I miss

Allen has been telling me, "I miss you," a lot. So much that I've realized that he doesn't actually understand what the word "miss" means. I think he thinks it's interchangeable with "love." So what, you're probably saying. Well, it helps to know this when I tell you the following story.

Lately, Allen's been wanting to "answer in the microphone" at meetings. But he doesn't want to answer what we prepare for him. He wants to answer something else. Last night, he wanted to say "I miss Jehovah ... and H and O and P."(well, he said their entire names, not the letters). He was whimpering about answering, so I let him raise his hand, and hoped he would say what I wanted him to ...


He raised his hand .... Papa (who was conducting the Congregation Bible Study) called on him ... the microphone was brought to his little mouth ... and he said ... nothing. Not a word. Then he whispered to me, "I want to say something else."

At least he didn't say what he told me he wanted to say, right? But then, the poor guy cried in the back for 10 minutes. I felt so bad for him. I didn't know what to do ... I know he wants to answer, but he can't just say anything ....


So I'm reaching out to my friend P ... how did you help H learn how to answer at the meetings? Did he struggle with wanting to say random things? Anyone else have any advice for me?


xoxo,
AHC

I'm still here ...

I apologize for being so remiss in my posting of late. Things have been very hectic, and my brain is kind of on overload. But, the kid is still doing tons of hilarious and bizarre and ridiculous things. So I figure I need to get back to posting so I can share them all with you.

As many of you may know, McDonald's recently had Ice Age 3 toys in their Happy Meals. Allen got the squirrel with the nut with me, and then he got it again with Nana a couple days later. As soon as Nana got the Happy Meal, Allen began demanding the toy. So she give him the squirrel. In reply, Allen began yelling, "Give me the nut! Give me the nut!" Poor Nana had no idea what he was talking about, since she's never seen the Ice Age movies and had no idea that he had the toy at home already ... in any case, it made for an amusing story.

He rediscovered the squirrel and his nut this evening, and kept shooting the nut across the house (and down the stairs). The first few times, he would launch the nut, and then say, "I'm sorry," to the squirrel (for losing his nut, I suppose).

Here's a cute picture of him and the squirrel ...

We had just gotten home from the meeting, where Allen was a pretty good boy until the very end. He started screaming, "DON'T CHANGE MY DIAPAH!" Unfortunately, it was so stinky that Mommy didn't have much choice ...

Daddy had a talk tonight. He did a wonderful job. Allen and I listened (and timed) him while he practiced before the meeting. Each time Daddy would introduce a scripture (by saying "turn with me," or let's look at") Allen would say, "OK, OK." Very cute.

Not at all related, but still quite adorable, are the following pictures I discovered when uploading the pictures of Allen that I took tonight. Aubrey took these while I was at Market last week.

Here's my precious nephew Elijah sleeping against his MomMom.

And here he is awake, wearing the hat that his Mommy got at the Beaufort Water Festival.

A close-up of the hat she bought. She got one for Owen too. This great vendor was at the Craft Show embroidering custom-making hats for kiddos. How cool!

Aubrey is a budding photographer. She has the eye for great photos. And the talent for taking self-portraits (I do not have this talent. I can never hold the camera just right). I love this picture of her and Allen goofing around at our house!

They're definitely related!

So much more to share with you ... but since it's after midnight, I think I'll take a break to sleep, and finish up this weekend.

xoxo,

The sweet, the hilarious, and the naughty

My own version of the good, the bad, and the ugly ...

It's been an interesting couple days ... and a really rough night. It's after 11:30, I'm on my second glass of wine, and I'm still stressed out ... but more on that later.

Since I'm so exhausted, I'm just going to post a list of the "gems" we've heard or seen from Allen over the past couple days:

The Sweet

• Called all his loved ones this morning and talked with each of them (except for Kissen who was having her brunch today). Told Papa "yuv ou" unprompted. That's the first time he's done that with anyone other than Mommy or Daddy. Also told everyone else "yuv ou" I think.
• Talked to "baby" Owen, and laughed each time Owen said something. Then said, "again" every time he said anything. Also loved talking to "Aubey." Having no cousins myself, I'm thrilled to see that he already loves Owen and Aubrey so dearly.
• Finally said "No thank you" instead of just "NO."
• Talked to the people sitting in front us at the movies before it started (also talked to them during the movies, but that falls somewhere between sweet and naughty). Introduced Mommy and Daddy and told them about the "chocate cookie" he was eating.
• Said, unprompted, "Mommy pretty. Mommy sweet."
• Says, "Awwww, Mimi."
• Told us that "Hovah" made the moon.

The Hilarious

• "Mommy, pinch hiney peese!" This is what I heard last night while Daddy was getting him ready for bed. And at other times since (particularly when changing his diaper).
• "Nana in the potty," he informed the people sitting in front of us at the movies today.
• Pretended to take mommy's temperature by sticking the thermometer on my butt (thank goodness I was wearing pants).

The Naughty

• Slammed his head into the chairs along the row we were sitting in at the meeting (knocking a couple off their back legs).
• Walked down the row to talk to the people sitting at the other end.
• Ran away from me (after being disciplined), taking off for the other side of the kingdom hall (during the meeting) which forced me to run after him trying to grab him and resulting in me tripping him and causing him to fall on the floor.
• Screamed "NO" several times during the meeting.

Thus, the two glasses of wine needed after the meeting.

xoxo,

Be Happy

First of all, thanks to everyone (all six of you) who participated in the poll. We tied for Stellaluna and Goodnight Moon. Hopefully Kristen and I will have an exciting announcement along the lines of this poll soon, so stay tuned.

We haven't had too much excitement around the Craig household this weekend. I fell in love with a Ben Folds song, but other than that and the normal cuteness of "the kid" I don't think there's been too much that is "blog-worthy."

We had a low-key day today. We were going to go in service, but the temperature dropped, ohhh about 40 degrees, between yesterday and today, and since Allen didn't yet have a winter coat (it arrived today), we decided to stay inside. We played and read books and watched the Noah DVD and did laundry and went to meeting ... it was pretty uneventful. But here are a couple highlights (sorry, no pictures).

Allen loves to help me with the laundry. When he hears the dryer door open, he calls out, "I'm comin' " and runs to help push the laundry into it. Then he likes to close the door "tight" for me. He also helps put the dried laundry into the basket for me to fold. It's very sweet.

We bought a spray bottle to use to train Mia not to sit up on the back-cushions of our sofa anymore (it's working beautifully by the way). Well, Allen enjoys getting sprayed in the face with it. At one point today, he was soaked from Daddy spraying him with it. He also likes it when Daddy sprays the water into his mouth (strange child, isn't he?).

I was impressed by his listening capability today. After having a time-out for not listening to Daddy about something, he changed his tune completely and obeyed each time we asked him to clean up one toy before bringing out another. Very impressive, considering his recent behavior.

Allen ate lunch before Mommy and Daddy, and was onto his dessert of Gummy Bears (because he sat at the table at ate his lunch so well) by the time we were eating. But he came over while Daddy prayed before our lunch. He closed his eyes right away and held my hand. During the prayer -- with his eyes still closed -- he reached into his little bowl and snagged a gummy bear. Brian and I lost it.

We watched the Noah video this afternoon as our "meeting practice." He did really well with it. He was mesmerized by all the animals and the ark. We were impressed and thought that it was a good sign for book study tonight. So we practiced an answer.

Dinner was good. We got in the car OK. He was excited for "meeting" when we arrived at the Kingdom Hall. And then it all just fell apart. He was pretty much awful for the entire meeting. Except for when he answered. He went right over to Daddy and sat on his lap while the paragraph was being read. He raised his hand before "Coni" asked the question. Fortunately, "Coni" saw that and called on him right away. He gave his answer (to paragraph 16, for those of you who want to know): "Be happy." He said it loudly (but not too loud) and clearly. And then he went back to being terrible. So terrible that he did not get any gummy bears tonight.

I think that's all for now. Goodnight my loves. Oh, and to answer your question, Kissy, rest assured that you are always among the list that he rattles off to us.

xoxo,

You Gotta Have Faif

You saw my posts on bribery/positive reinforcement and how well it worked for me. And you know that I am desperate for suggestions to help Allen behave at the meetings. I have done some research and a lot of praying, and Brian and I decided that we would "play" meeting today while we studied for book study, and that we would not mention the potential reward until after he exhibited the good behavior.

So we studied for the meeting together. We had some disruptions, but eventually he sat on Mommy's lap and was pretty quiet. During the preparation, I asked him if he wanted to answer, but he declined to do so.

However, after a reward, a hearty dinner, and a bath, he decided that he did want to raise his hand at the meeting. We had discussed two possible answers, and he decided that he wanted to say "faith" (or, as Allen says it, faif). We said OK, and then we didn't push it too much, because we don't want to put more pressure than necessary on him.

We got to the book study, and while he was not angelic, it was a drastic improvement from last Monday. When we got to the appropriate paragraph, I asked him if he was ready to raise his hand. He didn't really respond, but when he heard the brother read the word "faith" he whispered it (twice). So as we neared the end of the paragraph, we sat him on Daddy's lap, and told him to get ready (this also provided some distraction for him from the inappropriate behavior he was starting to display).

When "Coni" asked the question, Daddy helped him raise his hand, and Allen waved his little fingers. Right away, "Coni" said, "Allen" and Allen whispered, "faif." We whispered, "Say it out loud." So he whisper-yelled, "Faaaif." Then we told him again to say it loud, and he said (kind of yelled), "FAIF."

I have never been so proud in my entire life. It was heart-warming. He was proud of himself. The book study group was proud of him. We were proud of him. And I know Jehovah was proud of him.

I've learned a lesson in all of this, (or rather, been reminded of something). If you have faith, Jehovah can help you with anything. Allen may not have been perfect tonight, but he was much better than usual, and he answered!!!!

On that fabulous note, I bid you goodnight.

xoxo,

I hate Gummy Bears

So remember my Bribery post from a couple days ago? How excited I was by my brilliant plan to use bribery (or positive reinforcement) to help train Allen to behave at meetings? Well, we tried it today at the meeting. It didn't work so well. In fact, the whole plan kinda blew up in my face.

We spent the entire first half of the meeting sobbing. Daddy tried to calm him down. Mommy tried to calm him down. Nothing worked. Finally Allen decided that he could go to the seat and sing the song. So I gave him a few gummy bears since he calmed himself down. Then he lost it again because he wanted the rest of the gummy bears. It took me another 15 minutes to calm him down from that episode. When we finally got back to the seat, he had missed his opportunity to raise his hand to answer "Noah." Though when someone else did, his eyes lit up, and he look at me and whispered "Noah!" At least he was listening.

For the remainder of the Watchtower he did pretty well. But then during the final song, he started messing around in Nana's purse. Therefore, during he prayer, he was not behaving (and was making noise opening and closing her eye glass case). As soon as we tried to pull him away, he screamed. I had to practically run out of the auditorium into the bathroom.

Needless to say, I was exhausted after the meeting. Utterly exhausted. So, loyal readers (all four or five of you), do you have any suggestions for how we can help Allen behave during the meetings? I welcome -- even plead for -- your suggestions.

xoxo,



P.S. I apologize for the lack of photos. I tried to post them, but Blogger is not letting me.

People Wait! Boogie Night

Before I post about the Peanut, I'd like to say that I don't like any of your responses to my puppy post. C'mon guys, I want a new "baby," but I'm not ready to have one of the human variety. Support the need ... is it really that much more expensive to have two? (that's not a sarcastic question ... I'm serious. I've never really noticed the expense of having Mia. Is it noticeable with two dogs?). Though, I have to say that with four negative responses, my confidence is wavering. Anywho ...

Tonight, my child was atrocious at the meeting. I can't even begin to explain how bad he was. Testing limits ... yelling ... I don't know what came over that child, but I was at my wits' end. It didn't help that Daddy is still sick and stayed home tonight. But I don't think that was all it was. That child deliberately did things I told him not to do. It was awful. Even Nana was surprised and said, "he's testing you." If she says something negative about the Peanut, then you know he was naughty.

Two positives from the meeting though ... 1) he said "Amen" really loudly and enthusiastically at the end of the meeting (we were in the bathroom for the first prayer because he was throwing a fit, so maybe he said it super loud to make up for that); 2) when the first two people walked out of the Kingdom Hall, he yelled, "People, wait!" and continued to yell that for the rest of the time we were there. Except for when he was rolling around on the floor ... oh and on the stage too (see what I mean about being naughty?)

Also, we discovered today that he now says, "I got you man (or I got chew man)." I'm not sure where he learned this, but it certainly is amusing.

Now onto more positive things ... dinner with the Todds during our Pennsylvania trip. Allen and Ava were hilarious. Here are some shots at dinner ...

Uncle Brian taught Ava to stick her tongue out (I'm sure her Mommy and Daddy are forever grateful for that one)

Contemplative Ava

What a cutie!

Even cuter close up!


Allen wearing Ava's barrette

As hard as I tried, I could not get one single nice picture of the two of them.


I think Ava grabbed Allen's butt ...

Once we got outside and finished the supposed "posed shots," the kids decided to dance. Tony provided the "beat" ...

Ava getting down!

The two of 'em groovin'

And groovin' some more!

He moves like such a white boy ...




And hugs at the end of the night (I can't wait to display this picture at their wedding!)

XOXO my loves, I've got to go to sleep now!


P.S. I'm only five viewers away from the big 500! Let's hope I get five more new viewers in the next couple days!

Allen's Awwww Moment

Thanks, P, for the title :) So, Daddy and Allen were in the car today, and they drove by the Kingdom Hall. Allen looked out the window, pointed, and said "Meeting! We do it?" (meaning, are we going). Daddy explained that we weren't going today, but we would be there next week (we have our Special Assembly Day this weekend, so no meeting Sunday).

How cute is that?!?