Sawyer: this week

Two year olds can push a parent to the brink of insanity. Sawyer is no exception. She is a "challenge" and as previously stated, a "spirited" child. This is nothing new. We noticed her "spirit" the day we brought her home from the hospital. She started crying that day and did not really take a break for the next six months. At six months, she became slightly easier to deal with but we noticed that she liked to play rough. She would, in her six-month old way, wrestle her 3 year old sister. I am not joking. She is really something.

She has challenged our parenting abilities and made us question our effectiveness countless times. Recently, Jason and I have changed our approach with Sawyer. Black and white does not work with her. She is all shades of gray. We now use the "kill with kindness" approach with Sawyer. Honestly, I kinda think that it is working. I'm not sure if she is simply thrown off by the love-fest we are showering on her, or if we have just finally figured out what works for her. Nonetheless, this week has been so much easier and we have really enjoyed Sawyer. She has been a delight. Oh yeah....and she went to daycare one morning and has had a babysitter to the house. I suppose the breaks that we have had have also been part of the success we are experiencing.

Finally, we are picking our battles with our little angel. We are allowing her to eat things that she wants, giving her myriad choices and picking her up to baby her as needed. In the picture, you will notice that Sawyer is dining on her new favorite cuisine: the peanut butter spoon. She loves it and I couldn't care less whether or not it is appropriate. Bon Appetit, Sawyer!