Need something to read...

So, this is the first blog entry that I'm not going to post pictures of Lyla! Wow, I actually have something to say! TJ and I have been struggling with discipline issues with our sweet 17 month old. We disagree on so many things but strive to find common ground. So, I decided to consult some of the resident experts (other moms) I work with and get some feed back on books to read. I also remembered that as a teacher I read Teaching with Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk. This book gave a ton of good suggestions on how to get kids to think about consequences for making choices instead of an adult always telling them what to do. As a disciplinarian in a classroom with 21 kids you would think I could handle one 17 month old...nope!

So, I decided to explore the Parenting with Love and Logic Series. I ordered Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood; Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years by Jim Fay and Charles Fay, Ph.D. The first part of the book gives a hilarious scenario in which a family is dining with company at their home and their 2 year old begins to "act up". When the others around the table start commenting the author suggests asking "your company to dine in the garage". Ha ha ha! It is really easy reading and keeps you entertained. I totally recommend this method of setting limits and logically disciplining your child(ren) while maintaining a calm demeanor. The authors keep reiterating the idea that if you give your child(ren) choices that work for you (i.e. Do you want to take a bath now or do you want to take a bath in 5 minutes?) you will give your child the autonomy they want while getting the end result you, as a parent, need. A method that they suggest before your child can even speak is using empathy to change a behavior. For example, every night when Lyla is almost done eating she starts to rub her hands all over her tray sending food flying off and on to the floor...and walls! (yummy for the dogs!) So, now when she does this I get on her eye level and quickly but in a calm voice say, "Oh, how sad. Dinner is over." Then I get her out of her highchair. Tonight she got really upset and wanted back up but dinner was over for her. She cried and wanted me to hold her but I ignored her for a couple of minutes then went to her picked her up, gave her a kiss and told her I loved her. The true test will be if she does it again...does the method work for us.

I have another book I'm going to consult as well that was recommended to me by a friend. It is titled Beyond Time-Out; From Chaos to Calm by Beth A. Grosshans, Ph.D. I will write about that one as soon as I get started on it.

Lyla and Nolan sittin' in a tree...

K-I-S-S-I-N-G! How cute! We were celebrating Ms. Kristin's 30th birthday and Mr. Mike 3_? birthday tonight! Lyla and Nolan just love playing together and playing with the other kids. They were being extra sweet tonight! This photo was taken by one of our neighbors on his cell phone and another neighbor also got a picture on his camera. I'll post the other pictures as soon as I get them!!

Elmo's Green Thumb

We did it! We took Lyla to see Sesame Street Live. She loved it! She's such a huge Elmo fan. I'm pretty sure it all started with the singing baby Elmo that Nini gave Lyla when she was 9 months old. Anytime she sees Elmo she starts yelling and screaming (in a good way). I'm posting a few pictures and a video of her reaction to the show! We defiantly recommend taking little one's to see the show!

Great News!

Well, we've hit a milestone! Lyla pottied on the potty for the first time Wednesday night! I was downstairs cleaning up the kitchen and TJ was bathing her. We've set up her "big girl potty" in her bathroom upstairs and we've had her sit on it every night for the last 2 months and she finally produced!! I heard TJ tell her "Good Girl, you pottied on the potty!" She was so proud of herself. She was dancing and clapping once I got up there with the camera! Here are a few pictures that I'm sure she will shoot me for later!

Now Lyla walks around saying potty all the time! She's also started to repeat EVERYTHING! She has expanded her vocabulary so much just in the last month! Her latest words, besides potty, are duck, park, up, please, and there you go.

Drama, Drama, Drama...

Sugar and Spice and everything nice....ha ha ha!! Not when you turn 17 months! Lyla is struggling with her independance! Here are a few pictures of her "Valentine" photo shoot. Usually when I get the camera out she starts saying "cheese" but this weekend she just kept turning away from me. Oh well! Lyla is quickly approaching 1 1/2 years old and doing so many fun things. She is really starting to understand that her words have power. If she says "up" Mommy will pick her up. If she says "milk" or "cup" she will get her cup. Wow, it's amazing! Her favorite word is still "NO!" Enjoy the photo's of our little drama queen!