Avoiding a World of 'No!'

I am beginning to feel like a broken record these days (coincidentally - Soren managed to scratch two arias on my Tosca Record - boo!).  No!  Don't get into the matches... No! Don't spray paint all over the carpet... No! Don't pick up that pile of dog poop.  The more important No's are don't run away from Momma, don't run down the driveway to the street, don't climb - it's not meant for that or No, sit - you'll fall off your chair.​

I hate it.  No really - I do.  I feel like a) the bad guy and b) that I am setting up a world of negativity when I want Soren to explore and learn.  Where is the balance?!  It's not like he throws a tantrum every time you say it.  In fact, I think he is growing out of the phase.  Nope - now he laughs.  Yep!  Laughs....  And yes, he has one of those really adorable belly laughs that you just instinctively join in with.  But the problem with that?  He never, NEVER takes me seriously and we are getting to the point when he really ​needs to.  For his own safety.

I want him to experience boundaries on his own, but there are things that are better left to parental discretion.  So, on top of trying not to join in with his contagious chuckles - I am having the hardest time getting him to listen.  I don't want to yell, spank or do a time out (our version is going to lay down and when he is ready to listen he can get up), but I am at my wits end!!​

I found this great article on Dr. Sears website.  It's been super helpful.  One of the tips is to get out - go do something in a world of yes'.  So that is exactly what we did and had a blast.  We have these gorgeous woods behind our new place so we put the lead on August and went exploring.  It was 45 minutes of yes', great jobs! and 'whoa....so cool!' (my personal favorite).​

how do you address 'no' situations with your toddler?  any tips or helpful articles?​

Rainy Day Bubbles

The past week has been a mix of snow, sleet and rain.  Due to the weather's erratic behavior and the muddy ground we've been stuck inside.  I used it as an opportunity to work on the apartment, thankfully - Soren is good at reminding me to take a break. ​

He found a bottle of bubbles from his cousin's b-day party and pleaded - 'PLEEEEASE!'.  I was happy to comply.  We went through the whole bottle.  Soren even came close to blowing a few himself!  ​

We had so much fun - I can't wait to try a couple of these homemade bubble recipes!​

Acclimating

I have the hardest time out of the four of us acclimating.  Seriously!  Soren, however - the easiest.  Which you would think would be the opposite.  But this little guy acclimates anywhere.​

My last trip to St. Louis - Soren woke up in three different locations three​ different mornings and never skipped a beat.  This move is no different.  He must get it from his Pappa.  Rick LOVES the new place.  He won't stop talking about how peaceful and wonderful our new home is.  I love it.

But August and I?  We take a little more time.​  This move is a bit different though.  We have had quite the heavy month of February and I thought we needed this move like a I needed a hole in my head (awful reference, I know - but I couldn't think of another...), but it's been great.  No really!  We needed this - Rick and I.  A project we could absolutely rock together.  Remember what it really means to be a team - a family.

It's been a whirlwind and I think all of us are ready for the dust to settle (well, not literally).  But it's been therapeutic and a blast seeing our family settle into a new home.​

Light Scoop

My new toy!  I love it - it's a light scoop.  Basically a mirror to deflect the pop-up flash so the light, well - actually serves a function.  I snagged the light scoop from one of my new favorite photo sites - photojojo.  I highly recommend it.​

Here is an example of what the light scoop can do:

You can really see the difference between the three.  It's great in artificial lighting too, keeps things from turning yellow - which saves time on the back end in post.  It's not super bulky as you can see in the pic, nothing like the big accessory flashes.  Here is a shot I took in terrible indoor lighting of Soren.  It's during bath time which next to meals is his favorite daily activity.  But our lighting in the bathroom, especially at night is awful.  I thought this actually came through as a stunning improvement!​

​The light scoop comes in at a cheap 30 bucks.  I snagged this new strap as well.  Much easier camera access and control with a toddler to chase!

We're Moving!!

We found a sweet carriage house in a great neighborhood and so... we are MOVING!!  We are super excited if you couldn't tell.  I have already started the 'moving book' (my own, seemingly ridiculous book of pics and ideas for the new place) and started cleaning our new home.  It has 2 bathrooms and 2, legitimate bedrooms​!  

The big day is next Tuesday, so this week has been all about packing and we are just a couple rooms and few snid-bits away from being ready for the movers.  Yes! Movers!!  We are doing this right​ this time.  After, well - let's just say a copious amount of moves - I have racked up enough U-haul/van/hauling my crap on a dolly down the street - experience to last me a lifetime.  This time - movers.  They will tear down our furniture, carry ALL the boxes and place them in the correct places in our new ​home.

Next - boxes.  And this time - no scouring all over creation for them.  I snagged some cheap - CHEAP moving boxes online and we are just a little more than half way through them.  It worked out perfect!  And who better to help me fill them than my trusty sidekick - Soren! ​

I can't wait to start setting up our new place!​