Around The Home
What a beautiful week we had in Minnesota last week! We spent as much time outside as we could, knowing that snow is about 2 months away. We feel like this week we were able to get back in the groove of things even more, and get back into routine. The beginning of August is always a slower time of life (which we LOVE). It’s the calm before the storm (a good storm though). Youth group will start up, I go back to work 2 days a week, and sporting events start up again for our youth group kids. All things we love though!
Mazy is still struggling with pulling out her hair and unfortunately it is getting thinner and thinner, but we just keep praying for wisdom and that Mazy will be able to overcome this soon. She started the day after we got home from the hospital with her last month, so we think that was a bit more of a traumatic experience than what we thought. She still has moments where she just can’t get “daddy” out of her head so we try and visit him when we can when those moments happen. We think she thinks Dan is going to leave her again, but we just keep reassuring her that he is not. It just amazes us what a little 16 month old understands and what the comprehends. She just loves so deeply!
On a different note, I must say the Olympics are on constantly at our house – I am so obsessed with them! I thought I was emotional before with the Olympics, but boy, even during heat races, I find myself choked up in tears. For some reason the Olympics just bring out all of my emotions!
I’ve tried doing her hair, in hopes of her realizing she has “pretties” in her hair to lure her away from pulling it, but it hasn’t helped a ton. BUT, I must say she looks SO ADORABLE in piggy tails!
We tried corn earlier in the summer with her, but this time she was sold on it!
A dear friend watched Mazy for the morning so I could work on the book we are writing and needless to say, she was well loved!
I just LOVE spending my days with this girl, making her laugh, seeing her explore, and just love and live life to the fullest!
Her favorite toy right now! And of course mommy watching the Olympics…
Our little Miss Mazy is quite flexible (always has been). This is how I found her sitting in a bean bag chair. I mean, who doesn’t sit like this, right?
I've found that kids who pull their hair sometimes enjoy my little ponies…they can pull their hair instead 😉
That's a great idea! Thank you for the suggestion. We ate going to try that 🙂
That's a great idea! Thank you for the suggestion. We ate going to try that 🙂
I understand the anxiety and stress Mazy is feeling and how it is playing out with her hair pulling. My little one also has a little anxiety and it comes out in unhealthy ways too. I wish I knew what to do better to help curb the feelings (aside of extra love and kindness). I use a lot of distraction and talking. Although my baby can't fully understand my words, she understands that I am trying to communicate with her and my tone makes it sound like "I hear you, I understand." My husband will explain everything and she listens (doesn't understand but hears him). And that seems to help some. Also, we call any behavior that can cause damage or hurt by a specific name which she knows what that is. When she does anxiety behavior I call it by name, "ohhh no baby, thats an ouchy, don't do that. Ouch, ouch… Here is dolly want to play with her instead?" And if doll doesn't work, then I pull out something more enjoyable such as freeze dried apple snack etc. That also helps for us. Also a lot of reassurance, "oh baby its okay, mama is right here. [your daugthers names] is mama's baby, right?" kisses and hugs. Baby is daddys baby right?" Mama and daddy love baby [insert name here] you don't have to cry, no ouchy… No ouchy to my baby." Thats what I say….
Those are great words! Our most successful method is distraction so we try to reroute when we can! She has responded somewhat to that and it has helped to show her what to do instead, like be gentle with hair.You are a great mama! How is your little one doing?
Shes doing much better. She still has some issues with being away from her regular routine and away from home (which we do not travel really at all and are home for her night time routine of food, bath, bed etc). It creates peace on one level but on another we don't get to do anything at night (outside of home). Also as you mentioned teaching her to be gentle. My husband taught our little one "gentle" I honestly didn't think it would work but she understood what being gentle is. I try (fail more than I want to) but try to praise the behaviors I want from her. Even on her bad days I still try to find things to praise so that she can get encouraged to do right things. I tell her, "yes, good job sweet heart, thats what mama wanted [insert desired behavior]" or if shes breaking down I start praising her for the behavior she is [only kind of doing] — so being patient, waiting for mama etc. That helps sometimes….
I am glad to hear she is doing much better! I bet that brings some relief! That is so true to praise the good behaviors because that teaches them what IS right. It amazes me how they understand a simple word like gentle, but it makes a huge difference! I bet it's hard to not be able to get out – babies sure to strive and thrive on routine! I am fully convinced of that 🙂