Mommy needs a time out!

Let me just say, this is a post that is real. I usually only blog about the lovely side of mothering, as that is how it is most of the time, but it is only fair to talk about the difficult side as well.
In the past month, out little angel has decided that it is time he do everything by himself, with absolutely no help. Don't even think of putting him in his car seat, oh no, he can do that all by himself. Oh and if you think it is unacceptable to run out into the street, well think again, because Cooper Alexander is invincible! He can run into traffic, no problem. If he wants something, you better get it to him NOW or he will scream at the top of his little lungs until he gets it. If screaming doesn't get his point across, don't worry, he has mastered the free fall into a face down position so that he can have a full on tantrum on the spot, no prompting necessary!
He has come to a point where he can communicate pretty darn well, but if he can't tell you what he wants he gets very frustrated, and so do we. Man, my patience is tested every day. It is so hard to reason with him and remain cool. We are getting very creative on ways to get him to do what we want by making it out to seem like it is what he wants. We are working hard on teaching him to be patient as well. We are also working on respect and kindness. When he throws a fit, I lift him up, place him on his bed and say "Cooper, you are frustrated and so am I, we need a time out, come out when you are done." He does. He comes out with a huge smile on his face usually still covered with fresh tantrum tears and says "oh hi!" After time out he is ready to take on the day again, with a fresh new outlook and so am I. I am beginning to think that time out is as much for me as it is for him, that is for sure. Motherhood is challenging, no doubt about it, really hard.
At the end of the day I am exhausted. Luckily he sleeps beautifully now and bedtime is quite enjoyable. We lay down with him while he falls asleep and he tells us all about what he did that day in a very animated fashion. He gives us a big delicious kiss and says "muah!" and "I love you". Then he drifts off to sleep and I look down at my sleeping angel and realize that he is worth every tantrum, every scream, and every time out.

A Seattle Day

Yesterday when Cooper work up from his nap, I asked him "Coop, do you want to ride the bus down town?" He loved the idea! We packed him up in the ERGO and caught the bus right outside Doug's dad's house and headed down town. We hit the Pike Place Market. Cooper loved people watching. Doug and I picked up fresh fish, veggies, and orzo to make a yummy market fresh dinner. Before we caught the bus back home, we stopped at the Athenian for a frosty mug beer while Cooper ate a huge juicy peach. All in all, it was a very Seattle day!

Cooper's First Rock Concert

Today we took Coop to his first rock concert! It was for a band called Recess Monkey. Check out their web site at www.recessmonkeytown.com They play rock style music with lyrics for kids. They are playing all around town this week to celebrate their new album. The show we attended was at the observation deck of the Smith Tower. The views were breathtaking and the band was so fun. Doug sang with one of the band members in the Northwest Boy Choir as a kid and has stayed in touch with him, that is how we heard about the show.



We have really been enjoying Seattle. We go to a new park or beach every day! This city is so kid friendly. We have been catching up with old friends and really taking advantage or our time off together. This will be a summer we NEVER forget!

Adjusting

We have been in Seattle for about a week now. The first few days were a bit rough and very busy. As Doug said, we felt like people coming from a small town to a big city, we were in shock. Seattle was a little hard on us. First, our car got side swiped hit and run style! Thank goodness for insurance! Then we got a parking ticket. It was the hottest week Seattle has had all year, hotter than in Abq in fact. You may be saying didn't you just move from New Mexico? We sure did but there is air conditioning there and here you just have to suffer! Coop was having a tough time too and he is really missing Grammy and Po!
But, things have calmed down a ton and we are getting to know Seattle again. We have been to multiple parks and beaches and even took a ferry ride over to Indianola to visit Dougs mom. Dougs dad has been very gracious, letting us crash his home.
Stay tuned for home info. We may have a home of our own in the near future.
As for photos, we can't find our USB cable so we can't upload any right now but we will soon.
Hope all is well for everyone!