Heaven...

I'm so excited!! Today I'm going to my favorite scrapbook store & am going to create as much as I can in 10 hours!! :) I also plan on re-organizing some things...I read a great article in my favorite scrapbooking magazine (Simple Scrapbooks) that got down to how you work is how you should organize...So, I feel like I have a better understanding of what will work for me...The hard part will be not spending so much on new containers!! LOL

I'm a visual person. I don't usually start my project with the photo (I know, sounds weird). Of course, technically, it starts with a photo! But, when I sit down to create, I don't reach for photos first, I reach for paper, colors, etc... So, seeing my colors, sorting my things by color instead of theme will work for me, I think. And, if not, I can always change it later.

So, I'm in heaven...I have a project halfway done, and I'd like to start a similar one to get finished by Abbey's Birthday (an "all about me" book like I made for Gracie).

That will be a timely gift this year.

I stuck to my guns yesterday, and we did not watch ANY TV until she was done in her room. I had decided to leave her alone in her room because I had been in there for about half an hour & she just wasn't cooperating, and I was beginning to just do it...and getting mad. So, after the last time of me directing her in what to do next, and she twirling around like she was alone, I said, "OK, Abbey, I've got to leave & you can do this yourself."

So, I left.

It worked! Well, sort of. I got cooled down, she still didn't get to watch TV, then I finally she asked me to come see her room...Nothing was really different, but I was, so I stayed & watched her clean up.

I hate to yell. So, I've decided not to do that. Dr. Lehman says to "1. Say it once. 2. Turn your back. 3. Walk away." The idea is to get your child thinking on their own, problem solving on their own. And as the parent, waiting for the teachable moment. As he says, they're not exactly teachable during a tantrum.

Months after reading his book (Have a New Kid By Friday), we still waffle back & forth between doing that & back to our old habits. Simple strategy, difficult to execute.

Anyways, after all the drama (and I guess that just comes with her being a girl :)), she came up to me later (while Eli was napping) and says, "Mommy, sometimes when I'm cleaning in my room & you're out here [living room] with Eli, I think you love him more than me."

Talk about melting my heart. I just about sobbed!! I have a lot in common with Abbey May. We are both 1st borns, so I understand that feeling. And, I've worked hard, or so I thought, at trying to balance all that comes with a new sibling.

So, as you can see, an "All About Me" book for her birthday is very appropriate this year, even more than it would have been last year.

Off to Scrappy Land!! :)