So here I am writing about letting go of my preconceived ideas about what Marshall should be, but not even contemplating how I think about Josie. This weekend we went to a baby shower where there was one other baby girl who was 6 months old as well. The other mom and I were sitting on the floor and the girls were sitting with us. My diaper bag was near so I pulled out 3 toys so that the girls could have something to entertain themselves with. As usual Josie sat up for about a minute before deciding that she would rather roll all over the carpet. The other little girl sat nicely and played with Josie's dragonfly. Well, I was talking to the other mother and we look up and Josie has managed to corral ALL 3 toys in her arm space, effectively taking the dragonfly right out of the other baby's hands. Sigh....here I am thinking that because she is a girl AND a second child she will automatically be a better sharer than her brother. But alas, it starts already, at 6 months. I can see the battles between Josie and Marshall already.
In other news, we have decided to move to the Edmonds house in February. We hate to leave our neighborhood, but the idea of a playroom and a master bedroom with ITS OWN BATHROOM is too enticing. We already rented out this house to a cute young couple who are expecting a baby and we are very happy! (At least we will have more space so that when the aforementioned battles occur, I can send each child to their own play place.)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Look at what I can do!
I was just telling Will the other day that I didn't think that Josie was ever going to learn how to sit up by herself because every time I would sit her down on the floor, she would immediately force her way over so she could roll around. (She is quite an efficient roller. She is completely ignoring the baby toys I have put out for her and going straight for Marshall's fire trucks and Little People.)
But lo and behold, this week, she just started sitting up. She's pretty good at it too!
(I love this face! Look at those pursed lips! Check out the incredible Roberts family torso too... :))
Smiling and sitting up is apparently a little difficult. Seconds after I took this picture she fell backwards and clunked her head. Crying ensued.
Peek A Boo!
Josie is totally in love with her brother. Her eyes follow him around the room. She really dislikes being put down to play by herself, but if Marshall is there, she is happy as a clam. Every time she sees him her eyes light up. Car trips without Marshall involve lots of yelling, but when he is there....well, I guess there is still some yelling, but a lot less.
However, up until now, Marshall has had only fleeting moments of recognition that his sister adores him completely. Sure, every morning when she wakes up, he says,"Look who's awake! Isn't she a cute little baby?" And whenever we meet someone new (and they inevitably gravitate to the cute, smiley baby) Marshall says, "Hi! That's my sister, Josie. And this is Mommy. And I am Marshall." But other than that, there's not a lot of interaction. Until he discovered that he can crack Josie up when he plays Peek A Boo. They sit at the table while waiting for dinner and entertain each other and it is soooo sweet. I hope this brotherly affection continues!
However, up until now, Marshall has had only fleeting moments of recognition that his sister adores him completely. Sure, every morning when she wakes up, he says,"Look who's awake! Isn't she a cute little baby?" And whenever we meet someone new (and they inevitably gravitate to the cute, smiley baby) Marshall says, "Hi! That's my sister, Josie. And this is Mommy. And I am Marshall." But other than that, there's not a lot of interaction. Until he discovered that he can crack Josie up when he plays Peek A Boo. They sit at the table while waiting for dinner and entertain each other and it is soooo sweet. I hope this brotherly affection continues!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Call the Fire Brigade! Marshall's turning 3!
We had a wonderful day at Marshall's 3rd Birthday Party yesterday! It was a lot of fun, but definitely exhausting. Of course, it didn't help that the party was held during what should have been nap time. (It was the only time the room was available.) Our fireman party was modeled closely after preschool, lots of things to do and very few organized activities. Just the way Marshall likes it. The kids had a blast. Will and a friend from work made this amazing bean bag game of a burning house. (Which withstood the 3 year olds, but took a beating from the 4-6 crowd) We also had a firetruck play tent and some tunnels (courtesy of Erin and Quin). The Shoreline Fire Department gave us a 3 year old size fire fighter outfit for pretend play and plastic hats and goodie bags for all the kids! It was a great day. I don't want to brag (but I will). I made a really cool firetruck cake. I think that was Marshall's favorite part. When he came into the room, he grabbed a fork and tried to go at the cake. Will had to put it up high. :)
My favorite part was the spontaneous present opening. We hadn't planned on having a formal present opening time because, with that many little kids, we figured it would be a bad idea. However, I was going to have M open presents on the side and thank people. Well, the minute Marshall started to open his first present from a friend that had to leave early, the kids declared a free for all. Presents were being opened left and right. It was great! I just hope that I can figure out who brought what for the Thank you cards! The pinata was hilarious too. The little kids went first and they weren't making a dent (even without a blindfold). So I told Donna's daughters, Marie (6) and Lindsey (4), to go last and finish it off. HA HA! Will saw his life flash before his eyes. Donna has decided that apparently they need a punching bag at their house to get right of all that pent up aggression. :)
And with all this, Josie was great. I think it helped that there were so many willing arms to be held in. :) (Although you can see from the pictures that she was a little hot. Everyone was. For some reason it was really really HOT in the room. We couldn't figure it out and tried to open up the windows and doors, but we definitely decided that we should have put "Tropical Firefighter Party" on the invites.)
Check out this great slideshow of pictures!
My favorite part was the spontaneous present opening. We hadn't planned on having a formal present opening time because, with that many little kids, we figured it would be a bad idea. However, I was going to have M open presents on the side and thank people. Well, the minute Marshall started to open his first present from a friend that had to leave early, the kids declared a free for all. Presents were being opened left and right. It was great! I just hope that I can figure out who brought what for the Thank you cards! The pinata was hilarious too. The little kids went first and they weren't making a dent (even without a blindfold). So I told Donna's daughters, Marie (6) and Lindsey (4), to go last and finish it off. HA HA! Will saw his life flash before his eyes. Donna has decided that apparently they need a punching bag at their house to get right of all that pent up aggression. :)
And with all this, Josie was great. I think it helped that there were so many willing arms to be held in. :) (Although you can see from the pictures that she was a little hot. Everyone was. For some reason it was really really HOT in the room. We couldn't figure it out and tried to open up the windows and doors, but we definitely decided that we should have put "Tropical Firefighter Party" on the invites.)
Check out this great slideshow of pictures!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Independent soul
Will came to Marshall's preschool class today. He showed pictures of animals he took on his trips to Africa. I think he was overwhelmed by the crazy two year old energy in the room. It did not help that today it is raining and so outside play was not possible.
He also got to see Marshall in action in a large group of kids for the first time. Marshall is definitely not one of those kids who will sit nicely in the circle and listen to the teacher. He is not a big fan of following group directions. This worried Will a little. Inevitably whenever parents see their child in a group of peers, they are going to start comparing and wondering, "Are we doing a good job? Is he where he is supposed to be?" It worried me a lot at the beginning of preschool too. Marshall is definitely a force to be reckoned with at preschool. He makes his desires known. :) However, he does have his moments of sweetness and sharing. Although he can be aggressive, he is getting much better and really loves to play with the other kids. He's just still figuring out how to do that.
As a parent, it's taken me a bit to come to the point where I accept Marshall just as he is. I am a pleaser. In my head, I always envisioned my child sitting and listening in a group, participating as he is supposed to, and being that "perfect" kid. But that's not who he is. He's an independent guy. He has big ideas and isn't easily swayed. He isn't effected by peer pressure at all. And frankly, I really like that about him. I wish I had a little bit more of that in me. Sometimes it's difficult to parent an independent child, but it's always absolutely fascinating and completely rewarding. I just have to remember to step back and appreciate the positive and not focus on the negative. He is so creative it astounds me. He creates elaborate stories and loves to act scenes out with anything. This morning, he was playing "trains" with the three pieces of his banana peel. He is continually creating conversations with his toys and I think he is talking to me. He is also incredibly observant. He makes me stop everyday to look around and take in everything around me. I learn from Marshall everyday and, while it might be a little less exhausting having a child that followed directions and went along with a group, I wouldn't have it any other way.
He also got to see Marshall in action in a large group of kids for the first time. Marshall is definitely not one of those kids who will sit nicely in the circle and listen to the teacher. He is not a big fan of following group directions. This worried Will a little. Inevitably whenever parents see their child in a group of peers, they are going to start comparing and wondering, "Are we doing a good job? Is he where he is supposed to be?" It worried me a lot at the beginning of preschool too. Marshall is definitely a force to be reckoned with at preschool. He makes his desires known. :) However, he does have his moments of sweetness and sharing. Although he can be aggressive, he is getting much better and really loves to play with the other kids. He's just still figuring out how to do that.
As a parent, it's taken me a bit to come to the point where I accept Marshall just as he is. I am a pleaser. In my head, I always envisioned my child sitting and listening in a group, participating as he is supposed to, and being that "perfect" kid. But that's not who he is. He's an independent guy. He has big ideas and isn't easily swayed. He isn't effected by peer pressure at all. And frankly, I really like that about him. I wish I had a little bit more of that in me. Sometimes it's difficult to parent an independent child, but it's always absolutely fascinating and completely rewarding. I just have to remember to step back and appreciate the positive and not focus on the negative. He is so creative it astounds me. He creates elaborate stories and loves to act scenes out with anything. This morning, he was playing "trains" with the three pieces of his banana peel. He is continually creating conversations with his toys and I think he is talking to me. He is also incredibly observant. He makes me stop everyday to look around and take in everything around me. I learn from Marshall everyday and, while it might be a little less exhausting having a child that followed directions and went along with a group, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Six Month Stats....
Josie had her sixth month check-up today and here are her new stats. (Boy am I glad we aren't required to post our annual stats. :))
Weight: 18lbs 9 oz. (90%)
Height: 27.5 in. (95%)
Head circumference: 17in. (70%)
So she is slowing down a little (compared to her 97% height and weight at 4 months) and her head is catching up with her body. She did really well and then was completely outraged by the shots again. Luckily, both Marsh and Josie have the ability to get over pain quickly. (Marsh fell off our bed and slammed his cheek into my dresser this weekend. He only cried for a little bit too. Which is surprising considering the large line of bruises he has across his cheek. I swear, CPS is going to take him away one of these days.)
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