Hi there! I thought I'd give blogging a try again. Made a few changes in what I intend the content to be. Parenting books gave me the advice I needed for a while, and still do from time to time if I ever find time to pick one up these days, but mostly I just started to get down on myself when I wasn't able to follow through with their techniques. I've read enough I think, although I do have, Your 4 Year Old sitting next to my bed (I've only read the first couple chapters), still have several highly recommended books in my Amazon cart, and a DVD about the 1-2-3 Magic technique that my sister in law is going to loan me. I can't help myself, child development and behavior is actually fascinating when you're reading about it, not so much when you're in the thick of it! However, I think instead I'll try to focus on our daily adventures, good and bad, easy and difficult, challenges and rewards, etc. because that's what makes us who we are.
When I say we, I'm speaking of me and my guys and now there is one more little guy who is already 1 1/2! He's Gabriel Talbert McGuan, born March 4, 2012. Other changes in our lives include a new house (well, new to us, its actually quite old) and a new nephew! My sister and Tony had a little boy, Alden Scott Talbot, October 10th, 2013, so I'm an Auntie again, but this time to a nearby nephew. I'm so excited for the boys to grow up with a cousin close by. Marlowe and I never had that like Matt did and it just sounds really cool.
Anyway, recently someone close to me experienced some tragedy in her life and it really made me want to focus on the people I love. I always want them, especially my kids, to know how much I love them. I don't want to be the grumpy, exhausted, frustrated, and angry mom that I can often fall into the rut of being. Interestingly, Garrett, who remains my biggest parenting challenge, has really helped pull me out of that rut. He started a very endearing habit of giving me big hugs and telling me he loves me after we've had a tough moment. He doesn't hold a grudge, and with his sweet bear hug and whispered, "I yuv you mom", now neither do I.
Lesson learned! Thanks Garrett, I love you too! Lots and lots!
