January 6, 2012
You are such a big, smiley, darling girl! Your smile comes often and almost splits your face! You are often content to sit in the highchair or exersaucer and just watch the goings-on of our busy household. There's always someone doing something work watching! Often you like to be holding a toy, however, and the more interesting the better. You've already figured out how to work many of our “push-button” type toys – if you bang a certain spot, it makes a noise or lights up. Rattles are not the favorites anymore.
You are making all kinds of sounds when you babble. K-S-M-N-P-F-T consonants are common. You consistently say “Kkk-kkk” when you see the cat but you also say the same thing to your siblings, so I am not sure if I can call it a first word yet. But it's so funny because you still love your pacifier, so sometimes you'll be sucking contentedly away and I'll be thinking that you're sooo quiet. Then I pop the paci out and boy do you have a lot of loud things to say!
We are down to nursing just in the morning when you first wake up. Your choice, not mine. I would have liked to do more, longer, but you have discovered real food and don't feel much need for boring old breastmilk. You eat a ton! And so far you've liked everything! I've given you scrambled eggs, french toast, waffles, soup, yogurt, pizza, potatoes, broccoli, beans, rice, just about anything you can manage without teeth. You are also rocking the sippy cup of formula.
You are a very strong sitter and can push yourself backwards all the way across the tile floor, but you are still not crawling. You rock forward on your hands a lot but have yet to get your knees under you. It's just as well since my life is going to become a lot harder when you become mobile. You put EVERYTHING in your mouth – including sticks, rocks, stickers, tape, legos – so I am nervous about this next stage! Your siblings are not the tidiest creatures in the world and it is hard for me to keep things picked up!
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. Then the rest of the time was charming your grandparents and anyone else who stopped by. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got a teaset with a singing teapot and a baby doll (whom we named “Maggie”). You seemed quite pleased – when you “opened” the dollie, you spent about a minute squealing and hitting her head.
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and you and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. It was special to travel just with you and have a few days of holding you non-stop. You weren't sure about going to others so I got a lot of snuggle time. It was good to have you there to help people smile. I'm glad you were able to meet Grandpa Ed three separate times this past year, so though you won't remember him we have pictures of you two together.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Matthew's Journal
January 6, 2012
Matthew, you have come a long way in the last couple of months. Now you consistently stay on the futon during rest time, generally paging through a stack of books. A couple of times you've been tired enough to fall over asleep with a book on your lap but generally you stay awake the whole hour. If I know you're extra tired I make you lay down for ten minutes before I bring you books and hope you'll fall asleep! It makes such a difference for me to have consistent quiet time again – we are both saner for it.
You've also basically potty-trained yourself since Christmas. You decided you didn't like how diapers felt anymore so you wanted to wear underwear instead. And you're particular enough that you don't want to get them wet or dirty. So I just have you go to the bathroom every few hours and that has been enough to basically eliminate accidents. Sometimes I find you on the toilet without expecting it!
You also amaze me with your “make-believe” skills. You sit at the meal-table oblivious to what everyone else is saying while you conduct a full drama starring your crackers, apples or whatever. They talk to each other, but in the voice of you as author. So, “'Don't jump!' said the mama.” or “'I'm tired and want to go to bed,' said the baby.” This extends beyond mealtime to almost any object you encounter. You little “guys” and your trucks get endless use as all you have to do is spot something to play with before your imagination is engaged. Your powers of focus are amazing for two (and a great blessing to this mama!).
Your favorite day is Thursday, when Aunt Natalie picks you up and takes you to storytime at the library with cousin Beckham. Then you go back to her house and play and have lunch. He has gotten you “into” superheroes and now you love to run around the house in costume – usually Superman. You also like to wear shorts and short sleeve shirts (yes, in January) because they are your “running clothes.”
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one kiddie ride. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and playing with Westley's old trucks. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got three big Tonka-style trucks, some superhero action figures, puzzles, “preschool toys,” and books. You seemed quite pleased.
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Abby and Isaac stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
Matthew, you have come a long way in the last couple of months. Now you consistently stay on the futon during rest time, generally paging through a stack of books. A couple of times you've been tired enough to fall over asleep with a book on your lap but generally you stay awake the whole hour. If I know you're extra tired I make you lay down for ten minutes before I bring you books and hope you'll fall asleep! It makes such a difference for me to have consistent quiet time again – we are both saner for it.
You've also basically potty-trained yourself since Christmas. You decided you didn't like how diapers felt anymore so you wanted to wear underwear instead. And you're particular enough that you don't want to get them wet or dirty. So I just have you go to the bathroom every few hours and that has been enough to basically eliminate accidents. Sometimes I find you on the toilet without expecting it!
You also amaze me with your “make-believe” skills. You sit at the meal-table oblivious to what everyone else is saying while you conduct a full drama starring your crackers, apples or whatever. They talk to each other, but in the voice of you as author. So, “'Don't jump!' said the mama.” or “'I'm tired and want to go to bed,' said the baby.” This extends beyond mealtime to almost any object you encounter. You little “guys” and your trucks get endless use as all you have to do is spot something to play with before your imagination is engaged. Your powers of focus are amazing for two (and a great blessing to this mama!).
Your favorite day is Thursday, when Aunt Natalie picks you up and takes you to storytime at the library with cousin Beckham. Then you go back to her house and play and have lunch. He has gotten you “into” superheroes and now you love to run around the house in costume – usually Superman. You also like to wear shorts and short sleeve shirts (yes, in January) because they are your “running clothes.”
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one kiddie ride. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and playing with Westley's old trucks. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got three big Tonka-style trucks, some superhero action figures, puzzles, “preschool toys,” and books. You seemed quite pleased.
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Abby and Isaac stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Abby's Journal
January 5, 2012
It is a beautiful day so I am letting you and Isaac do the coveted “skip my nap” activity. This works well on beautiful days because I tell you that you have to stay outside in order to be allowed to skip your nap. You took crayons out and colored for a while but just now I took out popsicles (yes, in January!) and you were in the sandbox. We played at the park earlier and you were hot in your long sleeves, leggings and skirt so now you are in shorts and a short sleeve shirt!
Last night you had your first gymnastics class. You wanted to give it a try even though it means taking a break from ballet. Really you wanted to do both but I made you choose. It was very tempting to me to push you towards ballet (because that's what I did), especially since you had a hard time making a choice, but I think I stayed admirably neutral. I hope you enjoy it – it was clear last night that you are very flexible compared to many of your classmates.
You absolutely adore the read-aloud portion of our school work (especially the Little House on the Prairie series) but phonics and handwriting have been meeting with a lot of resistance. I have such a hard time knowing whether to push you – since I think it's mostly a battle of the wills – or to pull back because you're actually not quite ready. You are more than capable but for whatever reason not excited about it. I am a blessed woman to be able to worry about such trifles.
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one little ride too. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and playing with Breanna's old Barbies. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We celebrated your birthday with yet another “princess tea party”. You really seem to love all the girly things – pretty cupcakes, butterfly magnet crafts, pb and j sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, and china teacups. You got a Ken doll (which you really wanted after playing with Breanna's Barbies) and a scooter from me and Daddy.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got lots of Barbie things (including a pink car), some Legos, and some books, crafts and games. You actually wanted to stop opening presents after about two so that you could go play with them!
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Isaac and Matthew stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
It is a beautiful day so I am letting you and Isaac do the coveted “skip my nap” activity. This works well on beautiful days because I tell you that you have to stay outside in order to be allowed to skip your nap. You took crayons out and colored for a while but just now I took out popsicles (yes, in January!) and you were in the sandbox. We played at the park earlier and you were hot in your long sleeves, leggings and skirt so now you are in shorts and a short sleeve shirt!
Last night you had your first gymnastics class. You wanted to give it a try even though it means taking a break from ballet. Really you wanted to do both but I made you choose. It was very tempting to me to push you towards ballet (because that's what I did), especially since you had a hard time making a choice, but I think I stayed admirably neutral. I hope you enjoy it – it was clear last night that you are very flexible compared to many of your classmates.
You absolutely adore the read-aloud portion of our school work (especially the Little House on the Prairie series) but phonics and handwriting have been meeting with a lot of resistance. I have such a hard time knowing whether to push you – since I think it's mostly a battle of the wills – or to pull back because you're actually not quite ready. You are more than capable but for whatever reason not excited about it. I am a blessed woman to be able to worry about such trifles.
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one little ride too. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and playing with Breanna's old Barbies. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We celebrated your birthday with yet another “princess tea party”. You really seem to love all the girly things – pretty cupcakes, butterfly magnet crafts, pb and j sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, and china teacups. You got a Ken doll (which you really wanted after playing with Breanna's Barbies) and a scooter from me and Daddy.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got lots of Barbie things (including a pink car), some Legos, and some books, crafts and games. You actually wanted to stop opening presents after about two so that you could go play with them!
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Isaac and Matthew stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
Isaac's Journal
January 5, 2012
Today it is nearly seventy degrees. We quickly completed our school work then met Natalie, Roman and Beckham at the park. Now you and Abby are playing outside together instead of taking a nap. My only stipulation is that you have to STAY outside. I saw you carving a “lightsaber” out of a stick. You shave all the bark off of one end then color it blue or green with a crayon. I love these expressions of creativity! The pocket knife was a reward for finishing the “Alpha Phonics” book in November. You also received your own “big Bible”.
You are truly a good reader now. You'll attempt nearly anything though sometimes you get frustrated and give up. Anything that is an “early reader” type of book is a good bet – up to about a 3rd grade level. You've also been doing a lot of writing on your own. We haven't even worked on spelling yet, so that leaves a lot to be desired, but I love the Bible book you've been writing. “GOD'S WORD I HAV MADE THIS BOOK MY NAME iS ISAAC I AM 6.” The next page (CHAPTR 1) reads, “GOD iS THE BEST KING HE TRND THE DRKNIS INTO LIGHT HE MADE THE PLANITS HE MADE THe URTH He MADE SPASE AND MOSTE Of OL HE MADE YOU” It's just too sweet not to copy some more, so here's CHAPTR 2: “GOD MADE YOU iN HIS OWNE IMIj I LOVE GOD RILEE MUCH DOO YOU”
The one snow we've had so far was on a weekend, so you had tons of fun sledding and snowboarding with Dad. You and Abby are both big enough now that I try to send you outside every day unless it's truly miserable weather. You are still sooo active that you literally bounce on and climb on everything in the house if you don't get a chance to run around. We've been “boot skating” a few times at the frozen pond down the road. And we just bought the acre of land behind our house and you're hoping Dad will make you a zipline! In any case it would be great for you to have that space if you would actually go on the land. But of course, you hate being by yourself so if Abby won't go (and she won't), you won't either.
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one roller coaster. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and running around outside with Westley and Hayden and Nerf Guns. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially your namesake, Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got three remote control trucks, lots of Legos, and some books, crafts and games. You seemed quite pleased.
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Abby and Matthew stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
Today it is nearly seventy degrees. We quickly completed our school work then met Natalie, Roman and Beckham at the park. Now you and Abby are playing outside together instead of taking a nap. My only stipulation is that you have to STAY outside. I saw you carving a “lightsaber” out of a stick. You shave all the bark off of one end then color it blue or green with a crayon. I love these expressions of creativity! The pocket knife was a reward for finishing the “Alpha Phonics” book in November. You also received your own “big Bible”.
You are truly a good reader now. You'll attempt nearly anything though sometimes you get frustrated and give up. Anything that is an “early reader” type of book is a good bet – up to about a 3rd grade level. You've also been doing a lot of writing on your own. We haven't even worked on spelling yet, so that leaves a lot to be desired, but I love the Bible book you've been writing. “GOD'S WORD I HAV MADE THIS BOOK MY NAME iS ISAAC I AM 6.” The next page (CHAPTR 1) reads, “GOD iS THE BEST KING HE TRND THE DRKNIS INTO LIGHT HE MADE THE PLANITS HE MADE THe URTH He MADE SPASE AND MOSTE Of OL HE MADE YOU” It's just too sweet not to copy some more, so here's CHAPTR 2: “GOD MADE YOU iN HIS OWNE IMIj I LOVE GOD RILEE MUCH DOO YOU”
The one snow we've had so far was on a weekend, so you had tons of fun sledding and snowboarding with Dad. You and Abby are both big enough now that I try to send you outside every day unless it's truly miserable weather. You are still sooo active that you literally bounce on and climb on everything in the house if you don't get a chance to run around. We've been “boot skating” a few times at the frozen pond down the road. And we just bought the acre of land behind our house and you're hoping Dad will make you a zipline! In any case it would be great for you to have that space if you would actually go on the land. But of course, you hate being by yourself so if Abby won't go (and she won't), you won't either.
We spent Thanksgiving in Minnesota. One day was at Grandma Drewry's, one day was the Flanegan celebration and one day Grandma Kim took us to the aquarium in the Mall of America. You got to ride one roller coaster. Then the rest of the time was chilling out with Wii and movies and running around outside with Westley and Hayden and Nerf Guns. I'm so glad we were able to see everyone, especially your namesake, Great Grandpa Ed, because he passed away on Christmas Day.
We took the week before Christmas off of school and did lots of fun Christmasy things: caroling at a nursing home with our friends from church (Fagreys, Jacobs and Kennedys), decorating sugar cookies with cousins, and making gingerbread houses with Grace and Nadya Belcher. Christmas Day you got three remote control trucks, lots of Legos, and some books, crafts and games. You seemed quite pleased.
Then after Christmas Daddy left for MN again to be with his family and Elise and I flew out a few days later for Grandpa Ed's funeral. You, Abby and Matthew stayed with Papa and Grammie. You got to sleepover at their house and they took you to Chuck E Cheese and the Storybook Island lights display. We are so blessed to have them nearby.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Elise's Journal
August 31, 2011
You are getting big – with giant pudgy thighs and impossibly chubby cheeks and such wide blue eyes that everyone stops to comment on “such a beautiful baby” when we're in public. You are almost sitting up – still tipping too far forward though. I found a new baby seat called a “bumbo” at the thrift store. It allows you to sit upright but fully supported – kind of fun to have something new for you!
You are getting very grabby. It's hard to hold you on my lap while I read to the other kids because you are always trying to grab the book away. And when we eat you're grabbing at my food. (and WATCHING – I think you really want it. Must be time to start solids soon.) One time you got a fistful of tilapia off of my plate and into your mouth before I caught you! (I got it out of your mouth though.) You're also very interested in toys – working very hard to get whatever is within reach.
You are my best tummy-time baby yet. You don't mind being on your tummy a bit – it's amazing to me how you hold up your arms, legs and head at the same time. It looks like you're flying! You love it when Isaac, Abby or Matthew get down on the floor with you. They all call you Ellie almost exclusively. I alternate between Ellie and Elise. At the doctor's office they keep calling you Elsie.
A month ago we went on vacation: camping in the Tetons followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO. You slept in such a variety of “beds”: a drawer in a motel room, a portable crib, and even a suitcase in the tent. The amazing thing is that you slept so well everywhere! One night camping was especially cold so I had you wrapped up like a mummy (except for your face of course). You slept so soundly that I kept putting my hand on you in the night to make sure you were fine.
You were a great traveler. You were happy in the carseat, though you did get a bit fussy at the end of a full day of driving. Sometimes I held your hand and that would calm you almost immediately. If you were hungry and it wasn't a good stopping-time, I fed you a bottle while you stayed safely strapped in! You were so flexible – just napping in the Moby wrap wherever we went and letting all sorts of people hold you and coo at you.
Now we're starting school and I'm finding that while I love your flexibility, I'm ready to have you on a bit more of a schedule. All of this moving around and traveling this summer haven't been very conducive to that; as a result, you generally take four or five short naps every day instead of two longer ones. I'm very happy with your sleep at night though – you go down around eight, I “dream-feed” you at 10:30, then you usually nurse between 5:30 and 6:30 and go back to sleep until 7:30 or 8am! No complaints!
I love holding you. Sometimes I find you just looking up at me with those big blue eyes while you are in my arms and it just melts my heart.
October 23, 2011
You are loving solid foods – everything I've tried so far you just gobble down! I am still nursing you about four times a day. Surprisingly, you are not quite sitting up yet. Probably because I don't get a lot of opportunity to practice with you. Twice in October you went on adult trips and were good as gold – once to Denver with me, Grammie and your aunties and once on a “get-away” for me and your Daddy just over night at a hotel. You just fell asleep in your carseat at restaurants and chilled in the wrap the rest of the time. Amazing! (Everyone said so, not just me!) I thought that I'd do something different this time and describe your relationships with each person in our family.
Daddy. He loves you. Ever since we discovered (after he was gone so much this summer) that you weren't happy to go to him, he has been working hard to win your heart back. I think he's got it now – you smile and reach for him often, and he coos to you and kisses you just as much.
Me. You are so happy when you are with me. Often all I have to do is hold your hand and you go from crying hard to completely calm. It is so wonderful to know that I can meet your needs. I think it's going to be easy for you to wrap me around your finger.
Isaac. He can really make you laugh with his crazy antics – and he works hard to make you laugh. He also loves to carry you around and talk to you in a very loud and annoying baby babble!
Abby. She helps to take care of you – feeding you baby food, changing diapers, playing with you when I need to set you down for a few minutes. Just tonight she helped you feel comfortable in the bath by showing you how to splash gently.
Matthew. He is very gentle and affectionate with you. He calls you “E-Weese” and you watch his every move.
You are getting big – with giant pudgy thighs and impossibly chubby cheeks and such wide blue eyes that everyone stops to comment on “such a beautiful baby” when we're in public. You are almost sitting up – still tipping too far forward though. I found a new baby seat called a “bumbo” at the thrift store. It allows you to sit upright but fully supported – kind of fun to have something new for you!
You are getting very grabby. It's hard to hold you on my lap while I read to the other kids because you are always trying to grab the book away. And when we eat you're grabbing at my food. (and WATCHING – I think you really want it. Must be time to start solids soon.) One time you got a fistful of tilapia off of my plate and into your mouth before I caught you! (I got it out of your mouth though.) You're also very interested in toys – working very hard to get whatever is within reach.
You are my best tummy-time baby yet. You don't mind being on your tummy a bit – it's amazing to me how you hold up your arms, legs and head at the same time. It looks like you're flying! You love it when Isaac, Abby or Matthew get down on the floor with you. They all call you Ellie almost exclusively. I alternate between Ellie and Elise. At the doctor's office they keep calling you Elsie.
A month ago we went on vacation: camping in the Tetons followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO. You slept in such a variety of “beds”: a drawer in a motel room, a portable crib, and even a suitcase in the tent. The amazing thing is that you slept so well everywhere! One night camping was especially cold so I had you wrapped up like a mummy (except for your face of course). You slept so soundly that I kept putting my hand on you in the night to make sure you were fine.
You were a great traveler. You were happy in the carseat, though you did get a bit fussy at the end of a full day of driving. Sometimes I held your hand and that would calm you almost immediately. If you were hungry and it wasn't a good stopping-time, I fed you a bottle while you stayed safely strapped in! You were so flexible – just napping in the Moby wrap wherever we went and letting all sorts of people hold you and coo at you.
Now we're starting school and I'm finding that while I love your flexibility, I'm ready to have you on a bit more of a schedule. All of this moving around and traveling this summer haven't been very conducive to that; as a result, you generally take four or five short naps every day instead of two longer ones. I'm very happy with your sleep at night though – you go down around eight, I “dream-feed” you at 10:30, then you usually nurse between 5:30 and 6:30 and go back to sleep until 7:30 or 8am! No complaints!
I love holding you. Sometimes I find you just looking up at me with those big blue eyes while you are in my arms and it just melts my heart.
October 23, 2011
You are loving solid foods – everything I've tried so far you just gobble down! I am still nursing you about four times a day. Surprisingly, you are not quite sitting up yet. Probably because I don't get a lot of opportunity to practice with you. Twice in October you went on adult trips and were good as gold – once to Denver with me, Grammie and your aunties and once on a “get-away” for me and your Daddy just over night at a hotel. You just fell asleep in your carseat at restaurants and chilled in the wrap the rest of the time. Amazing! (Everyone said so, not just me!) I thought that I'd do something different this time and describe your relationships with each person in our family.
Daddy. He loves you. Ever since we discovered (after he was gone so much this summer) that you weren't happy to go to him, he has been working hard to win your heart back. I think he's got it now – you smile and reach for him often, and he coos to you and kisses you just as much.
Me. You are so happy when you are with me. Often all I have to do is hold your hand and you go from crying hard to completely calm. It is so wonderful to know that I can meet your needs. I think it's going to be easy for you to wrap me around your finger.
Isaac. He can really make you laugh with his crazy antics – and he works hard to make you laugh. He also loves to carry you around and talk to you in a very loud and annoying baby babble!
Abby. She helps to take care of you – feeding you baby food, changing diapers, playing with you when I need to set you down for a few minutes. Just tonight she helped you feel comfortable in the bath by showing you how to splash gently.
Matthew. He is very gentle and affectionate with you. He calls you “E-Weese” and you watch his every move.
Matthew's Journal
August 31, 2011
Hallelujah you're napping again! Whatever that weird phase was seems to be over. Now you are sleeping 8pm-7am at night AND napping two hours in the afternoon. The result is a much happier Matthew AND a much happier mama. I am so thankful!
You are getting to be a big helper around the house. You can put your clothes in the hamper and throw your diapers away, of course, but you also do the wastebaskets every day and you've taken on putting away the clean silverware. It's a good “matching” exercise for you though I get the feeling it doesn't challenge you a bit.
I told you that you were starting preschool today and you were quite excited. While the other kids did school you played with a Playmobil toy at the table nearby. You watched the Spanish video with us and “listened” to me read aloud while climbing and running around. I hope we can continue to work it out so that you can feel included and important while still allowing me to work with the other kids.
A month ago we went on a big family road trip: first camping in the Tetons with Papa's family followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO with Grandpa Daryl's family. You did great the whole time. You slept in – even in the tent. You rode nicely in the car (you had your own little movie screen to watch Curious George – your favorite). The only trouble was getting you to sit in the high chair for meals. Once you put your mind to resisting something, you don't give up easily.
One day we spent driving through Yellowstone. We stopped by the lake to skip rocks, then hiked down to the Lower Falls (almost gave your daddy a heart attack having you near such a drop-off). We stopped by the paint pots and saw Old Faithful. The funniest was when we asked you near one of the pots of boiling mud, “What is that, Matthew?” You replied, “That is for the buffaloes to cook their marshmallows.”
You are so imaginative! You are my first child to actually play with little people and trucks and such at such a young age. You'll put together a little playset with a couple “guys” and some cars then drive them around. They even talk to each other and have names like “Beckham” or “Papa”. You'll have a whole story line, “He is going to Wynoming and then he will have bananas for his breakfast.”
You are a very funny eater – ever since you were a baby, actually. But now you will utterly refuse certain foods on one day and inhale the same thing the next day. If you had your way you wouldn't eat meals at all – you would just nibble all day long. When you do eat meals your preference is to eat just the one thing you like best. For example, you'd eat all your eggs and beg for more before touching your toast or banana.
Anyway, your dimpled smile and funny little voice - “I not Maffew, I Matt-Matt” are just so darling. I can't ignore outright disobedience but I sure can overlook a lot because you're just so cute the rest of the time.
October 23, 2011
Wow – we've had an intense month together, Matthew. We moved you to a bunk bed so that Elise could have the crib. After a few weeks of doing very well, you decided not to stay in your bed at naptime anymore! You got a lot of spankings and cried a lot, I asked for a lot of advice and cried a lot. I am seeing less resistance (finally! After a month of consistent discipline and getting out of your bed up to a hundred times in a day) and am hopeful you are starting to understand that I really DO expect you to stay on the bed (if not to nap, at least for a quiet time!) Anyway, I thought that for something different this time I would describe your relationships with each member of our family.
Dad. You adore your Daddy. You run to greet him when he gets home from work and you are always on his lap when he's at the computer, at his side when he's playing piano and in his way (sort of) when he's trying to work on the house! Just today he was putting up some siding and you were insisting that it was “my air compressor” and “working”. You kept asking when it would be time to use the drill and whether Daddy was ready for the nail gun. Nothing makes you happier than a little one on one attention from him and nothing makes you sadder than a sharp word from him.
Me. The intense determination of your personality can be hard for me – especially with you not napping in the middle of the day – by the end of the day both of our fuses are short. But I adore snuggling you, reading you Curious George (over and over and over), having you in the kitchen “helping” me cook (the other day I found a candle and a teapot full of water in the fridge – you've also been known to stir boiling pots of water and man the toaster). Our favorite little game is when you're grumpy and I ask you, “Where's your smile?” and we point to all the different parts of your face until we've “found” it.
Isaac. You adore Isaac. You want to be “big like Isaac.” The whole time we were at his soccer games you would be kicking a ball on the sidelines, and you're always carrying a ball around asking him to play baseball with you. That said, you often clash too. You want things just so, Isaac refuses, you hit and scream, Isaac hits and tattles. . . it can degenerate quickly. But I think you will be just what the other needs as you grow older.
Abby. You adore Abby. You two play VERY well together. Often while Isaac does his additional “first grade” work you and Abby are left to your own devices. Sometimes you end up dressed in a tutu, playing Barbies, or being the “baby” to her “mommy” but you always have fun. You guys also often help each other with chores. She has more chores than you so I think she's got the better end of the deal.
Elise. You are very sweet to Elise. I was worried that you would not be gentle but you always are and you've never hurt her. I am grateful! She watches you closely and I pray that you two will be great friends one day. You call her “my baby E-WEESE.”
Hallelujah you're napping again! Whatever that weird phase was seems to be over. Now you are sleeping 8pm-7am at night AND napping two hours in the afternoon. The result is a much happier Matthew AND a much happier mama. I am so thankful!
You are getting to be a big helper around the house. You can put your clothes in the hamper and throw your diapers away, of course, but you also do the wastebaskets every day and you've taken on putting away the clean silverware. It's a good “matching” exercise for you though I get the feeling it doesn't challenge you a bit.
I told you that you were starting preschool today and you were quite excited. While the other kids did school you played with a Playmobil toy at the table nearby. You watched the Spanish video with us and “listened” to me read aloud while climbing and running around. I hope we can continue to work it out so that you can feel included and important while still allowing me to work with the other kids.
A month ago we went on a big family road trip: first camping in the Tetons with Papa's family followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO with Grandpa Daryl's family. You did great the whole time. You slept in – even in the tent. You rode nicely in the car (you had your own little movie screen to watch Curious George – your favorite). The only trouble was getting you to sit in the high chair for meals. Once you put your mind to resisting something, you don't give up easily.
One day we spent driving through Yellowstone. We stopped by the lake to skip rocks, then hiked down to the Lower Falls (almost gave your daddy a heart attack having you near such a drop-off). We stopped by the paint pots and saw Old Faithful. The funniest was when we asked you near one of the pots of boiling mud, “What is that, Matthew?” You replied, “That is for the buffaloes to cook their marshmallows.”
You are so imaginative! You are my first child to actually play with little people and trucks and such at such a young age. You'll put together a little playset with a couple “guys” and some cars then drive them around. They even talk to each other and have names like “Beckham” or “Papa”. You'll have a whole story line, “He is going to Wynoming and then he will have bananas for his breakfast.”
You are a very funny eater – ever since you were a baby, actually. But now you will utterly refuse certain foods on one day and inhale the same thing the next day. If you had your way you wouldn't eat meals at all – you would just nibble all day long. When you do eat meals your preference is to eat just the one thing you like best. For example, you'd eat all your eggs and beg for more before touching your toast or banana.
Anyway, your dimpled smile and funny little voice - “I not Maffew, I Matt-Matt” are just so darling. I can't ignore outright disobedience but I sure can overlook a lot because you're just so cute the rest of the time.
October 23, 2011
Wow – we've had an intense month together, Matthew. We moved you to a bunk bed so that Elise could have the crib. After a few weeks of doing very well, you decided not to stay in your bed at naptime anymore! You got a lot of spankings and cried a lot, I asked for a lot of advice and cried a lot. I am seeing less resistance (finally! After a month of consistent discipline and getting out of your bed up to a hundred times in a day) and am hopeful you are starting to understand that I really DO expect you to stay on the bed (if not to nap, at least for a quiet time!) Anyway, I thought that for something different this time I would describe your relationships with each member of our family.
Dad. You adore your Daddy. You run to greet him when he gets home from work and you are always on his lap when he's at the computer, at his side when he's playing piano and in his way (sort of) when he's trying to work on the house! Just today he was putting up some siding and you were insisting that it was “my air compressor” and “working”. You kept asking when it would be time to use the drill and whether Daddy was ready for the nail gun. Nothing makes you happier than a little one on one attention from him and nothing makes you sadder than a sharp word from him.
Me. The intense determination of your personality can be hard for me – especially with you not napping in the middle of the day – by the end of the day both of our fuses are short. But I adore snuggling you, reading you Curious George (over and over and over), having you in the kitchen “helping” me cook (the other day I found a candle and a teapot full of water in the fridge – you've also been known to stir boiling pots of water and man the toaster). Our favorite little game is when you're grumpy and I ask you, “Where's your smile?” and we point to all the different parts of your face until we've “found” it.
Isaac. You adore Isaac. You want to be “big like Isaac.” The whole time we were at his soccer games you would be kicking a ball on the sidelines, and you're always carrying a ball around asking him to play baseball with you. That said, you often clash too. You want things just so, Isaac refuses, you hit and scream, Isaac hits and tattles. . . it can degenerate quickly. But I think you will be just what the other needs as you grow older.
Abby. You adore Abby. You two play VERY well together. Often while Isaac does his additional “first grade” work you and Abby are left to your own devices. Sometimes you end up dressed in a tutu, playing Barbies, or being the “baby” to her “mommy” but you always have fun. You guys also often help each other with chores. She has more chores than you so I think she's got the better end of the deal.
Elise. You are very sweet to Elise. I was worried that you would not be gentle but you always are and you've never hurt her. I am grateful! She watches you closely and I pray that you two will be great friends one day. You call her “my baby E-WEESE.”
Abby's Journal
September 1, 2011
It was a long summer for Mama, but I don't think it was long enough for you! Daddy was working a lot of 85 hour weeks and we were doing a lot of transitioning from one house to the other. I was pleased with how well you handled it, but we have had some attitude problems cropping up. You were born with a bit of my bossy tendencies and it's important that you realize that you can't boss around Dad and Mom! It's so interesting how you can go from sweet as sugar, “I just can't wait to have Abby/Mommy time soon!” to complete obstinance, “No I WON'T make my bed!”
A month ago we went on a big family road trip: first camping in the Tetons with Papa's family followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO with Grandpa Daryl's family. You did great the whole time, especially charming Grandpa Paul while camping. You also had a lot of fun with your cousins Emily and Alyssa. We went swimming several times, hiking, mini-golfing, bowling, and to the Denver Zoo. I think my favorite day was when we played for hours in Jackson Lake near our campsite. You and Isaac (and second cousin Ethan) had nets and spent hours catching minnows. It was so beautiful and relaxing and delightful for me to see you so fully engaged with nature.
One day we spent driving through Yellowstone. We stopped by the lake to skip rocks, then hiked down to the Lower Falls (almost gave your daddy a heart attack having you near such a drop-off). We stopped by the paint pots and saw Old Faithful. You really did not like the stinky sulfur smells! But you told everyone about looking down at a rainbow (near the waterfall).
Yesterday we started school – kindergarten for you! Though you are only four and a half, Daddy and I feel that you are more than ready. However, we won't officially register you with the state yet. Your school consists of listening to Bible, poetry and Little House books together with Isaac and Matthew. Then you do phonics with me and handwriting independently. Finally, we all watch a Spanish video together. So far you are so excited and loving it – wishing it took longer than an hour I think.
You are a stuff lover – every little item you encounter is your most “special thing I ever had.” It's hard for your clutter-buster mother! I am trying to find the balance between forcing you to throw away trash (broken toys, holey socks, or even things like packaging materials) and allowing you to keep some things. I don't want it to become a control issue, but I do need you to realize that practically speaking we can't keep everything in a 1600 square foot house with six people living in it! I am glad you treasure things (every bug you find in the house is lovingly transported outdoors – never squashed) but we need to work on defining what is worth treasuring!
October 23, 2011
You are doing wonderfully well. Kindergarten is lovely and we have had a gorgeous fall with lots of wonderful outside time. Homeschool coop is in full swing and you have begin ballet lessons again (dancing through the house “Tondu, passe, tondu, passe”). I thought that this time I would do something a little different and describe your relationships with the others in our family.
Dad. You love your daddy dearly. He calls you Babycakes and you enjoy it very much. Often you'll snuggle on his lap and say “My daddy.” And you always insist on multiple kisses and hugs before he leaves for work in the morning. When Daddy says it's time to wrestle, you get right in on the fun. He's quick to tell you how pretty you are and quick to tease you too. Then you respond with a classic, “Daaaadddyyyyy!”
Me. I love spending time with you and you very obviously crave my attention (I wish I had more time to give you!). You are always begging me to go on a date with you or play dolls or Barbies or house or restaurant. We have begun going on regular dates – once a month or so to get tea at Bully Blends or breakfast at the donut shop. I try to give you lots of hugs and stories and my full attention when you tell me things. However, playing dolls together only happens for a half hour or so maybe once a week. I do feel bad about that.
Isaac. You guys have a lot of fun together, especially when no other friends are around – even if Veronnika is over you and Isaac will battle for her attention and affection. But when it's just our family, you and Isaac can play together for hours. You love to color and paint and you have a surprisingly commanding way of getting Isaac to play princesses or Barbies with you. You also laugh at each other's silly jokes and potty talk.
Matthew. He adores you. Recently you invented a game where you were the Mommy Hawk, Matthew was the Baby Hawk and Isaac was a Lemur. So now Matthew goes around calling you Mommy Hawk and calling me Grandma. You are also very good at getting him to help you with your chores! I often find him “helping” you dust or sort laundry.
Elise. You adore her. Hopefully she will grow up to be the doll-playing companion that I am not. You constantly ask to hold her, play with her, hug and kiss her. You feed her baby food and change her diapers. Her face lights up when she sees you!
It was a long summer for Mama, but I don't think it was long enough for you! Daddy was working a lot of 85 hour weeks and we were doing a lot of transitioning from one house to the other. I was pleased with how well you handled it, but we have had some attitude problems cropping up. You were born with a bit of my bossy tendencies and it's important that you realize that you can't boss around Dad and Mom! It's so interesting how you can go from sweet as sugar, “I just can't wait to have Abby/Mommy time soon!” to complete obstinance, “No I WON'T make my bed!”
A month ago we went on a big family road trip: first camping in the Tetons with Papa's family followed by a family reunion in Estes Park, CO with Grandpa Daryl's family. You did great the whole time, especially charming Grandpa Paul while camping. You also had a lot of fun with your cousins Emily and Alyssa. We went swimming several times, hiking, mini-golfing, bowling, and to the Denver Zoo. I think my favorite day was when we played for hours in Jackson Lake near our campsite. You and Isaac (and second cousin Ethan) had nets and spent hours catching minnows. It was so beautiful and relaxing and delightful for me to see you so fully engaged with nature.
One day we spent driving through Yellowstone. We stopped by the lake to skip rocks, then hiked down to the Lower Falls (almost gave your daddy a heart attack having you near such a drop-off). We stopped by the paint pots and saw Old Faithful. You really did not like the stinky sulfur smells! But you told everyone about looking down at a rainbow (near the waterfall).
Yesterday we started school – kindergarten for you! Though you are only four and a half, Daddy and I feel that you are more than ready. However, we won't officially register you with the state yet. Your school consists of listening to Bible, poetry and Little House books together with Isaac and Matthew. Then you do phonics with me and handwriting independently. Finally, we all watch a Spanish video together. So far you are so excited and loving it – wishing it took longer than an hour I think.
You are a stuff lover – every little item you encounter is your most “special thing I ever had.” It's hard for your clutter-buster mother! I am trying to find the balance between forcing you to throw away trash (broken toys, holey socks, or even things like packaging materials) and allowing you to keep some things. I don't want it to become a control issue, but I do need you to realize that practically speaking we can't keep everything in a 1600 square foot house with six people living in it! I am glad you treasure things (every bug you find in the house is lovingly transported outdoors – never squashed) but we need to work on defining what is worth treasuring!
October 23, 2011
You are doing wonderfully well. Kindergarten is lovely and we have had a gorgeous fall with lots of wonderful outside time. Homeschool coop is in full swing and you have begin ballet lessons again (dancing through the house “Tondu, passe, tondu, passe”). I thought that this time I would do something a little different and describe your relationships with the others in our family.
Dad. You love your daddy dearly. He calls you Babycakes and you enjoy it very much. Often you'll snuggle on his lap and say “My daddy.” And you always insist on multiple kisses and hugs before he leaves for work in the morning. When Daddy says it's time to wrestle, you get right in on the fun. He's quick to tell you how pretty you are and quick to tease you too. Then you respond with a classic, “Daaaadddyyyyy!”
Me. I love spending time with you and you very obviously crave my attention (I wish I had more time to give you!). You are always begging me to go on a date with you or play dolls or Barbies or house or restaurant. We have begun going on regular dates – once a month or so to get tea at Bully Blends or breakfast at the donut shop. I try to give you lots of hugs and stories and my full attention when you tell me things. However, playing dolls together only happens for a half hour or so maybe once a week. I do feel bad about that.
Isaac. You guys have a lot of fun together, especially when no other friends are around – even if Veronnika is over you and Isaac will battle for her attention and affection. But when it's just our family, you and Isaac can play together for hours. You love to color and paint and you have a surprisingly commanding way of getting Isaac to play princesses or Barbies with you. You also laugh at each other's silly jokes and potty talk.
Matthew. He adores you. Recently you invented a game where you were the Mommy Hawk, Matthew was the Baby Hawk and Isaac was a Lemur. So now Matthew goes around calling you Mommy Hawk and calling me Grandma. You are also very good at getting him to help you with your chores! I often find him “helping” you dust or sort laundry.
Elise. You adore her. Hopefully she will grow up to be the doll-playing companion that I am not. You constantly ask to hold her, play with her, hug and kiss her. You feed her baby food and change her diapers. Her face lights up when she sees you!
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