What does it mean to love our children; to truly love our children as God calls us and we yearn to do?
Over the past few weeks, God has been speaking to my heart bits and pieces of this answer. Through different people, books and most importantly Scripture, God is showing me and teaching me how to extend grace to my children in a whole new way.
At many points through the average day you can find me on the floor with my children; loving on them, playing with them, teaching them about this beautiful world God created; and often, even sometimes at the exact same moments, explaining to them how to handle their emotions, or why they should or should not do something. On the average day, we go about these routines of learning ‘smoothly’. On the average day.
There are some days however that just leave you drained; leave you praying to just survive until bedtime. There are some days that the boys have just had enough and so has mama. It’s on these days when telling them to stop touching the DVD player for the millionth time that day, to stop throwing the goldfish in the air and feeding them to the dogs, to not scream bloody murder when I turn the corner out of their site, to not hit their brother or throw the toys, and that they are NOT SuperMan, leaves one weak and begging for just a little peace. It’s at these moments I know I should guide them with love and consistency, and yet, all I find myself praying for is for one quiet moment with everyone happy and doing ‘what’s right’. These days I can find myself contemplating letting them throw the toys, feed the dogs and throw a fit. But through my weakness, God is stronger and so I pray for help. I pray for energy; any bit of energy He can give this pregnant mama with 12-month-old teething twin boys.
It was one of these difficult days that I cried out to God asking Him to specifically show me what in these times He wanted me to learn and to do. Since then, as I mentioned before, God has been feeding little ideas to me here and there. He’s been whispering things, but as He so often does, only small incomplete glimpses and ideas. Just the past couple of days it’s been ‘gelling’ for me; fragmented ideas now coming together to help me see more of the big picture He is wanting me to learn.
For months now, unknown to me why until now, the idea of Grace has been circulating my mind. The idea of Love surfaces often as well.
I just started studying 1 Corinthians 13 this week, through a new study recommended by a dear friend. Perfect timing and just what I needed to take everything God has been feeding me and try to fully grasp His beautiful message to my tired and yet wonderfully happy heart.
As I read Scripture and other books, I realize that these studies are another way God is speaking to me and answering my cry for help. It’s what I’ve heard many times before and strongly believe; it’s a basic concept spoken in fresh new ways and through God’s gentle whispers. It’s about extending the grace He so lavishes me with daily to my dear children He has entrusted me with. It’s about looking at their Christian walk in similar ways to my own. These concepts I am very familiar with, but just as the Word is alive and active, God can freshen these ideas too to refresh my soul.
So on the good days, on the average days, and on the days I’m just tired and weary, God will help me extend the grace and teach the beautiful children He has entrusted me with. I thank God for speaking to my heart and giving me the energy I need as I embark on this wonderful entrusted gift of parenting and loving my children.
A Little Extra
A few ideas and quotes from the book I just started reading today, ‘Loving the Little Years’ by Rachel Jankovic:
- “If there is anything I have learned in the course of my fast and furious mothering journey, it is that there is only one thing in my entire life that must be organized… if organization and order can still be found in my attitude, we are doing well.”
- “We have a much harder time accepting that every failure from them is a wonderful opportunity for repentance and growth…” Or, just sometimes just too tired to focus on this part if you ask me.
- “Sin is just a fact of life. It is the way we deal with it that changes ours.”
- “Now try thinking of discipline as a different kind of nourishment – a sweet means of grace to your children.”
There is a lot more I underlined, but I wanted to share just a few of her thoughts from the beginning chapters.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Lessons I Am Learning At the Park
Two pairs of little legs scurry to the steps and begin climbing. Higher and higher they climb, occasionally taking breaks to enjoy the view and play with each other. I, there mother, am not far behind them; right behind them to be precise. Smiles can be seen and giggles heard as they enjoy this new freedom and right of passage into childhood. After a few moments they press on across the jungle gym towards the shaking bridge.
My heart leaps to my throat as they pass an open section of the gym. Their physical developments are developing even faster than their special awareness at this stage. I know that they are fearless and cannot comprehend that a few steps away they can come into great danger. They smile at me as if to say, ‘come on Mama, this way.’ I smile back and talk about how much fun this is. My hands continually hovering above them, my heart beats stronger. We reach the shaky bridge; more giggles and daring stomping proceed. I quickly make sure this will hold our weight, only to laugh at my silliness. They smile at me and I smile back. We reach the slide. I explain to them to sit on their hinnies at all times as they slide down. They smile at me and down they go; giggling the whole way down the curvy slide.
I had to let them go. I had to let go of my fear and let them climb and slide. I had to give them the freedom to explore and live life, all while holding my breath. I think I prayed the whole time they were climbing and sliding that day. I know I pray each time they climb and slide still. How can ‘letting go’ be so hard?
I think of all the things our sweet sons will do in life, and all of the times I will have to step back, pray and let them go. I realize letting them play on the jungle gym is not that traumatic, but for me, as a first time mom, I realize just how hard ‘letting them go’ will be. I realize now new prayers I need to be praying. I remind myself yet again that they are God’s children entrusted to us. I remind myself He loves them more than anyone every will or we can even fathom. Thinking of someone loving my boys more than I do is hard to get my mind to grasp, but I know with all my heart, God’s love is even stronger than a mother’s!
I think of these lessons I’m learning at the park, and I thank God for teaching us in stages. I thank Him for preparing our hearts and giving us the strength along the way. I am reminded of the song I love by Mark Harris, ‘Find Your Wings’. It says, ‘It was only for a moment you were mind to hold… Let my love gives you roots and help you find your wings.’ I thank God for this time I have to hold my boys and thank Him for the strength to help them find their wings.
My heart leaps to my throat as they pass an open section of the gym. Their physical developments are developing even faster than their special awareness at this stage. I know that they are fearless and cannot comprehend that a few steps away they can come into great danger. They smile at me as if to say, ‘come on Mama, this way.’ I smile back and talk about how much fun this is. My hands continually hovering above them, my heart beats stronger. We reach the shaky bridge; more giggles and daring stomping proceed. I quickly make sure this will hold our weight, only to laugh at my silliness. They smile at me and I smile back. We reach the slide. I explain to them to sit on their hinnies at all times as they slide down. They smile at me and down they go; giggling the whole way down the curvy slide.
I had to let them go. I had to let go of my fear and let them climb and slide. I had to give them the freedom to explore and live life, all while holding my breath. I think I prayed the whole time they were climbing and sliding that day. I know I pray each time they climb and slide still. How can ‘letting go’ be so hard?
I think of all the things our sweet sons will do in life, and all of the times I will have to step back, pray and let them go. I realize letting them play on the jungle gym is not that traumatic, but for me, as a first time mom, I realize just how hard ‘letting them go’ will be. I realize now new prayers I need to be praying. I remind myself yet again that they are God’s children entrusted to us. I remind myself He loves them more than anyone every will or we can even fathom. Thinking of someone loving my boys more than I do is hard to get my mind to grasp, but I know with all my heart, God’s love is even stronger than a mother’s!
I think of these lessons I’m learning at the park, and I thank God for teaching us in stages. I thank Him for preparing our hearts and giving us the strength along the way. I am reminded of the song I love by Mark Harris, ‘Find Your Wings’. It says, ‘It was only for a moment you were mind to hold… Let my love gives you roots and help you find your wings.’ I thank God for this time I have to hold my boys and thank Him for the strength to help them find their wings.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
My Sweet 1 Year Olds
This past month and a half has gone by so fast, and so much has gone on, that I know I’m going to overlook something I want to capture about my sweet one year olds at this time in their life. This month has really been a time for me to reflect a lot on this past amazing year. I try to think of the right words to use that will express the joy, the excitement, the things we’ve learned and struggled through, and I can’t. It’s one of those times I’m speechless, but I feel my heart doing the talking and the Spirit translating my thankfulness to God for me. Watching my boys grow from developing babies inside my womb, to precious newborns, to amazing toddlers has been the greatest gift to me. I feel that I’ve grown in so many ways watching them grow this past year.
This past month we celebrated Gavin and Wyatt’s first birthday throughout an entire week! I’ll post about their birthday celebrations in a separate post. But for now, here are a few things I want to capture about my sweet boys this past month and a half:
Both boys are literally running these days. They are working on stomping their feet too for fun when we sing, “If You Are Happy and You Know It’. They are learning to climb more and more and have zero fear. They can’t quite climb on the couch by themselves, but they have learned that they can push the scooter towards the couch and climb up on it that way! They stand on their scooters and such without hands to show off, and try to climb on windowsills, but they know better ;)
This past several weeks, the boys’ signing has taken off! They’ve been signing ‘milk’ for many months now, but up until several weeks ago, other signs were random. Now they are consistently signing ‘eat’ and ‘more’ when they are hungry or want more. They sign ‘all done’ when they are finished eating. They still sign milk, even if they want a drink of water (although we have their cups laying around so they can drink when thirsty all throughout the day). They are also signing ‘help’, well, their modified version since it’s a more difficult one, but none the less, it’s a consistent sign that is very similar to the correct version. They are also signing sleep and bath.
No new words they say consistently this month, but there has been a lot of parroting done by both. The other day for example, after talking about the color ‘yellow’ all week, Gavin pressed the yellow button on his activity table, it said ‘yellow’, and then he repeated clear as can be, ‘yellow’.
Both boys are VERY aware of what they should and should not do (although they don’t always do the right thing). They have the ‘no’ down in both words and head nod, and say ‘yeah’ while nodding their head up and down. They will do something they know they should not do, throw food on the floor from their high chair for example, and then look at us and say, ‘no’ all while shaking their head. It’s so funny we have to turn our head and laugh w/o them seeing us.
The boys have truly become wonderful snuggle bugs! I love this and am treasuring it greatly. Throughout playtime each day, both boys take ‘time outs’ to come snuggle on mama’s lap and get hugs and kisses. They just snuggle in. At other times, they come running to me with great big hugs and kisses. It just melts my heart!
The boys have been on whole milk and no bottles since the middle of February. The transition was very easy and the boys never missed either one. Since about 11 months, they were having formula in a bottle in the mornings when they work up, before breakfast. They rest of the day they’d have cow’s milk from a sippy cup during meals and water throughout the day. Then one day I just stopped the bottle of formula, came upstairs with sippy cups of water, and then we had breakfast as usual. That’s it; no crying, no worries!
The boys use straws and sippy cups with straws for their water these days. They only use the ‘typical sippy cup’ for milk, because it’s easier to keep milk cups clean that don’t have small parts or straws. I found a spillproof straw cup that we love; it’s the Tommy Tippy brand! They also just drink from mama’s glass with a straw throughout the day, but I of course hold the glass!
The boys still use their pacifiers, but I’ve only been giving it to them at sleep time. They never miss it throughout the day. Sometime this next month, I’ll take it away completely and see how that goes. I do not expect much fuss from them, since they only use it briefly when they lay down and when they wake up; never while they sleep.
Because the boys’ internal 5 AM alarm, we were very excited about Springing Forward this year! It fell on the day after their 1st birthday party. The transition went seamless. They still go to bed about 7:30 (unless a rough nap day and thus about 7), but are now waking up sometime between 6 and 7! Woohoo! Loving this extra hour of rest. Naps have been a bit unpredictable these days depending if they wake up at 6 or 7. The later they sleep in the morning, the later their morning nap gets pushed back (averaging between 9:30 and 11am). The later their morning nap is and the better they sleep, means no or little second nap. So some days they take two naps, and some days 1. The inconsistency makes it a little difficult to plan our days in advance, but it’s just a transition as their bodies mature and we adjust to the time change. All in all, they sleep about 3 hours of naps throughout the day (sometimes 2 though).
Gavin and Wyatt love playing with each other these days. They play toys and chase each other all the time. They will crack each other up and squeal in delight as they run around the house or game room!
They love to be outside. We’ve been going for a lot of walks lately in which all of us are on foot. They love to explore the world around them and this new freedom. They’ve especially enjoyed going for walks after it rains. Rain puddles are the best; lots of stomping, splashing and wet clothes!
Both boys had 8 teeth by 8 months, and then nothing. But the past couple of weeks Wyatt has been cutting his two top molars. Both are already out, but still ‘growing’. His bottom gums are super swollen too, but no teeth out yet. So Wyatt has 10 teeth to date. Gavin has been gnawing on his finger like crazy on his left side, but no signs of a tooth yet, and he typically does not have swollen gums like Wyatt does when teething. We’re expecting a tooth from him soon.
The boys still love all the same toys they did a month ago, but perhaps they are using the ‘house’ a little less and less. This month’s ‘hot toy’… the traditional ‘popcorn’ popper. They loved it so much, I had to buy another one so they could both use it at the same time. They just push it around the game room together and crack up as we hear ‘pop, pop, pop, pop’!
The boys still love to dance and each are developing their own special moves! Wyatt still loves to bounce up and down, but now is also adding arm thrusts along with it. He’ll open his arms wide, throw them together, and then repeat over and over. Gavin loves to shake his shoulders and head. He does this when he’s happily playing and eating too!
Just the past week, Gavin gets ecstatic when I turn on the TV upstairs in the game room. We don’t watch a lot of TV during the day, and thus they know that typically when I turn it on, it means they get to watch a Baby Einstein as a treat. Gavin squeals and starts clapping and running around. It’s so cute!
The boys are excellent eaters still. There is nothing they won’t eat. I’m surprised at how much they love things even like chicken salad (made with mustard and relish even) and tunafish. They love goldfish which we let them try for the first time this week. They are taking bites out of most things, but still there are many things I still cut up for them, mainly because Gavin loves to shove everything in his mouth at once. Wyatt is great about eating 1-2 pieces at a time, but Gavin tries to see just how much he can fit in at once. I can not tell you how many cheerios or goldfish he tried to put in; but I know there has been more than 10 cheerios at once! We’re working on it, but he just finds it funny. Also, I'd have to say their 'favorite' food right now (if I can say that, because they love everything) is oranges and watermelon. I have to hide these two fruits during meal time until the end, or Wyatt especially won't eat anything else. He will cry and cry until he gets his oranges or watermelon. Or he will want more oranges or watermelon instead of finishing his lunch. So, we save these two fruits until the end as desert now.
The boys definitely went through a growth spurt this past month. Gavin is now 31.5 inches and 25 lbs. Wyatt is now 31 inches and 24 lbs. They now wear 18 months to 2T depending on the clothes. PJs are typically 18 months, but 24 month one pieces work better. Pants and shorts are 18 months, although Gavin can wear some 24 and 2T shorts. Shirts are 50/50 18 and 24 months, although the 24 months fit Gavin a lot better since some of the 18 months are too short.
The boys are loving ‘learning’ specific things each week. I’ve seen a dramatic difference in their awareness to shapes and colors. They love letters and phonics and practice all day long. They also love to learn different parts of the body. Right now they easily can point to (theirs and others) head, hands, feet, hair, nose and this week we are talking about eyes which they seem to be catching on to quickly.
The boys absolutely love water. Whether it’s the bath, the water table, rain puddles, or the water hose, they have so much fun! This summer will be a blast playing in our little pool on the patio and taking them to the community pool and splash zone!
They’ve been working on using their scooters correctly this month. They can go backwards very well, and are getting better and better about scooting forward (although most of the time it’s walking forward with the scooter in between their legs). They also get on and off their rocking horse by them selves (although I still help them at times) and are rocking themselves back and forth now.
The boys seem to be playing with toys and others on a whole new level. I often look at them and see ‘little boys’ now, and not ‘babies’ or even ‘toddlers’, although I know they are toddlers. They just play so mature sometimes. I think the difference I’m seeing is because of their interaction together. They have a way of communicating with each other that’s amazing.
Because the boys interact so much with each other, there is a lot of laughter and silly play amongst them. But there is also times in which they become irritated at each other or can hurt each other accidently. They are learning how to play nice, share and be gentle with each other.
Wyatt loves to wrestle and roll on the floor. Gavin typically enjoys playing along, but sometimes just isn’t in the mood. This can cause some tension as you can imagine.
Gavin and Wyatt are pure boys in everything they do. They are dare devils and without fear. They love to make tooting noises with their mouth. The other day all four of us were wrestling on the couch while the three boys were making tooting noises by blowing on the leather couch. I was cracking up as I saw a small glimpse into my future!
With an increasing awareness their desire to communicate is growing, but still does not match their ability yet. I’ve seen an increase in whining this past month, but continue to talk to them about learning to express what they want, need or are feeling. While their have a great vocabulary for 12 months, their signing is a huge help for both them and us.
They are increasingly learning to play independent of mama and more with each other these days, although I’m right along with them in most activities. I try to give them time to explore with each other though. They are still very clingy to mama though. If I leave the room, they have to be right with me or will be very upset. While I love being loved, it does make it a little difficult at times when I’m just popping in a room to grab something for a second. Both boys get very upset if mama isn’t sitting with them during meal time. This past month or so, the boys have started to be clingier with daddy too though. I love watching their bond with him grow stronger each month. They truly get thrilled when daddy is home and playing with them!
The boys still love music time, but are starting to play more and more. They love to play with all their instruments like they are supposed to these days. Everything gets turned into a drum or trumpet too, ha! The boys new favorite song (in addition to all the others) is 'Old McDonald'. They love walking around the house singing, 'Ee-ii-ee-ii-eeee' (w/o the 'oo')!
I know I am missing so many of the precious things I treasure about Wyatt and Gavin at this age. I’ll capture more in my next post I am sure. Pictures will be posted with their birthday celebration post.
This past month we celebrated Gavin and Wyatt’s first birthday throughout an entire week! I’ll post about their birthday celebrations in a separate post. But for now, here are a few things I want to capture about my sweet boys this past month and a half:
Both boys are literally running these days. They are working on stomping their feet too for fun when we sing, “If You Are Happy and You Know It’. They are learning to climb more and more and have zero fear. They can’t quite climb on the couch by themselves, but they have learned that they can push the scooter towards the couch and climb up on it that way! They stand on their scooters and such without hands to show off, and try to climb on windowsills, but they know better ;)
This past several weeks, the boys’ signing has taken off! They’ve been signing ‘milk’ for many months now, but up until several weeks ago, other signs were random. Now they are consistently signing ‘eat’ and ‘more’ when they are hungry or want more. They sign ‘all done’ when they are finished eating. They still sign milk, even if they want a drink of water (although we have their cups laying around so they can drink when thirsty all throughout the day). They are also signing ‘help’, well, their modified version since it’s a more difficult one, but none the less, it’s a consistent sign that is very similar to the correct version. They are also signing sleep and bath.
No new words they say consistently this month, but there has been a lot of parroting done by both. The other day for example, after talking about the color ‘yellow’ all week, Gavin pressed the yellow button on his activity table, it said ‘yellow’, and then he repeated clear as can be, ‘yellow’.
Both boys are VERY aware of what they should and should not do (although they don’t always do the right thing). They have the ‘no’ down in both words and head nod, and say ‘yeah’ while nodding their head up and down. They will do something they know they should not do, throw food on the floor from their high chair for example, and then look at us and say, ‘no’ all while shaking their head. It’s so funny we have to turn our head and laugh w/o them seeing us.
The boys have truly become wonderful snuggle bugs! I love this and am treasuring it greatly. Throughout playtime each day, both boys take ‘time outs’ to come snuggle on mama’s lap and get hugs and kisses. They just snuggle in. At other times, they come running to me with great big hugs and kisses. It just melts my heart!
The boys have been on whole milk and no bottles since the middle of February. The transition was very easy and the boys never missed either one. Since about 11 months, they were having formula in a bottle in the mornings when they work up, before breakfast. They rest of the day they’d have cow’s milk from a sippy cup during meals and water throughout the day. Then one day I just stopped the bottle of formula, came upstairs with sippy cups of water, and then we had breakfast as usual. That’s it; no crying, no worries!
The boys use straws and sippy cups with straws for their water these days. They only use the ‘typical sippy cup’ for milk, because it’s easier to keep milk cups clean that don’t have small parts or straws. I found a spillproof straw cup that we love; it’s the Tommy Tippy brand! They also just drink from mama’s glass with a straw throughout the day, but I of course hold the glass!
The boys still use their pacifiers, but I’ve only been giving it to them at sleep time. They never miss it throughout the day. Sometime this next month, I’ll take it away completely and see how that goes. I do not expect much fuss from them, since they only use it briefly when they lay down and when they wake up; never while they sleep.
Because the boys’ internal 5 AM alarm, we were very excited about Springing Forward this year! It fell on the day after their 1st birthday party. The transition went seamless. They still go to bed about 7:30 (unless a rough nap day and thus about 7), but are now waking up sometime between 6 and 7! Woohoo! Loving this extra hour of rest. Naps have been a bit unpredictable these days depending if they wake up at 6 or 7. The later they sleep in the morning, the later their morning nap gets pushed back (averaging between 9:30 and 11am). The later their morning nap is and the better they sleep, means no or little second nap. So some days they take two naps, and some days 1. The inconsistency makes it a little difficult to plan our days in advance, but it’s just a transition as their bodies mature and we adjust to the time change. All in all, they sleep about 3 hours of naps throughout the day (sometimes 2 though).
Gavin and Wyatt love playing with each other these days. They play toys and chase each other all the time. They will crack each other up and squeal in delight as they run around the house or game room!
They love to be outside. We’ve been going for a lot of walks lately in which all of us are on foot. They love to explore the world around them and this new freedom. They’ve especially enjoyed going for walks after it rains. Rain puddles are the best; lots of stomping, splashing and wet clothes!
Both boys had 8 teeth by 8 months, and then nothing. But the past couple of weeks Wyatt has been cutting his two top molars. Both are already out, but still ‘growing’. His bottom gums are super swollen too, but no teeth out yet. So Wyatt has 10 teeth to date. Gavin has been gnawing on his finger like crazy on his left side, but no signs of a tooth yet, and he typically does not have swollen gums like Wyatt does when teething. We’re expecting a tooth from him soon.
The boys still love all the same toys they did a month ago, but perhaps they are using the ‘house’ a little less and less. This month’s ‘hot toy’… the traditional ‘popcorn’ popper. They loved it so much, I had to buy another one so they could both use it at the same time. They just push it around the game room together and crack up as we hear ‘pop, pop, pop, pop’!
The boys still love to dance and each are developing their own special moves! Wyatt still loves to bounce up and down, but now is also adding arm thrusts along with it. He’ll open his arms wide, throw them together, and then repeat over and over. Gavin loves to shake his shoulders and head. He does this when he’s happily playing and eating too!
Just the past week, Gavin gets ecstatic when I turn on the TV upstairs in the game room. We don’t watch a lot of TV during the day, and thus they know that typically when I turn it on, it means they get to watch a Baby Einstein as a treat. Gavin squeals and starts clapping and running around. It’s so cute!
The boys are excellent eaters still. There is nothing they won’t eat. I’m surprised at how much they love things even like chicken salad (made with mustard and relish even) and tunafish. They love goldfish which we let them try for the first time this week. They are taking bites out of most things, but still there are many things I still cut up for them, mainly because Gavin loves to shove everything in his mouth at once. Wyatt is great about eating 1-2 pieces at a time, but Gavin tries to see just how much he can fit in at once. I can not tell you how many cheerios or goldfish he tried to put in; but I know there has been more than 10 cheerios at once! We’re working on it, but he just finds it funny. Also, I'd have to say their 'favorite' food right now (if I can say that, because they love everything) is oranges and watermelon. I have to hide these two fruits during meal time until the end, or Wyatt especially won't eat anything else. He will cry and cry until he gets his oranges or watermelon. Or he will want more oranges or watermelon instead of finishing his lunch. So, we save these two fruits until the end as desert now.
The boys definitely went through a growth spurt this past month. Gavin is now 31.5 inches and 25 lbs. Wyatt is now 31 inches and 24 lbs. They now wear 18 months to 2T depending on the clothes. PJs are typically 18 months, but 24 month one pieces work better. Pants and shorts are 18 months, although Gavin can wear some 24 and 2T shorts. Shirts are 50/50 18 and 24 months, although the 24 months fit Gavin a lot better since some of the 18 months are too short.
The boys are loving ‘learning’ specific things each week. I’ve seen a dramatic difference in their awareness to shapes and colors. They love letters and phonics and practice all day long. They also love to learn different parts of the body. Right now they easily can point to (theirs and others) head, hands, feet, hair, nose and this week we are talking about eyes which they seem to be catching on to quickly.
The boys absolutely love water. Whether it’s the bath, the water table, rain puddles, or the water hose, they have so much fun! This summer will be a blast playing in our little pool on the patio and taking them to the community pool and splash zone!
They’ve been working on using their scooters correctly this month. They can go backwards very well, and are getting better and better about scooting forward (although most of the time it’s walking forward with the scooter in between their legs). They also get on and off their rocking horse by them selves (although I still help them at times) and are rocking themselves back and forth now.
The boys seem to be playing with toys and others on a whole new level. I often look at them and see ‘little boys’ now, and not ‘babies’ or even ‘toddlers’, although I know they are toddlers. They just play so mature sometimes. I think the difference I’m seeing is because of their interaction together. They have a way of communicating with each other that’s amazing.
Because the boys interact so much with each other, there is a lot of laughter and silly play amongst them. But there is also times in which they become irritated at each other or can hurt each other accidently. They are learning how to play nice, share and be gentle with each other.
Wyatt loves to wrestle and roll on the floor. Gavin typically enjoys playing along, but sometimes just isn’t in the mood. This can cause some tension as you can imagine.
Gavin and Wyatt are pure boys in everything they do. They are dare devils and without fear. They love to make tooting noises with their mouth. The other day all four of us were wrestling on the couch while the three boys were making tooting noises by blowing on the leather couch. I was cracking up as I saw a small glimpse into my future!
With an increasing awareness their desire to communicate is growing, but still does not match their ability yet. I’ve seen an increase in whining this past month, but continue to talk to them about learning to express what they want, need or are feeling. While their have a great vocabulary for 12 months, their signing is a huge help for both them and us.
They are increasingly learning to play independent of mama and more with each other these days, although I’m right along with them in most activities. I try to give them time to explore with each other though. They are still very clingy to mama though. If I leave the room, they have to be right with me or will be very upset. While I love being loved, it does make it a little difficult at times when I’m just popping in a room to grab something for a second. Both boys get very upset if mama isn’t sitting with them during meal time. This past month or so, the boys have started to be clingier with daddy too though. I love watching their bond with him grow stronger each month. They truly get thrilled when daddy is home and playing with them!
The boys still love music time, but are starting to play more and more. They love to play with all their instruments like they are supposed to these days. Everything gets turned into a drum or trumpet too, ha! The boys new favorite song (in addition to all the others) is 'Old McDonald'. They love walking around the house singing, 'Ee-ii-ee-ii-eeee' (w/o the 'oo')!
I know I am missing so many of the precious things I treasure about Wyatt and Gavin at this age. I’ll capture more in my next post I am sure. Pictures will be posted with their birthday celebration post.
Parenting: We had it all figured out!
We had it all figured out. Well, we knew we didn’t have it ALL figured out, but we had a pretty good idea.
Jason and I have never been a fan of having ‘expectations’, but we are big into planning and trying to prepare the best you can for the future. We spent a lot of time during our 8 years together and 5 years of marriage before children talking about our future, our marriage and our children. We’d discuss our thoughts and views on different areas of parenting and with time, began to feel very confident in our ‘decisions’. We’ve always understood every child is different, and we thought we took this into account when ‘mapping out’ our parenting days.
It’d take me a very long time to write down all of our thoughts on parenting, and frankly, I just don’t have that time. I actually don’t have the time to write this, but eh, it’s been that kind of day…
We are strong believers in nurturing children and showering them with lots of love. We believe strongly in teaching and guiding our children each day; shepherding them to be precise. We teach them all about God and the world He created. We also believe that the parents are placed in charge by God and it is our responsibility to redirect and discipline when needed. From the time they are newborns, it is our job to love them and begin to guide them.
It sounds so perfect and simple as I write those words above. I think of all the discussions I’ve had and books I’ve read. I’ve thought of all the prayers and thoughts concerning parenting. And in many ways, it really is that simple. There isn’t one thing I’d change about our approach to parenting or our life together as a family of four, soon to be five!
No, there is nothing I’d change… But oh have my parenting thoughts taken a ride through reality! I realize that I don’t have it ALL figured out and that children are anything but predictable. I realize that I am thankful for our ‘plans and maps’, but I can do NOTHING apart from Christ. There are days when I feel like a complete failure, but still I know God can work all things for good for those who trust Him.
As amazing and happy as our sweet sons are, they too have very off days. The fact that there has been two children right from the very start amplifies EVERY area of parenting and forces us to jump into parenting feet first in the deep section; none of this getting your feet wet first as you do with one child. Something about having a sibling, and even more so, a twin, adds a whole other factor (both amazingly good and at times difficult) that I’ll post about some other day.
So what do we do when our precious children have a SCREAMING fit or will not obey? Exactly what we’ve always planned. No problem right?! What do we do when they won’t stop? Our plan A continued. Still no problem, right?! What do we do on the days when NOTHING works; when you’ve done everything, been consistent, and yet… NOTHING works? I’m seriously asking a question here; because there are days like today that all I know to do is pray, and sometimes it’s just to get through the day.
I feel some guilt as I write this. I good mom wouldn’t have days like this I hear. A good mom doesn’t get tired, weary or feel lost at times. I realize it’s satan’s voice I’m hearing. No, I won’t succumb to the guilt for feelings that push me closer to Christ and mold me into the woman I so want to be. For in my weakness He is still strong. Though my mind and body are tired, my heart is thankful. Though I do not have all the answers, He does and He will guide and provide. As long as we keep Christ at the center of our hearts each day, and as long as we draw closer to Him each day, each trial we go through serves a purpose. …I like that… I pray I find peace in the hard days knowing that He’s molding us and our children each day; molding us in His image with His loving hands.
Jason and I have never been a fan of having ‘expectations’, but we are big into planning and trying to prepare the best you can for the future. We spent a lot of time during our 8 years together and 5 years of marriage before children talking about our future, our marriage and our children. We’d discuss our thoughts and views on different areas of parenting and with time, began to feel very confident in our ‘decisions’. We’ve always understood every child is different, and we thought we took this into account when ‘mapping out’ our parenting days.
It’d take me a very long time to write down all of our thoughts on parenting, and frankly, I just don’t have that time. I actually don’t have the time to write this, but eh, it’s been that kind of day…
We are strong believers in nurturing children and showering them with lots of love. We believe strongly in teaching and guiding our children each day; shepherding them to be precise. We teach them all about God and the world He created. We also believe that the parents are placed in charge by God and it is our responsibility to redirect and discipline when needed. From the time they are newborns, it is our job to love them and begin to guide them.
It sounds so perfect and simple as I write those words above. I think of all the discussions I’ve had and books I’ve read. I’ve thought of all the prayers and thoughts concerning parenting. And in many ways, it really is that simple. There isn’t one thing I’d change about our approach to parenting or our life together as a family of four, soon to be five!
No, there is nothing I’d change… But oh have my parenting thoughts taken a ride through reality! I realize that I don’t have it ALL figured out and that children are anything but predictable. I realize that I am thankful for our ‘plans and maps’, but I can do NOTHING apart from Christ. There are days when I feel like a complete failure, but still I know God can work all things for good for those who trust Him.
As amazing and happy as our sweet sons are, they too have very off days. The fact that there has been two children right from the very start amplifies EVERY area of parenting and forces us to jump into parenting feet first in the deep section; none of this getting your feet wet first as you do with one child. Something about having a sibling, and even more so, a twin, adds a whole other factor (both amazingly good and at times difficult) that I’ll post about some other day.
So what do we do when our precious children have a SCREAMING fit or will not obey? Exactly what we’ve always planned. No problem right?! What do we do when they won’t stop? Our plan A continued. Still no problem, right?! What do we do on the days when NOTHING works; when you’ve done everything, been consistent, and yet… NOTHING works? I’m seriously asking a question here; because there are days like today that all I know to do is pray, and sometimes it’s just to get through the day.
I feel some guilt as I write this. I good mom wouldn’t have days like this I hear. A good mom doesn’t get tired, weary or feel lost at times. I realize it’s satan’s voice I’m hearing. No, I won’t succumb to the guilt for feelings that push me closer to Christ and mold me into the woman I so want to be. For in my weakness He is still strong. Though my mind and body are tired, my heart is thankful. Though I do not have all the answers, He does and He will guide and provide. As long as we keep Christ at the center of our hearts each day, and as long as we draw closer to Him each day, each trial we go through serves a purpose. …I like that… I pray I find peace in the hard days knowing that He’s molding us and our children each day; molding us in His image with His loving hands.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
March 6, 2011. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the day before you two, our precious sons would be born. So many wonderful thoughts and curiosities filled my mind. Family had driven in to town already to help us celebrate your birth day. We were so thankful that our pregnancy had gone so smooth and we were all healthy. Daddy and I were so ready to meet you two! What would you be like? How did God specifically knit together Gavin and specifically knit together Wyatt? My arms ached to hold and kiss you both. The night before your birth day Daddy and I had a nice dinner together and snuggled watching a movie at home. We then tried to get some rest for the big day ahead… But… Mama couldn’t sleep. I spent most of the night thinking about you two and praying that I could become the mother your two deserve and I so long to become.
March 7, 2011. It will forever be a most special date in our hearts, right next to May 6, 2006. The memories of that day are painted in my heart; pictures that I visit often throughout the days. I remember how nervously excited we were as we were getting ready to go to the hospital that morning. I’ll never forget the way you both looked the first time I saw you, kissed you, whispered in your ear, held you, nursed you, snuggled you. And I’ll never forget the way you looked at me and the way you felt in my arms.
All those tears I cried as I prayed to God to bless us with children were carefully caught in His hands as He smiled and knew His plans for us. All that time God knew the special sons He would entrust us with. Gavin and Wyatt, never forget how special you are to God, your father and mother. You are loved greatly for who you are. Never forget that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! I thank God for entrusting us with such amazing young boys.
Words cannot begin to express the joy I have felt watching you grow into the wonderful toddlers you are today. I am amazed and so thankful as I have been able to watch your every move and development as you discover the world God has created for us. Your love for life leaves everyone around you with giant smiles on their faces. You bring such joy to everyone.
My prayer for you both, above all else, is that you grow to know, love and follow God every day of your life. That you become ‘a man after God’s own heart’. Trust in God and lean on Him for each step you take. Know He is always with you and will always be. You are great loved my dear precious sons. Thank you Lord for our precious blessings You have entrusted to us. I pray You continue to help us grow into the parent we so long to be and our sons deserve.
Happy Birthday my dear sweet sons. YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!! I love you with all my heart.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Luke Alan French!!!
Jason arrives home from work, and after the hurrays, hugs and kisses, we head down stairs. 'The doctor called this afternoon, but I didn't answer," I tell him. We smile and begin to dial the number that will give us the automated message sharing the good news of the sex of our child in my womb. Jason puts the phone on speaker. The boys begin to get louder and louder as they chase each other around the living room. The two of us huddle close to each other over the phone as Gavin and Wyatt pull on our pant legs. "Congratulations, you are having a boy!" Laughter is what you'd hear next if you were in the room with us as we hugged each other and the boys. Tears of joy come to my eyes just from knowing more about the amazing person God is knitting together inside my womb.
Over the next week nothing but a huge smile and lots of giggles would appear when I thought of the three precious sons God has entrusted us with. I can see the three of them playing together and growing close. I can see the wrestling matches and mud playing. I can see the guys hunting trips and our four wheeler adventures. I can see all the bugs and boo boos too. Oh, to have three boys! What a joy! It still makes me giggle as I write that. To be a mom of three boys! To be outnumbered with testosterone... hehe!
I think of 'my boys', but I also think of our youngest as an individual. What will he be like? What are his God given gifts, passions, likes and dislikes. What does God have planned for him? My prayers are endless for him as they are with Gavin and Wyatt. I pray more than anything that He knows and loves the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind. I pray that he walks with God all of his days and is a 'man after God's own heart'. I pray as parents we will help to bring out the boy and man God created him to be.
Jason and I have decided on the name Luke Alan French!!
Aw, my little Luke. Oh how much you are loved!
Thank You God for our three boys; Gavin, Wyatt and Luke!!
Here are the pictures of the flowers, balloons and keep sake my mom sent the 5 of us!
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