Bad to the Bone

He is very good about looking but not touching.  Might have something to do with that other tree practically falling on top of him.

But he likes to test us sometimes

Christmas #2 was held at my dad's house.  Ryder loved the dancing Santa, but wouldn't let him get any closer than this.

His favorite gift of all was somebody walking up and down the stairs with him

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For Junior Auxiliary, I was on the Angel Tree committee this year and was responsible for making sure all my angels were adopted, sorting through the gifts I received to make sure families got an equal amount, etc.  One last thing was missing from one of my angels bags so Ryder and I went and got her some little shoes.  We keep these gifts at the 4C's in Clinton, which is more or less a thrift store, until the big day where we hand them out.  Ryder and I went on Friday morning to take the shoes and Ryder found lots of goodies for himself.  I'm no thrift store snob, so if my child wants something from there, I don't have a bit of a problem getting it.  We walked out with the piano below, a toy hammer and a pair of pants for two bucks.  (Of course I cleaned these items thoroughly)

Ryder getting ready to go nowhere

I can't believe this will actually fit him one day.

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So, I have finally pulled the blind fold from my eyes and realized my child is (kind of??) bad.  He doesn't take "NO" for an answer.  It's his way or the highway.  When he picks up a spoon, pen, or any other pointy object and we take it away from him (because it is dangerous to walk with these objects, especially in the winter when he wears socks and we don't have carpet), it's a disaster.  He acts like his life is over.  He screams and screams and cries and falls on the ground and I don't know what to do.  This happens in public and it's gotten bad.  We do our best to tell him no and take things from him, but it's almost like we've let things slide for so long, that now it's what he expects.  I talked to his doctor about it yesterday at his 15 month check up and she said I need to start time out.  I told her I didn't think he would understand what it was and she said he absolutely would.  It makes sense.  When I ask him to bring something to me, or to show me where his ears, eyes and mouth are, etc., he follows directions, therefore, he will understand when I say "You are going to time out."  He might not like it at first, but it has to be done.  Because when it is time for him to go to a daycare, he can not be acting out like this or I'm afraid they will cut him from the class.  An example, JM had some papers sitting on the coffee table yesterday.  Ryder banged his hand on the table and swiped the papers to the floor.  JM picked them up and put them back in place and said, "Ryder, please do not touch my papers."  Ryder looked at him and grinned and banged his hand on the table and swiped the papers off again, and kept grinning.  We did this five times in a row to see how many times it would take for Ryder to obey.  After the fifth time, JM popped his hand.  Ryder seemed to think this was funny as well, and threw the papers off the table again.  This is what I'm talking about.  He thinks when we tell him no that it is funny.  I love Ryder so much and I hate to punish him and get on to him at such an early age, but I'm really struggling with it and I just want him to be a good little boy.  I want to fix it while he's still so young so it will be easier along the way.  His doctor suggested some books to us, but I don't have the names in front of me right now.  Do any of you have any book suggestions on disciplining your child?  It would be greatly appreciated.  I can't wait to use the "Santa is watching you" threats next year!  Yesssss!!!  Those seem to always work.