Sisters

New Trick

I am really bad about giving Eleanor her recommended "tummy time."  Because of a certain two year old, Eleanor isn't safe unless I am holding her, or she is in her crib with the door to her room locked (seriously).  A few weeks ago I had a few free moments and I thought of it, so I laid her on her belly.  She lifted up her head, turned to the side and rolled over like she had been doing it forever.  I thought it was a fluke and rolled her back over.  She did it again and this time we all cheered for her.  She looked at us like, "What?  I don't know what you are making such a fuss over."  The next day was lesson day, so we showed Grandma Chelle her new trick.  It was so fun that the kids kept wanting to show everyone her new trick.  We showed it off at the pinewood derby, church, and to the neighbors.  We love your tricks little Nori Bug.  

Poop Painting

Don't be fooled by his sweet smile and tattered blankies...this boy is trouble!  I swear he is our messiest yet! A few days ago he diaper dipped and finger painted our bathroom with poop!!!  Gross!  I was nursing Eleanor and heard him banging on the bathroom door.  He can open doors, so I knew he wasn't trapped and quite frankly, I was just happy he was not making a ruckus close to us because Eleanor is now old enough to want to know what is happening around her and is easily distracted from nursing.  He stopped banging, was quiet for a while, and then started moaning something I couldn't quite make out.  When Eleanor finished I went to him and on the way realized he was moaning "Gross...gross...gross."  I'm glad he thought it was gross, but I wish he would have gotten grossed out before he painted the bathroom with it!

 He is the first of the kids to do this (and hopefully the last).  I can't decide if he is more mischievous than the other kids or if I just don't watch him as closely as I did the others.  Maybe it is a little bit of both.  Messes included...we just love our Zando-man!

Practicing

The hardest thing for me while practicing with individual children (well one of the hardest) is how to keep the others happy.  Alexander is at the hardest age for this.  You can see that this particular day he found the puzzles and I decided to let him happily make a mess while I helped Nicholas.  Nicholas is doing so well with the cello.  These pictures made me feel a little bit unsettled...when I looked at them the first time I saw a much older Nicholas than I expected to see.  Moments like that make me realize how quickly their childhood  passes and it makes me pause and wonder if I am doing a good enough job as a mother during these critical years.  

A few nights ago Jackson and I were talking about what instrument we thought Alexander would enjoy playing.  We aren't sure yet.  He sure enjoys his cardboard violin and stick bow, though!  He also sings in tune which surprises both Jackson and I.  I honestly don't remember if the other kids could sing in tune at age two.  It seems quite young.

Zando and Nori

These pictures are priceless to me.  I have a REALLY hard time getting natural pictures of Alexander because as soon as he sees or hears the camera he breaks out his cheesy grin (it is an adorable cheesy grin, but not his natural expression).  I was hiding behind the wall in the dining room using my zoom lens...it is a miracle that anything is actually in focus because it was a really dark day.  Alexander adores Eleanor.  I know it doesn't look like it in the first picture...that picture just cracks me up!  I think he thought she was trying to take the book from him.  He really does adore her.  He gives her "lufs and queezes" whenever he gets a chance.  He is also always giving her kisses, but it doesn't work out very well because he kisses her mouth and when anything gets close to her mouth she tries to eat it.    

P.S.  The quilt he is sitting on is amazing!  Grandma Chelle made it for Alexander when he was born.  We now have it hung on the wall in his room.  It is a peek-a-boo quilt and has twelve or so flaps with a different animal under each flap.  There is a big bear in the middle that is covering his eyes with his hands.  It is a phenomenal quilt!

Story Time