Another hilarious moment with Mac

When my sister's baby spit up at our house today, Mac immediately tried to imitate. I've never seen someone try to spit up. It was hysterical....but not so funny as I'm writing it. I suppose you had to see it. I think God gave me a hilarious toddler to keep my mind off how tired I'm getting.

Arden is waking up to babyhood a little--she was up twice last night (the first time she's been up more than once). It's still better than most newborns...but oh, I was hoping the once-a-night waking would last!!!

Fireknuckles are back!

2 things you should know as background to this story:

1. My husband is a big knuckle-cracker (my mom's pet-peeve!).

2. Mac used to call fire trucks "fire knuckles". We have no idea why. He doesn't do it anymore.

The other day, Brad popped Mac's toes for the first time. Mac thought it was hilarious and has been begging Brad to do it again ever since. Brad told Mac that this was called popping his knuckles. So today, Mac climbed onto the couch with Brad and said, "Daddy, pop firetruck!" Translation, "Daddy, pop my knuckles!" Oh, the logic of a 2 year old...

Pronouns and Adjectives!

The most recent development in Mac's language has been the addition of pronouns and adjectives. Yesterday, he had his most advanced sentence to date. After he lost the spoon he had chosen for lunch, we spent a few minutes looking for it before giving up and deciding on a new spoon. After finishing his lunch, he (apparently) remembered where he left the spoon he'd lost. He went running and grabbed it, saying, "I found it! I found the spoon!"

This sentence was significant because he used the pronouns "I" and "it". Wow, Mac.

Earlier last week, he used an adjective to describe food. A family brought us a homemade pizza (youth group moms have been bringing us yummy food since Arden's birth), and Mac exclaimed "Pizza good!"

This was significant because it's the first time I've noticed him using an adjective to describe his opinion. (Up until now, it's been more matter-of-fact: "Pizza hot!", that type of thing.)

In other news, Arden continues to sleep and sleep. All the time. Except for the huge diaper blow-out she had today.

Happy Birthday Mac!

Dear Mac,

2 Years ago yesterday, you officially joined our family. You were such a personality from the very beginning! It was clear from the start that you love people. It was clear from the beginning that you are laid-back and happy--yet determined when you have your mind set (just like your daddy). It was especially clear from the beginning that our lives would never be the same. Since that day, what a blessing you have been to us!

You have grown and changed so much. You have learned to eat solid foods, you have learned to crawl, you have learned to pull up and then to walk. Then--the most amazing thing for a mama to watch--you have learned to talk. You have learned to throw balls (one of you favorite things), you have learned to laugh and play. You have learned to share.

It's amazing how the Lord expands capacity for love in our hearts. I never thought I could love your daddy more than the day I married him--yet I love him more all the time. I never thought I could love you more than I did at first--but I love you now more than I ever have. I never thought I could love another child...but I love your sister just as much. What an amazing miracle, what a tough force--this thing, this emotion, this action: love. I do love you, darling, more all the time.

Some of my favorite memories of you....

-You used to say "uh-oh!" if we forgot to pray before eating. This evolved into having to ask a blessing for every piece of food that we added to your high chair. It was pretty sweet and funny.

-You still don't know the words "mine" or "no". I have no idea how this is true, since they are the trademark words of your age/stage of development. I'm in no hurry to teach you these words.

-Once, when you and I went to Old Navy to buy daddy some pants, you were walking and holding my hand. You knew that it was very important to always hold mama's hand. When I had to let go of your hand for a few seconds to sort through the stack of pants, and told you to stay right there, you obediently stayed, and when I looked up you were holding the mannequin's hand instead, perfectly content but a little bewildered by the fake person. Safety first!

-I'm not sure what your official first word was, but among the first was "ball". You used to wake up saying "Ball, ball, ball!" over and over again. You know every kind of ball there is to know: golf ball, soccer ball, basketball, baseball. You love them all.

-You are huge. From the day you were born (8lbs, 14 oz; 21 3/4 inches) you have not stopped growing. This summer--before you were two--people would stop and ask, "How old is he? Three?" Well, no, you were one. You dwarf most of the other kids your age. But you're not fat. Just tall and built. I kind of like it--it makes me feel like you can hold your own.

There are so many more.

I'm so proud of the child you are becoming. You are kind, you are funny, you look out for others. You rarely complain and are generally happy-go-lucky. You are demonstrative and affectionate. You receive discipline well and rarely have to be corrected twice. (Is it boastful to think these things of your child? Isn't it a mama's job to be proud? I am proud of you! How could I help it?)

We are headed into the terrible twos...I know I'll have my work cut out from me. We are both far from perfect and have a lot to learn. But despite all the curve balls I know are coming, always know that your daddy and I will never stop loving you. You are a precious addition to our family. Thank you for being such a ray of sunshine. Happy Birthday Mac!

Love you,

Mama

ps--I decided that the first picture in this post needed to go...it seems like it's more of a mom and dad picture than a family picture (which is what I was going for). But I don't have the patience to figure out how to take it out. Oh well. Your daddy is such a perfectionist with stuff like this, and I usually just give up. I wonder which one you'll be?

Mac's new spot

Somehow this week Mac's high chair was moved from its normal spot at the table to the corner (about 4 feet from the table). When I went to move it back to the normal spot, he literally fell on the floor and cried. Well, since I'm a pick-your-battles sort of mom, I moved it back and left it in the corner. Now, when we sit down together to eat, Brad and I are at the table and Mac is all by himself in the corner, happy as can be. When he asks for more food, we have to stand up to get it to him. If someone were to walk in, he would think that we don't like our child or are trying to keep him away from us. No...he's the one who wants to be away from us. Whatever floats your boat, sweetie.

For real?

Arden...the easiest baby ever? Maybe she'll wake up to reality soon? I hope not. Since we've been home, I feed her before I go to bed (10:30 or 11), she wakes at 3:00 am, eats quickly, goes back to sleep...then sleeps until I wake her at 8. Is this for real? I know things can change, but I will ride this wave as long as I can! Thank you, Arden!!!!

Sweet baby Arden

Precious child...we love her so much!

Our Dear, Sweet Arden,

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3

We're so glad you're here. You came to us yesterday afternoon at 1:25, weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces, 21 inches long. (How big would you have been had you not been born 10 days early?)

I'm so glad you're big--it make me feel like you are strong and resilient. And you are--your coming was a little bit miraculous. Knowing you were breech (upside down--or right-side up, depending on how you look at it), your mama's doctor wanted to take you out of her belly using a special surgery. I was really scared, Arden, but I knew it was the safest way to get you here to us. When they took you out, everyone in the room gasped--your umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck, twice. (That explained why you would not turn over when they tried to turn you a few weeks ago.) Then I was REALLY scared, because I didn't hear you crying yet. It seemed like forever, but it was only a few seconds that I heard your sweet voice for the first time. And everything was okay then. The Lord protected you and me from danger, and gave us a wise doctor who kept us both safe.

Your daddy and I are so happy today. We're so excited to notice all the special things about you--your long, elegant fingers, your sweet fuzzy hair (I think you're going to be blonde like your brother), your mouth (you have your daddy's mouth, Mac has mine), your ears (like mine). We're trying to predict your personality--you seem really interested in your daddy and me (but not so much everyone else). We keep trying to compare your personality to your brother's--but we're having a hard time remembering what he was like right at first!

Mac got to meet you last night and again this afternoon. He was pretty excited and wanted to give you lots of kisses. He also really liked the trash can in mama's hospital room. It has a pedal that makes the lid pop up. Your daddy and I really miss him this weekend--Nans is keeping him while we stay here at the hospital with you. But we are treasuring these special first days with you.

Arden, what a precious gift you are. We can't wait to see the little girl, the young lady, and woman you will become.

much love,

Mama

Mac tries out the Moses Basket for Baby Sister

Cupcakes

Some recent cupcakes. Mac takes them very seriously.

Nans' present:

Our son, the basketball star. He is obsessed, and actually pretty good for an almost 2 year old.

My Amazing Husband

My Amazing Husband...

-finished baby's room almost completely by himself, and it is beautiful. (By this I mean ripping out to the studs, insulating, installing new drywall on walls and ceiling, new molding, trim, baseboards, paint, repairing the floor, and all the tiny details that comes along with these tasks.)

-sweetly told me to put my chair down when I was reclining on two chair legs after supper. I was uncomfortable (is there any way to be comfy at all when you're 38 weeks pregnant?), but he was worried.

-makes coffee for me every morning.

-changes stinky diapers without hesitation.

-cleans up supper every night.

-baths our child (this is usually my task but it's laughable for this huge girl to try to do right now).

-holds my hand at the doctor's office.

-tells me when I'm wrong in a way that doesn't make me feel wrong.

-thinks about things. Deeply.

-is honestly everything I've always wanted in a man. I am so blessed!

-stacked hymnals on the floor under the pew at church last week so my legs didn't dangle.

Looking back over this list it sounds like Brad just "does stuff" for me...our marriage is not defined by this type of thing--but lately, his kindness in every day things has really meant a lot and doesn't go unnoticed. I love him more all the time.

Happy Birthday Mac

Mac turns 2 in 2 weeks, but we went ahead and celebrated Saturday so that he would get all the spotlight before baby sister arrives. We had a small party with ice cream and cupcakes, then we opened presents. He LOVED all his gifts. He LOVED unwrapping his presents. He LOVED all the people and attention. He really, really LOVED his chocolate cupcake.

I think when he woke up Sunday he worried it was all a dream. He jumped out of bed and ran into the living room to see if he could find his new gifts. He was so excited all over again!

Since Saturday, I honestly think he's spent at least one third of his waking hours shooting baskets with his new basketball goal. He's so happy when he makes a shot--he claps and smiles and cheers. When he misses (which is a lot, because it's a pretty tall goal), he's not discouraged. He just says, "Almost!" and tries again (and again, and again). I'm really hoping this diversion lasts at least a little while into the new baby phase!

abc mama!

This is what we hear, over and over again, every day:

"abc mama!" or "abc daddy!"

Translation: mom (or dad), please sing the abc's!

So, we do. Most of the time. But as soon as I finish one round of the abc's, a little toddler voice calls, "abc mama!"...and if I'm feeling patient and generous, I'll sing it again...but if I'm feeling worn out (after all, I've already sung the abc's 30 times that day), I say, "Mac, YOU sing the abc's!"

But he doesn't. Not yet. Oh, what a day that will be.

This weekend, there was a glimmer of hope: If I sing "abcdefghijk----" and stop, he'll shout a word that sounds like "elle-mmmmmm--elle--oh--p!" And when I get to the end ("Now I know my abc's, next time won't you sing with me?"), he repeats "Now I knowa, now I knowa, now I knowa!"

Oh--another detail of the abc's--if both parents are present but only one is singing, Mac will not be happy until BOTH of us are belting out the abc's. Sometimes we indulge this and sometimes we don't. We are SO looking forward to the day when he can sing them himself!

piñata

These photos should be in exactly the opposite order--but I can't figure out how to do it.

At a birthday party recently, Mac experienced his first piñata. Most of the other kids were older than him and knew the drill. When all the treats were revealed, Mac thought it was broken and was upset. He went to every adult at the party and said, "Uh-oh!". But no one would do anything to fix it. He finally gave up and gathered a few treats with the other kids...but was completely bewildered by the whole thing.

a time to keep begins

Why blog? I don't even have a facebook account...it feels like it makes life so public. But then--blogging is kind of like a diary, isn't it? It makes me feel a little like Doogie Houser at the end of the day--collecting my thoughts and putting them down. I don't want to blog because I want my life to be public (though I don't mind wearing my heart on my sleeve, most of the time) or because I'm a narcissist, but because these days of our young family are so precious I don't want to lose them to a faulty memory. This time, this stage, these moments truly are 'a time to keep', and blogging is simply the most convenient way to keep them and share them.

I really didn't think I'd ever start a blog...but now that Mac has stopped calling firetrucks "fire knuckles" (he calls now calls them firetrucks, and I'm so sad!), I realize I'll forget that he ever did that if I don't write it down. So, the blog begins. Welcome.