Elise's Journal

March 17, 2012

We have been blessed with an amazingly warm winter. All through January and February I kept waiting for winter to “kick in” and it never really did. Most days were at least 40 and we have had very little snow. Now that it's March, the skies are blue, the temps are in the 60s-70s and the grass is turning green! It's been awesome (though I wonder what this means our summer will be like?). You like being outside – particularly swinging at the park. You also like riding in the stroller. Anytime I turn you loose on the grass or patio , though, I like to stick a pacifier in your mouth. Otherwise EVERYTHING else goes in your mouth. Sticks, rocks, bugs, paper, ANYTHING.

You are crawling as of about a month ago. It is a funny crawl, though. Instead of both of your knees down, you use one knee and one foot. It looks awkward, but you've gotten pretty fast! You also pull yourself up just about anywhere and cruise around – sometimes you've let go, but only for a second.

You have several words now, “uh oh” is actually probably the clearest. You also say “duck” for “yuck” and “mama”, “dada”, “hi”, “bye” and “boo”. I think you've been attempting your siblings' names but they still come out pretty garbled!

Now you drink formula from a sippy cup. You won't nurse anymore. I think it's because you prefer to suck on your pacifier. You eat all sorts of things, from cut up PB sandwiches to yogurt to eggs to beans and rice or peas. Fruit is not your favorite which is odd to me. You love feeding yourself and probably have the strongest preference for bread products (pancakes!) and meatballs.

It is darling to watch you play. You'll crawl to the bookshelf, pull down some baby books, then just sit and look through them for a while. You LOVE baby dolls, or any toy with a face, and you'll hold them to your shoulder and rock like you're snuggling them. You also love putting things in and out of containers. One of my favorite things to do with you is dance. While Daddy's playing piano or I have the radio on, I'll sweep you up, snuggle you in to my shoulder and sway. You love it – such a big smile and so cuddly.

The big kids are doing swimming lessons, which means you go to the nursery at the Y while I work out. It's not your favorite thing to do, but you don't cry much anymore (the first two times were rough). In contrast, you LOVE going to Bible study! When we get there, you kick your legs in excitement and you are actually glad for me to drop you off with your teachers. You also do well for Grammie, Daddy and various babysitters. I'm glad you are so friendly, but I still feel good that I am preferred! I love to come pick you up and watch your eyes light up and your face split with a smile.

Matthew's Journal

March 17, 2012

We have been blessed with an amazingly warm winter. All through January and February I kept waiting for winter to “kick in” and it never really did. Most days were at least 40 and we have had very little snow. Now that it's March, the skies are blue, the temps are in the 60s-70s and the grass is turning green! It's been awesome (though I wonder what this means our summer will be like?). You are the first of my children to be happy going outside by yourself. You will ride your tricycle around and around the patio or mix up some mudpies in the “mud pie kitchen”.

Mud pies are an interesting conundrum for you though. You love mixing and making but hate being dirty. It's to the point that this morning you didn't even want syrup on your waffle because it would make you sticky. And if you get even a little bit of water on you then you want to change clothes. Except that you only have about two pairs of clothes that you like – your “running clothes”. Jeans are generally a no go because of the buttons. “Finicky” definitely describes you right now.

You turned three last month. It is hard to believe you are so big! We gave you a Superman costume (which you were convinced you HAD to get) and a Handy Manny construction toy. The good thing about you is that almost any toy will engage you, so it's fun to pick presents for you because I know you'll love what I pick! It's fun to watch you build your little plastic building with Handy Manny's crane and load the pick up truck with concrete blocks and carry on little conversations between the plastic figures. We had a big party for you and Beckham and all the family one day. Your mutual friend Conner came, and you invited your friend Gideon from church. Then on your actual birthday we had strawberries and brownies dipped in chocolate fondue (your idea!) and a couple more presents. You kept asking, “Am I still 3?” As a three-year-old at our house, you get to chew gum now. But after I finally convinced you not to swallow it, you're still not quite sure what to do with it. You chew it for about 20 seconds then come looking for me and spit it in my hand!

Since the big kids do swimming lessons and gymnastics, you wanted so badly to be able to do it too. So against my better judgment I signed you up. You went to about three weeks of gymnastics classes before throwing a huge fit and refusing to go again. Swimming lessons we weren't so lucky. The first time, you fell off the wall, and even though your teacher quickly rescued you, that was enough to make you refuse to try again. And you aren't one to be talked into something.

Daddy's been in Europe for the past ten days. The second day, in Amsterdam, he was accosted by a man with a knife who demanded his money. Instead of agreeing, Daddy knocked the man over, ran and got away. We were very thankful that God protected him. The first weekend he was gone we took an overnight trip to Brookings with Grammie and the Slacks to see Uncle Andrew, stay in a hotel (with pool!) and go to the Children's Museum. You loved the area that was set up like a miniature car service shop. You unscrewed bolts and changed tires and added oil – you were so enthralled!

Every day you ask me “Are we staying home today?” If you were Isaac, you'd be hoping for a no. But you're Matthew and you'd rather stay home where things are safe and controlled and you have all your special things and Mommy's always available to solve your many crises. I'm glad I can do it for you, but I'm constantly struggling to know when to fix things for you and when to (try to) make you tough up!

Abby's Journal

March 17, 2012

We have been blessed with an amazingly warm winter. All through January and February I kept waiting for winter to “kick in” and it never really did. Most days were at least 40 and we have had very little snow. Now that it's March, the skies are blue, the temps are in the 60s-70s and the grass is turning green! It's been awesome (though I wonder what this means our summer will be like?). You love going outside to concoct things in the “mud pie kitchen” or to ride your scooter. Sometimes I have to push a bit to get you out there but then you always enjoy it.

We are doing swimming lessons again. You are very confident but still not able to swim super long distances. You actually do better swimming UNDER water! The first day of lessons you refused to go to your teacher. I took you back to the locker room and told you that if you didn't do swimming lessons, you wouldn't be going to family swim nights with the rest of us. That convinced you and I've never had another issue with it. Often that's true of you – I only have to discipline/convince you once.

A lot of the conflict with school work is gone too. I think it is because you are now finding yourself able to read lots of words – everywhere – and that excites you! I also find you writing little notes to people all the time. You say, “I just love to write!” Your spelling is just darling. Two notes that I've got handy, “i love you isaac I love you vare much FROM Abby” and “Thak you FOR The Beds (beads) MOM FROM Abby”.

You were invited to the Fagreys for a Valentines tea party. Emma Jacobs was there too. You came home covered in make up and full of wonderful games you played – wedding and princess and such. I am so glad you have such sweet friends. I have always hoped you would be able to play the type of lovely make-believe things that I did growing up. It's hard being sandwiched by brothers! You and I have gotten in several good Barbie sessions lately, though, and I also set up playdates for you with a little friend from Bible study whenever Isaac was gone for the day skiing.

Daddy's been in Europe for the past ten days. The second day, in Amsterdam, he was accosted by a man with a knife who demanded his money. Instead of agreeing, Daddy knocked the man over, ran and got away. You were glad that we had prayed for Daddy to be safe. The first weekend he was gone we took an overnight trip to Brookings with Grammie and the Slacks to see Uncle Andrew, stay in a hotel (with pool!) and go to the Children's Museum. You were so precious to watch in the grocery store/farm area of the Museum. You had an apron on and you were harvesting fruits and vegetables with your wheelbarrow then restocking the shelves of the grocery store then going shopping – so intent for nearly an hour. We had to pull you away to “move on”. I laughed with Grammie that you would have had more fun if the museum were empty of other children – that way you could have had everything organized exactly how you wanted it!

I am so thankful for you – your sweet spirit and peacemaking skills are sunshine for me. I try to let you know how special you are and I hope someday you understand.

Isaac's Journal

March 17, 2012

We have been blessed with an amazingly warm winter. All through January and February I kept waiting for winter to “kick in” and it never really did. Most days were at least 40 and we have had very little snow. Now that it's March, the skies are blue, the temps are in the 60s-70s and the grass is turning green! It's been awesome (though I wonder what this means our summer will be like?). Being able to send you outside is such a sanity saver (for both of us, I believe).

We've been doing swimming lessons again and you are amazingly good. I signed you up for “Polliwogs” and you got promoted to “Guppies” after the first lesson. You're doing a front crawl with great form and treading water as well. It makes me feel good to know that you're a strong swimmer and that you don't have to be afraid of the water! Your class is after Abby's so I actually have you put your stuff in your own locker and then I leave after I check that you're in your lesson okay. Then you get yourself changed and wait in the lobby for Daddy to pick you up on his way home from work!

You also got to try out skiing on three separate days at “homeschool ski days”. Daddy took each of those days off of work in order to go with you. You loved it! Daddy taught you to keep your skis parallel and slalom down the hill – even intermediate slopes. You are so physically gifted – your coordination and balance amaze me. (Your gymnastics coach also said you could consider competitive gymnastics, but unfortunately they don't have a boys' team!)

I've also noticed you playing the piano a lot again. I taught you Chopsticks and Heart and Soul – you can play both parts but not at the same time. You've also been “composing” some of your own stuff with beautiful harmonies and chords. I've still never offered lessons and you've never asked, but I have a feeling that once it's the right time you will pick up everything very quickly!

Daddy's been in Europe for the past ten days. The second day, in Amsterdam, he was accosted by a man with a knife who demanded his money. Instead of agreeing, Daddy knocked the man over, ran and got away. You thought that was “so AWESOME!” It's always hard on you when Daddy's gone – you ask me all the time, “What time is it where Daddy is?” but it's really helped this time that Papa has taken you biking a couple of times and Aunt Natalie has taken you hiking with her boys a couple of times too. You just so enjoy being out and about, not to mention needing physical activity. We also took an overnight trip to Brookings with Grammie and the Slacks to see Uncle Andrew, stay in a hotel (with pool!) and go to the Children's Museum. You loved pumping up the water and shooting little plastic balls through a pipe and onto a track and SPLASH down again into the water.

I love your hugs and I love that you still want to be with me. You're getting bigger and doing more stuff without me, and I love seeing you realize your own competence. I think you're thriving with a little more independence, but I'm glad that you still want your Mama sometimes too.

Elise's Journal

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.

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.

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.