2008/08/26

The Terrible Two

Is there really a terrible two or not?
Some parents say so and some don't.
Some parents share with me that their kids terrible two appears later years such as 2.5 y.o. or 3 y.o. and above.
To me, Katelyn is passing this stage.
I do not see the end yet.; expectly, it will surely last long enough.

Of course, there is a terrible two!!
How challenging it is for a 2 y.o. toddler to accomplish that many milestones all together.
By 2 y.o. doctor check-up, these are conversation parents have with peds.
"Does she quit her bottle?" "Not yet." "It is time to only drink from a cup".
"Does she start potty training?" "We are about to train her".
"It is about time to quit her pacifier." "How much does she speak now?"
"Does she throw temptrums?"

Plus, a 2 y.o. is getting a younger brother or sister. A 2 y.o. is expecting to understand much more or "act like a human".
Of course, there will be temptrums. Without doubt, there will be resistance.

As a mother, I cannot help to fall into those traps. Saying something like, "hurry up!", "No!", "Stop!", "Do you want to get spank?", "Time out!".
These are what parents should be doing to help our kids to settle in life.
However, I need to remind myself, "Be patient. Slow down. Let her take her time. She will get it someday".

I am proud of Katelyn of trying hard and be motivated with all new challenges.
At her 2 y.o. birthday, I set up goals for the coming year for her.
1. To quit bottles.
2. To be potty trained.
3. To quit pacifier.

It is amazing that she has accepted to start to drink milk from sipping cup and not asked for bottles at night. For goal 2 & 3, they are are still far away from achieving.
I should be confident with her and myself.
BE PATIENT!!
Yes, who ever said being parents are easy.

2008/08/23

整裝待發?

久久沒有紀錄自己當母親的心情
懷孕進入25週 肚子鼓起來的程度的確比第一胎快
行動不變 腰酸背痛的感覺已經持續好一陣子

還有十週多 家裡就要多個成員
忙碌的暑假 被排滿活動的週末帶過
這週三小米阿媽離開紐約
天氣漸漸轉為八十出頭的溫度
感覺心情也轉換著~~生活將有未見的不同

現在這一兩個小時 有著沒孩子牽絆的清靜 軒帶著小米去維修車子 吃早餐
這對於我 十分難得

軒職業忙碌 即使是有心的父親
剛剛他們出門 我竟然還有點掛念
兩年來 他單獨帶小米的小時 可能可以用十隻手指頭數完
對著他說 將來兩個寶貝 可能常有一個帶一個的狀況ㄋ!?
我感覺軒也在逐漸挑整步伐 心理踏實些

而我? 整裝待發當兩個ㄚ頭的媽了?
有些忐忑不安 但不驚慌有些興奮 缺乏負向思考的警覺性

跟上次懷孕相同的警訊 需要提醒自己少活動以預防早產
讓二十多週的我多了焦慮跟擔憂 沮喪著若不用擔憂這個就好了
帶著兩歲出頭的孩子 要完全休息實在困難希望別落到需要臥床的狀況


心理開始盤算著何時開始請產假
更者 在家待多久當全職媽媽或者慢慢增加工作時數回崗位
這些譜在心理反覆 卻也明白其實答案會隨著跟孩子的互動及家庭需求浮現
老二要準備的東西其實不多
上週把小米新生兒的衣服拿出來整理一次
小米比我還興奮
直說要幫妹妹穿衣服
他成天說著妹妹 撞到我肚子也會說sorry 妹妹
已經看到他成為姐姐的模樣
很開心看到屬於她年紀的貼切成熟度

下週末一家人將去個近距離旅行
我跟軒也請了兩天假 過過屬於我們交往十三週年的紀念日
之後 短期內我們將一起面對家中小成員的來臨
整頓家裡 祈福平安健康的眷顧

小米搶鋒頭 一副自己是壽星一般 Michelle爸媽好似三個孩子的爸媽一般


把握夏天好好游泳


自言自語玩耍

2008/08/16

鬼靈精怪

阿公跟小阿姨來紐約 度過一個家庭聚會的週末
小米~大家眼中的鬼靈精怪
越來越會作怪囉

教我打麻將ㄇ?爸爸
哈哈 拿到好牌囉

Peter Ruger Steak House

愛作怪表情

2008/08/13

第一次剪貼

Katelyn starts to use scissor and glue.
Actually, she is only playing with them. Scissor is still considering challenging for her. However, she was able to manage it with adult assistance.

As to GLUE, she LOVES it!

Let her make a mess for the table and hands full of glue.
She surely enjoys it.

I have registered Katelyn to start 5 week Forest Hills Library Parent Child Workshop in Sept. Last workshop was in the spring and she was a little too young for it. As her summer music class ended and my pregnancy will proceed to 3rd trimaster, we will start a little exploration on art work and free play every Friday.

I treasure the time to be with her as the "only child" before the second one comes.



2008/08/11

孩子的真話

孩子說的是真話 一點也不假
前兩天週末傍晚 小米玩的好好的
突然說 我的心情有點不好
小米媽咪一開始聽到有些驚訝
不是很聽得很清楚 因為她的"臭奶呆"(台語)
再問她一次 她說 我的心情不是很好 又說了一次
一方面覺得擔憂 小小孩子怎麼會心情不好ㄋ
一方面感到很放心 她是個會表達及抒發情緒的孩子
現代的社會 孩子令人擔心的除了行為問題
其實更是被壓抑及隱藏的情緒因子

我猜想 他應該是聽了媽咪說過吧
媽咪總是跟孩子說真實的心情
懷孕時期有時情緒失控 掉了眼淚 (為了莫名其妙的原因)
我會跟小米解釋 媽咪心情不好 可是哭哭沒事了
小米是很sensitive的小孩 能夠這樣pick up 情緒用字是好事囉
隔天問小米說 那你今天心情好ㄇ 他說今天心情好 媽咪就放心了
真真假假 我寧願相信孩子的真話而多敏感些她的感受

小米說月亮的事情 像是連續劇一般天天上演
天黑傍晚就問 媽咪 月亮ㄋ
或者會說 "月亮拿不到" 然後自己大笑 逗爸媽開心
那天媽咪真的被問煩了
異想天開的說 月亮天黑才上班拉 還沒上班
自己想了都覺得好笑 這是什答案
不過嚴肅的想 孩子學語言 認知發展成長的階段
耐心的陪伴回應 實在是長遠認真的父母功課ㄋ
這點對於沒耐心的我 的確是考驗

這週末也是忙碌的過去
阿媽快回台灣了 要好好把握可以輕鬆些的時光


小米跟豆豆彎彎兄妹play day


嚴肅的小米

媽咪老闆家BBQ


我愛吃韓國麵包