Since I decided to take away Carson's bottles back in the spring, I've been trying to figure out how I wanted to approach taking away his soother next. We've always kept Carson's soother in his crib and have only used it for sleeping. He always had to say goodbye to it before we had breakfast or left his room.
Just like with his bottles, I've been noticing how big he's getting, not only physically, but mentally. He's been saying things like:"More yogourt NOW!" and bigger words like "Ridiculous". Then when I see him with a soother in his mouth, it just doesn't seem right. Does he really need it?
We met our friends baby this weekend and Carson came too. He really liked the baby and was so cute with her. At one point, while I was holding the sweet baby, he tried to take my arms away from her. I guess it was his way of saying:"Hey! You were my Mommy first!". It was cute and scared me at the same time. I was more nervous around a newborn than I expected. With Carson around patting her head and trying to give her popcorn, I was going a little crazy! Oh, toddler stage... one can never really predict how their little brains are going to react. At the end of the day, we have a pretty good boy. We're very grateful for Carson. I just forget how loud and rough he is. These things are very typical, but in a child birth centre when your 2 year old is running around saying:"Hello Baby!! Hello there!" It's hilarious, cute and embarrassing all at the same time. The nurses didn't seem to care, they all said he was handsome. We still told him to whisper because babies were trying to sleep and grow. So then he preceded to whisper the word whisper. Too funny!
So, back to how I got rid of the soother............ when we came home the night that we met the new baby, we explained to Carson that babies need soothers and that he's a big boy now and doesn't need it. We told him that big boys who say big words, peddle their bikes (he just started this weekend!) and buckle themselves up in their booster seats, don't need soothers anymore. We told him that Baby A had the soother now because she needs it still. When we explained this to him he just thought about it for a minute. Then he said:"Okay! Baby A have it.".
As we read him books that night and carried on with a normal bedtime routine, he would randomly say:"Baby A have it. Me big kid now." SO CUTE! I just looked at him so surprised at how well he understood what we told him. He was ready to give up his soother. He was happy to share it with the baby. I just felt so beside myself in that moment. Realizing how much my own baby has grown up.
I didn't have to cut the ends off the soothers, I didn't have to put anything yucky on them to make them taste bad, I didn't have to use the soother fairy, I didn't have to make him cry or be upset about not having a soother.. I just had to tell him he was a big boy and that he didn't need it anymore. I had been scared of this for a couple months now. I thought it would be much harder.
My boy is not a baby at all anymore. No more bottles, no more soothers, no more rocking to sleep, no more feedings in the middle of the night... he's an independent boy. He barley kisses or hugs me anymore, but I'm ok with that. I've always given him the confidence he needs to grow and learn on his own. I want him to think for himself. No more yucky soothers!! No more dropping $10 a package!
Doing a happy dance right now!!!!
August 6, 2013
August 1, 2013
Thinking Back To the Start
Our good friends are expecting their first baby and we've been supportive and excited since we found out. Seeing how ready they are and prepared for it makes me remember what it was like for me. I still can hardly remember what our life was like before Carson became a part of it.
Our friends have yet to experience the whirlwind of life changing moments that we already have. I look at my friend and her cute belly and think how beautiful she looks. Since I've already gone through it, I look at it all so differently now. There is a tiny life inside of her waiting to meet her and all the people who are going to love the cute little baby. Everyone is just waiting to see if it's a girl or boy. Everyone is waiting to see how her labour goes and how much the baby weighs. So much waiting... it's hard sometimes for the Mother. It's so normal to feel frustrated with even your family and friends for asking you how you're feeling. Obviously, you're feeling pregnant and just want the baby out!
I look at Carson now who is currently bouncing around on the couch, and think of how far we've come. Parenthood really changed me. I was so crazy about things with him at the beginning, but he turned out ok..so far...
I just want our friends to have the happiest moment of their lives. Just like we did with Carson. It's an incredible gift to be a parent and meeting your precious baby is just a feeling that's indescribable.
I still remember the point when I was getting close to my due date and just wanted the baby out. I was so impatient and just wanted to know if I was having a boy or a girl. I had every single thing ready. I just wanted to hold my baby. It was harder to understand then how important it was to let nature take its course and just how quickly it all was about to change. I know when we ever have another one, I'll look at it all differently, but I had to go through what I did to come to that realization.
I just hope that I can be there in a positive way to help our friends. I have no doubts that they will be amazing parents. I'm looking forward to seeing how they change when they become parents and watch their journey through parenthood.
Parenthood is priceless.... the rewards only become richer and richer as time goes on.
Our friends have yet to experience the whirlwind of life changing moments that we already have. I look at my friend and her cute belly and think how beautiful she looks. Since I've already gone through it, I look at it all so differently now. There is a tiny life inside of her waiting to meet her and all the people who are going to love the cute little baby. Everyone is just waiting to see if it's a girl or boy. Everyone is waiting to see how her labour goes and how much the baby weighs. So much waiting... it's hard sometimes for the Mother. It's so normal to feel frustrated with even your family and friends for asking you how you're feeling. Obviously, you're feeling pregnant and just want the baby out!
I look at Carson now who is currently bouncing around on the couch, and think of how far we've come. Parenthood really changed me. I was so crazy about things with him at the beginning, but he turned out ok..so far...
I just want our friends to have the happiest moment of their lives. Just like we did with Carson. It's an incredible gift to be a parent and meeting your precious baby is just a feeling that's indescribable.
I still remember the point when I was getting close to my due date and just wanted the baby out. I was so impatient and just wanted to know if I was having a boy or a girl. I had every single thing ready. I just wanted to hold my baby. It was harder to understand then how important it was to let nature take its course and just how quickly it all was about to change. I know when we ever have another one, I'll look at it all differently, but I had to go through what I did to come to that realization.
I just hope that I can be there in a positive way to help our friends. I have no doubts that they will be amazing parents. I'm looking forward to seeing how they change when they become parents and watch their journey through parenthood.
Parenthood is priceless.... the rewards only become richer and richer as time goes on.
April 27, 2013
The World Can Seem Big Sometimes
The other night, Carson and I were over at a park in our neighbourhood. He was one of the youngest there at the time and it made me realize just how innocent he still is. The behaviour of the kids and parents was appalling. I still have a lot to teach my son. A few older boys came over and were playing with some toy guns. They looked so real and I was instantly uncomfortable with the situation.
Carson is only 22 months (barley!!) and he's been changing quickly. He's picking up new words daily now, he's physically developed to a point that I barely need to help him do anything. As big as he's getting and as smart as he is, I just didn't like him being around the guns.
It was shocking to me and maybe it shouldn't have been. Being a parent in 2013 is a challenge. I've realized quickly that I can't shelter my child from the harshness of the world. He's going to figure it out either way. Plus, he doesn't look at the kids playing with the guns the same way I do. Luckily, he isn't aware of all the violence going on in our world today. That makes me sad too that one day he'll know all that stuff.
It's overwhelming sometimes as a parent to think of all the values I need to instill in my child. Being at the park at this time with Carson and having these feelings, made me realize too that I am a good Mother and I have a great husband who is doing this with me. We are going to teach our son how his behaviour can affect others.
The other thing that bothered me a lot was parents sitting on the benches completely ignoring their children who were behaving badly. It was awkward for me because I wanted to smack some of the kids because of how they were going down the slides and not giving Carson a chance to go down.
Parents were just sitting there on the iPhone's just hanging out, taking a break from parenting. Sorry, you can't really take a break from parenting!! That's how I look at it I guess. Once you become a parent, your life changes significantly. You think so differently about everything. Sure, you can go out and be "normal" once in a while, but when you go home at night, you want to see your kid, you want to hold them and kiss them goodnight. For me, that's how it goes. When I go to the park with Carson, I want to go down the slide with him and chase him around. I want to be engaged in his life and everything he is doing. I'm proud of that.
I saw a good quote last night before bed floating around Facebook that made me realize I can't over think things too much when it comes to what I see other parents doing or other kids doing. It's not to say that I shouldn't care or shouldn't have opinions about things, but I need to bring it home and realize that I do have a good kid and we are good parents :)
Carson is only 22 months (barley!!) and he's been changing quickly. He's picking up new words daily now, he's physically developed to a point that I barely need to help him do anything. As big as he's getting and as smart as he is, I just didn't like him being around the guns.
It was shocking to me and maybe it shouldn't have been. Being a parent in 2013 is a challenge. I've realized quickly that I can't shelter my child from the harshness of the world. He's going to figure it out either way. Plus, he doesn't look at the kids playing with the guns the same way I do. Luckily, he isn't aware of all the violence going on in our world today. That makes me sad too that one day he'll know all that stuff.
It's overwhelming sometimes as a parent to think of all the values I need to instill in my child. Being at the park at this time with Carson and having these feelings, made me realize too that I am a good Mother and I have a great husband who is doing this with me. We are going to teach our son how his behaviour can affect others.
The other thing that bothered me a lot was parents sitting on the benches completely ignoring their children who were behaving badly. It was awkward for me because I wanted to smack some of the kids because of how they were going down the slides and not giving Carson a chance to go down.
Parents were just sitting there on the iPhone's just hanging out, taking a break from parenting. Sorry, you can't really take a break from parenting!! That's how I look at it I guess. Once you become a parent, your life changes significantly. You think so differently about everything. Sure, you can go out and be "normal" once in a while, but when you go home at night, you want to see your kid, you want to hold them and kiss them goodnight. For me, that's how it goes. When I go to the park with Carson, I want to go down the slide with him and chase him around. I want to be engaged in his life and everything he is doing. I'm proud of that.
I saw a good quote last night before bed floating around Facebook that made me realize I can't over think things too much when it comes to what I see other parents doing or other kids doing. It's not to say that I shouldn't care or shouldn't have opinions about things, but I need to bring it home and realize that I do have a good kid and we are good parents :)
Don't Let Yourself Become So Concerned
With Raising a Good Kid
That You Forget
You already Have ONE
November 27, 2012
Green Boogies and Tea
Ok all you Mom's out there... how do you stop your child from having that gross crusty booger nose? Carson has been on and off sick for the past 2 weeks and he absolutely hates when I try to clean his nose. I've used an entire package of boogie wipes already and my green bin is half full of tissue. The fun of having a sick kid.
I was out with him today at Chapters and was hoping no other Mom's would notice and think I'm a bad Mom for not cleaning his nose. I do, and I did with a wet cloth before we left, but 2 minutes outside in the cold and it looks ugly again! Why do I even care what anyone thinks?
Moving on to the tea part. I've been happily enjoying tea much more recently. I notice coffee can give me a bitchy crash sometimes. I never know when, but I just notice that with tea, you don't get the caffeine buzz and then nasty crash. There are also many benefits to tea. It's fun to try new teas and to just take that time to relax. Everyone needs a little bit of "me time" and when Carson naps, I make a tea and have 20 minutes to myself... some days..
Maybe tea is the answer to Carson's boogies! haha! Winter is here and so is cold season. Let the wiping of the noses (or battle of the wiping of the noses) begin!
I was out with him today at Chapters and was hoping no other Mom's would notice and think I'm a bad Mom for not cleaning his nose. I do, and I did with a wet cloth before we left, but 2 minutes outside in the cold and it looks ugly again! Why do I even care what anyone thinks?
Moving on to the tea part. I've been happily enjoying tea much more recently. I notice coffee can give me a bitchy crash sometimes. I never know when, but I just notice that with tea, you don't get the caffeine buzz and then nasty crash. There are also many benefits to tea. It's fun to try new teas and to just take that time to relax. Everyone needs a little bit of "me time" and when Carson naps, I make a tea and have 20 minutes to myself... some days..
Maybe tea is the answer to Carson's boogies! haha! Winter is here and so is cold season. Let the wiping of the noses (or battle of the wiping of the noses) begin!
November 21, 2012
The Challenges of the First Year
A lot of people told me when I was pregnant to enjoy the rest of my time alone with Austin because once baby comes life is pretty much over. I hated hearing that. What pregnant woman wants to hear that? People say the strangest things. The worst thing you can say to any pregnant woman is: "Wow, you're huge! Are you sure it's not twins!??". I was told this so many times. The first couple times bothered me, but then I just got over it. I was massive!
Anyway, the people were somewhat right about having a baby. Your life as you know it as an expectant parent is over once the baby arrives. There's no denying that! Looking back to the first year now that I have adjusted to everything, it was insane. I don't remember as much as I thought I would. There were many, many sleepless nights and days alone that I thought I was going to go crazy. Days I didn't shower and lost track of everything and everyone. When the sleep regression began at 4 months, our lives took a turn in the other direction.
I feel like sleep is what gets new parents. When you don't have sleep, everything is crazy. I resented Austin when I shouldn't have, I eventually was upset with Carson for not sleeping and not understanding why he wouldn't just shut up and sleep! It sounds blunt, but that's how it was. I'm trying to give a realistic view on parenting and this is how it was for us.
Dinner was rarely made, dishes weren't done, laundry piled up. Slowly things got out of control. Once we went through the process of getting Carson into better sleeping habbits everything changed. Life was a lot better when we were sleeping. Austin slept the entire time, but he had to deal with me. I used to wake him up when I was getting too frustrated to even hold Carson. It was that tough sometimes.
I can happily say that everything we went through was worth it. There is light at the end of the tunnel even when it seems like you're never going to get there. It's ok to be angry and upset with the way things are too. Things also get easier when I finally just accepted that I was doing most of it on my own and I had to just be strong. No one was going to cook or clean for us. I just had to deal with that.
I have grown a lot over the past 16 months. I didn't see it 12 months ago, but the challenges I was facing then taught me so much about myself and my family. I know I have so much to learn and so much more to go through, but I am confident in myself and my husband that we can get through it together and as long as we have love, that's really all we need.
Anyway, the people were somewhat right about having a baby. Your life as you know it as an expectant parent is over once the baby arrives. There's no denying that! Looking back to the first year now that I have adjusted to everything, it was insane. I don't remember as much as I thought I would. There were many, many sleepless nights and days alone that I thought I was going to go crazy. Days I didn't shower and lost track of everything and everyone. When the sleep regression began at 4 months, our lives took a turn in the other direction.
I feel like sleep is what gets new parents. When you don't have sleep, everything is crazy. I resented Austin when I shouldn't have, I eventually was upset with Carson for not sleeping and not understanding why he wouldn't just shut up and sleep! It sounds blunt, but that's how it was. I'm trying to give a realistic view on parenting and this is how it was for us.
Dinner was rarely made, dishes weren't done, laundry piled up. Slowly things got out of control. Once we went through the process of getting Carson into better sleeping habbits everything changed. Life was a lot better when we were sleeping. Austin slept the entire time, but he had to deal with me. I used to wake him up when I was getting too frustrated to even hold Carson. It was that tough sometimes.
I can happily say that everything we went through was worth it. There is light at the end of the tunnel even when it seems like you're never going to get there. It's ok to be angry and upset with the way things are too. Things also get easier when I finally just accepted that I was doing most of it on my own and I had to just be strong. No one was going to cook or clean for us. I just had to deal with that.
I have grown a lot over the past 16 months. I didn't see it 12 months ago, but the challenges I was facing then taught me so much about myself and my family. I know I have so much to learn and so much more to go through, but I am confident in myself and my husband that we can get through it together and as long as we have love, that's really all we need.
November 14, 2012
Loosing The "Baby Weight"
I haven't written a lot about myself and the journey I have taken with the baby weight. It has been a long one, and I will talk more about this soon, but I wanted to note that today I offically can say I lost every single pound I gained!! Yess!! Finally!
Carson is now 16 months and I finally lost the whole 60 pounds I gained while pregnant with him. I never thought it would take this long or be this hard, but I did it. I put my mind to it and made changes, gave up things in order to work out and take the time to plan healthy meals.
It was so much easier just being pregnant and eating! haha! It was fun, but so not worth it in the end. I know now that I wasn't eating right. I may have chosen to eat a well balanced diet, but I was eating too many calories for what my body needed. I stopped intense exercise and weight lifting at about 26 weeks when I was having lower back issues. I did continue to eat like I was still working out as hard as I did before I was pregnant. I've learned a lot for the next time!
I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished in 16 months. Loosing 60 pounds while nursing, taking care of my family and myself has not been easy. I just want other Mom's or Mom-to-be's to know that you too can loose it. Just put to your mind to it and find what works for you. You CAN get your sexy body back too!
Carson is now 16 months and I finally lost the whole 60 pounds I gained while pregnant with him. I never thought it would take this long or be this hard, but I did it. I put my mind to it and made changes, gave up things in order to work out and take the time to plan healthy meals.
It was so much easier just being pregnant and eating! haha! It was fun, but so not worth it in the end. I know now that I wasn't eating right. I may have chosen to eat a well balanced diet, but I was eating too many calories for what my body needed. I stopped intense exercise and weight lifting at about 26 weeks when I was having lower back issues. I did continue to eat like I was still working out as hard as I did before I was pregnant. I've learned a lot for the next time!
I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished in 16 months. Loosing 60 pounds while nursing, taking care of my family and myself has not been easy. I just want other Mom's or Mom-to-be's to know that you too can loose it. Just put to your mind to it and find what works for you. You CAN get your sexy body back too!
October 20, 2012
Such a Happy Boy
Having a baby has changed me. I've realized a lot about myself, my husband and life. I've managed to conquer the first year and become a much stronger woman that I was before I had Carson in my life. The next 20+ years are going to be filled with more challenges and adventures that will help shape me as a person.
The most common comment I've received about Carson has been:"He's just such a happy, sweet boy!". I love hearing this. It makes me feel like Austin and I have done something right. We are both people who put our best foot forward in any situation and want what's best for everyone. We love Carson so much and try out best each day to make him happy. Sometimes we have to say no and he screams at us, but that's our job too. He can't always watch Sesame Street when he wants to... right?
The world is crazy and busy and full of so many bad things, but having Carson to play with each day makes life and the world look so much better. I'm so grateful for my family. I don't take anything for granted. I've finally learned to live in the moment and enjoy what I have. I don't want anything else. It's a peaceful feeling to get to this point. Just happy in my own space, in my own life, that I created with Austin. I have Carson to thank for helping me to reach this point in my life. He's my happy little boy and it's just so contagious!
The most common comment I've received about Carson has been:"He's just such a happy, sweet boy!". I love hearing this. It makes me feel like Austin and I have done something right. We are both people who put our best foot forward in any situation and want what's best for everyone. We love Carson so much and try out best each day to make him happy. Sometimes we have to say no and he screams at us, but that's our job too. He can't always watch Sesame Street when he wants to... right?
The world is crazy and busy and full of so many bad things, but having Carson to play with each day makes life and the world look so much better. I'm so grateful for my family. I don't take anything for granted. I've finally learned to live in the moment and enjoy what I have. I don't want anything else. It's a peaceful feeling to get to this point. Just happy in my own space, in my own life, that I created with Austin. I have Carson to thank for helping me to reach this point in my life. He's my happy little boy and it's just so contagious!
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