Mike has been busy at work with college applications coming due...He works in the computer lab with the students every Friday to make sure their applications are done right. The kids are very appreciative of him as the applications can seem very confusing to someone who has never filled one out. Also, it seems like he comes home with an interesting story about a student every day. Today it was that there was a girl sobbing more than Mike has ever seen...crying out of control...it turns out that she was upset about not getting the grades she was planning to get. Mike is very supportive of the kids and a great listener...which means that they come to him with all sorts of high school problems! Mike usually walks in the door ready for a kiss from me, a hug from Andrew, and a gummy smile from Caleb. He just adores us and loves spending time with us after work. We usually go on walks, make dinner, and hang out a little outside. Mike is an amazing dad and so patient with the boys. He especially loves playing the ball game with Andrew!
I have been feeling very busy and maybe even a little overwhelmed lately. It seems like the boys are always moving in different directions and I am chasing one, just to turn around and find the other getting into trouble. I am trying to enjoy these moments at home while the boys are small and for the most part it is amazing. We take trips to the library, park, gym, and friends' houses nearly every day. When at home, I try to have the boys help me with the chores around the house as much as possible, which can sometimes be more work. I have really been enjoying spending time with other moms too! It is very rewarding being at home with the boys! Mike is so supportive of me staying at home, which helps tremendously. I always feel very appreciated!
Andrew has been talking, talking, talking! Many of you know that Andrew completely stopped talking when Caleb was born (when he was 20 months old). This lasted until about two months ago, when he finally started saying words again. At his two year check up, the doctor was concerned because he was not even putting two words together. Then, on August 14th, Andrew said four new words (play, library, pool, and paint), August 15th, three new words (flag, train, shower), August 16th, two new words (bat, alone), and August 17th, two new words (squirrel, booger). I was amazed as he just started using all the words we have been telling him all along. In fact, I was keeping track, but then he started saying so many new words a day that I couldn't keep up. Now, he is speaking in sentences and even reading books. He even says some funny things! For example, every night before we put him to bed, we tell him a story. Lately, as we are finishing up he says, "More stories about cheese and avocado" or "More stories about flags". We have no idea why he wants to hear stories about these things! Also, if you ask him a question, he tells you what he did not do or have . For example, Mike will say, "Andrew, what did you eat for breakfast?" and Andrew will respond, "Not pancakes and yogurt." Very interesting! Since Andrew started talking, he stopped taking naps. Now, this is quite a problem since he is grumpy and moody by about 4:30 pm if he does not nap. Right now, I put him down for a nap every day, but I can't make him fall asleep. Every day he hangs out in his bed for 1 1/2 hours as he is not allowed to get out of his bed. He currently sleeps (or tries to sleep) in a twin bed next to Caleb's crib. I am hoping this is a phase and he will soon go back to napping. He still loves to throw balls and would play the "ball game" with Dada every night for hours if he had the choice. He also loves playing outside. Usually he hangs out in the yard filling up the watering can, jumping on the trampoline, cleaning up the dog poop, and climbing in the tree house. He is ALWAYS in a good mood when he is outside.
Caleb is crawling everywhere up on his hands and knees and also pulling up on everything. Right now, he will even bend down, pick up a toy, and stand back up. He is very interested in the steps and has mastered going up them, just not back down. Caleb also loves plants...they are a magnet for him and although I have tried disciplining him every time he gets into the dirt, I have given up and decided to move the plants. He just discovered balls this week and loves rolling them back and forth to his big brother. He is a tough little guy, since he is constantly getting pushed, hit, and run over by Andrew (yes, Andrew loves to push Caleb's buttons, as he loves any kind of reaction from him). Of course, Caleb adores Andrew and wants to do exactly what he is doing all the time. Whenever he sees Andrew, he gives a loud shriek and smiles as wide as possible. He sleeps right through the night, from about 8 PM until 8 AM, which makes his mama very happy! Although I am not positive, I think Caleb might have even said his first word the other day, as he crawled over to the ball, touched it, and said, "BA..."?!? Caleb is a very sweet little boy who is pretty much always smiling and happy.
As far as family news... On Halloween, we lost Grandma Helene. She was 93 years old and very healthy up until just a couple years ago when she fell and broke her hip. Since then, she had some problems with dementia and moved into a full care home. About a week before she passed away, she fell and injured herself. We were very sad to lose her right before the holidays. I remember just after Andrew was born, he was lying on the floor in her living room, and she was standing above him dancing! We will miss Helene, but will always keep her in our thoughts!
So there you have it! We are off to bed so that we can have a fresh, rested start in the morning (as you can see, we need it!)
No comments:
Post a Comment