Mommy, Emmett is getting in my way!!

And so a new chapter begins.  Emmett has been mobile for a couple months now, which has brought on new challenges and adventures.  As much as EV has been wanting a new playmate, she didn't realize that this new playmate would have his own idea of fun.  She attempts to tell him what to do and how to do it, but alas, he does not listen.  He rummages through her baskets filled with her artwork and knocks down her figurines she has strategically placed.  She gets frustrated and he thinks its funny.  Then it started happening, first she would take toys away or scream "noooooooo."  Then she started pushing him. 

We try to teach her that she has to share now and learn to compromise.  We try to explain to her that it cannot always be about what she wants to play and that if Emmett was playing with something first that she cannot snatch it away from him.  She does not like this new way of life.  This is not what she asked for.

There are days when she is sweet to Emmett.  She lets him join her in her pretend play.  Those are the days when Emmett seems a little more cooperative.  It's when she gets possessive, he gets defensive.  I know they will figure it out and my hope is that they will learn to become great friends. I feel grateful for these two and I'm trying to learn how to make the most of every moment I have with them.

Ice Skating 101

Ice skating was never a big deal for me growing up.  I don't really remember how I learned to ice skate or when I learned.  It was one of those things we did once or twice a year over the winter break.  After getting married to Jimmy, I really got into hockey for a bit, especially when we actually had a team in Atlanta.  Through a friend who got tickets from work, we were able to go to games pretty regularly (thanks, Gil!).  I even have a Thrashers jersey to prove it!  But when they were bought out and moved, I was a little sad but didn't think much of it.

Prior to this year, we had taken EV ice skating once when she was 20 months old.  November of this year was the second time taking EV and she was hooked.  I think there were two major things, we went with a friend and she skated much better than EV and at the top of every hour was a little performance by junior skaters.  EV is super competitive so seeing her friend Kati skate well, she felt compelled to skate just as good.  She was also mesmerized by the junior skaters.

So, we signed her up for ice skating lessons.  And reality hit.  This is not easy.  It hurts when you fall.  And the ice is cold.  These three things makes EV waffle between I never want to skate again and I love ice skating.  She likes the idea of skating and wants to be as good as those junior skaters.  She hates that it isn't an easy process.

I am so glad we signed her up though.  I'm still trying to decide if we should continue after this session.  Although Jimmy has visions of her becoming an Olympic figure skater, I simply want her to do what she's passionate about.  I don't want her to be a quitter all because it's not easy, but I also don't want to push her to do something that she doesn't care for.  When she skates, she's competitive, she doesn't quit, she pushes herself, and she seems to be having fun, which makes me think I should encourage her to keep at it.  Other times, I see her frustration and tears in her eyes and I just want to let her quit.  No matter what, I want her to know that we are proud of her for her determination and for trying her best when she does go to lessons. 

She's growing up so fast and it's not always easy keeping up.  We're proud of you!!  And in EV's words, "for what?!"  For always trying your best, getting up after you fall, and putting a smile on your face even when it's not easy. We love you, Evangeline!!

Callaway Garden and Geocaching

We took EV out of school Friday and went to Callaway Gardens since entrance is free for the month of February.  We packed a lunch and lots of snacks and made the 2-hour drive there.  The weather was perfect and we had a nice time just hanging out as a family.

In addition to the butterfly exhibit, the birds of prey show, walking along trails, and picnicking, we also did some geocaching.  Do you know about geocaching?  I just heard about it recently, even though it's been around for awhile, and I find it fascinating.  So, of course we had to try it out and what better place to try than being out on a trail?  We ended up not being able to find our "treasure" cause EV had to go use the bathroom but Jimmy and EV did go out this morning and discovered three caches around our neighborhood.  EV really enjoyed it and I foresee doing this more often.

It was a nice half day getaway and time with the family.  This is the year for relaxing and enjoying the blessings I have.  I love watching the kiddos explore and discover new things.  After learning about the Barred Owl during the birds of prey show yesterday, jimmy actually saw one while they were geocaching this morning.  EV was so excited!!

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!!

Tree Farm

I wanted to go to a tree farm to pick out our tree this year.  It's something I've been wanting to do the last couple of years.  I know I've mentioned in the past how I want to have family traditions that the kids will remember and even pass down to their own kids.  So, the day after Thanksgiving, we got dressed up (in hopes to get some good pictures) and headed to the tree farm.  As we drove up we talked about our favorite part of thanksgiving.  It made my heart so glad to hear everyone's laughter fill the van.

When we got to the farm, it was very picturesque.  There were farm animals, a nice lake, with the backdrop of Christmas trees in perfect little rows.  We attempted to get a few family pictures with the help of our tripod, then were on a mission to find the right tree.  It felt like Goldilocks, the tree was too tall, or too bare, or too trimmed.  Then we found the right tree, a tree that wasn't perfect but had some character, a tree that looked like our family.  So, Jimmy got down and sawed it down.  After we got the tree on top of our car, we went for a hayride, watched the farm animals, and roasted some marshmallows.  It was a lot of fun!

When we got home, the kiddos took an afternoon nap, and when they woke up we decorated the tree together with Christmas music filling the air.  We had Thanksgiving balls for dinner and the smell of sweet pine filled the house.  These are the memories I want to savor and makes me wish time would pass just a little slower so that I can hold onto these moments.

Best Buddies

One of the many reasons we wanted a second child is so that EV would not be alone.  We were perfectly happy with our one beautiful little girl but our family just did not feel complete.  In addition, EV would always ask for a little sibling, okay fine, a little sister.  She would say "my other friends have little sisters and brothers" can I have one too?  Then she started praying for one.  But it wasn't as easy as she had hoped and required a fair amount of waiting.  When we found out we were having a second, we were ecstatic!  Then we found out we were having a boy and had no idea how we would break this news to EV, but we were grateful when she wasn't disappointed or upset.  And felt such a sigh of relief and joy when we saw her getting excited for the arrival of her baby brother.

We all eagerly anticipated the birth of this baby and I think EV's expectation was let down the most.  Say what?! The baby can't play with me and do all the things I dreamed he would do?  All he is going to do is eat, sleep, and take away my precious time with mommy??  Oh yeah, the first three months were tough on everyone, especially EV.  Our precocious, independent, sassy little 4 year old became a whining, needy, baby herself.  Then one day, EV walks into a room and Emmett flashes her the biggest smile ever and everything changes.

EV starts to acknowledge her little brother, she sings to him, dances for him, plays with him.  If he drops a toy, she picks it up for him.  If he drools, she gets his burp cloth to wipe his mouth for him.  If he cries, she goes over and comforts him.  She's also back to her normal self, she's able to play by herself again, she's less whiny and needy, and she's back to doing everything by herself again. 

It warms my heart to see these two get to know each other.  I know they will have their fair amount of arguing and fighting (especially the day Emmett stands up to his sister and doesn't do what she tells him to do).  But I pray that even in those moments, they will grow closer to one another and become the best of buddies.  EV calls Emmett her baby (primarily because she doesn't want to acknowledge that I am his momma) and says that when she grows up she's going to marry Emmett.  I know that it was not instantaneous but I love that she is loving her brother a little more every day.