Buddies

The kids have been holding hands at least briefly on almost every car trip this past week. Natalie usually initiates this and gets mad when Scott grows tired of this game. Regardless, it makes me smile every time!

Their friendship is growing by leaps and bounds. They are playing together and both seem to be enjoying one another's company.


They played together in the basement for over an hour the other day. Jon and I kept going down to check on them and were thrilled to see them having so much fun together. We tried it again the next day, and it only lasted about ten minutes, but hey...it's a start in the right direction!


After Natalie got scolded for dumping out an entire container of tissues the other day, I watched as Scott "secretly" handed Natalie another box upside down to see if she would do the same thing with it. Since he's the oldest and "responsible" child, he certainly wasn't going to dump them out for himself, but it sure would be fun to watch/assist his little sister into trouble.



All together now on 3...


We had to get creative during our week without TV/DVDs. The kids requested several play sessions in Natalie's crib.


Getting them both to look at the camera at the same time is getting a little easier.

Well...at least some of the time...

Courageous

I interrupt the regularly scheduled blog post of the week to bring you this important movie plug...


Jon and I had the opportunity to see the movie Courageous this afternoon. Now I understand that when one's favorite movies include "Cool Runnings" and "Facing the Giants", that one loses a bit of credibility. However, forget that and understand that Courageous is TRULY a movie worth seeing!! Jon, who proclaims to not like lame movies, also agrees that Courageous is a great movie. He used the words "well done" and "refreshing" to describe it. (Being a cop, he couldn't help but pick apart some of their police chases/fights, but hey...that wasn't the point of the movie.) So...my final plug...plan to go see Courageous if you haven't to support this fine film! We give it two (or four) thumbs up!

A plug also goes to my mother-in-law (a.k.a. Grammy) for providing baby-sitting so we could go see the show. She faithfully baby-sits each week, and it's a definite blessing to have her help.

After seeing a movie about fathers, I have to salute my dad who always went (and still goes) the extra mile. He was very active in my life and has had a huge impact on it. He and my mom were the parents that were always at my sporting events, home or away. They were the parents who bought rollerblades with me when I took up a sudden interest in rollerblading. They were the parents who spent quality time with us each day. I'm thankful to have a Courageous-type father!

And last, but certainly not least, a plug for my husband. Jon is such a great dad to Scott and Natalie. It is SOOO fun to watch him interact with them and teach them new things. It is special to listen in on the conversations he has with Scott. It is sweet to see Natalie run up to him and wave repeatedly whenever he puts on his police uniform. It is neat to see how both kids respond so favorably to him. Jon loves the kids immensely and wants the best for their future. It shows. I love my husband so much am grateful that he is a Courageous-type father to my kiddos.


Go see the movie!! :)

Natalie- 16 months

Within the last month especially, I've noticed that Natalie has given up all things baby for all things toddler.


Her legs are getting so long (making her a fearless climber), and she is doing quite well keeping up with her big brother.

This girl LOVES music. We're not sure where she's learned her moves, but she can dance to just about anything.


Favorite food: Bananas! Don't you dare eat a banana in front of her unless you're ready to share. (Not a problem for her mama!)



This is Natalie after being denied a 2nd banana. Really.


I was looking through Scott's development/"firsts" list last night. I had written that Scott could identify all of his colors- Age 16 months.

16 months?! Yikes. I realized that I've never even tried to teach Natalie a single color. Poor second child.

Therefore, we're having Color Boot Camp this week. She looked at me like I was crazy this morning when I walked into her room and started pointing to everything and naming it's color. We're on the accelerated track. :)





Bye for now!

Scotteroo

As the Fed Ex truck was pulling out of our driveway, Scott said, "Usually the PBS man brings us packages, but this time someone else brought us a package!"

Scott's prayer the other night: "Dear Jesus, Dear God, Thank you for my monitor, bookshelf, giraffes, and books. Protect Natalie from getting into trouble. Come down from heaven and cover me back up. Amen."

(Jon said that he is certainly doesn't have any problems with coming boldly before the throne.)

Scott has been twisting some Bible truths that he's been learning to make them fit his world. This summer he learned, "God makes things grow!" in Sunday School. He brought me a roll of tape the other day and said, "God makes things stick!" He also told me that "God has the power to make books" and "God has the power to heal boo-boos."

We were in Babies R Us the other week and turned down the toy aisle. Scott's eyes lit up as he asked, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" (And...just for the record...no, I wasn't thinking what my three year old was thinking.)


Our little guy is certainly growing up! We love our conversations with him. And apparently, he loves listening to our conversations in the car. More than once now, we've been surprised to hear him accurately spit back facts from a conversation that Jon and I thought we were just having between ourselves. Funny, but scary!! :)

Here I go!

Jon just walked by my to-do list that has been sitting untouched on the kitchen counter for the past several days. He laughed as he pointed out that only one thing was crossed off my list: "Make Oreo Balls"

At least I have my priorities in line! :)

I hope to accomplish much this next week. One thing being is to update my blog. I have several posts planned to get caught up on my pictures. So fasten your seatbelts all you readers...(a.k.a. Mom and Dad). You are in for a week of posts! :)

We kept very busy during the past month with:
-many fun family outings
-a mini-trip away with my Ohio buddies
-a week without TV or videos (NOT by choice...I almost hugged the TV repairman when he finally arrived!)
-I started liking yogurt! (Who would have thunk it?!?!)
-outdoor activities to enjoy the fall weather
-the beginning of BSF (The kids are enjoying their classes.)
-AND...most importantly...the kids became cousins, Jon became an uncle, and I became an aunt...

MEET BRODERICK DAVID...



Derek and Maggie welcomed Brody into their family last Friday. He is adorable!!! To say that Brody is loved is an understatement. I look forward to posting many more pictures of my favorite little nephew as I take them. Congrats Derek & Maggie!! Brody is blessed!

Where would we be without digital cameras?

TAKE ONE...


TAKE TWO...


GOT IT!

(Okay...I admit...there was also a Take 4, Take 5, Take 6, and Take 7, but I'll spare you. We settled for the one above when I realized that I wasn't going to convince Jon to stick his head through the apple next to Natalie. Wouldn't that have been cute?!)

Kid Updates

Scott:

Scott's been into "helping" a lot lately. He wants to help Daddy with his projects and tasks and wants to help me...mainly with cooking. He must know that mama can use all the help that she can get when it comes to preparing food! :)

Serenading us with "Jesus Loves the Little Children" (again!)...

He occasionally gets to ride in Jon's "real" truck and thinks that's the coolest thing ever.

Enjoying his busy bags... (He is supposed to be making carrots for the bunny to eat, but he decided to make pumpkins instead.)

He got a major haircut...started by my mom, finished by Jon who thought he needed a bald fade. When the haircut was finished, Scott said, "Why don't you take me to Cookie Cutters?" I'm eagerly awaiting the regrowth of his hair. He looks too grown-up for my liking!

Self portrait?!



Natalie:

Today is the day! Natalie does not like cow's milk one bit. I've tried adding a drop of chocolate, warming it, disguising it in her brother's ever so coveted dinosaur cup, etc. Nothing works! She only wants to drink water. The pediatrician said it could take up to three days before she will drink it, but that I just need to make her thirsty enough to give in. So...I've tried to exclusively give her milk for a few days, but I always end up just letting her have her water. Yesterday was "really" going to be the day. I got pep talks from my mom and Jon and was determined to stick to my guns. However, around 1:00 p.m., after not drinking anything all morning, she was standing at the sink pointing to the water. The verse about giving a cup of water to those who thirst came to mind (out of context?...perhaps just a little!), and I gave my parched child a drink. She (happily) guzzled an entire cup of water on the spot. Today however, I'm REALLY, REALLY not going to give in. Milk or nothing. I mean it. That pathetic whine will not get to me. No giving in. (Am I convincing? I hope so!)
It's funny to me the words kids pick up on first. Not necessarily the most frequently heard or required. One of Natalie's words in her limited vocabulary is "fish". And...since all animals growl in Natalie's world, "fish" is often followed with a growl.

She just had her 15 month appointment is about 75% on height, weight, and head circumference.
Natalie loves to play outside and LOVES to dance. She's starting to play independently for longer periods of time.


That's the latest on the kiddos. They are at such fun ages and bring us so much joy!