We made it!

Smiling again... phew!

What's that?  Is that a smile? Yup, it sure is!

The eye of the storm has passed finally.  Kenzie, our little ray of light, has returned from darkness.

Her cold is gone, and she is all smiles, hugs and kisses. Without being asked, she has decided to help me with the baby as much as she can. When I set Ketch on the ottoman she knows it's time for a diaper change. She brings me the wipes, a diaper and the vaseline. She loves to hold the bottle and when he cries she comes up and pats my back... it must be because I make a sad empathy face at Ketcher or perhaps she is simply thinking: You brought him home mom, good luck with that!

A snack bowl can be a
tantrum saver.

Since last Tuesday we have been working on different strategies that might help her stay in control. The most important was to cut out all screen time. That means no TV, movies, music, iphone apps, ipad apps, facetime, and anything else with a screen. That also means we keep our phones and computers off while she is awake. So if I haven't returned your call, text, or email, that's why. There is definitely a direct correlation between how much screen time she gets, and how nasty she becomes. This means, no rest for the weary (me).

I have also been mustering up any and all of my energy to spend on her when Ketcher is asleep.  I took back over bath time and bed time and all the meals, except breakfast. She is much happier having mommy back. Dan takes care of Ketcher during those times, so I am not distracted.  I started drawing out the bed time leaving routine to include lots of hugs, kisses and giggles before I leave the room. The last laughs she gives before I leave the room, wash away any of the tension leftover from the day. Which is good because I have Ketcher's witching hours to tackle, which last until midnight.

Our days include LOTS of outdoor time, which is great for my pasty winter-white legs.

Ok dad, lets go play!

She still has a moment here and there where she loses control, but we have an action plan now that works. She also has the usual tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants, but they are over in less than a minute, and we don't even justify them with a glance.

We still need some time to get our new routines set in stone, but we are getting there and the days are so much better. I recall from Kenzie's newborn days that things with Ketcher will get worse before they get better, so I am glad we have a handle on Kenz for now.