Marleigh is 4!

Yet again, I am late, but at least I am consistent!

Marleigh Anne-

Sometimes it seems just like yesterday that you were born, but I also can not remember life without you in it. It is crazy to think that you blessed us for four whole years!

Every day you seem to do or say something that completely blows us away.  You are very much a thinker, and analyze things.  A few days ago, while eating with Gigi and Daddy, you were told you needed to eat 5 bites.  After the second one, you took a tiny bite, so Daddy said, "Marleigh, that was only half a bite, so that's two and a half."  Then you took another bite and Gigi said, "that makes three."  You were quick to correct her and say, "No, Gigi, that makes three and a half."

I cherish your compassionate heart.  You have such a genuine concern for others.  A few weeks ago, I wasn't feeling well.  You and Daddy went to the grocery store.  You told Daddy you had to buy some flowers for me, just to make me feel better.  Back before Christmas, Gigi took you shopping to pick out something for Daddy and I.  But you didn't stop there.  You insisted on buying for your little brother, your babysitter, and all 3 of her kids.  You knew what they individually liked and picked out the perfect present for each of them.  We took Kade to get his shots last week.  You got very upset when the nurse came in to give Kade his shots.  You ended up crying more than he did.  God has given you such a sweet soul, and I am so very thankful.

You love to sing and dance.  You ask Daddy to put music on, and dance up a storm.  Sometimes it is a slow, graceful ballet dance, other times it is a booty-shaking dance, and every once in a while, you throw in an "Aunt Michaela"  dance.  ;)  We love to watch you dance, and clap when your performance is over.

You are very tolerant of your little brother.  Kade is a bit on the ornery side, and does many things just to try to get under your skin.  I am truly amazed at how understanding you are of him.  Just the other night, we were building towers with blocks.  Kade ran and destroyed your tower.  I scolded Kade and then told you I was sorry that Kade wrecked your tower.  You were incredibly grown up and told me, "It's okay, Mommy.  I can always build it again.  Plus, Kade really likes to knock things down."

Marleigh, you are such a big helper around the house.  You help me gather up laundry and start the washing machine for me.  You really enjoy helping us cook.  Lately, you have even started making your own bed on occasion.  But, your favorite by far, is to help your Daddy outside.  You helped him put up our Christmas lights back in December.  And over the weekend, you helped him work on the lawn mover, and clean out the shed.

You have mastered spelling your name and simple addition and subtraction.  For some reason, though, you are not very interested in writing.  If we make you, you will write your name, but you would much rather be coloring than practice writing.  We may have to make some special time just to work on it.

Your imagination has really blossomed in the last few months.  You are always playing different make believe games. Here recently, you love to make up stories of funny things that Mickey has done through out the day. We love hearing about what you and Mickey have been up to that day as we are eating dinner.

Marleigh, I love hearing you pray, or talking about God, or biblical characters.  Most of the time, you say our prayers before meals, and make sure that all four of us are holding hands.  It is something that is so special and I will always remember.

Little girl, you are such an awesome blessing!  We love you so much!

Love-
Mommy

Kade: 18 months

I'm a little late, but better late than never!  ;)

Kade-

Already 18 months old!  I know I keep saying it, but it just doesn't seem possible that you have been in our lives for a year and a half.  What a special joy you have brought to our family!

You are still growing like crazy, although, your height and weight are now perfectly, proportionately off the chart.  Your head is still very large, but that's just to house all that knowledge!  You are getting to be more of a picky eater, and you do NOT want someone to feed you.  Not. One. Bit.  You want to do it yourself.  You have gotten pretty good at using both a fork and spoon.

You're still the happiest little boy.  You smile all the time and laugh so easily.  I love the joy your have in your heart.  However, you also have a temper.  If we take something from you and you don't like it, watch out!  You can throw quite an impressive fit.  But, it usually doesn't last long.

Recently, you have been more interested in cuddling.  You wrap your arms around my neck, put your head on my shoulder, and say, "awwww."  Makes my heart melt.  It is obvious to tell when you are getting tired, because you want to cuddle, and you play in my hair.  It is a dead give away that you are needing to go to bed.  We have finally reached the point where you will even sit still and read books.  Yay!!!

You remain ornery.  You have this little twinkle in your eye, and get a smirk on your face, when you know you are doing something you probably shouldn't.  And it is adorable.  But Mama is trying really hard not to let you get by with things just because you are so cute, but it is difficult at times.

Your Daddy swears you are part billy goat.  You climb on EVERYTHING and try to get to the very highest point possible.  This has already lead to way more boo-boos than your sister ever thought about having.  You are so proud of yourself anytime you conquer climbing something and clap for yourself.  We usually clap too, then tell you to get down!

Talking is kind of hit and miss with you.  You have definite words for many objects, but sometimes you don't enunciate very well.  We have started working on sounds of animals, and it is hilarious.  You also sing along with Silly Songs from VeggieTales.  I really need to get that one on tape!

You seem to be very coordinated.  You are throwing things overhand now.  A very common phrase right now is, "Kade, we don't throw....."  You also like to hit off of Sissy's T-ball stand.  You love to play any kind of ball.  We practiced some football the other day in the back yard.

Since there probably isn't a chance you will be a receiver
or safety, we practiced playing center.  ;)

You still have your adorable chubby cheeks, but they too, have slimmed down.  You had your first hair cut about a month ago, but are still sportin' some adorable curls!

You continue to just love your big sister.  You love snuggling her, sitting on her, making her squeal, giving her kisses.  Pretty much as long as she is somewhat paying attention to you, you are happy.  You are already protective of her.  It is pretty cute.  You like to bring her her Mickey Mouse stuffed animal, and cover her up when she lays on the couch.  And as much as you torment her, she is pretty protective of you as well.  

Kade Robert, you are such a fun, lively, little boy with a sweet spirit.  We love you so much!  

Love,

Mommy

Things I've learned this week.

1. Even if you get the flu shot, you can still get the flu.  Kade got the actual flu shot, and Marleigh had the mist.  Both of them now have influenza.  Marleigh's is much more severe than Kade's, so he decided to throw in an ear infection, just for good measure.  I've decided that maybe the shot is the way to go.  I mean, do you really know if you inhale all the mist?   I think that is maybe why Marleigh is much sicker than Kade.   With a shot, you know it is all being injected.  Thank goodness both kids are starting to feel better.

2.  Tamiflu is expensive!  I'm talking $110 bucks a whack, expensive.  Of course when it comes to your kids' health, money isn't an object, but holy moly!!!

3.  When they say to make sure you have a full tummy before taking Tamiflu, they mean it.  Kade hasn't been eating the best.  Tonight, we gave him his Tamiflu on a somewhat empty stomach because he flat out refused to eat his dinner.  A few minutes later, he ralphed ALL OVER the living room floor.  Then laughed.  Since we still needed to get his antibiotic in him for his ear infection, he had a healthy snack of Little Debbie's.  I think this was his game plan all along.  Not eat dinner, puke, then get tons of junk food.   Well played, Son, well played.

4.  "Being a Mommy is EXHAUSTING!"  Marleigh and I were playing with hand puppets.  She was the mommy to my two hand puppets.  My hand puppets were a bit demanding.  They needed to potty, they were thirsty, they were hungry, they were tired.  Not even ten minutes into it, Marleigh says, "Whew... being a Mommy is EXHAUSTING!"

5.  I have the best husband/baby daddy.  (Which I already knew, it was just confirmed.)  January is my craziest time of year at work.  We work tons of hours trying to get out all the 1099's and W2's.  Most days, I get home from work, play with the kids, do dinner, baths, bedtime, then had back into the office for a few hours.  Knowing how busy I am at work, Marc insisted on taking care of the kids for the most part.  It was a huge stress reliever for me.

6.  There are always positives that come from negatives.  I hate that my babies are sick, but it was so sweet to watch them snuggle together on the couch.

It is hard to see, but they are actually holding hands.  Marleigh was hanging
onto her sippy cup, and Kade grabbed her hand.  

7.  We are so blessed to have happy, healthy children.  To be honest, they have actually been pretty good for having the flu.  There has been extra tears and more whining, but overall, they have been troopers.  However, it makes you appreciate the normal, happy, healthy days with them even more!


8.  We quite possibly let Marleigh watch too many "bideos"  on Marc's phone.   Marleigh loves to watch different KSU football videos on Marc's phone.  She sings the songs to them all the time.  The other night at the dining room table, she stopped mid song and said, "Buffering..... buffering.... buffering...."  then kept right on singing.  Oh, she makes me laugh.  :)

Sibling Love

A little while ago, after baths, but before bed, the kids were being awfully quiet.  I went into Marleigh's room and found them like this.

I watched them for quite some time before they realized I was there.  Kade was gently playing in Marleigh's hair, and they were watching a Veggie Tales movie.  Kade doesn't really do anything gently, so I was a little shocked. It was incredibly sweet.

Kade is usually up in the mornings before Marleigh.  He waits with anticipation until I tell him, "Let's go get Sissy up."  He races down the hall to her room, pushes her door open, grinning from ear to ear, and squeals, "Goodmorning!"  (Which sounds like "goo-m", but we know what he is saying.)  He insists on being up on her bed and leans over and gives her a good morning kiss, complete with the "Mmmmuah" sound effect.  What an amazing way to start every day.

 I am grateful that Marleigh and Kade know what it is to have a sibling, and that they will grow up together.  For a while, we didn't know if we were brave enough to have another child.  We trusted in Him, and I am so glad we did, because I adore these two, and find so much joy watching them together.  Granted, it isn't always so tender and loving, because, I mean, they ARE siblings, but it is clear they both completely love one another. I hope they always remember what blessings they are to each other.