Point & Grunt

Benny does the cutest things these days. Although we feel like he is behind where Nathan was at this age (at least with talking) he is catching on to other things quickly. He manages to communicate his needs despite his lack of words. His pointing/ pulling/ directing in some fashion gets you in the right room. His more annoying grunts gets his point across - for the most part. He copies Nathan's every move - from climbing on every surface and jumping off, to running around with arms outstretched "flying", to holding on to the outside of the stair rails and using the steps to ascend. Awesome. Not. It's scary to watch that little body make such big boy maneuvers, but it's also good to see that he can handle more and more of the world and it's obstacles. After all, he is no longer a baby. He is suddenly a year and a half (about) and is very much aware of that fact.

Our favorite game of late: he will be between me and Leo and alternately run into a hug or kiss between the two of us. Of course I love this one. I will have to force it out of him someday. Also, we know he knows how to do things (high-five, fist bump including 'blow it up', blow kiss, etc). But when he doesn't feel like it, or just wants to get a reaction, he will shake his head no and giggle when asked repeatedly. The key is repeatedly. Everything is over and over until you think of a different way to entertain him. This is usual for kids but still exhausting!

When we was a baby, he was a good sleeper, as in when he was asleep, we would put him down and that was it. He's always been good through the night but at some point he wasn't so great about just going to sleep when it was time, and so we went through the horrible (but effective) cry it out stage. From about six months on, he would cry when put to sleep. For months! Then, it slowly changed and it would be a little less, then it was only a few minutes or no crying at all. Hooray! Recently though he too has realized he is becoming more a kid and less a baby. He started crying again at bedtime. Ugh. It's normal at this age and I vaguely remember Nathan doing it too. But it's still painful. Then, before you know it you turn another corner. Just now in fact, we went to his room to change him (without pointing you can tell him what's next - 'bath' or 'change' and he will lead the way). I closed the door, turned off the lights and put on his music. After a moment, he looked at me and pointed to his bed. I put him in and he snuggled right up, ready and willing for nap time. Hallelujah! All the little things over time have paid off. He knows the ques and he practically asked to go to bed. We are doing something right!

Nathan is proof we have been doing ok too of course. He is as bright and funny as ever. And head strong and independent as ever. He has been testing out his place in the world, trying to make deals with us as we do with him ("If I finish my beans and take one more bite of chicken I get dessert, ok mom?") He tries and even sometimes comes up with decent compromises. But mostly, they come out as angry attempts to control things when they aren't going his way. He even boldly shouted to me, "I'm not going to bed early because that's not the way the world works!" Oh my. My words come back at me full speed but from a four-year-olds attempt to get out of punishment. Sorry, buddy, that definitely isn't the way the world works. But nice try. It gets harder to keep him in line as he tries to push back on every front, but we just have to become more consistent at discipline while still taking into account he's a smart kid with feelings and he's taking in every detail of how human interaction works. You can't yell at a kid in frustration and not expect him to yell back at you later on in the way he's just been taught. We're learning every day.

Nathan's funniest thing is he loves to dress us. When we are at a friends house, if there is dress up things - masks, play outfits, boots, helmets, knee pads, etc, he is in them. We went to Marbles not long ago and they have lots of little areas for dress up. He spent lots of a time as a doctor, then a fireman. I almost couldn't find him underneath the coat and hat. I love his sense of make believe and pretend play. He gets better at making up ways to spend time. It's finally translating into less TV time which is knows we are trying to spend less time doing. Also, Benny and Nathan are playing together. Another Hallelujah moment! Even though their play results in giant messes (blocks, under cabinet tupperware, pillows and blankets, books, etc), they pass the time easier these days when they are together. Organized activities are less successful: they are on such different planes still that number and letter practicing for one equals marker on the wall for the other. But still, we are making some progress as a family unit. It's hard to keep things interesting, fun and productive for four different individuals. Today is a bad example of cohesiveness. Mommy and Daddy want to veg and the boys simply don't do much of that - so we are all in different parts of the house doing our own thing. On the other hand, how cool is that?!

Summer Calendar

At the start of summer I didn't have too much planned. I was thinking about how summers are supposed to be - you are off from school and it's just time to hang around and play. But Nathan only went to school a few days a week last year so that doesn't change things much just yet. My weekends and week days flow into one another, so seasons of course follow suit, so that doesn't change over the summer. And our kids are young yet so no matter where we are we are just playing. So how did I think summer would be different? How did I think I could get away without planning anything?! I envisioned lazy days. But guess what? That doesn't always work so well with little ones. Just one unplanned day at home can remind a mother that getting out and doing something will almost always result in a better day with kids! So before I knew it I was urgently filling up the calendar.

Nathan's summer camp sessions went well. There were tears for a few of the days, even though we were going to his school that he already knows (and even some familiar classmates). But he got over it quickly and I count that as another little hump we got over - leaving him someplace without mommy (we will have many of this type of milestone in the years to come. A tough one for everyone but necessary and worth the tears.) We have spent time at the Museum of Life & Science, Marbles and various friends houses. The Mommy & Me Book Club has been a fun addition too. I hosted one today, the theme of course being July 4th. The book reading part wasn't spectacular (for a room full of kids age 1 - 5, you can't expect much), but the theme-y crafts and snacks were appreciated. We have gotten in a bit of pool time too - around all the crazy rain. Every day there has been some combination of storm, or random midday rainfall followed by sudden sunshine. It's weird.

Nathan and Benny spent a night at Gigi and Grandpa's house so Leo and I could have a date night. It was Benny's first time without either one of us. I had to sneak out so he wouldn't freak out, so I hated to leave without last snuggles. But he did fine. In fact he seemed to not really miss me until morning. We went out to dinner, browsed through Barnes & Noble like we used to do pre-kids, and went to a movie, then slept in the next day. A wonderful time for everyone!

Grandpa Truck is here for a few weeks. We already had a cousin sleep over (coupled with poke night at the same time. Smart? Not sure . . . ) Logan turned four and we went to his birthday party last weekend. Thankfully it was not over 100 degrees like last year, but NC humidity is no joke. I'm sure there will be another cousin play date coming up in the weeks ahead - probably involving the pool.

I dove into a new business at the start of June. That has been fun, fascinating and profitable! I am getting connected with old friends and meeting new people every day. I didn't know I needed something like this - something for me, something that will make a difference in people's lives. But I did! And I didn't think I had time for it either. But it's fitting into my life rather well. I also signed up to be the Hospitality Coordinator for the MOPS group I'm involved in. I'm shaking in my boots a little bit about that role. It involves a lot of summer planning and getting ready for the bi-monthly meetings starting in September. I have some time and I know I will have help, but I'm still wrapping my head around all the duties involved. I'm thinking Nature's Pearl will have to be tucked in there somehow too, to make the most of my time. Girls nights and book clubs are always on the calendar too. My girls are so much fun and so important to me - when I don't get to see them I really do miss the social time.

We have a couple trips planned - but not the traditional summer ones most are taking.
I am going away for a training in Charleston for Nature's Pearl. Then we are all going to NY in August to meet Baby Kepler #2 (I can't wait to meet her!).

Looking at my calendar I'm quite amazed I even had time to type this as our lives are so full and busy! Thankfully, a friend offered to take Nathan to play this afternoon and Benny is taking a marathon nap today. Whew... I needed the break!

Tomorrow we will celebrate the holidays at a friends house and possibly fireworks. We'll see if the rain and /or humidity continu
es to curb plans. That's summer for you.