chief concerns: never been very healthy, irritable, headstrong and emotional
dietary: appetite inconsistent
sleep pattern: poor, up at least three times
sharing: when forced, don't try to take anything from her
discipline: difficult
I was quite the handful. Very stubborn, and threw a lot of temper tantrums. Seeing these notes has made me realize I need to write down more about my own children, so that I can remember these things when I'm older.
Here are a few notes on my children, at this stage of their lives:
-Cooper is a growler. I don't know why, but I've noticed most of the growling takes place while he is eating.
-He likes to play in toilet water.
-His favorite blankie is the green silky blanket that my friend Chrissy Gonzales gave him.
-Changing his diaper is like wrestling a small pig
-Lynlee's favorite game is pretend. She is usually a pink kitty named Pink Snowflake Diamond. Cooper is a Jaguar named Whale Shark. Daddy is a Dog named Rockstar. and wait for it, the best is coming...... I get to be a mommy human named Rumpelstiltskin......
-Lynlee is an amazing big sister. She adores Cooper, and looks forward to going in his room each morning and after his nap time to say hi and help him stop crying. Cooper gets plenty of mothering between Lynlee and I.
While Cooper and I got off to a rough start, he has turned into such a pleasant little thing. He goes to sleep at 7 and wakes up at 7. He is a pretty calm baby, despite the first six months of his life being quite the crank. I was a little worried for a bit there. Recently he has mellowed out, and become quite shy and gets a little stranger anxiety. He is so adorable and fun to be with.
Its crazy to me how much faster time has flown with my second child. I feel like with Lynlee, her first year went by nice and slow. I can remember most of the little details of her first year. With Cooper, it has been a whirlwind, and all of a sudden he is almost a year old! He giggles and plays, and LOVES his sister. His face lights up whenever he hears her voice. He wants to be where she is....always. He is quite the eater. In fact, I'm pretty sure he eats more than Lynlee does at any given meal. He has been a much better nurser than Lynlee ever was. He did not sleep through the night until he was about 6 months, which was quite a drastic change from Lynlee, who slept through the night within the first 2 or 3 months.
I have learned and grown so much with these two little additions to our family. I find it very fascinating how much growth comes from becoming a parent. I also find it fascinating how fulfilling life is when you have two little ones to take care of.
As most of you know, I once went through what Jason lovingly calls a "feminazi phase." I really struggled with the fact that as a female, you really have to plan for everything. You have to plan for getting a college education. You have to plan for getting married. You have to plan for not having the opportunity to get married. You have to plan for having children. You have to plan for not being able to have children. You have to plan for having a career. You have to plan for being a stay at home mom......etc.
I was always so jealous that as a guy, you could set your mind on a career goal and you spend your life achieving it. You plan your college education around just such a career. You plan your family life around just such a career. You move around for just such a career.
Obviously, it is not this simple, and as I watch my husband go through the trials and struggles that come with being the breadwinner, and a father and juggling church callings and time with family, I feel so much gratitude for all that he does and has to face each day.
I have learned a lot since then. I feel so much gratitude in my life. I realize what amazing opportunities I have as a stay at home mom. I can explore my hobbies and talents, and honestly the options are endless. I get to dabble in a little bit of everything. In any given day, I can focus on cooking, teaching, reading, piano playing, aerobics teaching, marathon training, nurturing, cleaning, learning, writing ....I get to do it all. And once again, the satisfaction and fulfillment I feel as a mother is so gratifying. Who knew?
