Struggles with Madi

Okay, here's my Mommy struggle with my beautiful last baby. She is very stubborn. She is strong willed. She is our baby. She has a mind of her own. She will not be swayed or positively rewarded...it's her way or the highway. We are a long line of crowd pleasers so this new 'tude she has is giving our parenting a test. Can we resist that sweet face? Can we stick to our guns? Do give a little wiggle room like we can with the other kiddos? The answer is simple. We stay strong or be conquered by our 2 year old. It's not just sleep we have issues with although this component makes a happier baby to maybe help us with her dietary issues. If it's not chips, chocolate, apple juice or chicken ravioli - chicken nuggets too - then she won't touch it. She is great about peeling apart every inch of what she does love about a meal and leave the rest.

Her language is coming along...slowly but surely. She says a handful of words but gets away with communicating perfectly what she wants with a few "eh"s or "eh-uh"s. Being the youngest has its advantages like there at least 3 or more people helping you get out what you need to say. Or catering to your every whimper because you're "baby!". Yes, we call her baby it's now become a nickname/joke. It has totally caught on to our family and close friends. Don't be alarmed when you hear "baby!" and Madi comes running. :) I sound like an enabler which I will take partial fault for but the girl is independent in her own way. She will stand up to her 3 siblings and has her own path anyone who gets in the way she will take them down. She is not a follower and is brillant. You can ask her everything about animals and colors; she'll know it but will refuse to speak it. Frustrating, I know.

I decided...a week ago? Maybe a little over that enough was enough. The girl hates to self soothe. She loves her nestle spot on my chest. I couldn't slowly end things and make it easy on myself. She saw right through it; she knew how to break me down. I admit, I'm weak. I have a soft spot for a sweet face and a little whining. So, I had to become a rough-neck. You know, Tough Mommy. Ugh, I hate being Tough Mommy I like being Cuddle-up-with-Me-Children and Give-Me-Kisses kinda Mommy. My older girls and boy were always pleasers and I'm used to rewarding not being tough guy. I could say "wow, you're such a good helper" and they would be sold. Madi doesn't want to be any one's helper.

But, I did it. I wanted to get this routine down before school started so we could be on a schedule. Today at naptime I became the tough guy and she went out with ::gulp:: breastfeeding (yes, I breastfed her until recently...don't think I'm proud of this but she really treated me like her personal soother) or rubbing her back. I felt so bad for breaking away from our bond that I would rub her back until she fell asleep but have you tried to lay your head on a pillow, rub a back and have one leg fall asleep? So UNcomfortable. Luckily it wasn't or it might've lasted longer. Now, consistentcy. Awww, feels good.