tickles to combat fits

noah has been pretty good with throwing some tantrums.

for example, not getting to touch scott's computer. that's usually a BIG upset.

or really to not do something that scott does is always an upset.

a couple of years ago, i sat back and stared at parents whose kids were out of control in public.

it didn't make sense.

just make them stop pitching fits. tell them sit in their chair at dinner. put them in their room. stop screaming. come on.

then came noah. wow has he forced me to look at people with grace. now i get it. more than anything it teaches me what's in my heart. noah can make a scene on the outside and i sure can on the inside... just with a sweet smile to cover it up, of course.

this baby has high highs and low lows.

that's just how he is right now. can't wait to tell him about it when he's all grown up and socially poised, right? praise Him that His goal isn't well behaved children.

so yesterday, scott's remedy was to tickle him right out of a fit.

and that little bit was good for that day.

BEACH

it's just good for the soul.

for mine, and his, and the little his.

thailand

We are at this wonderful beach for a conference and some days of relaxation.

First thing yesterday morning when we woke up, Scott opened the balcony doors

and Noah took his little cheerios and watched the birds flying around out by the beach.

We've heard it said that you don't really know

how much you need these things [sun, space, people, quiet] until you get here.

Now I know exactly what they're talking about.

on biting and hitting...

As I was skype messaging my Mom [why weren't we just talking? weird],

I told her that Noah wants to bite and hit his only little best friend he has.

These are Mom's next fix it sentences:

"Pretty soon you will be able to do a time out or take something away...

Then he will grow up to be a teenager and slam his door and say he hates you."

[this was totally me, by the way]

"Then he will turn 20 or 21 and he will love you again.

Or maybe sooner, but he won't admit it."

It made me laugh instead of cry. Oh how horrid I was when I was little. And oh how things come back around.

I've tried the soap method... putting a tiny bit of soap on his tongue if he bites, then he would immediately hate it and therefore quit biting.

FALSE.

That may be most kids, but Noah did the signal for "more". He wanted me to put more soap in his mouth.

That stinker.