The Invalid

(Subtitle: Disobedience hurts)



If you recall from a previous entry, consistency is a struggle of mine. One area I'm working on with Grant is coming when we call.

The other day we were leaving the YMCA, and Grant decided to run to the window and say goodbye to the adults and kids in child watch. Ryan called to him to come, which he ignored. If he had obeyed, he would not have received the injury he did. Unfortunately, he not only didn't come but also walked through some bushes, which scraped up his knee. This would have elicited sympathy from us and not muffled laughs if he had not been quite so dramatic about it. As soon as he saw there was blood he began wailing, and when I attempted to put a band-aid on it, he screamed bloody murder. Each time he would look down and notice his "boo-boo," the tears and knee-grab would once again come. In fact, he was playing happily outside until he once again saw his band-aid. Here is a picture of him soon after that.

Needless to say, we have two boys who are DRAMATIC! It makes me wonder what Caroline will be like!

Pastor Jack

We are blessed to attend a great church that teaches our kids the Bible starting at 12 months. We also read a children's Bible to the boys (and Caroline when she's awake) each night. Here is a lesson Jack gave to Ryan the other day while drawing pictures on a white board. Jack also gave Ryan a piece of paper and told him to take notes while he was teaching. Ryan wrote these down as bullet points so it's not exactly verbatim, but you get the idea. Here it is, for your reading enjoyment.

"I say this. Moses, I mean, Pharoah, was not a nice man. Pharoah changed his mind. Water turned into blood. He changed his mind. Then the frogs came. 'Fine you can go.' Then bees came. Pharoah didn't change his mind.

Adam had lots of animal friends to name. Since he was lonely God made a woman named Eve. Then a snake came, a SNEAKY SNAKE! He tried to trick Adam and Eve. 'You can eat any fruit. Did God tell you not to?' Adam and Eve hid from God. They had to leave the garden."

Not too bad--a few facts are off, but he recalled most of the key things. Perhaps preaching is in his future...

A bowhead is born

It all started 4 months ago...

Before Caroline was born, we were SO SURE that she was going to be a boy. The moment I saw her I was stunned to see that the boy we were sure were going to have (not because of an ultrasound but just because we couldn't imagine actually having a girl) was a GIRL! And at that point a bowhead was born.

The problem was that I had no headbands or bows. Fortunately, Ryan's parents resolved this. They brought a headband that Caroline wore even in the nursery at the hospital. So cute!

And here is my little girl today. I ordered some headbands and bows online and am so excited to put them on her--she looks so girly in them! Love it! (She obviously does, too!)

And here is a preview of her bow for the 4th (also Daddy's birthday). It's a big one, and she'll look so adorable in it!

Four Months

Yesterday Caroline turned 4 months. It's hard to believe that she's only been part of our lives for 4 months as it feels like she's been with us forever. In the past couple of weeks she's really changed: grabbing at toys, noticing herself in the mirror and smiling, making "goo" and "ah-goo" sounds, and bringing her hands together (just to name a few developments). We went to the doctor, and she now weighs 16 lb. 6 oz. (95%) and is 25 3/4 in. long (also 95%). I'm totally and completely in love with her and am so thankful that God has given her to us. It's fun to see her personality emerge. She is such an easy, sweet baby but definitely has things she does NOT like, such as riding in the car, and lets us know with her loud set of lungs! Jack loves to go over to her and yell, "Liney" right in her face, which, for some reason, makes her smile as much as it makes me cringe. Grant likes to find her toys and bring them to her, even if it means waking her up and throwing them in her pack and play. She is lucky to have two older brothers who love her so much!

Storms

The last few days we've had thunder storms in the area--the kind of storms that prompt numerous warnings and interruptions of favorite TV shows. I have NEVER been a fan of storms, to put it mildly. In recent years I've become braver and decided that I will feign disinterest in warnings for the sake of my children, but this week has tested that resolution.



So the other night when the storms rumbled once again, I heard a little voice call out in a desperate tone, "Mommy! Mommy!" I decided this was one of those "Mommy" calls that was serious and not one that could be ignored. Grant was standing up, looking towards the window with big eyes. He may now have 51 (or so) words (refer to this post), but "I'm scared of thunder" are not any of them. He did, however, make a "boom"-type sound when I asked what was wrong. Poor thing! So I took him out of the crib and rocked him in the chair, at which point Jack decided to join us, not because he was scared but because he wanted to cuddle, too. Can I say at that point I was thankful for the storm? I think there is nothing sweeter than snuggling with my jammied boys, and it was a special time of singing and praying and talking about God and how he will keep us safe. In the end, the storm passed, our house stood firm, and the boys returned to their beds (though not without protests from Grant). I will always cherish the memory of that time with my children. God is good!

our stay-cation

Today we went to the Y Splash Pad for the first time this year. We didn't go there too often last summer because I was suffering from morning sickness--blech!

We had a great time today! The boys loved the splash pad and the kiddie pool, and Ryan and I even got into the water and had fun. (But you won't see me in the pictures!)

And here is Caroline. She spent our stay-cation doing what she does best at the Y--sleeping in the swing. However, she hasn't made it into the last couple of posts so here is a picture of her from yesterday. I love, love, love my baby girl!

PBS kids in the park

On Saturday we attended Let's Meet PBS Kids in the Park. I will admit to being a bit obsessive. I'd looked up which characters would be there and when so that we could be there right when it opened so as to avoid the crowds and promised heat. We arrived at 10:30, which was right when Mr. Steve was supposed to sing--not at 10:00 as I'd planned. Oh well. The sky was cloudy and the temperature perfect--until the sun came out from behind the clouds. I suppose I cannot control everything, but the kids seemed to have a great time! That's what counts. Oh, and did I mention we met all the planned characters? Score for Mommy! If you're ever around for this event, we HIGHLY recommend it--so fun for kids!

Jack met Super Why from the show "Super Why." He was also able to dress up as the character--note the rain coat. He didn't take it off until the sun was shining and the temp was 85 degrees!

Jack and Grant met Mr. Steve from "Steve Songs," a musical interlude between Curious George and Sid the Science Kid. They were then able to see him perform. Grant got up to dance during his performance, and Jack followed him (they're in the back row--notice the rain boots). I love watching Grant dance!

They had an area where the kids could dress up like doctors. Grant, of course, would not wear any of the garb, but Jack was all over it! Once Grant saw that he could take the bunny's temperature he jumped right in and treated the toy. It was cute to see Jack take it so seriously!

And yes, Little Miss was there, too. She was dragged around and watched her brothers having fun. Next year, my sweet girl, you'll be in on all the action!

High/Low for Jack today...

I asked Jack at dinner what his favorite part of today was. He said it was breakfast: leftover mac and cheese. (Yes, I'm a great mom!) When asked what the worst part of the day was he said it was not having C batteries for a car he never plays with but suddenly decided he wanted. Hmmm...I would have thought it would have been the wasp sting he got. I love how four-year-olds think!

(I will update with more pictures soon. We have so many from our past week in St. Louis!)