Gone are the days when Lucas didn't understand what you were talking about! He was pouring water from a watering can into a breakable flower pot. He broke only a few pieces off the pot. He probably didn't realize that the pot was breakable until I told my husband that it was breakable and that he should give breakable things to a toddler. Well, that was the information that Lucas needed! He took the pot and threw it down a few times and broke it into pieces!!
Wow, the power of suggestion!!

Try, try again - you will reach success!

Lucas has been a handful lately. 22 mos and desires full independence!

Mornings are always hectic, between getting something into his belly and getting something into mine, and dealing with all the steps to getting us out the door. Just think, we have a later schedule than most! As I was preparing my breakfast - he was already fed - he decided to go upstairs and throw a book downstairs. I promptly went upstairs and found him in his bedroom. I told him it was wrong and closed the door. Then, I found his "lovey" blanket and put it in the room and re-closed the door. He only cried a little and quieted down, hugging and sucking on his blanket. This gave me time to enjoy breakfast and gave him the isolation he needed to calm down, becoming a better person. When he came out of the room, he was so much more cooperative! It was so wonderful to be with him!

Lesson learned!! After bad behavior, send the child to his room immediately with the "lovey." Enjoy this isolation time that calms both Mom/Dad and child.

"I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need to be cleaned and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home...I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby."
Nancie Carmody

This MOM is the best! Enjoy the video from CNBC.
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=52R1_LEy.KZH1g3e99VcczEyNjI4NTUz&referred_by=16119985-m4odrVx&p=csm

After quite some time of figuring when might be the right time for a swim lesson and where might be the right place, we finally took the plunge. Lucas had his first swim lesson on April 30, 2009, 21mos old/young. We went to a private business, rather than a Y or JCC. She is very experienced with all kids and knows a lot. I did my research and was very comfortable. The class was an hour with mixed ages and abilities. All good.

This is how the class went:

• The first 15 minutes of class was consistent crying and she held him the whole time by her side.



• The next 45 minutes was intermittent crying, not bad and some smiles and enjoyment.



• Lucas wore as many floaties on his arms as possible, with a floatie on his back. Looked like the Michellin Man!



• The instructor put Lucas at arms length and then completely away from her. With each transition, he cried but then stopped and realized that all was fine.



• Lucas loved jumping off the side into the pool!



• He loved the big beach ball and toys in the pool!



• And he even kicked and blew away water from his face!



• Progress made and he was very, very happy!!

That's our first swim story in a nutshell. We are both looking forward to another swim lesson. He even attempted to walking into a pond today - must be he likes water now!