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.
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