Public Tantrum

Not counting the many times Ian has cried when I've dropped him off at the nursery or Sunday School, today was the first time I recall one of my children having a tantrum in a public place. Nadia and Ian had dentist appointments this morning. My mom took them to their appointment earlier this year (in June) because I was on bed rest then. Nadia had her fourth "real" appointment (meaning the fourth time she had a cleaning, flouride treatment, exam by the dentist, etc.). I heard lots of laughter and singing coming from her chair. Ian played with the train table in the waiting room while I nursed Oliver. When I was done nursing him, we went back with a different hygenist so she could do a little exam of Ian's mouth. He asked to wear the special glasses that he had seen Nadia was wearing in the other chair. He enjoyed the "ride" in the chair. The hygenist noted he had gotten more teeth in the past 6 months. He's only missing 3 molars. He did very well during his brief exam. The hygenist said he was ready for a "real" appointment in June.

We then went back to the waiting room while Nadia's appointment continued. The dentist told me she sang "happy birthday" to him (today is his birthday). When Nadia was done, I told the kids to put their jackets on. Ian had a total meltdown. A full blown tantrum. I couldn't get him calmed down so I decided to just pick him up and carry him out (without a jacket on), which was difficult because I was also holding Oliver. I took them out on the porch and then the receptionist and one hygenist came out and helped me get the kids in the car. I was grateful for their help and embarassed at how Ian's behavior. I guess I should be grateful that it was the first time this happened to me, and I've been a mom for 4.5 years. Ian came down with a cold last Thursday, and it hasn't helped his behavior that he hasn't been feeling well. Sunday morning he fell asleep in the van on the way to church at 9am! This morning he came in our room at 6:15am but then after Paul took him back he didn't come back until 7:15am. He had been in bed with us from 5:15am onward on Sunday morning, and I said that wasn't happening again any time soon.

I found todays' tantrum embarassing, but I guess probably every parent has had a child have a tantrum in public at some point or another. I will be thrilled if I can wait another 4.5 years before it happens again. :-) Time will tell, but just based on how the three kids were at the age of 4 months old, Oliver is my easiest baby. He seems to be getting into a pattern of going to bed at night sometime between 8:30-9:15pm and then sleeping until 6:30-7:15am. For example, last night he slept from 8:45pm until 7:15am. Way to go, Oliver! He usually is up for 3-4 hours before he takes a 1-2 hour nap, and then he's up another 3-4 hours before he takes another 1-2 hour nap. Today they were both only 1 hour long. Usually one of them is 1 hour long and the other is 2 hours long.

Paul submitted chapter one to his advisor (electronically) at 2:30 this morning (in our bedroom). There are definitely disadvantages to the computer being in our bedroom now, but I am glad Oliver has his own bedroom. Hopefully his advisor will approve that chapter this week. Today one more tenure track position in PA was posted that Paul plans to apply for, which brings the total to 5 for the spring semester and 12 for the fall semester. We'd appreciate your prayers for a job for Paul! I got paid $50 for my flute gig this weekend, which was my first paycheck since the end of October. I've been the primary breadwinner for the first 11.25 years of our marriage, but that changed last month.