Scott and Mel's Family: A Lesson From My 2 Year Old

Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Lesson From My 2 Year Old

Yesterday was a very challenging day here at the Smith house. From sun up to sun down I was having discipline issues...mostly with the oldest. When there are issues even with one, it is difficult for everyone. Partly because it takes so much of my energy and time, but also because it can put me in a not so good mood. I find it very challenging to discipline and remain joy filled and patient....I guess that is every Mother's quest.

So, by the time I was preparing dinner, my patience and joy had pretty much been depleted. It seemed that Isaac was doing something every 5 minutes to get in trouble and/or terrorize Eric. I was standing at the stove and Eric was tugging at my leg, crying at the top of his lungs. He wanted me to pick him up. I kept telling him, "Not right now, Mommy is trying to cook." It's not easy to hold 25 lbs and cook at the same time. Luckily, Lauren was in a great mood and was very pacified in the swing watching a Baby Einstein show. However, the stress of the day was getting to me.

When I had a moment in between chopping, sauteing, straining, and steaming, I picked Eric up because the screaming hadn't stopped. Instantly, he was fine....he just wanted me to hold him. For a moment, everything was quiet...except the B.E. music in the background and the sizzling on the stove. Then....Eric started singing...."Our God....is an awesome God...".

In the midst of our crazy day, Eric wanted to sing praises to our AWESOME GOD!!! And doesn't God tell us that even in the midst of our storms or troubles or challenging days...that we should praise Him?? Yes. I got a lesson from my amazing 2 year old son today....that sometimes we just need to take a step back, be still, and praise God. Not because everything is going great. Not because everything is working as it should. Not because we did everything right. But because He is God and He is worthy of praise.

Thank you God for teaching me...even through my baby Eric. Thank you that Isaac and Eric learned that amazing song..."Our God is An Awesome God" at VBS!!!

2 comments:

Megan Sat Aug 22, 08:14:00 PM
This is such a great post! And sooo true!
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AnonymousFri Aug 28, 09:39:00 PM
Aw Melanie this is an amazing post! You are right. Sometimes I also need to step back and just be thankful and count our blessings! Life is so fast and busy that I often forget just how lucky we really are. I lol'd at the Baby Einstein. You are a great mom and I look forward to your entries so I can get some tips! xox
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4 and Fantastic!

It's hard to believe that Isaac turned 4 years on July 17th!! I have heard this cliche SO many times....especially when it comes to your children....but boy, how time flies! I guess it's difficult to fully grasp until you become a parent and see for yourself.

Isaac is full of life and so creative!! He is very active...now, I know most 4 year olds are, but he loves to run, jump, dance, and just be on the move all the time. And it seems that he never gets tired, which is a blessing in disguise, since he is in remission from Crohn's Disease (I will write more about this later). Scott and I think he's gonna be a runner one day. His favorite thing to play is chase....again, he never get's tired! He has a love for the arts....music, dance, singing, painting, drawing.....he loves them all! He also loves to talk. He started talking at a young age and hasn't stopped since. I used to think that being a stay at home Mom, I wouldn't really have anyone to talk too but not with Isaac around. I can practically carry on a adult conversation with him. Because he is such a "words" person, he loves to be affirmed by our words....for example, he loves to hear that we are proud of him, or that he did a great job, or that he is special. His love language is definitely words of affirmation....so is mine : )

Isaac is also very sensitive, loving, and helpful. He is truly a giver and a doer. He is the happiest when he is showing love and giving to others. The way he likes to show love is by helping and doing. He likes responsibility. I guess it gives him a sense of purpose. It can sometimes get him in trouble though because he wants to do things he's not quite ready to do....yes, he is extremely independent. For example, the other day Lauren had woken up from a little cat nap in her swing. Well, she was fussing a little and then stopped. I figured he had just given her her pacifier. Scott went in to see what was going on and he, Isaac, had stopped the swing, unbuckled her, and was picking her up!!! He knows he can't do this, but I guess he wanted to try. He said, "I was only trying to help her, and she stopped crying." My Mom has told me nearly 1,000 times how independent I was as a child and that it just about drove her crazy. She said it was a difficult trait to have in a child, but great for a teenager and adult. So far, I agree!

2 and Totally Terrific

It's also hard to believe our Baby Eric 2!! His last year has really flown by!!

Eric, also known as EJ, is so full of love. He is our little snuggly bear. Since he was a baby, he has always loved to be in someone's arms and snuggle, especially on skin. If I could sit around all day, Eric would be in my lap snuggling on my chest. When he snuggles, he also likes to play with his ears. The way he shows love to others is also by touch....hugs, rubs, kisses....his love language is definitely physical touch. And he is so gentle with his touch. Of course I always remind him, but he's never been too rough with Lauren. If someone is sad or sick, Eric is the first one to console and comfort.

Although he is a gentle soul, he is also full of energy and vigor. He also loves music and dancing....but more than that, he loves to play ball!! He has a real passion for balls...basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, but most of all footballs. If he doesn't have one in his hands, there isn't one far away. He loves to thrown them, kick them, or just hold them.....and he's even been known to want to sleep with them : ) We believe some sort of ball playing is in his future.

As I mentioned in Isaac's biography, music and dance are a part of our everyday, and have been for quite some time. Well, before Eric could walk on his own, he would find many ways of moving and dancing to the music. Scott or I would hold him up under his arms and help him dance and move to the music and it would make his day!! Once he could get up and walk, he was dancing within a couple of days too. He also mastered jumping withing a couple of months....which is pretty difficult for a new walker, let alone before the age of 2. Isaac didn't get both feet off the ground till almost 3!!!

EJ is very independent, yet very easy going. We tought he would be the one "following" after Isaac, but it is really the other way around. Don't get me wrong, there are days and times he does, but for the most part, he has his own style and way of doing everything, and Isaac is the one following. He doesn't mind playing by himself or sitting and reading books, however he doesn't mind Isaac joining him. They really balance each other in this way because Isaac pretty much wants Eric around him all the time. It's so sweet because they really are best of friends.