As I sit at my computer tonight, with a sleeping baby upstairs and a calm house, I can’t help but think about my frazzled state just a week ago. Just as I adapting to my husband being gone, Jackson began going through a phase that nearly sent me over the edge. I lovingly referred to it as a screech-fest. Friends, I am not joking when I tell you I was counting the few seconds between outrageous screeches. (If you follow me on Twitter, you heard the desperation in my tweets:)
So God blessed me with a wonderful retreat in Myrtle Beach to find a little peace. There were several workshops on marriage that provided amazing tools to keeping your marriage strong, even through deployments. The most surprising outcome of the weekend was the terrific chance to bond with Jackson. A couple days of beach and sand will do wonders for mom and baby!
Here are some of the best memories from the weekend:
Early morning sunrise from my balcony.
Jackson LOVED the aquarium!
Hardly a screech from this happy fellow!
Outside the hotel:
Along the beach…
I sit here with a soothed spirit and a grateful heart for the delicious weekend! What a great way to spend a couple days! Stay tuned because this week I’ll be revealing some exciting news!
Although my husband is currently deployed, I recently signed up for a weekend getaway with my 13 month old son to participate in an Army’s “Strong Bonds” training event.
The words “Army training events” surely conjure images of tank simulations, boot camp and a mess hall. But don’t be fooled, there is a little more pampering than one would expect from the Army!
Other Army wives in my neighborhood and spouses at a recent FRG (family readiness group) meeting have been buzzing about these fun weekends! When I received an email from my husband’s unit chaplain, I hopped on the chance to go to Myrtle Beach, SC for a couple days. And since Jackson has been going through a screeching phase lately, it will do us both some good to get a change in scenery (especially beach scenery:)!!
Throughout the weekend I will attend workshops on marriage and parenting. There is also a lot of free time built in, so I bought tickets to go to the aquarium. I think Jackson will really enjoy that.
The entire retreat with lodging, food and childcare provided! Woot! Woot! The only out of pocket expense I anticipate for this trip is the cost of gas and Juno’s kennel cost.
Our hotel offers: a “Caribbean Family Water Playground,” a “Lazy River,” and several pools. I’m not totally sure that this pregnant mama is ready for a swimsuit, but I’m not sure that I can turn down a heated pool!
Friends, I am looking forward to this so much! Can’t wait to return to give you the dish and, of course, share plenty of pictures! Have a great weekend!
Last Sunday after church, I asked Jackson to be my “plus one” for a lunch date at a Mexican restaurant. It is a family-friendly place and thought it would be fun for us to get out of the house for a bit. While sitting at the restaurant, I noticed something about my child that I hadn’t really noticed before.
He screams…
A LOT!!
Most of the time, he is not mad or frustrated; it is his preferred method of communication. (However there are times throughout the day when is mad and thrusting his legs and howling!!)
Since my husband left a couple weeks ago, I’ve been a little less distracted and more engaged with Jackson. Now I am starting to realize just how loud he is. Is this normal?? He doesn’t have siblings at the moment, so he’s not competing for attention…from anyone. So why does he scream? Why is he unhappy? He’s only 13 months old with a Stay At Home Mom, he doesn’t have to scream to get my attention, so why does he?
I am at a loss!!
Have you dealt with a child who liked to “turn up the volume”? I would love any suggestions for books or strategies on child development or discipline.
