tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.comments2012-09-18T14:41:22.674-07:00Lima Bean & The Dirt FairyAuriyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-48489924227827499672012-09-18T14:41:22.674-07:002012-09-18T14:41:22.674-07:00I am crying - tears of joy, for Julie is my best f...I am crying - tears of joy, for Julie is my best friend.<br /><br />Blessed Be,<br /><br />Mary Lee<br />(who has no middle name, rather a double first name) so now all is balanced!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03656742946220294525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-10750834020106130612012-05-19T09:17:28.448-07:002012-05-19T09:17:28.448-07:00Um, Jessie, what the tarnation is wrong with any o...Um, Jessie, what the tarnation is wrong with any of those things you "confessed" to? Not a shit-eating politically-correct fucking perfect mom-image thing! You are a WONDEERFUL mother. WONDERFUL. I only see Liam from afar, via pictures and your writings, but even from here I can see your prowess as a mother. Rock on, daughter-in-law, ROCK ON!<br /><br />JulieJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-7220024960089129342012-03-29T08:07:41.569-07:002012-03-29T08:07:41.569-07:00I LOVE that you have him playing with sidewalk cha...I LOVE that you have him playing with sidewalk chalk! All your ideas are good - letting him experiment and do it his way is just right.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-74869720096499110302012-01-20T12:47:57.590-08:002012-01-20T12:47:57.590-08:00Aww, thank you! I worked hard to time that just ...Aww, thank you! I worked hard to time that just right. I got all weepy watching it too. I love the holiday season, the whole aspect of family and being together. I hope that some day we can spend these holidays with other members of the family. With Dan working so much during them, its hard to find the time. Being a chef means these are the busiest times for him. I hope that somehow we can bring our families to us or go to them through these years. So that we can have wonderful memories with everyone!Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-41045403548729862992012-01-20T11:53:28.522-08:002012-01-20T11:53:28.522-08:00Beautiful, Jessie. When he was holding the star, ...Beautiful, Jessie. When he was holding the star, ahd she was singing about the star, that brought tears to my eyes! Thank you.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-55935937415742856652011-11-29T12:14:33.322-08:002011-11-29T12:14:33.322-08:00Just giving a quick sneak peek at our holiday card...Just giving a quick sneak peek at our holiday card! We just ordered them and if I post it here, I get a discount on my next order with Shutterfly!Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-74135056201231786772011-11-08T11:19:45.064-08:002011-11-08T11:19:45.064-08:00Jessie, you and I are also both strong-willed wome...Jessie, you and I are also both strong-willed women. Also, because my brothers are so much older than me, I grew up effectively an only child, so I understand what that's like. I don't know that it affected me quite the same way, but I am surely set in my ways! I agree, it will be good for Liam to have a sibling.<br />JulieSafetydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11872580576134422519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-88184631715221975662011-11-01T19:54:23.857-07:002011-11-01T19:54:23.857-07:00I often wonder if I shouldn't even buy candy u...I often wonder if I shouldn't even buy candy until the day OF Halloween. Then I just give it out. Or buy a kind I do not like... then I won't eat so much of it, and I won't be sad when its gone. But I don't want the kids to not like what I had out! auuugh!Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-42277923344746470652011-11-01T18:40:48.354-07:002011-11-01T18:40:48.354-07:00You are so good! I NEVER hand out candy. But we ...You are so good! I NEVER hand out candy. But we do have fun trick or treating at the lovely people who do.Coedithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15074368967411640773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-80268292352979482972011-09-19T11:31:37.151-07:002011-09-19T11:31:37.151-07:00What you do is be the best person you can be, and ...What you do is be the best person you can be, and teach Liam the same. I understand the "weepies" completely - it is the mothering instinct. You will have it the rest of your life. The overwhelming love for a child is a primal force. It extends to other younglings, too. Three years ago two starving kittens appeared on our doorstep. I knew the best thing was to find homes for them. I COULD NOT. I had to take them in, to nurture them.Safetydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11872580576134422519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-3456514408301918082011-08-17T22:00:23.789-07:002011-08-17T22:00:23.789-07:00You made a good decision. Anytime we aren't i...You made a good decision. Anytime we aren't in control of our children can be scary. There are always "what ifs?" But what is for sure is that Liam needs a healthy mama. I think it is wonderful they paged you- a lot of times they simply let them cry. You are with him 24/7 an hour here and there may be just what you both need.Coedithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15074368967411640773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-19261393428968041062011-07-10T19:28:25.215-07:002011-07-10T19:28:25.215-07:00Most of the time, it’s best to say nothing. Somet...Most of the time, it’s best to say nothing. Sometimes, though, you can gently offer advice. You might bring up a subject as a subject of discussion, instead of offering advice. For example, “What do you think of …..?”<br />Then again, when it comes to frankensugar (high fructose corn syrup), I do my utmost to not feed that to ANYONE. To feed it to a baby is way out of bounds. Calling the doctor for advice with a constipated baby is definitely the way to go. I think I would have felt compelled to diplomatically speak up.<br />You’re a great mom, Jessie. Not everyone is. One thing you need to remember, though, is that you aren’t responsible for others’ behavior, as hard as that may be. I can say that because I’m a recovering enabler – I know how hard it is. The best thing you can do is set a good example (which you do) and follow what I said above. Only intervene when it’s critical and do what you can to educate carefully.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-28860885549767013082011-06-26T22:10:27.236-07:002011-06-26T22:10:27.236-07:00Archie looks like a big guy. It's great that ...Archie looks like a big guy. It's great that it is working .<br /><br />3 boys all the same age. wowRtavishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529015016523766999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-78802254528271919232011-06-26T22:06:43.622-07:002011-06-26T22:06:43.622-07:00I call that walking !!! Watch out Takes baby proof...I call that walking !!! Watch out Takes baby proofing to a whole other levelRtavishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529015016523766999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-52245298985391408262011-05-20T10:17:16.954-07:002011-05-20T10:17:16.954-07:00Bravo, Jessie! I am impressed!Bravo, Jessie! I am impressed!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-26126625994771192892011-05-11T15:00:31.609-07:002011-05-11T15:00:31.609-07:00Coedith's advice is just right. She said a lo...Coedith's advice is just right. She said a lot of the things I was going to. The only thing I'll add, after reading your response, is that you should not cuddle or kiss him when he throws his tantrums. Pick him up and move him, distract him, but don't reinforce the behavior. If you cuddle him when he squawks, he will keep doing it longer. I know this is hard, Jessie. And you're right about the stubborn part. He didn't just inherit it from Dan. Ted will tell you it comes from me, and I can tell you it comes from my mom!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-66004769043280352082011-05-11T13:41:53.721-07:002011-05-11T13:41:53.721-07:00We have many more yes things than no. It is just t...We have many more yes things than no. It is just that he LOVES the No's! We have one power strip that is under my desk and mostly hidden that he adores. The only other No's in the house are the trash can in the bathroom and the cat room where the litter box is, but he can't get into there anymore since I fixed the sliding door with a stick to keep it from going open any more. <br /><br />I like the idea of ignoring the tantrum but not him. I cuddle him as he screams and give him a kiss and then try to get him interested in something else. This is the times that the cats are fantastic, just LOOKING at one of them makes him happier. <br /><br />It is so hard to get in on the thing that he does not have to be happy all the time. For all these first few months it was all about keeping the baby happy. Fed, changed, clean and content was just the given. If he was upset, something was wrong. Now he is upset and there is nothing physically wrong with him. It is hard to shift my mind to that phase. <br /><br /><br />Liam will listen to a No or a Stop, He stops what he is doing, But he also will sit down on his bum and have a good cry if you scold him. I try to comfort him but not let him get away with what he was doing at the time. <br /><br /><br />I love distractions. He gets fussy and I pull out the super nifty toy, or get a kitty cat to come hang out. Unfortunately, my son is just as stubborn and determined as his daddy. I thought that would be a LEARNED trait, but it seems to be inherited. When he wants something there is no stopping him until HE decides to move on. Maybe next time we will try a change of scenery and go into another room or take a crawl up the stairs. He loves being upstairs, even if the only room he can go into is his own and the bathroom. <br /><br />Thanks for the ideas. It is so hard to see your sweet little baby being unhappy when for so long your only job was to keep them content.Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-16446426932056526932011-05-11T13:27:52.193-07:002011-05-11T13:27:52.193-07:00ah....what a fun time. It is so hard and the fear...ah....what a fun time. It is so hard and the fear is it is never going to change and this is the child he will be. Not true! Here is my advice:<br /><br />Distraction is your friend. When he is doing something and you want him to stop-distract him with something else before the tantrum (easier than during.)<br /><br />He has no idea what no or stop mean. Say them and remove him (sometimes over and over) from the situation. Just setting him on the other side of the room. He is figuring it out and that means he'll repeat the action not testing you, but testing the world in order to understand.<br /><br />He does not have to be happy all the time.<br /><br />Control the environment because it is a lot easier than trying to control him. This means having more "yes" things in a room than "no's."<br /><br />When he has a tantrum, stay calm. (VERY hard) Ignore the fit but not Liam. Does that make sense?<br /><br />GIve him as much freedom as possible with clear unwavering boundaries. It just takes time. Everytime I am at my moms Dot goes over and bangs on their flatscreen Tv. I say "no" I shout "no!" I move her away etc.. I get frustrated. over and over. Now I just ignore her basically. I say"no" she loves it and thinks it's a game. But with no response she stops.Coedithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15074368967411640773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-74155032236159528812011-04-13T09:06:52.002-07:002011-04-13T09:06:52.002-07:00To be honest, I take a lot of ideas from you on th...To be honest, I take a lot of ideas from you on this whole parenting thing. I don't have many friends with children, ok... any friends with children. So in some areas I am flying blind. I can do the basics, I can diaper and bathe and feed, I can play and decide about shots and medical issues. But in so many other places in between all that I am clueless, desperately searching the internet for ideas, making it up as I go along. You have these 4 beautiful children who are just wonderful people... I search your blogs for ideas, I watch what you do and learn a bit there. <br /><br />I start out worried about this and that and everything else, have a couple hours with you and realize that its ok. The biggest one was letting Liam get dirty. Spill food down his shirt, get his hands into things... He can play with kitchen tools and water and get into "trouble" and its all about learning. Now I just accept the mess. I was all in a panic over keeping his clothes nice and not letting them get stained. But I see your pictures of Dotty with pink streaks down her onesie and this HUGE smile on her face, her hands full of something fun. And its ok. Clothes wash, babies can be bathed, but you can not duplicate what they learn in the process any other way. <br /><br />I hope I get to spend some time with you as summer comes, see how you wrangle those kiddos outside, because that is one place I am still very very lost. Summer is coming and Liam will be walking before I can even blink. Plus, all the fun things there are to do outside in the sunshine and Dan has to work during most of them... It is awful lonely to do it all alone!Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-52254301088850693152011-04-12T22:42:14.151-07:002011-04-12T22:42:14.151-07:00This is so sweet! You have no idea how much it me...This is so sweet! You have no idea how much it means to me. One reason I like being around you is because of how you parent. I look forward to more times together. We love you ALOT. and that little Liam of course.Coedithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15074368967411640773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-34790982525349843352011-02-09T15:52:10.369-08:002011-02-09T15:52:10.369-08:00Awwww! thanks for trying even! that means a lot ...Awwww! thanks for trying even! that means a lot to me. <br /><br />I am sure we can find a way to build something similar. That would be nice. or maybe something else will come along that we will like. in the end, he does not NEED anything like this. I just thought it would be fun.Auriyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09724762133487977001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-91980168286041348342011-02-09T15:43:09.381-08:002011-02-09T15:43:09.381-08:00Darn it, I got outbit. It was going to be almost ...Darn it, I got outbit. It was going to be almost as expensive as a new one, with no guarantee about what kind of shape it was in. Sorry!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-10829639614003400812011-02-04T10:26:51.183-08:002011-02-04T10:26:51.183-08:00I'm bidding on one on ebay. The auction is op...I'm bidding on one on ebay. The auction is open for 6 more days. Cross your fingers!<br /><br />JulieJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-23982053680738068352011-02-03T11:33:07.221-08:002011-02-03T11:33:07.221-08:00I'll check at Once Upon a Child and see if the...I'll check at Once Upon a Child and see if they have a Learning Tower. I can't buy a new one, but if we can find a used one for a decent price, in good condition, I'll get it and send it to you.<br /><br />JulieJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199525687950862259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196338118159280620.post-91487837772023304412011-01-28T17:43:26.170-08:002011-01-28T17:43:26.170-08:00ok now for socks, next time i go to walmart I will...ok now for socks, next time i go to walmart I will look at the ones I used to buy but i wanna say they were gerber from when she was up to a year. The ones that fold down at the ankle and were rather elastic like but not enough to seem like they were cutting off circulation. I'll call you when i figure it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com