[Dmommab]

I had 5 girls before my first "little boy" came into my life. He came to us at 2 days old & I remember those first couple days not having a CLUE how to care for his circumcision - if only things were that easy now! LOL He will be 4 in March and has his share of "problems" and a temper that won't quit but when he curls up beside me at night & says " I love you mommy, you're my best friend" it so melts my heart & I can't begin to imagine my life without my Zacky.

[bajj]

Originally Posted by Dmommab

I had 5 girls before my first "little boy" came into my life. He came to us at 2 days old & I remember those first couple days not having a CLUE how to care for his circumcision - if only things were that easy now! LOL He will be 4 in March and has his share of "problems" and a temper that won't quit but when he curls up beside me at night & says " I love you mommy, you're my best friend" it so melts my heart & I can't begin to imagine my life without my Zacky.

Awwww, it is so sweet when they say that, isn't it?

[dragonfly1234]

I love when they quietly say (as my 2 year old says) I wuv you mommy. Melts my heart everytime. And you so quickly forget all the things they put you thru all day...lol.

Michelle

[Leigh131313]

I love when they quietly say (as my 2 year old says) I wuv you mommy. Melts my heart everytime. And you so quickly forget all the things they put you thru all day...lol.

lol, until the NEXT disaster....and you KNOW there will be a next one..LOL

[my someone]

Originally Posted by dragonfly1234

And you so quickly forget all the things they put you thru all day...lol.

Oh! Isn't this the truth.

Today is the last day of holiday vacation. My six-year-old has been bouncing off the walls for the last 3 days (perhaps the glut of gifts and overdoing the candy has contributed to this)! I finally said to him, "Henry, you are driving my CRAZY!"

To which he replied, "That's what I specialize in, mom".

Couldn't you just eat them with a spoon! I LOVE MY BOYS!

[dragonfly1234]

My someone....that is just so cute...lol I also have a 6 year old so I can understand. I have another week before he goes back to school. My hair is getting grayer as we speak and a whole lot less hair....lol

Gotta love those boys!!!

Michelle

[bajj]

My 5 year old goes back to school Wednesday!

I am so not ready for that!

[Leigh131313]

My friend just asked me the other day....are you putting M in preschool in the fall??

my knee-jerk reaction..NO!!


Then I realized...omg...he's gonna be 3.....they start preschool at 3...

OMG!!

[my someone]

Don't be in denial, Leigh! Your little darling is growing up! Waaa!

I vividly remember my neighborhood girlfriends starting to "interview" at preschools right after Christmas four years ago. Their boys had turned three in the fall; mine wasn't going to be 3 until March. I wasn't even thinking preschool but I had to get going because some of the classes started filling up by spring! I definitely wasn't ready to think of my baby as a big boy.

Why do we have to rush our kids out of childhood?!?!?

[my someone]

Just wanted to give our little thread a "bump" and also reply to one of Leigh's questions on another thread. I'd reply there, but it seems like a pretty tight group, and I'd feel like an intruder.

Anyway, you mentioned that a friend of yours has three kids that torture the baby. I know that's a strong word, but from what you described, I think it's an accurate term. I really don't think that behavior is typical. You shouldn't worry about your guy acting that way. I'd only suggest that you periodically pretend to put your older son "in first place". In other words, he's going to hear alot of "I've-got-to-take-care-of-the-baby-first" phrases coming out of your mouth for the first time in his life. Naturally, he'll feel "replaced" in your affections. So, sometime when the baby is sitting quietly in his/her bouncy, nice and safe and snug, say loudly to him/her, "I'm sorry, baby, but you'll have to wait til I spend some time with your older brother". Of course this is all a put on, but your big guy will eat it up. He'll feel like your first priority for a change.

Our adjustment has been great, but, of course, not without moments of jealousy. I'm especially sensitive to the sibling rivalry issue because I grew up in a house where everyone was compared to one another and it wasn't healthy. I'm determined to foster harmony between my two boys...if it kills me and them (just kidding)!

Just be patient and aware and everything will be fine.

[bajj]

My someone, I was raised in a household like you describe, also. I have tried really hard to make sure my boys don't get jealous, but naturally, they do. That's the thing you have to distinguish between what is natural and what is over board.

I like your suggestion. When my second was placed with me I felt like I was CONSTANTLY having to say, "not now, the baby has to have a diaper, or a bottle, or burp." It didn't help that he was tiny and wasn't gaining weight due to severe GERD. Anyway, I felt guilty for letting him cry sometimes, too. But I did it sometimes just so I could finish a book to my oldest, who was just 3 at the time. I just felt so torn, but yet knew how very important it was to him for me to sometimes just let the little one wait. It usually didn't take long for the then 3 year old to say, "Ok Mommy, I think he's waited long enough."

I also let him be my "helper." He got to hold him (with cushions propping him up) and feed him when he wanted to. He got to run and get me wipes or diapers or burpcloths if we needed them. He was so good at cleaning up spit up, and boy did we have a lot of that! He was better at cleaning it up than I was! I would gag while doing it and my oldest would just run up and start cleaning.

I'm seriously considering trying for #3 soon. I'll let everyone know if/when we start the process.

[Leigh131313]

my someone

that is really good advice!! I probably wouldn't have thought of doing that...but you are right, it's something he needs to hear!

I'm also going to order a hotsling..so when the baby DOES arrive, I'll have my hands free and can still play a bit with M while still holding the baby...I think it's important to hold babies as much as possible (thats just me) BUT, it's also important to play "choo-choo's" with toddlers!!

and yes, we're a tight group - but we're ALWAYS happy to have new people We usually get one or two a week so don't be afraid to jump in!!

[dragonfly1234]

Leigh the sling was a fantastic thing that I used with our youngest son. My hands were free to play with my oldest son as well as go for walks and we could hold hands and we would talk about everything and anything. Of course he never stops talking...lol

My someone you have great advice. Thanks!

One thing that my dh and I do and have from the very beginning is we always had time alone with each child. Dh would take my oldest to lunch and run errands (hardware store...lol) or sometimes it was to the zoo, museum, or park. He now does that also with my youngest who is 2 and he gets his alone time with daddy. They both get alone time with me as well. Its more difficult with my oldest now in school but I make a point to go voluneer at his school and we go shopping and have our seperate time too. Well at this point I am rambling.

I am so happy to be taking the Christmas tree down so my youngest son will stop trying to see if superman can fly thru the tree...lol So far superman and sometimes batman break a few ornaments. Then occasionally the power rangers visit and its a heated battle with swords and the poor tree gets in the again...lol

Boys...aren't they the best!!!!

Michelle

Michelle

[Leigh131313]

LOL MICHELLE!!!


I so know what you mean...so far we've been too lazy to take ours down. M does not understand that we don't THROW the christmas balls.....after all, they're balls, right??

[bajj]

I've had more problems from JM now that Christmas is over than I did before! His curiosity is just getting to him too much about the tree now. Before, we had lights outside and all down the neighborhood and he'd want to run and look out the door. Now all the lights (including ours) are down but the tree isn't. EVERY morning I wake up to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" 2 year old style, and I hear, "Mommy, pweez turn on twee!"

We WILL be getting it down this weekend! LOL!