Our Kids

Most days this week I think Lela would opt to send Landis back from whence she came. Lela is more sensitive than Piper but they are both really sensitive so the title of “more sensitive” just barely goes to Lela. Landis can really get under her skin though because Lela has so many things that are “treasures.” Every rock, stick, sticker, costume, stuffed animal etc. is her special toy that she doesn’t want to share. Landis likes to touch, lick, drag, take and similarly accost said toys. Sigh…enter Lela with broken heart and crocodile tears. We are working though our sibling issues but it is a bit heart wrenching for me to see Lela so upset by the havoc that a two year old can wreak on a 5 year olds possessions. In the end she just wants Lela’s attention and I know that but it is a hard thing for Lela to grasp.

Although I have to say that today when Piper pulled Landis’ hair for no reason other than to pull it Lela was the first to comfort her, hold her hand and generally be the best big sister ever. Piper was quick to come around and feel bad for what she had done and they were all walking hand in hand about 2 minutes after the offending incident. Oh if we could all forgive our trespasses so quickly.

Landis is going through a bit of the terrible two’s (which are not really terrible for us). She feels frustrated, wants to be included and lives to annoy her sisters some of the time. Today was a bit of a break through though and she actually yelled at Piper “I don’t like it” in a very enunciated way! We have been working with Piper and Lela to tell Landis that they don’t like it when she does something to them so that she can learn what is acceptable behavior.

I must admit it was easier when it was just Piper and Lela and myself to do the whole, “I don’t like it when you….” thing. It is hard for the girls to enforce it all the time and some of the time it just ends up with everyone screaming and me running for cover. When it was just the twins I spent every moment redirecting them, encouraging them to use their words when they were frustrated and dazzling them with age specific crafts. I had an ah ha moment the other day when I realized how frustrating it must be to live in a world with 5 year olds whose ability far surpasses yours.

Now that I realize all our activities are geared towards 5 year olds it has made our days a little less terrible twoish. The other day we made pom pom creatures and I was sure to give Landis enough crafty items to do that she was able to do so that we all enjoyed our craft time. Sometimes I just love ah ha moments.

Well my mother’s day cup was already full before Friday so I feel extra special this weekend. The girls did a tea at school and it was great. They had baked muffins, made us handprint picture frames, drew us a picture and said their favorite thing about their mom and even did some singing. It was really cute and special because I know the girls were genuine this year and not just doing what someone told them. They came up with their own reasons to be thankful etc and it just meant so much to me. I know they appreciate me and I know they are naturally self centered so having them say thank you was really nice.

Friday Jason took the day off and we had a good day. The girls are still not 100 percent so we just went with the flow. My actual mother’s day could not have started off better….I got a good nights rest!!! Phoebe could finally sleep laying down again and she and I snoozed away with only a couple of feedings in a 12 hour period (alas last night did not go so well but it wasn’t mother’s day anymore, lol). Sunday we had breakfast at home and then did the slip n’ slide, then our neighbor came over and watched the fearless 3 while J and I went and grabbed some lunch and a coffee (and some Godiva chocolate). All in all it was a great day/weekend.

WARNING: Gushy stuff

I am so grateful for my husband. I love the way he knows what I need and just does it without being asked. I love that he knows the little things are what make me swoon and he does them, empty the dishwasher, take out the trash, clean out my car (dreamy eyes). My girls are so incredibly lucky to have such a role model in their lives. I think his example is going to help them pick the right partner for them or give them the courage to keep searching or even the courage to be complete in themselves if that is where their path takes them.

The girls all have a little cold, I was up most of the night with Phoebe who just could not get comfortable. Jason swooped in this morning and took Phoebe at 5AM so that I could get a couple hours sleep (he offered in the night as well but I knew she would sleep more with me in the night and I can’t sleep if she is in distress anyway). So thank you honey for being superdad, even with all you have going on in your work-life I appreciate that you still put us first.

This is about the time we started taking parenting classes back in the days when we only had two kids. Landis is right in that phase of not being able to adequately express her wants/needs all the time but can think of what she wants/needs. So we are back to teaching the two positive choices, teaching her how to make choices, using kind words, using her words instead of whining and all the rest. I am so grateful we have all these tools it is just time to dust off the cobwebs and get it going so we can help her become a self regulated wonderful child and eventually adult:) Sigh, this parenting is hard (but rewarding) work. Honestly the toughest job I ever loved:)

Piper is regressing a little and being physical means to get her point across with Lela. A kick in the stomach here and a shove there:( I know it is all a part of her natural development but I don’t like it. She knows she is not supposed to do it and says sorry preemptively when she knows I am going to talk to her about it. We are teaching her that saying sorry does not make it okay

In other happenings she is becoming directive or suggestive with some of her friends. So instead of just doing exactly what they want to do she is coming up with ideas and suggesting them for imaginary play etc. I also overheard her tell a friend that she did not want to tease another friend because teasing wasn’t nice. Oh I hope that sticks with her when kindergarten starts.