Owen has a lovely daycare provider, M. He always has fun, they do crafts, and he rarely ever wants to leave when I show up at the end of the day to bring him home. Equally, he never wants me to leave when I need to drop him off. For several weeks, he has been doing the octopus..grasping onto any part of me as hard as he can, as M. works to pry him away. Then he squinces up his face, the tears start, and the crying is shortly thereafter. I have to make a hasty getaway while M. attempts to distract him.
Then we come to this morning. Thinking it would be the same song and dance, I tried talking up all the fun he was going to have, seeing the other kids, etc. All he kept saying to me was "I want YOU Mommy!" So, tried (haha!!) explaining we have all day tomorrow together kept us busy on the few minute car ride. We get to M's house, and he peacefully lets me take him in, and he scoots down from my hold and begins engaging with the other kids. I speak to M for a few minutes, and announce I have to leave to go to work, and Owen turns around and WAVES at me. No hugs, no kisses, no clinging, no nothing. Just a wave.
While I can intellectually see he may be saying "Take THAT Mommy, for leaving me here" it came as a complete shock and surprise to me. I know that it should feel good that he is comfortable, confident and safe there, but no KlingOn impression? Really has shaken me. I know I will get over it, as I usually do, but...still. I guess I feel a little guilty for not getting the hugs, and not being the center of his universe at this moment. I'll be fine. Just no more of my own medicine.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Take my baby, please!
This little phase of anarchy and defiance can end ANY DAY now. We have had a really tough morning. It started out great, he was giggling, silly, and pretty laid back. Then, it all changed at 9am. His twin evil spawn side raged on to the scene with ferocity.
For the first time ever (trying to see the silver lining thru the hurricane clouds) he got undressed by himself. Diaper and all. That began the peeing on the floor. The carpet. The Toilet. The stairs. Everywhere. Cleaned up all that, and got him redressed after some stern words. 20 minutes later, he again is completely naked, holding the diaper with the morning movement in it. He kept saying "put it in trash, put it in trash, stinky diapy." At least he knows what to do with it, right? Sigh. Again, redress, more stern words. Not even 5 minutes later, naked again, pees on the floor, then runs into the potty and goes on there. Argh! Time out commences.
I started dismantling the refrigerator shelves to clean quickly before the immanent food shopping later on today. While at the sink, indrustiously scrubbing away, he grabbed the maple syrup without me seeing. He disappears into the master bedroom (which is right off the kitchen) and pours it onto the Berber rug and a 3x3 brand new play mat with trucks and sounds and everything. This is not good. Immediately I swoop him up and put him in his room for safe keeping until I can dig out every tool I have in my cleaning arsenal. How does one clean up Maple syrup (1/4 of a bottle!) anyway? Well, a combo of Oxyclean, Pine-Sol and a big ass scrubbing brush did the trick. So upset was I that I left him upstairs for 10 minutes. I know it is best not to acknowledge such abhorrent behavior, but I was ripping mad. Still am. But, at least he chilled out a bit and some semblance of my former baby is coming back.
All this and it isn't even noon. Lovely.
For the first time ever (trying to see the silver lining thru the hurricane clouds) he got undressed by himself. Diaper and all. That began the peeing on the floor. The carpet. The Toilet. The stairs. Everywhere. Cleaned up all that, and got him redressed after some stern words. 20 minutes later, he again is completely naked, holding the diaper with the morning movement in it. He kept saying "put it in trash, put it in trash, stinky diapy." At least he knows what to do with it, right? Sigh. Again, redress, more stern words. Not even 5 minutes later, naked again, pees on the floor, then runs into the potty and goes on there. Argh! Time out commences.
I started dismantling the refrigerator shelves to clean quickly before the immanent food shopping later on today. While at the sink, indrustiously scrubbing away, he grabbed the maple syrup without me seeing. He disappears into the master bedroom (which is right off the kitchen) and pours it onto the Berber rug and a 3x3 brand new play mat with trucks and sounds and everything. This is not good. Immediately I swoop him up and put him in his room for safe keeping until I can dig out every tool I have in my cleaning arsenal. How does one clean up Maple syrup (1/4 of a bottle!) anyway? Well, a combo of Oxyclean, Pine-Sol and a big ass scrubbing brush did the trick. So upset was I that I left him upstairs for 10 minutes. I know it is best not to acknowledge such abhorrent behavior, but I was ripping mad. Still am. But, at least he chilled out a bit and some semblance of my former baby is coming back.
All this and it isn't even noon. Lovely.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Try not to take it personally.
Y'know, in my line of work, I say this several times to several different people in several different instances. It is 100% true, it is a professional thing, not a personal thing.
But what happens when your husband says it to you in reaction to how 2 1/2 year old son is treating Mommy? Not an easy pill to swallow. He even tells his beloved Nana to "stop talking" "go away" etc. It is heartbreaking. He is just really going thru a very strong Male Only phase. He only wants Daddy to comfort him from a nightmare, or read a favorite book before bed, or make his dinner, or even change his diaper. Mommy can't do it without a hissy fit ensuing.
Hmph. My feelings are hurt. I know the pendulum will undoubtedly swing the other way sooner rather than later, but still. What a horrible feeling.
But what happens when your husband says it to you in reaction to how 2 1/2 year old son is treating Mommy? Not an easy pill to swallow. He even tells his beloved Nana to "stop talking" "go away" etc. It is heartbreaking. He is just really going thru a very strong Male Only phase. He only wants Daddy to comfort him from a nightmare, or read a favorite book before bed, or make his dinner, or even change his diaper. Mommy can't do it without a hissy fit ensuing.
Hmph. My feelings are hurt. I know the pendulum will undoubtedly swing the other way sooner rather than later, but still. What a horrible feeling.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hitting the wall
On a number of things...potty training has stalled and been put on the back burner, and his temper is rearing it's ugly head. He is a stubborn, strong willed child. Everyone is very quick to point out that he got those particular qualities from ME. Can you imagine?? (*Wink*)
He is so funny when it comes to water and the beach. He loves his tubs, pretends he is swimming, blows bubbles, etc. But when we get to the beach itself? Won't go in the water, won't take off his shoes, won't take off the life preserver, and can't get him out of his clothes to save my life. I guess one day (hopefully soon) we can not look like a 90 year old man beachcombing for treasures. See?
Here are a few pics from a really fun boat ride with my parents recently:
Robert DeNiro: LOOK OUT!!
Like he has been doing this for-eva!
Building Mud Castles:
Mommy and PopPop being silly for Owen's sake (it worked!)
He is so funny when it comes to water and the beach. He loves his tubs, pretends he is swimming, blows bubbles, etc. But when we get to the beach itself? Won't go in the water, won't take off his shoes, won't take off the life preserver, and can't get him out of his clothes to save my life. I guess one day (hopefully soon) we can not look like a 90 year old man beachcombing for treasures. See?
Here are a few pics from a really fun boat ride with my parents recently:
Robert DeNiro: LOOK OUT!!
Like he has been doing this for-eva!
Building Mud Castles:
Mommy and PopPop being silly for Owen's sake (it worked!)
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