Boy's Best Friend

Noah is becoming quite attached to Oliver. I think they're both getting over their little jealousy thing they had going with each other. Noah loves to go to the doggie beach and chase Oliver around. And a trip to the park just isn't the same without Oliver to run around in the grass with. Noah asks where Oliver is frequently throughout the day and is moving beyond pestering him to caring for him and showing him some love. I even caught him a few times having a one-sided conversation with Oliver. When I asked Noah if he was talking to Oliver, he replied (embarrassed), "No, Oliver doesn't talk." It's pretty cute seeing them cuddle on the chair together too.

Waldorf Playgroups

Every Friday morning from 8:45 am - 11:00 am, Noah and I go to the Waldorf Playgroups. Noah loves his teacher, Ms. Uschi, a sweet German lady who really has a way with children. It was a little difficult in the beginning for Noah to adjust to a more structured environment and sit still when necessary, but now he's really blossoming and knows the routine. Here's a rundown of what we do there:

The children come in and take off their shoes, then have about a half hour of free play. The toys are all natural, beautifully simple, and mostly handmade. Lots of open, imaginative play things. While the tots are playing, the mamas work on some sort of craft...we've made spiders, sun babies, silks, knitted hens, boats from pods, acorn gnomes, felted gnomes, and apple stamped paper, to name a few. I'd love to post pictures soon. When the dusty gnome comes out, it is time to clean up all the toys and crafts.

Then it is time for handwashing and snack. Snacks are brought in by the parents and are usually organic, wholesome foods. After snack, the kiddos go outside for some free play. There's a sandbox, beautiful gardens to skip through, and haystacks to toddle across. When Ms. Uschi plays her flute it is time to go inside for circle and story time. We all gather in a circle and sing songs with movement. Ms. Rusty sings along and plays beautiful music on her guitar and kinderharp. Then the children sit on a silk rainbow and are encouraged to quietly sit still and listen to a story, which usually relates to the season or an event coming up. The story is uniquely told by heart by Ms. Uschi and usually includes a scene with crafted items Ms. Uschi has lovingly made by hand.

Lastly, the children dance to the goodbye song and then go outside to the big playground and play with the next playgroup. Noah and I have a ritual of going to Starbuck's afterward for a little hot or cold treat. We both really look forward to our Fridays at the Waldorf school:)

Catching up

So here we are...I am having a hard time journaling every day so I'll just do the best I can! That's a more reasonable goal!

Noah's been quite a handful lately. Screaming every time he's upset, saying the S word, and basically showing me that he is indeed turning three in a few weeks. Ah the peaceful time we've been enjoying since the last six-month disequilibrium arose is coming to an end. I haven't been keeping my temper in check either, so we've entered this vicious cycle where he yells, I tell him we don't yell, then I lose it and end up yelling...the very thing I'm getting on him about. It's so hard sticking to the whole no-punishment-gentle parenting-thing. I feel like he does need consequences, but it's hard to draw the line between consequence and punishment. I read that I'm just suppose to walk away, as opposed to sending him away, when he disrespects me and explain to him that I don't want to be around him when he treats me like that. But that's kinda like punishment to me. I don't know. It's getting sooooo old repeating myself day after day...Noah time to get dressed, time to eat, time to take a nap, time to brush your teeth, time to get in the car, time to leave. He'll even say, "Let's go left." and I'll think I'm giving him what he wants and being flexible by going left. Then he wants to do the complete opposite. I give up! I am so exhausted from trying to empathize and keep up with his whirlwind moods and very vocal way of expressing frustration that by the time it's time for a break, I don't even have the energy to do something fun.

On a positive note, I saw videos of baby Noah last night that totally melted my heart. Here I go being Debbie Downer again...I also felt guilty...that I didn't really remember a lot of it. I also felt very anxious watching times when he was frustrated. I've had a really hard time dealing with Noah's way of expressing frustration from the time he was born...he gets frustrated very easily and is very loud, whiny and vocal about it...always has been. When he's this upset, he doesn't want my help...wants to figure it out himself...so I try to empathize with him, let him know I understand his frustration. But he's so damn loud that he can't even hear me trying to attempt to verbalize his feelings of frustration. I just feel so helpless and lost lately. I feel like I'm not a very good parent lately...not very patient or setting a good example and like he doesn't really like me. I feel like I'm always the bad guy and always resorting to yelling. Not good. I want another baby, but lately I don't know how I'm going to handle it. I pray to God I get a mellow one this time around...

Monday 3/30/09

Today was kinda uneventful. We went to Tot Time at this gymnastics place, which Noah loves. They have trampolines, big foam pits to jump in and swing across on ropes, and all good things rough and rumble. Noah had fun running around and goofing off with a little sweet boy named Asher. I actually found myself bored today, since Noah usually wants me to be his little shadow everywhere he goes. This makes me even more ready for a baby! Did I mention I have baby fever?!

The rest of the day was spent eating too much, cleaning, doing laundry, and trying to get Noah to take a nap. Then Uncle came over to watch Noah while I visited my ND. That was very uplifting! She was so encouraging and supportive of us trying to have another baby. Then I brought home some yummy Greek food and put that tired litte boy to bed. Daddy was home early tonight from teaching so we had some nice time to spend together with Noah asleep and all. A pretty good day all around! :)

Oh yeah! We have two little red strawberries in our garden! So excited! Noah can't wait to try them!:)

This is what we planted so far:

1. spinach
2. strawberries
3. collards
4. cauliflower
5. celery
6. red leaf lettuce
7. artichoke
8. basil
9. cilantro

Sunday 3/29/09

Oops! Missed yesterday! Not much to report, though. Kind of a rough day yesterday...Daddy went surfing and to the gym and I took Noah to the park with Oliver. Noah rode his bike. When we got there, Noah ran around a bit and then proceeded to run away from me, ignoring my requests to stay near me or come back. Lugging his bike around with a stubborn doggy was not fun and I wasn't in the mood to chase Noah around. So we ended up going back home early. Noah went to the beach, as it was a beautiful day, with Daddy while I got my hair cut and worked out at the gym. When I got back, Noah was still asleep with Daddy on the chair so I had a few hours to myself. Then they picked up Mother's for dinner (yum!) and Daddy went out while Noah and I played with the cars and watched figure skating. My little Saturday night date!

Today, Sunday, we went to Disneyland! What a treat that was. We rode the carousel, Pinnochio, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Noah was super patient, especially compared to the last time we went. He really understands so much now and it's getting a lot easier to take him places. I guess that's why I have baby fever! I feel like we might actually be able to handle it now. We have season passes to Disneyland now so I'll have much more to report about our D-land adventures in the future I'm sure! When we got back from Disneyland, I took Noah for a run in the BOB and then we went to the park. Noah had a blast playing tag and hide and go seek with some really sweet children so he was happy! And I was happy seeing him have so much fun with other kids...he really needs that now and it's such a treat to watch him interact with other kids. Love that kid...

Friday 3/27/09

I'm going to try something new...journaling our daily life. I've procrastinated because I thought I'm too far behind so why bother, but now I'm just going for it. Better late than never. Noah had playgroup today at the Waldorf School. He's been waking up so late and basically does the opposite of whatever I ask him to do (get dressed, eat, get in the car, etc.) so we're always at least ten minutes late. But we got there and Noah had a blast (I did too!). We made a cute little knitted hen and Noah made a new friend, Luke. His mama, Mango, is a sweetheart and takes care of all the plants at the school. She's teaching me a few things with her green thumb. Noah is really doing well at school...knows the routine now and follows it. He especially likes snack time! He's known as the muffin man because he just loves all things muffins and gets super excited when they're served up as snack! Noah is learning that he can actually play with other children and that it's actually quite fun! Maybe even more fun than mommy or daddy or the other adults in his life who he's become so accustomed to playing with. It's so neat to see him blossom in this area. He's quite affectionate too...wrestling, hugging, even looked like he tried to plant one on Luke today! So cute and innocent. I'm so excited for him. His current friends, whom he asks for by name quite often, are Gavin, Aidan and Jay.

Noah didn't take a nap today (like most days lately, or he goes down wayy to late for a nap). Some cousins from Canada stopped by, Jacque, Mike, their son Steven, and his friend Brett. They are lovely and down to earth, so easy to be with. Noah was really tired really early so we put him down to bed. He's still crashed out next to me right now. We ordered pizza for dinner, yum!, and Mommy and Daddy got to watch Milk on demand since Noah went down early. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful husband and family...my son is so bright and energetic and just glows with enthusiasm. It's contagious. Simon listens to me go on and on about life and all my plans, hopes, worries, excitements and for that I am so grateful. Sometimes a girl just needs to get it all off her chest! Especially when Noah gets pretty possessive of me any time I try to have a conversation with an adult in his presence. But he's getting better. I know I'll miss these days when I was his world:)

Itsy Bitsy Yoga

Last week Noah and I tried out this cute little mommy and me yoga class in Laguna Beach with some friends. Noah was slightly distracted in the class, but would do the poses with a little encouragement from the sweet, patient instructor. I bought a book with yoga routines for toddlers and began incorporating one of the routines into our home life. Noah loves it! He asks to do yoga all the time, specifically downward dog, lunge, and warrior poses. He's pretty good at it! I learned some poses that are suppose to calm "spirited" children (like Noah!) and help digestion and sleep. I'm excited to share something I am passionate about with him and it's great to have yet another bonding activity for us to enjoy together during our sometimes long days. I hope it instills a respect for the mind-body connection in him and that he can build on this foundation with healthy outlets later in life. We're so lucky to be able to do things like this together!