Parenting failure comming right up...

Alright - I'm desparately needing some tips and tricks...the kind that might work out for us in the long run...for sleep, biting, and not minding.

Issue #1: Sleeping, or rather, a lack thereof. You see, since Taylor was born, Tanner is having a very difficult time falling asleep on his own, unless we take him for a ride in the car...He sleeps great once he's in his bed, he doesn't roll out, and for the most part sleeps until 6 or 7 in the morning. (He doesn't even wake up when Taylor cries to eat at 4am) However, it's getting him to sleep...We've tried everything from routine (we're still doing the bath, brush teeth, stories, prayers, get into bed; same time each night), to benadryl, to taking naps away, to shortening naps, to playing primary songs to waking him up earlier...In a perfect world I would dare say, "keep doing the routine, lay on his floor, walk him back to bed..." etc... How have you gotten your kids to go to sleep? We've been driving everyday for two months for naps and for bed-time...He has a lot of energy, and I do my best to get him to use it during the day, but we're really struggling. The driving thing works, but it's expensive, sometimes dangerous with the recent weather, and I don't feel right about having to drive him or 'drug' him twice a day.

Issue #2: Biting...friends, us, etc. We thought this was just a 'teething' thing, where Tanner needed to clamp down on something, but it's escalating...I've tried time-outs, biting him back, making him bite his own hand, and talking - "We don't bite, please don't bite, biting hurts, owie" etc. I'm going to try hot sauce or something that tastes nasty (soap?) today. I don't know...My guess is he's doing it for attention, and it seems like I give him all the attention in the world except for when I'm nursing Taylor, and we're still struggling...

Issue #3: Selective Hearing? Already? I can handle no response to, "time to pick up toys", but when it comes to safety, "Please don't climb on the counter" (we fold up the chairs inbetween meals now) or "Stop! Don't go in the street! Stay by the car, hold my hand (in a parking lot)", etc...Are his ears painted on? How have some of you taught your children to listen to you, especially in a dangerous situation?

I am completely open to any and all suggestions...

Six more hours...

So Tanner fell asleep at 5 o'clock - it's a no-go with no-naps. It's official, he has to have a nap from now on, but it has to be between noon and three!!! We're guarenteed to be up until midnight...So my to-do-list was pathetic, I know. But it's easier to say "I forgot" if it's written down. If I try to remember without writing it down, I kick my self over and over and over for not getting it done...Why do we women do that?

Ryan's class is cancled, because of 'incliment' weather - whatever - so He's playing marbleworks when he should be working on his presentation for next week. Ope - guess 'we' can't share the marbles so daddy bonding time is over - the toys are getting put away - it's gotta be rough being a two-year-old with a new brother and limited talking skills...GOSH!

So far...

I've been able to do at least three things on my list - the rest will have to wait until tommorw - Tanner and I are going to play like crazy! I've gotten in a shower (the towel is still on my head, however), I've done my dishes (that was a really hard one for me!) and I just got off the phone with my brother...I've even managed to find some chocolate - it just has to be made into something...I'm thinking brownies. Plain cocoa is just too odd.

My to-do list for today...

I figure I'll post my to-do list - it's been a running list for about two weeks now - maybe longer, I've lost track.
1. Shower (I got one yesterday, but daily showers are always a nice touch to screaming children)
2. Breakfast dishes
3. Clean out closets (yes, plural)
4. Clean Bathroom (it's been a few days, and yesterday I caught Tanner dipping his cup into the toilet and drinking it...YUCK!)
5. Wash kitchen floor
6. Put together Singing Time for the month...(note to self: Ward Conference in two weeks)
7. Find some Chocolate and EAT it!
8. Brush & Floss teeth (it's amazing how little things are enjoyable)
9. Make sure Tanner and Taylor get dressed (we're not going anywhere, but jammies get worn out when worn all night and all day) oh - and get out of sweat pants!
10. Pick up toys for Piano Lessons
11. Try to accomplish at least three things on this list...
Wish me Luck! Here I go....

"Mom! Moe noh!"

This morning Tanner and I watched out our front window, the 'beautiful' snowplows...It was fun for about 10 minutes. When the grater drove past our 'house' (it's really a four-plex) Tanner said, "Mom! Moe noh!" (Mom, more snow!) There were a few snow flakes falling, but lots of snow being pushed, too! Here's a picture - It's about to my knees...Fun for us! I can't wait to go out and play in it! We'll have to let it settle just a bit so we can walk on it, though.

How goes YOUR battle?

So, Tanner was two months old on Monday - which meant one exciting event - 2 month immunizations - lovely. So, I decided to leave a few minutes early and get an extra errand done before our appointment, which required me to go and start the car just to get it warmed up. When I left, Tanner was quietly watching a movie, and Taylor was peacefully sleeping in his swing. As I was approaching our front door not 60 seconds later, Taylor was screaming - I thought Tanner had maybe pulled him out of the swing, but it was ten times worse...

Tanner, for some reason, thinks little brothers are for picking on recently. He had bitten Taylor's forehead not once, but twice, and drew blood...



After getting Taylor settled down enough to buckle him in the carseat carrier, I started brushing my teeth while helping Tanner get shoes and a coat on...I turned my back... turned my back ...to spit in the bathroom sink, and Taylor was wailing before I got to the sink...As I litterally leaped into the front room, Tanner was cowering on the corner of the couch because he knew he was in BIG trouble! I glanced at Taylor and noticed his thumb was red - and throbbing - Tanner had bitten his fingernail - I'm suprized he didn't break the bone or worse, bite it off...

At the doctor's I was undressing Taylor to be weighed and noticed a third battle wound (actually the second in combat on this particualr day) where Tanner had bitten his knee. Good thing Taylor can have infant Tylenol now - On top of putting up with his brother's naughtiness, the nurse stuck Taylor with three needles - poor baby!

I don't know what has gotten into Tanner, but I'm frustrated!!! I guess we'll work it out - battle wounds are part of growing up, I suppose. (Sometimes I wish spanking was worth it and usefull - anymore Tanner pretty much laughs at us when we try to discipline...any tips? I'm asking for advice :) )

I love snow plows...they're beautiful

Tonight, I was thrilled to hear that I cannot park on the street after 8 am tomorrow morning because Idaho Falls is finally going to plow our street!!! YEAH!!! As I was out driving Tanner to sleep (I know, it's ridiculous and it's getting expensive) I drove up and down Sunnyside, around Holmes, and down 25th - They're actually plowing the streets and removing the snow!!! It's about TIME! I should get out my stack of thank you cards and write the department of...snow removal...and thank them. Seriously!

A Tribute...

While watching the funeral of our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, I had many thoughts of what wonderful things and miracles he as done for us...This link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DONH655IR1E will take you to a YouTube of a tribute that was made...just one of many, though. My dad 'intruduced' me to this particular tribute, and I liked it, so I wanted to share it with you! A good friend, Staci, sent me a similar e-mail saying that it was her cousin, Kerrianne Burch, who made the tribute...Thank you everyone for sharing! Enjoy. :)