Snakes, Teenage Girls, and Two of my Cuties

(copied from BBW blog)

I was recently asked to head the program for young women (teenagers) in our church. I've been both very intimidated and totally thrilled.  It's a big responsibility and time commitment, but I am totally loving it, and Sam is very supportive, which is crucial.  So neat to be able to have a part in the growth of the girls' faith in Jesus Christ and determination to follow Him.  Of course, it's a big growing experience for me too.  And humbling!

This last week was a week-long outdoor camp for the girls.  I could only go a day (because of nursing), but it was a neat experience.  I thought this snake was a strip of tire while I walked alongside it a few feet away.  I've always liked snakes (my mom's a great snake catcher), but here I don't know a poisonous one from a non-poisonous one, so they are all a little more scary to me.  

And thus we see why I wash all the big utensils right before they are used.  This is Tyn's favorite playground.  

 

Tyn (10 1/2 months) has taken a few steps here and there, but still has a ways to go before really walking, I think.  But he is a little mountain goat climber, and we have found him in some precarious situations, which is scary!

Ked has decided that sometimes he likes the hardwood floor more than his bed.

Makeshift Slide

I came in from the kitchen to find this scene. Loved it. The moments I live for. Creative new entertainment for Ked (courtesy of Sam); my beloved strumming and crooning a spontaneously fashioned song; and happy, active boys. Oh, and a tolerant baby brother. Ked now often requests the slide, and if Sam's around, he demands he play the guitar and sing.

I didn't notice until watching the video that in the beginning, Ked is pulling Tyn off the table and pushing him underneath it and saying, "Go down the bridge, Tyndale."

(If you think we are rough on our furniture, well it's true, but the couch was already broken when we inherited it, and the table was $10 at a yard sale.)

My Extra Set of Arms

The day has finally arrived. I have sprouted the extra set of hands that I've wanted ever since I had my first child.

Being a parent of only young kids, I'm not sure what's typical or not. So maybe this is typical, but it's also exceptional because normally even I have a really hard time getting our active little Tyndale to eat. (I often beg Sam to either hold him or entertain him while I sneak food into his mouth.)

Respite

(originally from BBW blog)

I've been telling my family that in the past few weeks, I've felt like I've been in the eye of the storm, so to speak. That after several somewhat crazy and exhausting (yet wonderful!) months, I feel that life is "normal" again, a lot of my stresses have decreased, and I can be a little more relaxed and focus on things other than just the necessary and the essentials. Things are just as busy, but not so stressful. And now I'm praying for help in using this time wisely before the next wave hits!

I read this the other day, and really appreciated it. (But it also concerned me a little. . .  if things are easier now, what's to come?!) 

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11-12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain. . . . This life is an experience in profound trust--trust in Jesus Christ."

I'm grateful to be able to look back and see where that "stretching" was a conduit for growth. Too bad I have so much more room to grow! I'm enjoying the respite, but know that more challenges will come. And maybe they're already starting. . . Tyndale just started teething. . .

Mobility

It all started when Tyndale would wriggle off of his blanket or rug.

(4 1/2 months)

Then he would unintentionally scoot backwards and end up in funny places, like under the table or couch.

(5 1/2 months)

Then he was able to sit up without support.

(He was absolutely fascinated by water bottles. Loved them!) (5 1/2 months)

And finally he was crawling.

(6 months)

At the same time he started crawling, he started doing this funny thing. He does it all the time, but usually his feet are together, and sometimes he puts his head down and his bum goes up really high. I always think in my head, "Gimme an 'A'!"

(6 months)

Funny how we splurged on a soft rug for Tyndale just a week or two before he figured out how to get off of it.

He's so happy being mobile!

In the last few days, he's figured out how to get to the sitting position on his own (one foot forward and one back). And he's also starting to climb and get up on his feet and knees.

(6 1/2 months)

Patiently waiting for breakfast.

Love this cute boy! (6 1/2 months)

Prayer of a Sleep Deprived Mother

I started composing this in my head around 2am one recent morning. . . It progressed (and became a little more exaggerated) as the night went on.

Now I lay me down for the 50th time tonight

I beg and plead that I might sleep alright

And if my boys continue to wake me every quarter hour

I pray that when I wake I won't be grumpy and sour

And when my husband's alarm goes off in not too long

I ask that I not hear the song

Or at least that he won't push snooze time after time

So I can enjoy just a few moments of sleep sublime

Can anyone relate? It's a good thing these little ones come so irresistibly adorable and loveable!

Chiasmus

Ked has begun speaking in chiasmus.

"I hungwy sta-vin' me!"

We are so proud of our two-year-old literary prodigy.

Two Way Treat

While sometimes we're very aware of Ked's limited vocabulary, other times we forget what limitations he has. Good thing he reminds us.

Yesterday, Sam was talking to Ked after Ked had hit his cousin Dane for the bajillionth time.

Sam: Ked, Heavenly Father wants us to treat others kindly.

Ked (with a hopeful voice): Treat?

Ked 28 months

Who to blame? Part 2

All day I've been telling Ked not to touch our little Christmas tree or it's lights. And he's been on multiple time-outs for an infraction of that rule. Later I caught him once again flirting with tree disaster. I reminded him that he would be going on time-out if he touched the tree. He paused, and then took his teddy bear and threw it hard right at the tree. I came towards him and told him he was going on time out. In his defense, he explained, "Spank da teddy-bear."


Here's Tyndale (at 3 1/2 months) in one of the rare moments when he gets to hold his own teddy bear, since Ked has taken it as his own. Everything Ked sees us do with Tyn, Ked does with the teddy bear--feed, burp, change, put him to sleep, hold him when he cries, etc. So cute to see him nurturing his fatherly skills.

Rosy Cheeks and a Dimple

Just two more reasons I adore this boy!
Tyndale, 4 months

Christmas Card Photo

Three smiling. Two looking at the camera. Not bad.

Who to blame?

Today Ked suddenly jumped away from my laptop and ran into his room laughing, presumably putting himself on "time out." Looking at my laptop, I discovered that several of the keyboard letters had been pulled off. I left him in his room as I attempted to fix it. (Still working on the space bar--this is taking me twice as long to type.) Then I went into his room, bent down to his level, and trying to use language he could understand, I told him he had broken the computer.

Holding his teddy bear in his arms, he looked at me very solemnly and replied, "Da te'y-bear bwoke it."

Hmmmm. . .

Backfire

Ked has suddenly begun to make a battle of bedtime. Last night, in an effort to soothe him, I brought the stereo into his room, and turned on the CD of the Church's primary songs for children. It only sort of worked--he fell asleep at 8, but woke me up at 10:30, then 12: 30, and on though the night. . . but that's beside the point.

Well, today for his nap, he requested the songs again. He was quiet for 10 minutes or so, and then I suddenly heard him yelling and making a ruckus. I open the door to see what was the matter. I was surprised to find him with an exuberant smile, singing and jumping up and down on his bed to the song, "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam." When kids sing it, they always emphasize the "beam!" and jump up at the same time. I'd already learned to always sing this song first when I put him down to bed, because if I wait until he requests it, he gets all riled up again. Now I know to choose one of the other CDs that does not include this song next time. . .

This is Your Work

I once heard a religious educator share the following experience.  He was loaded down by stacks of paper work on his desk when a young woman came in, obviously in need of a listening ear and counsel.  Stressed about all the work he needed to get done, he felt an impression come to his mind as he remembered what was most important, "THIS is your work."

One day, I was on my hands and knees, talking to and smiling at my little baby Tyndale who was laying down on a blanket and cooing and smiling back. My two-year-old Ked had climbed up on top of me, ready to ride me like a horse. I kept thinking about how I needed to get back to work, when the phrase, "This is your work," came to my mind.

A little while later, I took Ked to the back window, hoping to find something to distract him after he'd been grumpy and crying ever since he awoke from his nap. Thankfully, a couple of squirrels were putting on a great show collecting walnuts. I pointed them out to Ked and explained what they were doing, and we watched for several minutes. Again, I kept thinking about my list of things to do and that I needed to get back to work. And again the phrase, "THIS is your work," came to my mind.

A while ago, I heard Julie B. Beck explain the differences between necessary and essential when it comes to raising families.  There are a lot of things I need to do that are necessary. But there are things that are too often given up that are essential!  "Maintenance parenting" lets go of that essential part.  I'm grateful to understand that the spiritual and emotional nurturing of these little boys is essential, as well as the physical and mental. Now I just need to remember that, and make it a part of my natural disposition!

And now I feel like a hypocrite, since my boys are clamoring for my attention as I write this. Gotta go!

Can you see the squirrel holding a nut in the tree? I took this a day or so after I wrote this post, when I noticed a rainbow out the same window where I took Ked to look outside.

my boys and man

In the beginning, Ked was often either really jealous of Tyndale or just much too rough with him. So you can imagine how this reading scene warmed this mother's heart! Ked was even holding the book the right way so that Tyn could see the pictures. 11/15/2100, Tyn 3 months

I love the easy-smiler stage.

"I cook"

Ked loves to be in the kitchen. Sam has been very good about involving Ked in the food-making process, and I'm trying to follow his lead. Sometimes it's really fun (when I am patient), and I'm quite impressed with what he can do. Other times it drives me crazy, because he will move a chair all around the kitchen trying keep up with me, usually depositing the chair in the exact location where I need to be--in front of a drawer or cupboard I need to get into or in front of the counter where I'm working. Not to mention the dozens of messes and disasters I've had to clean up after allowing him to be a little too involved. . . but I guess even that's worth it, to see him so engaged in working and learning! 9/25/2011

I dump it

One of Ked's favorite phrases. And why I shouldn't ever leave him alone. . . These dumping instances happened the same day. (And there were probably more in between.)

"I dump it."

9/23/2011

Appeasement

For awhile, Ked would get really upset every morning when Sam would leave for school. This is how Sam appeased him. He loves morning rides with Papi!

9/21/2011

Tight Squeeze

Sometimes I look at all the single college students who live around us and their big SUVs, and I think, "Maybe we should be cool and get a big car too."

Thanks, Mom, for the picture, and thanks, mi Samor, for letting me drive!

(8/14/2011)

Keeping Score

Since it's November, let's talk a little about gratitude.

In a Relief Society lesson at church a couple of weeks ago, a friend shared something loosely paraphrased in the following:

You can't "keep score" in your roles as husband and wife. Each has different responsibilities and capabilities, and you can't count up what you do and compare it to what he does. Instead, you actively support each other and appreciate what each does.

I thought about that a little, and I thought about my last year of marriage to Sam, especially the last few months, and I realized what it would look like if I "kept score."

Sam: 65349857304589

Amber: (some number indeterminably but drastically less)

Nope, I'm not keeping score. Now I just have to hope Sam's not either!