Music Camp and the sickies.

Nathaniel had an amazing week at music camp last week. It was so cool for me to see him running around with the other preschool aged kids, singing and dancing and playing. It's awesome to see him grow up (as well as a little sad to see him no longer being my baby).

It was such a clever show too. How amazing is it to teach strong theology to kids via songs? The name of the musical was GPS: God's Plan of Salvation and it was really clever.

Unfortunately, Nathaniel was not able to perform at the show on Sunday. On Saturday Nathaniel woke up with a fever and he's been battling it ever since. It goes up to about 103 and then goes down to 99. A couple of times it's gone away and fooled me into believing Nathaniel was all better. Then, while we are out running errands, it goes back up and Nathaniel gets really weepy (I don't blame him). This is the hardest part of not having Sam around is the sick kid. I really need to go grocery shopping and I can't because I can't take a sick kid out like that (although, this morning I thought he was all better and we left to run errands and ended up having to invade a friend's house because Nathaniel's fever came back and we couldn't come home until after 4 because they painted my front entryway's stairs). I tend to get a bit stir crazy.

It's been hard to see Nathaniel so pitifully sick. When his temp gets up there he gets weird. He sleeps a lot and then wakes up crying for/about random things. For example: This afternoon he woke up from his nap saying, "I want to be like a doughnut!" I had no idea what he was talking about. Did he want to be filled with jelly? Did he want to be dunked in a cup of coffee? I kept asking him what he wanted and meant and he said, "I want to be like a doughnut, like this!" and curled up in a ball on the couch. Okay...

He seemed to be better without meds this evening. I'm hoping the worst is over.

I'm also hoping that I don't get it and that Aaron doesn't get it. Fevers are the pits!

My children, the trouble makers.

This week is the week of music camp that the children's program at my church holds. It is really impressive because in five days time we bring in 100 students aged preschool through 6th grade and teach them a musical, which they then perform on Sunday evening.

Since I don't have much going on schedule-wise I volunteered to help out. Also, since the program is run by a bunch of the mom's of the kids in our program, there is childcare available on site. It's great because it gets us out of the house and I get to try something new (leading around a bunch of 4th-6th graders).

Today was a funny day for me as a mom though. First of all, when I dropped Aaron off in the nursery today I laid him down on the blankets next to another baby and gave him a toy. He dropped the toy he had and looked at the baby next to him. They both kind of rolled toward each other and Aaron gave a little grin and reached out and took the toy from the other baby. What a hoodlum! It's so fun to watch him grow and reach milestones! Grabbing toys is awesome! Too bad it was from the other kid.

Then, later the kids were up on stage. They had combined music with choreography and my group was with the preschoolers. So, I got to see Nathaniel up on stage. The preschoolers are only doing two songs and out of those two songs the kids only sing a very little part since they really can't handle any more than that.

It was precious to see the little ones up on stage. It was also hilarious because they were just so squirrely. I mean, it was right before lunch and they are 3 years old. I watched as Nathaniel and his friend Kaatje held hands and jumped around. Then they kept egging each other on and it turned into an all-out silly fest. They were playing drums on their stomachs and were dancing around being silly and were just not paying attention. Of course, Kaatje's mom and I were laughing and thought the kids were just so cute. Then, their leader came over and separated the kids from each other. Nathaniel was moved for being distracting.

Awesome.

So, today I had one child take a toy from his playmate and another one get moved for being distracting.

It's a good thing they're so cute.

I can't believe I'm blogging about this!

I watched Jon and Kate Plus 8 tonight. I'm ashamed that I'm even blogging about this!

But, I started watching the show when we got cable because I had heard so much about this family and I had to see what it was about. Then, it was like a train wreck. I couldn't help but watch. Sam and I would watch it together and couldn't believe how Kate talked to Jon and totally emasculated him on t.v. for everyone to see.

Then the rumors started and the tabloids got all over it. Jon's apparent cheating, Kate being a shrew, etc. All I could do was hope that they would pull the plug on the show and focus on their marriage and getting it back on track. Because, seriously, if I was that sick of paparazzi hounding my family and rumors being plastered all over the covers of magazines I would take my family and run far away from the public eye.

So, when TLC said that tonight was going to be a special announcement from Jon and Kate I was hoping that they were going to say they were quitting filming. That they realized that their family and their marriage was way more important than any money that people would pay them.

Unfortunately, I was wrong and they are getting a divorce.

The thing that got me was when they were talking about how the kids always came first and that everything was always about the kids. That was why they moved and why they started the show in the first place. While I'm all about making my kids a priority I think that we do our kids a disservice by not making our spouses and our marriages our number one priority.

This is something I've been thinking about for quite awhile. My mind has more freedom to wander now that I'm not in school and it sometimes fixates on the weirdest things. But, with Sam being gone right now my life is my kids. Their needs are always met before my own and they take priority over everything. But, when Sam and I are on Skype talking, Nathaniel needs to learn that I am talking to Daddy and unless he is bleeding or choking or something is on fire, he is not allowed to interrupt.

Why? Why do I think that my relationship with my husband is more important than my kids? I think this for many reasons. First of all, if Sam and I aren't happy, our kids are going to know and ARE going to be affected. If we bicker and fight and disrespect each other, our sons will think that is what a relationship looks like and that won't help them in the future. Second, our kids are eventually going to move out, but our marriage is supposed to be until death. I want to be happy with Sam when our kids move out and still be crazy in love with him just like when we first got married. THAT is why I make my marriage a priority.

Do I neglect my children? No. Do I love my children more than anything? Of course! But, part of that is showing them how much Sam and I cherish each other and making sure that nothing gets in the way of that.

I only wish that Jon and Kate could have focused on their marriage in the midst of their children. Of course, I don't have 8 children, so I don't know what that's like.

potty talk

Nathaniel is obsessed with potty talk. I'm serious, every conversation we have is punctuated with a "poopy!" or "pee!" being yelled from Nathaniel.

It started off innocently enough. Nathaniel was playing pretend and made me a pretend sandwich. When I asked him what kind of a sandwich it was he told me, "eat it!" So, I took a pretend bite of my invisible sandwich and as soon as I did Nathaniel shouted with delight, "It's a poopy sandwich!" Joy.

It has gotten to the point where he sings "poo-py, poo-py" all of the time. So, I did what some of my other friends did. I told Nathaniel that the only time he can talk about poop or pee is if he has to go potty or if we are in the bathroom because that's bathroom talk (and besides, I wasn't thrilled when, during our evening prayers, Nathaniel would pray "poop" to Jesus. Although I believe that God has a sense of humor, I can think of better things to pray about!).

So, now we are at our new stage. I call it the "run into the bathroom and shout poopy at the top of our lungs" stage. The second Nathaniel steps into a bathroom--any bathroom at all, especially public restrooms--he starts with his poop talk. He even takes time out of his play to run into the bathroom to scream, "POOPY!", just because he can. I have to admit, he got me there. He is following my rules.

I am only thankful that his obsession with body parts and who has what has seemed to die down lately. But, that is another story for another time...

Video of Aaron rolling.

Here's what happens when I put Aaron on his back. My favorite part is his giant grin at the end!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'...

I know I should have pictures attached to this, but I have yet to get a picture of this event. I will though, and probably a video as well because it's so cute.

Aaron started rolling on Friday. It's funny because most babies roll over once and then forget about it for awhile. Also, most babies roll from their belly to their backs first. But...my little guy must have skipped that chapter in the baby books. On Friday I walked into the living room and saw Aaron over on his belly when he had been on his back when I left the room. I asked Olivia if Nathaniel flipped him over for tummy time (which he tends to do). She said no, and so I got excited that Aaron rolled over. This week, however, Aaron has turned into the difficult child. I remember when Nathaniel was about 8-9 months old and I would have to wrestle him during diaper changes because he would roll over and try to crawl away. Well, the minute he is on his back Aaron rolls over to his belly. So, when I change his diaper he immediately flips his bottom half over and I have to start putting my legs on him to keep him in place. Geez!

It's funny because when I check on him after he's fallen asleep I find him in the most awkward positions in his crib. Mostly with him on his tummy and his head jammed into the corner of the crib. Tonight he was bent back though and that worried me.

I know that as soon as he has the strength to hold his stout self up on those hands and knees he will be crawling. Help! I think that when Sam gets home on leave we will spend time baby proofing...ugh, I'm not ready for this!

Real Food!

Aaron is a big kid. He weighs close to 19 pounds now and the breast milk just hasn't been cutting it for this toddler-wanna-be. He still wakes up every three hours during the night to nurse (after one good five hour stretch, but that's from 7:30-12:30 so it doesn't count in my book!). But, what settled it for me was this week when I was eating my In-n-Out cheeseburger (mmmmm) with Aaron on my lap. Every time I lifted that juicy burger to my mouth Aaron was like a baby bird, mouth wide open, craning his neck to try and get a bite as well. Then, when we went out for frozen yogurt on Tuesday Aaron sat on my lap smacking his lips going, "buh buh buh buh!" while I ate my treat (and while Nathaniel also ate his treat, I think that's what got Aaron more this time, brother had a treat and he didn't).

So, today I bought some rice cereal and tried it out on Aaron. After I spooned one runny spoonful into his mouth the light bulb went on over his head and he was hooked. For the second bite he grabbed my hand and helped me bring the spoon into his mouth faster.

Not to be outdone, Nathaniel wanted to help too so he sat on my lap and gave Aaron some cereal as well.

(please note how Nathaniel's mouth is wide open as he feeds his brother. Sam did the same thing when he fed Nathaniel food as a baby).

So, now Nathaniel really is the best big brother ever in Aaron's eyes. Not only is he entertaining (and has a nice full head of hair to pull on), but he gives him food too.

Kosovo Pictures

Here are some pictures from Kosovo.

pictures.

here are some pictures.

We have reached a turning point.

I think that we have reached the end of the tunnel.

Last week Nathaniel was really pushing the limits of everything. It was driving me crazy. I thought for sure that Nathaniel was just going to spend the rest of his natural life in time out. He even pushed it so much as to poop his pants twice on Sunday. Not while we were out and about, but while we were home. Once was even while I was telling him to go potty. It was outright defiance.

But, I think we've turned over a new leaf. First of all, Nathaniel has been begging me to wear underwear at night and during nap time. So, he's been wearing them during nap time and still stays dry. I think when my sister visits we'll work on staying dry through the night (he wakes up dry almost all of the time, I am still not wanting to risk it). That way I will have the extra hand to help while I do my wash.

I have started staying right on top of Nathaniel. I am more consistent with my warnings and am very firm with the time outs. Today he was only in time out twice and it was just for the three minutes rather than longer because of him continually getting out. He stayed in time out and then afterwards did what I wanted him to do (he has a problem with listening and often shouts no at me when I tell him to do something).

Aaron is doing great. I think he's gotten a schedule now. He napped for an hour and a half this morning and three hours this afternoon, which meant he skipped a third nap. He's been growing like a weed and is trying so hard to be a "big boy" like his brother. He is always standing with help from me. It's his favorite position. He likes to stand by the bathtub and watch Nathaniel in the tub. He loves it when I "eat" his hands and feet and often brings his hands up to my mouth so I can pretend to eat them. He's also quite the social one. He is always super happy when there are a ton of people around. He especially loves all of the older kids from church because they are always in his face saying hi and playing with him. He just smiles and babbles at them.

So, life is good again. I'm not losing my mind as much and I am starting the countdown for Sam's leave. Woot!

I will have some pictures on here soon. I just haven't gotten around to downloading them (or taking many).

I have boobies!

On Sunday morning I was getting ready for church while Nathaniel was taking his bath. As I put mascara on my eyelashes I heard Nathaniel say loudly (and somewhat proudly), "Mommy! I have boobies!"

I paused for a second with many things going through my mind. First of all, who has my kid been hanging out with? I certainly have never said "boobies" in front of my kid! Secondly, what do I say!?

I slowly turned around and looked at Nathaniel and asked him, "Nathaniel, what are boobies?" Figuring that it was NOT what I (and the rest of the general population) think when hearing the word "boobies".

Nathaniel, a little frustrated at this point, looks at me and says, "N-A-I-T, Owies!" (He's taken to saying random letters and then saying it spells a word. Very cute.)

All of a sudden it clicked in my head. "Oh, you have boo boos!"

Nathaniel looked at me and smiled and pointed to his Spiderman band-aid with pride.

Thank goodness!

On another note: Nathaniel has been listening better. I just decided to be on top of disciplining him. He gets one warning and then it's time out with his back against the wall for three minutes. It's been working and today was a good day with only one time out for waking up Aaron after I told him that he would get a time out if he did. Yay! I don't know if I could have handled any more rough days!