Abigail and I went to church today while Matthew was on military duty. She was so cute in her sundress and bow. She lasted only partway through the service before I had to take her out of the church for some fresh air. She spent the time in the pews playing with a teenager on crutches. She sat on her lap, asked to be held, pointed to her mommy. Exclaimed that the minister was daddy (ummm...no). She was sweet and social, as always. I thought to myself how lucky I am and how I must be doing something right to have such a sweet social butterfly of a child.
We came home. We took a stroller ride (not that I had a choice in the matter....she climbed in and told me to "go"). We ate lunch. She pigged out, which isn't surprising since she just started eating again after a week of a stomach virus. We played with light switches, cleaned a dirty diaper, picked up plastic eggs and put them in the Easter basket which has yet to be put away. We had a nice time.
And then the biting began. Where the heck did this come from? I now have 3 spots on my body where she created a blood blister. Ugh. I think she was just over stimulated. We were having a fun time and she didn't do it in anger. But it still hurt each time. So now what? When I stopped her, then the pinching began.
OK. So I know the moms out there are saying "yeah, that happens" but this is really bumming me out. What in the world am I doing wrong? I put her to bed a few minutes ago and she was screaming and fighting through the whole process. She's finally quiet and my only hope is that she hasn't punctured herself with the toothbrush she insisted on taking in the crib with her. Oh, or that she hasn't decided to eat all of the toddler toothpaste that also went in with her (I can no longer be trusted to do the toothpaste bit....she must do it herself!). Sigh.
I'm glad we got to church. If for no other reason, I needed the confidence builder that I can do those kinds of things on my own with her. Shopping is easy because she's moving, but church is difficult because she has to sit and be quiet. It shouldn't seem so monumental, but she's a busy little girl (ask anyone who is in her music class or in church with her for any length of time!) and she's exhausting. I wish I could bottle that energy and sell it!
Now I just need to feel confident in my ability to get on a plane with her to NJ next week!
Here are a few pictures of her that may show her sweet side (I need a reminder right now!).
The simple pleasures and pains of motherhood...we can theorize all we want concerning how and why children act the way they do, but it simply comes down to their individual little personalities and struggles. When they feel we are inhibiting their need to be independent or they are unable to express themselves in a way they would like, the little monster within creeps out. We can give them the space that they need when it is appropriate, but there are simply times or situations when we have to get things done or protect them from unsafe situations. They cannot do what they want. (Or what they "think" they want. lol!)
ReplyDeleteChurch is presently a struggle for us. We have to attend 9:00 am Mass. He is relatively calm and manageable at that time, however if we take him after he has been engaged in ANY activity (5pm, 6pm Mass) we're screwed.
It is all in phases. What drives you crazy this month will not be what drives you crazy a few months from now. Ever changing.
You're a fantastic momma! Maybe setting her away from you when she starts doing that would begin to deter her. Knowing that you will not pay attention to that type of behavior. (Time out...it's not too early.) Stay in the room with her, but let her sit in a safe stop and don't interact other than to put her back in that spot if she moves. With children her age a minute or two is about the limit. Just a thought.
I was just thinking this week that I too shouldn't have become a mother. I rationalized this by remembering I had appendicitis in 2005 - which was nature's way of telling me that were it not for modern medicine my life would have ended at 25 years old...hence no children. Hence I was not meant to have any.
ReplyDeleteNoah's latest trick is to cry inconsolably in the morning when he wakes up - back arching, sobbing, the whole bit. Nothing makes it stop. He is a wreck until he gets to the sitter's. And sometimes he is a wreck all day. Tylenol and Motrin do not help. Anyway....all this to say I sympathize with you.
Somehow though, the minute he starts being cute again I forget (mostly) about all the grief he has given me. I also try to remind myself that in 4 very short years he will be in kindergarten and this will all be a very distant (and probably amusing) memory.
Natalie:
ReplyDeleteYour rationale makes me giggle. Its sooo like you! And it is amazing how you quickly forget the challenges when they get cute again!