So, I have officially reached a point where people are no longer afraid to ask about my pregnancy. When they do ask, it's no longer a timid, "Are you pregnant?" but rather a confident. "How far along are you?"
It's pretty fun, and it has been nice of late to also be able to notice more of my little baby's movements. Sometimes I can see my tummy moving and Jonathan definitely gets more of a chance to notice too... it used to be that whenever I'd tell him the baby was moving that he would stop and Jonathan missed out.
Two and a bit months and it won't be about when the baby is due any more :)
Loving life! xo
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Teaching Accountability / Responsibility
Recently I have been reading a couple of different books that have talked, at least in part, about teaching appropriate behaviour through consequences rather than 'punishment'. The principle is that you can help children to change inappropriate behaviour in ways that maintain their self-respect as well as their respect for you and their emotional security. I have found what I've read to be really practical and easy to understand. It has also complimented what I have learned in my study related to emotional development in children.
Today I had the opportunity to put what I've learned in to practice. It was quite amusing actually.
My three year old has recently had a bit of regression as far as toilet training is concerned... She basically just won't go to the toilet until she's a bit wet already - which has meant many changes throughout the day and quite a stretch of my motherly patience. I've felt at a bit of a loss as to why it's happening and how to get her back on track, but I felt empowered today to be responsive as opposed to reactive.
Today we had been having a lovely afternoon - My younger daughter was napping and we had been enjoying playing a few games she has and had started on some craft when she had one of these accidents. When she had been to the toilet we discovered that there were no knickers left in the drawer. I neglected to mention that there was some in a clean laundry basket and calmly told her that she could put some pyjama pants on, we would need to pack up the craft, and then put her knickers in the wash. When the craft was packed up and I said it was time to do the washing her response was, "You wash the knickers, I will watch TV."
Ha! I had a chuckle to myself about that but calmly told her no, and that she needed to help me. When we were in the laundry and she was throwing things in the machine she noticed that "There's lots of knickers." We will see how things go in the next few days, but I am hopeful that if I can be less reactive to stressful parenting moments and respond to them in this way that we can negate the battles that have seemed unavoidable in the past.
In this moment, I am just grateful that a situation which would ordinarily have soured some nice time together turned out quite differently with a new perspective.
Today I had the opportunity to put what I've learned in to practice. It was quite amusing actually.
My three year old has recently had a bit of regression as far as toilet training is concerned... She basically just won't go to the toilet until she's a bit wet already - which has meant many changes throughout the day and quite a stretch of my motherly patience. I've felt at a bit of a loss as to why it's happening and how to get her back on track, but I felt empowered today to be responsive as opposed to reactive.
Today we had been having a lovely afternoon - My younger daughter was napping and we had been enjoying playing a few games she has and had started on some craft when she had one of these accidents. When she had been to the toilet we discovered that there were no knickers left in the drawer. I neglected to mention that there was some in a clean laundry basket and calmly told her that she could put some pyjama pants on, we would need to pack up the craft, and then put her knickers in the wash. When the craft was packed up and I said it was time to do the washing her response was, "You wash the knickers, I will watch TV."
Ha! I had a chuckle to myself about that but calmly told her no, and that she needed to help me. When we were in the laundry and she was throwing things in the machine she noticed that "There's lots of knickers." We will see how things go in the next few days, but I am hopeful that if I can be less reactive to stressful parenting moments and respond to them in this way that we can negate the battles that have seemed unavoidable in the past.
In this moment, I am just grateful that a situation which would ordinarily have soured some nice time together turned out quite differently with a new perspective.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
The 'Make' to Conquer Cancer
So here it is: my massive make for The Ride to Conquer Cancer.
As I have mentioned on previous blogs, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer last year. Thankfully he is now in remission. I also lost a friend to cancer a few years ago and know several other people who have been affected by it.
As I mentioned on my FB page, my husband, brother-in-law, Aunt and Uncle are all riding in 'The Ride to Conquer Cancer' and have formed a team. Basically, this event aims to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and they all need sponsors! As we will have a young baby (the ride is November 30 - December 1) I don't feel able to be part of the crew but there is something I can do!
In the next few months I am aiming to raise money for the cause by selling hand-made crafts. The prices will vary depending on how long an item takes to make, and there may be 1 or 2 items that will require the buyer to supply their own material. Here are some examples of the types of things I can make:
As I have mentioned on previous blogs, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer last year. Thankfully he is now in remission. I also lost a friend to cancer a few years ago and know several other people who have been affected by it.
As I mentioned on my FB page, my husband, brother-in-law, Aunt and Uncle are all riding in 'The Ride to Conquer Cancer' and have formed a team. Basically, this event aims to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and they all need sponsors! As we will have a young baby (the ride is November 30 - December 1) I don't feel able to be part of the crew but there is something I can do!
In the next few months I am aiming to raise money for the cause by selling hand-made crafts. The prices will vary depending on how long an item takes to make, and there may be 1 or 2 items that will require the buyer to supply their own material. Here are some examples of the types of things I can make:
Scrapbooking pages: really the sky is the limit, it depends on your preferences and what the photo inspires me to!
Probably the most involved project I've done and there will definitely be a limit on the number of these I can make!
A pillowcase and cushions. Obviously the dimensions of the cushions can vary!
I don't have photos yet, but I can also do greeting cards and am working on a pattern for a stuffed animal toy. If you have any ideas, just ask and I'll let you know if it's possible!
Also, If you can help by letting people know about what I am doing here or about sponsoring one of my family members for the race, or if you have materials you feel you can donate to the 'making business' it would be much appreciated. :D
If there is enough interest, I may have to see if I can enlist some people in the making ;)
Sunday, 7 July 2013
A First Sunday Share
In my church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - on the first Sunday of every month, the congregation is given the opportunity to come to the stand and share their testimony... or in other words, what we believe.
Today I had the thought that on the first Sunday of each month I could choose something that is significant to me on that particular day to share with you all. Not one to delay, I have decided that now is a good time to start. ;)
In one of our classes today we were talking about courage and overcoming obstacles. As I sat listening I thought of one of my favourite scriptures which is found in Romans Chapter 8 and verses 35-39. Part of that reads:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I love this scripture, and it has meant different things to me at different times... but today it reminded me that despite any of the difficult things I experience in life I can have courage. I don't have to fear when things happen that I don't understand or that challenge me because I know that no matter what happens, the love of God and my Saviour for me will never change and He will be there to help me conquer anything.
So this week and in the future I know that I can go forward with courage and when things don't go according to plan or are harder than I expected, or when things come up that I just didn't plan for at all... I know that it can't change the one thing that makes all the difference in my life - the love of God and His grace.
Tracey
xo
Today I had the thought that on the first Sunday of each month I could choose something that is significant to me on that particular day to share with you all. Not one to delay, I have decided that now is a good time to start. ;)
In one of our classes today we were talking about courage and overcoming obstacles. As I sat listening I thought of one of my favourite scriptures which is found in Romans Chapter 8 and verses 35-39. Part of that reads:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I love this scripture, and it has meant different things to me at different times... but today it reminded me that despite any of the difficult things I experience in life I can have courage. I don't have to fear when things happen that I don't understand or that challenge me because I know that no matter what happens, the love of God and my Saviour for me will never change and He will be there to help me conquer anything.
So this week and in the future I know that I can go forward with courage and when things don't go according to plan or are harder than I expected, or when things come up that I just didn't plan for at all... I know that it can't change the one thing that makes all the difference in my life - the love of God and His grace.
Tracey
xo
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