Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack and Tate had spring break last week—no school for 10 days. They were more than ready for some time off, and they had a wish list of things they wanted to do. I did my best to make some of those happen, but the Disney cruise will have to wait.

I have a love/hate relationship with school breaks. The mornings are more relaxed, and we have more free time to spend with each other. However, after ten days together, the boys argue about the littlest things and start to wear on each others nerves. As the week went on, I had to use my “mom voice” more and more.

Late in the week, while the rain was pouring down outside, Jack and Tate relieved their frustrations with a Nerf gun battle. How loving of them. They loaded up their Nerf guns with foam darts, dressed in silly costumes, and built secret forts and obstacles. Even though it was a “battle,” they spent more time laughing and working together. I loved the giggles and the seriousness of their plans. I was even okay with a million darts all over the house. They were getting along AND having fun.

I’m pleased to see Jack and Tate figure out a way to play happily together. Even though it might take a couple days and a messy house, they eventually realize how much fun it is to have a sibling they can play with. I hope they keep it up this summer.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
They say every child is different, but you don’t realize how true that axiom is until you are actually raising two (or more). Hudson is closing in on 17 months old and it’s amazing how unlike he is from his sister at this age.

At this age, Haley was saying several words and animal sounds, and was pointing at her body parts on command quite reliably. Hudson says stuff and points too, but he spends more of his day giggling. Haley was fussy as ever with food. Hudson eats whatever you put on his tray. His willingness to try new dishes is amazing. This is what I wished for when Haley was a toddler. With Haley, naps were usually a battle. Hudson goes down reliably and sleeps at least an hour and change. That duration was always Haley’s max!

I wonder what all of these differences can be attributed to. Maybe I’ve learned a thing or two the second time around, hence the improved eating and sleeping patterns. Perhaps their genetics play a role. And maybe there’s something to be said about opposite genders and the corresponding natural inclinations. I’ve heard that boys are often slower to gain cognitive skills and tend to be heartier eaters. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I really enjoy it. When you have one kid, you think you know everything about how babies act and react. It’s such a pleasure to learn another personality. I look forward to every stage of their lives. As they grow into young adults, I relish experiencing everything they have in common with one another, and everything they don’t.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
When I eliminated Hudson’s bedtime nursing session, I created a new routine of: bath, pajamas, story time, two songs in the rocking chair, and straight into the crib. I’m so pleased that he took the new schedule really well, and didn’t seem to miss the milk too much. If Haley wasn’t dawdling in the bath or still working on her dessert, she would join us for story time. It was so exciting to think that reading to both kids before bedtime was a ritual that could become a reality!

Unfortunately Haley developed a habit of not only deciding she didn’t want to read a story with us (usually because she became absorbed in a show), but also declaring that she didn’t want Hudson and me to read a story either. She didn’t want to miss out! She enjoyed story time, but not enough to attend. And if she wasn’t willing to attend, no one would!

However, Hudson enjoys his story. So now, I read him a board book every night but I pretend that I don’t. If Haley asks you, please tell her that we’re just doing songs and Hudson goes straight to bed! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

For a few pleasant weeks, we had a good thing going. It’s a good reminder that this parenting thing ebbs and flows. Just because I can’t cuddle up with the kids at night and enjoy a story doesn’t mean it will always be this way. I look forward to when my two kids will both be compliant. I’ve really been wanting to get into that Harry Potter series one of these days.

Have a great week!

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Hudson loves his big sister. He’s always giving her hugs or poking at her face (the way only a toddler can show love). He laughs at her antics. He steals her food. He chases her all over the place. Their most adorable interaction is when Haley does something new and you can see the gears clicking in Hudson’s mind as he thinks: “I want to get in on that!”

Haley was searching for a toy over the weekend when she came upon a large plastic egg from Easter. She then made me record her opening the egg, over and over again, as she ‘discovered’ different little toys inside (that she had put in there). Naturally, Hudson had to do the same. He needed quite a bit of help opening and closing the egg, but he was undeterred. He just had to do what “Sister” was doing.

Later, Haley started jumping up and down. Hudson is not quite able to accomplish that fancy footwork, but he tried. He would bend his knees really slowly, and pop up as if he were jumping, though his feet didn’t leave the ground. It’s hard to describe, but it was hilarious. Especially since after each “jump” he smiled exuberantly and applauded for himself heartily. If he was proud of his accomplishment, who am I to take it away from him?

I really love seeing Haley and Hudson play together. Sometimes they get into skirmishes, but overall they really love and appreciate one another. I hope it’s a bond that remains throughout childhood and beyond.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
I’m certain, unless you live under a rock, you know that Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in T minus 2 days. The Star Wars franchise is always a big box office hit, and this one is supposed to be the best Star Wars release yet. My marketing mind notices the Star Wars logo cross promotions on just about every product. The latest advertisement sent to my inbox was a coupon towards a Baskin-Robbins “Star Wars” cake. My kid’s even want a Star Wars Christmas. Their wish lists are filled with the words “Star Wars.” To say they’re obsessed is an understatement.

Ever since the announcement of the movie, all three of my boys (husband included) have been extremely eager to see it. They’ve watched countless previews, talked about what the storyline may be, and which characters, new and old, will play an important role. The excitement in our house is through the roof. I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan, but I am the biggest fan of my kids when their faces light up hearing the theme song.

My husband is planning to take the boys(and possibly me too) to the IMAX release of the film for the best possible experience. With so much marketing exposure, we have been trying to keep the boys expectations in check while still nurturing their excitement for Christmas. I know it sounds like I am talking out both sides of my mouth, but I hope we have a good balance…May The Force Be With You.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
The last few days, the weather was quite unseasonably warm in New York City. We’re talking record-breaking. We’re talking no jacket outside—in December. We’re usually shoveling our walks by now! The temperate atmosphere was wonderful. We hit the playground, took the kids to the zoo, and went for long family walks. It was glorious to get out of our apartment and not be freezing.

Not every moment was perfectly picturesque, though. At one point we thought it would be a fun treat to eat out for lunch. At the restaurant, our usually well-behaved daughter flat-out refused to give up her seat next to her brother, making feeing him and tending to him quite arduous. For some reason, she could not be convinced and the situation grew increasingly ridiculous. There were some raised voices at our table and stares coming from others. You could almost hear the thought bubbles from other parents: “Thank goodness that’s not us!”

I try to take those moments in stride, but to tell you the truth; sometimes they just really tick me off! I know I should be patient and understand that kids have their fussy and stubborn moments. But I’m not always good at it. I feel frustrated. I think about how well behaved I was as a child, and I feel like maybe I’m doing something wrong since I don’t always inspire the same results with my kids. I guess while Haley learns how to behave better, I’ll also be learning how to parent better.

As much as I have self-doubts as a parent, I’m comforted by the simple truth that my children are incredibly happy and most of the time, awfully sweet. As we face the New Year, we’ll keep working on ourselves and work on functioning better as a family unit.

Have a great week!

From Friday Mom – Erin:
I’m pleased to report that Rory is no longer afraid of the Christmas tree.  Having spent most of last year’s holiday season needing to carry him through our living room because he found the decorated evergreen strangely daunting, we were a bit apprehensive about bringing a new tree back into our home this year.  Thankfully, we’re starting to get a slightly better hang of how we need to set the little man’s expectations.  We started talking about the tree weeks in advance. Then, the week after Thanksgiving, we asked if he wanted to go help pick out the tree with Daddy.  Sure enough, by last Saturday morning, he was raring to go.

We put the tree up and go the lights on during his nap that afternoon, and then decorated it most of the way during his nap the following day.  We set aside five or six ornaments for him to place on the tree.  After he woke up, we realized we should have saved more.  He was so incredibly excited about helping finish the tree.  After placing all of the ornaments we’d saved, he went running to his playroom to dig out a stuffed penguin ornament that he’d kept amidst his other stuffed animals throughout the year.  With tremendous pride, he found it a new resting place for the season on a low-hanging bough.  Amazing what a difference a year makes.

Charlotte, on the other hand, isn’t quite sure what to make of the tree.  She’s very confused about why we pick her up each time she starts grabbing at the low hanging ornaments, and she’s particularly ornery when we pull her away from the tree skirt.  I’m pretty certain Christmas morning with her is going to be quite the juggling act.  But, it’s fun to watch the both take in the season in their different ways.  I’m sure no two holiday seasons will ever be quite the same, and I’m looking forward to continuing to celebrate this first Christmas as a family of four together.

From Friday Mom – Erin:
Charlotte is officially stealing Rory’s stuff.  All. The. Time.  Despite being reasonably tolerant, Rory’s patience is has started to wear thin lately.  Generally speaking, he’s fine with sharing his toys, but when she interferes with the activity of the moment, that’s when the battles begin.  For example, Charlotte has a habit of pulling train cars out of the middle of the train that Rory is pulling around the playroom.  Likewise, she enjoys pulling pieces of track out of the loop that her brother is building.  You see where I’m going. . .

Our pediatrician actually suggested “fake scolding” to help ease Rory’s frustrations and keep Charlotte safe by minimizing the likelihood that he’d take a swing at her out of frustration.  Unfortunately, baby girl is quite persistent.  Usually, if we do try to scold her, she ignores us (as one might expect), and Rory starts screaming at her, asking her to listen, and informing her that “You have to listen, Charlotte.”

I know this is the very tippy top of the sibling iceberg.  So far, redirection (for Charlotte) and a little food-based bribery (for Rory) have minimized the number of wrestling matches and full-fledged hits that they’ve engaged in, but I know that there are many, many days to come of this.  Fortunately, so far Rory seems reasonably understanding.  Let’s hope he stays that way.

From Friday Mom – Erin:
Rory and Charlotte have really started to show their love and affection for one another.  Charlotte has been working through a handful of back-to-back colds, mixed with teething, and has been a little out of sorts for the last week or so as a result.  Rory has stepped in–as any dutiful big brother should–and has tried to help keep her in good spirits when she gets fussy.

And he does a remarkably good job of it.  She will be wailing away, and usually all it takes are some silly antics from him to snap her out of it.  It is very cute to watch (recognizing, of course, my own personal bias).

In addition to helping calm her, Rory has also decided that Charlotte is fun to play with.  They spent a solid 15 minutes or so chasing each other around our ottoman in the family room last weekend.  The giggles were absolutely heartwarming.  Rory has also started to articulate his affection for his sister, too.  On Monday evening after school, Rory–in the process of hugging Charlotte– proclaimed to her, “You’re my sweetheart, Charlotte.”

Words do not do justice to describe the way your heart fills when you see your children love and care for one another.  I know it will not always be as happy, but I am so excited to watch their relationship grow.

From Friday Mom – Erin:

I cannot wait to see how Charlotte’s personality evolves over time.

At just under seven months old (how time flies!), she is happy, wiggly, and seemingly in perpetual motion. When I walk into her room each morning, she presses herself up to see me and then flops down on her belly, squirming with anticipation of my picking her up. Similarly, when her father picks her up from school at the end of the day, she is typically waving her arms and legs joyfully and cooing with delight. Her whole body gyrates with glee when she sees one or both of us. I know I am partial, but I think it is one of the cutest things ever.

I know I should not indulge comparisons between Rory and Charlotte, but I keep trying to remember if her overall demeanor is new or much of the same as her brother. Truth be told, I cannot honestly remember if her brother acted the same way. My foggy recollection is that he was equally happy, but perhaps not as ebullient in his demeanor. He had his fair share of infant arm-flailing, but I just don’t remember him being quite as. . . active. To the contrary, I have very vivid recollections of his sitting quietly with his toys and being quite content.

Charlotte, by contrast, seems to want to engage with the world around her. When her brother is playing in the playroom, she will roll and squirm her way off of her play mat and as close as possible to the playroom door. When we put her down in her rocker, she makes certain to coo and babble at us, as if to remind her that she is still there and ready to play. She is dangerously close to being able to push up on to her hands and knees, and I give her a month, max, before her backwards squirming evolves into a more purposeful crawl.

All of this energy makes me wish I could get inside her tiny little head to know what she is thinking as she smiles from ear to ear. Part of the difficulty with second children is knowing the excitement that will come in a year or two as she starts to be able to verbalize her thoughts. I often find myself impatient, wanting to speed up the clock. But then I remind myself to enjoy these fleeting baby days while they last.