A little bit of obedience

It is a well known fact that Aidan has always been a little bit of a spitfire. Maybe because his name means "little fire." Or maybe just because he comes from two somewhat determined personalities. Whatever the cause, it is something to be reckoned with on a very daily basis.
As Aidan struggled through the toddler months of 15-20, he was tempestuous. He lived for tantrums and nothing could be better communicated than screaming and flailing at full force. I just pulled my hair out and tried different remedies for discipline.
I wanted Aidan to be one of those compliant children that didn't need a whole lot of convincing to please his parents. I see these children all the time, and I admire them...not their parents. For after the experiences I've had with my own child, I can definitely say that in a lot of circumstances, it's the child...not the parents. While there are many cases to disprove my point, especially in a more secular society, let's just say I mean this for the Christian parents, the parents that are trying desperately to raise a child to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the correction that follows.
I have felt many times that my child's actions are a direct reflection of bad parenting or inexperience. And while some of it may be the latter, I believe that my intentions and directions are pure and my  motives and efforts are not waning. I am consistent as possible. I am reading. I am praying. And yet, I struggle.
Recently, I have found a new method of training that has finally seemed to work for my stubborn minded child. "Ah-bey" is the simple word that changed it all. Once I got Aidan to understand and repeat the word "obey", it was like I caught him and convicted him of his naughtiness. We talk about obedience a lot in this household and now we know we can expect more from him. When I need Aidan to obey me, listen to me, or whatever, I get him to say "obey" and somehow he changes. He wants to obey. He feels capable and I have made him feel so.
Now, this doesn't work perfectly every time, but it has definitely changed things dramatically in our household. I know that again, this will change and we will come into a better realm of communication that will equip us with more tools for discipline. But for now... it is all about "obey."

22 months

Dear Aidan,

Today you are 22 months old and it is so hard for me to believe how grown up you are becoming. This is not the best or most recent picture of you, but it seems that we have really been slacking in that department lately, so it will have to do.
You are so silly and sweet these days and even though we had a couple rough weeks of sickness this month, and another ear infection, you have come out of it with such a happy and content spirit about you.
You are constantly repeating us these days and some of my new favorite words you say are: helicopter, avacado, and ambulance. You have a great vocabulary, but still struggle to put words together. You want to communicate about everything and still jabber on to us constantly.
I love the way you are so aware of your surroundings and how you notice landmarks when we drive around. You have a little routine with noticing the library and then McDonalds right after that and then when we turn towards home and it is naptime or bedtime, you always start saying "night night." I love the fact that you can fuss and whine all day and seem to need me every minute and then lay in the laundry basket with your blanket for 45 minutes. You now believe that you are supposed to stand in shopping carts since your Daddy started that whole thing with you, but you are so good at the store, just standing and holding on. We do have to watch you carefully though because you are amazing with child-proof bottles and you like to play with the eggs when we aren't looking.
Aidan, you are an extremely picky eater and I just can't seem to get you to try new things. It just baffles me some days. However, you eat pretty well when distracted with Elmo, the love of your life.
You watch way too much t.v. these days, but I am busy growing your baby brother or sister and that process just takes the life out of me. Speaking of which, you are going to be a great big brother. You absolutely love Oakley and I think that even though watching him every day can be tough on me, it has really prepared you for what lies ahead. You are so aware of how to be gentle and you love to play peek-a-boo and make him laugh. I can't wait to see how you respond to your own sibling.
You are still an incredible sleeper and I am so blessed. You sleep well over 12 hours a night...more like 13 and still manage to take a good nap most days (2-3 hours). Right now, you have been sleeping for 2 1/2 hours and I haven't heard a peep. I love it!
You are handling things well with Daddy being gone in the evenings and you seem to sense that Mommy is not feeling well right now. You have been especially sweet at times and it has really ministered to me.
You are becoming much more obedient and I can trust you so much more than before. Your new word is "obey" and once we get you to say it, you are stuck with following through. You so want to obey us, even if you do love to push our buttons. I am so grateful that you are listening better and trying harder to follow commands. You seem to really respond when we treat your feelings with respect and it has been a positive change this month.
I could go on and on about you and all the cute little things you do. I am so glad I am your mom and can't believe that this little one in my belly is going to be another wonderful being to enjoy as I have you.

I love you dearly,

Mom (your new word for me)

Perfect Timing

Seth started back at school this week. He has night classes from 6-10:30 Mon-Sat. He does this for two weeks straight and then has two weeks off, and then starts up again with one week on, one week off. The program is 5 months long, but intense.

So far, we are on day 3 of school and I am feeling pretty good about it all. I was worried that I would feel so lonely and it would be so difficult, but I have little to complain about. It has also only be 2 nights without him so far, but it has given me a good glimpse into what most nights will look like here.

Luckily, the babies are feeling much better and Aidan has been so happy in the evenings, that I haven't really had many issues with that side of things. I am still feeling pretty crummy all around, but I have mustered up enough strength to get Aidan to bed, clean up the kitchen, watch a little tv, and then collapse into bed.

Even though this particular part of pregnancy can be pretty exhausting, I am happy that I am so inclined to sleep right now because that way I don't miss Seth as much. I am in bed around 9 and don't even hear him come home. Now, I miss seeing him and all, but at least I am not trying to fill the whole time with activities. Instead of feeling lonely, I just sleep the time away. :)

I know that somewhere along the way, I will feel the opposite about this situation, but starting out positive sounds like a good plan to me.

Oh and by the way, I am in my 8th week of pregnancy. Baby is due around Sept. 20th. We are excited and I am thrilled to be due in Sept. because I had really hoped to plan it out that way. It just happened to work out! Once I get through the icky first trimester, I know I will feel even more excited. It is am amazing thing!