?? I have not one but TWO sleeping children right now. I don’t really know what to do with myself. I have eaten, emptied the dishwasher, and decided to blog. Quinn was totally patient today. While I was nursing Tyler for his nap, she was swinging in the swing wide-awake just hanging out. Have I told you about this kid?

She is so laid back
She falls asleep around 9pm and wakes up at 2am and 5 or 6 am to nurse and then goes back to sleep. She has been doing this since birth. You heard me right folks - since Day 1!! Tyler was soo different. I would get one hour of sleep, be up nursing him, trying to get him back to sleep (days and nights mixed up), and then catching maybe another hour of sleep before he wanted more milk. She has really made it easy on me. Also, unlike Tyler she doesn’t always want to nurse to sleep. If her tummy is full, she doesn’t want to nurse - in fact - I have more success rocking her on my shoulder. It is so amazing that so early I can see clear personality differences between my kids!

AP Meeting / Nice Friday Morning
My in-laws took Tyler on a fabulous adventure to Mayfield Park this morning and then out to Kerbey Lane. In the meantime, Quinn and I went to an Attachment Parenting meeting. The topic was “Positive Guidance” and they had a great speaker. The topic was timely as I have been needing some ideas/support in this area. She gave several great strategies and really articulated the difference between guidance and discipline. I have been espousing these beliefs, but have had a hard time explaining them to Chris and others. The speaker really connected how guidance leads to self-esteem, self-reliance and learning self-control. I think there is concern that I will be “soft” will Tyler or will be lax. My approach to setting boundaries may be a soft one, but it will have a positive impact and guide Tyler towards socially acceptable behaviors while not having to shame or embarrass him in the process. I think that is the goal - I don’t want to shame my child into behaving - how on earth can that build self-confidence or esteem?

Anyway, given my anger and treatment of Tyler this week, it was the right talk at the right time. I feel like I have more tools now and can do a better job working with him as we adjust.

I wanted to post photos, but messed something up in Chris’ photo software and can’t figure out where the files are stored. I have a ton of pics to post. Be patient - hopefully this weekend I can find 20 minutes to get it done….

Don’t have a lot of time as it is near my bedtime and Chris is on the couch asleep holding Quinn. Today was really nice. We had our morning playgroup. At first it seemed like once again, I would get no nap for Tyler. Instead of crying and continuing to get upset, I took the kids for a long walk and wouldn’t you know it - Tyler fell asleep! This afternoon we have more friends over to play. It really helped to pass the day. Quinn also slept much more. It is days like this where I see that I can make it through. Sometimes creativity or desperation come into play and you end up finding a new solution to your problems. As my Mom pointed out, it isn’t realistic to expect that every day I can walk until Tyler falls asleep, but it does make me realize that my old routines have to change and I have to experiment and take some risks to find new routines that work for everyone.

Okay - tomorrow is Friday - THANK GOD!!!!! Looking forward to the weekend.