Uh Oh!

He's officially crawling now. Zach has discovered he can get himself around and explore on his own. And it's funny, the first time he took off, it was like he'd been doing it for months. Like he's been able to do it all along, but only just decided to show us. Today he discovered his reflection in the mirror of the curio cabinet. He loves the mirror in his bedroom, but he's never noticed this one before, and he got a big kick out of checking himself out. He's also really beginning to enjoy being outside. We went out for a walk tonight and as soon as he realized what we were doing, he got all excited, and he sat there in the stroller just looking all over the place and grinning in the breeze. And oh, he is so ticklish, and loves being tickled. Most evenings after dinner we all end up, as Kaitlyn says, "play bed?". We tickle and wrestle and tussle and hug. The kids ride horsey on our knees and soar in the air as we hold them over our heads. Zach LOVES this. He starts laughing before he's even on the bed. Rolls around and laughs. If I tickle his foot and then stop, he'll stretch it out for me to tickle again. So funny!

Challenges and Joys

I find a lot of sympathy from other parents who have lived through the "terrible two's". And I find it's easy to get distracted by all the challenges, and miss the fun. So yes, there are times I would describe as terrible. But calling it the terrible two's doesn't even hint at all the fun that is had with a two year old. Pointing to Bebop's big belly and saying he's full. And then sticking her belly out and saying she's full too. The adorable way she sings. The way she tilts her head when she smiles. The way she scoops up imaginary baby birds and pets them then helps them fly off. They way she pats her little brother on the head and coos to him. The way she reacts when she first sees me after being apart... running across the room as fast as her little feet can fly, and jumping into my arms and giving hugs that you want to never end. The way she gets on the phone with Memaw and Bebop, then takes the phone across the room to "show" them something. And she's got the cutest little giggle in the whole world! Yes, she's my challenge. But she is also my great joy.

Resiliency

I'm always so amazed at how routines are fundamental to the kids day. While Zach was sick over the past week, he was napping (or not) at all times of the day. One of my first indications that he was truly on the mend was that he fell back into his regular pattern of nap and wake times.

And Kaitlyn is beginning to show signs of getting sick in that her sleep patterns are a little off. No fever yet, but I'm watching carefully.

The kids are also a living reminder of what Dr. Stanley always taught about HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). If any of those factors are in play, people usually lose their ability to intentionally manage themselves. Adults may be able to mask it, but not a 2-year old. When I picked Katilyn up from preschool, she was already tired, and quite hungry, neither of which she would admit. Lunch became a battle. When she finally got enough food in her that I knew hunger was no longer an issue, I had to find a way to get her to bed, which she was totally fighting. (This brings up another whole question I don't really understand... when a child is tired, why do they resist sleep?!?) So after a couple of failed attempts, I just left her in her room, screaming, for about 1 minute, then when I went in she was just ready to be held. A couple minutes of hugging, and she laid right down and was probably asleep before I got out of the room. Amazing. As I write this, she's been out for almost 3 hours. Definitely tired!

She's also regressed yesterday with the whole potty thing - she wet herself twice. Part of me thinks that she thinks it's a way of asserting some measure of control over her life, because both times I had just tried to get her to go potty. It may also be part of the HALT thing too. I don't know. I'm just pretty sure it wasn't truly an accident. She just gets in these moods that if I tell her the sky is blue, she'd argue it was green, just because she doesn't want me to be right. Last night I was a helper in her Sing to the King class at church, and if I told her to do something, she'd go the other way, but if another adult asked her, she was quick to obey. Is this a mother-daughter thing? Or a strong-willed child thing? Or something I'm doing wrong?? I pray God will give me wisdom, bless my efforts, and protect her from my mistakes!

What a day!

The good news is Zach is finally on the mend. He started the morning with a very slight fever (5th day in a row!) but as of bedtime, he was fine - YAY!! He's still draining and sounds rather hoarse, and is still a little whiny as a result. But he was also more playful than he'd been in a week, so we had a fun day.

Kaitlyn had one of those days that she just pushed all day long. Started with not wanting to eat her breakfast, then she threw a fit when I took her plate away. By this time she's sat not eating for almost 45 minutes! So now I'm trying to hurry up and dress her to get going to preschool, and she's crying because she wants to wear her pajamas. And I don't have her favorite pair of undies clean (this must be the downside of no more diapers!). We finally get out the door and drop her off at preschool with no further incidents. And she has a great time - came out all happy and excited. Lunchtime was fun, but then she took a really short nap, like less than an hour, and the rest of the afternoon and evening was no better than the morning. The strange thing is, I know a lot of it is intentional. I ask her "x" and she says "no" and I see her watching me, and as soon as I move on to the next thing, she starts crying because she wants "x". UGH!

Of all days that Rick has to work late. By the time he got home, I kissed her good night and told him she was all his! Long shower, here I come. She was asleep by the time I got out. I am SO praying tomorrow is a better day! It amazes me how she can drive me so nuts, and end up making me smile at the end of it all.

Going Live

Okay, so I'm going to start trying to update this at least once a week. I think you can setup to receive notification whenever I add a post. This way I can post pictures and kinda keep a journal of what's going on with the family, and someday I hope the kids will enjoy going back and reading it...

Zachary

My baby boy is quickly approaching his 1st birthday, and I can hardly believe it. He's totally adorable, and is totally in love with his big sister.

Finally!

Kaitlyn has finally decided to stay dry. I know she's been capable for months, but for whatever reason, she finally decided she wanted to. Now she's wearing big girl panties. Still pullups at night, but that's more for my peace of mind. She's wakened up dry 3 of the last 4 mornings (that is, only after I take her to pee in the middle of the night!). I'm thrilled!

For her reward, she wanted to go on this bungee jump ride thingy at the mall (think jump rope, not jumping off a cliff). So after she stayed dry three days in a row, Rick took her. I was disappointed not to go too, but Zach was sick so I stayed home with him. Well, Rick said she had a great time, and I think the picture says it all.