I'm BAAAAAACK!!!

So, I'm doing laundry late tonight because Rebekah packed her dirty uniform in an old backpack instead of in the hamper, and she needs to wear it tomorrow for chapel. So, while I'm piddling on Facebook I'm reminded that this was the time I used to sit and write blog posts. Late night before bed. So, why not post now?

Now, where do I begin? I guess I'll start with our eldest. Rebekah just turned 6 1/2, and that was pretty significant to her. She is no longer our little 6-year-old daughter. She's now a big 6 1/2-year-old girl, and she was sure to tell everyone she saw that day and the following few days after that she was "six and a half". I think she was nearly as excited about her "half" birthday as she was her real one! She is maturing more lately and is becoming a better helper at home. I have found that when I make a list of specific things for her to do (i.e. "put away books", "fold blankets", "pick up paper") she is able to tackle the items that need to be done, and she marks them off in her own way as she completes each task. It has allowed her to become much more independent, and now she wants to help me in other areas.

Joshua just turned 4 years in February. He has really matured a lot in the past few months as well. I notice it more, though, when Rebekah is not around. I guess when she is with us he takes on the "little brother" role (pestering his sister), but when she is at school he is the oldest, so he acts bigger. Yesterday after we left The Little Gym I had to run an errand and then we went to DQ Grill & Chill for lunch. I love that it is not busy, plus they play Christian music. They had run out of spoons in the plasticware container, so I let Joshua walk up to the counter by himself while I watched him from across the dining room. When he came back he nearly jumped to me, so proud that he had done it all by himself. After his meal he got to pick out an ice cream treat, so I let him go back up there to let the cashier know what he wanted. He walked in line behind another customer, waited patiently for his turn, and then after ordering his treat he waited and walked slowly back to our table so he wouldn't spill his ice cream. I was so proud of him! Before we left an older couple about in their 70s came up to us to compliment me on Joshua. "That's a fine boy you have there!" They had watched Joshua and saw me keeping an eye on him. It made me feel good as a mom to have an older and wiser couple compliment me. Now, most days are crazy, esp. with big sis around, but that truly was a proud mommy moment, and I made sure Joshua knew it, too.

My baby is ONE! Yes, Micah is 12 months! It's hard to believe! (I guess this means I need to update my header.) He has had a rough winter along with Joshua. They both have had lots of colds, but Micah has been hit with some ear infections lately. He is on #3 now since February. I am hoping once the warm weather is here to stay that he will not have any more problems. Micah has also been dropping off the weight chart, so we went to see a GI doctor on Friday, and he has put him on some supplements to increase his calorie intake. So far he has gained 11 ounces in 4 days! Plus, he is sleeping through the night! It had been so long since he had slept this well. I never realized it was because he wasn't getting enough, but it makes sense now. He is such a happy boy that it is hard to know when he needs something. He doesn't cry much, and he is very content. Even with this most recent EI he has never complained. He just plays with his ears, and he does that at times anyway, so it's hard to know if it's infected or just messing with them out of habit or fun.

I'm about to fall over asleep, so I'd better wrap this up, and hopefully get the second load of laundry in the dryer soon so I can hit the hay. Reason #497 to homeschool: no specific uniform that you HAVE to wear on a particular day of the week. OK, that's a whole other blog in itself!

Here are a few recent pics of the kids.