We tell you about all of Walt's good firsts . . . first smile, first laugh, first rollover, etc. So I think it's only fair that we also share some of his not-so-positive firsts. For the first time tonight, little Walt pitched a fit because he wasn't getting his way. Now, I know we've seen some of that in not wanting to go to bed at night, or just otherwise wanting to be picked up and paid attention to. However, during his bathtime tonight, I saw a definite progression in his attempts at manipulating Mommy. Josh was working late tonight, so I was giving Walt a bath by myself. He has recently become infatuated with the sink sprayer -- he just loves getting squirted by it, particularly on his cheeks and chin. Go figure. Anyway, because I (sadly) only have two hands, I couldn't continually spray him and do the washing of the baby hair and all the little baby parts at the same time. While I was spraying him, he was a very happy little baby indeed. When I put the sprayer down to apply the shampoo, he screamed. Pick up the sprayer -- again all smiles. Put down the sprayer -- quivering lower lip followed by ear-piercing shrieks. Spray -- happy as a clam. No spray -- world coming to an end. I began to see a pattern. At that moment, I realized that it was just possible that my little angel might attempt to assert his will in other ways in the future. Definitely something to which we will need to give some thought.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
My Way or the Highway
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Ginger,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of when you were about 2 months old. You were crying. I picked you up. You quit crying almost immediately. I held you for a few minutes, then I put you down on a blanket on the carpet in the living room. In a minute or so you started crying again. I picked you up again and you quickly quit crying. I thought I noticed a pattern. So I held you for a few minutes, then I put you back on the blanket. Almost immediately you started crying again. When I picked you up you stopped crying immediately.
"You're paying for your raisin'..."
Dad
Ginger,
ReplyDeleteThis also reminds me of when you were about 15 months old. I was sitting on the floor in the living room reading the Sunday newspaper which was spread out on the carpet. You walked across the newspaper. I asked you not to walk across the newspaper. You looked me in the eye and promptly walked across the newspaper again and watched to see how I was reacting. I told you that if you walked across the newspaper again I would spank you. You immediately walked closer to the newspaper and inched the toe of your shoe closer and closer to the newspaper as you repeatedly switched your gaze from my face to your toe and back to my face, to see how close you were to the newspaper and to see how I was reacting. You hesitated briefly as your toe was about to touch the newspaper, then while looking me square in the eye, you put the edge of your toe on the newspaper. My response was consistent with the basic principles of discipline: (1) Set limits. (2) Enforce limits. (3) Never make a threat you don't intend to carry out.
Have a nice day!!! Dad
Ginger, I am so sorry to hear that your sleep talking has gone into hallucinations. Do you expect us to believe that the angel in that picture could do such devilish things? If your condition doesn't improve, I know a good doctor in Murray, Kentucky, who might be able to help you. Get a good night's rest. You'll surely see things differently by morning. Love you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Remember, they always pull these stunts when Dad is nowhere to be seen.
Oh, I just love what Dr. Crouch had to say, both the examples and the basic principles. Remember that he's had a lot of experience, so listen up! I also kinda liked the "you're paying for your raisin'" thing. I always said I had to pay for Larry's raisin' since I know I wasn't bad enough to pay the price I've had to pay with our two! Anyway, more than anything else I agree with my sister (Nana) because I'm looking at that sweet face, and I see more angel than devil. I hope I get to kiss that sweet child this weekend. Ya'll be careful. I love you all.
ReplyDeleteAunt Brenda
All the grand-people can say what they want Walt!!! We know that you will never turn into a spoiled child, right?! And you were just trying to tell mommie that you could spray yourself, right? You want to come over after the building is completed? You can spray all you want and I will spoil you, trip to the toystore everyday!! Hey, you, Anouk and Puppy can play together and swim in the pool. We love you so much, I am ready to swim across the ocean to come and see you and your cousin (I might have to since the buildingguy keeps chopping down the moneytree).
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Harriet
I assume Walt will be enrolling in military school very soon now. I have just the thing he will need. Transportation will be provided if necessary, just let me know--I may have to make a quick trip to Russell Stover before he arrives!
ReplyDelete