+1 for the Angels

Yesterday was a very scary day for my family.  My mom was in a car accident.  She is alright, pretty bruised and banged up though. 

I took a late lunch yesterday, around 2:30, and was on the phone with my insurance company.  I was trying to get some matters straightened out when my dad beeps in on call waiting.  I hate being left on hold when calling insurance companies so I clicked over told my dad that I would call him right back and when right back to the insurance people.  I called Dad about 3 minutes later and heard those horrible words, "Mom has been in an accident".  Instantly I panicked.  Not my mother, I need my mother.  She has to be alright, nothing ever stops my mom.  I ran into my office told my supervisor that I'd be leaving to go to the hospital.  I got a text message from my sister, Kaitlyn, who works at the hospital that the ambulance was taking Mom.  She said she was waiting in the ER for her to arrive and she didn't know what happened.  The drive to Beaumont seemed to take FOREVER.  Hello…. 20 minutes that seemed like 2 hours.  I called Dad again.  He said he spoke to Mom on the phone.  Praise Jesus at least she was conscious and talking.  I remembered a story I read, I think it was a Nicholas Sparks book, about a woman getting chopped in half by a car and she was still able to talk to her husband on the phone and tell him she loved him just by the adrenaline in her body keeping her alive.  I let my mind get the best of me sometimes. 

I arrived at the ER and my sister brought me to the slot my mom was stuck in.  Relief…SHE WAS OK!!!  Of course it's tough to see your mother strapped down on a board with a neck brace so big that she could only move her eyes to see me.  If you know my mother at all, she dresses very appropriately for her age and profession and yesterday was no exception.  She makes laying on a backboard look good.  She had on cute white capris, a flowery springy shirt and some cute tan wedges.  Who knew my mother wore wedges.  I respected the situation we were in and didn’t take any photos so this is a photo-less post.  Sorry! 

Beaumont PD came to visit my mom while we were waiting on the doctor to assess the damages.  She told her side of the story and it was pretty scary.  There was defiantly an angel riding in the car her.  By the grace of God, both she and the other driver walked away with minor injuries.  There was no blood, just tears.   Mom’s car is totaled but that can be easily replaced. +1 for the Angels, 0 for Satan!!!  We aren’t sure why the other driver ran the red light causing the wreck.  I’m not making any assumptions, just a plea to all the other drivers on the road.  Pay attention to your surroundings, do not text and drive, do not Facebook and drive, and stay off of your phone unless it’s an emergency. 

Mom was released from the hospital last night and was able to try to rest in the comfort of her own bed.  Everything is OK! 

Discipling Your Child

I've started reading and researching different methods of discipline.  Jaxson is one year old and knows exactly how to push my buttons.  He knows the word "NO" and that he shouldn't be doing something when I yell it but so far this "NO" word that he keeps hearing coming from my mouth doesn't result in any consequences. 

con·se·quence

   /ˈkɒn sɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns/  [kon-si-kwens, -kwuh ns]  

–noun

1.

the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier

I had to look up the word consequence in the dictionary because I know it was a result of something happening but my suspicions are correct.  A consequence doesn't always have to be BAD.  In the disciplining world, however, it does. 

As a child and through my adolescent and early 20 something years, I swore that I would have a different approach at discipline than my parents did.  My philosophy was "let them figure out that bad choices come with bad consequences" on their own.  This philosophy has come to a complete HALT now that my child is alive. Today I briefly browsed the internet to find articles on discipline a one year old.  If other people have good ideas, I shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel on this.  My thoughts are rapidly changing after reading the first article.  Let me summarize......

"Ages 0 to 2

Babies and toddlers are naturally curious. So it's wise to eliminate temptations and no-nos — items such as TVs and video equipment, stereos, jewelry, and especially cleaning supplies and medications should be kept well out of reach."

PULHEASE!!! You are telling me that I need to pack my house up in a box and live with NOTHING.  I have successfully kept him away from medications and housecleaning supplies with cabinet locks and catches but the TV...really? 

 "When your crawling baby or roving toddler heads toward an unacceptable or dangerous play object, calmly say "No" and either remove your child from the area or distract him or her with an appropriate activity."

What am I supposed to do know...I've removed him from the area but I'm still needing what to do next.....hello???

"It's important to not spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit."

I guess nobody showed this article to my Dad when I was younger.  Pain was his middle name....I'm pretty sure I knew the difference between pain from my behavior and physical punishment though.  And let me also add this….if they didn’t feel the pain from the hit, they won’t remember the CONSQUENCE from their action. 

This article was no help. 

On to Dr. Phil’s advice.

1. Commit Yourself: It's crucial that your child knows that you're going to do what you say you will. If you explain what a punishment will be, and then don't act on it, you will have less credibility the next time. Make a commitment to your child's discipline, and be consistent in your behavior toward them.

YES!!! I just told Landon yesterday that WE need to be consistent with me telling Jaxson “NO” on certain behaviors, i.e. squirting your sippy cup of water on the mat by the back door. 

2. Be Realistic in Your Expectations of Your Child.
Don't ask your child to do anything he/she cannot do. Make sure that what you are asking of your child is a behavior within his or her reach — if it's not, your child will get frustrated and be less likely to listen to you in the future.

Ok Dr. Phil I will remember this in about a year.

3. Define Your Child's Currency.
Find out what your child values — it could be a toy, a particular activity, or even a privilege like getting to stay awake to a particular hour. Dr Phil explains: "If you control the currency, you control the behavior that currency depends on." Once you understand what your child values, you can withdraw positive things (taking away the toy) or introduce negative things (making them take a time-out) as a form of discipline.

Still trying to figure this one out.  I know Jaxson values his baseball.  But if I take that away, he still has a bagillion more toys to pick from. 

4. Give Your Children Predictable Consequences.
It's important for your child to understand that the same result will come from the same behavior. Make your child feel like he/she has control over their life: If your child behaves in "Way A," they need to be sure that they will always get "Consequence B." If he/she can count on the rules staying the same, they're more likely to abide by

them.

This sounds like a tag-along to pointer #1.

I’m a pushover when it comes to my child.  He has this look on his face that says..”Mommy I’m sorry and I promise to never do it again…until you’re not looking”.  I have one hope when it comes to disciplining my children (I’m making this plural because I’m assuming there will be more in the future).  I hope that I can stand firm with my rules and not give to way to cute little boys that try to make it all go away by hugging my legs. 

Just Keep Swimming

 I knew it no other way.  I have trusted my Mom and Dad from the beginning.  I may have DOUBTED them quite frequently, but I've always trusted them.  It's comforting to me as a mother to know that my child trusts me.  He is only a year old, and you may think he doesn't know trusting from not, but I think differently.  I have had to work really hard for the past year to earn his trust and I will have to work 10 times as hard to maintain this trust forever.  

Jaxson and I started a "Mommy and Me" swimming class this week.  I'm going to be blunt about this.  My kid is an excellent beginner swimmer.  He doesn't necessarily know the mechanics of swimming just yet but we are well on our way.  On our first day of class we basically were working on becoming familiar with being in water.  

Jaxson has always been very comfortable with his baths but has never been so adventurous as to put his face in the water yet.  That's what I'm hoping to get out of him with this first year of swimming.  We mainly spend most of our time floating on his tummy and trying to float on the back.  This is how I know I have his trust.  Swimming pools are intimidating when you’re submerged all the way to your shoulders in water.  

With only a couple of freak out moments, Jaxson has allowed me to guide him across the pool without question.  I have dunked him a half a dozen times with only a couple of "What the heck" looks shoot across his face!  Jaxson has learned to walk in the water along the steps of the pool.  He plays with dive rings on the steps.  He's a natural. 

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

It was a SUCCESS! With the help of some very special people, Jaxson's 1st Birthday Party was a "grand slam".  We held the party at Port Neches Park.  The weather was gorgeous, perfect temperature and very low much humidity.  It was incredibly windy, resulting in the causalities of a couple of balloons, but it all turned out to be a perfect day. 

Jaxson is incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful family.  His Nene was able to make it to his party and share his special day with him.  Some of our family that lives out of town were also able to make it in for the big day. 

Landon was the Chef and made hamburgers and hotdogs.  We tried to create ballpark food for dining but it tasted so much better than actual ball park food.   The cake was perfect.  A girl I went to high school with was able to help out with the cake.  Her mom has a bakery in Baytown and created a perfect baseball jersey for his cake. 

He wasn't so fond of his cake.  It was delicious to me...

Jaxson received everything from mega blocks, to beach gear, to Thomas the Train, to a swimming pool, and last not but least, money to put into his college fund.  There can only one 1st Birthday Party and I have no regrets about this one.  He will never remember how special this day was for me and his dad.

Something spectacular did happen at the party.  HE STARTED WALKING!!! Not just 2 or three steps...I'm saying a full "strut across the park" kind of walk.  This was even more exciting because everyone was there to see it.  My kid is so stinkin smart and I'm one proud Momma. 

Oh Heavens!!! Again, thankyou to everyone who was able to come celebrate the day with us.  I cannot believe we have passed this huge milestone in our lives.  I hope we can all celebrate 100 more together.

Happy Birthday

I once read this book called "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" by James Patterson.  It's a diary of letters that a mom writes to her unborn child about her pregnancy.  It's a tragic story and I won't really tell you much more about the storyline because I think everybody should read it.  I've thought about this book so much since Jaxson has been born a year ago.  I decided that I would write a letter to Jaxson on his first birthday so that he will know how much he was loved and will always be loved.  I will share it with you.....

Dear Jaxson

Today is your birthday!  I cannot believe that you are turning ONE!  This past year has been the scariest but most rewarding year of my life.  I remember the day that I went to the hospital to bring you into this world like it was yesterday.  I can remember jumping out of bed at 4:30 in the morning to take a shower and make sure all of the “loose ends” were tied before leaving.  I can remember waking your daddy up and telling him it was time to go.  I remember walking in the hospital doors thinking to myself “The next time I walk through these doors I will be carrying a piece of perfection”.  I was excited but scared to death of what was to come in the next few hours.

 

 

 I thought you would be born that Monday but you decided that Tuesday was going to be YOUR day.  Around 2 o’clock on Tuesday, April 13^th the nurses thought it was time to get Dr. Victores for your appearance.  You, my baby, had other plans.  I pushed and pushed and you were SO close to showing your face, but all you would give us was a glimpse of the top of your head.  You were keeping us in suspense.  I had to get a C-section to get you to finally come out.  It all happened so quickly.  One minute I was rolling down the hallways of the hospital and the next I could see your Daddy’s face light up and you were pulled out.  

It was a moment that I will remember forever.  Your Daddy held you up to me so I could catch a glimpse of your precious face.  I will be honest, I didn’t recognize you.  I thought you would have looked more like me.  You were your daddy’s boy right from the beginning.   The nurse brought you to me after they gave you a bath in the nursery.  Everybody had already left for the night to give us some rest.  I was terrified.  I didn’t know what to do with you.  Your daddy and I had a couple of panic moments throughout the night and neither one of us slept.  I can remember that I was so happy to see the sunrise that next day. 

The first couple of nights I couldn’t sleep.  It wasn’t because of you having your days and nights mixed up.  It was because I had anxiety of the kind of mom that I would be for you.  Nobody tells you how to take care of a baby.  There is no science equation or written rule on how to feed you, when to bath you, where you should take your naps….Over the past year I have tried to raise you to be a strong little boy.  I want you to become independent but still run to me when you need help.  I hope that you will grow to know that there is an awesome being, more powerful than you can imagine that knew you even before I did.  God is wonderful and has a strange sense of humor.  I know this personally, mainly because he blessed me with you. 

Some people may call me biased but I think you are one smart cookie.  You have accomplished so much in your one year of life and I couldn’t be more proud.  You know how to flush the toilet, brush your teeth, you took off walking on the day of your 1^st birthday party, MAMA and DADADADADA are a common vocabulary word, and you think Salem’s cage is your playground.

My mother tells me this and I will tell you the same thing, always and forever.  I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the sand on the beach.  Happy 1^st Birthday my baby!!!

Love

Mommy

Couple of thoughts from my week

Good news everyone....I finished my 5K in 32.02 minutes.  It was a splendid day.  I can't tell you how proud of myself I really was when I finished that day.  I've already signed up for my next race and I'm super excited about it.  More on that topic later. 

The big 1st Birthday party is on Saturday.  Besides actually making the food, I think everything is ready to go.  I cannot believe that I am about to have a one year old little person.  People always make the statement that time flies by so quickly and I am now understanding this to its full meaning.  My baby, my first born, the one that made me a mother, is about to turn ONE!!!  Landon and I have laid in bed and laughed so many times the past couple of weeks at the people we were at this time last year.  

Every morning we turn on the Disney Channel to catch a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Nothing brighens my day more than having to do the "Hot Dog" dance.  One morning last week there was a break in the show.  This poem was being read called "Mother's Song" and it brought me to tears.  Please imagine images of Dumbo's mother cuddling him and Bambi's mother hovering over him in the forest before she DIES as this poem is being read......

Mother's Song
a Traditional Lullaby

My heart is like a fountain true
That flows and flows with love to you.
As chirps the lark unto the tree
...So chirps my pretty babe to me.

There's not a rose where'er I seek,
As comely as my baby's cheek.
There's not a comb of honey-bee,
So full of sweets as babe to me.

There's not a star that shines on high,
Is brighter than my baby's eye.
There's not a boat upon the sea,
Can dance as baby does to me.

No silk was ever spun so fine
As is the hair of baby mine.
My baby smells more sweet to me
Than smells in spring the elder tree.

A little fish swims in the well,
So in my heart does baby dwell.
A little flower blows on the tree,
My baby is the flower to me.

The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball,
You are my sceptre, crown and all.

For all her robes of royal silk,
More fair your skin, as white as milk.

Ten thousand parks where deer do run,
Ten thousand roses in the sun,
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,
My babe more precious is to me.

TALK ABOUT TRAGIC!!!!!!  I was boo-hooing at the end of this little segment.  Thank you Disney Channel for, as always, a cheery morning in the Wright Household. 

On a lighter note, I want to spruce up my blog but need some SERIOUS pointers.  I've been mucho basic with my blog from the beginning and have now become a little envious of those that have the artistic gene that somehow I'm lacking.  HELP!!!

My little man and his mommy!

Count Your Blessings

It's Wednesday and I'm having a hard time making it through this week.  I think my problem is just being plum pooped.  I have been pushing myself to run my first 5k post baby.  Honestly I've only run 1 5k in my entire life but this one is still post baby.  The big day is on Saturday and I've done really well with my "training".  Jaxson's birthday party is next Saturday and I've been hoping for good weather.  My little man has absolutely no idea about his big day.  All he knows is that I have a 2 big boxes of Cracker Jacks sitting in my dining room that always results in a big "NO!" when he tries to get into the plastic wrapping. On days like today I'm reminding myself to count my blessings, one by one.  I have a happy and healthy little boy that loves me unconditionally.  Selfishly, I think parents need unconditional love.  I also have a cute little chihuaua that loves me unconditionally as well.  I can't leave her out of this.  Blessing #2:  My husband believes I'm beautiful, no matter my weight.  He has done a wonderful job supporting me on my Weight Watching adventure and 5K goal.  I do believe he would still love me if I hadn't volunteered on this quest.  I really really have about 100 more blessings to count but I just made myself feel better talking about Jaxson, Salem, and Landon.

This week I have been picking Jaxson up from daycare because Landon has been working on his first commercial landscaping job.  I have wanted to give him every opportunity to succeed with this job because it's kind of a big deal! I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Jaxson's face light up when he sees me come to his Nene's door.  It makes my heart smile.  After picking him up today I decided that we needed to make a pit stop at the park before going home.  Jaxson and I have gone to the park once before and L-O-V-E-D the swings.  So guess what we did today.......

It was a great day at the park.  

Hope you love my mad photography skills.  

My day is complete.  I'm in bed with my 2 boys and puppy and life couldn't get much better.

Remember to count your blessings!