Skylar just turned three months!!! She is very likely the last and I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that my pregnant and newborn days are behind me. But the future is bright and I think I am ready for our family to grow up together from this point. And if Skylar is the last one, then she is the perfect note to end on! She is sweet and chubby and she loves to be held and snuggled. She isn't always the best napper, but she has been an amazing night sleeper since she was born. I think there have only been two or three night that I have actually has to get up with her. Co-sleeping for the win! She can nurse during the night without either of us really having to wake up. As for Skylar's "one thing", she has realized that her hands belong to her!
Jonah is counting down seconds until the YMCA soccer season starts. He can already do a flip up followed by several juggles and he has some pretty impressive tick tocks. While he is only three and a half, he is tall and incredibly coordinated so we are already planning on bringing his birth certificate to the first several games just in case anyone questions his birthday. His love for soccer can be seen in his clothing choices. He now has three Messi Barca kits and if they are clean (and sometimes when they are not) he is wearing them. Arthur got Jacob and James the new Barca uniform this past Christmas and when Jonah realized he didn't have one too, it nearly ended Christmas. Let's just say that it was in the amazon cart before the next present was opened.
Scarlett seems to be moving through something that developed over the fall. I think that Arthur's crazy work schedule coupled with a new baby joining the family created some uncertainty and shook her world a little bit. Her confidence wavered and she got very clingy. Thing that she had no problem doing, like going to play at a friends house or walking into dance class, brought her to tears and if I pushed she would shut down. She was constantly making me recite my plans for the day to ensure that the two of us would not be separated. It has been a difficult phase for me to parent because I have to find the right balance. I have explained to her that her world should be getting bigger not smaller and that it important to push through feeling uncomfortable so she can once again enjoy the things she likes to do. We even recited some positive affirmations to get into the dance studio a couple of times. So I am happy to report that I no longer have to sit inside the her dance class and she has had several play dates with no issues. So while we are not completely on the other side of whatever this is, it is getting better and I think this experience is teaching her that she "can do hard things."
James is my baby whisperer. He has a gentle soul and a pure heart. If Skylar isn't screaming hysterically in car, it is because James is there comforting her. He will sing to her, rock her car seat, hold in her pacifier, hold her hand...he will do whatever he can think of. Last week, after trying everything, he got Jake and Scarlett to join him in a never ending trio of baby shark. It worked! She settled down almost immediately and was a sleep by the 4th or 5th round. He is my go to when I need my hands, and it is obvious that she feels safe and secure in his arms. But his desire to comfort and serve extends past our home. I recently overheard a friend rave to another mom about how sweet and helpful James always is with her two little boys. And several weeks ago, he hugged and pet another friends giant and very boisterous golden retriever to ensure that he remained still and quiet through their son's ordination to become a deacon.
Jacob has a big birthday coming up! He is turning twelve!! With the new changes in the church he was ordained to the office of a deacon a few weeks ago. I remember how seriously he took his baptism. There was a period of time he wasn't sure he was ready and thought that maybe he should wait because he was a little overwhelmed the weight of the covenants he would be making. I was so impressed that at just 8 years old he understood how serious the promises we make at baptism are, or at least he understood enough to hesitate and consider is he was really ready. Jake is still that same boy with that same deep understanding that defies his young age. Last fall he told him that he was going to read his Book of Mormon and pray every night whether it was right for him to be ordained. While I was proud of his ernest desire for personal revelation, I was also a little nervous. What if January came, and he didn't feel ready or he hadn't received that "yes" he was seeking from the Lord? I knew that no matter what, I needed to honor his choice. He never shared with me what his "yes" felt like, but there was real conviction in his voice during his bishops interview and it was obvious that he felt ready to move forward.
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| We were able to join Kyle and his family when it was Kyle's turn to be ordained a few weeks later. |
Due to Arthur's crazy work schedule, we did his ordination here at the house. The circle included his Grandpa Dave, Kevin Long, Steve Nabrotsky, Rob Perry, and Dale Berry. One of his best friends, Kyle, was also able to be there to support him. Arthur gave him a beautiful blessing and talked about the Jake "taking his role as a leader." The Spirit was strong in our home that night. I am grateful that Jake decided to take this big step in his life and I am grateful for the example he is setting! It is obvious that a transition is taking place, and Jake is getting ready to leave childhood behind. I am sure it will be a transition for us all, but I pray that the Holy Ghost that he received at 8 and the priesthood he received this month, will help give us the support and guidance he will need as he makes the transition from boy to man.
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| Now that Jake passes the sacrament, he wears his white shirt and a tie every week...Guess who wants to be just like him? |
