Thursday, March 13, 2008

Will

This week has been my first taste of parenting.

Sure, I've been a mom. Feeding, bathing, changing diapers, cuddling.

But, parenting is altogether different. Discipline, consistency...and he's only EIGHT MONTHS OLD!

Hen has figured out that there are little pieces on the speaker that he can pull off. He has also never quite forgotten the yumminess of dog kibble. As a result, he's been hearing the word 'no' lately. While I'm not sure he understands what it means, he certainly understands that my tone of voice is quite different. Mommy's never talked to me like that before! So, he furrows his little brow and slowly...carefully...willfully...moves his little chubby hand to touch the speaker. "NO! Henry...NO!" He stops, cocks his head...moves to touch it again. Testing. Trying to figure it all out. Okay, so after a couple of no's I just get up and move him. We'll keep working on it.

Twice today I have praised God's name...because Henry never did quite cut teeth.

While nursing, he has decided to bite down. Granted, he has no teeth, but it's still painful. "Henry No!" He stops, looks me straight in the eye. Bites down. "NO!" Again, he latches, stops nursing and then slowly...DELIBERATELY...willfully...bites down. Again and again. Each time he knows exactly what he is doing. He doesn't even nurse. He just goes right into it with a full clamp down. He never breaks eye contact. He doesn't smile or laugh. Just bites with all the concentration and determination in the world.

It takes every ounce of me to not burst out laughing. Sure, it hurts, but I cannot believe how strong willed he is ALREADY! He is seriously testing. And, he is making it quite clear, has no intentions of backing down. Well, guess what buddy? Neither do I! You might think you are stubborn, but you've got nothing on your old mom! I do believe that this child will have to learn everything the hard way...

Not that him being strong willed should be a surprise...between me and Andy, the kid certainly comes by it naturally...

4 comments:

Rachel said...

I've done the hand squeeze thing with Ainsley with a firm no. She cries so hard and it melts my heart. I am sure I wasn't this soft with Aubrey. Of course I am also sure that Aubrey wasn't as inquisitive as Ainsley!

Anonymous said...

It wasn't until I became a mother that I fully realized our sin nature. No one can tell me we are "born good"! What you just described is proof. It made me hurt just to read what he was doing to you over...and over...and over again! (And I do mean physically hurt- I was wincing as I read!) Good luck and start praying for his salvation NOW. :)

Kristen Borland said...

okay, if his strong will makes you laugh, you are going to do just fine with this parenting thing!

i cannot say that Nehemiah's strong will makes me laugh. it drives me absolutely nuts. and i've discovered something: i used to be strong willed. USED to be. i'm a big fat push-over compared to him. (he still doesn't get away with things, but i certainly fill like breaking before he does!)

Brianna Heldt said...

heehee!!! i love hearing that kids have a strong will (though it's not always fun dealing with it as a parent)--honestly it can be a great strength for them when they're older.

henry is so awesome, i love all your stories about him!