Tuesday, June 28, 2011
18 Months Old!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Goodnight peek-a-boo
Love, Mama/ wishes she could sleep anywhere and through anything!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Funny Funny
You are quite the funny boy. You did some pretty cute things this week! First, we have to warn nana, this story may make you cry. We were sitting eating breakfast one morning. You enjoy naming things as we eat breakfast, you point to the pictures on the wall and name the people. So, as we were eating you began naming and you pointed to your Great Grandpa Oakley's picture. You have never met him, but, we have talked about him and how he's in heaven with Jesus. I love that you know who he is! After you pointed you said "grey papa" for Great Grandpa and then I explained to you that he was in heaven and you nodded your little head like you knew he was in heaven. Too sweet! I love that you know who he is and that you will grow up hearing stories about what a great man he was!
Later that day I was cleaning out your closet, packing up clothes that don't fit anymore and I found a scarf that Ashley, one of our high school students made for you. You got really excited about it, so I wrapped it around your neck. You scrunched up your shoulders and smiled so big. You ran around with that scarf on all morning! When I took it off at lunch so you could eat, you scrunched up your shoulders and looked at me funny. I asked you if your neck was cold and you you nodded and answered "yep!". What a funny boy you are. You love accessories, hats, scarves, necklaces and sunglasses. It's the funniest thing, you stomping around all accessorized! Here you are in your spiffy scarf.
While you were running around in your scarf and I was cleaning, you grabbed your shoes. I didn't think much of it but, when I came out from the closet this is what I found....
What a funny boy you are. I'll hand it to you, you are creative, using shoes to transport cars...great idea!
You have quite the personality, full of spunk and life. You bring such joy to our lives Jake. There is never a dull moment with you. We love watching you explore and learn about the world we live in. Everything you do is an experiment, what happens when you squish fruit bar between your fingers, what happens when I ignore mama or dada? I love this stage you are in, it has brought different challenges but also different joys. We love you, our boy, with all our hearts!
Love, Mama/ more than just funny looking
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
So it Begins
Hey Jake,
We celebrated Memorial Day on Monday. This is a special day to remember the people who have given their lives for our freedom and those who are still fighting for it. Mama and Daddy's families got together for dinner. You had all of your uncles with you and your very loving Grandparents...you were quite spoiled that night! You had a great time running around, playing cars and being chased! While we were playing wit our new chalkboard coffee table you decided you would run around with the chalk and try to draw on everything. After two warnings, I took the chalk away, I had to pry it out of your hands. Usually you give up pretty easy, especially after being warned it was going to happen. So, prying the chalk from your hands was my first surprise. The next was you turning around shaking your fist in my face while you were red faced and screaming at me, "ba...ba...ba...ba...ba". You sure were angry. I set you on a footrest so we could talk about what was going on. As I was calmly talking to you, you threw a car past my face and tried to hit me. You have never purposely done that...I was in shock. My sweet boy was yelling and hitting and angry! I picked you up and took you in our bedroom, so we could be alone and talk and have a little timeout. I set you in the big leather chair and you yelled at me again. I firmly yet calmly told you, we never yell or hit when we are angry. You cried. I sat you in time out until you calmed down, which was just over a minute. You said sorry and hugged me, that is our normal routine after a timeout. This time I think you actually felt sorry. I saw emotions in you that I had never seen before. Since then you have yelled a few more times and have tried to it me again. Whoa buddy, I'm not sure that I am ready for this. It breaks my heart to see you so angry. I take it upon myself, am I doing something wrong? I know I need to deal with this every time it happens, I want to nip this short, as short as possible. I want to teach you how to deal with your emotions and feelings. How I do that, well trial and error...I feel like that's what parenting is, but it's scary because were dealing with your life. I have asked the Lord for grace and mercy. For myself and towards you. Grace and mercy don't mean I let you get away with things just that I will come from a place of understanding and patience and not take things too personally. Yesterday (Tuesday) was a little rough so, I was hoping for some night time cuddles. You were anxious to get in your crib and when I went to kiss you, you pushed me away. That made me cry, oh man, you made your mama cry! You growing up is hard, I'm not ready for you to not need me. Thank goodness this morning while we were playing cars you came and sat by me just to be close. That made my heart so full! This parenting stuff is no joke and I know it will only get more difficult or maybe just a different kind of difficult. I promise to do my best but, I am human. This journey of motherhood has been good for me. I have had to listen to myself and trust that the Lord will help me raise you. Other people have their opinions and criticisms but in the end it's all about what your daddy and I decide with the grace of God! See, mama is a people pleaser even to the point of being stepped on but being a mama has helped me learn to stand my ground and to not care if someone thinks I'm doing something wrong in their eyes. (I do listen to advice, it wold be foolish not to but wether or not I take it...well, that depends!) I have been praying for you, Anger is a difficult emotion to control and we need all the help we can get. Daddy and I are united in raising you and we will do everything to the best of our ability. Know that we love with all of our hearts and we love the Lord. We do everything because we love you and we desire for you be love the Lord as well. Wether this is a short phase or long. A copied behavior or just normal toddler frustration. Daddy and I love you so very very much. We are so grateful for the opportunity to raise you, we are so blessed to be your parents!
Love, Mama/ I'll love you even if my hair turns gray
P.S. I don't want to paint you in a negative light, you really are great. You are sweet, caring and very friendly. Usually you are a great listener and you follow instructions very well. These are just a few outbreaks you have had, infrequent but shocking because you are usually so sweet! Just wanted to clear up any confusion...