Hey, its orthodontic

Some of you may be aware of the intense love James shares with his binkie. For those of you who aren't I can only attempt to explain. This love goes deep and is long lasting. James has spent every night with his binkie for the past 1190 days (this is NOT an approximation). At about 10 months of age he and his binkie were relegated to only spending sleeping time together. No more day time usage. Since giving up his nap about 3 months ago his time with his binkie dwindled further. Yet the love remained.

You could say his love bordered on, no, was obsession. Many people would give advice on how they 'broke' their child of a binkie. No, not my kid. I was sure there was nothing to do but be tough enough to stick out nights, days, possibly weeks of weeping and wailing. And maybe even teeth gnashing. This would take working up a lot of courage on my part.

Finally realizing I would be really embarrassed if James was still on the binkie when next we visited Utah, I braced myself. The binkie fairy picked up Professor Darkness (which James has wanted since this day). And I told James the binkie had to go, but something would come in its place.


During Family Home Evening the switch took place. James looked under his pillow and was ecstatic. James went to bed with no binkie. Not one whimper, nor tear. Not even a question why. Simply went to sleep. Haven't heard a word about it since.

WHAT!?!?!?!?

Then I remembered my son. He does what he wants when he is good and ready. He moves on without looking back. Examples of this include talking, potty training (day & night), no more naps, etc. Apparently he was ready to be done with the binkie. And so we sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

(Matthias continues his binkie habit...my bravery only reaches so far.)

Six word memoir

1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a picture if you want.
3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post
4. Tag at least three more blogs with links.
5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Read on:
"Seriously, what were you just thinking?"

Here is Jill's memoir:
"Who said you have to grump?"


Tagging...Sierra, Lesley, Kim, Mandy

Did you make your bed?

I'm one of those people who makes my bed everyday. As soon as I get out of bed. Or as soon as the boys allow it.

Back in January 2007 I had a resolution to not be so up tight. One of my specific goals for accomplishing this new state of mind was to not make the bed. Every now and then. No way I could go 365 days with an unmade bed. Can you imagine? I cringe just contemplating such disarray.

Throughout all of 2007 I probably left the bed unmade maybe 12 times, maybe 15. It was a stretch. It took a lot for me to look at that unmade bed those 12 days and not just make it. Just hurry and make it.

3 of the last 4 days I have left the bed unmade. And Taylor made it the 4th day.

I guess I really am loosening up. Or staying out of my bedroom during the day.

Chocolate

Girls' night. Lots of fun was had. Lots of chocolate was eaten. Yum!

Blogging fun

In case y'all need another blog to check, this one is fun. I really enjoy a lot of her posts. Especially this one. Makes loving our kids seem so fun, huh. I might go make some bread. Yum!

James Speak

Can I have some water? I am really, um really, uh, drinky.

James: Why did you call our Grandpa 'dad'?
Me: Because he is my dad.
James: I have a dad.

(We always tell James to go to the bathroom when he first wakes up. In the morning when he woke up instead of coming in our room like usual James laid down on the floor in the study. I went out to find him and asked...)
Me: Why didn't you come in our room?
James: I didn't want to go pee.

Sing, Sing, Sing, I like to Sing

Kim read an article in Parenting magazine (that I failed to find) saying singing to your kids helped them to listen and obey better. Like when you sing the clean up song from Barney all toddlers beginning cleaning up. Or at least some of them.

So yesterday I sang.

The results of my experiment?

Singing is very effective for getting my kids to stop a behavior. So shocking was my singing they would just freeze in place and stare at me. And laugh. Very effective for distraction and stopping behaviors and inducing happiness.

Not as a effective for starting behaviors. I would have to sing a direction several times for them to respond, if at all. The best method was when I sang "James, that's one." So I can't really attribute him putting on his shoes to my singing...it seems more related to my counting him.

The most hilarious instance however, was when I sang "James, stop pulling the books off the shelf." And James sang back, "No I won't, I won't."

Try it with your kids. It's fun.