Thumb Glove

I always knew the time would come that Amelie would have to stop sucking her thumb. And, I always knew that I would be strong enough to get through it with her but never expected such a young being to have so much will power. Amelie is a very avid thumb sucker and her mouth was showing signs of the buck teeth shape so I decided it was time to end it once and for all. She has never been allowed to suck her thumb any time other than to sleep but since I can't stop her while we are sleeping I found a glove that she can't take off. I did a ton of research and it's the best design out there for younger children because while older children want to stop because of social embarrassment, the younger ones could care less what society thinks of them. Here is the link... Http://thingerthumbglove.com/ So, this glove is nearly impossible for them to take off and that is what she needed. And so the drama begins...I first tried the glove at night and I had been talking about it for a whole week while we waited for it to come in the mail. Here is a picture of her last hoo rah. Notice the fear in her eyes...

At first she was a willing participant because she didn't yet realize how permanent this was going to be. But once she realized how determined and serious I was about it, the rage began. There was a lot of crying and screaming. She even threw herself on the floor, kicked and then pounded on the walls and her door. Biggest fit ever. I decided not to get upset with her but to tell her that she didn't need her thumb anymore to make herself feel better and that she has me or daddy or her favorite stuffed puppy to make her feel better. She was sad, angry, and confused but I was still impressed with her strength. I kept telling her I was so proud of her and that she was doing such a good job. Well that night after 45 minutes she got the glove off and her thumb nail was bleeding. I decided to let her go to bed without the glove but told her that we would try again tomorrow. The next day I put the glove on for nap time and she was PISSED!!! But this time it was only 30 minutes and she wore herself out and fell asleep with the glove on...hooray!!!! I even got some pictures of her after her nap. I was so proud of her and she knew it.

Well, it's been two weeks now and tonight she even reminded me to put her glove on. It's just part of the routine now. When she graduates from this issue and no longer needs the glove she gets to go buy a bunch of nail polish. She is very excited about it. I am so proud of her and I sometimes love her stubbornness because it shows me that she is strong. Life will not push her around. Luckily she has a mom that knows a thing or two about being stubborn though or else she would be out of control.

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day weekend. It was the best so far.  The only thing I feel a little bad about is that the best parts of the weekend was my time away from the kids.  I know eventually my favorite times will be with them and not away from them, but 2 kids under 3 years old can be very annoying.  But, now that I have that off my chest, here's how my special weekend went:

Brad took me on a bike ride while Nana watched the girls.  I didn't realize I was so out of shape, but it felt great to get some real cardio and also have some chat time with my hubby.  The first stop was under a huge oak tree where my friend and I frequently walk the kids to in the stollers.  We usually stop under the shaded tree to adjust the kids, give them snacks, or fulfill any demand.  I told Brad that I just had to stop and enjoy the peace and quiet.  No demands, just a quiet break to catch my breath...awww.

Then we carried on and stopped to have a drink and an appetizer and check out some cool bikes at a bike shop.  Brad and I would love to get some beach cruizers. I found one with pink hearts and a huge bell that sounded like a loud door bell.  It was awesomely obnoxious and everything I want in a cruizer. (Santa Cruz here we come!!!) 

Brad even took me shopping for some clothes at this cute boutique.  I got myself a new outfit, which was so awesome.  I have not done that for a few years.  He made my day so awesome and I needed it.

We then came home.  I nursed the baby, took a shower and headed out to dinner at a duelling piano bar.  It was really fun.  I even wore my new outfit.  End of day 1....

Day 2:  We were so tired we didn't make it to church so we headed out to the beach for the day with Nana and Papa and the girls.  It was really fun but no naps means hard day for mom.  My typical Angel baby Brielle was fussy the ENTIRE time.  I mean she wouldn't shut up for hours....UGH.  But as usual, the beach is fun no matter what the circumstances.

The funny thing is, is that we got such great photos that I could pretend that my life is bliss and perfect, but let's be realistic.  Please enjoy the photos, but don't kid yourself.

This photo was right before she threw herself back in frustration and I literally watched a chunk of watermelon slide down the back of her throat. As I quickly threw her forward and started pounding on her back I realized it was a clean slide and did not obstruct her airway.  Phew...no choking.

Both of my girls really love the sand.  They have never been irritated by it's stickiness.  They love to dig right in and feel it.  Amazingly, Brielle never tries to put it in her mouth which makes it much easier for me.

Towards the end, the girls were very tired.  I even carried them both to the car at the same time.  Baby in the pack and toddler on my back.  I do love that I can be there for my girls when they need me even if it means carrying them both at the same time on a long walk.  I think it makes me feel not only needed, but empowered.

It was all worth it and we had a great day.  It's fun to make memories like these for your children.  Amelie talked about the beach a lot.  She even made up a song called, "goin' to the beach...goin' to the beach".  That night she told daddy that we should go to the beach again.  So cute.

Thank you to my family for the best Mother's Day yet

The protest

Brielle just got two teeth at the same time and while she handled the pain very well I believe she was trying to let know she was still not happy about it.

She started biting me and it was like needles in a place where needles don't ever need to be. She was doing it so bad that screaming and telling her no wasn't enough. She would actually laugh at me when I freaked out.

So, I had to flick her cheek and make her cry. I felt so bad and instantly felt some regret. She then protested the boob for the rest of the day therefore nursing only twice that day. She usually nurses four to five times a day.

I got so stressed and started feeling a disconnect from her that I didn't like. She went to bed for the night without a feeding but couldn't really go to sleep until 11 pm that night when she finally gave in leaving both her and I exhausted but relaxed. It was instant relief for me when she finally nursed because as a mom my job is to feed my babies and make sure they are healthy. I don't want to fail them.

I was amazed at the connection that nursing brings to a mother and her child and how emotional it was for me that she didn't want me.

Well, it has been a week now and all is well. No more biting and we are back to being the best of buds. I love my little Brielle. She is quite possibly the sweetest baby to ever exist.