Growing pains

   It's remarkable how the absence of Manny's pacifier has brought about changes in his disposition.  To begin with he has not asked for it since the day we put them all away, sealed in a Ziploc baggie, high up in the cupboards.  He has been asking for me instead, and more so than he did before.  

   He gets upset very easily these days and he cries for me when I leave the room.  In fact, he cries when I am in the room too.  He just cries...a lot.  He is hard to please.  I am often coaching him..."Manny, tell me what you need...what is it ?...tell me why you are crying."  Sometimes we make progress and he tells me and the problem gets solved.  Sometimes he just cries and the reason why eludes us all.  More and more I am learning to discern when it is an issue I need to correct (poor attitude) and when there is a legitimate need he is having trouble expressing.

   My little guy who once LOVED going outside, can't seem to decide whether he cares for it anymore.  He still gets very excited about getting his shoes on, but after his brothers and sisters run out the door he stands there frozen, just looking out at them.  The door is shut, they tried to get him to follow but he wouldn't go.  He stands there crying saying "Side!, Side!" (outside) but when I open the door for him he stands still.  At this point I'm really hoping he makes up his mind soon.  I walk with him out the door and onto the porch.  He comes with me but he's still crying.  Now he wants to go back inside!  The only conclusion I could come to is that what he really wants is to have me be his perpetual sidekick.  I guess that pacy brought more security than I had realized.  I decided to go out on the porch step with him and hold him on my lap for a little while.  Yes, being a mom can be rather inconvenient at times, but when you sense a need you aim to meet it.  I kissed his sweet little buzz-cut head and squeezed his precious little frame.

Yes, Manny is experiencing some growing pains...and the rest of us are too.  

It's amazing how much little ones help us to grow into Christ-likeness, is it not?

This little blanket I'm making provided some relaxing productivity as I was sick the past couple of days.

I'm happy to say I am on the mend and feeling so much better today!