Today my mom came to Music Together with me and Jamison. The energy she brought to the class was amazing. I know I felt it, I know Jamison felt it and I know the teacher felt it, as was evident when she shouted amongst every one singing and dancing, "I love how Grandma is feeling the music"! I am sure other children and moms felt her energy too. She even bought Jamison a drum and some other wood music maker. She took some pictures with her camera phone so I hope we will have one or two good ones. If so, I'll post them here.

After music class all the kids ran over to a little stand with various small music making toys and pillaged it. They pulled many of the toys out and left them on the ground. When Jamison ran over to join in I was quick to tell him; "these toys aren't ours, we can't play with them unless we buy them and we're not going to buy them. Lets put them back." His face flooded with disappointment as he politely put them back despite other kids pulling them out. Once the storm calmed and all the kids were gone, leaving various toys on the ground, Jamison was quick to point out "mess" and quickly clean it all up.

Then he informed me he had to potty. I was sure it was poop as he never requests to pee outside of the house. In fact he rarely requests to poo outside of the house. When we got to the bathroom and took his diaper off, I put him on the toilet and he peed. Then said "all done" I couldn't believe it! Another step towards a diaper free world for me!

As I sit here typing I am listening to Jamison singing various fragments of his Music Together songs. It melts my heart to watch him grow. Anyway, while I am waiting to see if my mom's pictures turned out enjoy this video of Jamison playing his new drum!!!!!!!!!

As I'm cleaning the kitchen this morning I wondered when my sleepy boy would get up. Usually he doesn't sleepy much more than 15 minutes after Rob and I get out of bed. Lately we have been piling pillows up next to him when we get out of bed hoping this will trick him into thinking it is us right next to him so he will sleep until his hearts content. It seems to be working because this morning he was sound asleep all through Rob's workout, my shower and us getting to eat breakfast together. I even got to clean the kitchen a bit when suddenly I heard the song that goes like

"you all ready for this"

I looked and there was my little boy holding his birthday present from my in laws. A car that looks "gansta" with a turn table on it and all. The car sings, you guessed it "you all ready for this"

Too funny. We were actually ready for "this"!

Birthday Boy

So it happened. My baby turned 2! I cannot believe how much we have grown together. I am amazed to watch him take what I teach him and apply it to his little life. I am amazed at how much he has taught me and how I can apply it to my little life. Being a parent is utterly mind blowing. I cannot even articulate how wonderful it is! I must admit such a reward does not come without hard work but I cannot think of a better thing to work hard for than my son!

He started the day out as a bit of a grump.




But cheered up when his Sock Monkeys arrived!



I have to admit I was very unprepared for Jamison's birthday. I think that is something he will have to learn to live with in this family. Rob nor myself are the type to plan big parties, or celebrations. Between work and a good fight with a stomach virus I was unable to get a cake, card or present; absolutely nothing. I did however make sure I took the day off and so did Rob. That is what Jamison cares about most anyway; time with his mom and dad. The innocence that leads him to care little about monetary objects and more about quality time is something I think we can all learn from. None the less I have to give thanks to my Grammy for saving the day. I was not too worried that I had nothing for him as Grammy came to the rescue with her box of Sock Monkeys she sent him. I was happy he had something to open on his birthday and so was he!

He was pretty into the fact that every time he reached into the box more Sock Monkey paraphernalia was in there for his little hands to grab onto.







Right away he started nursing the "baby" Sock Monkey. In his own words "nurse baby". I told him what a good daddy he was.




After he got his Sock Monkeys we headed off to Wheeler Farm at Jamison's request. "Farm with Lola" he said when given the option of what to do. I do have farm pictures but they were taken
with Rob's camera so I don't actually have access to them right now. After the farm we went to the store to get his (and Rob's) favorite cupcake mix so I could make them while Jamison slept. After nap time Jamison was surprised with cupcakes!! We sang happy birthday, and watched Jamison try to blow out 2 candles. He struggled but with dad's help they did it together!










After a haircut and a sushi dinner this fun packed day finally came to an end. Tomorrow we head to Southern Utah to celebrate his birthday some more! Jamison loves red dirt!

"Jamison Sad"

Part of my parenting priorities is to help my little toddler learn how to identify his emotions. As early as I can remember I would say such things to him as "You must be frustrated" or "you must be sad" or "I can tell you feel angry". I often wonder when my carefully chosen words and well thought out phrases will pay off.

When Jamison is screaming because he can't find a toy and all I want to do is scream back "find it yourself" I take a deep breath, I control my own frustration, and I might say something like "You must be frustrated, maybe we can look for your toy together" If I cannot control myself enough to reason with Jamison I will say something to the tune of "Jamison, you must feel frustrated. Mommy feels frustrated too. Can you give mommy a minute. I think I need a time out." Believe it or not, when I put myself in time out he almost always gives me a few minutes to calm myself down. This doesn't mean that I never snap and yell or stomp my feet just like my almost 2 year old but when I do I make sure to apologize for my inappropriate behavior.

So all this deep breathing and emotion identifying and I still find myself wondering when will it pay off. My answer, today! When Jamison was upset and crying over wanting more of my attention he wheeled himself over to me using a Flinstone like driving technique in his "truck" aka sports coupe, looked at me with his teary little eyes and said "Jamison sad". I was so happy! No, not happy that my son was sad, happy that he was able to articulate it. How amazing it is to watch my baby grow into a little person? How amazing is it that I get to be the one to teach him such skills as identifying which emotion it is he is feeling? I'm so lucky and so blessed that I get to be Jamison's mommy!

Day 1 of training...

SUCKED!!!! Starting running is harder than starting P90X. Seriously, who runs? What kind of freak runs? I know I'm running only because my husband signed me up for a 1/2 marathon. He says he asked but I don't remember.

Jamison and his midnight tantrums...

I am sure that any parent can relate to toddler tantrums. Fortunately Jamison isn't too bad. I can almost always talk him out of a tantrum but even better I am great at avoiding them in the first place. I like to set him up for success in that department. When I am fast asleep, however, I am unable to prevent them let alone talk him out of one.

Jamison's latest obsession is cars. Not just any car. Not a Tonka Truck or any other plastic car. It has to be small and metal. He has never formed any real attachment to a teddy bear, blanket or stuffed animal. Oh wait...he has as of lately been totally needing "daddy's pilwo" to sleep. It all started because once in our bed he shares his daddy's pillow with him but now he wants that pillow even when he is in his crib for naps or during the first hour or two of night time before we bring him in our bed. Okay back to my topic. Cars. So Jamison has never formed any real attachment to a teddy bear, blanket or stuffed animal (with the exception of "daddy's pilwo"). Somehow he has become attached to his little metal cars. It really doesn't matter which one as long as he has one in his hand, day or night, he is happy. Sounds simple enough except for the night part. Especially in the middle of the night or early enough the birds aren't chirping yet. Being woken up to your son screaming "hold the car" is not pleasant. It is even worse when you say "Jamison, go night night" and he begins screaming even louder and more hysterical "hold the car"

Finding a little metal car the size of a lime in the middle of the night is not easy, which is why we didn't try. Instead Rob sternly said "Jamison go night night or you will go night night in your crib". I know, I know it is a threat but really neither one of us was interested in searching the house for one of the three cars he loves. So Jamison screamed louder. After trying to convince him he can have his car in the morning with no luck Rob had had enough, he picked him up and took him to his crib. He put him in the crib fully prepared to pat, or rub his back to calm him. There was no need. He stopped crying almost immediately. As Rob looked inquisitively wondering why the sudden change of attitude he noticed Jamison had found that car he so desired right there in his crib. So Rob picked Jamison back up, brought him back to bed and we all slept for the rest of the night.

The trick with Jamison. If he falls asleep with a car in his hand he damn well better wake up with one in his hand too. Day or night it doesn't matter. So if we tell him to put his "truck" away before bedtime the problem is solved.

My son's creativity blows my mind and makes me wonder where mine went. With each bite one piece of toast goes from a truck, to a boat, then an airplane, and finally a chicken. It evokes laughter in me just to watch the transition. The funny part is that he genuinely believes his piece of toast is actually each of the above mentioned nouns. He grabs his toast, takes a bite, looks at it and loudly exclaims "a truck" as though he can't believe his eyes. 'What is a truck doing right there on my plate? How wonderful,' he must be thinking.

I remember being young and having all kinds of daydreams, maybe too many as I often zoned while at school. Where did that go? At this point in my relationship with my son I am being inspired to try and regain some of my youthful imagination.