Monday, September 14, 2009
Diaperbag Blues.
Ok, so I'm getting a hang on packing or over packing my diaper bag when we're out with the girls. I know now, lots of wipes, plenty of diapers and burp clothes and a change of clothes for them, but I learned today that Mama may need a change of clothes too after one explosive poopy diaper from sweet Clara from which she was unscathed. So, just throw an extra t-shirt in the car when you leave next time...just in case.
Luther on Discipline.
Phil sent this quote from Luther to me.
And this German Proverb:
I want well behaved children and I want them to not have to be told over and over to do or not to do something. I know it will take time and extreme perseverance and consistency on my part, but it will be worth it. I've already failed many times and wavered on what I should decide to make a "no no" but I make a mental note and move on each day. I hope to figure out how to best correct and instruct my girls sooner than later, later would most likely make my battle harder but is this age too soon? I'm constantly unsure about that.
"The more ardently parents love their children, the severer their discipline is. ... But paternal love and pity demand blows, whips, and stripes, in order that children may be improved, even though this cannot be done without pain and grief."Ouch!
And this German Proverb:
"The dearer the child, the sharper the rods."I believe it's time that our "disciplining" Lily took on a different flavor. For several months I've used the firm "no" and redirection. Lily is now really testing her limits. She thinks it's so fun to see how far she can go. She really gets a kick out of seeing my get on to her. When she hit Clara in the face and I popped her hand she just laughed at me. At her age, I just don't know how to make her understand that something is wrong and she can't do it. I read that I should pick a few things at a time to teach her are not acceptable and prioritize what you 'discipline' her over. So far smacking Clara is probably the biggest 'no no' and I guess I'll stick with removing her to the corner or her crib to teach her that. She seems to get very upset when we take that route.
I want well behaved children and I want them to not have to be told over and over to do or not to do something. I know it will take time and extreme perseverance and consistency on my part, but it will be worth it. I've already failed many times and wavered on what I should decide to make a "no no" but I make a mental note and move on each day. I hope to figure out how to best correct and instruct my girls sooner than later, later would most likely make my battle harder but is this age too soon? I'm constantly unsure about that.
Luther on Marriage I.
On married life Luther writes that our natural reason,
I'm not sure why Luther speaks from a man's viewpoint of doing all of these tasks. I'll have to ask Phil about that! But of course it applies to a mama as well. How often I get tired of the "drudgery" of the everyday tasks of caring for little ones. My flesh can look back on my single days and think "wasn't it nice to just do what you wanted, when you wanted?" But doing those things had no reward other than making myself happy. No chubby little baby looking back at me with love in her eyes happy to have a clean "nappy". I've noticed that when these tasks involve MY little one, one I love, they just become things "that have to be done", not disgusting or painful, I just do them. I now know what my purpose in life is. I am to care for all of the needs of these precious girls. In doing this I please God who blessed me with them and gave them into my care! What great responsibility!
An Issues Etc. program on "Vocation and Parenting" worth listening to.
turns up her nose and says, 'Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its nappies, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores, and on top of that care for my wife, provide for her, labour at my trade, take care of this and take care of that, do this and do that, endure this and endure that, and whatever else of bitterness and drudgery married life involves? What, should I make such a prisoner of myself O you poor, wretched fellow, have you taken a wife? Fie, fie upon such wretched-ness and bitterness! It is better to remain free and lead a peaceful, carefree
life.. .
What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, 'O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its nappies, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labour, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.'s
I'm not sure why Luther speaks from a man's viewpoint of doing all of these tasks. I'll have to ask Phil about that! But of course it applies to a mama as well. How often I get tired of the "drudgery" of the everyday tasks of caring for little ones. My flesh can look back on my single days and think "wasn't it nice to just do what you wanted, when you wanted?" But doing those things had no reward other than making myself happy. No chubby little baby looking back at me with love in her eyes happy to have a clean "nappy". I've noticed that when these tasks involve MY little one, one I love, they just become things "that have to be done", not disgusting or painful, I just do them. I now know what my purpose in life is. I am to care for all of the needs of these precious girls. In doing this I please God who blessed me with them and gave them into my care! What great responsibility!
An Issues Etc. program on "Vocation and Parenting" worth listening to.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This Week's No Nos.
"No Nos" I've committed this week:
I know, I know "Back to Sleep"! Well, Clara has never slept well at all on her back. She's too restless and startles herself awake. Even when swaddled the best I could get out of her was about 3-4 hours of sleep. From the time she was 6 weeks old she has been sleeping through the night, but only in the swing. I don't think this is a good habit to be forming. I'm very worried that the transition she'll have to make at some point to a bed won't be easy if she continues to sleep in the swing. We have recently discovered that she does in fact seem to like sleeping on her tummy. I have put her down for several naps now in this position during the day. She does very well. She has great head and neck control at 12 weeks. So I'm not worried but I have yet to attempt this through the night. I'm still pretty nervous about doing that and haven't figured out where I'd put her anyway. I'll keep testing her out during nap times and see how it goes.
I know it's not recommended that children under two years of age watch 'television' but lately I've been putting on one of the Baby Einstein videos for Lily while I'm cooking supper. Perhaps I'm being selfish or lazy but I've found this really helps when she's had a whiny bad mood day and playing with pots and pans right under my feet just isn't making her happy. She sits there happy as can be laughing and pointing and if studies are correct...getting dumber.
I know, I know "Back to Sleep"! Well, Clara has never slept well at all on her back. She's too restless and startles herself awake. Even when swaddled the best I could get out of her was about 3-4 hours of sleep. From the time she was 6 weeks old she has been sleeping through the night, but only in the swing. I don't think this is a good habit to be forming. I'm very worried that the transition she'll have to make at some point to a bed won't be easy if she continues to sleep in the swing. We have recently discovered that she does in fact seem to like sleeping on her tummy. I have put her down for several naps now in this position during the day. She does very well. She has great head and neck control at 12 weeks. So I'm not worried but I have yet to attempt this through the night. I'm still pretty nervous about doing that and haven't figured out where I'd put her anyway. I'll keep testing her out during nap times and see how it goes.
I know it's not recommended that children under two years of age watch 'television' but lately I've been putting on one of the Baby Einstein videos for Lily while I'm cooking supper. Perhaps I'm being selfish or lazy but I've found this really helps when she's had a whiny bad mood day and playing with pots and pans right under my feet just isn't making her happy. She sits there happy as can be laughing and pointing and if studies are correct...getting dumber.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Diapering.
While cloth diapering can be gross and frustrating at times, I have to say there's something about hanging diapers outside to dry that makes me feel like I've done something good today.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Living the dream.
I'm reading a blog a stay at home mom in MT keeps. She posted one of her reasons for blogging;I would like to encourage other homemakers in their chosen vocation and even provide a few laughs when appropriate. Hopefully I’ll even be able to convince some skeptics that some people, at least, can be happy and fulfilled as a homemaker/stay at home mom and be quite different from the unfortunate stereotype of either a bon-bon eating, cheap romance reading, lazy, wimp lolling around home all day while her husband labors at his chosen career; or a brow-beaten, uneducated, harried wife trying to care for unruly children while her husband is off enjoying himself. Perhaps that language is a bit strong. However, I hope that I fit in neither category (even remotely). I am thrilled to be living my dream of being a wife and mother, and I love my job. It is so fulfilling.I think she has a wonderful goal. She sounds very happy. I was both chagrined and curious about her apparent contentment. I have to admit I am more often than not that "brow-beaten, harried wife" she condemns and actually bon-bons don't sound too bad if I had them. But I'm frustrated with myself, with the sinner I face everyday. I do have my "dream job". I am "living the dream". Being a wife and mother is all I ever wanted to be. But even so I find many ways to be so unhappy, so "unfulfilled", not "loving my job". Of course my flesh doesn't want me to be content, doesn't want me to find joy in the blessings I have. Being a wife is hard, being a mother is hard, managing a home is hard. The hardships often blind me from the fact that I'm fulfilling a divine call and that I've been so blessed with a loving, responsible, wise husband and two beautiful, sweet little girls. I am so thankful to be living my "dream" and I do find all the fulfillment I'll ever find in this life in doing this but I'm not always "thrilled" about it. I'm more thrilled that God helps me to faithfully daily fulfill the duties He has given me and knowing that I am absolutely fulfilling His "will for my life" and that He has given me such a precious family to give my life to, to live out my days in faithfulness to and to love abundantly until I leave this life and find everlasting fulfillment.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Getting stuff done.
Why does it surprise me when something finally "dawns" on me? I've been a mama for 13 months now, seems like a long time, but boy am I still a "newbie". Of course I'm still gonna have to figure things out! It's just odd that something so simple that would have been so helpful all along failed to come to mind, then one day it does. I suppose that's why our mamas are the experts we turn to for everything. They've been mamas for a long time and had their little "epiphanies" long ago.
In an attempt to keep our house clean PC (pre-Clara) I was dividing up the tasks a little bit each day. Tuesdays "Floor" days (mopping, vacuuming), Wednesdays "Laundry" etc. But the problem has been missing a day, then I tend to get all backed up and inevitably the bathrooms or our bedroom does not get cleaned...for weeks, okay, months. Now that I'm a little busier I'm still trying to stick to that schedule but way less actually gets done. I've got a long list of things that I "will get to" that never get gotten to. I just feel so much better when the house is neater and I know the floors and bathrooms are clean. Unfortunately I have to pick what gets cleaned and what can wait. Thus the build up. So I've finally asked Leanna to watch the girls for me once a week for a few hours while I get these done. It just doesn't work if I try during nap time.
Today was the first day Leanna came to watch the girls. I did get some stuff done, but I think it will be better if she takes them to her house next week. I'm so thankful to have someone so near by that loves my babies like a grandma and is willing and able to help me out anytime I need her. The Munderlohs are such a blessing to both me and Phil.
In an attempt to keep our house clean PC (pre-Clara) I was dividing up the tasks a little bit each day. Tuesdays "Floor" days (mopping, vacuuming), Wednesdays "Laundry" etc. But the problem has been missing a day, then I tend to get all backed up and inevitably the bathrooms or our bedroom does not get cleaned...for weeks, okay, months. Now that I'm a little busier I'm still trying to stick to that schedule but way less actually gets done. I've got a long list of things that I "will get to" that never get gotten to. I just feel so much better when the house is neater and I know the floors and bathrooms are clean. Unfortunately I have to pick what gets cleaned and what can wait. Thus the build up. So I've finally asked Leanna to watch the girls for me once a week for a few hours while I get these done. It just doesn't work if I try during nap time.
Today was the first day Leanna came to watch the girls. I did get some stuff done, but I think it will be better if she takes them to her house next week. I'm so thankful to have someone so near by that loves my babies like a grandma and is willing and able to help me out anytime I need her. The Munderlohs are such a blessing to both me and Phil.
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Diaperbag Blues.
Ok, so I'm getting a hang on packing or over packing my diaper bag when we're out with the girls. I know now, lots of wipes, plenty of diapers and burp clothes and a change of clothes for them, but I learned today that Mama may need a change of clothes too after one explosive poopy diaper from sweet Clara from which she was unscathed. So, just throw an extra t-shirt in the car when you leave next time...just in case.
Luther on Discipline.
Phil sent this quote from Luther to me.
And this German Proverb:
I want well behaved children and I want them to not have to be told over and over to do or not to do something. I know it will take time and extreme perseverance and consistency on my part, but it will be worth it. I've already failed many times and wavered on what I should decide to make a "no no" but I make a mental note and move on each day. I hope to figure out how to best correct and instruct my girls sooner than later, later would most likely make my battle harder but is this age too soon? I'm constantly unsure about that.
"The more ardently parents love their children, the severer their discipline is. ... But paternal love and pity demand blows, whips, and stripes, in order that children may be improved, even though this cannot be done without pain and grief."Ouch!
And this German Proverb:
"The dearer the child, the sharper the rods."I believe it's time that our "disciplining" Lily took on a different flavor. For several months I've used the firm "no" and redirection. Lily is now really testing her limits. She thinks it's so fun to see how far she can go. She really gets a kick out of seeing my get on to her. When she hit Clara in the face and I popped her hand she just laughed at me. At her age, I just don't know how to make her understand that something is wrong and she can't do it. I read that I should pick a few things at a time to teach her are not acceptable and prioritize what you 'discipline' her over. So far smacking Clara is probably the biggest 'no no' and I guess I'll stick with removing her to the corner or her crib to teach her that. She seems to get very upset when we take that route.
I want well behaved children and I want them to not have to be told over and over to do or not to do something. I know it will take time and extreme perseverance and consistency on my part, but it will be worth it. I've already failed many times and wavered on what I should decide to make a "no no" but I make a mental note and move on each day. I hope to figure out how to best correct and instruct my girls sooner than later, later would most likely make my battle harder but is this age too soon? I'm constantly unsure about that.
Luther on Marriage I.
On married life Luther writes that our natural reason,
I'm not sure why Luther speaks from a man's viewpoint of doing all of these tasks. I'll have to ask Phil about that! But of course it applies to a mama as well. How often I get tired of the "drudgery" of the everyday tasks of caring for little ones. My flesh can look back on my single days and think "wasn't it nice to just do what you wanted, when you wanted?" But doing those things had no reward other than making myself happy. No chubby little baby looking back at me with love in her eyes happy to have a clean "nappy". I've noticed that when these tasks involve MY little one, one I love, they just become things "that have to be done", not disgusting or painful, I just do them. I now know what my purpose in life is. I am to care for all of the needs of these precious girls. In doing this I please God who blessed me with them and gave them into my care! What great responsibility!
An Issues Etc. program on "Vocation and Parenting" worth listening to.
turns up her nose and says, 'Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its nappies, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores, and on top of that care for my wife, provide for her, labour at my trade, take care of this and take care of that, do this and do that, endure this and endure that, and whatever else of bitterness and drudgery married life involves? What, should I make such a prisoner of myself O you poor, wretched fellow, have you taken a wife? Fie, fie upon such wretched-ness and bitterness! It is better to remain free and lead a peaceful, carefree
life.. .
What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, 'O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its nappies, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labour, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.'s
I'm not sure why Luther speaks from a man's viewpoint of doing all of these tasks. I'll have to ask Phil about that! But of course it applies to a mama as well. How often I get tired of the "drudgery" of the everyday tasks of caring for little ones. My flesh can look back on my single days and think "wasn't it nice to just do what you wanted, when you wanted?" But doing those things had no reward other than making myself happy. No chubby little baby looking back at me with love in her eyes happy to have a clean "nappy". I've noticed that when these tasks involve MY little one, one I love, they just become things "that have to be done", not disgusting or painful, I just do them. I now know what my purpose in life is. I am to care for all of the needs of these precious girls. In doing this I please God who blessed me with them and gave them into my care! What great responsibility!
An Issues Etc. program on "Vocation and Parenting" worth listening to.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This Week's No Nos.
"No Nos" I've committed this week:
I know, I know "Back to Sleep"! Well, Clara has never slept well at all on her back. She's too restless and startles herself awake. Even when swaddled the best I could get out of her was about 3-4 hours of sleep. From the time she was 6 weeks old she has been sleeping through the night, but only in the swing. I don't think this is a good habit to be forming. I'm very worried that the transition she'll have to make at some point to a bed won't be easy if she continues to sleep in the swing. We have recently discovered that she does in fact seem to like sleeping on her tummy. I have put her down for several naps now in this position during the day. She does very well. She has great head and neck control at 12 weeks. So I'm not worried but I have yet to attempt this through the night. I'm still pretty nervous about doing that and haven't figured out where I'd put her anyway. I'll keep testing her out during nap times and see how it goes.
I know it's not recommended that children under two years of age watch 'television' but lately I've been putting on one of the Baby Einstein videos for Lily while I'm cooking supper. Perhaps I'm being selfish or lazy but I've found this really helps when she's had a whiny bad mood day and playing with pots and pans right under my feet just isn't making her happy. She sits there happy as can be laughing and pointing and if studies are correct...getting dumber.
I know, I know "Back to Sleep"! Well, Clara has never slept well at all on her back. She's too restless and startles herself awake. Even when swaddled the best I could get out of her was about 3-4 hours of sleep. From the time she was 6 weeks old she has been sleeping through the night, but only in the swing. I don't think this is a good habit to be forming. I'm very worried that the transition she'll have to make at some point to a bed won't be easy if she continues to sleep in the swing. We have recently discovered that she does in fact seem to like sleeping on her tummy. I have put her down for several naps now in this position during the day. She does very well. She has great head and neck control at 12 weeks. So I'm not worried but I have yet to attempt this through the night. I'm still pretty nervous about doing that and haven't figured out where I'd put her anyway. I'll keep testing her out during nap times and see how it goes.I know it's not recommended that children under two years of age watch 'television' but lately I've been putting on one of the Baby Einstein videos for Lily while I'm cooking supper. Perhaps I'm being selfish or lazy but I've found this really helps when she's had a whiny bad mood day and playing with pots and pans right under my feet just isn't making her happy. She sits there happy as can be laughing and pointing and if studies are correct...getting dumber.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Diapering.
While cloth diapering can be gross and frustrating at times, I have to say there's something about hanging diapers outside to dry that makes me feel like I've done something good today.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Living the dream.
I'm reading a blog a stay at home mom in MT keeps. She posted one of her reasons for blogging;I would like to encourage other homemakers in their chosen vocation and even provide a few laughs when appropriate. Hopefully I’ll even be able to convince some skeptics that some people, at least, can be happy and fulfilled as a homemaker/stay at home mom and be quite different from the unfortunate stereotype of either a bon-bon eating, cheap romance reading, lazy, wimp lolling around home all day while her husband labors at his chosen career; or a brow-beaten, uneducated, harried wife trying to care for unruly children while her husband is off enjoying himself. Perhaps that language is a bit strong. However, I hope that I fit in neither category (even remotely). I am thrilled to be living my dream of being a wife and mother, and I love my job. It is so fulfilling.I think she has a wonderful goal. She sounds very happy. I was both chagrined and curious about her apparent contentment. I have to admit I am more often than not that "brow-beaten, harried wife" she condemns and actually bon-bons don't sound too bad if I had them. But I'm frustrated with myself, with the sinner I face everyday. I do have my "dream job". I am "living the dream". Being a wife and mother is all I ever wanted to be. But even so I find many ways to be so unhappy, so "unfulfilled", not "loving my job". Of course my flesh doesn't want me to be content, doesn't want me to find joy in the blessings I have. Being a wife is hard, being a mother is hard, managing a home is hard. The hardships often blind me from the fact that I'm fulfilling a divine call and that I've been so blessed with a loving, responsible, wise husband and two beautiful, sweet little girls. I am so thankful to be living my "dream" and I do find all the fulfillment I'll ever find in this life in doing this but I'm not always "thrilled" about it. I'm more thrilled that God helps me to faithfully daily fulfill the duties He has given me and knowing that I am absolutely fulfilling His "will for my life" and that He has given me such a precious family to give my life to, to live out my days in faithfulness to and to love abundantly until I leave this life and find everlasting fulfillment.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Getting stuff done.
Why does it surprise me when something finally "dawns" on me? I've been a mama for 13 months now, seems like a long time, but boy am I still a "newbie". Of course I'm still gonna have to figure things out! It's just odd that something so simple that would have been so helpful all along failed to come to mind, then one day it does. I suppose that's why our mamas are the experts we turn to for everything. They've been mamas for a long time and had their little "epiphanies" long ago.
In an attempt to keep our house clean PC (pre-Clara) I was dividing up the tasks a little bit each day. Tuesdays "Floor" days (mopping, vacuuming), Wednesdays "Laundry" etc. But the problem has been missing a day, then I tend to get all backed up and inevitably the bathrooms or our bedroom does not get cleaned...for weeks, okay, months. Now that I'm a little busier I'm still trying to stick to that schedule but way less actually gets done. I've got a long list of things that I "will get to" that never get gotten to. I just feel so much better when the house is neater and I know the floors and bathrooms are clean. Unfortunately I have to pick what gets cleaned and what can wait. Thus the build up. So I've finally asked Leanna to watch the girls for me once a week for a few hours while I get these done. It just doesn't work if I try during nap time.
Today was the first day Leanna came to watch the girls. I did get some stuff done, but I think it will be better if she takes them to her house next week. I'm so thankful to have someone so near by that loves my babies like a grandma and is willing and able to help me out anytime I need her. The Munderlohs are such a blessing to both me and Phil.
In an attempt to keep our house clean PC (pre-Clara) I was dividing up the tasks a little bit each day. Tuesdays "Floor" days (mopping, vacuuming), Wednesdays "Laundry" etc. But the problem has been missing a day, then I tend to get all backed up and inevitably the bathrooms or our bedroom does not get cleaned...for weeks, okay, months. Now that I'm a little busier I'm still trying to stick to that schedule but way less actually gets done. I've got a long list of things that I "will get to" that never get gotten to. I just feel so much better when the house is neater and I know the floors and bathrooms are clean. Unfortunately I have to pick what gets cleaned and what can wait. Thus the build up. So I've finally asked Leanna to watch the girls for me once a week for a few hours while I get these done. It just doesn't work if I try during nap time.
Today was the first day Leanna came to watch the girls. I did get some stuff done, but I think it will be better if she takes them to her house next week. I'm so thankful to have someone so near by that loves my babies like a grandma and is willing and able to help me out anytime I need her. The Munderlohs are such a blessing to both me and Phil.
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