Amazing!

Three quick precious stories about Addison and how she is blowing us away lately with her memory and listening skills!!

Samson:  Since Addison was born, we have been reading a baby bible to her.  Each story is only 3-5 sentences long, which is great for short attention spans however the entire book is very long.  Before saying our prayers and going to bed, we read several stories from this bible (we read from another one when we have more time before bed, but I will talk about that in just a second).  One day while we were playing in her room and I was feeding Caleb, she pulled out the baby bible.  I heard her mumbling "Samson, Samson, Samson" as she flipped through the pages as if she was looking for something.  Then she proudly pointed her sausage finger on a page and exclaimed "Samson!!  Samson, strong.  Samson has long hair.  Samson lion"  In the story's 3-5 sentences it discussed all of those things she was declaring.  The amazing part is....we had not read that story in several days or weeks!  We were SHOCKED...I never knew whether she was really listening to all these bible stories but SHE IS; this encouraged me so much!!!  It also reaffirms how important it is to put our children in loving and godly environments because they really are soaking up everything.  I will be even MORE protective about what her little eyes and ears see and hear!

Rebecca and Abraham:  Along the same lines, we occasionally read from a Children's bible which includes longer more detailed stories.  I love this book because every story points back to Jesus at the end.  Recently, we read the story of Rebecca and Abraham.  During the story there is only one sentence that mentions Issac's name but there is a picture of the three of them.  We have read through that bible several times and we only seem to make a big deal about baby Jesus, not any of the other babies.  After recently reading about Issac I decided to point out the picture of baby Issac, but all I did was point to him as I read the one sentence with his name.  A few days later she did the same thing as with Samson---flipped to that story and named every character.

Noah:  Lastly, we have really been trying to figure out a way to conceptualize obedience to Addison.  One day when reading about Noah's ark (one of her favorites...especially the part about animals) I decided to start talking about how Noah obeyed God by building the boat and etc. etc.  So for several days she would open the Noah book and say "Noah Obeyed God".  Then one day I said "Noah obeyed God just like Addison should obey mommy and Daddy".  I sorta left it there thinking should would not even connect the two thoughts let alone what obeying means.  Sure enough, the next day she pulls out Noah's ark and says "Noah obeyed God.  Addison obey Mommy and Daddy".  Of course I gave her lots of praise!  Now I know some of you think she is just repeating what I am saying, but the milestone is remembering the word OBEY and connecting the two ideas.  We use the word OBEY a lot when we are disciplining her (both proactively and reactively), so I hope that soon she starts to understand obeying is something GOD wants and that she should do.  I maybe naive but her hearing about God extra isn't a bad thing right?

The point of those stories was to say how completely amazed I am with how much our children learn even when we do not think they are listening.  They are listening AND learning.  So fun!!!!!

Visiting Santa 2011

I am SO doing posts out of order because I am so behind!!

Visiting Santa was so fun this year!!  Addison was very excited and kept saying "Santa's Lap, I sit Santa's lap" the whole way to the mall.  When we arrived, she started blowing kisses to Santa and waving and pointing.  Addison was so exicted she could harldy stand it.  As we walked up to Santa she kept saying hi and grinned ear to ear.  NEXT, it was time to make Santa a reality---it was time to sit in his lap!  Addison FROZE when she sat on his lap; no tears, just frozen.  We snapped the picture and as soon as she came off his lap she was back to grinning and blowing kisses.  It was too funny!

Since then Addison has been talking about sitting in Santa's lap constantly.  Every Santa she sees she says "I sit in Santa lap!".  She is so funny!

Seeing Santa

Excited face

Waving at Santa

And he has no clue whats about to happen :)

Addison's Special Day

About two weeks after Caleb was born and it was just the four of us at home, we wanted to take Addison to do something special, just for her and just about her.  We wanted to reaffirm to her that she is still special and loved, especially very soon after Caleb was born.  We knew Chick-Fil-A would have to be included in Addison's Special Day because she loves to eat there, loves to dip her food, loves to play in the indoor play place and loves to "see the cows".  After thinking long and hard we decided to give build a bear a whirl.

Addison picked out a cat to make and although she was a little timid about the whole thing, she enjoyed it---especially brushing and bathing her new stuffed cat.  We named her...Joy Cat!!!  It was a fun day for all of us.  She loves picking up her cat and pressing the button in her hand to hear Daddy talk (we recorded him on it).  She grins every time she plays with it.  And we are excited to get her a few little accessories to go with the cat over the next few Christmas' and birthdays!!

 Checking everything out before picking out our stuffed animal.

She picked out the cat!

She helped stuff the cat by stepping on that little pedal.

She is waving at the cat as it gets stuffed.

Getting the cats heart...she LOVES hearts.  It was hard to tear it away from her to put IN the cat!

Bathing and brushing the cat was the best part!

Hugging our new friend!

Caleb Asher: One Month

I have a feeling these month birthday blogs will be horribly late now that I have two babies in my house.  But, better late than never right??  Well happy one month to Caleb on November 27!

The Stats:

• Weight:  12 pounds 10.8 oz (98%); he gained about 2.25 pounds in just over 2.5 weeks.
• Height:  22.75 inches (80%); we know this one was a little off because Caleb would NOT straighten his legs.
• Head:  15.75??  I cannot remember this one
• Diaper Size:  1 or 1-2; ready to move up to a 2
• Clothing Size:  3 Months or 3-6 Months
• Next Appointment:  2 month well visit   

The Developments:

• Routine:  We are again using the Baby Wise method so Caleb is on a 3 hour cycle of eat/play/sleep from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.  As soon as he is comfortably and consistently sleeping through the night we will move to a 3.5 hour schedule because we have to wake him for every single feeding right now.    He has slept through the night a few times; sometimes with the help of a paci sometimes without.
• Eating:  Well, one month of breastfeeding down; I feel like everyday I continue nursing is a big accomplishment.  I would like to make it three months at least and in that time I may decide pump and bottle exclusively.  I never knew the second stint of breastfeeding would be so hard---I think its just the combination of a lazy kid and having two kids to contend with.  Although I would love to breastfeed Caleb a year like I did Addison, that may not be a realistic goal.  So, three months and then take it a day at a time after that.
• Verbal:  Caleb has just started to coo consistently.  He makes the funniest face just before a sound comes out.  he also seems to only talk when its quiet so...he may not be talking too much since Addison runs her mouth all the time :)  I hope all the grunting he does all night long turns into coos now!
• Motor Skills:  He tries so hard to roll over (back to tummy) already even though he is far from being able to do it.  He is gaining great head control but its slow and steady progress.  Caleb is funny---he will lay on his tummy with this head down and look so serious as if he is building himself up to move his head.  Then he carefully picks it up and slowly turns all the way to one side then back.  So. Carefully.  He has begun hitting at his toys when he plays on his back with his play mat.  
• Witching Hour:  The witching hour seems particularly hard for Caleb.  From the time he goes down for his late evening nap (after the 4:30 pm feeding) until he eats at 7:30 pm he drifts in and out of sleep and fusses off and on.  Addison had trouble at the same time too.  Hopefully he will get into the groove soon and start sleeping better at that nap.
• Personality:  Overall Caleb seems to be pretty laid back and honestly a little lazy.  Just like his big sister, he seems fairly content just observing the world from a far.  Caleb is most fascinated with his big sister; he cannot keep his eyes off her.  He really has a very sweet disposition

Happy Thanksgiving

For as long as I can remember, my Thanksgiving holidays have been spent in Mississippi (I affectionately refer to it as Gambrell Manor) with my Dad's extended family.  Since little Caleb Asher is only 4 weeks old, we knew flying was not the best idea so for the first time I was unable to spend the holiday with all my cousins, aunts, uncles, brother, grandmother and dad.  We did however have a memorable day thanks to my wonderful mother (and all her cooking), my husband and some dear friends.

My mom went above and beyond in cooking a fabulous meal for everyone to enjoy.  I am certain my tiny kitchen with sub-par equipment was frustrating but she persevered and the result was too delicious to describe.  I regret not getting any pictures of the spread but I was busy feeding Caleb when everyone was just digging in and I forgot.

Two very interesting events made this Thanksgiving particularly memorable:

1. The Turkey Juice Extraction:  Due to my sub-par kitchen equipment, my mother was forced to cook the turkey in a too small and too flimsy pan.  As such, when it came time to extract liquid for gravy our CREATIVE juices kicked in.  Instantly Matthew and I thought of siphoning the liquid but it was my problem solving husband that figured out HOW to make it happen.  So...Matthew took one for the team, burned some taste buds and.....siphoned the turkey juice.  It was worth it not only for the amusing video but also because the gravy was delish! 
2. The Explosion:  Just before it was time to dig in, my mother, friend Amber and I were all standing in near the stove when we heard a LOUD explosion.  In bewilderment, we all looked at each other and then looked at the oven where the sound was coming from.  We opened the oven and what to our wondering eyes should appear----A PYREX GLASS BAKEWARE dish full of dressing exploded!!!  There was dressing and glass all over the bottom of the stove!!  I have no idea what cause it but it was at least a 30 minute clean up job, not including all the time it took to keep the three little girls we had running around out of the clean up chaos.  Luckily, that was one of two dishes of dressing so we did not miss out on this traditional item.  So random though.

I am particularly thankful this year....here are just a few things I am thankful for:

• A loving and supportive husband
• Two healthy children (and a relatively easy pregnancy this year)
• A wonderful extended family who has encouraged and supported me/us throughout the pregnancy and birth of Caleb
• A mother who was willing to give up HER thanksgiving to step in and help my family (and cook thanksgiving)
• A mother in law who gave up her life for TWO weeks (including the week we had Caleb) to care for not only Addison but Matthew and I as well
• A sister in law who gladly and without hesitation found alternative childcare for her daughter since I stole her mom for 2 weeks (she watches my niece 3 days a week); I know this was no easy feat I imagine
• Friends who cooked meals for us the past several weeks (this was a bigger blessing than I can explain)
• A wonderful school for Addison filled with loving teachers
• Our home
• Matthew's job
• ....And so much more

 New puzzle from Mia

 She is saying "SHH" because she is probably tired of me saying "CHEESE"

 When she says "cheese" for pictures, this is the face we get.

This is what we call the Daddy Face; she makes this face at him all the time.

 This is what we call the Mommy face; she does this just for me :)

Prepping to extract the juice! 

It worked!

The kids table; Addison with the two oldest Peacock girls.  She thought she was SUCH a big girl sitting with them.

Chowing down!

Caleb, the youngest attendee...dreaming of turkey...maybe next year little guy.

 Alyvia Peacock just chilling while we ate.

Catching up on the latest news on Nick Jr.  I love it when they sit like this together

Addison pretending to eat while Piper Peacock Actually eats :)