I know it's going on awhile since my last post, and I owe you about a million pictures (and I have about a million pictures to share with you) but I've been too stressed to blog. I have a mile long to-do list I started at the beginning of the year (I know those are bad, they cause a lot of stress) and I've only done a little on a lot of things, such as:
-Become a genius with money. I realized I really don't know that much about money. I haven't been a good saver since I got married, I don't know how to invest wisely, and my grocery bill for 3 people (one that doesn't even eat) seems way too high. Although I know the cost of everything has gone up. But I am determined to know everything there is to know about money and become wise with it. I have many books on my list to read and much research to do.
-Develop more patience with my challenge of a son. This is why I need mom strength. Because most days I wake up feeling like I can't do another day of this! And I wonder why (and sometimes get a little angry) Heavenly Father had to send me such a challenge of a kid, especially on my first one, when it seems like everyone else around me has angel babies! I don't have the patience to deal with such a child. I am weak and often end up yelling at him whenever he throws his fits. And that's just one thing I'm dealing with: tons and tons of fits. Here's just a glimpse of what he throws a fit about (and by fit, not just normal crying. I'm talking high pitched, obnoxious screaming, like when he was colic): he throws a fit for his milk the minute I get him out of his crib until he actually has his cup in his mouth, he throws a fit when his milk is gone, he throws a fit for his cream of wheat, he throws a fit when his cream of wheat is gone, he throws a fit when I undress him, he throws a fit when I change his diaper, he throws a fit when I take him off the changing table to go wash my hands, he throws a fit when I dress him, he throws a fit all of a sudden just in the middle of playing...I think you get the picture. I deal with about 3-5 fits of screaming an hour, each and every day. This kid was already colic for 3 1/2 months, can't I get a break?
Also, there is the stress of figuring out what to feed this kid. I am a stress case at meal times. He eats fruit, cream of wheat, and cookies all day. And lately, he hasn't been eating his fruit, the one healthy thing in his diet. He won't even try anything new. He throws it off his tray right away. So it's frustrating to keep offering him new things, my efforts just end up on the floor for the dog.
So moms, now is the time to be honest with me. Reassure me that not all your kids are a breeze and that I'm not the only one freaking out and yelling at my 1 year old. Because at night I feel horrible I didn't handle all his fits with more patience and less losing it myself!
-I am also trying to work on Chase's first year baby book and our family picture wall. We have no pictures up of our family. At all. Not one around the house. This saddens me.
-I'm working on a family cookbook. Because I am sick of looking through all my cookbooks for the recipes Jason actually likes, I need them to all be in one place! Plus, it will be a fun thing to pass down to my kids, they can have all the recipes their mom used to make (that is, if Chase ever eats)
So those are only a few things I'm trying to work on. I have about 10 other projects but I think I need to pick just 2 or 3 to focus on or nothing major will ever get done on them. That is why blogging has not been a priority. Plus, my only real time to blog is the evenings, and with all of Chase's fits lately, I'm winded by evening. I don't want to lift a finger or do a thing.
5 comments:
Just know that you can do it! This is a phase and eventually he will grow out of it. That being said, I started putting Braden in time out at age 1. Yes people thought I was crazy but he matured very quickly and he was well aware that he was being naughty. My suggestion is to give it a try. Braden caught on very quickly and people always told me how well mannered he was and is. If Chase throws a fit at the table take him down. If he throws a fit after he wakes up put him back to bed. He will catch on that your not going to put up with it.
Two book suggestions for parenting toddlers: The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp and Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood. They really helped me understand discipline when it's still hard to communicate with a 1-year-old.
And don't worry about food. Keep offering new things but don't stress if he doesn't eat them. Emma gets whatever we are having for dinner (with the occasional chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese) and she usually only eats a bite or two, if anything at all. I used to fight over it with her, but we've both been much happier since I've stopped. If she doesn't want to eat it, then she doesn't eat at all. She is not starving and her growth is normal. It does make her especially eager for breakfast the next morning, though.
My cousin also suggested the Love and Logic books to me. I would give them a shot. You are not alone girlfriend. Kids are seriously the hardest thing ever. But just remember God trusts us so much that he sent these little angels to be with us so we have to be strong. I know it's hard and you want to give up, I have been there! Let's plan some girls nights and get you out. I think you missing Bunco must b e hard on you! :) I know it would be on me. Remember you can call me whenever!
Danny used to eat everything until we moved into my parents home and I didn't want everyone mad at me because he was crying so much because I didn't give hime what he wanted. Anyway he became a picky eater but now that he is 13 and growing so fast he is starting to eat a lot of things that he didn't like. I guess my advice is if he doesn't like what you are feeding him let him go hungry for a little while, and don't give him juice or milk because he will fill up on that. I know that this sounds cruel and mean and I am sure that a thousand people will tell you not to do this but he will eat when he gets really hungry. The other thing is to find a really good babysitter that you trust and you and Jay go on a date. You need that time without kids. Go hang out with friends go on a walk, go out for icecream, go bowling, when the kids were little I really needed that time with my husband. Hang in there before you know it you will have a teenage boy that will eat you out of house and home. Timeouts work!!!
Take care,
Becky
You need to give yourself more credit. You are doing a great job and I don't think you're expected to do anymore in this life than you can handle...right now if it's only learning to have patience for your one year old, so be it! We need to get together again soon so there's a little relief in sight! Also, I will second the fact that kids are not easy. It takes a lot of work and effort to learn how to take care of them and love them no matter what they do. Being a first time Mom is not a cake walk!
PS - I want a copy of you cookbook when you make it...you always make the best stuff!
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