Small Things- Jackson Edition

It is the little moments that make life big. -unknown

Enjoying homemade ice cream with sprinkles.

Jackson is our little cuddle bug.  He loves to cuddle.

I went to check on Jackson after quiet time.  Before the camera woke him, he was sleeping with the patch on his eye.

Jackson with his 'Sonic the Hedgehog' hair, as he calls it.

Small Things- Alyssa Edition

Appreciate the small things, as when you are looking back, you may realize those were really the big things.  -unknown

Alyssa and Matthew hugging.
She is an amazing big sister.

Alyssa in my shoes.
I imagine some day she'll outgrow those shoes.

Alyssa at her Jedi Knighting ceremony after Jedi camp last week.

Alyssa taking on Darth Vader.

Alyssa with her shorter hair cut. 
Not sure when she got to be such a big kid.

Allergic Reaction

Last year when Matthew was having GI trouble, we took Matthew to an allergist, just to make sure that he didn't have any food allergies.  He was tested for the top 25 allergens, and didn't react to any of them.  But the test spot, where they inject histamine to see how he would react, was so large that the doctor told us that if he was allergic to something, we would know it.  We wouldn't think "wonder if he is having an allergic reaction" instead we would say "wow, he is having an allergic reaction".  And he was right on the money.  

Matthew is allergic to--- mosquito bites!  Fantastic!  Living in Houston, where it is mosquito season 11 months out of the year, it is not ideal to be allergic to their bites.  Poor baby Matthew!  He will have to be covered in spray anytime he walks outdoors.  

Matthew was bit on his ear, which made it big and red.

Other bites on his legs and arms swelled up to the size of my thumb nail.

My Extreme Sport

Just like my previous job would ebb and flow, I feel the same about my parenting role. Sometimes I feel much more competent than others.  Now would not be that time.  

First, I'm freaking out because I'm not learning sign language very quickly.  Foreign languages are NOT my strong suit, and signing is a foreign language.  I keep hoping and praying that Matthew will just up and start talking (negating the need for sign), but it hasn't happened yet.  And we have no idea when it will, if it will, and it is completely out of our control.  He needs more sign.  It is my job to help him communicate!

Then, I'm frustrated because Matthew just doesn't seem to understand when we correct bad behavior.  He doesn't seem to get it when we put him in time out or sternly correct him. Sure, sometimes it makes him cry, but it seems like he is crying because of our tone of voice or that he is sitting on the stairs by himself.  He doesn't seem to connect that his behavior led to the punishment.  How do I make him understand?!?

Matthew is unique and I have often joked that being his mom is my extreme sport. When Darren and I first watched the video of Alyssa and Jackson that I posted yesterday, the first thing we noticed was that Alyssa was the age that Matthew is now, and wow, Matthew is behind.  We don't notice that every moment of every day, especially given how much he has accomplished, but we are periodically reminded that Matthew has unique needs, and that poses unique challenges for us as parents.  I feel that is particularly true regarding communication and socialization right now. 

Days are Long

We are 3 weeks into summer break.  I won't lie-- it has been a little rough.  We've had a lot of fun, but it has also been exhausting and a bit frustrating.  The lack of a strict schedule (or a random schedule), lots of togetherness, and Matthew's terrible 2s are making us all a little antsy.  

With Matthew's unpleasantness when getting in the car, I am less motivated to go out and about, which makes Alyssa and Jackson grate on each others nerves more frequently.  Neither choice seems very appealing.  

It has been easy to get bogged down in difficult parts of the day, but there is a lot of good too.  Matthew walked all the way to the park and back on his own.  Alyssa has enjoyed curling up with a book to read for fun this summer.  Jackson has done his daily school work without complaining.  

I need to not get bogged down in the difficult parts and enjoy the bright points more.  As we were looking through the computer files the other day, we happened upon this video of little Alyssa and Jackson.  It reminded me again that 'the days are long but the years are short'.  Hard to believe that these little ones are my big kids.

Terrible 2s

Matthew has entered the 'terrible 2' phase.  There are some very sweet things about this phase-- he tries to be helpful and he is more independent.  But there are also some ugly things about this phase-- he loses his mind when he's told "no".  He lays on the ground and cries when we have to leave the library. He's into everything.  He leaves a swath of destruction wherever he goes.  He bites his siblings for fun.  He slaps at me when I put him in his crib.  He pulls my hair when I put him in his car seat.  He throws things he shouldn't throw.  He goes the opposite way when you tell him to 'come here'.  He throws a fit when he is confined in his stroller or car seat. Generally, he is still our sweet baby Matthew but he has been pretty difficult of late.  As a result, he has been spending some time in time out, though I'm not sure he ever understands why he is there to begin with.  

We are thrilled that he has entered this phase, as it is 'developmentally appropriate' and therefore a very good thing.  But even though it is a good thing, it doesn't make it any more fun or less frustrating for all of us.  

I have been thinking that Matthew's terrible 2s seem a bit worse than the terrible 2s we've seen before (and they seemed pretty bad then too), but I have been attributing that to my selective memory.  Then I was reminded that in actuality, Matthew's terrible 2s might be exacerbated by his inability to communicate.  Although he has a dozen signs and answers yes/no questions, he needs much more and I can only imagine the frustration he must feel when we just don't understand.  We are praying for patience, for this phase to give Matthew what he developmentally needs, for it to pass quickly, and for Matthew to be able to communicate his wants and needs!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my beloved.  Thank you for being an amazing, hands-on dad.  We may not show it as often as we should, but we are very grateful for all that you do for our family and we love you very much!

We are also very blessed to have so many great men in our lives that make us feel loved and cherished.  Thank you and Happy Father's Day!