Emmy's Prayer

Thank you that Ryan was happy with me today when I holded him. Please help Ryan to sleep better. Please help me and Sophie to not have any bad dreams, not even one. Please help me not to think bad things. Please help me and Sophie not to be stolen.

Our Day Today

 

Let's not forget our middle child

I've heard it said that middle children tend to feel overlooked. I certainly don't want to be guilty of overlooking my little middle, especially since it would be easy to do! Not because every inch of her isn't wonderful, but because her big sister can be QUITE demanding, and her little brother can't help but be demanding, and she is usually happy puttering around the house.

This has been a big summer for Sophie. First of all, she was potty-trained in late May - just in time for us to enjoy one month without diapers. She was an absolute dream to potty train. No accidents the first day, and only a few in the following weeks. We celebrated her "big girl" status by taking her to Baskin Robbins. She was very pleased with herself, and her little bottom looked even more itsy bitsy without the padding of her diaper.



In June, she lost her status as the baby of the family and became a big sister. Suddenly, even though she is a waif, she seemed more substantial, taller, and older. She was proud to be a big sister, and has adjusted fairly well to Ryan's reign as littlest.



We gave her a little break in July and August, but this month, we finally nipped her binky habit in the bud. Yes, true confessions here, my almost-three-year-old still had her binky. I couldn't bring myself to take it away from her before, because she just loved it so much. She was only allowed to have it in her bed, therefore, she was a delightful little sleeper. She was always happy to go to bed and would often linger in her crib in the mornings. I hated to disrupt her (and our) happy nighttime and naptime. So, on the last day of her binky-sucking, we had a party in her honor. We watched Dora and ate popcorn. We all told her what we love about her. We showed her a slideshow of pictures, showing her how much she has grown up.
And then, we attached her binky to helium balloons and released it into the sky. (Actually, the binky ended up being too heavy, so Matt surreptitiously snipped the binky off and threw it in the trash - but don't tell Sophie and Emmy that. They think that maybe a needy baby in Africa is enjoying some sucking time.) Although she enjoyed all of the hoopla, when it came down to it, she was very sad to go to bed without it, and hasn't been sleeping as well since.






And now, our goal for October is . . . transitioning to her "big girl bed." This girl LOVES her crib. She says it keeps her safe, and she often goes in there and reads books or plays with her dolls. It really is her little refuge, and any time she is sad or needs space, she asks me to put her in her crib. Whenever we ask her if she wants to sleep in her big bed, she says, "tomorrow." I'm hoping tomorrow comes before the top of Ryan's head and the tips of his toes are touching either side of his bassinet. We have a little time.



Anyway - we LOVE our little Sophie girl. In fact, the other day I said, "I love my Sophie girl." And she said, "I love my mommy girl." She is very interested in bugs right now, especially roly polies. The other day an ant was crawling on her arm and she said, "He is my helper. I let him crawl on me." I also enjoyed how she explained her most recent ailment to me by saying, "My big momma toe hurts."

What a cutie. I adore her.

in the pool at sunset

 

 

This is the Life!

 

I'm a REAL Mom

I know I became a real mom on the day Emmy was born, just a little over five years ago. But that first year or so felt like a honeymoon. And then we had Sophie - and she was such an easygoing, happy baby that life still felt small. I could pretty much go wherever I wanted, when I wanted, and two kids felt like something I could handle. I have two hands that they can each hold on to. I have a double stroller that they fit nicely in.

I look back on the last five years and realize that it will be a long time before I have that kind of flexibility again.

We've left the bubble and are entering the real world. Not only do I know have three kids and still only two hands, but ONE of those kids is in KINDERGARTEN! Wow. I am now one of those moms I used to look at and pity that they couldn't just hop on over to the beach because their kid(s) was in school. We're a part of the system now. Emmy's name is on a list.

The first day of school was a more difficult day than I thought it would be. Emmy was nervous. Her two good friends were placed in the other class and she didn't know a soul. She cried, I had to drag her in, and when I picked her up she announced that she didn't want to go tomorrow, but maybe the day after that. Thankfully, a week later, things are looking up. Today she announced that she had the best day ever. She's making friends, she's happy with the projects they are working on, she is excited to learn to read. Kindergarten is a good thing.

But I can't help but feel nostalgic for our more carefree, unscheduled days. Time goes by so quickly -- all we can do is enjoy where we are, when we're there, because it won't be long before we're somewhere else.



(A poor, sad Emmy waving good-bye to me on that first day. She about broke my heart!)

We're Alive!

It has been almost two months since my last post. If you're guessing that the adorable little face you're looking at is the reason, then you are right! This little Ryan has kept me completely busy! He has been my most engaging and smiling baby at the earliest age . . . but my most difficult sleeper. Despite my absolute lack of sleep, I adore him as does the rest of the family.

Here are a few facts about Ryan:

He is TALL. For a baby, that is.
When he smiles, he often squawks with joy.
He moves constantly.
He loves to be snuggled.
He likes to be rocked. (phew! my girls required that we pace the floors when they were fussy).
He has a beautifully shaped head.
We think he'll be a blondie.
He likes his head massaged.
He is STRONG.

So there you have it. We're alive, we're well. And I'm feeling an urgency to hop into bed. G'night.