Littlest Munchins

Well, I've been so busy with Katherine that I haven't posted about the 2 little ones in awhile.  My precious boy is going to be 3 YEARS OLD in less than 3 months.  I can't even believe it!  I always heard that little boys have a special place in their Mama's hearts, but never quite grasped how true it is until my sweet, sweet  boy (I had a feeling it was true with Christian but always had a little wall built to protect myself since I wasn't sure we'd get to adopt him).  Will loves to play with his trucks, toy dinosaurs and farm animals, his letters (cards, letter puzzle pieces, and foam bathtub letters), jigsaw puzzles, coloring, reading, and most importantly his sisters.  Without a question, his favorite book is his Toddler Bible.  We read it cover to cover every 2-3 days.  I bought him the new Beginner's Bible on Friday and we've already read at least 200 pages of it!

He is such a ham.  Nathan and I are constantly cracking up about something he's doing or saying.  He is in preschool 2 mornings a week at the FUMC here in our town.  He loves his teachers and friends.  I actually had to have a talk with him last Monday because he kissed a cute little girl on the cheek while they were on the playground!  He told me that he likes Addison - she's his friend!  I'm pretty sure he understands that he is only supposed to kiss Mommy and Daddy now, but I guess we'll see.  :)
My boy loves to learn!  We only spend about 15 minutes a day doing "school" but he constantly asks questions and I'm teaching him without realizing it.  It seems weird how much he knows at his age, but if he wants to learn how to read now, why not teach him?  Other than reading countless books, here's what we are doing right now.

Scriptures he has memorized in the last month
1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
2. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.
3. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
4. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast.  It is not arrogant or rude.  (we are working on this one right now, but still have more to go)

Words he can spell from memory (he can sound out just about any words with short vowel sounds and no blends like SH, CH, etc)
1. Will
2. Stop (he tells the kids at preschool to "S-T-O-P STOP!" when they are trying to take a toy from him. Sometimes he tells me to "S-T-O-P STOP!" when I'm walking towards him to put him in time out)
3. Go
4. Cat
5. Dog
6. Red
7. Yellow
8. Pop
9. Mama
10. Dad
11. Nana
12. Will
13. No
14. Daddy

Counting - he finally got past 20 last weeks while counting the holes in his tool bench.  He counted up to 29, then said 2010, 2011, 2012.  It was pretty cute, but I was pleased since he discovered the pattern in counting. 

This boy is such a joyful, happy little guy.  I feel so incredibly blessed that God chose me to be his Mom.

Claire Bear

My sweet pea is now 9 months old!  It's fun to finally begin to see her spunky little personality emerge.  Although she has been my most challenging baby yet, she is such a sweetheart.  Girlfriend has a set of lungs on her that can rival ANYONE, but she is also a snuggly little pumpkin.  Claire is definitely a Mama's Girl and has little interest in anyone except me most of the time.  It's pretty exhausting, but I am attempting to enjoy it because I know how differently she will feel in about 15 years...  Will is getting to the point that he can make her laugh while they are in the backseat which is an answer to prayer since we have a long drive to just about anywhere we want to go.  When Daddy gets home from work, she squeals and says, "Dada, Dada" until he picks her up. 

She's still extremely petite.  We have an appointment at the pediatrician on Tuesday for her 9-month appointment, but I think she weighs about 15 pounds.  Will weighed that at around 3 or 4 months, I think.  It's pretty funny to see this tiny little girl standing up and taking steps while holding onto furniture or your hand. 

I will add some more pictures soon...