Saturday, August 25, 2007

J'door toi!

So how do you teach a toddler, after encouraging him to throw balls for months, that he cannot also throw the wooden blocks you just bought him? They're the perfect size for grabbing and they go a long way. That's what I'm up against. We bought him the blocks after his 18 month doctor's appointment last Friday. The doctor asked how many blocks he could stack and all I could do was stammer, "Uh, he doesn't have any blocks." What kind of mother am I? My child has no blocks! We've had much fun stacking the blocks together since then and I kind of want to call the doctor and amend my answer. One thing that concerns me is what happens when the tower of blocks comes crashing down. I'm a little worried that my son has inherited my tendency not to deal well with frustration. Dern.

Yesterday Jackson started his fall session of mother's day out. There was a week and a half break between the summer and fall terms and let me just say that I have gotten used to having those five hours twice a week. We dropped him off and then we headed out to Prestonwood Baptist to get some books for a seminary class Curt is taking out there this fall.

Let me interject an important fact here. My idea of the perfect day is to roam around a wonderful mall with someone I love while talking about interesting things and finding somewhere great to eat lunch. My husband's idea of the perfect day is to be far, far away from a mall. Even when we go to a mall together, he likes us to go our separate ways and meet back up when it's time to leave. This is not a matter of character, rather one of preference, but it takes away much of my shopping joy. Our last Friday afternoon date included a trip to a mall, where we had a lengthy and serious discussion about our unfortunate shopping incompatibility. So I knew it was not going to be a mall day. But y'all, Prestonwood is right next to The Shops at Willow Bend. It was almost physically painful to drive by it and not go in. The thought of floating in and out of stores without a stroller sounded heavenly. A little no-purchase fall preview was calling my name. And then we took a right turn onto the toll-way and the mall faded into the distance.

A few minutes later the toll-way escorted us right by the Galleria, which houses the Grand Lux Cafe. Thank You, Jesus. Curtis said we could have lunch there if I made no attempt to enter the mall and shop. Again, painful. Tasty, but painful. I kept thinking about the girls trip I'm taking next weekend with my mom and sis. If I can just make it seven more days...

After lunch we separated for an eyebrow wax (me) and a trip to Lowe's (him). Later I met hubby at Lowe's (with a lovely ring of I've just been waxed redness around my forehead) so that I could help him pick out a new front door for our house. Thank You, Jesus. When the previous homeowner came by one day to see what we had done with the house, she couldn't believe we hadn't replaced the front door. It's that bad. I picked out the front door of my dreams and...Hubs said yes! He said yes! I was so excited that I wanted to call all of my friends.

I have several theories as to how this might have happened. One, because I didn't throw a fit about going into the mall and therefore my husband was in a good mood at Lowe's. Two, because he loves me and knows how much joy I will get driving up to our cute little house with the cute little front door. Three, because the door he really wanted ended up being $600, thereby causing my door to look very economical. Either way, thank You, Jesus. And thank you, Hubs! I'm going to love it!

31 comments:

Holly said...

OH, can we see a picture of the finished door?

I LIKE your kind of day off. That is my favorite...a friend, some good conversation and some good food! LOVEIT!

As for the blocks, 18 month old boys just knock block down at this age and will continue to do so until they are about 6. Don't worry about the stacking part. He knows how, but his nature says search and destroy the block stack!
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Holly

Fran said...

Hey girl....
About the blocks...part of me wants to say "good luck!" The other part of me wants to give some very, been there done that parenting advice that sounds all professional and "I know what I'm doing...."

But, I really have no idea...I guess you start down the road of "only throw balls, NO BLOCKS!"

Always take the blocks away if he keeps throwing them...He's mastered the skill, he won't forget will he???

I think its always trial and error with these precious ones....

Congrats on the new door...show pictures when you can....and sorry about the shopping...

What fun all us siestas could have shopping together!

Timmarie said...

I've also felt the need to amend a dr's office answer. She asked me if my son played patty cake, and I had to say, umm I've never played patty cake with him! That doesn't even require a toy.

Jackie said...

Sara starts back to MDO next week...and with GREAT anticipation, I am looking forward to being able to shop sans stroller (or child that runs out from under the dressing room as soon as I get my clothes off!)

This is my first time "staying home" so it will be weird to be off doing what I want for a few hours a couple times a week- I am sure I will make the adjustment JUST fine.

Well, if you're ever in Houston and need a shopping buddy- I am SOOO here. Hubby is THRILLED any chance he can get out of shopping- and often I am too, he makes it REALLY difficult sometime :)

Hope your weekend is great. Just thing, one week and you're off with the girls, free to shop and eat as you please!! SO FUN!!

Charity said...

My almost 2 year-old is going through the house throwing his LARGER trucks! He likes to throw frisbees to our dog along with balls! I guess the way to go is the "only throw balls, no blocks (or LARGE TRUCKS!)"

I have to say I am very impressed with your hubby! Since we have started building our house, my husband feels the need to disagree with me over paint colors! Yes, paint colors!! I guess he has a strong opinion because he has done a lot of the work on our house himself. Oh well!

Have a great weekend!

SimplyAmusingDesigns.com said...

My husband doesn't like to shop at the malls either...we usually go to Books A Million and just "sit" together with a coffee and then explore the book section.

About your son and throwing the blocks? Well...you might try telling him that we only throw things outside? :) It worked for me with my son.

Thanks for the visit and kind words, too! :) Have a blessed day.

Holly said...

OK, now you need to do a podcast with your Mom and Sister! That would be really fun!!

Little Steps Of Faith said...

Amanda, how is it I didn't know you had a blog of your own?:-)

Its nice to see your life without the LPM hat:)

Once Jackson knocks the blocks down a few times he'll be fine...
you know I don't have kids; but I pretty much have had everyonelses since I was like 14 lol.

as far as the front door, I would say that is pretty exciting, but then again, I don't have a house of my own yet, so a new front door would seem that way anyways...

take a pic girlie of it when you get a second.

Be Blessed:-)

Angie

Dionna said...

So you kind of DID go shopping - even though it was for a door! :)

I used to always make a big deal of the blocks crashing and falling with our kids. I'd laugh a lot trying to emulate and show them it was fun. It's worth a shot! He might look at you really strangely the first time though. :)

kittyhox said...

Yes, we have to see the door. We women are all about the details, aren't we?

The only reason we have blocks is because someone gave us some a month or so ago. I think that's how it is with first borns. My son doesn't use utensils and hasn't figured out how to drink a sippy cup while sitting up (he just flops on the floor and drinks it on his back) because I didn't really know we were supposed to be working on that.

Same with the stacking thing. Good to know for his 18 month appt, in a couple of months!

Congrats on your door!!

Prairie Rose said...

Hey, I'm a speech therapist and work in early intervention, and when we have kids with throwing problems, what generally works the best (every kid is different, of course...) is to simply say, "No throwing blocks" each time he does it, and then "Go pick it up." When they are made to go pick up whatever they have thrown each time, they catch on faster and the throwing almost always goes away pretty quickly. (If he won't go pick it up, you physically walk him over to it, take his hand and guide him to make him pick it up, then walk him back to where it goes, even if he tantrums.) Good luck!! He's such a cutie! :)

Kara Akins said...

You handled not being able to shop well... very well.

Kara

R said...

Oh my gosh! Every time I go to the pedi, I end up being caught off guard by some milestone I was supposed to have taught my child that I wasn't aware of. I always seem to walk the green mile out of there, tail tucked between my legs! What I wish the dr. would do is prepare me for what he's going to ask at the NEXT appointment. That way we can ACE it all! :0)

I understand all about Willow Bend, too. My OB is at Presby Plano, so we always try to build in some time to fellowship with the Shops. Luckily, my hubby loves to shop!

And amen on the brow wax. I have to be sooooo careful about when I schedule mine! It has to be done when I have, like, 24 hours for my Casper-colored skin to recover. And how often do I have a spare 24 hours?!

MamaCass said...

Actually Tobey does not own any blocks either except some large Legos. Do they count? I was ready for MDO to start up again too and I love those Friday afternoon dates. Even though we are usually just running errands together.

A Place For Ministry Wives/A Place For Me said...

This is seriously like re-living my child's toddler years. Doc said the same thing to me. How many blocks can she stack? We didn't have blocks either. Bought them...and we were stackin'!

Post a pic. of the cute front door. :-)

AbbyLane said...

i am praying that the anticipation (and company) of your trip next week will make your shopping experience out of this world, and worth the wait! ;)

we painted our front door RED when i was in high school...i thought my parents were pretty cool for a while :) haha

connorcolesmom said...

Getting the door of your dreams and a great lunch does sound like a great day!!
Plus not having to lug around a stroller and toddler - heaven.

My little guy started preschool this past week and I have found I get things done so much faster and I can actually concentrate on the task at hand.
No more of the "mommy can I have some candy, mommy can I have this toy. Mommy can I get out of the cart and walk please (no way!!)..."- YIPPEE!!

Oh and the blocks story is hysterical. It is hard to teach boys not to throw.
My 2 guys had been outside throwing baseballs to one another but it started raining so they came inside to the playroom. Not 5 seconds later the baseball hit my computer (I was working on my Bible study small groups) - UHH!!! At least it was a soft baseball but still...
Have a blast on your trip with your sister and mom!!
I love me some girl time!!
Blessings,
Kim

Anonymous said...

I LOVE to shop & discuss where we are going to eat...it's Heaven on Earth. Ditto on the hubs...it's either my mom & sis, or friends. He, in no way, appreciates shopping & lunch-ing like I do!

Sarah, TN

Shelly said...

Girl,

You just let me know if you ever come to Boston and are looking for a mall-strolling buddy :)

Lisa Pierre said...

Clever title. I am glad I read through to the end to get it.

Erin said...

Sister...Michelle W told me a story about Crystal N (or E I guess) calling the doctor back to ammend her answer about how many words Addison could say...she went home and made a list! I love it, and I would have done just what Crystal did and I WOULD have called the doctor back to ammend the block answer :)

Nat Pat said...

ooohhh. i better go get lily some blocks before her 18 mo visit! thanks for the head's up!

Kristyn said...

please tell me you ate a yummy dessert while at lunch!! beignets??

Allison said...

Picture of the door please, picture of the door!

Profbaugh said...

Kids will be kids!! I just met my cousin Karen's son, Sam. My uncle (Karen's dad) had just passed away. To comfort Sam, I decided to buy him a stuffed cow. He loved his Pawpaw who raised cattle. I thought it would be a comfort to him--a way to remember his Pawpaw.

Yes, Sam was very excited to get the cow. He immediately began thowing it and wanting to play catch with it.

If I would have bought him a ball he probably would have cuddled and slept with it!!

Throw out all your notions of what kids "should" do. And just let them do it!!

~Cheryl

jennyhope said...

Amanda I know you like movies and I am not sure if you have seen "The Ultimate Gift" yet but if you have not go get it and get some tissue. It is literally the best movie I have EVER seen.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the door!

Obviously you're ahead of me in the parenting thing... I look to you for what I'm about to embark on. So, no advice here. We're still trying to learn "no" and "see Mommy's mean eyes?" (Obviously, he doesn't)... I've been mentally composing a post on it all weekend!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

We have no blocks either. Funny, but I've never thought of buying them.

Richardsons of HV said...

Two Words...Cardboard Blocks. They are great and less damage can be incurred!!!
Can't wait to see the new door!

Amy T said...

Cute post! I'm lucky in that my husband likes to go to the mall with me, but he doesn't like to linger as long as I do. So he goes out and waits in front of the store until I'm done.

Anonymous said...

Now that I'm on my 4th, I TRY to be ready for those Doctor questions. With baby #3 it was a ball! The Doctor asked if she could roll a ball and I had to tell her we'd never tried (it wasn't the first time I'd had to say that either). So of course whatever we'd neglected to provide or try I'd run home and try it THAT day! I wanted to call back and report SO bad too! lol, I can relate. Wonder what I'll forget this time around...