My baby is a year old today. It still amazes me, how much they grow and learn in just a year.
He has been practicing his walking for several months, and can practically outrun his mom by now :). Anytime someone leaves the screen door open (which is often around here), he tries to make his escape.
He brings me books to read to him, which always makes me smile.
He loves to be tickled, and he likes to play the game where he runs away from me and I chase him and either pretend to get him or tickle him, over and over.
He has to be sung to sleep, but he usually goes to sleep in 5-10 minutes.
Lorenzo now refuses to eat baby food. He only wants what everyone else is eating.
In December, for his father's birthday, we discovered that he adores strawberry shortcake, so that will be his birthday cake as well.
Being outside is his favorite, followed by water (showers, pools, the sink, the ocean, whatever).
He also plays peekaboo anytime he hears a word that sounds even close to "hide," and he plays pattycake. Sometimes clapping your hands is just more fun though, and you don't even need pattycake. He claps for people when he's happy.
He doesn't really say much, except "hi." He has that down, and he waves. Recently he has started saying "bye" as well. He knows who you are talking about when you say Mom, Dad, brother, and a few other names.
He climbs the stairs anytime he gets the chance. He's pretty good at it too. And he has learned to turn around to come back down!
Still doesn't sleep through the night, but we are getting close. It's okay; they aren't babies for very long :(.
I love my Lorenzo. I love to be with him every day. I love watching him learn new things. I love that he loves me. Happy birthday sweet baby!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
A Difficult Transition
I just threw away a coloring page from Olie's primary class, with his handwriting printed across the top. "This is Not My Class." In addition, his teacher told me he folded the chairs up and used them as stilts, even after asked to stop, and when he went to the restroom she could hear him screaming from the classroom. He had a hard time with the class below him (with only two kids) being combined with his, and was convinced he was supposed to be in the senior primary with the big kids. It was just one of those days...for a lot of people. Shawn stayed home with sick kids, we had two teachers not show up, one unexpectedly released, and one who was called just today and had to jump right in and teach. I'm sure she appreciated that. But, the day is done, and everyone lived through it. Olie wrote a letter of apology to take with him next week. I "completed" (not a whole 24 hours) my first day of fasting in literally years, having been pregnant or nursing for, well, years.
I have discovered that the hardest thing about being sick (second to getting out of bed in the morning) is not being able to sing. My voice is almost completely gone, and I didn't realize how much I sing in a day. It's really stopped me in my tracks. It's nice to appreciate being able to sing though, knowing this is a very temporary condition. I played the piano today instead of singing, not that my babies were okay with that in any way.
I guess I should go get a late start on New Year's goals. We stayed up playing a game, were going to go to bed early, but the baby woke up (go fireworks!) so we watched part of my favorite movie, Bachelor Mother, until he went back to sleep. Demetri had a gymnastics meet this weekend, and took 3rd in his level, but his coach was not very happy with how he did. So we have some work to do over the next couple of months. I think I'm vacillating between making new goals or survival right now :).
I have discovered that the hardest thing about being sick (second to getting out of bed in the morning) is not being able to sing. My voice is almost completely gone, and I didn't realize how much I sing in a day. It's really stopped me in my tracks. It's nice to appreciate being able to sing though, knowing this is a very temporary condition. I played the piano today instead of singing, not that my babies were okay with that in any way.
I guess I should go get a late start on New Year's goals. We stayed up playing a game, were going to go to bed early, but the baby woke up (go fireworks!) so we watched part of my favorite movie, Bachelor Mother, until he went back to sleep. Demetri had a gymnastics meet this weekend, and took 3rd in his level, but his coach was not very happy with how he did. So we have some work to do over the next couple of months. I think I'm vacillating between making new goals or survival right now :).
Friday, December 12, 2014
Dear Mrs. Skaggs: Signed, Un-Frozen in Hawaii
This (http://wellbehavedmormonwoman.blogspot.com/2014/02/movie-frozen-gay-homosexual-agenda.html)
was a most interesting blog post. Do I
agree with her findings? I don’t
know. I never thought of it that
way. In my opinion, it is a moot point,
because my husband and I disliked the movie so vehemently that it is never
making its way into our home anyway, and the songs are not allowed to be sung,
listened to, or played on the piano.
Allow me to explain my interest in the above blog post. Woman voices her view on a hit movie. Woman is vilified and demonized in almost
2000 comments that consisted of people from 4 groups.
I’m not treating EVERY category, as there were a few
odd-ball ones that stand alone, such as the lady who was upset that
inter-racial couples can get married in the temple now, and a few who just
wanted to rant against Mormonism/Christian or religion in general.
So, basically, there are Mormons who saw the gay allegory
and appreciated her input, Mormons who thought she read way too much into a
child’s movie (didn’t see it), and Mormons who saw the gay allegory but didn’t
appreciate her pro-traditional marriage stance.
Then there were the people of an undefined religious status or clearly
not Mormon who didn’t see the gay allegory and appreciated her input(wait, were
there any of those?), those who didn’t see the possible allegory and thought
she needed to get a life (a different life than her current one apparently) , and
those who saw the gay allegory but didn’t appreciate her pro-traditional
marriage stance.
It is the categories of people who make this post
hilarious. Most of the commenters were
absolutely sure of themselves, the majority were not only unsympathetic but
crude and (what’s the word for people who attack other people’s character
because they disagree with their right to a different opinion?). It’s one of those lose-lose situations for her.
“You see pro-gay content in that movie? No Way!
I hate you; you must be a horrible person! Get a life!”
“You see pro-gay content in that movie? Me too!
But you didn’t appreciate it? I
hate you; you must be a horrible person!
Get a life!”
Really? And it’s
worth the deterioration of your soul to denigrate a woman with an idea that
doesn’t jive with you? It was kind of
unbelievable. Hundreds of people sure
that either the lady was or wasn’t delusional and either way she was a poor
excuse for a human because of what she believed. I guess that’s freedom of speech, but boy does
freedom of speech sometimes reveal unfavorable IQ levels. If some people can see what she’s saying,
fine. If some people can’t, okay. The rest (comment-wise) was just a disgusting
display of bullying in the name of anti-bullying or chilling out…if that’s
possible.
The next post,(http://wellbehavedmormonwoman.blogspot.com/2014/02/frozen-gay-agenda-response-mormon.html#.VIloIXvSk5A), only added to the circus, but this time in her
favor. How is the saying…If one person
calls you a horse, laugh at him. If two
people call you a horse, think about it.
If three people call you a horse, go buy a saddle. Something like that. She listed ten different links to others who
had come to the same conclusion (some happy about it, some sad). This means, in my opinion, that several hundred, if not a
thousand plus people, owe Mrs. Skaggs an apology, for telling her she was
delusional and reading too much into “just a story.” Turns out, it really could be viable allegory—as
many other people saw and wrote about as well, whether intended or not, and is
cause for thought and possible discussion with your children (if they watch
it), as an allegory for “gay suppression”, an allegory for all circumstances in
which people are “stifled” in some way (and whether that is good or bad), and
above all, whether that SONG (do I have to call it a song- that used to be such
a nice-sounding word!) is carrying a good or bad message.
As you can tell, I really do not like that song. And honestly, I tried. I couldn’t reconcile some of the lyrics with
gospel principles (no right, no wrong, no
rules for me anyone?) even in context of the movie—and, my husband pointed
out, the song was not always going to be seen in context. People thought it was a great song. Not just a “great song in the proper
context.” They don’t sing it while
thinking, but really, there is a place
for self-restraint, growth, God’s will instead of mine, etc. I didn’t take to the message.
I know, I know. There
are a great many people, many of them my friends and family, who will tell me
to chill and enjoy a movie once in a while without analyzing it to death. But, as I just talked about with one of my
sisters yesterday, I see gospel principles in every-day life, in
everything. Either it works with my idea
of the gospel, or it doesn’t. Nothing,
to me, is just a story. Everything carries a message, and I want to
be intentional about what messages I’m accepting.
I don't know why my husband and I took an instant dislike to the movie. I do know why we didn't like the song. Maybe I'm overly critical. But if you know me very well, you will also know that there are very few newer movies I like anyway, for any variety of reasons. My sister told me that this is my blog and I can say what I want on it. I hope she isn't regretting that now :).
Monday, December 1, 2014
Learning to Count My Blessings
We were sick over this weekend, and I felt defeated on every front. Not only did we not get the extra things done I would have liked for a 4 day weekend,we didn't even do Thanksgiving dinner until tonight. From Wednesday through Saturday, I thought it was the worst Thanksgiving ever, and I was counting all the things that had gone wrong. But when I sat down today and counted all the things that were good, they vastly outnumbered the hard things.
My sister is going on a mission! I was on Skype when she announced it to Mom and Dad. It was awesome to see their faces, especially having had a conversation with them a week before about worrying and trying to find her some nice guys to date. I said, "Whoa, I thought you were rooting for a mission, not guys right now!" Dad said, "I don't think we've made much progress on that front." And I just had to clamp my mouth shut. Really tight.
Another sister had her first baby! I wish I was there- I love babies. I've thought about being a doula or something occasionally, but I've never attended a birth other than my own, and I'm more than a little squeamish. Still, I hate to miss out, and always feel like I'd like to be there helping.
On Saturday I took the children who were well enough to a birthday party. We don't generally go to birthday parties, but I really felt like I should go to this one (which was a stressful feeling because I didn't know if I'd have any kids who were not sick!), and I was very glad we did. Ours were the only children there for a while, and it made the little girl so happy to have other kids to play with.
We left the party early for a girl's night out I was supposed to attend. I was upset about leaving my husband with sick children all day, and wasn't sure I should go, but he was fine, and the evening was really nice. We decided we should do that more often and invite more friends!
Being sick is kind of miserable, but it's temporary. The good things that happened will be much more memorable, and some are definitely more permanent. :) We ate our Thanksgiving dinner tonight. The kids loved it. They pointed out all the ways we are blessed, and we had some good family time.
I took a deep breath today and sat back and watched my happy children. They pick on each other some, but they love each other too. I watched them play ball with the baby, delighted that he was enjoying the game. I watched the baby take several steps at a time, happy that it was caught on camera. He started maybe two weeks ago, but only one step and then he'd stop. Today he really practiced. I watched my 7 year old read a naptime story to the 2 year old, and my oldest sing him a song. I listened to their excited chatter about the dinner, and received exuberant thanks for making a pie. I love how they are upset if I only sing one song to them before I leave their room at night. Little boys who love singing make me smile. They never get tired of it, and I usually get requests for just one more.
It was a good Thanksgiving, and I have much to be grateful for.
My sister is going on a mission! I was on Skype when she announced it to Mom and Dad. It was awesome to see their faces, especially having had a conversation with them a week before about worrying and trying to find her some nice guys to date. I said, "Whoa, I thought you were rooting for a mission, not guys right now!" Dad said, "I don't think we've made much progress on that front." And I just had to clamp my mouth shut. Really tight.
Another sister had her first baby! I wish I was there- I love babies. I've thought about being a doula or something occasionally, but I've never attended a birth other than my own, and I'm more than a little squeamish. Still, I hate to miss out, and always feel like I'd like to be there helping.
On Saturday I took the children who were well enough to a birthday party. We don't generally go to birthday parties, but I really felt like I should go to this one (which was a stressful feeling because I didn't know if I'd have any kids who were not sick!), and I was very glad we did. Ours were the only children there for a while, and it made the little girl so happy to have other kids to play with.
We left the party early for a girl's night out I was supposed to attend. I was upset about leaving my husband with sick children all day, and wasn't sure I should go, but he was fine, and the evening was really nice. We decided we should do that more often and invite more friends!
Being sick is kind of miserable, but it's temporary. The good things that happened will be much more memorable, and some are definitely more permanent. :) We ate our Thanksgiving dinner tonight. The kids loved it. They pointed out all the ways we are blessed, and we had some good family time.
I took a deep breath today and sat back and watched my happy children. They pick on each other some, but they love each other too. I watched them play ball with the baby, delighted that he was enjoying the game. I watched the baby take several steps at a time, happy that it was caught on camera. He started maybe two weeks ago, but only one step and then he'd stop. Today he really practiced. I watched my 7 year old read a naptime story to the 2 year old, and my oldest sing him a song. I listened to their excited chatter about the dinner, and received exuberant thanks for making a pie. I love how they are upset if I only sing one song to them before I leave their room at night. Little boys who love singing make me smile. They never get tired of it, and I usually get requests for just one more.
It was a good Thanksgiving, and I have much to be grateful for.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
My Response to "Ten Things About Military Wives You Probably Don't Want to Know"
Guess what? They already know.
http://www.merelymothers.com/2014/11/25/ten-things-military-wives-probably-dont-want-know/
I read this article this evening. I have to say, I can't actually relate. The only thing that I really connected with was number 7. Now that I know it is totally normal, I will stop whining (probably) about 12 hour days and shift changes every few weeks, and sudden schedule changes that throw my day or week off completely. And number 8--I'm beginning to feel the significance of that one...planned vacations put on hold for the 4th time, not being able to take leave because of some sort of training or random very important thing. But mostly...I really felt like other people, single parents, people who have been TTC for a long time, some disabilities and accidents, addictions, and a whole host of other things are right up there, or a lot harder. Part of it is the line I hear all the time about how it's so tough to be a part of the military but he/she/I/we wouldn't have it any other way. It's a choice. Some of the other hard things in life are not choices, and a person would definitely choose to have it another way. I really feel like being a military spouse or a military family isn't that special (bracing for the hate mail), beyond how special each of us are in our own unique ways anyway. There are challenges that come with the lifestyle, and perks too. It seems like every single one of those "ten things" are applicable to other life situations as well. But while we get 30 days of paid leave a year (providing we can find time to take it) other people didn't get the leave in the first place. While we have full medical coverage, spouse support groups, and discounted shopping to soothe our ruffled feathers at being imposed upon, some are watching us and wishing life were this easy.
A word about the exceptions. I do feel for homeless vets. I think those who are hurt in service should be well taken care of. I don't actually know how well the military does at addressing either of these issues. I also, while I can't say I've been there or "understand", very much feel for how hard it is/would be to live with a spouse or be the spouse struggling with PTSD. You may not go in thinking that something like that is going to happen, and I can't imagine how difficult it would be to go through it. Then again, many others struggle with that problem from events other than deployment (rape, abuse, and more than can be named here).
The point is, life is hard. Being a military spouse is hard. Being a single parent is hard. Losing someone you love is hard. Going to college while trying to support a family is hard. Having triplets is hard. Divorce is hard. If your life is not hard, please email me and give me some tips. There is something to be said for developing empathy for all of the different kinds of hard. There is also something to be said for recognizing that your military life is no harder than most civilian lives.
I'm not actually condemning this article. I totally whine about things that are hard for me, and much of that includes military issues. The lady who wrote the article is perfectly within her rights to whine about the things that are hard for her. The only issue I have is that I've been stumbling across huge numbers of posts and articles about why it's so hard to be a military spouse...seeming to imply that it's harder than being whatever-other-kind-of-spouse there is. (Admittedly, I sometimes find the same kinds of articles about Moms-who-stay-home or Moms-who-work, with all sorts of accompanying ridiculousness in the comments section.) So if your spouse is not in the military, know that your struggles are just as difficult. And if your spouse is in the military, know that you are supporting something good, but your struggles are not really harder than average. You are not more "at your limit" than any other mom, or more tired, or more picked on. You may be at your limit, and tired, and somewhat picked on. Who isn't?
Go ahead with the articles about military life--I just learned that one of my touchy spots is a normal part of military life. Go ahead with the articles about staying at home, or working, or traveling, or dealing with loss. It's good to write and get it off your chest, it may help another person get through it or feel validated, it may serve as a journal for your kids, it may make someone think, it may provide insight into something previously incomprehensible.
http://www.merelymothers.com/2014/11/25/ten-things-military-wives-probably-dont-want-know/
I read this article this evening. I have to say, I can't actually relate. The only thing that I really connected with was number 7. Now that I know it is totally normal, I will stop whining (probably) about 12 hour days and shift changes every few weeks, and sudden schedule changes that throw my day or week off completely. And number 8--I'm beginning to feel the significance of that one...planned vacations put on hold for the 4th time, not being able to take leave because of some sort of training or random very important thing. But mostly...I really felt like other people, single parents, people who have been TTC for a long time, some disabilities and accidents, addictions, and a whole host of other things are right up there, or a lot harder. Part of it is the line I hear all the time about how it's so tough to be a part of the military but he/she/I/we wouldn't have it any other way. It's a choice. Some of the other hard things in life are not choices, and a person would definitely choose to have it another way. I really feel like being a military spouse or a military family isn't that special (bracing for the hate mail), beyond how special each of us are in our own unique ways anyway. There are challenges that come with the lifestyle, and perks too. It seems like every single one of those "ten things" are applicable to other life situations as well. But while we get 30 days of paid leave a year (providing we can find time to take it) other people didn't get the leave in the first place. While we have full medical coverage, spouse support groups, and discounted shopping to soothe our ruffled feathers at being imposed upon, some are watching us and wishing life were this easy.
A word about the exceptions. I do feel for homeless vets. I think those who are hurt in service should be well taken care of. I don't actually know how well the military does at addressing either of these issues. I also, while I can't say I've been there or "understand", very much feel for how hard it is/would be to live with a spouse or be the spouse struggling with PTSD. You may not go in thinking that something like that is going to happen, and I can't imagine how difficult it would be to go through it. Then again, many others struggle with that problem from events other than deployment (rape, abuse, and more than can be named here).
The point is, life is hard. Being a military spouse is hard. Being a single parent is hard. Losing someone you love is hard. Going to college while trying to support a family is hard. Having triplets is hard. Divorce is hard. If your life is not hard, please email me and give me some tips. There is something to be said for developing empathy for all of the different kinds of hard. There is also something to be said for recognizing that your military life is no harder than most civilian lives.
I'm not actually condemning this article. I totally whine about things that are hard for me, and much of that includes military issues. The lady who wrote the article is perfectly within her rights to whine about the things that are hard for her. The only issue I have is that I've been stumbling across huge numbers of posts and articles about why it's so hard to be a military spouse...seeming to imply that it's harder than being whatever-other-kind-of-spouse there is. (Admittedly, I sometimes find the same kinds of articles about Moms-who-stay-home or Moms-who-work, with all sorts of accompanying ridiculousness in the comments section.) So if your spouse is not in the military, know that your struggles are just as difficult. And if your spouse is in the military, know that you are supporting something good, but your struggles are not really harder than average. You are not more "at your limit" than any other mom, or more tired, or more picked on. You may be at your limit, and tired, and somewhat picked on. Who isn't?
Go ahead with the articles about military life--I just learned that one of my touchy spots is a normal part of military life. Go ahead with the articles about staying at home, or working, or traveling, or dealing with loss. It's good to write and get it off your chest, it may help another person get through it or feel validated, it may serve as a journal for your kids, it may make someone think, it may provide insight into something previously incomprehensible.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
A Lost Tooth, and a New Primary Presidency
Teddy, my sweet 5 year old, was trying to open a container of salad dressing with his teeth, when his bottom tooth, which was noticeably loose anyway, popped out and landed on his chair. This was accompanied by much blood (for a tooth), crying, and pouting. When Shawn asked if he was excited about losing his first tooth, he really didn't see any reason to be overjoyed. I let him have applesauce for dinner instead of pizza and salad. For some reason, he thought of this as a reward, and was much happier. To be fair, he did get the peach flavored applesauce usually reserved for the baby. But then, after he was told to put his tooth in a ziploc bag so he wouldn't lose it, he didn't, and he did lose it. Hysterics ensued until he was told he could probably just write a nice letter to the tooth fairy telling her about how his first tooth came out and she would still bring him a dollar. He began his letter "Dear Mom".
I have been the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency (a church position helping to teach the children) for a while. Guess what? I still am. My President told us last month that the Presidency was being reorganized and we would all be released. Bishop caught me in the hall and said I was requested as the 1st counselor again, so I was released and sustained in the same breath. It's okay. I like Primary. I was kind of dumped into the calling in the first place with no training, and no clue what I was doing. I think it's been a little over a year (?) and I really had no idea how much I know, until tonight. We had our first Presidency meeting, which lasted two hours, and I knew the answers to almost every single question and then some! I tell you, this is the first time that has ever happened. I realize that I have learned a lot in the last year, and I really do like being a part of the Primary...although nursery leader is probably my very favorite calling in Primary :).
In other news, my hot water still doesn't work. And I really don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say, the people who owned this place before us are not my favorite people in the world.
I have been the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency (a church position helping to teach the children) for a while. Guess what? I still am. My President told us last month that the Presidency was being reorganized and we would all be released. Bishop caught me in the hall and said I was requested as the 1st counselor again, so I was released and sustained in the same breath. It's okay. I like Primary. I was kind of dumped into the calling in the first place with no training, and no clue what I was doing. I think it's been a little over a year (?) and I really had no idea how much I know, until tonight. We had our first Presidency meeting, which lasted two hours, and I knew the answers to almost every single question and then some! I tell you, this is the first time that has ever happened. I realize that I have learned a lot in the last year, and I really do like being a part of the Primary...although nursery leader is probably my very favorite calling in Primary :).
In other news, my hot water still doesn't work. And I really don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say, the people who owned this place before us are not my favorite people in the world.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
All the little things I'll never remember
There are so many. And it's hard to remember that I won't remember them in a few months, or even a few weeks. So here are a few of the things I would like to remember some day.
Lorenzo made such a beautiful discovery the other day (over fall break) that I was sad when I realized I didn't catch it on camera after all (the sd card didn't know it was there but Olie was trying). He discovered the game of rolling a ball back and forth between two people, and you could just see the realization dawn on him that he had found another way to interact and others would respond and play with him. He laughed and laughed, and it was so funny to see him try to throw the ball. He would make a throwing motion but not be able to make his fingers let go...it was quite the process. He loved it. He loves to play games. He'll blow raspberries with his little tongue at the slightest invitation and loves it when others do it with him. He loves peek-a-boo. He loves tag, and pat-a-cake, and singing. Especially Old MacDonald. I'm loving this baby stage, and trying not to stress that I get nothing done. I'll finish the dishes and sweep the floor when he's not quite so cute. Maybe.
Xander's favorite stuffed animal is Eeyore. I mention this because I can't for the life of me remember what Demetri's favorite stuffed animal was at that age. Or Olie's. And that makes me just a little sad. Xander loves Eeyore, and then his monkey, and Shawn's huge teddy bear from when he was a kid. His favorite song used to be "How Much is That Doggie in the Window." Then it was "Sunshine in My Soul." Now the Sunshine song has moved into second place in favor of "the rainbow song," which is in the Children's Songbook but I have forgotten the real name. We also sing a lot of "The Bear sat around with his foot on the log." Is there a real name for that song? He loves all of the different styles of singing it (happy, sad, in a baby voice, and really fast) that we do and tries so hard not to smile or laugh while watching me sing it in a "crying" voice. We sing and read every day. If I don't read a story before nap time (and bedtime too), and sing at least one song (but probably more like five), there is a tantrum. But as long as the routine stays fairly similar, he willingly climbs in bed every time. His favorite book changes more rapidly than his favorite songs. He liked If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and loves all Amelia Bedelia. He's quite likely to request the same book over and over, for nap time and bedtime, every day until I get tired of it and hide it. I also rotate the books in the bookshelf upstairs every now and then, but I'm not sure any of them realize it yet. I love it when he uses words like "actually." He manages to make it sound like it has 5 syllables.
Teddy's favorite song is "In Our Lovely Deseret." It used to be the rainbow song, but Olie liked "the one about children" so then Teddy did too. He also loves "Follow the Prophet" though. His favorite stuffed animal is his "Georgie," which really is a Curious George stuffy. (He calls all monkeys Georgie.) You know, the more I read of Curious George books the less I like them. Really? A monkey who never does what he is asked, gets into all sorts of trouble and never suffers the consequences but is always lauded as a hero! Well, okay. Sorry for the rant. I must have been reading a little too much R.A Rey lately. (And I only just developed this dislike over the last year. I've been reading this stuff for much longer than that. I'm starting to get really picky about books.) Back to Teddy. He has a dislike for showering that I don't understand. I love showers. He has a stubborn streak the size of Texas that I really thought he might outgrow at some point. I don't really think so any more. He wants to do whatever Olie is doing, just to prove he can do it too.
Olie's favorite song is "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." Why? Because it's Demetri's favorite song. Why? Because Shawn pointed out that it is a hymn that tells a story. They request it every night, but I just don't think I'm capable of singing all 7 verses of that song every night. So they only get it occasionally. They sleep on the same bed right now and are learning to share space. I think it is actually helping them to get along better. Or maybe that is my imagination. Olie is loving cooking right now. He was just put in piano lessons (which I should have saved as a Christmas present!) and is loving that too. He practices every day. Because after he practices he's allowed to play music games on the computer that his teacher has assigned as "homework." They aren't too bad either. Pitch and rhythm stuff. He was just promoted to "assistant dishwasher" and hates it. Of course, he was promoted because of his frequent complaining about work. Boy is that kid creative. He has whole little schemes about how he is going to make his children do all the work when he grows up and isn't going to do a thing, ever, that he doesn't want to. Or run away, so that he doesn't have to do any more work ever. Shawn told him that he is going to continue to get more chores until that attitude goes away. He used to try this little manipulation act, saying, "I thought you loved me, but you don't really," while crying pathetically and silently on the stairs. Not only did that not work, but it caused him a lot of trouble, so he wised up pretty quick and cut that one from his bag of tricks. I feel I have much to learn from him!
I hear a baby screaming...it may be a long night.
The above was written a couple of weeks ago. But I just couldn't post it without writing about Demetri. He's growing up far too quickly for me, but is such a great help around the house. I often don't know what I would do without him. His job is the kitchen. He is a great worker, when he puts his mind do it, and loves to work to music. Beethoven's 9th symphony is is favorite, ahem, er "song." Piece of music. But that is still what he will say when you ask for his favorite song. He loves, loves, loves to sing, and can be heard singing all through the house when there is no music on--or to the music. I need to teach that boy more songs.
He has been a wonderful peacemaker lately, entertaining and getting along with all of his brothers. Sometimes he comes to me in the morning and takes the baby, so I can get some more sleep. Teething (and now a cold) has been a little rough, and Lorenzo has never been a very good sleeper to begin with anyway. Demetri is loving gymnastics, and getting ready for the next season. Since we don't attend any competitions that are held on a Sunday, we are just hoping he'll meet the requirements (three meets and a certain number of points) to go to Regionals. If not, it will all be okay anyway. He is still quite the drama king, and I'd love to put him back into acting classes, but lack the time and money at the moment, so it will have to wait. When he gets hurt he screams so loudly you would think he was going to die, and many a parent has looked at me like I must be a horrible person (or rushed to his side themselves) when I slowly and calmly walk toward him as he is writhing in agony. What they don't understand is that he will be up and playing again in 5 minutes, and that running to him and worrying over him ensures a stellar performance, but doesn't really help anything.
On Saturday, we went to the pool on Schofield, and Demetri jumped off the 30 ft. platform. This has been his wish ever since he turned 10, but it was closed for construction for some time. We finally made it there, and he was ecstatic.
Not that this has anything to do with things I want to remember, but for interested readers, we have a working refrigerator now. No hot water though. Some electrical problem.
Lorenzo made such a beautiful discovery the other day (over fall break) that I was sad when I realized I didn't catch it on camera after all (the sd card didn't know it was there but Olie was trying). He discovered the game of rolling a ball back and forth between two people, and you could just see the realization dawn on him that he had found another way to interact and others would respond and play with him. He laughed and laughed, and it was so funny to see him try to throw the ball. He would make a throwing motion but not be able to make his fingers let go...it was quite the process. He loved it. He loves to play games. He'll blow raspberries with his little tongue at the slightest invitation and loves it when others do it with him. He loves peek-a-boo. He loves tag, and pat-a-cake, and singing. Especially Old MacDonald. I'm loving this baby stage, and trying not to stress that I get nothing done. I'll finish the dishes and sweep the floor when he's not quite so cute. Maybe.
Xander's favorite stuffed animal is Eeyore. I mention this because I can't for the life of me remember what Demetri's favorite stuffed animal was at that age. Or Olie's. And that makes me just a little sad. Xander loves Eeyore, and then his monkey, and Shawn's huge teddy bear from when he was a kid. His favorite song used to be "How Much is That Doggie in the Window." Then it was "Sunshine in My Soul." Now the Sunshine song has moved into second place in favor of "the rainbow song," which is in the Children's Songbook but I have forgotten the real name. We also sing a lot of "The Bear sat around with his foot on the log." Is there a real name for that song? He loves all of the different styles of singing it (happy, sad, in a baby voice, and really fast) that we do and tries so hard not to smile or laugh while watching me sing it in a "crying" voice. We sing and read every day. If I don't read a story before nap time (and bedtime too), and sing at least one song (but probably more like five), there is a tantrum. But as long as the routine stays fairly similar, he willingly climbs in bed every time. His favorite book changes more rapidly than his favorite songs. He liked If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and loves all Amelia Bedelia. He's quite likely to request the same book over and over, for nap time and bedtime, every day until I get tired of it and hide it. I also rotate the books in the bookshelf upstairs every now and then, but I'm not sure any of them realize it yet. I love it when he uses words like "actually." He manages to make it sound like it has 5 syllables.
Teddy's favorite song is "In Our Lovely Deseret." It used to be the rainbow song, but Olie liked "the one about children" so then Teddy did too. He also loves "Follow the Prophet" though. His favorite stuffed animal is his "Georgie," which really is a Curious George stuffy. (He calls all monkeys Georgie.) You know, the more I read of Curious George books the less I like them. Really? A monkey who never does what he is asked, gets into all sorts of trouble and never suffers the consequences but is always lauded as a hero! Well, okay. Sorry for the rant. I must have been reading a little too much R.A Rey lately. (And I only just developed this dislike over the last year. I've been reading this stuff for much longer than that. I'm starting to get really picky about books.) Back to Teddy. He has a dislike for showering that I don't understand. I love showers. He has a stubborn streak the size of Texas that I really thought he might outgrow at some point. I don't really think so any more. He wants to do whatever Olie is doing, just to prove he can do it too.
Olie's favorite song is "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." Why? Because it's Demetri's favorite song. Why? Because Shawn pointed out that it is a hymn that tells a story. They request it every night, but I just don't think I'm capable of singing all 7 verses of that song every night. So they only get it occasionally. They sleep on the same bed right now and are learning to share space. I think it is actually helping them to get along better. Or maybe that is my imagination. Olie is loving cooking right now. He was just put in piano lessons (which I should have saved as a Christmas present!) and is loving that too. He practices every day. Because after he practices he's allowed to play music games on the computer that his teacher has assigned as "homework." They aren't too bad either. Pitch and rhythm stuff. He was just promoted to "assistant dishwasher" and hates it. Of course, he was promoted because of his frequent complaining about work. Boy is that kid creative. He has whole little schemes about how he is going to make his children do all the work when he grows up and isn't going to do a thing, ever, that he doesn't want to. Or run away, so that he doesn't have to do any more work ever. Shawn told him that he is going to continue to get more chores until that attitude goes away. He used to try this little manipulation act, saying, "I thought you loved me, but you don't really," while crying pathetically and silently on the stairs. Not only did that not work, but it caused him a lot of trouble, so he wised up pretty quick and cut that one from his bag of tricks. I feel I have much to learn from him!
I hear a baby screaming...it may be a long night.
The above was written a couple of weeks ago. But I just couldn't post it without writing about Demetri. He's growing up far too quickly for me, but is such a great help around the house. I often don't know what I would do without him. His job is the kitchen. He is a great worker, when he puts his mind do it, and loves to work to music. Beethoven's 9th symphony is is favorite, ahem, er "song." Piece of music. But that is still what he will say when you ask for his favorite song. He loves, loves, loves to sing, and can be heard singing all through the house when there is no music on--or to the music. I need to teach that boy more songs.
He has been a wonderful peacemaker lately, entertaining and getting along with all of his brothers. Sometimes he comes to me in the morning and takes the baby, so I can get some more sleep. Teething (and now a cold) has been a little rough, and Lorenzo has never been a very good sleeper to begin with anyway. Demetri is loving gymnastics, and getting ready for the next season. Since we don't attend any competitions that are held on a Sunday, we are just hoping he'll meet the requirements (three meets and a certain number of points) to go to Regionals. If not, it will all be okay anyway. He is still quite the drama king, and I'd love to put him back into acting classes, but lack the time and money at the moment, so it will have to wait. When he gets hurt he screams so loudly you would think he was going to die, and many a parent has looked at me like I must be a horrible person (or rushed to his side themselves) when I slowly and calmly walk toward him as he is writhing in agony. What they don't understand is that he will be up and playing again in 5 minutes, and that running to him and worrying over him ensures a stellar performance, but doesn't really help anything.
On Saturday, we went to the pool on Schofield, and Demetri jumped off the 30 ft. platform. This has been his wish ever since he turned 10, but it was closed for construction for some time. We finally made it there, and he was ecstatic.
Not that this has anything to do with things I want to remember, but for interested readers, we have a working refrigerator now. No hot water though. Some electrical problem.
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