I woke up this morning determined to do one thing: write a blog post. Ignoring that huge pile of dishes in the sink, the dirt all over the floor, the laundry, the messes--and just sit down and write! Well, it's almost 11 and this is all I have written. And now it's day 2 of the attempt, and I'm wondering if I will finish. Sigh. In the realm of three children, a new-to-us fixer-upper house, gluten free home cooking, homeschooling, gardening, and a myriad of other activities, blogging takes the bake burner. And I know that's ok. But I want to blog; I want to continue this journal of my kids' growth even in the midst of this busy season of life. So, even if they are fewer and farther between, I'm determined to keep this up!
I'll start with little Joshy's update (he's much simpler than the twins!). The baby of the family isn't so much of a baby anymore. He's full-on in toddlerhood, which means he's into EVERYTHING. No corner of my house is left untouched by Josh. He's pulling stuff out of every drawer, knocking down every project of Seth and Sam's and absolutely obsessed with crayons. He's stubborn and determined. The other night when I was preparing for company for dinner, I pulled out a big sheet of paper for the boys to color a table cloth. And I let Josh stand on a chair and scribble with crayons as well. Great idea, right? Yes, until Josh screamed and cried throughout the entire evening because we were eating on the tablecloth, and he was not standing and coloring anymore. Let's just say he's quite strong willed. Here's some other things he's up to:
-Refusing to walk. We know he's totally capable, but he would much rather bear crawl. We spend our evenings trying to persuade him to walk, while he stands up and throws his head back, laughing and falling.
-He learned how to sit on and scoot on the little car the Morris' got him for his birthday. He is so proud of himself.
-Talking a lot more now that he's fully recovered from the surgery. Saying quite a few sounds and even said "bye bye, daddy" yesterday morning.
-Has given up his morning nap. Yes, at 13 1/2 months--way too early! It's brutal. I'm trying to just embrace the longer afternoon nap and freedom to go places in the morning, but it's hard. He's really not too fussy without it, and I figure if he's happy, then I should be ok. Truthfully, he's never needed as much sleep as Seth and Sam did. I keep putting him down, hoping he'll fall asleep, but it's only happened once in the last week and a half.
-He continues to be a great eater, but not a good bottle taker. I wouldn't be surprised if he gives up the bottle all together soon. Some of his new favorites are rice, curry, and hashbrowns.
-He decided to not go in order on cutting teeth, and while he only had 3 on top, and 2 on the bottom, he cut 3 out of 4 of his molars! He had a really fussy week, and I assumed it was teething, so I kept checking his gums. Finally, during a real loud crying season, I looked deep into his mouth and saw huge teething blisters in the back. Poor boy! All of them came up in the same week!
Seth giving him a ride (and a push below) on the car and the smurf train
The expressions on the pictures above and below are quintessential Josh. What a rascal!
Joshy and Ben continue to have a very special relationship and Josh starts each morning by giving Ben snuggles on his shoulder.
Josh loves "snugging" stuffed animals. His favorite is a little piglet that my parents got him while in Disney Land.
Josh is obsessed with his bumper and cuddles with it each night. I'm contemplating cutting a chunk of it and making it blanket sized so that I don't have to bring the entire thing when we got on trip!
He loves his dirt.
Seth is such a Josh-smotherer. He loves his little brother. "Mom, you should take a picture of this," he told me as he hugged Joshy.
The big boys and I were planting bulbs in my beds (over 200--I can't wait for next spring!), I let Josh have free reign regarding dirt. It started with him throwing the dirt out of this pot. Apparently one thing led to the other, and next time I looked he had made himself at home IN the pot.
Now, Seth and Sam. Here's a bit of what they have been up to:
-They are thriving in school! They love our once a week Classical Conversations group and look forward to going. I have seen them make huge social strides and they will even go into PE (which is a bit intimidating because it's combined with kids much older than them) all by themselves. They also have gone into Sunday School by themselves (first time in YEARS!)
-Homeschooling is going really well. Their favorite thing to do is math, and they are excelling in it. We are studying states and capitals for CC and they know almost all of them! It's fun to quiz them!
-They are currently back in the playroom pretending "Little House on the Prairie" with their stuffed animals. We have been reading the series before bed and they have really taken to the characters. It's hilarious.
-If they have paper, tape, and scissors, they are happy. They spend their days making clothes for their animals, wrapping presents, making Band-Aids and anything else they so desire. We are seriously blowing through the tape.
-They have really improved at soccer throughout the season...both even scored at during their last game (which I wouldn't have thought possible at the beginning!).
-I heard this the other morning as they were dressing for school, "Let's wear the same things and that way they can't tell us apart!" What stinkers!
-They love singing about Jesus and how great and big God is. I'm so thankful for their sensitive hearts to God's truth and love!
-One of my favorite moments this past month happened in the car on the way home from soccer practice. We heard sirens and it's my habit to pray out loud for the situation. But before I could say anything, Seth said, "We should pray." Both boys started praying for the ambulance to arrive in time, for courage for the people involved, for the doctors to be able to do their work well. Seriously, out of all the moments I've had as a parent, this is one of my proudest. I will take this kind of heart any day over smart brains or good athletics!
Seth has taken a bit more of a leadership role in their friendship, but is more shy in friendships with other kids. He has told me that "before soccer practice he still gets a little scared in his tummy, but then it goes away." He is so sweet with Josh and never hesitates to stop and kiss him. He's got a great sense of humor, and says the funniest things without even trying to make us laugh. He knows how to bug Sam and often times does stinky little things just to get a rise out of him. Seth's best subject in school seems to be history and he's a whiz at memorizing his history facts and the capitals.
Sam continues to be characterized by persistence. In fact, it seems about once a week we have to have a little talk about how his persistence is going to serve him well in life, but that he's got to learn to reign it in. I'm telling you, this kid does not let up. When he wants something, he will bug and bug and bug. And Seth's way of getting a rise out of Sam: digging in his heals and not doing what Sam wants to do. It often leads to Sam in tears. Yes, he's definitely the more sensitive of the two. Sam is on the bottom bunk, and so it's him that Josh wakes each morning by climbing on his tummy and snuggling--and Sam loves it. It's so special. He is fast and furious with his schoolwork. Sam's best subject is math and he is very good at memorizing his times tables.
Because who doesn't go get the paper in their underwear and moms' flip flops.
My big gardening helpers.
