We are back home after being gone for a whole month! Phew! We had a great time out east visiting family, celebrating Christmas, New Years, and Seth's birthday, and spending oodles of quality time with the grandparents...but, boy oh boy, is it ever good to be home!
Caring for the boys, around the clock, without Scott (as he flew back home for 2+ weeks) was challenging and exhausting. Yes, I did have help from family and the boys were troopers with going back and forth between my parents' houses, but it still required a huge amount of daily energy to make all the decisions alone and being the only disciplinarian day in and day out was mentally draining. It made me very appreciative and grateful for the great dad that Scott is to the boys and the unified team that we are when we're together. There were a lot of heavy things amongst some family members that happened while we were home as well and I felt a little lonely processing it alone. It made me keenly aware of the emotional support I am used to receiving from Scott's attentive ear and quiet affirmation. It made me thankful.
I returned home to an awesome surprise. Not only had Scott repaired and painted the two leaky (and moldy) ceilings and painted the kitchen, office, playroom, and our bedroom...BUT...he also stained and finished the floors in the office and playroom...AND....put in a new shower as well as BUILT a closet in our bedroom. I was in tears!! Our house is finally coming together and I can finally think about purchasing items to start decorating! Hooray (it's only been 4 years)!
All in all, the trip out east was worth it. There were hard and trying moments that made me want to come home early like when Caleb got severe croup and ended up in the ER struggling to breathe. But there were also moments that brought great joy and satisfaction like seeing my kids growing closer to my parents and watching them connect with their cousins and aunts and uncles. That's the whole point of these extended visits...I want my family to know my kids and I want my kids to have lots of memories with my family. When I keep these goals at the forefront of my mind than I cannot help but feel blessed that I have a husband that goes above and beyond to make those things happen and a family that excitedly welcomes us into their homes and graciously accommodates us.
12/25/2009
The wonder of it all...
Thank you for your genuine concern of everything being just right.
Thank you for the amazement expressed in your eyes and the enjoyment displayed in your smile.
Thank you, dear ones, for the LOVE you bring to this season, for the JOY you bring to our home, and for the BLESSING you are to our family.
And, most of all, thank you for reminding us just how magical this season really is.
We enjoyed every minute experiencing Christmas through YOUR eyes!
12/06/2009
Home
Thank you for the food we eat;
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you, God, for everything
For each and every child I pray;
Thank you for this special day.
This is the prayer/song that Seth and I sing every night together. It is from a favorite book that we used to read (given to Seth by Auntie Leah) and I put it to the tune of the old hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth. Seth loves to sing it and we always say a small prayer when we are finished followed by God bless Mommy, Daddy, Seth, Caleb, and Duncan. Usually he'll then add another random person (or animal) before we close with Amen. I like the idea of putting prayers to music especially for children so young that don't really know how to pray yet. It is amazing how these songs can come back into your head and bring reassurance and comfort during frightening or difficult times when you can't find the words to pray.
I think I was in junior high when my father started singing the blessing before we would eat. We would always sing the Johnny Appleseed song and close with a small prayer of gratitude and thanks. To be honest, I was really embarrassed during those teen years when friends would come over and we'd all bust out in song before eating. Now it only evokes warm feelings to think about it...like a giant hug from those you love most. On the rare occasions that all of us siblings are home together, it's neat to see everyone singing, all of our eyes darting around the room, taking the time to embrace before we dine together.
I am trying to be intentional at creating these small traditions for my boys. Family traditions create a familiarity of what "home" really is and, hopefully, a treasured childhood that they can remember fondly and retreat to in their minds when they need the comfort and warmth of home. I haven't put a whole lot of thought into what traditions I'd like to incorporate or when. Scott and I are kind of just letting the boys' personalities and interests guide the way. It should be a good mix of family fun considering that we are all so different.
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you, God, for everything
For each and every child I pray;
Thank you for this special day.
This is the prayer/song that Seth and I sing every night together. It is from a favorite book that we used to read (given to Seth by Auntie Leah) and I put it to the tune of the old hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth. Seth loves to sing it and we always say a small prayer when we are finished followed by God bless Mommy, Daddy, Seth, Caleb, and Duncan. Usually he'll then add another random person (or animal) before we close with Amen. I like the idea of putting prayers to music especially for children so young that don't really know how to pray yet. It is amazing how these songs can come back into your head and bring reassurance and comfort during frightening or difficult times when you can't find the words to pray.
I think I was in junior high when my father started singing the blessing before we would eat. We would always sing the Johnny Appleseed song and close with a small prayer of gratitude and thanks. To be honest, I was really embarrassed during those teen years when friends would come over and we'd all bust out in song before eating. Now it only evokes warm feelings to think about it...like a giant hug from those you love most. On the rare occasions that all of us siblings are home together, it's neat to see everyone singing, all of our eyes darting around the room, taking the time to embrace before we dine together.
I am trying to be intentional at creating these small traditions for my boys. Family traditions create a familiarity of what "home" really is and, hopefully, a treasured childhood that they can remember fondly and retreat to in their minds when they need the comfort and warmth of home. I haven't put a whole lot of thought into what traditions I'd like to incorporate or when. Scott and I are kind of just letting the boys' personalities and interests guide the way. It should be a good mix of family fun considering that we are all so different.
11/21/2009
Go Away Dragon!
This past summer my brother, Nate, gave Seth the book Where the Wild Things Are. He is a little young to really understand the imaginative aspect of the story but he was immediately drawn to the page of Max on a boat who seems to be confronting a scary dragon in the water. I cannot tell you how many times my sister Becky re-enacted this scene with Seth throughout the course of our stay out east. Pretending he was Max, he would hold out his hand to the horrible creature, crinkle up his nose, furrow his little brow, and say with as much authority as he could muster up: "Go Away Dragon!" He absolutely LOVED acting this out...over and over and over. Well, "go away dragon" has quickly evolved into anything, really, that seth is wanting to go away in his little two year old world. From food he dislikes, to bugs, to a runny nose and the evils of constipation (yes, he has even exclaimed "go away poop" on occasion) my little guy is facing his fears, discomforts, and plain old annoyances and telling them where to go! It's humorous to watch and pretty darn cute, I must say, but I also get the feeling that Seth truly feels empowered when making this statement and I think it is working for him. Yesterday he fell down and hurt his arm. He got up, rubbed his arm, started to whimper a little, and then his expression changed. He looked down at his arm again, put on a brave face, and said in a strong voice: "Go Away Hurt!" And that was that. Done. He turned around, went looking for the next toy to play with, and was his happy little self in no time. I stood there marveling at my boy's resilience, his determination, his resolve to stand taller than his "dragons" and take control over the challenges and obstacles that come his way. I also couldn't help but think of future hurt that may come his way. Hurt feelings, a friend's betrayal, a broken heart, or even the pain of losing someone he loves. And in that moment, I prayed extra hard that the words, "Go Away Hurt," would work for him then too.
Don't you wish we could all speak to our "dragons" the way Seth does his? You really can learn a lot from a two yr. old.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged....for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." (2Chronicles 32:7 &8a)
11/11/2009
Back!
So, um, I'm going to attempt blogging again. Mostly so I can keep a record of my days with the boys, how they're growing and changing, and the cute (or not so cute) things they say and do.
The boys are starting to play together for very short periods of time. It is heart warming to see and I am reminded that even though it would be nice to have a daughter it is so worth it to have two of the same gender with them being so close in age. Seth giggles at Caleb's goofy faces and silliness like no other and Caleb looks at Seth with big adoring eyes. I hope that they will be best buds as they grow together. I am looking forward to the day when I can send them off to play together for hours on end. It is still challenging to find blocks of time where I feel like I accomplish things around the house. I usually set my expectations pretty low and if I exceed them I call it a productive day! Cooking supper is a joke! Caleb is pulling on my legs and tearing apart the kitchen and Seth is usually bored by 4:00 so I am saving their T.V. time for that time of day(lately t.v. doesn't interest them...and I feel sad about that). Like everything else it is probably just a stage that I need to force myself to see as temporary.
I am enjoying one on one time with Seth while Caleb naps. We will do an art project, practice ABC's, take out the playdough, or read books. He is eating it up. He is very eager to learn and loves to be told stories. He is talking a lot now and wants us to repeat everything he says. Fun! Seth loves music and does extremely well singing on key! We have no idea where he got that from. He is still obsessed with animals and even pointed out a Tapir to me in a book the other day...gotta love Diego.
Caleb is walking. He started last month and has been crawling less and less. It is very cute to observe him as he clumsily totters around the house, loses his balance, and falls down over and over again. Both boys mastered walking around 16 months...hmmm.
The boys are starting to play together for very short periods of time. It is heart warming to see and I am reminded that even though it would be nice to have a daughter it is so worth it to have two of the same gender with them being so close in age. Seth giggles at Caleb's goofy faces and silliness like no other and Caleb looks at Seth with big adoring eyes. I hope that they will be best buds as they grow together. I am looking forward to the day when I can send them off to play together for hours on end. It is still challenging to find blocks of time where I feel like I accomplish things around the house. I usually set my expectations pretty low and if I exceed them I call it a productive day! Cooking supper is a joke! Caleb is pulling on my legs and tearing apart the kitchen and Seth is usually bored by 4:00 so I am saving their T.V. time for that time of day(lately t.v. doesn't interest them...and I feel sad about that). Like everything else it is probably just a stage that I need to force myself to see as temporary.
I am enjoying one on one time with Seth while Caleb naps. We will do an art project, practice ABC's, take out the playdough, or read books. He is eating it up. He is very eager to learn and loves to be told stories. He is talking a lot now and wants us to repeat everything he says. Fun! Seth loves music and does extremely well singing on key! We have no idea where he got that from. He is still obsessed with animals and even pointed out a Tapir to me in a book the other day...gotta love Diego.
Caleb is walking. He started last month and has been crawling less and less. It is very cute to observe him as he clumsily totters around the house, loses his balance, and falls down over and over again. Both boys mastered walking around 16 months...hmmm.
4/16/2009
We can breathe easy now
Seth has had a rough winter to say the least. It seems like we can't go even a few weeks before he gets another round of what sounds like the croup. If Seth gets even a little bit of a stuffed nose it will inevitably end up as a respiratory infection. It's nerve wracking because there have been mornings when he wakes up with heavy rapid wheezing. We now have a nebulizer to treat him when he is struggling to breathe which has brought a lot of reassurance.
He had just eaten an orange popsicle in this picture hence the lips! His newfound obsessions are the dinosaur and manitee in his hands.
He is sleeping well for naps and at night. He still wakes up at 11:00 for a feeding as well as 4:00 a.m. In the next few weeks I am going to try to drop one of these feedings but I actually don't mind it all that much. I am painfully aware that his baby days are fleeting and I want to cherish these last few months of nursing him. Besides, compared to what his sleeping habits were a few months ago it feels like I am getting a ton of sleep! He is also eating like a champ! Favorite foods include sweet potato, avocado, squash, pears, and Gerber puffs!
The next time he gets this cough the doctor wants to investigate the possibility of allergies and asthma. Right now he is on zantac to rule out acid reflux which can sometimes cause a chronic cough.
He had just eaten an orange popsicle in this picture hence the lips! His newfound obsessions are the dinosaur and manitee in his hands.In other news Caleb had his nine month checkup this week. He is 20lbs. 8.5 oz and is 28.5 inches long. Mostly, the 50th percentile for all his measurements. We'll take it! He is growing and developing fine and didn't have to endure any shots this time! He also did great at his GI appointment last week and only has to go back one more time! He still battles constipation but is far more comfortable these days!
He is sleeping well for naps and at night. He still wakes up at 11:00 for a feeding as well as 4:00 a.m. In the next few weeks I am going to try to drop one of these feedings but I actually don't mind it all that much. I am painfully aware that his baby days are fleeting and I want to cherish these last few months of nursing him. Besides, compared to what his sleeping habits were a few months ago it feels like I am getting a ton of sleep! He is also eating like a champ! Favorite foods include sweet potato, avocado, squash, pears, and Gerber puffs!1/27/2009
Timing is everything
Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. I don't quite know how to get started again...there' s been so much that has happened these past few months but, then again, not really. I guess that's the way I feel a lot about life now that I have two little ones...it seems like I'm always busy but when I look back at the end of the day I feel like I've accomplished absolutely nothing! I believe that timing is everything. I'm not quite sure if now is the time for me to have a blog but I know that someday I will proabably appreciate having my thoughts and the kids' daily experiences recorded....so I am trying to decide what to do.
It seems kind of silly to sit down and write when I barely have time to shower, keep the house up, exercise, do my devotions, return phone calls, cook, write thank you cards, etc. So, we will see, I guess. What may happen is my posts may become rather short and random. Like I said, timing is everything...so I may have to adjust my blog to fit the amount of time I have to put into it.
It seems kind of silly to sit down and write when I barely have time to shower, keep the house up, exercise, do my devotions, return phone calls, cook, write thank you cards, etc. So, we will see, I guess. What may happen is my posts may become rather short and random. Like I said, timing is everything...so I may have to adjust my blog to fit the amount of time I have to put into it.
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