Second psychologist appointment yesterday. Once again W had amazing focus and understanding. Michelle introduced a 'thermometer' of emotions - with high (red) being our loud, angry self, medium (orange) being our grumpy self and low (green) being our happy self. Given I didn't think W would understand the concept of a thermometer at all (as our home thermometer is one you put in the ear that goes beep and gives a digital readout!), he really has taken to it.
Michelle also showed him how to to diaphragmatic, yoga/meditation breathing. She didn't call it that of course. But W lay down and put his hands on his ribs and was instructed to breathe in through his nose ("like sniffing") and then out through his mouth slowly (she used a bottle of bubble solution to show him how to do long breaths to make lots of bubbles). I really did think this would be beyond him, but once again he got it and has shown me how to do it today very correctly!
So up on the fridge now is W's thermometer with the matching bears. W has come up to me a few times today and said with his big smile, "Mummy, I'm green!" At first I didn't know what he was talking about (that is, was he sick?!) but then I understood so give him big hugs and high fives and told him how happy I am when he is 'green'. Also today, he spoke rudely to me - demanded something rather than asked nicely (normally I would just ignore this), but today I said I don't like 'orange' talking and please say sorry. Which he did! Progress!
However E has really ramped up the tantrums now - there is no rest from them with babies 21 months apart. The constant "No" is very annoying, as is the high pitched, high volume scream when frustrated. Back to the drawing board on this one - do you think I can start with teaching the 'bear cards' at 19 months?! Michelle the psychologist heard it yesterday and I commented that I would be back in 1 1/2 years with this one ..... I hope that I was joking .....
I am home today becuase I have zero energy and had an evening last night of prepartum labour (not fun - lay in bath for two hours having regular contractions) - D wondered if he should call our doula, but as I had had it a lot with E I know that a) it is too early for the real thing and b) I will wait until I am doing my gregorian chanting before notifying anyone! Lots of false alarms last pregnancy which is embarrassing.
So, after another night of vomit (don't ask) for 2 children and an au pair, it is a home day .
(Just to say, on way home from piano lesson both C (au pair) and T both vomited in the car independently - D had fun task of the clean up this morning - he has earnt LOTS of brownie points in the last few weeks).
E had an early sleep this morning and I dragged myself and W away from Disney Junior to do puzzles.
E LOVES puzzles. And is very good at them. Interestingly children do puzzles differently to us/me. I always started with edges first, that sort of thing. No W likes to do sections of the puzzle that are the same colour or certain items and the edges/corners are somewhat meaningless to him.
Puzzles are great as I can lie on my bed and still be an 'educating mummy'!! Hee hee.
Whilst E sleeps, W is sooo easy a child. He has long concentration span and can self-entertain. Here he is with his trains and 'reading' to himself.
I love that this blog is reminding me to take more photos each day of our lives. However as the boys are so vain (learnt from T) every time they see me taking a picture they want to peer at it and then look at all the other photos on my phone. So I have to be surreptious with my shots if I don't want to stop what I am doing to do a photo show!
Labels: pregnancy, Tantrums, Toddler
