Trouble at Daycare

So Bridger has had a rough couple weeks or week I should say at daycare.

 

A few weeks ago he came home 3 different times with bite marks in various areas, one being on his face next to his eye that bruised a little. I didn’t say much because I know this happens at this age and these little guys are either teething, or thinking they are playing. I didn’t angry or mad, I just let it go and hoped it wouldn’t happen anymore.

 

Well, this past week Bridger has become the biter. He and another little girl do not get along supposedly, and she is who bit him and he has now started biting her. He also bit the teacher one day. We have had several discussions on this and what to do. I can’t discipline him at home because well, he isn’t doing it at home. I can’t correct him when I pick him up because that isn’t fair – it needs to be addressed immediately. Although it sounds bad, we have bit Bridger back before (not hard) but for him to get the point that biting is not ok. Obviously daycare can’t do that to teach him and I am not sure if that is the correct procedure anyway.

 

Monday morning I was called into the director’s office to discuss his problem. For some reason momma bear came out and I was pretty upset when I left. I’m not by any means stating it is ok to bite, because it isn’t. For some reason I feel as if he has the big finger at him at all times, maybe I’m missing the picture, but just the way they talk to me about it and him….and how they always mention how he is “overly active” and the “loudest screamer” and he can’t sit still long, etc. like they really don’t like him or they are all around bothered by him. Just an overall negative vibe. Again, just my own feelings and I could be viewing it wrong, and I’m really trying hard not to. I have talked to them, all of them and discussed discipline measures that could help Bridger….after all consistency is what’s important. They don’t “discipline” at his daycare. I don’t expect them to spank him of course, but a simple time out, something he is very well known to at home, could be followed thru at daycare as well. I am not sure how they are handling the situation because I am not there, but obviously what is happening in reaction to him biting isn’t working. We have addressed it at home and were successful, so something is definitely not happening at daycare.

 

I’m not trying to just defend my child, but I feel as if they should be helping a little bit more trying to fix this issue and helping him learn right from wrong….. My child is with them 10 hours a days and only with me not even 3 hours.(awake). I’m fully relying on his day providers to help teach him and guide him in the correct direction and put time and effort into helping each and every child and reiterate and teach what I am already trying to install him him. After all, if you have a daycare isn’t that your goal, isn’t that what you are set up to do? You are helping in forming his future with us, the parents.

 

They have mentioned how he is the only one in the class that acts up, cries and throws tantrums. Every child is different, and every child needs different methods of correction. Not every daycare, or school, or homecare will want to take the time and effort to do that. That is what I am analyzing now. Some fits just aren’t good. As much as I loved this daycare, maybe it just isn’t a good fit for him. Not anyone’s fault, just happens.

 

Ever since Bridger was born we knew he had our hands full, he never wanted to sit still and always wanted to see what was going on….never wanted to be confined to anything or kept in tight places.

I feel as if people that do not have children like my own, do not fully understand children like Bridger…or understand that you really need different tactics!  At least I believe that from what I have seen. They think it is either bad parenting or maybe something else, but mostly bad parenting and I have experienced this myself as well until I had one of those “kids”.  Maybe my parenting isn’t up to par, I am a first time mommy.

But this little boy is 100% headstrong and sometimes hard to handle. I do not want to spend his childhood spanking him every single time he throws a tantrum or acts out…because it would be often. He isn’t “bad” but he isn’t calm or interested in what anyone has to say. I fully believe in discipline and we do discipline but not all things may work. Each kid has different things that work best….I do not want an out of control little boy, but I am needing some good info and good advice that we haven’t yet tried that very well could get thru to him. Some children you can just warn them and tell them “that isn’t nice”, Bridger could care less. His attention span is a couple minutes….he can’t focus or even listen to what you are saying..most kids get it. Not him. That is where the different tactics come in. He doesn’t sit on your lap and look around, he doesn’t let you read him a book, he doesn’t stay quiet and just watch, he is 100% fully engaged with everything going on…constantly talking his talk, screaming to be heard, or getting frustrated because he can’t talk. Wanting to be in the middle of what’s going on and on the move if he is awake.

 

Maybe I am just defending him and need to be hard on him all the time. Just seems so harsh for a 16month old, maybe us the parents need to snap out of it. I don’t want to be blinded by any means. Possibly it is our fault.

 

I have gotten a book called The Happiest Toddler on the Block, I haven’t had the chance to read it but I have got to make the time to sit down and read it. Something very valuable could be in there and could possibly be the best info for us yet.

 

Overall I am frustrated at daycare, at the fact that I feel as if it is my fault he is acting up in class, although this is 100% his personality, but maybe I just keep using that excuse and am not disciplining enough. I don’t want to constantly be correcting my child the entire time he is awake and spanking him the entire day….I want him to be happy and have a happy childhood. Time to get searching in different ways to help your child. Hope I can find something helpful, I don’t want my sweet baby being kicked out of daycare. =)

 

Update: Bridger has had a better week this week.He got bit yesterday...see he isn't the only biter!! He also got into a little scuffle and hit another child.......

 He bit another child today as a result of the kid trying to take a book from him. They said Bridger is talking a lot more and responding so much better to them re-correcting him. I think he is feeling better and his daddy has been home this week which I am sure is helping him as well.

I am guessing they are trying different tactics finally and realizing what I am saying about being able to discipline is him differently or approach him differently.

I hope he can continue to have a good week and not have anymore issues! Fingers crossed!

Embroideries

Our friends mom has recently got into embroidering her own things. She bought the machine and has learned how to use it! Impressive!! She makes her granddaughter so many cute things and also all of the extras for her husband and sons fishing team!!

I love getting things embroidered! I wish I would've done more of Bridger's things when he was a baby because I think that is when it is even more precious!! I would embroider everything if I could and if I had the money to support it!

So I contacted our friends mom and she did a couple of items for me! I am so happy with the result and of course makes me a little more excited knowing that I know someone who does it, just in case I may need something embroidered again....which I'm sure I will!

Here is what I had done for baby Isabella!

I also had bought this pillow case a the Peddler show a few months ago and I wanted to get it embroidered....so WALA!

Busy weekend with Daddy!!!

Daddy was off the entire weekend!!! We were so excited.

We started off by going to the Flour Bluff Homecoming football game and watching Katelynn cheer. We showed up a little late because we knew Bridger wasn't going to be the best. It didnt even start till after his bedtime! He wasn't the best but he did last thru half time. Mabye next year he will be a little bit better.

Saturday we got up and headed to Houston. We took our time, no rush. We got the zoo late afternoon, which turned out to be a good time because it was hot and being there in the middle of the afternoon would've sucked! Bridger and I were in jeans. They were doing boo at the zoo,but we didn't dress Bridg up, I'm sure as he gets older he will be better.
The zoo wasn't a hit after all. I was very excited to take him but he wasn't very interested at all. We tried the petting zoo first and foremost, but he didn't want to touch the animals...the big animals I thought he would love he looked at for a few seconds and he was over it. He did good though because it watched all the other kids running around and playing and screaming.We only stayed an hour and 1/2. I think his most favorite thing was when we stopped and bought him an adorable stuff animal giraffe. This little boys sure loves his stuffed animals.

I thought this shoebill Pelican thing was fake! I can't remember his correct name, but I really thought he was fake and I had to watch him closely for a minute.He was definitely real!! He jsut sat there and hung out!!

This was his as interested as he was....haha. He was just woried about his yogurt bites and water! =)

After the zoo we headed to the Premium Outlets in Houston. We were stuck in traffic for awhile, but ended up getting there at dusk, it was perfect timing! It was so nice out with a light breeze! We walked around and stopped in some store that Bridger would let us....He was so tired and not into shopping. I had been waiting to go to the Coach outlet for awhile now and was super excited to get there. I walked around numerous times trying to decide on my favorites. I already had in mind what I wanted and guess what...out of the gigantic store they didn't have it. I found another and check out, I fell even further in love with it when I checked out and got a killer deal. Later the next morning I asked Ryan if we could go back so I could get another purse. He thought I was kidding. Ha! Not so much.

We stayed with the Searbys and had beer and pizza and Bridger stayed up way late playing with AnnDreas nephew. Sunday morning we got up and AnnDrea and I headed out to her first baby shower! I am so excited for her and Mike and I can't wait to meet baby Isabella. They already have so much stuff done and her room is so cute! She got a ton of gifts at the shower and still has 2 showers left. It is such an exciting time and I am happy I was there to share with her and able to help contribute to Isabella's spoiled-ness! Its hard not to shop for little girls!! Too many cute things! She is already so loved and now we just have to wait for her arrival, mommy says she would love Dec 21st. =)

And her sister -n-law is also pregnant! Due April 14th!! We are so excited for Laura and Tim! I love all these babies!!

1 year ago

I can't believe just 1 year ago I had an infant! Now I have a head strong little toddler! Bridger is such a blessing and is so perfect! He fills my heart, he is such a joy to be around. I never knew what people would mean when they said you experience a love like no other when you have a child, until I had my own. He is my entire world. I can't imagine not being able to spend every single day with him. I want to take him everywhere with me, and show him everything that I can. I absolutely LOVE being his mother.

It has been so amazing to see how fast they learn and grow. I knew they grew fast, but not this fast. I feel like the first year of his life was gone with a blink of an eye. I wish I could slow down time just a little and make more time to take in all these moments with him. I want to remember everything! I want to remember the way he sounds as he drinks a bottle (we are about to pull him off bottles), I want to remember that sweet face he has when he cries..I want to remember the smell of him as a baby......I want to remember the way he always opens his mouth and barely lets his tongue hang....I want to remember how he used to snuggle every night with me and fall asleep on my shoulder....I want to remember the laugh he does when he is so tickled! I'm afraid these memories won't be so fresh in a few more years. I am trying to go slower and soak in all of these moments with my sweet love.

1 year ago he was only 4 months going on 5.....such a baby, an infant, pure amazement. He has blessed our family in so many ways. He adds so much fun and laughter to our day, I could have a bad day and just see him smile at me and it all goes away. One simple hug and kiss from him, melt away any worries or fears. How he grabs for my hand when he is scared....or hugs my legs as hard as he can.....are all precious moments I adore.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband and father to our son. Once Bridger welcomed our family we grew so much closer, which I never thought would happen. I would always hear stories how stress of a new baby comes between the 2 of you, etc. Of course we have had our times....but it has brought us so much closer. We both love being parents more than anything, words cannot describe the feeling. It is the most rewarding job that we both have held and will continue to hold for the rest of our lives. It really is amazing.

I sometimes catch myself sneaking into Bridgers room at night to caress his face or rub his back while he is sleeping. Every single night since he has been in his own room, I have never gone to bed without opening the door and checking on him, I have to see him and his sweetness before going to bed. Making sure everything is ok...even though I know it is. I kept him in my room till he was 6 months old....and was forced to finally move him into his own room because he was outgrowing the basinett! haha I didn't want my baby that far from me! Thank goodness for video monitors!

I love each and every stage that he goes through.....wait...talk to me again at terrible twos or threes...kidding. I really love seeing him learn new things by himself or with the help of us. He is so smart and his face always lights up to new things.

I can only hope that Ryan and I can teach him everything possible that we can. I hope that I can be someone that he looks up to one day and is proud to call his mom. I don't want to fail or disappoint him. I hope I can make his dreams come true and push him hard to reach his goals. I will always be by his side and be his #1 fan! I want to give him the world and so much more........

Mommy loves you SO much Bridg Bear!!!

*** The face when he cries.....awww!

I love to read other peoples blogs and have so many favorites.....it often breaks my heart to read the stories of these women that have lost a child.....or cannot even conceive...or even worse, cannot conceive with your own child because of a rare disease that is fatal to your children. Sometimes I have to take breaks from reading these blogs because my heart hurts so much for them, but I always feel horrible....they never can take a break.
I often pray for people going thru these hard times.... being a mother as truley changed me, and I believe it has changed me for the best.
Im not sure if it is due to being a new mother, but I can't even stand to hear about or read stories that involve children getting hurt, or worse, dying. I hate it. The world today is such a hard harsh place. I am always so scared that I can't protect Bridger from it all, but we can't live our lives in fear. I have to trust all will be ok, just like all these women in their blogs have done. They are all such inspirations, and I am so happy that I have ran into all of their blogs.

Our weekend

Saturday morning I woke up at 4am to a crying baby. I got him a bottle and went back to bed. Around 8am I heard him crying and again and had a slow reaction out of my sleep. Because I have been sick too, I sleep so much harder! Once I finally woke up, I heard a crazy water running noise. Like a toilet filling up noise. I got up and started towards the noise...and my screaming baby. I opened my bedroom door and much to my surprise....water covered the entire floor!!!!
I basically freaked out! Ran and turned the light on in restroom and it was the toilet running! I hurry and grabbed Bridger and called my mom to rush her and Jamie over to help me. I tried to turn the toilet off, but obviously I suck.....Jamie got there and turned it off.....and we started cleaning  up the water in the hallway and seeing what damage it did.....
Both of the front 2 spare rooms were completely under, both hallways and part of Bridgers room, and of course the restroom. It was horrible. I called the property manager immediately and waited to hear what to do.
I had a couple errands to run....so I did. I finally got her and let her know what happened. To make a REALLY LONG story short....our house flooded and it took them aawhile to fix it. It smelled horrible for days! Finally by Monday someone came in and cleaned out the old carpet and cleaned the floors. Tuesday they replaced the carpet....i love new carpet smell. We are all good now on the rooms. Toilet is off for now.....needs to be replaced. Property manager doesn't really get it.
Unfortunatetely, the water did damage some of the walls in the hallway and the restroom. Again, I am waiting on word as to what they are going to do about it. However, because it has been so long...I'm sure mold could be starting....not sure how big of a job it will be to replace.....so we are not going to buy this house anymore. I am so bummed! We were going to get a good deal on it, I love it, Its big...big enough for us...but of course we can't buy something that has mold starting to grow. Im super bummed....moving on.

Aside from going to the Palmer's, we had family pictures scheduled for sunday morning! I haven't seen any proofs yet...but I sure hope they turned out good! We have never taken professional pictures before as a family, or outside. Hopefully we got some good shots.....these were going to be my christmas cards this year!!!

Overall, it was a crazy packed weekend. A flooded house just made it 100 times worse.

Bridger looking so cute in his coral polo.....not pink....coral.

This is Bridgers newest thing...he is constantly sticking his tongue out! I have no idea where he got it from or how it started. My mom informed me the other day that this was something that I used to do when I was a little girl! How funny that Bridger is now doing it as well! He is so cute!

This is Bob....Ryans mom and her boyfriend found this at his rental house. The people had moved out and refused to come and get the rest of their stuff and among it was this cute dinosaur. Bridger wasn't sure what to think of it, but I am sure he will be loving it one day! You turn it on and it walks....turns its head, flares its nostrils, and makes dinosaur noises....it is so cute!! I love it!!

Sickness in the Harris Household

We have been sick here for the last couple of weeks. Ever since Bridger got pink eye he hasn't gotten better. I started feeling bad last week....and it has slowly gotten worse. I lost my voice Saturday night and I haven't gotten it back yet. Makes it hard talking on the phone or to others. It goes in and out.....it is driving me crazy. I believe I have a sinus infection...but i don't know. I don't have insurance yet so I am just toughening it out! Hopefully I can and it gets better instead of worse.

I got Bridger into the doctor this morning and he has a sinus infection. We got some meds and I am hoping by tomorrow night he will be almost back to himself. I miss my happy little boy that would eat normal and sleep thru the night!
Today he weighed 23 lbs (lost just 1 lb from when he had pink eye) and is 32 inches tall! Growing sweet boy!

It is so nice going to a normal doctor with insurance! We hardly had to wait and it was great! The procedure is so much different than Bridger's other pediatrician in Beaumont, but it is awesome!

I really like our doctor and I think that this is going to be a great place!! Bridger did good most of the time in the waiting room in the back.....

He took this wipe and decided that he was going to wipe his nose! It was SO cute! I haven't taught him this so it was so adorable to watch him wipe his own nose.

Then he walked up the trash can and threw it away! I couldn't believe how smart my sweet boy is! I have never asked him to do either of these things! I am a proud mommmy! He picks up on everything!!!

Flour Bluff Homecoming Parade

Monday night was the kick start for Flour Bluffs homecoming parade. We got lucky and Daddy came home and we were able to go check out the parade and watch Katelynn cheer in it. I always worry how good Bridger will be when we do things after work, but he did good while we waited for the parade to make it down our way. We had lots of snacks and Memaw there to entertain!
This is the longest parade I have ever seen! Alright, maybe I don't go to many parades...but seriously...floats just kept coming and coming. I didn't take many pictures, but I saw some of friends and there were some cool floats towards the end.
We left at dark. Bridger was so tired and the fun had worn off. He loved the big trucks that would honk their horns and he would put his hand up in the air like he was going to wave....but that is where it stopped. It was so cute! He loved all the loud noises.....but there is only so much a little boy can handle. We tried to make it to the end of the to cross the street back to our car....but we couldn't see the end of the line! holy moly! Seriously the longest parade ever!!!
It was fun to see Katelynn cheer and all the other cute floats that everybody made up. Next year I am sure it will be more entertaining for Bridger.