Doing much better

Last night was 100% better for Tyler, and therefore, us. He went right to sleep without any fuss and without sucking his thumb. This is his 4th day of no thumb at all, and he's doing great. Let's pray it sticks. :)

Rough going

By way of a thumb-sucking update, it's going well during the day. I kept the band-aid off last night and he didn't even try to suck his thumb while we were watching a movie, which has usually been a prime sucking opportunity.

At night... well, that's an entirely different story. The first night it took him almost two hours to go to sleep; this after not napping during the day and being extremely tired. Last night was even worse. He was still up after midnight. At about 11:30pm I gave up and took the band-aid off, knowing it was probably the wrong decision, but just hoping he would be able to get some sleep. Much to my surprise, he still didn't suck his thumb! Unfortunately that meant he didn't fall asleep either.

We're about to head into another naptime, so I'm hoping that our adventures at the park this morning have worn him out enough to let him nap instead of getting into mischief. We shall see....

Poor guy

I don't know why, but today is the day I decided to break Tyler of his thumb-sucking. The fact that he does it isn't what bothers me. In fact, if I'm honest, I think it's rather cute. Problem is, his mouth is already becoming oddly-shaped and he's going to have major problems with his teeth if he doesn't stop soon. I'm also afraid of speech problems, although he doesn't seem to have any yet.

So this morning I wrapped one of those really rough-type band-aids around his thumb. He asked me once all morning if I could take it off, but I just reminded him that we're trying to keep his thumb dry now. Nap time is a different story, though. It's been a real struggle for him so far, and for me as I hear him crying and calling for me to take the band-aid off.

I just hope it works. I've heard of other kids who just pick a different finger to suck, or even just suck their thumb band-aid and all. We'll just have to see how it goes. Pray for my little guy!

What do I know

Tyler and I were chatting just now and he mentioned seeing Colby's teacher this morning. One of the parents had brought a bird in to show the class, so I asked Tyler, "Did you see a birdie, too?"

"No, he's not birdie. He's parrot."

Heartbreaking

Mom throws boys off overpass: link

It just breaks my heart to think of those poor little boys, wrestling with their mom, trying to keep her from hurling them off the overpass. Why do children have to go through things like that? Some of us, myself definitely included, are so naive and have led such sheltered, priviledged lives. I pray those little boys can find some peace and hopefully the Lord one of these days.

Indiana Jones versus the Knight: a one-man play

Man, this was one of those times I wished I had the video camera rolling. Colby has always loved playing with swords, and has recently gotten to be a fan of Indiana Jones (not because of the new movie, but because we found him some old choose-your-own-adventure books about Indiana Jones at the library book sale; however, I digress). Thus, it wasn't surprising when he asked if I wanted to watch a show (starring himself, of course) about Indiana Jones fighting a knight.

First he started out with his Burger King crown on his head, giving his horse (which looked a lot like his bicycle) a bath. He explained how he was on the search for the Key of the Gold Treasure or some such reward. Only problem was, *someone* always got to the treasures before him.... Indiana Jones!! He went on to explain, quietly in my ear, that Indiana Jones had found the brush of Samson before he'd had a chance to get to it (thanks, Veggietales), so he had to quickly find the gold treasure. Off he went into the house, me assuming he was looking for treasure.

To my surprise, he came back out with his cowboy hat on. "If you want to ask me what kind of hat I have on, go ahead," he prompted. Taking my cue, I did ask him. "It's a fedora. Have you seen a knight anywhere around here?"

Oh my, I could have died laughing. Not only was the fedora comment classic, but it just struck me as so clever for him to play *both* parts in the show. Usually his opponent is quite imaginary, so I think this marks a definite shift in his imaginative development.

Note to self: keep that camera rolling.

Different point of view

A lot of times in Christian circles we hear talk of how believers in other countries have a more genuine faith than those in America, since their faith is tried and tested by so much more persecution than we face.

Tonight we met a pastor from the Philippines who had a different take on it. After commenting on the lovely mansion that we were meeting in for Bible study (the hosts do have a really large house), he said that in his country, they have a saying about Americans. In their view, American believers have a more genuine faith since, having most material things provided for, they have less reason to rely on God; most people in his country turn to the Lord because they are poverty-stricken.

Just goes to show there are two sides to every coin. Praise God that He meets the needs of each of His children, no matter which side they fall on.

March forth

Well today is 3/4/08, March fourth. In one of my parenting magazines, I read last year about a family who uses the day as an opportunity to "march forth" and make a new or positive change in their lives. Though reminiscent of the dreaded New Year's resolution, I think it's a pretty clever idea. And I like clever.

So for us, we are going to march forth with getting our finances in order. We have some debt hanging over us, and while we have the money to pay it off, we tend to spend our money instead of paying off the debt. We have a new budgeting system set up, and we're really motivated to be rid of this burden.

What about you? Anything you need a little extra motivation to march forth and get going on?

Going too far

Sorry, but this is taking things too far:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - An Eagle Rock schoolteacher doesn't want any bugs squashed in her classroom, so she's appointed a student insect monitor to take wiggling, creepy critters outside.
Melodie Conrad's be-kind-to-bugs effort is getting praise from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is giving her its Compassionate Teacher Award.
The Eagle Rock Elementary School & Magnet Center teacher says there's simply too much violence in society, adding, "I just wanted to be careful that they're exposed to just the opposite in this room."
It's not a matter of creating bug activists. Conrad says she is aiming to instill a sense of respect for life.
---

Anyone want to venture a guess as to where she stands on abortion? Hopefully my hunch is wrong.

PS- If PETA gives me an award for anything, ever... please put me out of my misery.

aaand one more....

Here's my new favorite, the Finding Nemo gang. This will be my last purchase for a while; we need to get serious about paying off some debt. But I have more than enough to tide me over for a little while anyway. :)

This one plays "Over the Waves"

Marlin and Dory are on springs, so they "just keep swimming"

I love how it looks like they're swimming on Mr. Ray's back