New week, old pictures

Based on comments from a few of you, this post is too long in coming! It pleases me that something I started as a way to connect with family and to flex my own creative juices has become something others actual enjoy and look forward to. I really enjoy writing these silly little blog posts, even though time doesn't always allow for it. So, in honor of all you "devoted followers", here is a brand new post!

Three wild monkeys!

Isaac at 7 weeks, looking cute as ever!

Another of Isaac, this time with eyes on the camera!

I cannot believe Isaac is eight weeks old today. Time has certainly flown by. The pictures are from last week, hence-they are old! He is the sweetest baby. His temperment is patient and easy going. He is smiling more regularly and has started growling back at Lige (yes, Lige growls at Isaac!). I'm almost afraid to say it out loud, but he has been sleeping through the night for several weeks now, without any push on our part. It's a first for us to have a baby sleep in our room, but it hasn't been as difficult as I had anticipated. Isaac likes being held, and I like to hold him! However, I've been trying to lay him down more throughout the day. He laid contentedly on a play-mat yesterday for 30 minutes. I was shocked, but pleased because I was able to pick up the living room and start a load of dishes during that time. We've started working on tummy-time. He likes to just lay there...without working too hard to lift his head or shoulders! He has to get a little upset before he works harder, which I think is funny. :)

Amana is doing well in school. We are off to a great start. The days are starting to settle into a routine, even if we have to be flexible as I deal with Isaac's needs. Amana is reading well and writing more. We started spelling words a few weeks ago: 10 new ones per week. It's fun to see her improvement even after one week. Amana is taking dance again this year. She decided to take tap again, but traded ballet for jazz. Last week was a parents' watch week, and I got a kick out of her shaking her tiny hips and step-touching with jazz hands! It's a fun and special thing to see your child enjoy something that you enjoyed. She's as emotional as ever. Lige and I have recognized both our girls' need for more one on one time with us. They have been such troopers as we have welcomed Isaac into our family, but we're seeing signs of needed attention. We're thinking of ways to have special time with each of the bigger kids.

Harrison remains all boy, all the time. He cracks us up with his words, as well as his actions. My mom made up a song that spells his name. When she was here when Isaac was born they must have sung it a lot because he now identifies himself as "H"...yes, the initial! Or else he's "Diego" from "Go Diego, Go". He is in love with watching "TB" (t.v.) and hates it when we have to turn his cartoons off. He is a little boy after Amana's heart: the two of them would watch t.v. all day if I let them. Harrison is loving songs now. Fun songs like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "He's got the whole world in his hands." We've caught him singing parts of the alphabet song and counting. He knows most of his colors and knows when there are two of something. I continue to be amazed at what he's able to pick up from his sisters.

Anlynn is Anlynn. I couldn't pay her to watch t.v. And there have been a few times (like a stressful feeding with Isaac) that I would have tried! When the other two are downstairs watching t.v., I'll find Anlynn in the living room "reading" a book to her babies. She's started asking if she can do school with me when Amana is done. Monday when we were working on shapes, she heard the song from a show she recognized. She told me she liked that show. I asked her if she wanted to go watch. She said no, she'd rather work on school. That is so Anlynn. She's up for anything as long as it's her idea. Anlynn has not had preschool this week because of the H1N1 virus. I heard that yesterday over 130 students were home sick from school. I've never been so glad to homeschool, especially with a newborn in the house! Hopefully we will have preschool next week: I know Anlynn misses her friends.

We are in love with our family. It continues to grow and change, even as our kids grow and change. We see the blessings each child holds, and we thank the God who made them and saw fit to share them with us. Each of them holds gifts that we long to see the Lord use for his glory. I see my oldest becoming more and more a young lady. While that brings a joy unknown, it also brings a little fear. I was with my sister-in-law this weekend and was able to witness great parenting of a young teenager. I see the groundwork she has worked hard to lay in order to keep communication open with her ever-changing daughter, and I desire that. I learn so much from her about what the key issues should be and what kinds of things don't need to be battles. I long to be a mom like her: a mom whose daughter trusts her enough to share, a mom who can keep herself collected enough not to react when everything in her must want to, a mom who sets wise boundaries that make her daughter feel safe not smothered. I have a lot to learn, but I'm thankful for such an amazing mentor.




Well! We've had some fun in the past few weeks, but I'll save those for another post! I'll do better to set aside blog-posting time! Love you all!