Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Laughing, Melting, Losing it

Right now she is asleep-so she is not making me do any of the above, but oh boy she is a piece of work I tell you.

Having a child really strengthens your testimony of the pre mortal life and that we came here with distinct individual traits and personalities. Do you ever feel like Heavenly Father is laughing while watching you try to parent a child who is probably just like you were as a toddler? Well, ha ha. He got me good with this one.

I remember some pictures from when I was little and I had really unkempt hair. My mom said that they called me wild woman and that I wouldn't "let" anybody touch my hair. And I thought, let? Since when do you let a two year old call the shots. What do you mean you can't always "make" a kid do something? Oh, watch me, I thought-I'll show you who lets who do what. Too funny. I feel like a was a stickler teacher and had discipline down but parenting is a whole new ball game.

Apparently I am the "sucker" parent and I let her do almost anything she wants. ME? Seriously? I had those first graders in line like you wouldn't believe. Tears didn't phase me. Tantrums were nothing. Set boundaries, be consistent. Done. It's time for me to reinstate that part of my life.

She makes me laugh...

Last night I was laying in her bed with her trying to help her go to sleep (see?!) and she was doing something weird with her hand over and over. I asked her what she was doing and guess what, she was rolling a booger between her finger and thumb. I couldn't help it, I got into a laughing fit-which didn't help her go to sleep. So we laughed and laughed, and I got her a tissue.

She makes me melt...

While we were home sick and Kurt was at a Superbowl party we watched The Testaments. Otherwise known as "Jesus movie". We watched it three times that day. And we watched it today. She loves it. A few days after the first viewing we were in the car and Felicity pointed up to the sky and said, "Jesus come down." Just like the movie. It was incredibly touching. She also started saying, "I love you mom." Sometimes she comes and snuggles my side on the couch and tells me that she loves me. And that she wants candy.

She makes me lose it...

And by it, I mean my sanity of course. Her sleeping habits are horrible since she was sick. She wakes up a few times a night, begs to get into our bed, she won't nap etc. Grrr! So today, after an hour of being nice, laying by her, letting her in my bed, getting certain pillows, blankies etc. she got locked in her room and fell asleep crying by the door. This is NOT the first time. You don't have to tell me I'm doing it all wrong, I already know. But we did some things that worked before and now it's time to start again. She is very resistant to the following; getting her diaper changed (she is actually making some progress with the potty though!), wearing clothes, wearing socks and shoes, getting her hair washed or brushed or done, getting lotion on, eating in the kitchen, getting in her car seat, coming in from outside and the list goes on.

I know these things are pretty normal for a kid this age, right? Tell me it's not all my fault! So, I have a naked little girl with messy hair who leaves a trail of clothes. Sound familiar mom?

5 comments:

Brandon, Christie, and Addie said...

I like that laugh, melt, and lose it. I love you little wild woman in clothes or naked. She definitely came with personality but it is what makes her Felicity and I love that little girlie. I am so glad we live close so that her and Addie can be such good friends. Being a mom is great, I just wish I did less of the lose it part. Too bad we can't start out knowing all the tricks or with a handbook or something. I was losing it the other day and made Addie sit down right where we were and pray that she would be nice and I would be patient while almost crying in an attempt not to beat my child, sad to admit but it did actually help! What did we do and talk about before them?

Unknown said...

I am so with ya Kelli! I worked with special ed kids and knew how to handle all bad behaviors...soooo very different when you are parenting and it's all day everyday and no one is coming to take them away from you. She is a kick that girl of yours and they do come with their own personalities. I have to say that the first born is usually the most demanding. Man do they ever make you laugh, melt and melt down like nothing ever has before.

Courtney said...

When I'm having a particularly difficult moment (frequently) with my kids, I TRY to keep the eternal perspective that you mentioned in mind. I KNOW they came with their own quirks and personalities. I like to think though that the traits that I find the most infuriating right now (stubornness, determination, attitude) are the same traits that will eventually make them successful little people. My life is a million times easier when I quit trying to change those God-given traits, and just try to work with them. Hard job. But hey, if Felicity is just like you as a girl, and you turned out so well, then you don't have anything to worry about:)

Krista Hansen said...

I remember that Mom and Dad had to build a fence for the backyard to keep little naked Kelli out of the street. At 2. I'm just sayin'. Is it in their DNA or is it just payback? I don't know. But I got the kid who is so slow to learn and scared of so many things and you got the daredevil wild child. Sounds about right, I guess.

The Neils! said...

Kel, I LOVE this family picture! You look beautiful and you guys make such a great-looking family. What a beautiful post... you really nailed some amazing moments with Felicity. I loved it. I miss you and hope I can see you next month! (See BRH blog if you don't know what I'm taking about)