If G thought Chen An was throwing tantrums before, she is so wrong.
Chen An was just giving a preview of the mayhem he can create...he is now a walking tantrum machine.
Tear his bread into half - scream!!
Not letting him eat gummy bear cos it's dinner time - scream scream!!
Took his toy away cos he threw it on the floor - scream scream scream!!!
For reasons unknown to everyone - scream! kick! roll!
G has reached the end of her sanity by the time Chen An reaches the last stage. And indeed, that's what a tantrum really is about.
Unreasonable, but enough reason for a mother to break down. G came very close to losing it all...very very close. Fortunately, with that last bit of sanity, G manage to walk away and took a time-out for herself.
Now, everyday is a matter of trying to keep Chen An as calm as possible. Minimal tantrums is the aim...no tantrums is a dream.
Everything happens for a reason, and so G believes that a combo of disruptions of Chen An's routine has led to this season of screamingkickingrolling. Firstly, the 2 weeks in away in Melbourne, including the flights might have kickstarted the whole process. In an unfamiliar land, doing unfamiliar things and eating unfamiliar food...and meeting unfamiliar faces. That's gotta be quite scary for an almost-2 year old.
And then upon return, his beloved sarong has been stored away and transiting into napping on a mattress...then in a matter of days, he no longer sleeps in his cot at night, but on the mattress in G's mother's room.
Then to top it all off, school holidays started and he no longer gets to go to school after his morning milk. In the midst of trying to find his bearings, he fell sick.
Disruptions everywhere...no wonder he's cranky.
And now being 21+ months old, Chen An is starting to learn that he is an independent person, with his own mind and therefore, he starts to try to exert his control over the adults. The fight for independence has begun...
All the reading has helped G understand these points. But understanding is one thing, to apply the strategies is another. Besides, many of the strategies don't work...at least not consistently. And among the family, everyone has their own method of dealing with the tantrums.
So the inconsistencies is yet another disruption which Chen An is taking full advantage of to fuel his tantrums.
Terrible twos...and some say it last till the kid hits 4-5 years old. G can feel herself hyperventilating...
On a happier note, J and G are expecting their 2nd little panda (which J now refers to as MK-II...apparently an improved version). Currently at 16 weeks, and EDD is on G's birthday - 22 Nov 2014 :)
Might be age, or just the G is not as fit, but this pregnancy is very different from the first. The nausea and bloating (and retching and belching) are much worse, the aversion of meat extends to all types of meat, the backache has already kicked in and the cramps are starting to bother G at night. On top of that, G is dealing with the usual symptoms - mood swings, frequent need for toilet and poor sleep. Overall, it's been a trying period, especially with Chen An clambering for G's attention all the time. G is also desperately trying to avoid carrying Chen An to prevent straining her already sore back and wrists...but that little panda has morphed into a little koala, clawing his way up G no matter how much she try to avoid it.
Nonetheless, despite all the discomfort and emotional roller coaster, G is glad that MK-II seem to be doing well so far. In a month's time, G will be going for the detailed scan...and this time round, for the benefit of Chen An (and J's parents), J and G will find out the gender of MK-II. Kind of takes the element of surprise away...but it will be easier to prepare Chen An (and to stop the endless gender-related questions that's been asked since the day G announced her pregnancy...)
Exciting days ahead indeed...hopefully G will start to feel less sick and more upbeat...and Chen An will slowly ease out of this volatile phase soon...
