Ayden & Carter update

I haven't actually sat down and thought about how much Ayden and Carter have grown just within the last few months.

AYDEN

1. Ayden is 27 months now and is fully potty trained.

Potty training was actually a lot easier than I though, it just takes a lot of patience. I can see why some mom give up and say "oh ill start over in a little while". My advise is to be very firm yet understanding. For example: He/she has an accident, you run to the bathroom and let them know at eye level that "its okay, but next time tell mommy and we will run to the potty, and if you go on the potty you will get a treat" I started doing charades too. I would exaggerate when I have to go potty and yell" mommy has to go potty, yahhh I did it, now mommy gets a treat for going potty." and I would do the same thing with daddy or anyone else who came over to the house. I would keep a jar in the kitchen where he can't get to it and whenever he went potty he gets either a candy or a cookie.

What I meant by being firm is to not give in. If he/she didn't make it to the potty they do not get a candy or treat. Just let them know “next time when you go on the potty you get a candy” they will get upset at you. But like everything else they get over it within 5 minutes and move on. Reward, patience, also being firm is the key.

2. Ayden talks so much now!

One of the things I've done since both of my boys were born is to talk to them as big boys. I've never talk to them like babies, or whenever they say "eyyyyy" and are pointing to something they want, I try to get them to use their words. Otherwise they will know they don't have to say or do much to get what they want.
I also have always made sure he say's thank you, please, welcome, no thank you...etc. and again if you are firm this will work!

3. Ayden gets spankings! :(

Everyone has there own views about spanking, but this is my own.

Every since Ayden was about 15 or 16 months he started disobeying and throwing huge temper tantrums. and I will not tolerate being embraced in a restaurant or store.

So I introduced "Sally Sad Spoon"

I always keep her in the same spot so I know where she is at and Ayden can never get to her. 

She is sad because she has to give spankings for disobeying.


The sally sad spoon has been in my family for generation now, and let me tell you it works miracles.

I very rarely have to use the spoon is the trick. Now that I have been firm since the beginning, all I have to tell Ayden is "I'm getting my spoon, your done." and he says "okay mommy ok, I'm sorry" and says sorry for whatever he had done.

Now...if there was something really bad that happened for example; Ayden hit Carter or someone else. Or I told him not to touch something (by the way, I always give one warning it is important to let them have a chance, don't jump right into a spanking they might be confused and not understand why they are in trouble) Then I stand up, get my spoon, take him in the other room, pull down his pants just enough to get a cheek and a little love tap is enough. Never use force, and if you are angry, take a minute outside before you go and spank you child.
Then pull his pants up, comfort him, look at him in the eyes and let him know why he got a spanking, why he can't do what he did again, and that you love him very much. These steps after a spanking are VERY VERY IMPORTANT! this is the main reason why people do not believe in spanking, is because the parent spanks them, doesn’t tell them why they are in trouble, no warning and walks away. :( that’s not right at all.
Again if you are firm yet loving this will work!

4. Ayden loves his toddler bed.

Ever since Ayden was 13 months he could climb out of his crib. But as the months got closer to 2 years old, he would just climb out as soon as I left the room.
I thought, okay its time for a toddler bed. So we transformed his bed into a toddler bed and he felt so proud of his room.
We changed the changing table into a dresser, put some cute books on it. And I found a cute kids wooden table at a garage sell. So i spray painted it. He loves his room.

My trick to keep them in their bed is to once again be firm yet loving.
Tuck him in his bed with a night light (night lights are very important ) tell him something exiting that you are going to do tomorrow and that he has to go to sleep in order for the sun to come up.
He will cry for a little, and he will get up and come in your room. Just pick him up comfort him, let him know that this is his bed, start the process all over again. Give him a kiss, and crack the door. If he gets up again, start the process again. eventually they will get it, that they have to stay in their own bed. This could takes a couple days or up to a week. But it will work just don't give in and have patience.

And toddlers are so smart, if you rocking them to sleep and or give in and let them sleep with you, this process is only going to get harder and longer to get through.
It is very hard as a mother to let out children cry, but in order to have a great nights sleep from the beginning. This process has to start right away.

5. Ayden's favorite foods are pasta (or as he calls everything noodles) and pizza.

6. He drinks milk and watered down juice through out the day to a certain point.

I have notice with Ayden that he sometimes ask for milk or juice instead of eating lunch or dinner.
I am firm and tell him he cannot have milk or juice until he is either done with his food or started eating because sometimes he doesn't even want to try his food. (boys are stubborn!)



CARTER 

1. Carter is 9 months old and into everything!

Carter started crawling at almost 8 months, and now they he is fully crawling, pulling himself on to the tables and chair, and getting into everything, I just about tell him no no all the time.

I had to baby proof my house all over again, He puts things in his mouth, and tries to get into dangerous things.

I never yell at a 9 month old, that is just silly. But I do walk up to give, pick him up and say "no no no" oh so lovely.

uh oh he is into something again! lol

2. Carter put himself on a routine!

 Ever since he was 4 months, he has wanted to play during the day, eat, then when the clock hits 5:30, eat dinner, take a bath, and he is out with a bottle in his bed by 7:30. And if his schedule his messed up even a little, you better look out. lol

3. Carter sleeps the whole night through.

He has slept in his own room and the whole night since he was 4 months old. He never takes naps, he put himself on this routine. 

Sorry this Blog is so long today.

But if ya'll have any questions or advise let me know.

Until next time friends,

Brianna