This is my life.

Words, words, wonderful words

Since Jackson mastered the art of walking/running/climbing on tables, it has opened up the opportunity to develop his language skills. (Did you know that babies can only work on huge developments one at a time? That's why some babies are early walkers/late talkers or vice versa..)

 

 (Isabella, a few weeks shy of 19 months)

I don't like to compare or categorize my children, ever, but I'll make an exception today... So uh, let's see here. Isabella. Well sheesh. The kid didn't move off her chubby little buddha butt until well near 18 months. We liked to say that she was so content, so.. laissez fair.. but hindsight is 20/20 isn't it. She was just to busy working on her vocabulary. I didn't realize at the time (being a slightly youngish first time mother) that her speech was shall we say.. on the advanced side? Her Mimi and I used to make her say and use extremely large and funny words just to make everyone laugh. I really didn't realize until much later that this ability was unusual for such a young age.

(Sydney, just shy of 19 months)

And that brings us to Sydney. Dear Sydney. I clearly remember thinking that she wasn't going to talk at all. Ever. She walked on time(ish). But no words. Never much of a repeater. Until. She found her voice. And there was no stopping her once she did. Words started tumbling out at a rapid pace. She STILL talks alot. She understands alot. Sometimes too much. Her brain is always turned "on". There is rarely a blond moment with this kid. She remembers everything, and can articulate her thoughts and feelings like no other 4 year old I've ever known. (OK, ok, I haven't known THAT many 4 years old, but still.) Let's just say her mouth has definitely caught up with her brain.

(Jackson of course, a few days over 19 months)

Next we move on to Jackson. My little boy. Our little echo, really. At 19 months, he has officially been working solely on his speech for a few months now. Once he mastered that pesky walking matter (skipping crawling entirely, although he will do it know when playing etc, and although a wee bit awkward, he is surprisingly ok at it), he was off to the races with speech. He started with the typical Mama, Dada, Moo moo etc. And maybe, just maybe it seems like he has picked it up a lot faster than his sisters because I am busy and can't spend every waking minute practicing and watching him develop. Maybe. But he's good. he is constantly surprising us (and making us laugh) at how well he can repeat things back to us already. And he's clear. By far the cutest things he says are peoples names. I thought we'd have a new nickname for Sydney for sure, but nope. He can say it clear as day. And the little boy I babysit. His name is Turner. No problem. Toilet paper. Crackers. Downstairs. Outside. Mine. Just to name a few. He's good, this one.

We're lucky to have such smart, clearly advanced children. Smirk.

Do you see what I see??

Here?

No? How about now?

Really? Ok then, how about NOW???

 

It's a gosh darned spider. In November. Crawling around on the snow. What's the world coming to? I tolerate them in the SUMMER because I have to. It's time to move North. The North Pole is looking mighty inviting right about now. Sheesh.
 
 

Political Uncorrectedness

"I'm so glad I'm not Chinese, I'd never eat again. Blech."

If you know my children at all, this comment should be easy to attribute.

Also? He'd make such a beautiful bride. Isn't having sisters fun?

Through the looking glass

Not the best picture, but I like it. It was taken from inside one window looking out at the other. The had just realized we could see each other this way.

Helping

Not quite tall enough yet. Soon though. Too soon.

For Grandpa

I have a few posts set to go for this week with some different pictures. I have moved them all a day ahead, so that I can post a few of the pictures we took Halloween night. Unfortunately, this is all I've got. We are always in such a hurry to get moving, there are trick or treaters pounding on the door, etc., etc.

Obligatory group shot. The girls are pumped, the boy is crying. He was mad, hot, didn't want to stand and get his picture taken. We have a vampire, a snow princess, and a monkey (suits him, don't ya think?)

Here's his banana, sticking out of his back pocket. This is also the only picture I took of Chris. He had a robe on, and a reeeeaaaaallllly scary mask that he walked around with outside. Jackson refused to take his eyes off him and cried if he got too close too him.

Sydney got to wear her costume earlier in the day without her coat on underneath to a Birthday party. It also comes with a hat, but we thought we'd go with a wig to keep her warm outside. She looks slightly like a body builder with her poofy coat on underneath, but she didn't care.

Other pictures I didn't get a chance to take.. Our amazing pumpkin that Chris spent hours doing, including drilling holes for arms, legs, and black licorice hair. Fully clothed and still. sitting on our front porch. Most of his hair has fallen out/been pulled out, but I may go take a picture anyhow for posterity sake.

Jackson did much better than I thought he would. I would take him out of the chariot, place him at the door beside his sister (Isabella went with a friend and her Mom this year, she had a blast and got more candy than I thought was ever possible), she would ring the door bell, say her thing, get their candy and I would pick him up, carry him back to the chariot and do it all over again. It was great. They lasted over an hour, going around the neighborhood. When we got home and started sorting out the loot, a light bulb went off in this kids head. He spent a good amount of time crawling around the floor with Chris handing him chocolates to open for him. He LOVES chocolate.

And that, folks, concludes our Halloween post of 2009.
 
 

Fail.

I know. I KNOW. Not even one post in October. I suck. So anyhow. Here's some pictures of my boy. I couldn't help but say NO before I took each picture, trying to be "stern". But it was funny. The kid is brazen. I tell you.

He pulled the chair out himself. Climbed the chair. I grabbed my camera.

 

Just look at him. Stared at me the entire time. Whatcha gonna do about it way over there, huh?

He gets to the top and freezes. Crap. Now what?

I smile from behind the lens. He claps for himself. Proud. I laugh. Haul him off the table. He scrambles back up again. Oh crap. Now it's a fun game. Sigh.
 
  
 

First Day of Preschool

"The bus! It's here!"

No goodbye, no look back. Running across the grass.

The aid had to stop her and make her turn around to take a picture. She's been waiting for years for this moment. I am so proud and happy for her, she is going to love school so much, and be such a great student. I can't help but feel I've lost a little piece of my heart today. Sniff.

Bump

Last Sunday, after a full weekend of outside projects (we've had the warmest greatest weather lately) Jackson tripped over his own feet and fell on his head. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you want to look at it) he landed on one particular spot. So.. he didn't break any teeth, his nose or get any severe concrete rash on the rest of his face, but all his weight was concentrated on that one spot on his forehead. It swelled, very quickly. It was UGLY. Once it started swelling into his eye, we decided it was time to take him in for a check. 2 hours later, and no doctor seen, we came home with a set of instructions on what to look for etc. The nurse didn't feel staying at home and watching for signs of concussion was going to be much different that sitting there and waiting for the doctor to get out of surgery. Thankfully, he was ok.

His head turned blue and black, then yellow, then crusty. You know.. healing.

This is the face of a boy who is HEALING. Gah. And then... I don't know. Maybe his balance has been off lately? Maybe he was a wee bit concuse after all? Because it seems to me, that ever since he hit his poor little noggin' last Sunday, all he has done this past week is fall, and fall, and fall.. and hit his poor little head on the exact. same. spot. every time. Every single time. This is what my poor little boy looks like as of earlier today, before he fell on his head a few more times. Including falling down our deck stairs, tripping over some toys in the garage, etc., etc.

And this? Doesn't do it justice. It looks much, much worse tonight. Poor, poor little dude. Chris tried on his big BIG sister's helmet today, and it sorta fit. Might be an option. Sad.

Already?

The first day of school. New school. Middle school. She held me a little tighter than usually, and took a few good deep breaths when I turned to leave her in the classroom. Not quite on the verge of tears, but close. I saved mine for the drive home, hidden behing my sunglasses. She will be taking the bus from now on. So big, yet sometimes still so little.