I should've ______ but instead _______.

Yesterday was a monumental day for our family, namely Georgia!
She had the BIGGEST, LOUDEST tantrum ever seen before.. I'm sure if you were at La Cantera yesterday afternoon you know exactly what I'm talking about!
Most of you weren't so I'm going to tell you how it all went down by playing a little game called 'I should've _____ but instead ______.'

I should've kept her strapped in the stroller but instead I allowed her to walk.
I should've let Emmaline give her 'her seat' back when she offered but instead I made E sit there to teach Georgia a lesson on sharing.
I should've just turned around and high-tailed it home at the first high pitched squeal but instead I was determined to finish my shopping.
I should've taken her to the bathroom and spanked her but instead I tried the ol' "I'm leaving now, you need to come on" which only fueled her anger.
I should've called security over to deal with this 'lost child' but instead I claimed her as mine. (ok, so maybe not this one, but I sure considered it)
I should've given the security guard a dirty look but instead just ignored the fact that he followed me to my car and sat and watched as I put them in their seats (not sure if he thought I was stealing her or worried I would beat her senseless but he never said a word).
I should've never thought going to the mall after a school day was a good idea but instead was selfish and went for it anyway. (the get short naps those days and it shows..Emmaline actually fell asleep on the way home)
Seriously I have never experienced a child get this worked up..she was fire mad, red-faced..I thought her head might explode for a while there. She was throwing things, pushing things, throwing herself on the ground and screaming in different ranges and octaves. People were literally stopped in their tracks and would simply turn their bodies around to watch as she made her way through the mall. Of course it was a gorgeous day so it was crowded! Not a single person said a word to me, not a single look of "I'm sorry for you" or anything.
This picture was taken on a different day during a different tantrum!I kept foolishly thinking it would end, she would get tired of it and just walk quietly. I tried to carry her but that was an even uglier site. Unfortunately, when we got to the road I had to carry her for her safety. The sun was beating down on us, Hayes was crying at this point because of the longevity of the tantrum and I had G with my left arm around her waist with her body flailing around because she didn't want to be held. We were all sweating, I thought I would drop her and I was trying to push my stroller with my right hand. All the while the guard was following us. It was amazing. I would smile, laugh, frown a bit, ignore them..what can you do? I would love to say I won the battle, but I'm not really sure that's the case. G didn't really seem to care. She told Daddy when he asked what happened at the mall, "I was crying". That was it! So onward goes the quest for how I will continue to handle tantrums. And I thought I needed the book "Strong-willed Child" for Emmaline! Ha, I was confused!

I should've ate more for dinner that night but instead washed the pain away with beer and red velvet cake balls!

Hayes Bryant is 7 months

This has been a pretty quick month! HB has changed and grown so much!
*He is sitting up better each day and rolling more comfortably around in search of his toys. He loves rattles and crinkle toys, basically anything that makes noise! He still likes his jumper but not for as long as he used to!*When he is in his happy place (nursing or in a highchair about to get food)he twirls his little ankles and wrists around! It is so cute and funny..I wonder if it will turn in to a nervous or excited habit when he is older?!?
*He is starting to create more leverage with his knees so he can scoot a little bit, though I bet it will be a while before he actually crawls! *He is such a happy boy, smiling at most anyone he sees, laughs a lot and is so fun to tickle! He squeals when he wants something, gets excited or if he sees me and I don't pick him up! *He has started babbling a lot too..he goes on rants with the Bs (Babababa) and Ms (Mamamama - yes, that's right..it sounds like Mama!!) It is so fun to listen to him and the girls totally egg it on! They also love when he blows raspberries and thinks he is hilarious!*Hayes wears size 3 diapers & 9-18 months clothes.
*His hair is growing in nicely and is still white-blonde and fuzzy!
*He has no teeth but is drooling like crazy and wants to chew on everything, so maybe soon..his sisters both got their first tooth in their 7th month also!*His eating habits slowed down then really picked up..he kindof went on a strike and refused baby food for a few weeks, but is back on track eating twice a day. He is snacking on cheerios, goldfish, crackers, noodles, rice, beans & pancakes..he also still drinks water from his sippy cup well! He rarely gets a bottle so I am hoping we can phase it out and move on to a sippy cup for anything he needs to drink. I started packing those Organic Baby Food Pouches (like Plum brand) to take wherever we go and they are So easy..I love them and he does too..don't need a spoon or anything just help him squeeze it in his mouth and he sucks it down like a straw! COOLEST THING EVER!!*He still loves his paci but I am pushing a blankie on him too in hopes he can use it as a lovey and we can get rid of the paci in due time!
*Hayes likes to sit in his stroller now and really be a part of whatever we are doing. He also likes high chairs and shopping carts and is such a big boy in them. If he is sleeping he wakes up immediately when we get somewhere, so gone are the days of carseat carrier naps! We also got lots of clothes from our friend Britton and Mason..doesn't he look cute in this sailor outfit!?!
*His naps are getting more regular, one in the morning, one longer in the afternoon and then maybe a short one around 6 PM. He is ready for bed around 8 and falls asleep pretty easily. He is sleeping through the night about 3-4 nights/week and the others he wakes once to eat. I know it isn't necessary but it is so much easier than listening to him cry..he will eat for less than 10 minutes and goes back to bed versus crying for who knows how long.
* This month's big first was going swimming! He loved it and was so cute kicking around and watching his wild sisters jumping in the pool! We love you, HB, and have really enjoyed seeing you turn into a big boy this month! Your smile is contagious and you are so loved! I cherish the moments when you grab my shirt so tightly and shyly lay your head down on my shoulder! I thank God for you daily! You are pure sweetness!

Art you glad I posted these??

Candy cane art! We used leftover colored candy canes and made our names out of the pieces then melted it in the oven so we could mold them. The girls loved this easy activity and they may have been eaten soon afterwards! And I liked it because I cleaned out space in my pantry!

Georgie made her cool Mardi Gras mask at school..AND I know it's 2 months past due! It is just a paper plate with glue and glitter and a popsicle stick with ribbon wrapped around it..Emmaline was so jealous and loved this though..thinking of doing a variation of these for 4th of July or Halloween! She was so proud of her mask!

HB 'made' these at his class during my Bible study..I love that he and Jesus are the same size! Makes me laugh ev.e.ry.time!
This little flower is so sweet and I love that the women that keep him do these crafts..they get so excited when he shows up and I know they love on him for 2 hours straight! Makes my heart happy! I am looking forward to Bible Study next fall and for HB to make some new friends too!

What Emmaline's learning these days..

E is obsessed these days with learning new things..it seems she comes home from school or playing with friends and wants to learn to do something new. It is really fun to see her determination and how she reacts when things are harder than they appear! She got to pick a toy out at Toys R Us and picked a hoola hoop! They have been playing with them in her fitness class in various ways so she had been talking about one for a while! She was really excited! Here she is doing her thang!

I absolutely love her little shimmies she does at the end in an attempt to keep it going..she shakes her waist and her arms in little circles so fast!! Too cute! And what may have been even more cute was her smile when she watched the video!
When she gets frustrated she usually stamps her foot and clenches her fists..We have been trying to tell her it takes practice to get 'good' at something! I decided to show her how to position it and get it going..and after my pitiful try (it went around like 4 times) she said, "WOW, Mom, you are really good at hoola hooping!"
She also is in process of learning how to whistle. She is ok right now and can at least make noise come out..her daddy is teaching her this because it is another thing I am not good at! I guess I could relearn these things with her and then by the time HB is wanting to do them I would be AWESOME at them!! Right?? Practice makes perfect, or so I hear..