Adjustment or Just Being Two?

So...when I reported that Nathan has made the adjustment to being a big brother smoothly, I wasn't entirely truthful. He has done, under the circumstances (me being in the hospital, a little brother to take our attention, company, no power, schedule a little askew) remarkably well. The ONE thing that has happened, though, is that he has become even more attached to me than he was before. He has always been a "mamma's boy"...however, now it is very extreme. He is having extreme separation anxiety. EXTREME!

The places (i.e. Nan and Pap's, school, church, bedtime) that he used to excitedly and willingly go, have now become places of extreme anxiety. He has gotten more used to school and church the last week or so...meaning, he only whimpers when I leave him. However, going to Nan and Pap's house he has huge emotional meltdowns. He is fine if I am there and around (but he has to know where I am at at all times)...but seems to completely lose it when I go to leave, or they come and pick him up. It is heart wrenching for me to hear (what sounds like) his heart breaking and begging to "just stay with Momma". He does this a tiny bit when I leave, and Jonathon is with him, though not as bad. And when I am around, like I said, he has to know where I am at all times...and often follows me everywhere I go.

Now, within 5 minutes of me being out of sight, he normally calms down as if nothing happened...so he can't be that heart broken, can he?

My question to all you "pros" out there is: What is this? Is this being two? Is this having a little brother and adjusting? Is it all of the above? Am I doing emotional and psychological damage to him by leaving him once and a while? Is he just playing me? Am I the worst mother in the world for leaving him when he is begging for me to stay or begging to stay with me? HELP!

Gah...this mothering thing! I am trying SO hard not to screw up my kids! Is it even avoidable?

The Best Pillow in the World

Why is it that you can buy the most expensive, most comfortable couches/chairs/pillows/blankets (etc.) in the world and yet the best place to lounge, as a child, is on your Mom's lap (or in this case...just your Mom)? I remember as a child, going to church, and wanting to just lie my head down on my Mom's lap...it was always so comforting and soothing. As you can see, Nathan's favorite pillow is...well, me...sometimes he confuses me with a jungle gym too!

The bruises, sore back, shoulders and neck...it is all worth it in the end.

Just Because...

...I adore it! :)

Definately His Mother's Son...

When I was a toddler...so I am told...I would do this thing where I would scrunch up my nose, show my teeth and breathe in and out real loud. My Mom always brings this up when she sees another child doing that: "Rach, you used to do that all the time." So it brings me GREAT pleasure that Nathan has started doing the same thing...I get the feeling that MOST kids do this at some point in their Toddlerhood, and that the trick is not special to me...however...it is still dang cute, and I like to think that Nathan got SOMETHING from me, even if it is a funny face. ;)

No Explanation Needed...

Happy Easter!!!