Fits and Temper Tantrums

So our sweet little boy has recently learned how to throw a real fit or temper tantrum, whatever you would prefer to call it. He has been throwing little fits for a while now, but this last week he has really been making an art form out of it. They are generally started because he can't have something or Mom or Dad won't do something with him RIGHT NOW! If the tantrum begins while I am holding him he will hit or kick at me and scream NO! So I put him down on the floor while he continually screams no and kicks and hits. I don't know if he actually means to hit and kick or if he is just flailing his arms and legs around. Anyway, Casey and I have learned quickly that when one of these begins it rarely works to try and distract him by giving him something he CAN have or showing him something else to do. This generally makes it worse or if he is starting to finally settle down it starts the whole thing over again. Last night, for example, Casey had been playing with him by giving him rides in the laundry basket (a game I regretfully started on laundry day, which was yesterday), but when it came time to stop he was not ready for it to be over and get ready for bed. He began swinging his arms and legs around and screaming NO over and over. So, Casey laid him down right where he was (in the middle of the hall) and let him go at it. We ignored him completely. If we had to go down the hall for something we just stepped over him as if he wasn't even there. It took quite a while (probably close to 15 minutes or so), but he eventually calmed down and realized he was not going to get his way. It used to be extremely hard for me to listen to him cry like that and it still is, but it is soooo much easier to handle when I KNOW what it is about and that he is OKAY! As long as I know it's about not getting his way and not because he is sick or hurt, I'm learning to walk away. We love him to death and I hope this is a phase he will grow out of if we continue not to give in to him when he acts this way.
On a brighter note, Tel brings us such joy. Although he is learning some undesireable behaviors, most likely typical of an 18 month old little boy, he is also learning a lot of fun and exciting things. He will bring me a book now and want me to sit and read to him, as long as there are only a few words per page, but now I can atleast read something before he is tearing at the pages. He talks to me like he knows exactly what he is saying (though none of it is understandable) and uses such funny body and facial expressions when he is telling me his stories. He takes my hand and can ask me to play with him by leading me to his blocks and then pulling down on my hand to have me sit. He loves for me to sit and stack blocks with him. He loves to mimick Casey and I when we are working, whether it is mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, or working on the addition, he wants to help. It is amazing how observant he is as he copies what we do with a screwdriver, hammer, or other tool. He also likes to play his own kind of dress-up by wearing Casey's head lamp, a hat, helmet, or his life vest. He can watch a movie now (not usually a whole movie in one sitting), and laugh at what he finds funny. He is full of smiles and has learned to give kisses and hugs and wave goodbye to his dad in the moring. We are so thankful for him and love him more than we ever thought possible.

Too tired to wait for lunch.

Playing dress-up with Dad's head lamp even though he's not feeling well.

Hanging out with Dad after sanding our mud seams in the bathroom addition.

Crazy hair after taking his beanie hat off.

Helping Mom clean up the yard.