Screaming Out Loud

As of yesterday, our first official disciplinary action with Kendry has begun. Sure, we've had little things that we give him a gentle "no" about, like pulling mommy's jewelry or hair, grabbing his spoon while we are feeding him, or grabbing daddy's glasses off his face. Those have been no big deal, mainly because Kendry quickly gets distracted with another item, and, let’s face it, the consequences of him doing those things really aren’t that bothersome. But lately Kendry has developed a little bit of an attitude. If you take an item away from him, like the magazine he somehow got a hold of yesterday morning and promptly took a few bites from, he busts out his angry cry. Likewise, when he wants attention and you don’t give it to him, he has discovered that screaming gets a reaction out of us. Up until now we have let it slide a little because, as most babies do, he tends to squeal with delight when he laughs, and sometimes it is hard to determine when that laughing is turning into frustration squealing. But now, the frustration squealing has become frustration screaming and it is not very pleasant to listen to. Of course, this usually happens when we have left him to play on the floor, or in his jumperoo, so it takes you awhile to get across the room to tell him “no” and/or give him a little swat. We have tried giving him a firm "no" from across the room, and then face to face, but that does not work. And go ahead, call the blog police on me because the secret is out: we are swatting parents. Deal with it.

The thing is, I am amazed at how humbling this experience is. Now I am beginning to add up all those times Justin and I have critiqued how other people handle (or fail to handle) their own children, and I realize that discipline is so much easier said than done. Mind you, we have NEVER critiqued the parenting of any of you currently reading this blog.

We have been fortunate that these screaming incidents have only taken place in the comfort of our own home thus far. But alas, we are headed to Grandpa Richard and Grandma Mikki's this Christmas for four days, so the rest of the Gimlin family could witness it firsthand for themselves.

Having said all this, however, Kendry is still an amazingly content baby. When the screams subside and we can hear ourselves think, we believe we are quite blessed.

First Snow

On Sunday, December 13th, Kendry got to experience his very first snow. Justin was so excited to take him outside he kept asking when he could wake Kendry up to get him dressed and ready.

Did you see Justin hit Kendry with his first snowball at the end?

I don't think Kendry was all that impressed with his snowsuit, but we sure thought he looked cute. This photo brings a whole new meaning to snow angel:



The snow promptly melted just two days later, and we haven't seen any since.

Future Pianist

When I was younger I took piano lessons from second grade until about my junior year of high school. I had an incredible teacher named Mary Ellen. I haven't seen her in years, but she is still so dear to my heart. She instilled in me such a love for playing. But my mother deserves a good portion of the credit too, as she was the one who required that we practice for 30 minutes every morning before school. She even made us set a timer. Usually we would practice around 6am, before everyone else in the house was even up. And you know how it is with mothers. If we skimped and only did 25 minutes of practice instead of 30, she was right there at breakfast asking why our practice session was shortened that morning. Not only do mothers have eyes in the back of their heads, and a sixth sense (aka mother's intuition), but they can apparently keep track of time in their sleep. Who knew!?

Some day soon I hope to have my own piano. I still have most of my music stashed away, just waiting for the day it can accompany me plunk out a tune or two. I say "plunk" because that is probably what it will sound like at first, as I am a bit rusty, but I have no doubt my fingers will remember the tunes eventually.

Just before Thanksgiving, Justin's Nana dug out this little toy for Kendry. He just loved that he could make so many sounds with it. Could he be my future pianist? Or will those incredibly long fingers prefer palming a basketball instead?

Ten on Friday (where did Tuesday go?)

1. We had a wonderful time with my brother Justin, his wife Kathy and their kiddos this week. I will try to post some photos from their visit this weekend. They arrived late Tuesday afternoon and we already had to say goodbye this morning. It was too short of a visit, but we are so thankful they were able to stop and see us. And its so much easier to say goodbye to family when you know when you will see them again. The Binder Family 2010 Reunion is scheduled for late June in Fairbanks.

2. I think my child can see in the dark. Kendry has slept in our bedroom the last three nights while Dominic and Trevor have stayed in his room. He keeps waking up right before my alarm goes off, so I try to sneak out of bed in our pretty dark room (without being seen) and to the bathroom to shower before getting him up. But as soon as I pass by his pack and play he starts laughing because he can see me and thinks I am getting him up. My kid is quite talented, I tell ya.

3. I LOVE that Kendry wakes up happy in the morning. How can you not have a great day when your child starts you off with laughs, smiles and hugs just for you? I only hope he is always such a morning person.

4. My snow is gone. Its 40+ degrees here, and there is blue sky popping out. I'm not sure I'll be getting my White Christmas, but the optimist in me says there is still another week for it to happen.

5. I still haven't visited the gym/aquatic center near my house to start working out again. I figured it was pointless to spend the money for December when we are so busy and won't make it down there anyway. Only now I will look like one of those New Year Workout Resolution people when I get the membership in January.

6. We have Justin's work Christmas party tonight. They are a fun group of people and its always a good time catching up on everyone's lives.

7. Is it seriously possible that I am already planning and looking at decorations for Kendry's first birthday party? I know its not a birthday party he will remember, but it is still a monumental occasion. And they have so many fun ideas for kids' parties these days. I figure if I start brainstorming now I'll just be that much more prepared because, let's face it, May will be here before we know it.

8. I get to do my Christmas baking with my friend Michelle tomorrow. I'm still trying to decide which goodies to make this year.

9. We still have a little Christmas shopping to get done this weekend. How fun that we get to do it with all the other crazy, procrastinating shoppers, right?

10. Yikes! I still have to get Kendry's stocking made!

Winter Wear

Although I admitted a few posts ago that I was homesick for Alaska, there are many reasons why I love living in a less extreme climate. One being that I don't have to keep my family outfitted with the mass of basic cold weather gear that every Alaskan must own and wear for several months out of the year. Given how fast Kendry is growing, I have trouble fathoming the cost of his regular clothes and shoes for the next 17.5 years, let alone any winter gear he will need (and only wear twice before he promptly grows out of them before the following winter rolls around). That being said, however, there is nothing cuter than excited little kids all dressed up in their winter clothes and headed out to make a snowman or go sledding. Who hasn't laughed hysterically at the little brother in A Christmas Story when the mom dresses him in his huge, puffy snowsuit? "I can't put my arms down!!"

So, even though Kendry really doesn't need much in the way of winter gear, I couldn't help but find him a few cute items for his first winter, this hat being one of them:

In case you weren't already aware, our neck of the woods has awakened to single digit temperatures all week. Brrr! Fortunately, my mom (Kendry's Alaska Grandma) gave us a wonderful snowsuit for Kendry to wear this season, which we are currently keeping in the car in case of emergency. Of course, I will post photos of Kendry in his snowsuit once he experiences his first snow....whenever that will be...