Schedules

I am one who likes schedules. I'm sure it started around the time I became a teacher and has now carried over into my life as a mom. We eat about the same time, we have a naptime, bedtime, bathtime, etc. - it's just how we work around here. You'll notice I said 'about.' That's a new development. It used to be more set in stone, but the more time goes on, the more flexible I become. When McKay was born, I called it lowering my standards. It's probably a lot of that, but now we'll call it flexible.

Most days follow the same pattern. A schedule works for me, most of the time.

Last night I put McKay down at 7:00. He slept for just over an hour and then woke up frantic. I don't know if it's teething or being sick or what. I went in and picked him up and rocked him for a bit. He sat very still on my lap, his little hands resting on my arms. Brian had a late night and came home while I was sitting with him. I put McKay back in his crib and he did his high-pitched squeal telling me that he was totally offended that I had left him. This time he cried just a minute or two and then was out for the rest of the night.

I walked in to Brian and said, "I'm a total softy for McKay." He said, "It took you ten months to figure that out?" I laughed. No, I've actually know it all along. It's not just last night, but I've certainly catered to him more. With Gavin, he followed my baby books to the T. I've always called him my "textbook baby." When the book said he should eat, he ate. When he should sleep, he slept. When he might cry a few minutes, he cried a few minutes. And when people were so impressed with Gavin's sleeping skills, I'd say, "Well, yeah. You just follow this book and your kid will just do it." And when someone else's baby didn't do that I'd think to myself Just follow the book.

Well, I know now that all babies are not alike. Kid #2 is teaching me all sorts of things. McKay is a different boy. He's spent a few times crying for well over an hour during our sleep training several months ago. I've tried. I've ignored. I've soothed. He won't stop. I promise, he won't. When he's awake, he's just awake. So now I go and get him. With Gavin, I never did that, though I really didn't have to. I would have worried that he'd get too dependent on me giving him a little rock every time he wanted to sleep or whatever. Now I see things differently. McKay has a fairly predictable schedule. Different, but good. He doesn't always sleep long hours and although today's nap was 2.5 hours, yesterday's was 45 minutes, he's still sleeping. And I don't get bent out of shape about it like I used to.

As Brian and I visited, we decided that no, McKay won't be ruined if I go to him in the night when he cries. I've found that when I do, he lays down and cries a little and then is content. It's not like this is going to be happening forever. It's just the opposite. Before I know it, he'll be slamming the door trying to keep me out of his room. But if he wants me now, he can have me now.

Some days I wonder when I'll be able to put him down, this baby that loves to be held. He's getting pretty heavy, you know. It's not as easy as it used to be! Until now, I have had a hard time verbalizing to Brian why I am quicker to get McKay when he cries. We're super connected, that little boy and me. To say he's got me wrapped around his little finger is an understatement. But it was nice when Brian agreed that, yes, loving our baby is not the end of my scheduled world.

In 18 years will I look back and think Gosh, I wish we would have stuck to that schedule better or will I think, What I wouldn't give to hold onto him just a little longer. I'm thinking it's the latter, so I'll relax just a little and hold onto the moments while I have them.

Quarantined

We're sick and tired of being sick and tired. It's been a long, long week around here. Fevers, runny noses, eight infected ears, sore throats, crying boys waking up in the night... I'm ready to move on. Thanks to Brian for saving the day when I could not hardly be mom for a few days, even when he was not 100% himself. I'm finally graduating from non-functioning to making it work and will be glad to feel like myself again. And sleep without cough attacks and knives stabbing my ears. Call me selfish, but it's hard to take care of little people when I hardly feel like taking care of myself. Only one parent should be sick at a time. Not that we can control these things, but hopefully our little fam is done for just a minute. Hopefully.

**Feb. 11 - We are now on day 12 of sick in this house. And yesterday I got pink eye. Seriously? So much for being done. On a positive note, I've done the equivalent of 800 sit-ups via coughing.

Ten Month McKay

You are a new little person! Over time you are becoming more content and so interactive. I know you're still a baby, but I see it quickly slipping away. You laugh all the time. A deep, delightful laugh. You know your family and love to ‘talk’ to us. You laugh every time we pass the family pictures in the hallway. You know who your peeps are.
This month you got another tooth – your top right front tooth. You’ve started repeating things and say uh-uh (second uh goes up) and dada. You reach up when we put our arms out to hold you. You’ve started clapping and think peek-a-boo is pretty funny. We switched you to two naps a day and now you take longer ones. You still sleep well through the night and by the time 7:00pm rolls around, you are done. So done you hardly want your bottle. You are a fussy bottle eater – you would rather have food. This month we introduced you to real people food and you are catching on.
Your hair officially got long enough for some bedhead. Your hair is finally filling in and we discovered a double cowlick in back – exactly like your brothers. It is thin and sparse and I love running my fingers through it.
You're finally branching out and finding new things to look at and play with. But you still love to be held and my favorite thing is how you lean towards our face to peek at us when we’re not looking at you. Just saying, "Hello!” There is no doubt that you are loved and that there is a place for you in our family.

Happenings

Not much going on around here - still hibernating (which will go on for several more months, I am sure) and cleaning. Both boys are a little sick today. High fevers in little, little boys make me nervous, but I think we're mostly in the clear. Clear runny noses, that is.

Today Gavin was the Alice in Wonderland rabbit (looking at his wrist, "I'm late! I'm late! and then running around the house), a witch hunter, a monster killer, and a farmer, all before lunch. He's got quite the imagination. Good things happen when the TV is turned off! We've been working on less tube time and it has been great. His monkey-features are becoming less pronounced and it gives us a chance to work and play more together. When he doesn't get his naps I get a little short with him and I want to do better with that. And I want him to get better at continuing those naps. :) It's just too soon not to have one!

Last night McKay was boiling hot and I held him for quite a long time - two times last night he fell asleep in my arms. He hasn't done that in months, so I had a hard time putting him down. Usually I am the queen of schedules, timing, and falling to sleep on your own. But not yesterday. He's my sweet little buddy.

Brian and I were called to be a Ma and Pa on the youth trek for our stake this summer. I'm super excited. I've always wanted to go. I know it won't be easy, but I've always wanted the opportunity to grow from that type of experience. I am getting really into the history and reading books and making plans to make it a fun and positive experience the kids will remember. We don't go until the end of June, but there seems to be a lot to prepare before then.

And we're planning out the details of our Hawaiian vacation. Can't wait!! That will be in April.

My latest favorite websites include Clean Mama and Power of Moms. Lots of good things happening around here because of that inspiration.

Gavin-isms

In an effort to take my mind of a certain 2-year-old screaming and kicking the door during his naptime (and boy - does that make me grumpy!) I will write some funny things he's said in the last few days. And then I'll go hide outside to stop me from spanking him (which I kind of feel like doing but will. not. do.)

Gavin: What is this?

Mom: It's an envelope.

G: But what does it do for?

M: Morning, Gav.

G. Mom, where you goed?

M: To exercise.

G: Oh. My dad's home and my mom's home.

M: Please don't touch that right now.

G: Just a teeny tiny touch.

After touching something he knows he probably shouldn't have been touching:

G: I won't touch this anymore. (hiding the thing he won't touch anymore behind his back with both hands.)

G: Can I have some lem-um-made?

See, he can be cute. And in that time he's stopped screaming. I feel better already. Now let's hope he falls asleep.

For the Record

Kids who don't sleep when it's the pre-determined sleeping time (i.e. nap time) make me grumpy. Why can I not be more flexible with this?

I guess after five straight hours I feel like I'm entitled to a break or something. Who do I think I am??

But before I got grumpy, I bathed the baby, fed and dressed the children, cleaned the pantry, and had dinner in the crock pot. Ten points for me.

And now that nap time is over (with no nap) I am ready to be happy for the next shift.

Flashback

Today I dressed McKay in this drab grey shirt and cute overalls.

Then I remembered this:

I don't know why, but clothes are a real time marker for me. It's fun to look at them side-by-side.