Now I'm not saying that he doesn't have the occasional tantrum or scream about being changed or even cop an attitude. He does all of these things from time to time and I've had to give time outs and I've even lost my temper a few times, enough to tempt me to get back on track with the reading and blogging. In fact I picked up the book the other day after I had completely forgotten how to use empathy when delivering consequences and had given Garrett a little smack on the bum and put him in his crib (can't put him just in his room anymore cause he climbs the changing table like a little monkey!) After the bum smacking I gave him he full on smacked me back right across the face and boy did that get me thinking! I don't really believe in spanking in the first place and so after the few occasions that I have "spanked" Garrett (I'm not actually sure that what I have done would really be considered a spanking, they are the kind that my husband tells me that when kids get older they pretend that it hurts) I feel terrible. This time in particular really solidified it for me, spanking is only going to teach a child that hitting is okay to do when you're mad at someone. Anyway, my point is that I have continued to have the occasional moment of complete frustration in Garrett's behavior and I know I need to keep reminding myself of a more appropriate way for dealing with it, BUT, fortunately I don't have many opportunities to practice giving consequences or dealing with a problem without losing my temper. Recently Garrett has been such a sweet little boy.
One reason for his improved behavior and demeanor is that I think he's just so delighted to be learning and communicating more effectively. Today he said "dog" then followed it with the sign for "eat" and "cookie". He did this a couple times as I looked at him inquisitively and when I got it and said, "Oh! Are you saying that the dog ate the cookie?" he squealed, "YEAH!" He got this from a book we checked out from the library the other day in which the dog eats the boys cookie. He knew the sign for eat, and he says the word dog a lot, but this was the first time he had used the sign for cookie!
I know he's hearing the things I tell him about how to behave nicely because now he's starting to repeat them as well has adhere to them! When we're nursing sometimes he likes to stick his foot near my mouth and I will pretend to nibble his toes. He'll come off the breast for a moment, look at me seriously and say, "no teeth" or "no biting". This makes my heart soar, I actually taught him something!
The best behavior development though is that he has stopped biting and hitting and grabbing me. Before when he felt overly excited or worked up, or angry about something he would frequently bite, hit, or grab me. Now not only has that behavior stopped but instead when he seems to have those same intense flood of emotions, even when he seems angry, he gives me the best bear hug ever! He even gives a little grunt while he's hugging, like he's trying really hard to give a good hard hug. Its the best!
Here I am getting a hug after I returned from a trip in October:
Other developments that have made this time in our lives together so amazing:
- Garrett is learning so many new words and is starting to put two words together.
- He's starting to use his imagination more in his play (I spied on him playing with his dog and lion and watched as he made them kiss and then sit and talked to them.)
- He is a great sleeper most of the time sleeping through the night from 8-6 or more. He's a good napper too! He has started to put himself to sleep after nursing but not falling asleep he'll lie in his crib and chat with his animals as he falls asleep, it is so fun to listen to him on the monitor!
- He has been doing a lot of singing recently, his favorite seems to be Baby Beluga.
- Garrett is relaxed about me leaving him with childcare or with a babysitter and excited when I come back to get him and comes bolting across the room yelling, "Mom! Mom!"
- He can color and use play dough for much longer periods of time without putting the supplies in his mouth or throwing them. Every time we get the supplies out, he lasts a little bit longer.
- He cleans up the food he doesn't want to eat and puts it on the plate or bowl and hands it to me telling me "all done" instead of throwing it on the floor.
- He loves to hug the people he loves AND the stuffed animals he loves.
Here's Garrett hugging his teddy bear:
Here's Garrett coloring a whale (that's what he's been drawing recently):
So now that things are going so well for us (most of the time) its hard to blog about discipline and such. Its just more fun to focus on other things like being crafty and going to play dates. My priorities may shift if things become a struggle again, which they more than likely will, at some point, in which case I will get back on the blogging wagon. I guess that is a parenting lesson I've learned that is hard to remember in the heat of the moment, but everything is a stage and it helps to remind yourself of that during the particularly difficult stages. Until then, maybe I'll post heart warming anecdotes about my little sweetie!
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