Tantrums...oh boy.

So I was really pleased and put at ease today by reading this snippet from an article:

"As your toddler starts to develop more and more of a sense of herself as a separate person from you, she’s also learning about independence. This is wonderful and absolutely normal - but it comes along with the development of a temper and moods and a profound wish to do things her way. During this month the word "no" - probably among your baby's three or four words - is likely to become a favorite."

Oh geez, I didn't think temper tantrums and throwing fits didn't come into play until 2. I was way wrong! We try not to pay too much attention to her throwing a fit if something doesn't go her way. I told TJ I feel like it's better than punishing her...after all, I feel like she is exploring how to express herself, and I know she just doesn't know better. Let me just say, one thing I found to work: Sometimes when you pick her up and ask for a kiss she will smack your face and say "NO" (I sometimes want to laugh, but we try REALLY hard not to). So I take her hand and gently say "that's not nice" and I'll kiss her hand. Then all she wants to do is give us kisses! I swear it works like a charm! If only I could keep her from the initial smack...

This morning Peyton was trying to play with her dinosaur toy (it is one they can push or sit on and ride, and it plays songs). She was trying to push it somewhere, and I guess it wasn't going exactly where she wanted it...so she stomped off from it, screaming and shaking her head. This lasted for about 5 minutes, but GOOD GRIEF you would have thought the world was ending.

It's always comforting to read about her development, and know that she's not the only child doing this, or isn't the only one throwing such wild fits and tantrums. I know all kids do, but seriously did NOT think it would be this early. SO BEWARE of this time frame of 13/14 months! It's hilarious and keeps you wondering at the same time what in the world do you do to/for your child when they act like this. TJ took her to Lowe's with him the other night so I could have some "alone" time (I was feeling REALLY sick). He said she was holding a small tool he was going to buy, and gently took it from her and said "Ok, we have to check out now" and she screamed bloody murder. He said he firmly told her "No ma'am!" and didn't give it back to her. Seemed to work! But I'm dreading this part...that was her first screaming fit out in public. Lovely.

In other news around here...mine and TJ's 5 year anniversary will be here in May! I'm excited, but he's wanting to go out of town for a couple days (maybe to Gatlinburg) without Peyton. I'm a little nervous about the thought of this, so we'll see what we actually end up doing. Maybe a couple days away together would be really great, since we'll have a new one in July...I have a feeling when the new baby gets here we'll be wishing we went away somewhere.

So when I'm pregnant I have really weird dreams. Last night wasn't too off the wall, but I did dream that JCPS extended their summer until September just b/c I wanted my mom to help me out with the baby and Peyton for a little longer. HA! Wouldn't that be nice?! Now that Fonda is back at work, both my sisters are full time at work, my sis in law has 2 little ones of her own, and my mom has to go back August something (I think it's the 2nd week). So I'm a little nervous that I won't get much help. TJ will obviously be off work as much as he can, but it really all just depends on his schedule. I'm sure he'll be in his new job then, so I'm not at all sure what we'll do. I'm just praying my recovery time with this c-section is ALOT quicker than my first. I just CAN'T be down for more than a week or two...and it seems like it took me about 3 weeks to really start feeling better as far as moving, walking, lifting, etc.

By the way...I mentioned last time we were going to start weaning Peyton off of having a cup of milk at nap time and bed time...it's going rather poorly. So I'm trying to hang in there and not give it to her, but seriously...it's the only thing that gets her to sleep! AHH! I'm hoping in the next couple of months we can break the pattern.