The Time Out

Back in November, I brought Lil' C to visit her pediatrician for her fifteen month check up. All was well-C showed off her walking skills, she played with a stethoscope, she opened wide and said, "Aaah." After making sure Caitlin's physical development was on track, Dr. P. asked about other developmental milestones-changes in sleep, how many words can she say, is she using a cup? Then, Dr. P. asked if C had thrown a tantrum. Tantrum, no? Arching her back, throwing her arms straight into the air as though performing a high dive, and nearly sliding through my secure grip? Yes. But, no tantrums-yet. Then Dr. P said, "You know, you can start doing a time out now. One minute should be plenty."

I couldn't help but giggle to myself. The only time Wiggly C remains in one spot for one minute is either when she is eating, when she is asleep, when she is strapped into her car seat, or when I give in and put on Sesame Street. The thought of her sitting in a time out for one minute seemed as far fetched as her reciting poetry. I also laughed because I could not imagine my munchkin doing something to warrant a time out. Sure, she throws toys and food and sippy cups and rips bills and breaks remote controls and hides my iPod in the travel toiletry bag, but don't all toddlers do things like that? I could not imagine her doing something intentional, something malicious, which would result in a time out.

As usual, C proved me wrong. Last Wednesday, I stayed home from work to take care of Caitlin's disgusting, barking croup. While we were having a pleasant morning diaper change, Caitlin began kicking me in the stomach over and over again. This has become an ongoing, annoying routine during diaper change time. At first, I ignored her behavior. When the kicking continued, I used my very firm don't-mess-with-me voice and told Crazy Legs to stop kicking mommy. C found this hilarious, which lead to more enthusiastic kicking. Suddenly, Dr. P's voice popped into my head and somehow magically came out of my mouth, "Caitlin this is a warning. If you kick mommy again, you will have a time out." Despite my terrifying warning, C kicked away, oblivious to the threat of solitary confinement. Suddenly, I found myself picking her up, placing her into her crib and saying, "You are in a time out for kicking mommy."

I left her room and left the door open a crack so I could spy on my litle Mia Hamm. I am not sure what I expected to observe during this time out. C crying, realizing she had done wrong? A look of guilty remorse as she stared at the door awaiting my return? A moment of quiet reflection, considering the consequences of her actions? Maybe an older child would display any one of those behaviors, but not Caitlin. As I peeked into her room, I saw C jumping up and down on her mattress, swinging her stuffed monkey. Clearly, she felt terrible about her behavior.

I went into her room after a very long minute and was met with even more exuberant mattress jumping and giggling. As I told Caitlin her time out was over, I found myself stifling a giggle or two. Just like in the pediatrician's office, I could not help but laugh at the absurdity of a little toddler time out. I know one day the time out will be a staple in our discipline diet. I am just not sure if we are there yet. For now, the time out may give me a quiet moment when I feel myself losing patience. I have to admit, however, C has not kicked my stomach since the time out. Maybe, just maybe, she did learn a little something in between crib bounces. Maybe that look of guilty remorse did pass over her face, if only for a moment. Or maybe I've gotten lucky for a couple of days. We will see what happens tomorrow.

A Little Bit of Holiday Cheer

Is the statute of limitations up for writing a post about the holidays? Since wreaths still hang on our windows and front door, since there is at least two feet of snow on the ground, and since I still have not put away all of our Christmas presents, I think the answer is no. Feliz Navidad!



Christmas was busy and snowy this year, but we had such a great time. Caitlin loved listening to The Night Before Christmas over and over again. In fact, we read the story so many times that it is now in hiding until Christmas 2011. She loved opening her presents, although the wrapping paper still held more allure than the gifts the paper concealed. And most of all, Caitlin loved the opportunity to stay up several hours past her bedtime and eat an unlimited number of sugar cookies.



Now that the holidays are done, bedtimes are back to normal, and the decorations are put away, we are enjoying quiet time at home, playing with Caitlin's many new toys. She especially loves her new toy piano, rocking horse, and baby doll.





Caitlin visited the Zoo Lights display at the Stone Zoo. She was able to walk through the zoo after dark. Even though most animals were hiding or hibernating, we did see a reindeer on hiatus from the North Pole and lots and lots of bright holiday lights and decorations.

Caitlin loved opening her stocking on Christmas morning at Grammy's house. She managed to pull out the contents by herself, then went on to play with piles of wrapping paper. In case you wondered, she also really enjoys eating her Play-Doh.

Caitlin was delighted to meet Santa Claus. After waiting in a long line, she was so excited to get her turn with jolly old St. Nick. Can't you feel the holiday cheer?

Holidays are exhausting. There is never enough time to get things done and whether we want to admit it or not, I think lots of people can't wait for the holiday season to end. A part of me feels this way, especially when I am waiting in line to get into the Pandora store, or running out to buy stamps for the third time, or checking my bank account. But, this year watching Caitlin enjoy the holidays reminded me to seek the joy of the season and believe in a little bit of the magic.

Vocabulary List

Last week I met my friend Jess for a glass of wine in front of a roaring, albeit fake, fire at West on Center. While we chatted about the new and exciting developments in our lives, our conversation naturally shifted to Caitlin and all of new and exciting developments in her life-walking backward, Caitlin's first time on a sled, Caitlin's love of Brussel sprouts. As we talked, I bragged about Caitlin's growing vocabulary. She seems to learn a new word every few days. Jess said her mother kept a list of her first words, organized by month. She asked if I wrote down Caitlin's words. Shamefully, no. Since it is a new year and a time for new beginnings, I resolve to write more, more lists, more blog posts. If I fail to document these exciting times of change for Caitlin, I know they will be forgotten. So here it is, Caitlin's first vocabulary list:

Caitlin's words-16 1/2 mos.
Mama (her first word at around 9 mos.)
Daddy/Dada
Doggy
Puppy
Bella
Ball
Papa
Cookie
Cracker
More
O.k.
No (one of her favorites)
All done
Baa (a sheep sound, that counts, right?)
Ducky,
Jackie (Matt's cousin whose name Caitlin said over and over after he joined us for Sunday dinner)
Uh Oh! (another favorite)
Bye Bye
Hi
Juice
Moo

Caitlin has used some of these words just a handful of times, but I think that counts. It's so exciting watching Caitlin learn to express what she wants and how she feels. I feel like any day now she is going to wake up and speak in sentences. The girl loves to talk! I wonder where she gets that from....