A friend's nanny was out today, and since she wasn't able to find a back up in time, she asked me. I thought, "sure, I'll be helpful this one time and brave three kids. How hard can it be?"
J is a four month old, precious little girl. And fortunately for me, C seriously *LOVES* babies. However, Mak has never been around babies, so I was still a little apprehensive. 8am, J gets dropped off, so does C, all is well. Mak sees J, stares, then sees C, the boys go play, I get the girl settled in (I'd never met her before this).
I had it all planned out. I'd get all three kids in the car, and head down to Kid Ventures, a fabulous indoor play area. Got the diaper bags packed and the boys in their shoes, the girl buckled into the carseat and managed to corral them all in the car. Of course I didn't even consider that EVERY OTHER MOM would be there as well, since it was raining. It. Was. Packed. Fine, I thought, we'll just stay here for an hour, then by the time I get them all out of there and back IN the car and back home, it'll be lunchtime.
Wrong. Ten minutes into the hour, C had a meltdown. He was hungry and didn't like ANY of the 12 snacks I packed. Two choices, I told him, we can go home and eat or we can stay and play for a little bit longer and then go home and eat. He didn't like his choices. More meltdown. Some time out, while I changed J's diaper (how is it possible I'd already forgotten how often newborns need their diaper changed?!)
Then, of course, I changed Mak's diaper. Then I bottle-fed J. Then I kissed Mak's boo-boo. Then I helped C put on play clothes. Then I finished bottle-feeding J. And then.. And then.. And then........
Oh, how happy I was then the hour was up!! Got all three kids in the car, got home, J asleep in the carseat, fed the boys, bottle-fed J yet AGAIN, play play play play, NAP TIME!!
Here's the absolute best thing I've ever (I do mean EVER) accomplished: I got a three year old, a sixteen month old AAAANNNNDD a four month old to take a nap.
AT.THE.SAME.TIME.
Oh yes, I ate my lunch in peace and enjoyed EVERY. SECOND. I was so proud of myself! I really did think for a second that I couldn't possibly be able to take care of three kids at the same time, but I can!! I *CAN* do it! I certainly don't WANT to do it on a daily basis, but I definitely feel a great sense of... ability, I guess, is the right word, just knowing that there is something out there that I absolutely, positively CAN DO and I know I can because I did it!
And that, my friends, is life with three. I did it, and it didn't leave me as tired as I thought it would. I'm sure it's different when you have three 24/7, but for the moment, I'll settle for my 8/1 (eight hours a day, for one day). :)
Much Love,
The Dolfos
18 February 2011
17 February 2011
16 February 2011
Sharing is Caring
So I woke up this morning and somehow ended up reading this article about sharing:
I have to say, I agree. I watch a three year old all day (let's call him "C") along with my sixteen month old. I've gone out of my mind trying to explain to C that Mak just doesn't understand the concept of sharing yet. I've also gone out of my mind emphasizing to C that 'sharing' doesn't mean 'my turn NOW' (Mak, for the most part, doesn't seem TOO interested yet in playing with others anyway). I've decided to take a step back and see if they can work it out amongst themselves.
So far, not too bad. There's some snatching here and there and I just watch and see what happens. Unlike the blogger, I have two kids in very different stages, so I'm sure that makes it different situation. C is much more likely to come up to me and complain. Mak has no problem yet, either way. All I now is, taking this approach sure helps my sanity throughout the day. Playing referee for eight straight hours was just exhausting. It's important to let kids build their conflict resolution skills, and we as parents are here to help them, not do it for them.
Here's to caring, independent, skillful children! :)
Much love,
The Dolfos
I have to say, I agree. I watch a three year old all day (let's call him "C") along with my sixteen month old. I've gone out of my mind trying to explain to C that Mak just doesn't understand the concept of sharing yet. I've also gone out of my mind emphasizing to C that 'sharing' doesn't mean 'my turn NOW' (Mak, for the most part, doesn't seem TOO interested yet in playing with others anyway). I've decided to take a step back and see if they can work it out amongst themselves.
So far, not too bad. There's some snatching here and there and I just watch and see what happens. Unlike the blogger, I have two kids in very different stages, so I'm sure that makes it different situation. C is much more likely to come up to me and complain. Mak has no problem yet, either way. All I now is, taking this approach sure helps my sanity throughout the day. Playing referee for eight straight hours was just exhausting. It's important to let kids build their conflict resolution skills, and we as parents are here to help them, not do it for them.
Here's to caring, independent, skillful children! :)
Much love,
The Dolfos
15 February 2011
16 months.
Mak is turning sixteen months tomorrow. I really don't know where the time went. Today was particularly challenging. He woke up with red, bumpy cheeks - a "tell" sign that more teeth are cutting through. Poor kid really can't catch a break! Only four teeth on his first birthday, and now, he's up to 12, just four months later. I'm lucky that he is a very happy boy, all I have to do is take him outside and he's great. But the tantrums are hard on me and I find myself wanting to just scream back. Instead, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and calmly deal with it.
I'm reading Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" () and one of her commandments (for herself, which I find fit me very well) is "Act the way I want to feel." I always want to feel content, and calm, and find myself NEVER feeling either of those during the day lately. So I go ahead and fake it. I put a smile on my face and I use my indoor voice against the toddler's screaming, and I find that eventually (most of the time) I start to feel just a little calmer than I did an hour ago. It's working. It's such a big mental shift from my daily stressing out, so I expect it to take time.
Also, I'm making the switch back to cloth diapers. All this teething has been hard on poor Mak's bottom, which also lead to tantrums, and to save my sanity, and his, I'm going back to cloth. He's happier in cloth, which makes ME happier. Less rashes, and he's even more aware of when he's wet and he'll ASK me to change his diaper. How can anyone say anything negative about that? I'm not surrounded by too much support, even Brad isn't thrilled with it, because, honestly: disposables are "easier". But when I say, "It makes HIM happy, which makes ME happy." Well, who can deny us that?
I would like to make it my resolution to write here at least six days a week. I even have the App on my iPhone. No excuses. And it's thanks to Gretchen Rubin, because I know that writing makes me happy, and we could all use a little more HAPPY in our lives.
Much love,
The Dolfos
I'm reading Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" () and one of her commandments (for herself, which I find fit me very well) is "Act the way I want to feel." I always want to feel content, and calm, and find myself NEVER feeling either of those during the day lately. So I go ahead and fake it. I put a smile on my face and I use my indoor voice against the toddler's screaming, and I find that eventually (most of the time) I start to feel just a little calmer than I did an hour ago. It's working. It's such a big mental shift from my daily stressing out, so I expect it to take time.
Also, I'm making the switch back to cloth diapers. All this teething has been hard on poor Mak's bottom, which also lead to tantrums, and to save my sanity, and his, I'm going back to cloth. He's happier in cloth, which makes ME happier. Less rashes, and he's even more aware of when he's wet and he'll ASK me to change his diaper. How can anyone say anything negative about that? I'm not surrounded by too much support, even Brad isn't thrilled with it, because, honestly: disposables are "easier". But when I say, "It makes HIM happy, which makes ME happy." Well, who can deny us that?
I would like to make it my resolution to write here at least six days a week. I even have the App on my iPhone. No excuses. And it's thanks to Gretchen Rubin, because I know that writing makes me happy, and we could all use a little more HAPPY in our lives.
Much love,
The Dolfos
09 November 2010
Meltdown City.
Population: One Makster
Boy, can this kid throw a tantrum. We've been following the Love and Logic parenting strategy. It's pretty tough sometimes while they go through phases, though. We seem to be stuck in a HUGE tantrum phase. It doesn't help that Mak is teething big time. Looks like he's getting four teeth at once and it's wreaking havoc on our normally calm routine.
The best thing we can do is stay consistent. But look at this face!
It can be *SO* hard to say no to this face! Alas, I'm building lots of willpower and standing my ground. And Mak understands a lot more than I give him credit for. We're doing a lot of positive reinforcement... High five'ing when he follows the rules and lots of cheering when he listens to our directions (i.e. "put the block away, please" or "sit down in the bathtub"). I have faith that we'll get through this testing phase and come out with a wonderful, well-behaved little boy.
Until the next phase, at least. :) I do so very much love this face:
Yes, he was Darth Vader for Halloween. And look at that happy smile!
Much love,
The Dolfos.
Boy, can this kid throw a tantrum. We've been following the Love and Logic parenting strategy. It's pretty tough sometimes while they go through phases, though. We seem to be stuck in a HUGE tantrum phase. It doesn't help that Mak is teething big time. Looks like he's getting four teeth at once and it's wreaking havoc on our normally calm routine.
The best thing we can do is stay consistent. But look at this face!
It can be *SO* hard to say no to this face! Alas, I'm building lots of willpower and standing my ground. And Mak understands a lot more than I give him credit for. We're doing a lot of positive reinforcement... High five'ing when he follows the rules and lots of cheering when he listens to our directions (i.e. "put the block away, please" or "sit down in the bathtub"). I have faith that we'll get through this testing phase and come out with a wonderful, well-behaved little boy.
Until the next phase, at least. :) I do so very much love this face:
Yes, he was Darth Vader for Halloween. And look at that happy smile!
Much love,
The Dolfos.
07 November 2010
A year.
October 2009:
This gorgeous baby boy of mine was born at 5:06am and weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces.
One year later, he's up to a whopping 25 pounds, walking, running, signing and even a few words.
My eyes well up as I think about this past year, all of its ups and downs and in betweens. Learning to be "Mom" was not easy. It tested my patience. It tested my will. It tested my commitment. It tested my relationships. It certainly tested my sanity. They aren't kidding when they say sleep deprivation is the hardest part of being a new parent.
I wouldn't trade a second. Not even a millisecond. The joy this little boy has brought into our lives is indescribable and irreplaceable. A year later and I know:
*just how much patience I have
*what an amazing father Brad is
*how fun it is watching my parents be grandparents
*messes are NOT worth the stress, but ARE worth laughter
*that it's okay for me to nap when he naps
*the laundry will always be there for me to do tomorrow
*the best thing I can accomplish all day is making my baby laugh
*my marriage is a lot stronger than I gave it credit for
*that I can never take too many pictures
*and that being late is worth every hug and kiss.
As we move into our second year, I look forward to seeing more of Mak's rambunctious personality. Something tells me I have a sweet little mischievous boy on my hands. Here's hoping I can nurture more sweet than mischievous! :)
Much love,
The Dolfos.
This gorgeous baby boy of mine was born at 5:06am and weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces.
One year later, he's up to a whopping 25 pounds, walking, running, signing and even a few words.
My eyes well up as I think about this past year, all of its ups and downs and in betweens. Learning to be "Mom" was not easy. It tested my patience. It tested my will. It tested my commitment. It tested my relationships. It certainly tested my sanity. They aren't kidding when they say sleep deprivation is the hardest part of being a new parent.
I wouldn't trade a second. Not even a millisecond. The joy this little boy has brought into our lives is indescribable and irreplaceable. A year later and I know:
*just how much patience I have
*what an amazing father Brad is
*how fun it is watching my parents be grandparents
*messes are NOT worth the stress, but ARE worth laughter
*that it's okay for me to nap when he naps
*the laundry will always be there for me to do tomorrow
*the best thing I can accomplish all day is making my baby laugh
*my marriage is a lot stronger than I gave it credit for
*that I can never take too many pictures
*and that being late is worth every hug and kiss.
As we move into our second year, I look forward to seeing more of Mak's rambunctious personality. Something tells me I have a sweet little mischievous boy on my hands. Here's hoping I can nurture more sweet than mischievous! :)
Much love,
The Dolfos.
07 September 2010
Going places
I'm really starting to hit a groove with taking two kids out on activities. Sure, it infinitely helps when I have another adult, but I'm starting to gain some confidence in just getting up and going. The days go by faster, we all have more fun and it really helps our mood. It only took ten and a half months. =P
Last week we hit the Zoo, the Children's Museum and I even took the boys along with me to do a few errands! One is fairly easy and simple. Two is where I got flustered. But I've learned that it doesn't have to be hard at all! I'm pushing myself more, getting the diaper bag ready at night, getting snacks together, water, etc. This makes it so easy to just get out of the house in the mornings. And if I'm really set, we can stay out until naptime.
One thing I'm struggling with now, though, is Makani seems to be allergic (or at least not at ALL ready to digest) to dairy products. :( My poor baby! And he LOVES yogurt! I gave him a whole thing of yogurt everyday for a week, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why he was having such painful gas and awful diarrhea. Puffy eyes and bad sinuses, oh, this baby was miserable. And my normally wonderful sleeper was no more.
I'm hoping that this is something he'll grow out of. The amazing thing is that by eliminating all diary from his diet, and giving his body time to heal, my good sleeper has returned. ♥ And a happy baby is all I need.
Anyhow, we hit the zoo again tomorrow!
Much love,
The Dolfos
(PS. If anyone's confused, I nanny for an amazing two year old named Carter. So I have two kids during the weekdays. We only have one boy, Makani... for now) :)
Last week we hit the Zoo, the Children's Museum and I even took the boys along with me to do a few errands! One is fairly easy and simple. Two is where I got flustered. But I've learned that it doesn't have to be hard at all! I'm pushing myself more, getting the diaper bag ready at night, getting snacks together, water, etc. This makes it so easy to just get out of the house in the mornings. And if I'm really set, we can stay out until naptime.
One thing I'm struggling with now, though, is Makani seems to be allergic (or at least not at ALL ready to digest) to dairy products. :( My poor baby! And he LOVES yogurt! I gave him a whole thing of yogurt everyday for a week, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why he was having such painful gas and awful diarrhea. Puffy eyes and bad sinuses, oh, this baby was miserable. And my normally wonderful sleeper was no more.
I'm hoping that this is something he'll grow out of. The amazing thing is that by eliminating all diary from his diet, and giving his body time to heal, my good sleeper has returned. ♥ And a happy baby is all I need.
Anyhow, we hit the zoo again tomorrow!
Much love,
The Dolfos
(PS. If anyone's confused, I nanny for an amazing two year old named Carter. So I have two kids during the weekdays. We only have one boy, Makani... for now) :)
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