'Random'

So, I miss blogging A LOT! It's just been a crazy, crazy few months....work, school, and being a Mommy & a wife has just really consumed my time lately!

Anyway, my promise to myself is to blog more often because Braden is growing so fast, and if I dont write down his growing experiences then I will end up forgetting what happened when!

Also, I promise to catch y'all up on everything that's going on with the McFarlins...We just got back from a fantastic vacation to Maryland, I am in Summer school right now, Braden starts preschool at our local church this Fall, and I'm gearing up for his 2nd birthday! He also will have a check-up at the 1st of September, so lots to blog about soon!

For now I leave you with some 'random' recent pictures that I just love of Braden...its pictures like these that show me his fun and sometimes testing personality! Enjoy!

Terrible Twos?

Okay ladies! I need your expertise!

The problem:

Braden is having tantrums when we tell him no or correct him. He throws himself down in a crying fit (which isn't totally uncommon, right?!), but if he doesn't do that he will look around for the nearest wall to run his head into!!! Like really, all that it is hurting is himself! I'm not only worried that he will do this at preschool when he starts in September, but am also worried he will really hurt himself. A green/brown bruise on his forehead is never an uncommon sight recently, and if he throws himself down he will bang his head on the tile, or concrete outside, it doesnt matter the surface. We tell him no, give him spankings, and we have begun time out! He is STILL teething as well (remember he only got his first tooth at 14-months old). So, I'm sure this is just a testing faze, then add in the ingredients of cutting teeth and not being able to communicate his frustrations as easily as you and I do, then you get these tantrums. Oh, and he has begun hitting with a closed fist. He will give you this face as though he is saying, "What are you going to do about it!"

What can I do differently, anything? Am I doing what I should? I warn him, I sit with him and explain why he cant do what he's doing, and we have been doing the timeout thing a lot lately, which seems to work for awhile. I try to get him to calm down in timeout (because normally by that time he is screaming bloody murder because you not only told him no to something, but now you confined him to a mat that he is not allowed to leave from), then to tell me he is sorry for his actions. We havent quite gotten down the "I'm sorry" yet, but I do make him be quiet and then come talk to me after he is quiet to explain what he did wrong and why he was in timeout.

He is not a horrible child by any means! He is the sweetest thing ever, and I'm sure this is only natural and just part of growing and learning, but I wanted to get your opinions, or ideas, or if I'm doing something wrong you think...I would like to know! Braden is so smart and the only reason really that this bothers me like it does is because he is starting preschool soon, and I want him on his best behavior, and because I'm afraid he will hit his head too hard one day. Sometimes I think it could be lack of sleep, and we try to keep to a certain schedule. I have noticed more sleep definitely helps how he acts the next day, but sometimes if his afternoon nap carries too late, then he ends up going to bed later than I'd like him too, just because he's so awake. So, those of you that have toddlers his age, I would love to know your daily routine...when their nap time typically is, etc.

Your thoughts please....

(Now I feel totally guilty for posting this, because honestly Braden is a doll! He behaves so well in places you'd think most kids would act out...church, movie theater, etc....this mostly happens at home or at the sitters, and I'd just like a resolution or some comfort that this to shall pass and when, and how can I help him feel comfortable in knowing he doesnt have to react that way in order to get my attention or to get his point across)

18.Months.Old

(taken 3/19/11, Houston Zoo)

My little booger is now 18-months old! Who can believe it? Not me. I know I say that at every milestone, but it's truly how I feel.

He is changing so fast! He climbs on absolutely everything...the back of the couch, the coffee tables, all the kitchen chairs, on to his bed, the treadmill, and anything else he can find that makes my heart drop when I find him. He also has random jibberish conversations with us now like we understand what he is saying.

Words he's saying at 18-months: Noooo, Nu-uh, Ball, Mama, Dada, Owl, Truck, Car, Duck, Ba-Ba, Star, Nana, Ready-Set-Go, Stick, Rock, Stuck, There it is, Yuck, Dora, Diego, Ouchhh, Go away, and he can point out the letter "O" and "N" in any word, and we are working on the letters "S" and "L".

Favorite Movies/Characters at 18-months: LOVES "Toy Story" & "Cars", Elmo, Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny and Blue Clues!

Favorite Toys/Activities at 18-months: all Trucks/Cars, Books, loves to color and is attempting to make circles, loves being outside digging in the dirt with sticks (yet hates his hands being dirty!)

Favorite Foods at 18-months: all fruits, pasta, cheese, peanut butter, raisins, crackers, ocra, cherry tomatoes, pizza, tuna fish, mashed potatoes (will eat anything hidden in mashed potatoes too!), oatmeal, yogurt, sometimes steamed carrots, loves guacamole, will eat beef fajita meat, and loves beans!

He has become a very picky eater and will only eat his veggies and meats in baby food, which obviously I would like to band all together, and so does Dr. Nelms. Dr. Nelms says to take away the milk if he refuses to eat his dinner that we are eating and give him strictly water, and if he doesn't eat his big boy food, to not feed him anything else. He said he can go two days without anything. I would feel like a horrible mother if I did that, so I haven't been that extreme, but have toughened up more and am trying to figure out creative ways to hide the things I know he turns his head too. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears! Dr. Nelms suggested casseroles loaded with veggies, cheese and meat, so if y'all have any casserole recipes send them my way!!

Anyway, here are his latest stats from his check-up earlier in the month...

Weight: 27 lbs 4 oz -- 55% (up 2 lbs since December!!)

Height: 32 1/2" tall -- 68% (up 1/2")

Head Circum: 18 1/2 cm -- 27% (same)

I'm sure I am forgetting lots of other news/updates with him, but my days/weeks have been very stressful with work making it very difficult to remember anything these days.

Spring is here! Enjoy these last few weeks of cool mornings, low humidity, and breezy afternoons!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 29th Birthday to Me!!!

It was a great day! It's weird though how your birthday seems less like a party and more like just a regular 'ole day as you get older. I hate that because I think your birthday should be a HUGE deal!

I had a good day though, work went well, my mom treated James and I to dinner last Friday (our birthdays are 2 days apart), and she also bought us some groceries because we are dirt broke! I mean what is up with this economy? And, when will we catch a break? Gas, price of living, EVERYTHING just keeps going up, and available jobs are just diminishing left and right!! KATY, KLEIN, and FORTBEND ISD's are all making dramatic cuts to their staff after the school year and I'm currently going to school to be a TEACHER! Ugh.

Anywho, James also made me dinner lastnight, and my coworkers all chipped in and got me a few little things, which was very sweet!! I had soooo many wonderful birthday wishes from many of my friends via Facebook also! It was great!

Tomorrow is James' birthday and I will run to the store after work and get him a little card and slip $5 bucks in there because he mentioned he wanted breakfast tacos that morning. I also got him a game that he has been wanting since November for his Xbox, but thats all I can do.

Braden had his 18-month check up yesterday, but I will save that for another post.

Finger Painting....oh joy!!

I receive a monthly article on the different stages of development that your baby/toddler should be experiencing each month, and they list some neat activities to help get their minds exploring and learning while having fun! One of these activities mentioned was..... finger painting! So, I said, "What the heck, lets do it!!"

The result...

Also a quick video for your viewing pleasure...

Blogs...

I have spent the afternoon catching up on everyones holidays, new happenings and ever-changing lives. WOW! Does God work in mysterious ways, or what?!? Congratulations are in order for so many of you for so many different reasons as we start this new year! So, from me to you....Congratulations!!!!

As for me...I swear there has not been a moment for me to just stop and reflect on these last few months.

Braden is changing and growing at a daily rate! He is so awesome and such a joy to have as MY son! He makes me want another soon....I'd like for him to have a sibling closer in age than some of my own siblings. I feel its important for them to have that bond and friendship that not all siblings cherish.

I flunked my Biology course I was taking online last semester. It was at the time where Braden finally started teething (14 months old) and there are just too many distractions at home to really hunker down and get serious, plus I'm a total procrastinator, which does not help for a fast-paced internet class. So, I have decided to head back to the classroom. I'm taking Early Childhood Development this semester (Elementary Education is my major) and I begin class tonight. One day a week, for 3 hours. I hope I can handle being away from Braden, especially when bedtime is our snuggle time :-/ but, I have to do this for my own sanity, which leads me to my next update....

Work. What a stressful, horrible environment right now. This economy sucks. I can't pay my own bills, now I have to worry about not being able to pay my companies bills and the 100's of daily phone calls that I have to put up with. It's ridiculous. I feel like financially I can't get a break. I wish it would rain money, that would be wonderful!

Anyway, I must run....off to pick up my sick little baby (with RSV, my first experience with this virus) and rush home to eat a bite and head to class. Wish me luck! Have a great evening everyone!