I love you

So after coming off of a couple of hard weeks with rough bedtimes and tantrums, Sawyer has been super snuggly and affectionate. Tonight he asked me to come listen to Papa read him a story for bedtime. I said "of course, just let me go put on my pajamas." He said "okay mama, be safe." and then walked back into his room. A second later, he ran back and said "because I love you." Then he gave me the tightest hug ever. Moments like this would make anyone melt!

Sawyer's weak spot

It's no secret that Sawyer and I have been having our "challenges" recently. I feel like we are constantly butting heads, and I hate feeling like we are having more tension filled moments than loving ones. I noticed that I started raising my voice trying to get his attention when he wasn't listening to me, and naturally, as a result he started raising his voice to get my attention. So I have been reading some parenting books, listening to advice from friends and trying different approaches. I started with trying to never raise my voice no matter what, and then giving myself a time out when I need a moment to collect myself and get my anger in check. This has been incredibly helpful and already started our days out better. The other thing I have been trying comes from Love and Logic, basically giving him choices and asking him to step away from me (go to another room or just to the corner or couch) when he is screaming or kicking his feet and then telling him when he is ready to be sweet I will come sit with him or he can come back and continue playing with me. You wouldn't believe how this has worked. We haven't used threats or bribes very often except occasionally when desperate, but they never worked. What does work with Sawyer, what's his weak spot? Being away from his MAMA! Seriously, he stops his tantrum almost immediately. I think his acting out really boils down to not getting enough of my attention. Reese has seriously inched in on his territory and he just hasn't worked out how to share me yet. Anyhow, I feel like we are at least back on the right track, even though there will be sure to be more hills and valleys. But how can I not melt when I realize how much my boy just wants to be with me?

Girls weekend in D.C.

Reese and I headed to D.C. to visit Priscilla and meet my Godson, Eldad! What a precious little man he is! We really only spent a day and a half together, but what a special time it was to be with them, and even just to have a little trip with my girl. She was a fantastic traveler and did great in the hotel, rental car, and plane! She was even a trooper as I drug her around the Lincoln Memorial, and other monuments in D.C. It was in the upper 90's and so humid! We also got to attend a special dedication service for Eldad at Priscilla's church. I am so thankful to still have Priscilla as a friend, 13 years after my trip to Ghana. And now to call Eldad my Godson, what an honor!

Let's talk

Sawyer has found my weak spot. He has tried many ways of postponing bedtime... I need a tissue, one more book, etc...... But he found my weakness when he started crawling up in my lap for the last five minutes of snuggle and singing "you are my sunshine." Now as I start singing, he sits up and crosses his arms and says "let's talk mama." If I say "about what?" He will put his index finger to his lips and say "Hmmmm", and then look around the room for inspiration. I can't help but take this time to talk about our day, or ask him a question when I know I have his full, undivided attention. One day he won't want to talk and I will really miss this time right before bed. He has already started saying "nothing" as a reply when I ask about what he did at school or what he ate for lunch. I can't believe that has already started and he is only 3! So I am going to take all the late night "talks" I can get, even if it means postponing bedtime by 5 minutes.

Jumping fools

Reese has become very active and jumpy over the last few weeks so we pulled out Sawyer's little car jumper that he was soooooo not interested in as a baby, and she LOVES it. I also pulled out Sawyer zebra that he also never really cared about, to try and distract him from Reese's new toy. I was having visions of him using the red car as a sling shot with her in it. So far the distraction has worked and we haven't had any major incidents. Keep your fingers crossed. I still wouldn't put it past him.

No fear

With 3 vacations in just 5 weeks, all with pools, Sawyer has become very comfortable with the pool! A little too comfortable. He is more than happy to jump into the pool with no one waiting to catch him. Even without his puddle jumper or life jacket on. He will jump in sink and then pop up (if his life jacket is on), and don't even think of bringing him up, he will say "no mama, I am the lifeguard, I am saving you!" He is convinced he can swim without his life jacket, and we let him try but obviously he realizes he needs to put it right back on. During the vacation with Nolan and Nicholas he was introduced to goggles, and now even without any he will put his face in the water, eyes open, and tell you what he sees. He is dying to jump off of a diving board, but I told him he would have to take a lot of lessons to learn how to swim in the deep end before he can do that. So every Thursday all summer he will be at lessons at the Greenlake pool. First lesson, he kept the teacher on her toes, because as usual he was jumping off the platform when she was busy with another kid, and he had no life jacket on. I think she pulled him up at least 4 times during the 30 minute lesson.

The second Saliba reunion

Fun weekend spent with two of Hani's cousins. It was so fun seeing all of our boys play together; Nolan 11 y/o, Nicholas 6 y/o, and Sawyer days away from 3 y/o. We stayed at a resort in Carlsbad and spent 2 days in the pool and one day at LEGOLAND. We never even made it to the beach even though we were only a 5 minute drive away! We couldn't get the boys out of the pool. We all had a great time at LEGOLAND, there was a lot to see, and the boys went on quite a few rides. Sawyer was a little small for some. He tried to drive a car but couldn't quite get coordinated enough to push the gas the pedal and steer at the same time. He only made it half way around the track, poor little guy. He loved driving the boats and the helicopter, but didn't love the plane ride. He said "Mama, I am scared, I want off!" Nolan was happy to get to play miniature golf, and Nicholas and his dad went on some of the real thrill rides. Reese was an angel and just followed along, and even slept for a couple of hours in the stroller. She is such a trooper. Sawyer loved hanging out with these families because they ate dessert after every meal. I think he had more dessert this weekend than he has had in the whole last year. Ice cream sundaes, mini cupcakes, and he discovered gummy bears! It's sad that we only see them every other year.