Trevor woke up a little before 5:30 a.m. this morning, so I went in and laid him back down and returned to bed. He never really quit fussing until Stephen brought him in for me to nurse at 6:30. I used to get quite angry when the kids would wake me up at night--storming around and the like--but for the last few years I've been given some extra strength and it hasn't bothered me at all. But, oh, this morning I just wanted to sleep! And I WAS NOT happy about the constant fussing!
Then Lincoln woke up and came into my room. "I like you, Mommy" he said, as he climbed into bed with me. "My feet are cold", so he snuggled up close. "Need your jacket? Oh, there is it!" And he went to get it for me. Finally I roll out of bed and hear, "I want give you hug", and he wraps his little arms around me and gives me a big squeeze.
Sometimes I forget that the whiny-ness shouldn't define who my children are to me. Lincoln reminded me that my kids are sweet with whiny times, not the other way around.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Bonus Sammy!
Happy, happy birthday, Sammy!
We had an real-meaning-of-Easter-Easter-Egg hunt and decided to serve birthday cake (that Elise made--she makes all the birthday cakes now because of an infamous reputation I have of forgetting to do so...), since it was the day after his birthday. And yes, that is strawberry lemonade and yes, that is snow. :) Helloooo Minnesota Spring!
Sammy G
Oh, my sweet, sweet Sammy! This is my boy who notices when I'm tired and rubs my back, or is perfectly content just being with me--whether I'm playing a game with him or we are doing the dishes together. He is a sober and steady boy, and always, always takes time. Time to think of an answer or time to let Lincoln try by himself or time to sound out a word. He never rushes me when I say, "In a minute" or asks the same question over and over. He just waits quietly for when I'm ready.
I had the idea a while ago that I should make a point to play a game and read a book with Sammy every day. Just with him. I told him my idea and he perked right up. And then he said, "Can we put it in your planner?" He was so excited when I wrote it down--and really lit up when I put "book & game" on every single day. He didn't know he was that important--because only important things get put in the planner--things that will get done. How simple it is to make him feel special!!
Elise and Sammy made this snowman on Friday. Winter is sticking around this Spring!
Some time after midnight the other night I sensed a small person standing at my door. Sometimes Sammy wakes up with a scary dream but doesn't want to wake me up so will just stand silently by my bed until I notice him (it kind of makes me jump to see a small, silent figure so close to me in the middle of the night!). I got up and asked him if he needed to use the bathroom. He shook his head. I asked him if he'd had a scary dream. Again, he shook his head. I asked him if he needed some water. Another shake. Finally I asked him why he was up, and he replied, "I don't know why I'm here." And turned around and went back to bed.
Sammy is in pre-ballet, and often before class starts he doesn't want to go in, but once he's been in there a few minutes he loves it. The theme for this year's Spring Performance is "Once Upon a Time", and his class of 5 girls and 2 boys (Mason being the other boy) is doing a Peter Pan-themed dance. The boys are Peter Pans and the girls are Tinkerbells. Sammy loves it!
I had the idea a while ago that I should make a point to play a game and read a book with Sammy every day. Just with him. I told him my idea and he perked right up. And then he said, "Can we put it in your planner?" He was so excited when I wrote it down--and really lit up when I put "book & game" on every single day. He didn't know he was that important--because only important things get put in the planner--things that will get done. How simple it is to make him feel special!!
Elise and Sammy made this snowman on Friday. Winter is sticking around this Spring!
Sammy is in pre-ballet, and often before class starts he doesn't want to go in, but once he's been in there a few minutes he loves it. The theme for this year's Spring Performance is "Once Upon a Time", and his class of 5 girls and 2 boys (Mason being the other boy) is doing a Peter Pan-themed dance. The boys are Peter Pans and the girls are Tinkerbells. Sammy loves it!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Lincoln
Lincoln is a creature of habit. He has his routines, thank you very much, and when you mess with them you do it at your own peril. For example, the milk bottle...
I was getting fed up with him coming in my room at 6 a.m. every morning, telling me he was hungry, so I came up with the genius idea of getting his food all set out the night before so that I could slumber in peace. I'd get up, pour his milk and then climb back into bed. He thought this was a pretty sweet deal, but soon I didn't want to get up at all, so I found a quart-sized water bottle type thing and put milk in it so that he could pour his own milk.
When I pulled out the new milk container Lincoln about flipped out. This was something new, something to be feared. Something different. After a few minutes of freaking out he decided it was okay, and now it is part of his routine.
***
Lincoln LOVES to take my phone and take pictures of himself. Most of them look something like this...
Johanna K. & Calvin B. are his best buddies--he looks forward to babysitting swap every week! I'm often asked, "baby-swap today?" You can't tell by their sizes, but Lincoln is the oldest of the three (there is only a few weeks difference between them). :)
Lincoln was so sad when I told him Grammy wasn't coming to visit us yet, so he built a car and we played "Goin' to Gammy's house." The yellow vest he is wearing in the pictures above and below is his favorite thing lately. Elise convinced him to wear it (something new!) by showing him how he could put treasures in all the pockets. He has specific marbles, beads, dice and a car that go in specific pockets. When I wash it he puts everything in a specific box to await a clean vest. When he naps he takes it off and hangs it on the back of his little chair. He's very predictable about it. He's pretty predictable about most things, in fact.
I was getting fed up with him coming in my room at 6 a.m. every morning, telling me he was hungry, so I came up with the genius idea of getting his food all set out the night before so that I could slumber in peace. I'd get up, pour his milk and then climb back into bed. He thought this was a pretty sweet deal, but soon I didn't want to get up at all, so I found a quart-sized water bottle type thing and put milk in it so that he could pour his own milk.
When I pulled out the new milk container Lincoln about flipped out. This was something new, something to be feared. Something different. After a few minutes of freaking out he decided it was okay, and now it is part of his routine.
***
Lincoln LOVES to take my phone and take pictures of himself. Most of them look something like this...
Johanna K. & Calvin B. are his best buddies--he looks forward to babysitting swap every week! I'm often asked, "baby-swap today?" You can't tell by their sizes, but Lincoln is the oldest of the three (there is only a few weeks difference between them). :)
Lincoln was so sad when I told him Grammy wasn't coming to visit us yet, so he built a car and we played "Goin' to Gammy's house." The yellow vest he is wearing in the pictures above and below is his favorite thing lately. Elise convinced him to wear it (something new!) by showing him how he could put treasures in all the pockets. He has specific marbles, beads, dice and a car that go in specific pockets. When I wash it he puts everything in a specific box to await a clean vest. When he naps he takes it off and hangs it on the back of his little chair. He's very predictable about it. He's pretty predictable about most things, in fact.
Trevor David
A month or so ago Trevor discovered the joys of kitchen stools. He has discovered my treat drawer (moved the chocolate chips), junk drawer (as if I didn't have enough rubber bands and screw drivers scattered around the house!), silverware drawer (watch out for forks on the stairs!) and general cluttered counters.
Last week he discovered that if he got a cup and moved the stool to the fridge he could make stuff come out. Fascinating things like ice cubes and water...past excitement has also included throwing gerbil food all over the kitchen, whacking Elise with a brush and me discovering him playing in the recycling and eating out of the garbage. Aah...18-month-olds are so much fun!
***
Yesterday, while waiting for the sister missionaries to arrive for dinner, Mason, Sammy and Trevor were playing in the driveway with various bikes. I was rolling meatballs when Sammy came running in, "Trevor is hurt really bad!!" I called to Elise (who was already running from the front room) to run and grab him and to Mason to get a cold rag. Sammy told me the what happened as I cleaned and comforted my bloody baby...
Sam had been driving a little car they have and was going full speed when Trevor crossed in front of him. TD's feet were knocked out from under him and he fell on his face on the cement. Right about then the sisters arrived, so they went to work sweeping and setting the table. :) Trev just has a swollen gum and some road rash.
***
In other fun catch-up news...
Trevor looooves the bathtub...and books. Why not combine two favorites?
He's also pretty into electronic devices. Notice the 2 iPods...
He's kinda into his tricycle right now, too. In fact, he brings me his shoes and coat many times throughout the day so that he can go play outside. Aren't those red Converse shoes awesome?!
Last week he discovered that if he got a cup and moved the stool to the fridge he could make stuff come out. Fascinating things like ice cubes and water...past excitement has also included throwing gerbil food all over the kitchen, whacking Elise with a brush and me discovering him playing in the recycling and eating out of the garbage. Aah...18-month-olds are so much fun!
***
Yesterday, while waiting for the sister missionaries to arrive for dinner, Mason, Sammy and Trevor were playing in the driveway with various bikes. I was rolling meatballs when Sammy came running in, "Trevor is hurt really bad!!" I called to Elise (who was already running from the front room) to run and grab him and to Mason to get a cold rag. Sammy told me the what happened as I cleaned and comforted my bloody baby...
Sam had been driving a little car they have and was going full speed when Trevor crossed in front of him. TD's feet were knocked out from under him and he fell on his face on the cement. Right about then the sisters arrived, so they went to work sweeping and setting the table. :) Trev just has a swollen gum and some road rash.
***
In other fun catch-up news...
Trevor looooves the bathtub...and books. Why not combine two favorites?
He's also pretty into electronic devices. Notice the 2 iPods...
He's kinda into his tricycle right now, too. In fact, he brings me his shoes and coat many times throughout the day so that he can go play outside. Aren't those red Converse shoes awesome?!
I am pretty in love with my little guy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)