Nostalgia

I know it's early, but I am already feeling nostalgic about my tiny newborn.  So, in honor of his astonishing growth at two months, I'm posting pics from day two through our homecoming.

Sigh...

 The sign I created when I was giddy with excitement but Elgin was slumbering away:

Hearing test.  He passed!

 Nana and Granddad's lightening quick visit:

 A few swollen Mama pics below...

Henry haaaaated my IV's.

But he looooooved his brother.

 H has the camera:

Closeup 

 Going home day:

 Daddy prepares the outfit:

Sleepy, satiated baby:

 Thirsty Mama!

 Surprised H!

 Sweet baby about to go home and meet Penny and see most of the rest of his world.

 Ready to go!

 Bros riding together for the first time:

Home!

The Firm - Tummy

The warm up...

Yeah, I got this...

 Whew!  I need a break...

 Can I quit now?

Backfire!

Here's what I learned about parenting a long time ago...  everything, and I do mean everything, will backfire eventually.

Today, when I picked up H from school, I noticed that his eyes were a little swollen, which wasn't surprising since I've just been sort of waiting to see if his cold results in the umpteenth sinus infection.  The first day of the onset is very hard since he gets super cranky.  I braced myself, but I didn't give in when he insisted that I carry his hoodie down the hall.  Nope.  I carry EW, you carry your jacket.

Then, since I didn't carry the hoodie, he was fire spitting' mad when we got to the car, and he insisted that he get in the car first.  No big deal.  Ahhhh... but he didn't want to go around to his side or climb over from Elgin's side.  So, he ended up crumpling on the curb after he tried to block me from putting in Elgin's carseat.

Then, he refused to go to the other side to get in his seat.  So, I carried my screaming child.  I laughed and said that I was definitely going to have to toss him into his seat.  I said, "Are you ready?  One... two... three... here we go!  "

"You'll hurt me!  You'll hurt me!  You'll hurt me! You'll hurt me!"

Our audience?  An entire class returning from their walk around campus.  One teacher even took a few steps out of her path to say hello.  I know she was checking for abuse.

And since it's tuition time, another parent got to witness my struggle to get him strapped in while she sat in her car to write a check.

Backfire.

The humor of it

Cory and I both made a decision to be a lot more positive when it comes to dealing with Henry's whining.  I know that I can't change others, only myself, so I decided to apply it to my boy.  Now, of course, I was thinking that it might have a chance of quelling some of the whiiiiiinnnniiinnngggg, and, guess what.  It did.

Every child is different and needs different things, and Henry really, really needs laughter at any expense-mine, his, Daddy's, Penny's, the wall's... anything.  If he refuses to get in his bed and wants to lie on the floor and whine, then I say, "Oh, you made me so happy!  I really, really wanted to pick you up and toss you in the bed!"  The whining stops, and it's replaced with my favorite sound--his laughter.

I also know that not letting on that my skin crawls is part of the reason why the whine is short-lived.  I mean, who doesn't like getting under their mother's skin?  I know I sure enjoy it.  If he's not getting the expected result, then why continue?

And, I know that no child is perfect, but these last few days, I am feeling like everything is back to being pretty close to perfect.

Last night, I thought he was about to start whining after he got in bed, which would have been expected since it was well past his bedtime.  He made a sad, pouty lip face and reached for Coco (his favorite stuffed elephant) and said, "Coco always wants to be with me, but, tonight, he has a cold.  Mama, I need you to take care of him for me."  Then he handed me Coco and selected a different stuffed animal.  Once that was over, I asked if he thought Coco might feel better, and he said, "Yes, I can sleep with him now.  He's not feeling sick anymore."

Grave subject, but no whining involved.