Challenges and Opportunities

Today was a day of opportunities and challenges with Lylah.  Really throughout the entire day she was in a strange mood.  She whined a lot today.  First she wanted things to eat after her meal.  She may be in a growth spurt, so I provided some healthy choices.  She had cereal, and a banana and a half.  Then, later, she was whining when we wouldn't let her go outside when she wanted.  We told her our expectations for going outside, we weren't going to do it because it was too cold.  But she kept insisting over and over and over again.  Eventually we had to ignore her because we weren't going to bend.  Eventually, she got the point.

Then we went out to eat at a family restaurant.  We had Mexican food with the family, and Lylah was whining after we got there too.  We provided her with most of what she wanted when we got there!  She got milk, chips, salsa (she likes spicy food! Weird!), and queso.  I think she was whining because she wanted a little bit of mommy and daddy's soda.  She didn't get any.

After several loud whining's, and a stern warning, we had to take a time-out in the van.  She just wouldn't stop.  I explained why we were taking it and had her apologize when we were done.  When we got back into the restaurant, she showed several signs of improvement (quieter, less whiny), but she still was whiny.  We attributed it all to just a tough day for her.  She was whining off and on all day.

The opportunity came when I read an article yesterday about opportunities to teach.  You can teach a child during just about any moment.  We try to explain things around Lylah every time we speak to her.  We use normal phrases with her now, but incorporate simple things into the conversation.

During our reading time tonight, I read the words on the page, but also took time to explain most things on each page.  We read Dr. Seuss', "Hop on Pop."  There are many colors as backgrounds in this book.  Just about every page, we pointed out colors.  She hasn't perfected it yet.  She knows her colors, but is getting them a little bit mixed up.  I think colors is the next subject we are going to re-enforce with her. She is getting great at shapes, and speaking better sentences each day.

As we were leaving the restaurant, I had a daddy moment.  Some sappy song had just started as I was looking back toward the door.  Lylah's grandpa was walking Lylah out and I suddenly had a vision of Lylah walking down the aisle.  It was a small moment and made me smile.  She is just starting to speak now, but one day, she will be a grown woman.  I saw a woman through an nearly 2 year old, smiling and happy.  It was really strange.  Everyone always talks about how kids grow up so fast, etc.  And I have no idea why I imagined her grown up and walking down the aisle, but it happened.  My Lylah-bug... I better treasure every second I have with her.  Sooner than I would like, she will grow up.