Sentimentality Comes with a Price

One day at work a student asked my assistant what she did with her Christmas cards when the Holiday was over. "I throw them away", she answered nonchalantly. The thought of throwing away Christmas cards was so foreign to me that her response left me speechless. I just stared at her dumbfoundedly for a moment trying to wrap my brain around it.How can she throw away a greeting card from someone she only hears from once a year?It seemed so disrespectful."I keep mine." I said. "Oh, that's so nice that you have the space. I simply have no room." My assistant pleasantly responded (out loud). I imagine she was thinking something else.Not only do I keep every Christmas card but I keep every ticket stub, receipt, or worthless scrap of paper that is associated with a meaningful event. I like to stumble upon them and think about the experience.My name is Kendrick Dyer and I am overly sentimental.The price I pay(besides developing unhealthy attachments)? Clutter.The good news is that I hate clutter. If I didn't, I would EASILY become one of these hoarders like I saw on Oprah recently. Being able to throw things away or give them to Goodwill is a constant battle for me. But I manage to keep useless items to a minimum. Recently, however, I've discovered that the battle is going to continue to get worse. The clutter monster has begun to reproduce with Sophia's artwork from Sunday School.
Several of these pieces are made from Sophia's handprints.

I think the point of using your child's hand for a project is to be able to see how she's grown. So why would I throw them away? Documenting my child's growth is important, right? O.K., I'll keep the handprints.But the handprints are just a drop in the bucket. She has several other adorable projects and assignments that I don't have the heart to get rid of. Yesterday she got her first report card. It was from her swim class. I think I'll keep that too.The thing that makes getting rid of things easier is to maintain a thankful attitude for the things that I do have.

Opposites Attract

A reoccurring observation in our children's lives is that they are "SO DIFFERENT!" And really, 6 months into my son's life, everyday brings new and shocking ways just how different they are. Anyone who knows me is probably tired of hearing the following phrase:

"...but Sophia was SOOOOOOOO easy"

As if Ethan was supposed to be too.

Sophia adjusted to change easily, she loved to eat, and she loved to sleep.

Not Ethan. Ethan hates change. He hates to eat, he hates to sleep, Hates noises, lights, and staying still. He hates experiencing the slightest discomfort: Bubbles, gas, a MOIST diaper. And he will protest until we figure out what he is unhappy about. And I am the only one who who can interpret his crys and take the appropriate action (I am, really. It's not an ego thing. We've established a routine. That's another thing he hates, deviating from his routine.) Which is why it is so difficult for me to leave him with anyone, even Allan.

I was thinking this morning as a was tapping him on his fanny (not too hard and in a moderate tempo, a way that puts him to sleep when all else fails), That I should create a Troubleshooting Manual for him when I leave him with somebody. It might look something like this:

Problem-

Ethan is crying before it's time for him to sleep.

Has he eaten in 3 hrs.? no - feed him

yes-

Is his diaper dry? no-change him

yes-

Does he need to burp? yes- stand him up and pat his back or put him in his excosaucer

no-

Does he have gas? yes- pump his legs in a bicycle motion

no-

Teething? yes-Tylenol

no-

Went to bed late? yes- Then he's probably overly tired and will need to be swaddled, given the binky, held tightly and bounced on the bed without making eye contact. He'll arch his back, scream, and act like he wants down. Don't be fooled. Now, firmly pat the fanny.

no-

Then he probably just wants mama and, well, have fun.