Seems like it should be our new motto!
I must be honest, I'm having a hard time posting! (Duh, huh?) Well, it's because Blogspot is SO slow in uploading pictures! I love to post pictures, and it just takes an act of Congress! I've ended up just posting all of their pictures on Facebook--which I like--but then I don't write about what's been going on with the kids. On more than one occasion, I've considered stopping the blog. But, then I go back and re-read it, and realize I need to keep it going. I may just eventually transfer everything to a journal to keep for us, but until then, here is another post!
The kids are changing, changing, changing. Every day there are new vocabulary words, new sayings, new games to play. It is exciting, but sad at the same time. They officially AREN'T babies anymore!
They are very fired up about Christmas, and they don't even get the concept of presents yet! They love the tree (which has been pulled over twice), Santa Claus, and Reindeer. We've been watching lots of Christmas specials, looking at Christmas lights, and listening to Christmas music when we are in the car. They LOVE Trans Siberian Orchestra. "Again! Again!" They yell when the song is over! Here are some pictures of them in their Christmas PJs.
Taylor and I love "The Polar Express" book and movie. The kids have watched the movie a couple of times, and seeing how much they love trains, are completely fascinated! Sunday, John, Taylor and I are taking the kids to Grapevine to ride the Polar Express! Of course they are wearing PJs, and will drink hot chocolate! I can't wait to see their faces!
Aaron:
N-A-U-G-H-T-Y! Ha! Aaron is actually very funny and very sweet. But, if there is something to get into, Aaron is going to do it! He is the first one to pull the Christmas tree down. (Now, to appreciate this story, you must understand that Aaron refers to himself in the third person. "Aaron cold", "Aaron hungry..") The kids were around the tree when it came down with a crash! Oranaments broke....I was in the kitchen and he came running to the gate. "Mommy, tree broke!" he said! Upon a small interrogation later Aaron admitted.."Aaron broke tree." Really--I never would have guessed!
Aaron does NOT like the Abominable Snowman on Rudolph! We've had to tell him over and over that that snowman is a silly monster that just likes to play. He says "Aaron pank pank monster." (Translation: spank, spank--or in other words, I'm going to kick that monster's butt if I ever see him!)
Aaron dances like there is no tomorrow, runs around the room chasing his brother and sister, and can actually hit a ball with a bat when you toss it to him--not every time, but he can do it! He and Adam love to set up bowling pins and take turns bowling in the entry way. He is especially fond of his stuffed monkey, and has blamed the monkey for his own shortcomings.
Aaron still likes to snuggle the most and is the most sensitive. His appetite is huge and he LOVES my gravy! Good boy!! He is very social, but every so often, he will sneak off to a quiet part of their play area just to look at a book. Aaron cracks me up when you ask him where something is. For example: "Aaron, where is your milk cup." He will turn and point "Right there." (like I'm an idiot for asking!) He says "Right there" all the time!
Adam:
Adam can easily count to 15 and then will skip to "20!" The child loves numbers! He spots them in the checkout lines at Walmart, on TV, and anywhere else he can. He can identify all numbers 0-9, and two digit numbers he will just say "2-3" for 23. He too dances like crazy and has taken a serious interest, along with his brother, in drums and the guitar. In fact, TT already gave them their Christmas presents---a drum set and real guitar (along with microphones). The boys play with them all the time.
Adam is very headstrong. While he is the most obedient of the three, if he doesn't want to do something, he will tell you....emphatically. He has really been expressing his independence and tells us "No" very often. Of course it usually lands him in time-out, but he still wants us to know his opinion. He has the most shrill scream when he is mad. We are really working with all of them to use their words! Speaking of words, Adam definitely has the most. That kid never stops talking! Of course we love it---he will even talk to himself in bed right up to the moment he falls asleep.
About a week ago Avery and Aaron had already fallen asleep at night. I was in the living room enjoying some quiet time (John was hunting) when Adam starts calling "Mom! Momma! Momma! Mom!" So, I walk back to their room and take out his pacifier. "What do you need, Son?" I asked. He replied, "Mom, what are you doing?" It was so funny and so cute...I just hugged him and laughed. I told him that I was reading a book and that he needed to go to sleep. "OK" he said...and that was it.
He is a great fan of football, bowling, tennis, golf--real life and on Wii. He always tries to ride Cletus--which is not appreciated by Cletus!
Avery:
Oh goodness...Avery cracks me up. One minute she is all girl and the next she is tackling her brothers. Avery's favorite thing right now is dinosaurs. All three love dinosaurs, and can name 5 of them in pictures. But Avery has a special love for them. Her dinosaur books are her favorite! Friday I had to take her to the dr for a little infection. She was sitting in a chair by me in the waiting room. I had given her a pen and some paper to draw on--which, we truly believe she is going to be left-handed. Anyway, she drew a line down the middle of the paper and some squiggles/circles about 2/3 of the way down the page. The dr came in and said, "Hi Avery. What are you drawing." Avery replies, "Brachiosaurus." You should have seen the look on the dr's face!
She is a daddy's girl, but wants to snuggle with mom. She likes to stand behind me when I'm sitting on the couch and fix my hair. She has recently really started taking care of her baby doll. TT got her a play pen for Christmas, and most days Avery will put her baby in, cover her up, give her kisses, and put her pacifier in her mouth. She likes to mother the boys as well. Let's be honest...she likes to tell them what to do.
I am truly amazed at how different girls are from boys. Drama already....She is so much like me, though! All she can think about is "Breakfast" and "Night night." She is usually asleep within 5 minutes of laying down at night. Just like me--if I'm horizontal, then I'm out! She loves to draw on their Magna Doodle, she likes to clean, and she can do back flips off the couch (While laying on her back).
I know that I'm going on and on...but there is just so much they can do! So many things have gotten easier. I can actually let them in the kitchen with me for a while. They will help me unload the dishwasher, and they like helping me with laundry. They go easily to the car to load-up and can even climb in their carseats. They help pick up toys each night and will take their drink cups back to the kitchen.
They love sidewalk chalk, looking at the moon, making arts/crafts with TT, playing with each other, and going for rides in the car. Taylor is absolutely amazing with them, and we have been so blessed to have her. She is loving and patient--to them and to John and I!
Our lives have changed so much in the last 2 1/2 years....and I wouldn't change a thing!
