Valentine's Day '09 has come and gone and it was a pretty good one. AVery loved opening the Valentine Elizabeth O. sent her-though mommy didn't have the camera-Avery insisted it be hung on the fridge:)...next year, hopefully, Avery will get to send out Valentine's of her own!! Artie and I don't do gifts, as with many holidays, but we did manage to spend a couple of hours out and about by ourselves!! We were going to catch a movie, but decided instead to run errands that needed to be done. It doesn't sound very romantic, but it actually was so wonderful to not having a screaming, unhappy little girl with us while we were trying to get stuff done. I almost forgot what it was like to meander through stores without rushing to hurry and get done what I need and get out. We hit up lunch first at Moe's-one of my favorite mexican places, so yummy! And it was bliss eating my meal without having to make sure Avery had her food first or needed anything or dealing with her throwing her food or screaming before I was done eating-I was really like, this is the most wonderful meal ever!! Don't get me wrong, I missed Avery, eventually, but it was nice to spend some kid-free time with my hubby (we did run an 'errand' to De Brand to pick out some chocolates together!) The bliss was short-lived (but sooo worth it). Avery has been the most upset little girl the last 3 days or so. Absolutely throwing fits-not only in public, but at home too. We are trying our best to keep cool and deal with it, but at some point I turned to Artie-after an 'incident' at Kohl's today-and wondered to him if we were dealing with these tantrums the right way. Man parenting is hard!! At home we give her timeouts or ignore her when she's mad or screaming, but in public everyone's staring at you to see what you're going to do about the kid making all the noise. I wish they came with a manual!! We did manage to have a short, but nice visit with Artie's brother, sister-in-law and our nephew on Valentine's night. It was so nice for Avery to play with her cousin Garrett!! Today we braved the tantrums and ran to Panera for a quick lunch (and managed to leave with a yummy loaf of asiago cheese bread) and picked up a new dresser for Avery's new room before heading home and relaxing for a bit. We even got out for a walk-which the dogs very much appreciated:) Hope everyone had a very nice Valentine's day and enjoyed some Bliss of your own!!
Watching Enchanted for the zillionth time and enjoying some cheez its
A 6 month belly picture before Artie and I headed out for blissful together time
Avery waking up Valentine's morning to her V-Day present...a new kitchen set:)
Sharing the kitchen fun with cousin Garrett
Avery being a ham
Cozied on the couch after bath time watching Enchanted-AGAIN
Just up from a nap with crazy hair!
All bundled up to walk the dogs...when is spring getting here??
Dogs doing what they love...sniffing "things"
4 comments:
I know errands and lunch without kids is a blissful experience- and as you said- it is not that you don't appreciate the time without your kids- but you and your hubby definitely deserve the alone time!
you look awesome at 6 months- way to go steph!
as for the tantrums.
I really think you all are doing the right thing at home, and at the store. at the store- there is nothing you can really do. I remember one incident when Luke was 24 months we tried to go to Target and he was kicking and screaming so much when we walked into the store- I literally just turned around and went back out. Sometimes it is not worth it. There are some games I think made by "Bloom" that are suppose to occupy kids by having them pick out things in different colors etc on shopping trips. I have not tried them out- but I have heard of them- maybe something to try in a couple of months when Avery gets older. And the good news you can BRIBE them soon. Not that I am a big fan. But if Luke is good sometimes in the store- and I need to shop there for awhile- I will tell him he can have popcorn and a drink if he is good after we are done. For 1.50 it is a life saver.
Hang in there:)
Steph you look fabulous. I swear I was that size at 16 weeks with Genevieve. You really do look great. I am glad you and Artie got to spend a couple hours together. It's sad when running errands becomes a "date". Good luck with the tantrums. I try to pretend that Josephine isn't mine but that never works well considering she is usually sitting in my shopping cart. Ahhh the joys of raising toddlers.
Sorry to hear about the tantrums- I hope they get better! I can only imagine how hard it is!!! Wish I had some advice for you!!!
You look great by the way!! Glad to hear that you got a few moments to breathe and enjoy a meal with Artie and were able to actually browse through a store. Don't feel guilty about enjoying Avery-free time- everyone needs a break from each other so we can come back refreshed!
You look awesome!! Love the baby pic- I know, it is hard trying to remember to take those ones, but it's so worth it when you put the baby books together.
Matt and I both did double-takes when looking at Avery in her jammies playing with her kitchen set- it totally could have been E! We have the same one and they look so much alike with the long blonde hair. It's so funny looking at your house pics- we have so much of the same stuff!
Hope tantrums get better- we still deal with them too, but for the most part it is contained to diaper-changing time....ugh.
Love,
C:)
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