Extremes

Lucy can be the sweetest child at times. Yesterday as I made her lunch--her favorite: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich--she looked up at me with her head tilted to the side and said very tenderly, "THANK you, Mommy honey. You are so KIND!" LOL! She can also be a stinker at times, but still cracks me up. She has a familiar way of refusing things, delivered in an imperious almost offended tone: "No, no! No pick up toys! No!" or "No, no! No go to bed! No!" or "No, no! No go boom booms (our euphemism for poops!). No!" We all joke that if we had a parakeet, we know what he'd be saying!

2008--new resolutions

I've been reading a wonderful book on organization called HOUSE RULES. One of the hints is that a habit is like a train locomotive. If you want to add a new habit, "hook" it to an established habit and it will be much easier to acquire. Lucy has quite a delay in fine motor coordination, and I struggled to find time to work specifically on that skill, especially since she is resistant to practicing skills that are difficult for her--hence the endless cycle. Using the tip from House Rules, I have been bringing out paper and pencil or coloring books etc for her to do before every meal. She is motivated to do it because she wants to eat, and I have an easy way of fitting it into our day.

Bella RULES!

Of all the wonderful presents Lucy got for Christmas, (and I do think Santa's bag must have split in our house at one point) the most beloved by Lucy was the Bella dancerella dvd. Unfortunately, the effect of many repetitions has caused the music to relentlessly play in all of our brains. Our one consolation if we all go crazy is that we know we did it for the sake of Lucy's happiness.

Gingko

Beginning in December we have started giving Lucy Gingko supplements, after getting the OK from her pediatrician. I wondered how I would get her to take the pills, but ended up finding Gingko Extract from the Vitamin Shoppe. She gets 3 drops in her juice in the morning, easy as pie! Lucy is definitely talking more clearly and in more words, but whether that is from having all the extra company and excitement over the holidays or a normal growth spurt or the Gingko, who knows? I'm thankful for the ease of giving her this, and happy to give it a try. The other day as I poured her juice for breakfast Lucy asked, "Drops in, Mommy?" Wow!