(Most Original Title Evah . . . I know).
So here is the deal - Baby Daddy promised a post about Christmas, but forgot that half of our Christmas pictures are on my parent's computer. We hope to get them soon, but for now I'd like to look at the next holiday - the New Year. Last year, we made goals for ourselves as parents, and I'd like to comment on our progress.
1. Watch our language - We don't want JFrog to become 'That Baby' - the one who drops the Fbomb at daycare. I would much rather hear 'Momma' before any other expletive (or dad for that matter ;) )
Tank has yet to drop the F-bomb at daycare. However, he can say 'cookie'. Perhaps our nutritional choices need to be reevaluated.
2. Watch less television - We've been addicted to a few shows lately - one being Breaking Bad which focuses around a high school chemistry teacher who cooks meth. JFrog's medicine comes in bottles with syringes to measure out the appropriate dosage. Again, we hope he doesn't see one lying around and try to put it in his elbow
No syringes have been put in elbows. We have been good at watching DVR'd television shows after Justin goes to bed, and the only 'TV' he has watched has been a Baby Einstein Nursery Rhymes dvd that he loves to dance to. Granted, he wants to watch it everyday (we don't let him), and we're certainly not opposed to educational tv shows for children, but the longer I can go without listening to Elmo, the better. That little puppet may make me stick a syringe in my elbow . . .
3. Instill Appropriate Values in JFrog - the basics - that he should respect his elders, not trust strangers, not be prejudiced, and avoid scientologists, the french, and republicans like the plague
Justin has muted FOX News, and changed the channels when republicans have been on the tv, so it is safe to say that in seventeen years Justin will not be a party to anything like the Rick Santorum debacle that just happened here (Seriously Iowa??? . . . really??). I can only believe he would do the same to scientology.
4. That we act appropriately financially so JFrog doesn't starve - We're hoping (jinx) to make a major purchase this year so we've been good at monitoring our budget. Plus, our little tank is already over 17.5 pounds (that's an average 'rate of gain' of more than 0.5 pounds a week - his grandpas will appreciate that terminology)
Well, we made that major purchase (our home) and completed Financial Peace University this fall. We budget each month and have both become better at curbing unnecessary spending. We're hoping to get a lot of debt paid off in the coming years. Also, Tank is still Tank - his consumption, by amount, has not changed.
5. Play nicely with Izzers - Izzers is not a fan of being grabbed by small children, as we learned with Annabanana (she only got a small handful), so we need to teach Justin early to 'pet nicely'. Annabanana is very curious and tries to catch Izzers - it's pretty cute.
This will carry over to next year's goals - Justin did well for awhile but has picked up Annabanana's crazy face which is only followed by a grab of fur. Izzers spends much of her day in hiding.
6. Teach Justin while playing with him - Much of the first three months was spent trying to calm Justin when his 'colic flared' so we spent lots of time rocking. carrying, swinging, or trying to distract/stimulate him with lights and sounds. We now can actually play with him and it's been great! Hopefully we can help him develop many skills along the way.
This has gotten easier as Justin has gotten older - We read a lot of books and play with his puzzles, have him put together blocks and legos - it's been wonderful!
7. Foster Justin's Sense of Humor - We need to teach him what is funny and what is not - for example - Making farting noises = Funny, Pulling Momma's Hair = Not Funny; Daddy's Dance Moves = Funny, Turning on the Waterworks while getting his diaper changed = Not Funny
Still working on this. (See #5). Also, pulling Mama's hair is still funny.
8. Raise a Gentleman - I refuse to believe that 'Boys will be Boys', and will do my best to raise Justin to be kind, courteous, and an all-around little Gentleman
Ha! We are currently trying to teach "Please", which sounds like "cheese" for Justin. Sometimes it goes well (i.e. when there is fruit involved) but if he is already in a fussy mood, he says "No". Then he fusses more . . . and the circle begins . . . This will be interesting in 2012.
So, (if you are still reading this, good for you!!), let's get onto our goals for 2012, when our little dude turns two.
1. Raise a Gentleman - Teach please and thank you, to start with
2. Handle meltdowns with patience. Neither of us is intrinsically awesome at patience, but we do well when together. We have had glimpses into Tank's meltdowns (typically involving the removal of snack at the store when he throws it on the ground), and hope to bring a calm front so the neighbors don't think they need to phone DHS.
3. Teach playing nice with Izzers. Isabelle's current 'safe zone' involves the back of the couch. The top of the chair is no longer safe. He can reach her tail on his toes. Under the bed is no longer safe. We have pulled him out from under the bed twice. Goal: Expand the safe zone by teaching Justin it is not okay to hit/grab the dog.
4. Teach Not-Funny: Hitting and headbutting. Enough said. (Annabanana does not do this - is this a boy thing??)
5. Foster my little liberal. I want to raise Justin to be tolerant of others at the very least. I figure you can never start too early.
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