Tantrums, Thy Name Be Beaner

Today's post was supposed to be a cd review (Hi Mike!) but I had to put it on hold so I could unload about what a hellacious week I'm having here.

Beaner has decided that this is the week where she's going to be a total wanker to her Dad and I. Every simple request, every established routine, every favorite, is all being rejected, or thrown at us. Our sweet, easy going toddler is nowhere to be found and in her place is this raging beast who is prone to melt down if the cat dares to look in her general direction.

As a first time Mom, I'm flying blind here. Is this a phase? Am I oversensitive because I'm tired and I'm making too much of it? Is she feeding off my crap mood? Am I a horrible mother? Was she switched out with robobitchbaby and we are just noticing now?

So many questions, zero answers.

She had me up all night and was then awake for the day at 5am this morning. Of course, meltdowns are rampant today so she's been put down for an unprecedented early nap. She's currently screaming at me from her crib about the pillow she just threw across the room in anger. I'm sorry kiddo, but maybe you shouldn't have thrown your pillow?

I adore my daughter, and she's generally a joy to be around, but this week, let me tell ya, if I was offered an opportunity to run away and join the circus, you can bet your butt I'd take it.

To quote one of my favorite Simpsons lines; Pray....for....Mojo....

The Weaning Journey

I have officially started on my weaning journey with Beaner. For the past 29 months I have breastfed her on demand, exclusively for the first 6 months, much to my discomfort.

I have never been a fan of breastfeeding, despite how much I advocate for it. I have always known that breast is best, and no matter how much I hated it, the idea of not breastfeeding just didn't enter my mind. We worked through bad latch, thrush, nursing strikes, pumping failures, and much frustration and tears, but we did it.  I've put in my time, as they say.

Beaner is extremely verbal, and quite rational, as much as a 2 year old can be, so I was able to tell her that Mommy's "booboos" hurt and were broken and as such, we weren't going to be able to breastfeed before naptime. Instead, we created a special "napsnack" of cheese, veggie crackers, and cow's milk. She thought that was just marvelous and had no issues.

When nighttime came there was a slight resistance and a crease in the brow as she asked about my owies and if I'd seen a Dr. yet. When I told her no, I still had owies, she accepted it with no issue. Last night she whined some in her sleep, a first for her, and cried out for me, without ever really waking up. I had a long night checking on her, listening for her, waiting to cave on the breastfeeding. It didn't happen.

Today there was no issue because she didn't nap here, as she was with her grandpa for the afternoon, and at nighttime she didn't even ask. We're only on day two and I have no illusions that this is far too good and easy to be true, but I do know that the end of our breastfeeding experience is coming soon and that makes me relieved but it also makes me a little sad. Breastfeeding was the one connection her and I had that no one else in the world shared with us. Once that's gone...well, I just don't know. Gone will be the last shred of my sweet, dependent baby, and in her place will be the confident, little girl aching to spread her wings in this world.

Fly high, my dear, fly high.

Let Me Count The Ways...Part Two

Happy Sunday everyone! I am sitting here, sipping my coffee and killing time before we head out to a birthday party, so I thought I'd get my 2nd part of my V-day post up! Feel free to comment with any links you think I should see, or any ideas you think I should be aware of!

Heart Sachet - The Mother Huddle

Valentine's Lacing Cards - The Mother Huddle

Eye Chart Heart Art - She Wears Flowers

Treats For Daddy - Nap Time Journal

Message In A Bottle - The Mother Huddle

Owl Heart Printables - Ready, Set, Create

Heart Bubbles - Crafting And Creativity

Heart Garland - The Mother Huddle

Happy crafting everyone!

Let Me Count The Ways...

Welcome to the first part of my Valentines Day link extravaganza. I am bringing you a lovely bunch of ideas, tutorials, and recipes for you and your sweeties. Settle in and prepare get your creative love juices (um...?) flowing with these great links:

Button Art Tutorial - I Really Should Be Sleeping

 

Heart Shaped Cake Pops - Tip Junkie

 

22 Valentines Day Wreath Ideas - Tip Junkie

Classroom Valentine Ideas - Skip To My Lou

 

Rice Krispie Hearts - Skip To My Lou

10 Minute Valentines Day Ideas - Rookie Moms

Sweet Swirl Cookies - Prudent Baby

Time-Out For Love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I am posting a few things for the most important people in our lives; our kids. In the face of the commercial frenzy over pre-bought valentines for the kids, generic chocolates in a heart shaped box, and the ridiculously overpriced roses that are the standard, we rebelled. Since we love each other every day, we don't feel the need to express it on one single day simply because we're told we should. Ok, that's not ENTIRELY true, as we celebrate our wedding anniversary every year with romance and nostalgia, but you get the idea.

So, instead, we focus on our daughter, the real proof of our love. In that vein, I want to share with you a list that I stumbled across from The Mother Huddle. Here are 40 simple ways to show your child that you love them, and that you are thinking of them. The beauty is that you can use any of these tips at any time of the year, and combine them in any manner you wish.

Here's a few to get you interested:

o1. Take them to a movie they want to see.

o2. Go on a treasure hunt (collect all the loose change around the house/car) together and then make a trip to the arcade with your findings.

o3. Take a long nature walk together, at their pace. Let them lead the conversation.

o4. Find qualities about them that you genuinely love, and compliment them in front of others.

o5. Frame a photo of the two of you, and display it in their room.


...click to see the rest.

And what of doubt and fear?

Do you ever wonder if you're making the right choices as a mother? Do you compare yourself to other mothers, to your own mother? Am I completely alone in wondering if I'm failing in a spectacular manner at this very important role?

How do we overcome the injustices and the hurts that were dealt to us as children? More importantly, how do we make sure that we don't make those same mistakes with our children?

I've shed some tears on the subject while frantically grabbing my husband by the shirt and demanding he tell me right then and there if I was a good mother. "You'd tell me if I was messing this up, right?" I'm sure he enjoys those little chats just as much as I do.

So, dear readers, what do you do when you're overwhelmed by feelings of doubt? Do we ever just accept that we're probably doing ok?

Link Love!

Happy Thursday! 

I thought I'd share with you the blogs I read on a daily basis. I have a list of about a dozen more that I need to check out and see if they offer something I'm interested in. I swear, just checking out my favorites  can be a full-time job all on it's own!

I'm trying to think up ways to increase my followers/readers. Maybe a giveaway? Maybe some kind of contest? Working on it....!

 

   

   

 

Rookie Moms

How Does She...

The Pursuit of Happiness

Baby Jayne's

Living with Punks

The Mother Huddle

Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh

Chasing Cheerios

Wee Wonderfuls