Simple Gifts

I have to say, this is my very favorite song ever written. I couldn't get a full recording of MoTab singing it, and I wanted to put a full recording on here, so "you get what you get & you don't throw a fit."

I have been trying to write a post for a few days, and just can't seem to gather my thoughts. Then, I read my cousin SP's post about "Choose the best part," and I remembered my lifelong motto: Simplicity. I have to be reminded so often to get back to the basics.

So I want to share some of our most recent "simple gifts," then I'm going to go revise my goals for the year to SIMPLIFY!

So our most recent simple gift is pmc's class on "attachment." Because I have a love of learning, we've been reading the book for the class together. Parts of it have made us feel very good about our parenting style, and other parts have helped us (me in particular) make important changes. I am especially grateful to have a chance to really watch for simple signs of cpc's growing "secure" attachment.

That gift also led to another gift. We have come to understand cpc's sleeping habits much better. This has led to stellar changes for everyone. I have become more patient with cpc when he does wake up in the night, and can more quickly recognize why he has woken up, which makes it easier for us to address his needs, and everyone gets back to sleep much quicker. Cpc also seems to be much more secure in knowing that we'll meet his needs, which has led to his ability to sleep longer stretches at night. It's not consistent, but it's now as regular as the night-wakings had been. I am happy to report that cpc is learning healthy sleep habits & attitudes about sleep, and that we're moving in the right direction.

Speaking of recognizing his needs when he wakes up, cpc has such a fast metabolism that he must get in five solids-feedings during the day or he simply can't make it through the night! Well, sometimes he falls asleep before his bedtime snack, which in turn leads to a midnight snack. This is not a simple gift.

The other funny thing about cpc's eating habits is that he does not seem to know when he's full. He will keep eating, and eating, and eating, and eating. Well, a few nights ago we were so hoping for a good night's rest, that we decided to attempt letting him eat till he stopped. We didn't get to follow through however, because he got so full that he couldn't pack it in anymore......he threw up! This is what his tummy looked like after! You may not be able to tell real well, but it was so full that it was pushing his lower ribs out. Don't think we were just stupid, his tummy was hidden by the high-chair-tray, so we couldn't see what was happening. It was ROCK SOLID!

The final simple gift I would like to share is the new schedule cpc & I started. We go to storytime at the library Tuesday & Thursday mornings, playgroup Wednesday morning, and swimming lessons on Saturday morning. We are loving our out-and-about time. Cpc loves watching all the other kids he gets to see. I am finally getting some good exercise (walking to the library). We get some scheduled time together almost everyday, were I can't let studio work or chores distract me from playing with cpc! Here's cpc & his friend AK.

Since I'm sure you're all dying to see it, here's a video of cpc crawling up the stairs!