Family Matters - Week of 3/12/06

Every Wednesday I write about my family. Welcome to it.

Hello again everybody. Thanks for all the kind words on my Bell's Palsy post. I’ll give you an update at the end of this post.

Annie (3yr old wunderchild)

Annie is currently mired in the I’m-Gonna-Push-Buttons phase and it’s getting to me. At every turn she defies, at every turn she does what she’s not supposed to. Of course, it’s not every turn, but it’s enough for me, as a parent, to wonder how strict I should be.

I mean, that’s what kids do, right? They’re young and mischevious and mean to their siblings. This should come as no surprise to just about anyone. The balance between warnings, spankings, time outs, etc, that is the secret, the balance of which is hard to attain.

A few days ago, however, the straw was broken. Abby had gotten something of Annie’s and began walking away. Annie chased her and pushed her down, Abby hitting her head on the door.

This was the part when my eyes went wide and in disbelief as I snatched her up and spanked her butt. But this was an easy decision. What about when she doesn’t go to her room or pick up her toys?

Bleh. Punishment is hard.

Abby (2yr old superstar)

Abbers is as Abbers does. This includes her need to be fiercely (and I mean fiercely) independent.

Here’s a good example: When she gets her diaper changed, she wants to be the one to pull it from the Pampers bag. Even if she just saw me take one out of there, that one is different. She didn’t touch it or pull it out herself. This is important.

Why? Because she’ll scream and cry and won’t open her legs to let you put the thing on until she gets her way.

Of course, I don’t actually give in to this, so I get a free earful of screaming.

Between the discipline and independence, these kids are something else.

Ericka (her myspace)

My wonderful wife went back to the Rainbow Club West this weekend and enjoyed herself immensely. Personally I think the place is fun and all but I have a built-in stigma against going there now thanks to finding my Hiatal Hernia the morning after my one and only visit.

Anyway, she’s busy worried about my Palsy problems and has been nothing but great about it as usual. Unfortunately she did get ill yesterday, and no not the kind where she broke it down all sick like the Beastie Boys but rather a day of vomiting. Yay 24 hour bugs. At least, the ones I haven’t caught yet.

Etc

I’ll speak a little more in depth in terms of Life With Palsy tomorrow, but a few notes:

– Blinking is hard
– Making jokes is great
– Talking in bursts helps
– Eating sucks

My life the past four days has revolved mainly around these points. I went to the eye doctor today to get (a) contact lens for my left eye so I can patch my right eye. I have 20/20 in my right eye but something like 20/100 in my left eye. Unfortunately my astigmatism is so bad they have to specially order the lenses, which won’t be in until next week. Grr.

I’m outta time here. We’ll speak more tomorrow.

And when I wake you, I'll be the first thing you see
And you'll realize that you love me