We have some new challenges this week...but also some new skills accomplished. The challenges? They coincide with the previous post. I do believe we are entering in to some uncharted territory known as the "terrible two's"?
First, I'm not a fan of that name - the kid's not terrible - so it will be the last time it's used (even when I feel like it's the only way to describe it sometimes - I will resist).
We have just had an influx of crying spells (that may or may not qualify as tantrums) and some separation anxiety that was for sure not present before this week. I am happy to say that here, at the end of the week, it has gotten better. The beginning was not fun, but I think I have prepared myself to be more patient and we've both been adjusting.
How am I tackling this? I don't know how! So tips at this point would be appreciated. There are a couple of things that I've been doing, and they seem to have been working some, but who knows :)
* When he starts to cry and wine (usually for unknown reason), I've started asking him to say "cheese!" instead; he knows this means to smile and so far, it actually works (though not long-lasting all the time)
* I have found myself OVERLY explaining things to him these days, with eye contact, down at his level; we go over EVERYTHING that we're about to do, what will happen when we are doing it, and what will happen when it is over; this helps when I leave him in nursery or with someone, or in bed (yes - he has even started crying when we put him down!)
* When his voice gets louder, mine gets softer
* And then for those times he completely throws himself in the floor (thankfully this isn't that often), I completely ignore him. Usually he will realize I'm not even there anymore and just get up.
* And then I'm more conscious this week about making sure he gets plenty of play-time. Some days I can get caught up in errands and working out and whatnot, that I forget he hasn't had just time to play. Terrible, I know, but we've made sure he has it this week.
But in milestone news, Noah is a little crab! Crawling everywhere and getting mighty fast at it! It's so fun to watch. He gets himself in hairy situations sometimes, but always yells for help. Because of this, he's been more engaged with Lincoln which is great!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
One of Those Days
Have you had them?
Where the kids (well, in my case it was the kid) appear as if they've spent the whole previous night strategizing how to drive mama near close to spending a day (or two) in the coo-coo house?
And I also know that later - in hind sight (don't you love hind sight?) that you'll realize it was actually your attitude throughout the day that probably made it seem so bad and the behaviors of the little darlings wasn't really so terrible...I don't feel this yet but I am prepared to come rest and morning.
But yes. Today was that day where, the kids are handed over to the hubby when he walks in the door, and I attempt to check-out for a bit and find my misplaced head.
In brief synopsis, the day was full of butt paste slinging/smearing, grabbing coals out of the fireplace and throwing them all over the living room and on Noah, tantrums - lots of tantrums, taking food out of his mouth and slinging it across the kitchen on to the walls where it would stick, and did I mention the tantrums?
Lincoln had an "off" day yesterday, too, but it wasn't tantrums as much as it was this extreme anxiety when we weren't there. It was strange and baffled us because we never see that in him.
So I'm not sure if he's not feeling well? Someone suggested he was cutting molars maybe? But one thing I have learned about Lincoln lately is that when he does feel nervous or unsure of a new situation, he puts his hands in his mouth. It's his nervous little habit I guess. Anyway, hopefully the week gets better and these are just some random days. I'm full aware tantrums are in the future and they're a normal part of development, but - like I said - these past few days have just been off.
So good things about today?
- Lincoln played well with Noah this morning, showing him how to do puzzles;
- I got to skype with my best friend Melissa who lives in Ukraine for a long time and she got to meet my little ones;
- The rain - it was a day for the rain :)
- I got a 45 minute nap
- This week starts the women's Bible study I'm doing this fall - so excited!
- Did all the laundry and folded it.
Where the kids (well, in my case it was the kid) appear as if they've spent the whole previous night strategizing how to drive mama near close to spending a day (or two) in the coo-coo house?
And I also know that later - in hind sight (don't you love hind sight?) that you'll realize it was actually your attitude throughout the day that probably made it seem so bad and the behaviors of the little darlings wasn't really so terrible...I don't feel this yet but I am prepared to come rest and morning.
But yes. Today was that day where, the kids are handed over to the hubby when he walks in the door, and I attempt to check-out for a bit and find my misplaced head.
In brief synopsis, the day was full of butt paste slinging/smearing, grabbing coals out of the fireplace and throwing them all over the living room and on Noah, tantrums - lots of tantrums, taking food out of his mouth and slinging it across the kitchen on to the walls where it would stick, and did I mention the tantrums?
Lincoln had an "off" day yesterday, too, but it wasn't tantrums as much as it was this extreme anxiety when we weren't there. It was strange and baffled us because we never see that in him.
So I'm not sure if he's not feeling well? Someone suggested he was cutting molars maybe? But one thing I have learned about Lincoln lately is that when he does feel nervous or unsure of a new situation, he puts his hands in his mouth. It's his nervous little habit I guess. Anyway, hopefully the week gets better and these are just some random days. I'm full aware tantrums are in the future and they're a normal part of development, but - like I said - these past few days have just been off.
So good things about today?
- Lincoln played well with Noah this morning, showing him how to do puzzles;
- I got to skype with my best friend Melissa who lives in Ukraine for a long time and she got to meet my little ones;
- The rain - it was a day for the rain :)
- I got a 45 minute nap
- This week starts the women's Bible study I'm doing this fall - so excited!
- Did all the laundry and folded it.
Friday, September 10, 2010
As of Late
I like having these little updates on my boys to look back at...so here it goes:
Lincoln (2 weeks shy of being 23 MONTHS!)
- is GROWING. He's pretty much lost that cute little gut, getting taller, and turning into a boy (well -you know what I mean)
- in reference to the above, he is in-between sizes: 2T's fit, but only depending on the brand...some of his 2T's have had it and are too small; some 3T's, however, fit perfect, and some brands are way too big.
- still in diapers (though I tell him and myself every time I change him he's getting too big for this!)...size 6 to be exact. And last I checked, they stop at size 6. Oh dear. I promise I'll potty train him. I just might be forced in to it.
- still in a crib. yes. I think he would have no problem moving to his new room (we even have a room and bed for him - yes.) but I cherish sleep with 2 tiny ones and still like deciding when he goes/gets up. Lincoln is one fantastic sleeper and I'm not up to messing it up just yet.
- still has a pacy (though we try to put restrictions on it). I have till Kindergarten to rid pacy, potty train, and move out of crib, though...right??????
- He is out of his high chair??? Does that win me back some points??
- He is taking one nap/day - usually anywhere from 3-4 hours
- Lately we've been incorporating some kind of structured learning into our day: we work on colors, numbers, letters, and Bible verses (very simplified ones). He knows about 6 colors consistently, is "okay" on "ABC" (hit/miss), and struggles with counting still. This whole week has been dedicated to counting. We've done a couple of fun crafts with numbers, printed off some "number buddies" and I've basically been trying to count EVERYTHING with him. He knows what "counting" is (usually looks at his toes and counts them - inaccurately). We'll get there.
- And the Bible verses? I print off a verse/week and put it on the fridge. We go over it at lunch. Again - no memorization, but I just him to get used to it all.
- He can sign "Jesus Loves Me" which is precious.
- He always wants to sleep with a book and you can hear him "reading" it outside of his door before he falls asleep.
- He's still an orderly kid - likes things to be aligned right...can't have one lamp on without the matching one on in the living room, etc.
- He LOVES "Yo Gabba Gabba" - they dance a lot and he just goes crazy around the living room dancing. It's fun to watch it with him and interact with it all.
- He asks to go outside about 10 times/day.
- He likes baby food out of a jar. And I let him eat it because it's super healthy (he likes cause Noah eats it).
- He still makes sure we pray before every meal and at bedtime. And sometimes throughout the day he asks if we can pray (of course he gets a big fat YES).
- Sometimes when he's in his own little world, he'll have his head bowed and hands folded and you'll hear "Mamma...and dadda...(mumble mumble mumble)...and Noah...AMEN!" These are my favorite.
- We're bracing for the tantrum stage. He can throw a good one. Sometimes we'll think "here it goes...next few years!" but then he has good days. So the tantrums are still sporadic - but I know the day is coming.
- He's learned what "share" means. I've noticed he shares GREAT with kids older than him, but struggles with smaller ones for some reason. We're working on that. :)
- He gets SO excited on days he gets to play with his friends - he lets out shrills of joy.
- He's still ever so extroverted...and still a little comedian. Loves an audience and to make people laugh. Funny guy.
- Just this past week he started saying "NO!" in this real ugly tone when he doesn't like something. Again - working on that one and sorry if he's rude to you. :)
Noah (7 months)
- He sleeps GREAT! And is waiting till 7:00 to wake up - finally!
- He's down to about two really long naps/day as of this week (we'll see if it sticks)
- Finally eating solids good - he had me nervous there for a while. He likes it all.
- Still drinking 6oz. bottles every 3 hours
- Can sit up really good now
- As of this week - he CRAWLS in perfect motion - a whole new world ahead of us
- This stage has been fun because he crawls all around playing with toys and interacts a lot more with Lincoln. Fun to watch.
- He's happy in the stroller and the car all the time now - took a while but we finally got there
- He is still a small little guy
- He's going to have allergy issues like Lincoln and Jason - poor guy. He's been sick for the past 3 weeks and the doctor said he might be a little congested until the first freeze
- He's in size 3 diapers
- Still sleeping in pack-n-play and gets moved a lot since people stay at our house a lot through football season. He doesn't seem to mind one bit though.
So there's some latests on the boys. Have a good day!
Lincoln (2 weeks shy of being 23 MONTHS!)
- is GROWING. He's pretty much lost that cute little gut, getting taller, and turning into a boy (well -you know what I mean)
- in reference to the above, he is in-between sizes: 2T's fit, but only depending on the brand...some of his 2T's have had it and are too small; some 3T's, however, fit perfect, and some brands are way too big.
- still in diapers (though I tell him and myself every time I change him he's getting too big for this!)...size 6 to be exact. And last I checked, they stop at size 6. Oh dear. I promise I'll potty train him. I just might be forced in to it.
- still in a crib. yes. I think he would have no problem moving to his new room (we even have a room and bed for him - yes.) but I cherish sleep with 2 tiny ones and still like deciding when he goes/gets up. Lincoln is one fantastic sleeper and I'm not up to messing it up just yet.
- still has a pacy (though we try to put restrictions on it). I have till Kindergarten to rid pacy, potty train, and move out of crib, though...right??????
- He is out of his high chair??? Does that win me back some points??
- He is taking one nap/day - usually anywhere from 3-4 hours
- Lately we've been incorporating some kind of structured learning into our day: we work on colors, numbers, letters, and Bible verses (very simplified ones). He knows about 6 colors consistently, is "okay" on "ABC" (hit/miss), and struggles with counting still. This whole week has been dedicated to counting. We've done a couple of fun crafts with numbers, printed off some "number buddies" and I've basically been trying to count EVERYTHING with him. He knows what "counting" is (usually looks at his toes and counts them - inaccurately). We'll get there.
- And the Bible verses? I print off a verse/week and put it on the fridge. We go over it at lunch. Again - no memorization, but I just him to get used to it all.
- He can sign "Jesus Loves Me" which is precious.
- He always wants to sleep with a book and you can hear him "reading" it outside of his door before he falls asleep.
- He's still an orderly kid - likes things to be aligned right...can't have one lamp on without the matching one on in the living room, etc.
- He LOVES "Yo Gabba Gabba" - they dance a lot and he just goes crazy around the living room dancing. It's fun to watch it with him and interact with it all.
- He asks to go outside about 10 times/day.
- He likes baby food out of a jar. And I let him eat it because it's super healthy (he likes cause Noah eats it).
- He still makes sure we pray before every meal and at bedtime. And sometimes throughout the day he asks if we can pray (of course he gets a big fat YES).
- Sometimes when he's in his own little world, he'll have his head bowed and hands folded and you'll hear "Mamma...and dadda...(mumble mumble mumble)...and Noah...AMEN!" These are my favorite.
- We're bracing for the tantrum stage. He can throw a good one. Sometimes we'll think "here it goes...next few years!" but then he has good days. So the tantrums are still sporadic - but I know the day is coming.
- He's learned what "share" means. I've noticed he shares GREAT with kids older than him, but struggles with smaller ones for some reason. We're working on that. :)
- He gets SO excited on days he gets to play with his friends - he lets out shrills of joy.
- He's still ever so extroverted...and still a little comedian. Loves an audience and to make people laugh. Funny guy.
- Just this past week he started saying "NO!" in this real ugly tone when he doesn't like something. Again - working on that one and sorry if he's rude to you. :)
Noah (7 months)
- He sleeps GREAT! And is waiting till 7:00 to wake up - finally!
- He's down to about two really long naps/day as of this week (we'll see if it sticks)
- Finally eating solids good - he had me nervous there for a while. He likes it all.
- Still drinking 6oz. bottles every 3 hours
- Can sit up really good now
- As of this week - he CRAWLS in perfect motion - a whole new world ahead of us
- This stage has been fun because he crawls all around playing with toys and interacts a lot more with Lincoln. Fun to watch.
- He's happy in the stroller and the car all the time now - took a while but we finally got there
- He is still a small little guy
- He's going to have allergy issues like Lincoln and Jason - poor guy. He's been sick for the past 3 weeks and the doctor said he might be a little congested until the first freeze
- He's in size 3 diapers
- Still sleeping in pack-n-play and gets moved a lot since people stay at our house a lot through football season. He doesn't seem to mind one bit though.
So there's some latests on the boys. Have a good day!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
How Deep the Father's Love
Today Jason and I were privileged to witness Christ's glory made known through tragedy and His message be boldly spoken and received. We were challenged to live Christ OUT LOUD and that He is bigger - and will forever be BIGGER - than anything.
"Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." Psalm 73:25-26
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Thank you for the Cross
Thank you for the Cross
Thank you for the Cross.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Labor Day Weekend
This weekend packed FULL of family and business leaving little room for sleep - which called for fully, happy hearts and a pair of exhausted kiddos by the end.
I wish I had pictures to relay it all but, well - I don't.
Friday night kicked off Bentonville football season with a home game (which we won. by a lot) and the weather couldn't of been better. The coaches families all sit in the in-zone area so the kids can run around and play freely. This was Lincoln's first game where he has been able to run and play with the other kids. He gave us a few "Jason QUICK! He's about to run on the field!!" moments, but overall, did pretty good, had a ball, and was asleep in the car before we left the school.
In the morning, Jason's parents, their two foreign exchange students, and Uncle Andy & Aunt Erica came over to spend the next two nights, and kick off RAZORBACK FOOTBALL!!!!!
The little boys shopped with Gran-Gran and Erica while the rest of us cheered on the Hogs (who didn't need much cheering to pull of this win).
Got back late from the game, went to bed, but woke up early to go to church the next morning. We had quite the crew so we took up an entire row in church. Ate out, did some more shopping/playing, then ordered pizza that night and ate outside, because - once again - the weather was amazing! The boys swam a little, then we came home and played cards till about 1:00am.
And just when we thought the fun was over, the grandparents decided they wanted to get up and take us all to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch before they headed back home Monday.
SO FUN. Actually, I think us adults may have had the most fun! It's about time NWA gets a Dave & Busters. :)
After Jason's family left, the fun STILL didn't stop. My parents cooked out for the whole family that night and we went and played some more. We wrung the poor kids (especially Lincoln) dry by the end of this long weekend.
He's still a little grumpy this morning, but down for his nap. I think it was all worth a little grumpiness though.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Some Thoughts
Today Jason and I were reminded about how fragile and precious life is...
About how our children are not, in fact, ours at all...
They are a pure, precious gift from our Savior...who loves us beyond measure and entrusts us with one goal for our children - to bring them to know Him.
Because knowing Him and making Him known - fully, bravely, immensly, boldly - is the essence of this short time on earth...
All else is meaningless.
We're in prayer for some dear friends who are experiencing this in the midst of tragedy, and through our own prayers for them and our own children, in faith, pray again:
"Lord, as you did for Hannah, take this child of mine. So I have dedicated Lincoln and Noah to you; as long as they live, they are dedicated to you."
I Samuel 1:28; I Chronicles 4:10
His will is perfect and His grace is unending...Praise the Lord.
About how our children are not, in fact, ours at all...
They are a pure, precious gift from our Savior...who loves us beyond measure and entrusts us with one goal for our children - to bring them to know Him.
Because knowing Him and making Him known - fully, bravely, immensly, boldly - is the essence of this short time on earth...
All else is meaningless.
We're in prayer for some dear friends who are experiencing this in the midst of tragedy, and through our own prayers for them and our own children, in faith, pray again:
"Lord, as you did for Hannah, take this child of mine. So I have dedicated Lincoln and Noah to you; as long as they live, they are dedicated to you."
I Samuel 1:28; I Chronicles 4:10
His will is perfect and His grace is unending...Praise the Lord.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Heart Full of Music
Lincoln has always been our dancer. Ever since he was a wee little thing he began customizing his very own signature moves. Sometimes there's music...other times there's not. Either way, this boy loves to move. This morning made me laugh cause it was the first time he (like us) liked watching himself move. :)
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