I have been meaning to blog for about a week now, but it's just been so chaotic with all our May birthdays, Mother's Day, planning Liam's party and (still) settling into our new home.
Liam has been experiencing an awful lot of temper tantrums lately (especially while eating). We weren't sure if he didn't like his food or if he wanted to feed himself. I made him lots of finger foods to test that theory--he'd eat some, but throw most on the floor. Yesterday, I let him try feeding himself with the spoon, as opposed to us feeding him while he plays with a spoon. Here's the result...
I guess our already too big of a boy is ready to be even more independent. Time for mama (and dada) to let go. Surprisingly, it's Dada who is having a harder time with letting go. Although, he's also the one who works long hours away from lil' man, so I certainly understand.
Liam has been busy, busy. He's quite an active lil' stinker. I am so exhausted--chasing after him as he takes 3-5 steps to things, then cruises along furniture, walls, etc. to get to whatever it is that's in his line of sight (and if he doesn't get it, for whatever reason you can expect an AWFUL tantrum!).
Here he is unrolling the toilet paper! Look at his "warning/do not stop me" face. I warn you, tread lightly with this situation. I used to just let him do what he wanted (provided it was safe to do so) but Dada has been teaching Liam about the word "No" and stopping him from doing activities that we do not wish for him to do (like going through mama's desk/files). Kevin is one brave man!
Unfortunately, Mama has to join Dada on the "bad cop" journey, since we'll only confuse Liam if we both do things differently. I just thought we could wait until later, but Kevin's right--he is having A LOT of tantrums now and they're progressively getting worse.
WOW! Let me tell ya--this kid has a mind of his own and when you stand in his way, you will PAY! Quite the temper... we're working on it (as best you can with a baby). Usually distracting him with something else does the trick, however there are times when that doesn't work, so we have to ignore the tantrum. As soon as it stops, we kiss/cuddle and move on. The trick is to never look back (when he's older, we'll discuss the behavior and the process of making better choices, but he certainly would not understand that now).
On a lighter note, Liam started clapping his hands this weekend (up until this point he would clap objects together or make you clap your hands, but he's never been a fan of loud noise, so he has never clapped). At my Mama's Day dinner (the guys took me to Olive Garden Saturday night, to avoid crowds on Sunday) a nearby table celebrated a birthday and sang the birthday song. Liam loved listening (I sing the song to him regularly, since his birthday is in a few weeks). When the song was over, everyone clapped and Liam got excited and started clapping. It was so cute. He was jumping up and down, smiling and clapping. The more we praised him the more excited he got. Too funny.
Friday, the 6th was Dada's birthday. Liam completed his first art project. He finger-painted a card for Dada. It was so fun... we got so messy!
The finished product (mama "helped" Liam trace his hand on his finger-painted artwork, cut it out and cut out letters)
Liam dotted the front of Dada's card with his fingertips!
Dada LOVED it
My first Mother's Day was wonderful. The boys started my morning with cards in bed on Sunday morning and a gift from Ava for Mama (loved my coffee mug w/ photos of my fave lil' guy--must get a photo of it asap!). Then the guys ventured to the kitchen and made me stuffed french toast-yummy! After breakfast, we went on a nice bike ride (Dada bought Mama a new bike on Saturday and Mama bought him a new bike for his birthday!). We spent the day lounging around, playing in the backyard and Mama even got to watch a Lifetime movie (it's been at least a year since I've been able to do that--what a treat!). The boys BBQ'd some yummy steak for dinner and Mama got to watch her programs that night after Liam was off to bed. Such a wonderful day!
Waking up to this lil' guy is ALWAYS a treat, but he was especially happy on Mama's Day!
Practicing walking is ALL he wants to do these days
Love him!
Liam is really getting brave about taking steps on his own... his record is 5 steps. I don't think it will be long and this mama will be even busier! Not too surprising, considering both Kevin and I were early walkers and Liam doesn't have a timid bone in his body. He is quite the dare-devil, which is extra frightening now that he has taken to climbing. I just took him down from the step stool (two entire steps--he was about 2ft. off the ground, mama almost had a heart attack!). Here's what I found him doing yesterday (I drew the line at trying to climb the rails on the back!)...
Last week, I took him to the park. He got in the swings for a bit, but then decided he wanted to practice walking, so we walked around the park several times before I convinced him to take a break (my back was killing me). Here's how he occupied his time...
Found a pine cone
Ate a lil' dirt
Tasted the pine cone (he wouldn't stop trying to eat it, so eventually the pine cone "disappeared")
Watched the big kids play
We ventured over to the base beach last weekend (it was desolate--so nice!). Liam enjoyed playing in the sand and even enjoyed getting his feet wet in the freezing water. We had so much fun just spending the afternoon watching him play and enjoy the beach. Funny how kids can make the most ordinary things so much more special and exciting (I've experienced this w/ teaching many times, but it's just not the same until you experience it with your own child).
Getting ready for the beach
He tries to put on his hat on
Playing with his snack
All my guys!
Oh and before I get going (lots of birthday planning to do and errands to run)... Liam has picked up some new vocabulary (and not the best vocabulary either). I guess I scold our dogs a little too much (for barking out in the backyard) as Liam now bangs on the sliding glass door and repeats "baa daah" (bad dog). When they come inside he waves his arm up and down as he says "baa daah" (mama shakes her finger at Porky while saying "bad dog"). This morning, after Liam finished nursing in bed he leaned over to where the dogs sleep and said "baa daah"... I don't think he understands that their names are not "baa daah!" Hehe...Oops!
Have a lovely remainder of the week...
this lil' guy and I certainly will!
Liam has been experiencing an awful lot of temper tantrums lately (especially while eating). We weren't sure if he didn't like his food or if he wanted to feed himself. I made him lots of finger foods to test that theory--he'd eat some, but throw most on the floor. Yesterday, I let him try feeding himself with the spoon, as opposed to us feeding him while he plays with a spoon. Here's the result...
I guess our already too big of a boy is ready to be even more independent. Time for mama (and dada) to let go. Surprisingly, it's Dada who is having a harder time with letting go. Although, he's also the one who works long hours away from lil' man, so I certainly understand.
Liam has been busy, busy. He's quite an active lil' stinker. I am so exhausted--chasing after him as he takes 3-5 steps to things, then cruises along furniture, walls, etc. to get to whatever it is that's in his line of sight (and if he doesn't get it, for whatever reason you can expect an AWFUL tantrum!).
Here he is unrolling the toilet paper! Look at his "warning/do not stop me" face. I warn you, tread lightly with this situation. I used to just let him do what he wanted (provided it was safe to do so) but Dada has been teaching Liam about the word "No" and stopping him from doing activities that we do not wish for him to do (like going through mama's desk/files). Kevin is one brave man!
Unfortunately, Mama has to join Dada on the "bad cop" journey, since we'll only confuse Liam if we both do things differently. I just thought we could wait until later, but Kevin's right--he is having A LOT of tantrums now and they're progressively getting worse.
WOW! Let me tell ya--this kid has a mind of his own and when you stand in his way, you will PAY! Quite the temper... we're working on it (as best you can with a baby). Usually distracting him with something else does the trick, however there are times when that doesn't work, so we have to ignore the tantrum. As soon as it stops, we kiss/cuddle and move on. The trick is to never look back (when he's older, we'll discuss the behavior and the process of making better choices, but he certainly would not understand that now).
On a lighter note, Liam started clapping his hands this weekend (up until this point he would clap objects together or make you clap your hands, but he's never been a fan of loud noise, so he has never clapped). At my Mama's Day dinner (the guys took me to Olive Garden Saturday night, to avoid crowds on Sunday) a nearby table celebrated a birthday and sang the birthday song. Liam loved listening (I sing the song to him regularly, since his birthday is in a few weeks). When the song was over, everyone clapped and Liam got excited and started clapping. It was so cute. He was jumping up and down, smiling and clapping. The more we praised him the more excited he got. Too funny.
Friday, the 6th was Dada's birthday. Liam completed his first art project. He finger-painted a card for Dada. It was so fun... we got so messy!
The finished product (mama "helped" Liam trace his hand on his finger-painted artwork, cut it out and cut out letters)
Liam dotted the front of Dada's card with his fingertips!
Dada LOVED it
My first Mother's Day was wonderful. The boys started my morning with cards in bed on Sunday morning and a gift from Ava for Mama (loved my coffee mug w/ photos of my fave lil' guy--must get a photo of it asap!). Then the guys ventured to the kitchen and made me stuffed french toast-yummy! After breakfast, we went on a nice bike ride (Dada bought Mama a new bike on Saturday and Mama bought him a new bike for his birthday!). We spent the day lounging around, playing in the backyard and Mama even got to watch a Lifetime movie (it's been at least a year since I've been able to do that--what a treat!). The boys BBQ'd some yummy steak for dinner and Mama got to watch her programs that night after Liam was off to bed. Such a wonderful day!
Waking up to this lil' guy is ALWAYS a treat, but he was especially happy on Mama's Day!
Practicing walking is ALL he wants to do these days
Love him!
Liam is really getting brave about taking steps on his own... his record is 5 steps. I don't think it will be long and this mama will be even busier! Not too surprising, considering both Kevin and I were early walkers and Liam doesn't have a timid bone in his body. He is quite the dare-devil, which is extra frightening now that he has taken to climbing. I just took him down from the step stool (two entire steps--he was about 2ft. off the ground, mama almost had a heart attack!). Here's what I found him doing yesterday (I drew the line at trying to climb the rails on the back!)...
Last week, I took him to the park. He got in the swings for a bit, but then decided he wanted to practice walking, so we walked around the park several times before I convinced him to take a break (my back was killing me). Here's how he occupied his time...
Found a pine cone
Ate a lil' dirt
Tasted the pine cone (he wouldn't stop trying to eat it, so eventually the pine cone "disappeared")
Watched the big kids play
We ventured over to the base beach last weekend (it was desolate--so nice!). Liam enjoyed playing in the sand and even enjoyed getting his feet wet in the freezing water. We had so much fun just spending the afternoon watching him play and enjoy the beach. Funny how kids can make the most ordinary things so much more special and exciting (I've experienced this w/ teaching many times, but it's just not the same until you experience it with your own child).
Getting ready for the beach
He tries to put on his hat on
Playing with his snack
All my guys!
Oh and before I get going (lots of birthday planning to do and errands to run)... Liam has picked up some new vocabulary (and not the best vocabulary either). I guess I scold our dogs a little too much (for barking out in the backyard) as Liam now bangs on the sliding glass door and repeats "baa daah" (bad dog). When they come inside he waves his arm up and down as he says "baa daah" (mama shakes her finger at Porky while saying "bad dog"). This morning, after Liam finished nursing in bed he leaned over to where the dogs sleep and said "baa daah"... I don't think he understands that their names are not "baa daah!" Hehe...Oops!
Have a lovely remainder of the week...
this lil' guy and I certainly will!
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