Confessions of a Baby-Wise-Aholic

When I was pregnant with Eli, we met a precious couple at a church conference who had young children. As I expressed my concerns about being a mom, this sister shared with me her solution to all of my problems. Baby Wise! You can't imagine how this program has changed our lives.
The thought of the concepts scared me before Eli was born, but after a 16 day stay in NICU, where they use the Baby Wise method, I was SURE this was for us. Eli has since turned 2 and we continue using the principles of Baby Wise, Baby Wise II and Toddler Wise in our every day life. It is an amazing program which includes lots of sleep, time where Eli learns and explores on his own and planned times with his SANE mommy! It is really incredible and I would encourage any and every mom to get hold of this amazing gift to mothers! It is my guide for motherhood and I don't know what I'd do without it!
My confession, I LOVE Baby Wise and am enjoying Play alone time right now!! :o)

Two Front Teeth

Eli may be singing the song All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth for a LONG time, as he is likely going to lose his front right tooth. Today, he took a spill that ended with him hitting his tooth on the corner of a wooden box toy. :o( He is resting peacefully now. Matt will assess the damage in the morning and tell us what to do. He always knows what to do!

Ouch!!

I am pretty much worthless these days. I'm pretty sure I broke my tailbone. The funny thing is that I did it almost 5 years ago.
I was visiting and friend and fell down her stairs and am pretty sure I broke my tailbone, but due to the fact that I knew the doctor couldn't do anything for it, I just rested and the pain passed.
Well, a couple of days ago I had the same nagging pain I often have from sitting on something hard or sleeping in the wrong position. Unfortunately, unlike the normal pain, this pain has escalated to full on pain. I am now taking Percocet and Ibuprofen in large doses and am only coping with the pain when I'm taking them regularly.
I did have an x-ray today and will, hopefully, soon find out what is going on and what to expect as far as healing goes, but for now, I am just waiting and praying! Thank God because my BFF Emanda is off school on Thursdays and Matt is off on Fridays so I have been able to keep Eli's needs met through them the last couple of days, but a new week is approaching and I am praying God will provide hands to care for Eli as long as I must be in bed.
Resting and praying and waiting...

What Happened to Nap Time?!

For months I wondered when Eli would move into a one afternoon nap a day routine. He was 18 months before he decided he didn't need his morning nap and since then he has decided he doesn't need as much sleep all together. Not only have his nap times shortened, but his night has shortened as well.
Now, I know I shouldn't complain because his routine gives me a lot of "me" time throughout the day. The problem is that the me time has changed into me thinking about Eli time. Now, it is time filled with thoughts of how to entertain him when he's finished with "play alone" time or nap time or play at the park time or gym time. Not much me time isn't filled with thoughts of him...That's a mom's full time job, right?!
Anyway. The fact that I'm writing this blog proves that I have some time to myself! So, I'm going to keep doing what I do and be thankful!
I am truly blessed! God has been so kind to me to give me a healthy, vibrant son in spite of my extremely incompetent cervix. He is truly a miracle and I am so thankful!

My Little Bully

Eli has entered the "mine" phase. He is really starting to fuss and fight when other kids play with his things and bully kids wherever he goes when they have something he wants. :o(
When he went to play time at the gym the other day, while I was swimming, he pushed an older, bigger boy off a toy he wanted "with some force" according to the babysitter. She thought it was funny.
In kid's kingdom, at church, the other day, we peeked in on him stealing a toy from an older, bigger boy who appeared to be hiding his toy from Eli because it was not the first toy he took. :o( Sorry CJ!
Please send any advice and encouragement! I need all the help I can get.
I'm starting a book called "To Train up a Child" by Debbie Pearl...Any other book suggestions are welcome.
HELP!!

Eli's New Years Resolution...

Eli has 2 new year's resolutions this year to watch more tv and eat cereal at every meal. The cereal is no surprise seeing how I would eat cereal at every meal if I could. The tv thing is out of control! I have never seen anyting like it. The first thing that came out of his little sleepy mouth this morning when he got out of bed was tv. It is his first last and everything in between thing to do. Plus, the only thing he will watch is Moe and the Big Exit (Veggie Tales). Anything else is not Lo (Lone Stranger is the main song), and he will say, "Lo" until he gets his movie. I don't know what I'm going to do with him! I have widdled his tv time down to 2 a day. 1 time with each breathing treatment. But when the breathing treatments are over, which I pray is soon (2 weeks of them wares on you), he is not going to have tv for a WHILE! :o)

The Tender Years

I'm so excited to be starting a new parenting book. I never finished the first one I started, but I'm hoping I will have more success with this one as the chapters are shorter and more focused on God's instruction for raising kids. Not that the other one didn't...anyway.
This book is fairly new and I was hoping to find some friends to enjoy the journey with me. It's called The Tender Years: Parenting Preschoolers by Geri Laing and Elizabeth Laing Thompson.
Anyone who's interested, let me know! I'd love to enjoy this journey together with my friends!

Contentment

It is a concept that eludes me. Today, I find myself in the fight to find contment again as I sit home with my toddler who is obviously sick, but isn't acting like it, while my husband and friends enjoy sweet fellowship and worship together. Having been away from home for a month I feel I need to be there. I think of Paul when he said...

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:8

I pray to find contentment today. Contentment in being home with my sick little boy knowing that this is where God has me today. Contentment knowing that today is a day God made and I can glorify him in it! Contentment knowing that today is one day in a million and I need to enjoy some time alone with my sick little boy knowing that someday he won't be here with me, but grown and living on his own. I'm going to choose to be content today and let God do the rest! Today is another great day of encouragement and learning on my journey towards Heaven and I will rejoice and be glad in that!