Andrew turned seven months last Friday.
He's growing so quickly! And so very tall.
three years
Dear Morgan,
Before writing this letter to you, I spent 
some time cozied up on the couch, reading through your baby book and looking at photos of you from the last year. As I flipped each page of writing and clicked my way through the pictures, I smiled, thinking of each milestone and moment that was recorded.
some time cozied up on the couch, reading through your baby book and looking at photos of you from the last year. As I flipped each page of writing and clicked my way through the pictures, I smiled, thinking of each milestone and moment that was recorded. Some of the memories seem so recent, like Easter and your two-year pictures. You had the cutest little bob with ends that curled. And in those photos you wore a modern little dress with a pair of red patent sandals. How I loved that dress and they way you looked in it! Even though you grew at a rapid pace, I dressed you in that outfit for church on Sundays until at least July, stretching it as long as possible.
I also found a photo of you sleeping in your crib. Your crib! Truthfully, I'm having a hard time ever remembering you sleeping there in that front room. Your new bedroom is now your getaway, a place where you cool down after frustration, where you dream vividly and utter senseless words, where your articles of clothing are kept systematically organized, and where, at the end of each day, we wind down with a special routine that includes prayers, kisses, "lips", a drink of water and back-scratching.
You have definitely broadened your horizons this past year. Over the summer you became very enthusiastic about being outside. While the enormous playscapes of certain parks were overwhelming, you did enjoy going to play. And here at home, you spent lots of time on the swing, kicking the soccer ball and pushing your lawn mower. You even took a liking to baseball and basketball. As far as overcoming your fear of water? Still a work in progress. I don't think you entered a pool more than twice the entire summer. But I'm hopeful that this won't always be the case.Daddy and I still make a concerted effort to tread lightly when it comes to new experiences for you. I wonder sometimes if your fear of the unknown prevents you from enjoying life, yet I see your eyes overflowing with happiness when you've been given time to prepare and accept the newness of a situation. Many people are quick to label you shy or bashful, but I will always defend your honor because that isn't the case at all. Instead you are watchful and guarded until you reach a certain level of comfort. Only then will you share your words, your smile and your feelings with another person. (Something that a stranger in Meijer will never be worthy of earning.)
I've already witnessed amazement from others when sharing your age. Being tall in stature, many find it hard to believe that you are so young. And I know that as you get older, the expectations will increase. Assuming that your behavior and mannerisms should match your size will be an unfair assessment, and a challenge that I imagine you will continue to face in the years ahead.
You are so tender in your love for him. While it took some time for you to warm up to a new baby, you have definitely allowed Andrew to grow on you. You can be found sitting nearby, reading books to him on the floor. Other times you delight in making Andrew giggle, tickling his neck, laughing right along with him. Sometimes, when I'm in the kitchen, I can hear your caring words as he starts to fuss. I suppose it won't always be like this, you won't always call to me on Andrew's behalf when he needs something you can't fix. In these moments, though, you care for his unhappiness, soothing him with your gentle words, "It's oh-tay, honey. Mommy's tumming."
It seems your mothering instincts are ever-present, speaking so thoughtfully not only to your favorite dolls, but to inanimate objects as well. Just today you carried your shoes over to me, bouncing them up on your shoulder, and with a cuddle and "Oh-tay, honey, here's Mommy", you handed them off to me, one by one, to be put on your feet. And then there's George. He is the newest love in your life. If you could take him in the bathtub, I know you would. So instead he does everything else with you: dress, eat, play, sleep, travel, even visit the doctor. He is your constant companion. One who, ironically, week by week has the same milestones and skill sets as Andrew. I've come to realize that you are modeling me in so many ways. Not just with the words I speak, but with my actions and reactions. Like a mirror, you've unintentionally made me bean with pride, but also reassess my approach to mothering. In your world of pretend, I get a glimpse of our family as an outsider looking in.
Grandma M. has a well-loved magnet hanging on her fridge quoting 3 John 1:4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." And it makes my heart so happy to see this in you already as you stretch your arms wide to illustrate the love of Jesus. My prayer for you, Morgan, is that I will continue to feel that joy as you learn more and more about the God who loves us. That everyday, I can continue to experience those words firsthand.
You are beautiful. You are special. You are loved.
Happy birthday, sweetness.
Always,
Mommy
spring fever
We were given a taste of Spring last week, and boy, was it nice! With highs pushing 65 degrees, we spent our afternoons outdoors and enjoyed the taste of grilled dinners. Some nights after eating, we even took walks before bedtime. What a nice change.
Here's Andrew, just before we ventured outside Tuesday afternoon.
Bundled up for the cool evening walk.
Of course, George accompanied us on our walk.
He, too, was toasty warm!
Later in the week, trying out the swing!
Then it was George's turn.
George comes out...
...and Andrew goes in.
Taking a break in the backyard.
Soccer time!
Morgan announces she needs a break.
(In reality, she has to go potty, but won't actually tell anyone, so she sits down and holds it for a couple minutes longer. Citing she needs to rest is her excuse for sitting down.)
This is her "I'm ignoring you" look.
Done with soccer and moving on to other things.
We're missing the nice weather already, but it sure was fun while it lasted. I'm guessing the next batch of photos will be indoors!
sick house
Last week the kiddos were diagnosed with ear infections. We've been pumping Amoxicillin into them daily, and while they seem to be on the mend, Scott and I have caught it the bug. We've both got sinus infections, and Scott has bronchitis to go along with it. So we're all drugged up here and doing our best to get some sleep (which has proven to be challenging with the "spring ahead" time change).
In the meantime, here's some pictures to tide you over until something more exciting in our lives comes along!
mmm... leather.
Since Morgan was born, I've had my eye on one Hobo International clutch. Perfect to slip in and out of the diaper bag, holds everything I need, and looks stylish, too. But it's pricey. I would see them at all the fancy department stores, but never on sale. No sale? No deal.
Last Friday night, however, I spotted one on the Reduced table* at Nordstrom. I was elated! Ecstatic! I bought it. Saturday morning came, and with it, the realization that in broad daylight, the color I thought was caramel was indeed "Yam". Ugh. Too orange. And back to Nordstrom it went.
But it got me thinking about one of the few internet shopping sites I had yet to conquer: e-Bay. I could never justify parting with such mad cash for a purse. So I didn't. Instead? I paid a visit to the online shopping Mecca and discovered a world of brand new Hobo clutches up for auction.
On Sunday (with some pointers from my personal eBay expert, Jessica) I finally navigated my way through the site where I bid on and won my very first item:
My new clutch arrived today in record time, and it's amazing. The leather smells divine. And I scored it for $20, plus shipping. Ahhh... thank you, eBay! I'll be back soon. I'm hooked.
* In case you weren't aware, "reduced" is the fancy Nordstrom department store word for CLEARANCE! I don't care what you call it, I can sniff out a sale anywhere!
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