My kids are growing up so fast! Katelyn is four years old, smart as can be, and attending AWANA Cubbies. She loves to do "Bible time" with me at home and can quote a solid dozen verse from memory, as well as a handful of hymns we've been singing together. She is such a loving child, snuggling all the time, and telling us she loves us constantly. She can't wait to start school at home with me (since her friends Alysse and Jaden are already homeschooled, she thinks its the greatest!). We work on some "papers" almost every day to get her used to the routine of school and she thrives on it! She can write her name (albeit somewhat illegibly to people other than me!), knows the names and sounds of all the letters (upper and lowercase), and can trace letters almost perfectly. I'm so proud of her for all of this, but my continued prayer is less that she would be a smart child and more that she would love and serve Jesus with all her heart.
Jonathan is growing more assertive as he approaches his second birthday. He is still a cuddle bug and a very "easy" child in most senses. He eats whatever I put in front of him, sleeps like a dream, rarely cries and plays on his own for huge chunks of time. He has learned the word "no" however and is starting to use it much more frequently. His will is strong (we've had several stand offs that have lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and a half!), but his heart is tender (he always wants to hug and snuggle afterwards). I continue to pray for him to love the Lord at an early age so that he can serve Him all of his life.
My heart definitely has room to love more children if God (and David!) are willing. Whether that means more children of our own, adopted little ones, or just the continued opportunity to care for Noah and his future sibling, I'm grateful for the chance to use my gifts in loving and caring for children. What a blessing they are!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Cute Kid Stuff
We're watching Dumbo together this morning. It's probably one of Katelyn's favorite things to watch, but today she did something I've never seen her do before! She went to her room and got her stuffed baby Dumbo and brought him out to the living room. She has proceeded to act out all the scenes with her little Dumbo in arms! She rocks him as Jumbo does, makes him jump when he has hiccops, and helps him hammer in the posts of the circus tents. It's absolutely adorable!
And if that wasn't enough cuteness, Jonathan climbed up on the couch (where he looks absolutely adorable because he's so small) to watch as well. When Casey Jr. comes on screen, he starts huffing and puffing (almost like Lamaze) to make the chugging sound of the train, interspersed with gleeful "Choo-choo's!" I'm loving it!
And if that wasn't enough cuteness, Jonathan climbed up on the couch (where he looks absolutely adorable because he's so small) to watch as well. When Casey Jr. comes on screen, he starts huffing and puffing (almost like Lamaze) to make the chugging sound of the train, interspersed with gleeful "Choo-choo's!" I'm loving it!
Katelyn's Marriage Advice
Since I'm going to be in a good friend's wedding in a couple of weeks, I sat down with Katelyn today and asked her some stuff - hope you enjoy her answers!
Katelyn’s Marriage Advice ~ for Aunty Mary & Uncle Jeremy
1. What’s the most important thing for Aunty Mary and Uncle Jeremy once they get married? What Mary dresses in
2. Who should be in charge of their family? My mommy (additionally, I should be in charge of the world - so says my little one!)
3. How long should they stay together? Forever
4. Where should they live? In a house
5. How should they decorate their bedroom? With lamps and beds
6. What should Aunty Mary call Uncle Jeremy? Jeremy (very concrete thinking here)
7. What should Uncle Jeremy call Aunty Mary? Mary
8. What should they do when they get angry? Be mad, then play so they’re happy
9. What should they do when they get sad? Dance the sad swan song (she has a Swan Lake ballet DVD that has a sad swan dance)
10. What should they do when they are happy? Do a happy dance
11. How many kids should they have? 2
12. Should they have boys or girls or one of each? 1 of each
13. What should they name their daughter? Katelyn Rose(apparently this is the best name for just about every girl in the world!)
14. What should they name their son? Jaden
15. What do you want to say to Aunty Mary? "I love you, Aunty Mary. Then, can I hug her?"
16. What do you want to say to Uncle Jeremy? "I love you, too."
Katelyn’s Marriage Advice ~ for Aunty Mary & Uncle Jeremy
1. What’s the most important thing for Aunty Mary and Uncle Jeremy once they get married? What Mary dresses in
2. Who should be in charge of their family? My mommy (additionally, I should be in charge of the world - so says my little one!)
3. How long should they stay together? Forever
4. Where should they live? In a house
5. How should they decorate their bedroom? With lamps and beds
6. What should Aunty Mary call Uncle Jeremy? Jeremy (very concrete thinking here)
7. What should Uncle Jeremy call Aunty Mary? Mary
8. What should they do when they get angry? Be mad, then play so they’re happy
9. What should they do when they get sad? Dance the sad swan song (she has a Swan Lake ballet DVD that has a sad swan dance)
10. What should they do when they are happy? Do a happy dance
11. How many kids should they have? 2
12. Should they have boys or girls or one of each? 1 of each
13. What should they name their daughter? Katelyn Rose(apparently this is the best name for just about every girl in the world!)
14. What should they name their son? Jaden
15. What do you want to say to Aunty Mary? "I love you, Aunty Mary. Then, can I hug her?"
16. What do you want to say to Uncle Jeremy? "I love you, too."
Friday, February 20, 2009
Katelynism and... random thought by Kelly
Katelyn and I took Jonathan to the doctor's office today because he was wheezing. Turns out he has asthmatic symptoms and an upper respiratory infection, needs antibiotics and breathing treatments for 7-10 days. Poor little guy. Katelyn has improved SO much in her visits to the doctor, though, from crying and screaming upon arrival in the parking lot to cheerfully skipping in and informing the nurses and doctor all about her brother's symptoms. She's like a little mom. The kids' pediatrician is the best (she was mine when I was a kid!) and is so sweet to Katelyn - even when we go just for Jonathan, she gives Katelyn a lollipop.
After we'd left and were driving home, Katelyn happily licking her candy, she asked for her water cup. She said, "Mommy, I'm so drinky! Drinky and lollipoppy!"
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We had Bible study at our house tonight and about 20 minutes into the study, I needed to go to the bathroom. I've been drinking tons of water the past week since I've been sick, so potty trips are a frequent part of life. The reason I bring it up is this: I went 2 1/2 hours past that original need to go before I finally visited the restroom! I love, love, LOVE the fact that I can do that! Only moms will understand this thrilling response - I know it's been a while since pregnancy pee trips for me, but still. I'm THRILLED.
After we'd left and were driving home, Katelyn happily licking her candy, she asked for her water cup. She said, "Mommy, I'm so drinky! Drinky and lollipoppy!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had Bible study at our house tonight and about 20 minutes into the study, I needed to go to the bathroom. I've been drinking tons of water the past week since I've been sick, so potty trips are a frequent part of life. The reason I bring it up is this: I went 2 1/2 hours past that original need to go before I finally visited the restroom! I love, love, LOVE the fact that I can do that! Only moms will understand this thrilling response - I know it's been a while since pregnancy pee trips for me, but still. I'm THRILLED.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Not happy yet
"Guess who's coming over to see you today?" I asked.
"Who?" she asked, delightedly.
"Alysse and Jaden!"
"Alysse again and Jaden again?" she asked. (We'd been to their house this week already)
"Yes! Are you so happy?"
"Nope, not yet! Not until they get here."
"Who?" she asked, delightedly.
"Alysse and Jaden!"
"Alysse again and Jaden again?" she asked. (We'd been to their house this week already)
"Yes! Are you so happy?"
"Nope, not yet! Not until they get here."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
More Katelyn-isms
Katelyn is (still) potty-training and every time I help her into her panties in the morning, I remind her:
"Now, what do you say when you feel the pee-pees or poo-poos coming?" (Welcome to the world of potty talk)
"Mommy, I need to go potty!" she gleefully says.
"That's right, honey. You just let Mommy know when you need to go."
A little bit later, she was playing outside and I called to her, "Do you need to go potty, Katelyn?"
"No, Mommy," she said, in a long-suffering tone, "I will know you!"
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One thing I really love about Katelyn's favorite cartoon, "Wow, Wow Wubbzy", is that it gives her so many cute phrases to say that I wouldn't have thought to teach a 3-year old. She recently picked up a new one. Just as we were sitting down to eat (and at just about every meal since), she picked up her fork after the prayer, took a big bite and said, "Variety is the spice of life!"
"Now, what do you say when you feel the pee-pees or poo-poos coming?" (Welcome to the world of potty talk)
"Mommy, I need to go potty!" she gleefully says.
"That's right, honey. You just let Mommy know when you need to go."
A little bit later, she was playing outside and I called to her, "Do you need to go potty, Katelyn?"
"No, Mommy," she said, in a long-suffering tone, "I will know you!"
=======================================================
One thing I really love about Katelyn's favorite cartoon, "Wow, Wow Wubbzy", is that it gives her so many cute phrases to say that I wouldn't have thought to teach a 3-year old. She recently picked up a new one. Just as we were sitting down to eat (and at just about every meal since), she picked up her fork after the prayer, took a big bite and said, "Variety is the spice of life!"
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I'm done with today
(In Katelyn's room, first thing in the morning, almost every day:)
Mommy: Let me open up your curtains and let some sunshine in!
Katelyn: Wow, Mom! What a beautiful day!
Mommy: Who made this beautiful day?
Katelyn: God did!
Mommy: What do you want to say to Him this morning?
Katelyn: Thank you, God, for the beautiful day!
...
However, this is NOT how I started today. I woke to Jonathan's happy babbling, clanking of toys, etc. When I walked in to get him up, I noted that his diaper had not managed to contain his nighttime pottying, and there was pee all over his crib. After hopping in the shower with both kiddos, I stripped his bed and washed the sheets and toys.
Katelyn had been doing somewhat better with the potty, so when she wanted to wear panties this morning, I agreed. I kept asking her if she had to go (to keep it in the front of her mind), but she kept saying no. Then, one time I asked, she started yelling. Bad sign. She refused to get up off the couch. "Why?" you might ask? She peed on the couch, but of course! After cleaning her up, I scrubbed the couch and threw her wet clothes in the wash.
We went to WinCo to get some groceries, and while we were there, Katelyn said she needed to go potty. So, I dragged both kiddos into the bathroom, got into a stall, cleaned off the toilet seat, and got Katelyn undressed. She then said she didn't need to go. Too bad! I told her to try anyway. No dice. So I went back out, finished shopping, and then went to the car. Katelyn hopped in first and climbed into her carseat while I loaded groceries in the car. Then I carried Jonathan around to put him in his seat. Katelyn was busy taking off her clothes. "Why?" you might ask? She'd peed in the car, but of course! I snagged her wet clothes and prepared to get some fresh ones from the diaper bag.
[Back Story: We'd got out to eat with my family yesterday for lunch at Olivia's. At the end of the meal, they brought two small cartons of chocolate ice cream for the kids. Since both kids needed to get home for their naps, I took the ice cream "to go" and tucked it into the diaper bag.]
I'd forgotten to take the ice cream cartons out of the diaper bag yesterday, and, of course, they'd exploded open in the bag, coating everything. No spare diaper for Katelyn - no change of clothes. She had to ride naked in her carseat all the way home (it's only a few minutes away, but still!) I cleaned up Katelyn, threw her clothes in the wash, and then got to work cleaning out the diaper bag.
I put the kids down for their naps and settled in for a nice relaxing time. Thank God for naptime! Two hours later, I heard Jonathan waking up. When I opened his door, I smelled the inevitable afternoon poopy diaper. What I wasn't expecting was that, as he was wearing pants and a shirt instead of a onesie or a sleeper, he'd gotten into his poopy diaper and proceeded to spread poo EVERYWHERE! It was in his hair, on his face, on his books and toys, all up and down the sides of the crib... I wanted to cry, but chose instead to pick him upand carry him directly to the shower. We both got in, fully clothed, and showered off. After I'd washed off both of us completely, I stepped out and left him to play in the shower while I sanitized everything in his room. One more load in the washer, and I'm DONE.
So, that's why I'm done with today!
Mommy: Let me open up your curtains and let some sunshine in!
Katelyn: Wow, Mom! What a beautiful day!
Mommy: Who made this beautiful day?
Katelyn: God did!
Mommy: What do you want to say to Him this morning?
Katelyn: Thank you, God, for the beautiful day!
...
However, this is NOT how I started today. I woke to Jonathan's happy babbling, clanking of toys, etc. When I walked in to get him up, I noted that his diaper had not managed to contain his nighttime pottying, and there was pee all over his crib. After hopping in the shower with both kiddos, I stripped his bed and washed the sheets and toys.
Katelyn had been doing somewhat better with the potty, so when she wanted to wear panties this morning, I agreed. I kept asking her if she had to go (to keep it in the front of her mind), but she kept saying no. Then, one time I asked, she started yelling. Bad sign. She refused to get up off the couch. "Why?" you might ask? She peed on the couch, but of course! After cleaning her up, I scrubbed the couch and threw her wet clothes in the wash.
We went to WinCo to get some groceries, and while we were there, Katelyn said she needed to go potty. So, I dragged both kiddos into the bathroom, got into a stall, cleaned off the toilet seat, and got Katelyn undressed. She then said she didn't need to go. Too bad! I told her to try anyway. No dice. So I went back out, finished shopping, and then went to the car. Katelyn hopped in first and climbed into her carseat while I loaded groceries in the car. Then I carried Jonathan around to put him in his seat. Katelyn was busy taking off her clothes. "Why?" you might ask? She'd peed in the car, but of course! I snagged her wet clothes and prepared to get some fresh ones from the diaper bag.
[Back Story: We'd got out to eat with my family yesterday for lunch at Olivia's. At the end of the meal, they brought two small cartons of chocolate ice cream for the kids. Since both kids needed to get home for their naps, I took the ice cream "to go" and tucked it into the diaper bag.]
I'd forgotten to take the ice cream cartons out of the diaper bag yesterday, and, of course, they'd exploded open in the bag, coating everything. No spare diaper for Katelyn - no change of clothes. She had to ride naked in her carseat all the way home (it's only a few minutes away, but still!) I cleaned up Katelyn, threw her clothes in the wash, and then got to work cleaning out the diaper bag.
I put the kids down for their naps and settled in for a nice relaxing time. Thank God for naptime! Two hours later, I heard Jonathan waking up. When I opened his door, I smelled the inevitable afternoon poopy diaper. What I wasn't expecting was that, as he was wearing pants and a shirt instead of a onesie or a sleeper, he'd gotten into his poopy diaper and proceeded to spread poo EVERYWHERE! It was in his hair, on his face, on his books and toys, all up and down the sides of the crib... I wanted to cry, but chose instead to pick him upand carry him directly to the shower. We both got in, fully clothed, and showered off. After I'd washed off both of us completely, I stepped out and left him to play in the shower while I sanitized everything in his room. One more load in the washer, and I'm DONE.
So, that's why I'm done with today!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Baby Weight
Okay, so I know this sounds like I'm going to go into a long discussion of the extra pounds I've added since my two little ones joined the scene.
I'm not.
That's another discussion for another day.
Today, I'm going to talk about one of my most favorite things in the whole world: the feeling of my baby's entire weight resting on me. I don't think I can adequately give words to describe this feeling, but I'm sure some of you out there know what I mean.
Jonathan has been having a stuffy nose just about every night for the past week or so. This causes him to wake up 2-3 times between bedtime (7:30pm) and midnight to sit up and cry a little to clear the breathing passageways. I could probably just let him do that and he'd lay back down and go back to sleep on his own, but then I'd miss out on the whole subject of this blog!
Instead, I creep into his room (trying to let as little light in as possible), grab a pacifier and then lift my little guy up into my arms and slouch down into the rocking chair. I say slouch, because, to fully enjoy this event you can't really sit up straight. I lean back as much as possible and lay my boy onto my chest, tucking his little legs up and leaving one arm beneath his bottom to support him. The other hand is then free to gently rub his back or run my fingers through his baby curls. He automatically turns his head to one side, tucks one arm under him and (oh, so sweet!) grabs a handful of my shirt and doesn't let go.
Now, he stopped crying as soon as I picked him up (what a joy to so easily stop his tears!), but he was still somewhat awake when I first sat down. After a minute or two, he's completely out again and here comes the main event: the whole of my tiny little guy's weight resting on me. The trust implied there - he knows I won't drop him! - the peace and security he feels knowing his mommy is holding him. Each breath I take lifts him up and down, up and down...
I have no words, really, to say what I mean, but I treasure those moments! I feel like I could stay there forever. What a blessing, what an amazing gift God has given to me - entrusting me with the care of this little one! Feeling his weight on me reminds me again of the privilege and responsibility God gives us in our children, and I'm so grateful for each one.
I'm not.
That's another discussion for another day.
Today, I'm going to talk about one of my most favorite things in the whole world: the feeling of my baby's entire weight resting on me. I don't think I can adequately give words to describe this feeling, but I'm sure some of you out there know what I mean.
Jonathan has been having a stuffy nose just about every night for the past week or so. This causes him to wake up 2-3 times between bedtime (7:30pm) and midnight to sit up and cry a little to clear the breathing passageways. I could probably just let him do that and he'd lay back down and go back to sleep on his own, but then I'd miss out on the whole subject of this blog!
Instead, I creep into his room (trying to let as little light in as possible), grab a pacifier and then lift my little guy up into my arms and slouch down into the rocking chair. I say slouch, because, to fully enjoy this event you can't really sit up straight. I lean back as much as possible and lay my boy onto my chest, tucking his little legs up and leaving one arm beneath his bottom to support him. The other hand is then free to gently rub his back or run my fingers through his baby curls. He automatically turns his head to one side, tucks one arm under him and (oh, so sweet!) grabs a handful of my shirt and doesn't let go.
Now, he stopped crying as soon as I picked him up (what a joy to so easily stop his tears!), but he was still somewhat awake when I first sat down. After a minute or two, he's completely out again and here comes the main event: the whole of my tiny little guy's weight resting on me. The trust implied there - he knows I won't drop him! - the peace and security he feels knowing his mommy is holding him. Each breath I take lifts him up and down, up and down...
I have no words, really, to say what I mean, but I treasure those moments! I feel like I could stay there forever. What a blessing, what an amazing gift God has given to me - entrusting me with the care of this little one! Feeling his weight on me reminds me again of the privilege and responsibility God gives us in our children, and I'm so grateful for each one.
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