Goals

My goal was to begin regularly posting every week, and this weekend was the targeted time. Well, I missed it my first try.

We are currently watching the second round of videos depicting parenting Ezzo-style--Let the Children Come Along the Toddler Years. (Please, please, have mercy, I'm shielding my face with my arms to stave off the deluge of negative vibes zinging my way.) My learning from last night: "Train so you don't have to retrain." Sounds like a good goal to me. I also personally liked the idea of teaching Blaine to keep his hands under his tray while I'm feeding him since at this point all they do is get in the way and make a mess. Then when he's full, he can get his little paws up there and play with Cherries or his favorite toys (Wobblers from Phil's Frosted Flakes box--like father, like son--free toys are the best!) He has not managed to deposit a Cheerio in his own mouth yet, but his grasping abilities are certainly improving.

I didn't agree with everything I heard, however. (Yes, well, I seldom do.) I don't personally think breastfed four to six month old babies need any juice at all since it is mostly just sugar. Also, one of the other mothers was telling me that apple juice is the worst fruit juice to give an infant according to new studies because it is very hard for them to digest. Could be. And, I personally think six months old is soon enough for most breastfed babies to begin solid foods although I agree that it depends on the child and his/her readiness. What I really don't understand is why a four hour feeding schedule is the Ezzo goal. Blaine loves to eat every three hours. If he's particularly interested in something and we are away from home, he often can last more than three hours, but at home, I can't imagine the annoyance of having to deal with a fussy baby for an extra hour when a feeding will make him happy and probably put him to sleep. And, as I do reading regarding weight loss and weight control, I find that many experts advise more frequent meals of smaller quantities than our typical three meals-a-day. So why four hours for baby?

I find that as I parent my perspective changes. Most of you knew that would happen yet were too kind to throw it in my face. I can admit when I'm wrong or even half wrong. It's good for my humility. For example, I have more kind feelings than I did toward those mothers who rock their babies to sleep. There is something very special about them snuggling down and then dozing off. I also have more kind feelings toward those mothers who have either not been successful or have chosen not to put their babies on a schedule. Why? Let me explain.

This summer, I had a very scheduled life and Blaine consequently, I believe, had a schedule that meshed with mine. We worked it out, anyway, and it was great. I knew when he was going to nap; he knew when we were going over to the farm, when he would get to see his beloved Gongey, when we would go home for a bath and bed. When harvest ceased, so did my schedule. Then abruptly, I had no schedule, and then, frustration of all frustrations...neither did Blaine.

After too many times of Blaine throwing a screaming fit instead of going down for a nap and going to sleep on his own like he had been doing for about two months, it occurred to me that I had been trying to plan my life around his naps and given the ministry opportunities God was bringing my way, perhaps this was not the way I should be planning my schedule. I also wondered if his nap needs were changing with his growth, but whatever I tried, he would not go to sleep on his own for his naps although he did/does at night. I came to realize that perhaps God wanted me to relax and quit planning my life around Blaine's nap schedule since my happy little boy is pretty much happy regardless of a schedule or not. There you have it from me, older, wiser, and more merciful.

Being a mom has taught me: I have less advice for other parents than I used to. (Grin!)

Blaine's newest skill: He rolled over! Let me repeat, he FINALLY rolled over!