http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1730375&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
The 18 months old Tennis Toddler from Rachel T on Vimeo.
Archives for September 2008
Kyle plays tennis
September 15, 2008 · By ·
Every calling is great when greatly pursued
September 9, 2008 · By ·
I always had big dreams for my life and career played a big part of it. Somehow, that path was steered away by a greater calling; being one-half of a parent.
Parenting does give me alot of joy. However I never expect that it can be such a huge change agent in my life. Many lifestyle adjustments have been made since the onset of Kyle’s arrival; less time spent with hubby, little time for myself and friends, even time to be a couch-potato have drastically been reduced to almost zero, not to even mention time for exercise.
All that just because I want to be around for Kyle whenever possible. It is hard for hubby to convince me to leave Kyle alone in the afternoon with the helper, so as to go for a foot massage or movie with him. The reason why I am so particular about spending as much time as possible with him, is because I leave him to be taken care of by the helper at night. As a result, he ends up running to her most of the time when he feels sleepy or needs comfort, and sometimes that makes me feel that I haven’t really done my best as his mother. I always try to convince myself that he will eventually grow out of this dependence on the helper.
Nonetheless, this little guy always make it very clear that he prefers my undivided attention all the time. He often act up when I am at the computer, playing the piano, reading a book or doing any other thing without his involvement. So it is almost impossible to do anything else besides interacting with him when he is awake.
I wonder whether it is just Kyle to be demanding this way, or it is normal toddler behaviour. I do know that toddlers are egocentric, so this could be just a manifest of the egocentric focus of the toddler.
I have been making a point not to smack him unless it is absolutely necessary. As he seemed to have learnt that physical aggression may be a solution to getting his way, and I think that he has modelled that after my discipline attempts. Although I still believe that when I spare the rod, I will spoil the child. Not certain that I can take that bit about the ‘rod’ literally though. Most of the time just a fierce stare or a stern voice is enough to do the job, however I am starting to see a stubborn streak emerging.
I see so much of Keith and myself in Kyle. I am learning everyday as a parent and this journey doesn’t seem to get any easier by the day. All I know is that I need God’s wisdom and direction daily to be the best parent for my child and be a conscientious steward of this next generation.
Related posts:
Can every weekend be just as exciting?
September 7, 2008 · By ·
This weekend must have been pretty exciting for Kyle. It started with the piano that arrived on Thursday. He loves sitting by himself at the piano and playing the keys, and often asks for his 3 favorite tunes to be played; Incy wincy spider, Happy Birthday and Wheels on a bus.
Then he was allowed to stay up an hour past his bedtime on Friday night, at 10.45 p.m., for part 1 of Grand-dad’s birthday celebration.
As for Part 2 of Grand-dad’s birthday celebrations on Saturday night, Kyle got to sing Happy Birthday 4 times and had the chance to blow out a lighted candle twice, one of which was presented to him on top of the cheese platter. Looks like we will be celebrating Kyle’s ‘birthday’ another 4 more times (since we have another 4 more birthdays leading up to the end of the year) before he turns 2 in March ’09.
He got to enjoy his milk in daddy’s cuddly lap this afternoon, while taking in the greenery and the serene view of the eco garden’s lake in Botanic Gardens.
As well as got to feed the turtles a whole packet of cream crackers! Actually it was dad who seemed more occupied feeding the turtle the crackers than Kyle. Although I must admit that it was quite a sight to see the turtles scrambling on top of one another to get to the crackers.
Like always, he will refuse to take his nap whenever the helper is off for that day. But it was no struggle to get him to sleep before 9 p.m. this evening, must have been totally pooped out by all that excitement this weekend. Hopefully he sleeps till later in the morning and spends next few days taking longer afternoon naps, which will give mommy the much needed ‘me’ time.
