I've got to admit it's getting better...

all the time. I [heart] the Beatles, so sometimes lyrics will make their way into my head & onto my blog. This one is for Nina, in part. (I'm still working on it, girl.) So, the daily "don't pound your sister!" struggle is getting better most days. I did the "triple punishment" for a while, which included a swat on the bottom. Now, for those of you who have been around our fam, you know that we aren't the corporal punishment kind. I think L. had around 5-7 "spanks" during his life span before Zora arrived. And then Zora arrived. (And with her the jealously.) So, I was never fully comfortable with "spanking" to give the "no hitting" message. For me, it didn't feel right. I have been reading, reading, reading, talking to other moms, talking to my hubby, & experimenting with various things. So now, we're back to simple "time outs." I think this has worked just as well!! The only "urg" to this is this: it must be VERY consistant. As soon as the injustice is committed upon the infant (pinching has been the crime of choice recently), I scoop up the guilty party, (don't have to say a word), put him in a t.o. chair, & say "you have 4 minutes for doing that to sister." Sometimes he cries. Sometimes he knows what's up & he's quiet.
When the t.o. is over, he usually comes back, apologizes to Zora, & is pretty chill. If he isn't chill enough, he goes back for another 4 min. We talk about the behavior; how it's wrong. He never knows "why" it occurs (which is a mystery to me bc it happens pretty much once daily.)
I read about a "sweet seat," where the kid goes to read or play quietly in this cute, decorated, pillow adorned box or lounge area 'til they feel okay enough to play nicely. I know the theory here is "positive reinforcement," but I feel like that would be saying "you did a mean thing, so go have fun 'til you want to come over here & have fun." Anyone else get that from it? Also, the drs. writing advocated going to the car & waiting it out if your kid(s) act up in a store. Now, I know that is a grand theory...& I have left when just browsing, but if I am in the midst of weekly grocery shopping, you'd better believe I'm going to drag thing 1 to the bathroom & give him a talking to (then probably hold him as he cries & I push the cart). What I'm saying is: who can actually do that every time?
So, I was also wondering (especially for you mamas of more than one)...what do you do to punish the violence towards others/siblings? Let's discuss, please.

tagged by lindy

Here it is! The 6th file; 6th pic. It's of L. checking out the stamp on his hand (to see what that dude was seeing when he 'checked us out' of Going Bonkers). Langston asked me (in front of the dude) if he could see the stamp (since it was glow-in-the-black-light we couldn't just gaze at it). My little detective. He must know it all! Thanks, Lindy, that was fun. I'll tag...Mel, Bekki, & Jessie.

Zora's 6 month pix

Here's a link to Z's 6 month pix with mommy. Type in "key" (case sensitive) to see the proofs. The old ones are taken down & the new will stay up 'til the 9 month session.
Yes, I am obviously breastfeeding & trying to squeeze my top half into a nice dress, and no, Barclay did NOT allow the bow pix...they were done for the grandmas only. Enjoy.
shooting stars

check-up

Zora at 6 months:
19# 13oz.
27 1/2"
Didn't even whimper at her shot!

Weirdos

I have to post this before I forget it...
Today L. came home from pre-school & announced he has a new friend: Cade. He & Cade climbed & jumped on the playground together today...thereby making them insta-friends.
He then proceeded to name his friends at school:
1. Cade
2. Elana
3. that-curly-haired-girl-who-told-me-I-couldn't-be-friends-with-Elana (apparently she's now nice...and her name is Juliane)
4. that boy who wore the pumpkin shirt today (? I saw the kid this morning, but have no idea what his name is either.)
5. Levi ("he's an old friend"...meaning he's close to 5?...ancient!)
6. Madelyn ("OF COURSE, mom")
7. Not [this certain kid], he's just normal. (?)
I guess you gotta' throw out your weird to hang with the L. :) Here's a pic of Madelyn & L-town gettin' weird at her b'day bash.

My first apple pie

We had tons of local, organic, tart apples a few weeks ago. I thought "what can I do with all these?" And...many an hour later...here she is! Miss Apple Pie 2008. She's a "beaut." (The hours thing is bc I had both kids with me & cooked supper while I made the pie. Whew.)

Carvin' the Punkin' with Grandad

This post is coming a little late...
Barxdale was in New Orleans a few weeks ago on yet another Historian's adventure. His parents came to visit the kiddos & help me out. We (really DeWayne) got a lot done around the house. The Keys met Maybelle, our new international student, & we did some "fall" things. We also managed to lock ourselves out of the house (long story, but DeWayne broke in & we popped L. through the window & directed him to unlock the front door...he was a little wary of our directions), fed Zora her first food, & cleaned up a little before B. arrived home.
Barclay's first comment after seeing these photos was, "Son, you look like you just came in off the back 40." ;) I guess he does. Long hair, no shirt, overalls. Oh, well, just a lazy Sunday afternoon with the grandparents. L. painted with Grandmom & drew the pumpkin face to be carved(all except the tooth part) by himself. He was very proud. Thanks again to Donna & DeWayne for another fun weekend. We love y'all!

When the leaves change color

When I was little, I remember thinking, and saying to my dad, my birthday comes when the leaves change color! Fall has been my favorite season since I can remember. I missed the changing of all things green when we were in Gainesville. I remember Mel taking all kinds of pix when she & Dais came to visit us in Iowa. I know she misses the seasons changing, too. (Sorry, Orlando mama!) It's pretty nice right now in Macomb. My birthday has come & gone (Oct. 4th), but one of my favorite holidays in right around the corner (dressing up is the best...I've always wanted to be "cookies & milk" with someone). :) I think that the crisp air, falling,crunchy leaves, & all the awesome colors make me slow down a little & take in some of the more peaceful, simple blessings. And, at the same time, I feel excited for all the fun things about fall: football, holidays, warm clothes, hot drinks, lots of blankets. Having cheered for years in school, I can honestly say that I still miss the smell, sounds, & feel of a stadium. There is nothing like it. (Another reason why Barclay married me, I guess. I feel some small part of his sports insanity.) I hope my kiddos enjoy school & participating as much as I did. Lots of special memories are brought back when I hear a loudspeaker on a football field & smell a concession stand...especially if there's a little chill in the air. Ahhhh. Fall.

Garlic (he's one cool cat)

Langston loves to make up stories. He can keep up with the storyline really well, too. He remembers the characters & adds to tales once told weeks or sometimes months later. One of the funniest lately has been about "Garlic," a cat who can do all kinds of tricks, but is best at gymnastics. Garlic also belongs to Rocky (L's imaginary sibling), but G-cat doesn't stay with Rocky (pronounced "Wocky" in our house) all the time. Garlic works in the circus, where he "flips, turns, talks, & does all kinds of twicks." He is and I quote, "one cool cat." :)
ps) the pix include Zora's "flapper" bow. Ha, ha. She doesn't care for that one.

date night?

Friday night was the 1st date night Barclay & I have had since Z. was born (sans kids...we did take Zora out for desert with us on my b'day...which was 10-4, good buddy). We attended the scholarship dinner. It was fun seeing other grown-ups, eating by dim light, laughing & being silly with my hubby. We had fun times. And then we had to hurry home...breastfeeding calls! MANY thanks to Donnice, who is our third surrogate grandma for Langston and the first for Zora. She was the perfect sitter.

Zora's 6 month hat...& tooth!

Sorry I'm a little late posting this! I've been a sickly mama for at least a week. The changing of the seasons is KILLING me! It's my fave season, but I think my sinuses disagree.
Anyway, my little giant is now 6 months old! She has also sprouted her 1st tooth. ;) She stopped sleeping so well, but I'm hoping that once this tooth thing calms down, we'll go back to some 7 hour stints. She is good for only 3-5 hours right now. (Don't get me wrong, for those of you who have been friends with us during the Langston years, this is still DE-lightful compared to thing 1's sleep habits.)
Enjoy the pix! OH, and try to find that tooth stump. I snapped a pic of it on the 1st day it broke through the gums. Yea, Z!

School day fall picnic

Ah, yes. The face-in-desert-when-mom-isn't-looking pic. Mandatory at pre-schol functions. Langston & Madelyn posing for said pic.
We had a fun time at L's fall picnic for school. We hiked, climbed, roasted smores with Mr. Scott, & chased other pre-schoolers around. I love the Paul McCartney denim jacket & long hair pic. My kid is such a Beatle. :)

mama & babies (& my hair needing a brushing)

So, neither of the kids has a grin & I'm in need of a comb,but at least a memory was captured on digital card. (Can we still say "film"?)

thanks, grandma flossie!

Thanks to B's grandma for the cute bee outfit. Grandmom thought the bow was a great addition. :) Zora was pretty happy about it all.

first taste of veggies

Miss Zora just had her first taste of "squaRsh," as some of our fam might say. :)(I know I said it in the video, but please note that we don't really say that in our home, unless we're joking around, then we might say, "uncross yar lags! fix me some aggs! I love fried okree! But don't get me wrong I [heart] my accent.)
Enough of the dialect jokes...
Zora gagged a lot 'til I mixed in some rice cereal, then all was well. Next up...sweet potato! I follow "the rules" on feeding pretty closely, so expect all the expected on my baby's intro to the foods. (Coming soon: green beans, apples, pears...with a 3 day trial of each.)
Grandmom Key was present to present (fun play on words) the yellow yum-yums. Enjoy!

Someday I'll write about how I dislike hearing my "twang" on videos. I remember that my dad wouldn't even leave his voice on our home answering machine when I was little. He didn't like "hearing himself" either. I think he's gotten over it, though. Maybe after 50-or-so years the little things aren't worth worrying about, huh, dad?