Attitude is contagious

'Attitude is contagious' is one of the many quotes I've heard from my dad like a million times.  He was my basketball coach in high school and he always said that because one down player could make the rest of the team down.  He wanted us all to have a positive attitude so we could all be positive.  It is one of those quotes that will always be burned into my brain... sort of like his 'math in real life' quote, thanks Dad. 

I guess I never really thought about it too much in high school while playing basketball.  I mean I knew it was important to not have a negative attitude but that's pretty much the extent of my thinking.

Today, the quote came back to haunt me.  Luke has been having some pretty emotional days lately.  Was it his two year molars finally coming in?  Was it his late transition of having a new sister?  Was it the fact that he's frustrated with the shorter nursing sessions?

I got a pretty nice awakening last night when I realized that it was my husband and my attitude.  But really, especially mine.  I have been ultra tired lately because of all the night time wake ups, plus trying to get Luke awake at a semi-normal hour, I've been carrying around a baby and a toddler a lot- my body aches. 

I noticed I've been more short with him, unwilling to gently explain why he shouldn't do something.  Just saying no, not redirecting him to something else, which I have done for the last two years.  And not getting down where he is to talk to him, because holding a baby and doing deep squats isn't something I want to do every 10 minutes.

But attitude is contagious.  He's been short tempered, un-agreeable, upset.  When I finally was talking about it with my husband last night, over text because he was holding the baby while I was nursing Luke to sleep, I realized my attitude hasn't been the greatest.  Yes, parenting is hard.  Yes, having two children two and younger is hard.  But this is my vocation, this is what I live for.  So why have a negative attitude?

I adjusted my attitude today to a more positive outlook and the difference was night and day.  I'm very thankful I haven't gone that long with a negative attitude.

So thanks Dad, you're quotes have come in handy.  Maybe someday I'll write a post about 'Math in real life' ;)

EC beginnings and EC endings

Well, we're back to the beginning of EC with our new little one.  Its fun.  It's different this time since I didn't start EC with Luke until 3 months.  Taryn, we got to start right away.  We haven't been as diligent with her as we were with Luke, you know because my hands are always full.  But I do change her every time she wets.  I think that is probably one of the best things I could do for her because she absolutely hates a wet diaper.  Some days, when I'm really in tune, I can catch a lot of pees.  And we almost always catch poos.  She hates it even more to poop in her diaper, so it's like she's waiting to poop until we hold her over the potty.  I think she actually knows to wait, or to squirm enough that we'll take her. 
I'm really happy with how things are going.  I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough time to do EC with her because of having Luke too.

We are also ending our other side of the pottying journey.  Luke is almost finished with potty learning.  He almost never has accidents any more.  It was just a month ago I was telling my EC buddy Lisa about how I think it's going to be a while before he could actually tell me before he pees.  Well, he tells us now by saying 'I have to pee really bad!'.  lol.  I decided that I was going to put the potty in the living room, after having it in the bathroom all these months, so he could learn faster how to take himself.  Starting out, the bathroom is quite far to go once a 2 year old realizes they have to go.  It has worked out great.  He will either let himself outside in the grass, or more often then not just go walk over to the potty. 

He also always pees standing up.  He has really good aim.  I always wanted him to learn to stand so my husband has been great at showing him what to do.

One thing we have to work on is pulling down the pants.  He can't pull them on or off.  But he's really good at saying he has to go and that he needs help with his pants.  So he'll come over and ask for help so he can go pee. 

When we're out, he's good about holding it.  It's almost like the very few mistakes happen more at home.  So that has been really nice.

I can't believe he's almost done.  I can't believe how I haven't had to bribe, trick or reward him into going potty.  I am very glad that he chose to do it himself.  I do encourage him and get excited with him when he made it to the potty.  But he's done it himself, and I'm really proud. 

I love EC.  I can't even say enough good things about it.

3 months!

Dear little sweet Taryn bug,

You are three months old and you are just cuter than ever.  Your smile just lights up the room with your little tongue sticking through your teeth.  You are always so happy.

I'm surprised how much your personality reminds me of your daddy's.  You are so easy going, so laid back, and so go-with-the-flow.   The only thing that you've fussed over lately is your teething.  You will stick anything you can into your mouth.  You even try to bite our noses with your gummy bite.

We got you your first toy.  We couldn't find Luke's old Sophie so bought you a new one.  You love that you have discovered how good it feels to chew on her legs.

You sleep very well.  5 hours straight sometimes.  We weren't expecting that.  But you hardly sleep during the day because you don't want to miss anything your brother is doing. Which is ok by me because you will gladly take a nap when your brother does.

You've been smiling and laughing a lot, especially at anyone who coos at you.  You've gotten a kick out of the dog.  I can't wait to see what happens when you start to crawl after her.

The other day we caught you rolling from back to front.  Your motivation was to bite the blanket on the bed.  But isn't it too soon for you to be on the move?  We want you to stop growing so fast!


At your 3 month check up you weighed 13lb and 8oz and 25 inches long.  They said you are pretty long.  Maybe you'll be a little bball player like your Mama.

Your first time down the slide

Until then, you'll just enjoy playing with your brother!

We love you sweet Taryn.  You are just the sweetest thing.

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Fruit

My husband told me this quote from Woody Allen (that he heard from Archbishop Sheen) one day... on a particularly bad day...

"Marriage has three rings.  The engagement ring, the wedding ring, and the suffering"

Archbishop Sheen adds that the last ring should be worn for Jesus.  Who suffered for us.

We weren't having problems.  We hardly ever argue.  But some days with two small children there is a lot of stress.  Stress over getting the dishes done, stress from lack of sleep.   Now I think about this quote a lot.  Not to say that our kids are the suffering.  Not to say that my marriage is suffering.  But that all great things have some suffering.

I may not get much sleep these days.  But look at the fruits of our marriage.

Look at these two gifts from God.

Happy Anniversary (August 9th) to my dear husband Ben.  Let us always rejoice in our suffering as we follow Christ in our Marriage. 

3 years!

Wordless Wednesday- Playing Together Has Begun