Ah, how quickly they grow. One day, your kids are rolling over and learning to clap their hands. The next day, they are screaming and kicking their way through tantrums at least three times a day. That's right, I've got toddlers. Hoo-ray.

I am trying very hard to be patient. No small feat with a wee person with surprising strength grabbing at everything and screaming. And when Peanut screams, it is like he auditioning to be a horror movie extra.

I was always taught to ignore tantrums and they will pass. Obviously, this advice was for kids with less stamina.  The longer my boy screams, the longer (and louder) he will continue to scream. Some of it might be related to his hard beginnings, so I want to tread very , very carefully. But I also don't want to automatically give in to his angry rants just to keep him quiet. giving. It might seem like a quick solution, but I've seen plenty of older kids and teens with parents that did the same thing with very undesirable results. It is a tricky balancing act.

The good news is that he is an all-around happy and lovable kid. Yes, he can be whiny, but people love to have him around. Sometimes, I wonder if he saves this "special" behavior just for me...fortunately, Tadd's had some of it too, so my ego is preserved.

I listened to an on-line lecture delivered by Karyn Purvis, the author of The Connected Child. I read the book while we were waiting.(http://vimeo.com/4013209) but I really needed to get a reminder. In fact, I recommend that families take notes on material you read while you wait...you might need a refresher once the theories get put into practice.

I think I've got an idea when the tantrums come.
-If we wait too long to come to the room when he wakes from sleep. Even if we just come in the room and talk to him while he stays in his crib, that is acceptable. We just can't dawdle once he is awake.

-Diaper changes. When the diaper needs changing, he doesn't like to stop whatever he is doing. Therefore, he lets us know that he is not happy about it. Which is a bummer since he is not quite ready for potty training. These are the most frustrating tantrums right now since I am focusing on not getting peed on while focusing on being calm.
 
-Bedtime taking too long. He is tired. We are coming to the end of dinner. He has decided he is over it and wants down. NOW!!!

-Anytime he is angry about something. Nuff said.

We discover new ones every day. Some I can figure out, but some I cannot. Like the other night. Everything was going hunky-dory during bathtime when all of a sudden...WAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!! We still aren't sure what was up with that. We just dried him off, put on his pj's and cuddled him. Which, I suppose, is all we can do sometimes.

And it isn't all a struggle I swear! Take a look at this video of my little munchkins just being supa cute!
http://www.vimeo.com/4837880

And enjoy some sweet pictures in the back yard. 

Princess Pumpkin prefers a big girl chair to the small chairs the peasants use.

        

And her brother, Prince Peanut, thought it was a good idea, too