Left behind

Emmett is such a laid back baby, just the perfect addition to our family. Given that momma and big sister are a little obsessive compulsive now we are more balanced. He always has the biggest smile on his face and rarely cries except...when he thinks he's been left behind. 

This kid's biggest worry in life is being left behind. He hates when you walk into another room without him, will give the loudest shriek when you walk away, and one time started freaking out and crying when being pushed in a stroller cause he couldn't see anyone familiar. 

He already loves his big sister so much that he does everything in his powers to keep up. When he sees her, he starts flapping his arms and legs as if he's trying to propel himself towards her. He loves to sit up and stand cause it gives him the best view of everyone. 

I don't think we have very long before this kid starts getting really mobile. He already rolls and scoots to objects he's really curious about. And he's lifting his whole body off the ground with more and more ease. This kid refuses to be left behind. He has places to go, people to see, and things to do. 

Tell me how you feel

Words are a very powerful thing. It can be uplifting but also very hurtful. Being bilingual, I am always so fascinated with how phrases translated in one language into another can lose depth, meaning, and feelings. It may be the right word but the wrong meaning.  

I think one of the hardest things for both adults and children to do is describe their feelings. How do you convey your feelings?  EV really struggles with describing her thoughts and feelings. Part of it is because she's four but part of it is her personality. She can be so happy or so upset and when I ask her why, she says "I don't know!!"  I push her to try and use the words she has to tell me why. 

It's not just feelings she has a hard time with but her thoughts or just her day. She recently started refusing to wear her jacket and I asked her why. She said "I don't like it."  I told her, "if it's just because you don't like it, then there's nothing I can do, so you just have to wear it.  But if you tell me why then maybe we can do something to fix it."  She thought about it and then said, "it's uncomfortable."  So, I asked her, "what makes it uncomfortable?"  She said, "I don't know."  Again I said, "then there's nothing I can do to help and you'll just have to wear it."  She thought some more and said, "the hood chokes me when it's zipped up and it makes it uncomfortable when I play."  I said, "okay, that's fair and unfortunately the hood is not detachable so I looked into getting her a jacket without a hood."

That process was not only difficult for EV but it was uncomfortable. She was twisting and turning and never looked me in the eyes while talking. But I'm hoping that these efforts will help her to be a better communicator with those around her. It will allow her to not only let others know how she feels but also let her reflect inwardly to better understand why she feels a certain way. And I hope that as she is more able to look inwardly that she is able to become a stronger and more grounded person. 

It's never easy telling someone how you feel. But it's also very freeing to be able to express your thoughts and feelings. I want EV and Emmett to know that they can always talk to Jimmy and myself. That we will always listen to them and love them. 

They are both so expressive with their faces!!