five and a half

My Monkey is 5 1/2 years old today. We've been waiting for this day to come for quite a while. When I would say she's 5 1/2 to someone, Hannah would correct me: "I'm not 5 1/2 until March 9th." Okay… Well, Hannah Banana, here we are.

I can't believe she's so grown up. It took me a long time to write a letter to her this year. I did much better in years past and even posted them on here. Something about this year though… I don't know. I really procrastinated. Part of it might've been that I wasn't ready to admit she was FIVE. A lot of it was because every time I would think about it, I was overwhelmed by the task. How do you write a special letter to a big part of your heart? I wouldn't know where to begin…and where to stop! But I did it. Hand-written, last week. Six months late.

I love my little acorn. I am so proud of the person she is and is becoming. So crazy about that (not so) little girl. She is so precious to me and I am grateful for every day I have with her.

preschool graduation

The preschool end-of-year program was Thursday and our sweet girl graduated!

To say that Joseph enjoyed being onstage is a bit of an understatement. A friend of ours sent us this picture, and something along the lines of "You can tell who the preacher's kid is!"

Hannah liked being next to her friend, Wilson. She was a little bossy in telling him what to do and what not to do, but he held her hand and seemed to be ok with it. "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus" were two favorites they performed, as well as "God is So Good."

Meme came to watch and celebrate with us. She crafted this sign for the graduate:

 {Hannah and Mrs. Patti}

 {We like the back of the sign, too!}

Joseph's smile has gone from cheesy to creepy…

 {Joseph and Mrs. Rachel}

After snacking on sugary refreshments, Meme and I took them to the playground to run some of it off. We met Daddy for lunch at Fox's pizza. What a happy day! We put the graduate among the artwork on the fridge:

Dear Monkey, 

I cannot believe that, in just a short couple of months, you will be in full-day school. I'm wondering where my baby went, but at the same time so excited for you. The church preschool has been wonderful for you these past three years. It was impossible to imagine who you'd be today when you were this little almost-two-year-old on your first day of school… 

 {September 2011}

You just kept getting bigger and smarter each year…

 {September 2012}

And when your brother was old enough for his first day of school, you were right there - protecting him and telling everyone he was your baby brother.

 {September 2013}

Joseph loved going to school, too, and playing with his big sister on the playground. Y'all have grown so close and had so much fun these last two years at preschool. I am not going to know what to do at first with you being gone all day, but I will have your little brother at home to take care of so I guess I'll be ok. I know you are a little sad to be leaving Josey, but you are going to love telling him all about big school. And, one day all too soon, you'll both be in big school and I'll wonder where the time has gone.

You were a little overwhelmed when we took you to see your new school, but you were so excited when you saw the huge playground, and, though there were a lot of kids out there (none of which you knew), you ran out to play. 

You are going to love pre-K, I just know it! You are a good helper and have a big heart. You are very outgoing and social and we know you will make friends fast. I can't wait to see all that you learn and hear all of your stories from school. Don't be afraid, little acorn. Just be the person God made you to be… 

Remember that Jesus is with you always, living right inside of your heart. Share His love with others and be kind. Daddy and I are so proud of the little girl you have become. We are so blessed to have you and love you so much.

To the moon and back,

Momma

three-year stats and letter to joseph

Let me begin by including the last of Joseph's birthday celebration… 

We took cupcakes to Joseph's preschool class the day after we got back from Boston. It was a Friday and a full week after his birthday, but you do what you gotta do. Didn't make a bit of a difference to him. He likes any reason to eat a cupcake! We pulled Hannah from her class so she could join in the fun, too. 

As for milestones and developments, he's right on track.

Height: 37" (50%), growing 2 1/2 inches since last year
Weight: 31 lbs (50%), gaining 6 pounds since last year

He's eating better. Though we still have mealtime issues, he's not throwing up on a regular basis anymore. Praise God. He usually enjoys our time together around the table, but doesn't always want to eat (or sometimes even try) what we're having. He doesn't like the "three polite bites" rule, but he knows that if he doesn't eat what's in front of him, he goes to bed hungry. All in all, eating in general has gotten a whole lot better.

He still takes Miralax with his morning milk, making it 2 1/2 years of doing that. We've recently lowered his dose to 3 tsp (as opposed to the 4-5 we were giving him for many months). As for his GI problems, nothing is for sure, but we think his problem is withholding - meaning he doesn't like to have a BM. This causes him to have many a day (like 6-10), and because he holds it in, he is chronically constipated and gas backs up in his GI tract, making him very bloated (and uncomfortable, naturally). We are not stressed about potty-training as that will be hard for him, but we are working on it. He goes on the toilet 2-3 times/day.

He still sleeps great, getting 11-12 hours at night and 1 1/2 - 2 hours at nap time. He is also still in the crib and has just recently started climbing out, with the help of his sister who pushes his little rocking chair over to the side of the bed. He loves his crib and we are not in a hurry to get him out of it.

He is a very active, curious little boy, and he keeps us very busy (and sometimes very frustrated).


My Joseph,

When I wrote your birthday letter last year, things were just starting to get easier. You were just beginning to feel ok enough to have fun and be the little boy you are suppose to be…

This last year has been so memorable, filled with both happy and sad things. But it was your best year yet, no doubt about it. Finally, you were happy. You were playful… And, even though we haven't fixed your tummy problem, you weren't in pain all the time. You certainly have your days, and you can throw massive tantrums, but in general you are a happy camper. 

 You and Raffie, best friends forever.

Daddy and I enjoyed watching you grow this past year and be your sister's partner-in-crime. We had some really good times, and even if you won't remember them, I take lots of pictures so you can see them. And now you (and Raffie) are three. I can't believe it. 

Your small little world opened up a lot this year. You began talking (like really talking), and haven't stopped. Your vocabulary exploded. You say big words like "mic-u-wave", "ha-mid-i-fi-er" and "e-yeck-chippidy" (electricity). You repeat things, over and over, when you have something to say. I love how you get right in my face when you want to tell me something. And when you whine (yeah, it happens more than I'd like) or are very upset and I can't understand you, your sister almost always does. 

You say sweet things, like: "I play with you, Honey?" and "It's ok, Honey, it's ok." when she's upset. When you are leaving somebody you say, "'oodbye! I see you later!" and when you are in the kitchen with Daddy and me, "group hug!" My favorite thing to hear you say is, "You give me lotta kisses on my cheek" when I do just that. You also say things I don't like. For instance, "You not tell me what to do!" or "I don't want to!" or when you wake me up in the morning and demand, "I want milky and cerewol!!" I'm having trouble even keeping track of all you say. You say new things everyday.

You and Hannah are so close. You have a special form of communication, and can play for hours together in your own world. You also fight and scream. ("You're not my friend anymore!")  You know how to upset each other, and you are both very strong-willed. But usually, you are inseparable, looking out for each other.

You have surprised me with the longevity of your cheesy smile. It's a staple in almost every photograph. Just a sample…

I keep hoping it will go away, but until it does I'll just try to wait patiently for a nice family picture.

Some other things about you:

You like doing our supper-time ritual of "high and low". The "high" of your day is always going outside. You would live outside - on the back porch or playing in the yard. You've figured out how to use the key and get out the door so now keys are hung up high on the door hinges.

You love riding in the jeep with your sister driving, always making sure that you are safe before speeding off. You can climb up the ladder and have just started wanting to swing. Hannah is teaching you how. As she does most things.

You are really cute when you say the blessing, closing your eyes and nodding your head, saying the words your own unique way. You say "Amen" after we pray with you in your crib at night. For a long time after you'd sneeze and we would say "bless you" you would say "bless you" back. 

You love water. Washing dishes, playing in the sink, taking baths, playing with the hose outside…you love it all. But you are also completely fascinated by a fire. "Put fire on!" was one thing I heard everyday all winter long (and even after it wasn't cold anymore).

You don't like the sun in your eyes. At all. But you have this cool pair of blue sunglasses that you love.

You love to "help" and you always want to "hold it". The "helper stool" gets a lot of use, even when Daddy or I would really rather not have your help. You are a little cleaner, playing with your vacuum (and mine), the dustpan, and the Swiffer that Uncle Mark resized just for you. 

You love music and you love to sing. "Deep and Wide" and "What a Mighty God We Serve" are two of your favorites. You know the words to a lot of songs, singing along in the car and at home. Every night you want to hear "Go Tell it On the Mountain" before you go to bed. But you also love when Mommy or Daddy sings "I See the Moon" and adds your special verse. You know most of the words to these songs.

You have the biggest sweet tooth I've ever seen. You take after your daddy.

You like to build things with your Duplo Legos, play with the trains, and just tinker in general. Lately, you like to move around the playroom - even relocating it to the living room at times. I can hear you dragging the kitchen across the floor right now… You and Honey call it "making a house", lining up things and creating rooms. 

You are curious and inquisitive. You ask lots of questions and get into mischief quite a bit.

You can almost sit through a TV show, Team Umizoomi and Mickey Mouse being your favorite. 

Hands down your current favorite activity comes in the form of a green and yellow vehicle in the backyard: your new tractor. You've had it almost a month now and you play on it for hours at a time. To be honest, I dread when you can't go outside because all I hear is, "But Moooooomma. I wanna play with my tractor!!!"

You are the ticklish kid I know. Daddy and I love how you laugh and laugh. When we have to put vapor rub on your chest and feet, you can barely stand it. My little tickle bug… 

You are still my little boy who loves to cuddle and rock and give kisses. You don't sit still much at all anymore, but occasionally I get a few minutes with you in my arms. You are a momma's boy, and I'm fine with that. I love you so much, my sweet Josey. I thank God for the gift you are. I pray everyday for God to guide Daddy and me as we raise you and teach you things, and I pray that Jesus will live in your heart. You are precious to me.

I love you so much,

Momma


Some favorite photos from the past year:

{making Momma's coffee, a daily ritual}

{playing with the water fountains at Sea Island}

{spending time with family on Tybee}

{cuddling up with Daddy on his hospital bed}

{playing with Hannah's new parasol at her Fancy Nancy birthday party}

{being a shark for Halloween}

{Christmas card photos}

{a very cold winter - and your first snow!}

{your valentine photo}

{Mardi Gras masks you decorated for you and Raffie}

And there are just too many I love of you and Honey, so I did two more collages this year. I love how close you two are, and I think this just about captures the bond perfectly… 

{April - October}

{November - April}

letter to my four year old

I know her birthday was two months ago, but I needed time to sit down, think clearly, and form a letter that would do my heart justice (hard!).


Dear Hannah girl,

Sometimes I find myself looking at you and thinking...I can't believe you're so big. Yes, all mommies talk like that. But I'm referring to those times when it's like, all of a sudden, I realize - hey, my baby girl is not a baby. You are your own person, with your own personality, your very own thoughts and opinions, and your own wishes and dreams. And you are a gift. You are a precious gift. And, as always, "I just love you so much." It wasn't so long ago when I'd rock you as a baby and just cry, amazed, and all I could say to your daddy was "I just love her so much."

There are moments like this...

when you're cuddled up next to me for quiet time and figuring things out and I realize - there are lots of things you can do all by yourself.  You don't need me for everything.

And there are moments like this...

when you're on Daddy's lap in the car and I realize - you've done this for three years now...and you're not just playing with knobs and buttons, but actually steering the car up the driveway and into the carport!

And there are moments like this...

when you walk up the aisle with your Daddy on Sundays and I realize - I don't know who loves and treasures it more. {I am thankful to Mrs. Pat who caught this on camera. Joseph and I don't see you from the back of the church because we are already seated in the pew.}

These pictures are just a few examples of times I hold dear. Most moments with you are like that. Obviously there are times when you drive me mad, but usually you are a sweet girl.

You are always busy - running around the backyard with your brother, cooking something up in your kitchen, dressing up, or playing with your train...just to name a few. Checking the mail, going for walks, watering the flowers, and running errands, you delight in the everyday things. I love that about you. You continue to have a very active and creative sense of imagination and I love to listen over the monitor and peek from your doorway during quiet time.

You're a busy monkey, for sure, and you are growing and changing every day. You say the funniest things, and sometimes you just plain shock me. You can outsmart me and you have a really good memory. Your choice of words can make me laugh out loud or infuriate me. They can also make me melt, like when you whisper secrets in my ear or say "Momma, do you realize that I love you and you're my best friend?" and "I'll always be your little baby" when I say to stop growing up so fast.

Other random things about you:

Coloring, building with blocks, and doing puzzles can consume hours of your day.

Wagon rides, or driving your Jeep up the street, are frequent activities that you love.

You like to watch Doc McStuffins on Disney Jr. and think you may want to be a nurse or a doctor one day.

You give me (and Joseph and Daddy) check-ups when we're sick...and when we're not sick. 

Your favorite show still might be Team Omizoomi, Joseph's favorite now, too.

You could eat yogurt three times a day.

The swings are your favorite place to be on the playground. And boy can you pump high!

You sing a lot, typically your own words to your own tunes. 

You like to incorporate "fancy" words into your vocabulary. 

You ask a lot of questions.

You can ask really, really tough questions.

Your favorite foods are pizza and apples. And cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Pink is the best color in the world, at least it is to you.

You enjoy and sing to a lot of the Christian songs on the radio.

Reading stories at night in your rocking chair is still one of your favorite parts of the day.

You call for family "group hugs", help set the table, and feed and play with Mollie. You are a helper, an encourager, and a cheerleader. You are a great nurse, and did such a good job taking care of Daddy after his accident. You are a loving and responsible member of our family, and are very happy to be right where you are. In filling out a list of your favorite things recently, you answered that your favorite place was "right here. home." My heart exploded. Me, too, baby. 

You are four now! This was by far the most anticipated birthday yet and in conversation "when I was 3" is a common way you organize time. You were a fancy, fancy birthday girl and your party was worth every minute spent planning and getting ready. You are fancy and continue to humor me in your outfit selections and with your personality.

You are a cute monkey, beautiful if you ask Daddy and me. But way more important than that, you are beautiful on the inside. You love Jesus and talk about Him often. It is very important to you to have Him "in your heart." My biggest hope, dream, and prayer is for you to always be that way - loving Jesus more than anything in the world. Daddy and I are so thankful to God for giving you to us. I treasure these years we have together, and am loving this age. I just have to remind myself to slow down and just enjoy each day. It does go by so fast...

Thank you for the joy and love you bring to me and to this family. I love you forever.

xoxo,
Momma

two-year stats and letter to joseph

Moving on from all the sickness, let's talk about two-year old shenanigans. As for milestones and developmental guidelines, he's doing just fine.

Height: 34 1/2" (50%)  Weight: 25 lbs, 13 oz (25%)  We are very happy with this considering his past growth issues. Meal times have greatly improved. He eats (or is offered) what we have, or a variation of that, and drinks three cups of milk/day. Usually one meal a day is "on the run" - and by that I mean we feed him while he's walking around and doesn't realize he's eating (usually while lunch is prepared for everyone else). I realize that this is not ideal, but right now we are going with what works. We have plenty of time to teach him about table manners. {Note: he does get in trouble when he puts his foot up on the table, something he loves to do and knows the reaction it gets.} He is still taking Miralax (with his milk) in the morning and Prevacid (capsules broken over yogurt) everyday. He sleeps about 12 hours at night (7pm-7am) and is taking a 1 1/2 - 2-hour nap after lunch. Hey, despite many other problems, we've never complained about this boy's sleep habits. Thank God. We've actually moved both kids' bedtimes up and life is better all around.

He took his time, but he's finally talking and has about three dozen words in his vocabulary, including: Da-da, Momma, Hannah (Nah nah), no (his favorite), yes, down (two syllables: down-na), cold, cheese, amen (ah-meen), please (tease), okay (oh-tay or just 'tay), stop (dop, and I can't take him seriously when he says it), cookie, cracker (crackie), hot (hotch), eat, chip, juice, empty, milk (milp), and iPad (Did you not see the picture of him on the exam table at the doctor?).

Phrases: uh oh, oh no! (said frequently and, weirdly, in a British accent), all gone/all done, thank you (taan too), hold me, there you go ('der ya go), and I don't know (not sure how to phonetically spell it, but the I and don't are one word, and it's got that annoyed-teenager tone when he says it, dragging out the knooow).

His favorite shows are Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but he's interested for all of 3 minutes before he is off doing something else. Really, he loves the music/theme song part. He loves music and songs in general, singing along in church with the hymns and with the choir. And he can jam out on the little piano at home. The typical boy, he likes to play with trains, cars, and blocks and to see how things work, usually by destroying them and then trying to put them back together. He likes to play with water - be it at the kitchen sink on the step-stool, in the bath, or outside at his new water table. More than anything, he loves to be outdoors - going for wagon rides, checking the mail, and exploring in the backyard. He usually doesn't stay clean for long. Joe recently read me something he saw on Facebook, "Boys: noise with dirt on it." I can't think of a better way to put it.


My Sweet Joseph, 

This past year has been a little challenging. You took your sweet time walking...and talking, often frustrating your Daddy and me. You fussed or cried a lot of the time you were awake. We desperately tried to figure out what you wanted all the times you'd cry or holler "ehhhhh!". We were anxious for words to express why you cried so much. Because of all your tummy problems, I was often sad and felt helpless to make you feel better. We worked hard to figure out which medicines and dosages you needed so you wouldn't be in pain. Your tummy problems are still there, but we think we are managing them ok for now. Finally, we feel like we are on the right path. The past few weeks have been the best we've had, the best you've had. We are so glad you are happy and seem to be feeling better. We are thankful to finally watch you play and just be a normal boy.

 {One year later: my how you've grown!}

You are my loving, cuddly little boy. I love rocking you after story-time at night. You use Raffie (your Giraffe lovey) as a nesting place for your head on my chest. {On the subject of Raffie: you don't mind having him washed, but you have to take part in the process throwing him in the washing machine.} You like to rest your head on my shoulder when I pick you up from a nap, as you slowly wake up. I like that brief moment before you are ready to get down and go play. You oftentimes come up to us, giving what Daddy calls "drive-by hugs" and run off. If I get hurt and say ow!, I earn a kiss from you. And sometimes your love hurts; you pinch when you hug and squeeze. Your Eskimo kisses are a little violent, as you get so into it, shaking your head back and forth. I risk a broken nose, but those are some of the best kisses ever. And how sweet is the sound your lips make when you kiss my cheek.

 {eighteen months old}

I love hearing your cute giggle when I tickle you. You still love to play peek-a-boo, especially when I make all kinds of silly faces behind my hands. You have perfected the art of a cheesy smile, tilting your head back and squinting your eyes. It's become a trademark and one that your sister loves to emulate. You get along with Hannah well, though you are very aware of what upsets her, and sometimes that encourages you. The two of you have an unspoken form of communication. She always seems to know what you might need. She is even getting better at tolerating it when you color on her picture. Whenever you hurt her, you are quick to say sorry with a hug.

Hannah bosses you around, and you typically listen to her. You fight over toys and get mad, but mostly you play well together. You are good with her dolls and other girly things. As it is with any little brother, your big sister is in control, looking out for you at home and on the playground at preschool. I hope you will always be best friends the way you are now.

Even with all the frustrations of the last year, we've still had happy times and made countless memories together. The days are sometimes long, but the years go by fast. I thank God every day for you and the joy you bring to my heart. I am looking forward to watching you grow in the year ahead. 

  
But please, don't grow too fast. I love you so much, Josey.

Momma


PS, I couldn't decide on one picture of you and Hannah, so I put together a couple collages from the last year:

 

{April 2012 - November 2012}

 

{November 2012 - April 2013}