Monday, January 11, 2010

Another two before I forget...

1) My mom visited last week and was on hand to help corral my little monkey while I was feeling under the weather. One morning she was helping Logan put his shoes on upstairs. After checking on them, I needed to run downstairs. Logan yelled after me, "Mommy, I'll be down in a couple of whiles." Cute!

2) Trey and I decided that the entire family was headed to Walmart last night to grocery shop. Logan was not happy that he was being asked to put on warmer clothing (see previous post) and leave his soccer ball behind (see another previous post). He stomped his feet and yelled in his ugliest voice: "I can't go to the store because I have too much work to do." I asked "What kind of work do you need to do, Logan?" To which he replied, "Mommy, I have to kick my soccer ball a lot of times."

Independence



I honestly thought I was a fabulous parent until Logan hit 2 1/2. Man...since then I've sobered up! Logan's strong will and desire for independence is loud and in your face. We've dealt with tantrums, aggressive outbursts, and general unruly behavior. I admit that we've had a lot of transition in our lives during this period but also think he'd probably have been this challenging under the most calm circumstances.

Our biggest power struggles are currently over clothing. My little fashion-bug changes clothes at least 4 times a day! He comes downstairs each morning wearing outfits that would make the fashion police come running. A few recent examples include: football pants (capri length - part of Halloween costume) and a sleeveless shirt, umbros with black knee highs from my drawer and a swim shirt, and swim trunks with too small pajama shirt. He often tops each ensemble off with a hat, rain boots, or Mardi Gras necklace. I then wrestle him into school-worthy clothes with promises that he can change as soon as we get home. Upon arriving back at home he chooses "fast clothes." (Logan's dictionary defines "fast clothes" as soccer shorts, soccer shoes, rock n' roll tshirt). I'm trying to convince him that the clothes don't make him fast but he insists that his legs are slow unless he has fast clothes on.
After his bath, I dress him in pajamas (just pants b/c my little guy needs to see his muscles) but the pjs only last through reading and tucking in. As soon as I turn out his light and leave his room, Logan selects another ensemble more fitting (in his mind) for bed. Such outfits have included: nothing (naked on his bearskin rug), layers of underwear underneath shorts, swim trunks, and overalls.

The week before Christmas my mom experienced some of the same struggles when he stayed with her. He was apparently determined to leave the house wearing his frog t-shirt, Christmas boxers, black church socks, and "fast shoes." (see picture)

Logan's closet is full of cute clothes. I love little boy clothes! While it is more difficult to find cute boy stuff (unlike girl's clothes that are EVERYWHERE!), Logan has quite the adorable wardrobe. At one time he always looked put together. Shirts that matched pants. Jackets that matched shirts. Shoes that matched all of the above. I'm now resigned to settling with weather-appropriate duds.

I have wondered if other kids go through this fashion obsessed stage. Then I realized that while Logan may be a trend setter (just look at the above pics again!), it isn't just him. I felt the first pangs of peer pressure last week. On the way home from school we had this conversation:

Me: How was your day at school?
Logan: My friends love my new shirt. I love my new shirt too. Mommy, do you love my new shirt? (it isn't actually new...just rediscovered)
Me: Yes, I love your shirt.
Logan: My friends love my new shirt.
Me: Good, Logan. I'm glad.
Logan: When my friends love my new shirt I am happy in my heart.

Since this conversation, I have washed the "new shirt" 6 times and admit that he is wearing it today underneath a sweatshirt after wearing it yesterday and to sleep in last night. This particular power struggle goes to him today...I just didn't have the energy to fight it. Plus, it makes him happy in his heart! :)

Friday, January 1, 2010

Before I forget...

I want to document two funny stories before I forget. Logan keeps me going so fast and sometimes I worry I'll wake up one day and he'll be grown!
(1) Logan has a Nativity puzzle to help him understand the Christmas story (see previous Christmas post to understand why this is necessary). A couple nights ago he decided to put the puzzle together at the coffee table. He worked and worked to fit the wise men together and line up the shepherd just so. He added the angel, Mary, and Joseph. There was only one piece left...but where was baby Jesus? We looked high and low. I asked our mischievous dog, Banjo, if she had snacked on our Lord. She did not answer as dogs do not talk. I joked on my facebook status that perhaps the puzzle was transitioning into Easter and we had witnessed ascension. The next day, I opened the fridge and what to my wondering eyes did appear? ... BABY JESUS! I assume he was healing the wilted lettuce, witnessing to the mayo, or perhaps discussing heaven with the leftover Christmas pie. For the record, Logan seems to have no recollection of putting baby Jesus in the fridge. Perhaps it was a post-Christmas miracle!?

(2) I think Logan is getting close to giving up his daily naps. I'm heartbroken and exhausted at the suggestion. Yesterday I was desperately pleading with Logan to nap but he had other ideas. I ran up and down the stairs a million times (why am I not in better shape?) but he kept getting up. At one point I head him running around the guest bedroom and I hollered up the stairs for him to get in bed. He yelled back, "I am in A bed." and he was...the guest bed. Not what I had in mind, smarty pants! Finally, he did seem to settle and I hoped sleep had graced us. I found him lying in his bed with his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling. I felt defeated and asked Logan "Why are you not sleeping?" To which, my sweet child replies "I'm just thinkin' bout that big poopoo this morning." I shared the story with my facebook world and texted it to my parents. My dad insisted that this was simply the mind of a man.