I am more than a little sleep deprived right now, but things are changing with the girl at record speed, so I'm going to attempt a few coherent sentences for this week's What's New Wednesday anyway. Hopefully next week's update will have slightly better writing!
I have abandoned the word list I started after Annabelle's
visit to the pediatrician last Monday, because she is to the point where she's adding multiple new words each day. She will repeat just about any word you give her and use it again in context if given the chance. Best of all this week she started saying 'kiss' and in one of those moments where I think my heart could swell right out of my chest at any moment, offered one up to me with no prompting whatsoever.
Earlier today, I was trying to sneak in a bit of exercise and Annabelle was busily playing nearby. I was counting reps aloud because it always seems to amuse her, and I paused for a moment after six. Annabelle piped up out of nowhere and said "seven," and I just about fell off my yoga mat! I thought it may just be a fluke, but she did it several more times with numbers all the way up to nine. I don't try to directly teach counting at all, so this is something that must have simply caught Annabelle's interest.
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| Pants? No, thanks! |
The girl has reached a new level in her quest for independence. She is currently in bed asleep, stark naked, because creative attempts by both parents to convince her that pajamas were a good idea failed miserably. I have always believed in "choosing your battles" when it comes to parenting and I'm not much of a fighter, so there are very few issues I feel I really need to push. I can only imagine how exhausted I would be if unquestioned compliance were my goal. It's tiring enough to make sure she's wearing underwear when we go out for a walk and isn't jumping on the counter top. I don't think "strong willed" really covers it. On the whole, I'm glad to have a child who knows what she wants and how to stand up for herself.
We have hit another rough patch with sleep and I'm at a bit of a loss, but hoping that it will pass. Nighttime sleep is just fine, but for some reason Annabelle is waking up every 20-45 minutes while napping. Today I put her back to sleep twice after her first nap stretch. I think I may have to try
the No Cry Nap Solution's suggestion and sit in her room for a few days so that I can pat her back as soon as I see her struggling and hopefully help her get back to a place where she's able to sleep through until she has gotten enough rest.
Speaking of sleep, I ought to get some so that I can be back here in top form soon.
In the meantime, won't you fill me in on the latest with your family? I love hearing your updates!
As I type this, mine are finally down for their naps, also completely naked (except Gemini still wears diapers). The weather's finally warmed up a little bit, so they are definitely milking it - I just wish I could join them!
ReplyDeleteso cute! your title made me laugh out loud! Toddlers are so funny. PhD in Parenting just put up an open ended question post about toddlers, I think you should go add your bit about no pants =)
ReplyDeleteOnce I let Ayden wear a bib in the mall. Creative self expression at four years old. He looked pretty ridiculous.
But I did NOT let Matthew wear his bathing suit to school the other day like he wanted to. I have limits.
=)
We are having big sleep issues around here these days. I'm going to write a post about it right now!
I think the greatest survival tip for life with toddlers is "remember, this, too, shall pass." It might be my life's mantra around here these days. Because we outsource school, I really only have one year left at home full time with Riley before he begins the long slow march away to school. So sad! That helps me, on days where he wants to wear his pants backwards and covered in chocolate stains from the day before. Like, just let me wash them, dude! I promise I will give them back!! =p Your Annabelle is adorable. Nice work not fighting her~it will serve your relationship well, and help her discover herself and value her point of view in life. Good work!
Yay for child-led learning! :) Kieran has surprised me like that too - it's amazing what they can pick up on their own!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad mine isn't the only one sleeping au naturel! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe comments over there are fantastic! I can definitely relate to so much!
ReplyDeleteI saw your mention of sleep issues on Annie's post and I feel for you. That sounds exhausting! I'll have to check for your post in my reader here soon...
"This, too, shall pass" is a great mantra for those of us with toddlers an. I needed that reminder this week!