9 Months

 

9 months old already.  It really has gone by so fast.  There are 4 years between Josie and Isaac, so there are a lot of things that I had forgotten about babydom that Josie has brought rushing back.  I love all the baby sounds.  The babbling, cooing, talking, and growling are my favorite.  Her growl is the best.  She is continuing to try to be too big too fast.  She crawls, she cruises, she has been pulling up since 7 months, but now she is a little reckless.  She lets go!  Sometimes it goes well, others result in bruises on her sweet little face.  Her fondness for her daddy is growing.  She still is a total mama’s girl, but she knows daddy = play time.  When she sees Josh laying on the floor she can’t wait to crawl over and attack.  The boys still adore her, and love to play with her…wonder how long that will last before they are begging me take her away so that she doesn’t bug them or get in their stuff.  I know it’s on the horizon.  Helping with dishes and emptying drawers are her specialties, oh and of course, toilet exploration is one of her unfortunate hobbies if a door is left open.  She has had a little tummy bug that has reminded me that there is no better way to stay caught up on laundry than to have a sick baby.  A load needs to be done after each nap, and diaper change.  My washer is cursing her, but the rest of the family is fully stocked!

Best Kid Ever

 

It is fitting that today I stop talking about the things that I know less about and start talking about the things I know for sure, and one thing I know for sure is that this kid, is a great kid.  From the time Will was a small baby we’ve always known he was a “thinker”.  He is smart.  He is thoughtful.  He is analytical, and he is thorough.  The need for perfection and improvement flows through his little body.  He is independent, and sure of himself.  This has always been the case.  Trying to reign all of these things in and get everything in sync has been a process.  At three years old Will struggled with speech this sent us on a journey to get the help he needed.   He started the early childhood program at Whitnall Elementary, and the progress he has made has been incredible.  Today I met with the many people who have helped Will along the way and we all agreed that Will struggles no more.  As much as there have been people there to help Will, it is Will who has done the work.  I am proud beyond measure that academically he is soaring, and that socially he is awesome, but the thing that makes me the most proud is that every person that he has worked with in the past 3 years, and off the top of my head I count 15, have expressed what a joy he is.  That he is a kid with an incredible heart.  He is always striving to do the right thing.  He is kind and sweet, and there isn’t anything I’d rather hear.  Mr. Will, I am proud of you today.  You just may be the best kid ever.

Whew! Controversial

Catchy title. Ok, so not really controversial, but a post that draws any comments that are different than "cute kids" is electrifying around here. Perhaps I need to do a post-edit to be sure that its understood that I don't condemn women who enjoy thinking and doing things other than bearing, rearing, feeding and teaching children, or that have interests other than cleaning their homes and cooking for their spouses. Who doesn't? Most of the women I know are incredible examples of doing what's right and keeping things balanced. I look to them to help me be better, because heaven knows I'm a long way off, but hopefully, a post like that causes us to be willing to reflect on how we perceive our roles, how we honor them, and take note of how often it is a "burden that we are willing to bear", rather than a blessing to be enjoyed and learned from always. One thing I know that I am guilty of and have heard so many others do is to complain too much. We don't appreciate--at least not outwardly. I have to take stock of how many times my husband is greeted with a flustered, tired wife who wants to give him the dirt from the day, when he too has been working and serving. I know that when I do that I de-value (is that a word) his contribution making mine the greater work. In essence, I say to him, it doesn't matter what happened to you today, trust me, I worked harder and mine was worse, and now I, am entitled to some me time. See you later.
When I recognized that this is indeed what I had been doing, then how could I feel that I was doing what I was supposed to be doing by putting him first, before my kids, and even before my own needs. Maybe that's what it all comes down to. Maybe our husbands get lost in the shuffle during these hectic years of mothering young children. Maybe a lot of things do, but I think that as we all struggle to do it right, the answers to true happiness are right under our noses, in our homes, with our kids, and certainly with our spouses. When I try to "escape" less and be present more, really present, then I find there isn't anywhere else I want to be.
You ladies are all wonderful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Football!

People talk about the let down after Christmas.  It seems there is too much winter left and nothing to dispel the gloom that grey days and frigid cold bring, but at the Brown house, we believe that things really start to get desperate mid February-  when football season comes to an end.  The NFL playoffs have not disappointed…Go Pack!  Go Seahawks?!  My brother, Matt, at least is happy about that- a life long Seahawk fan with absolutely no ties to Seattle, but to each his own.  Next Sunday is sure to bring excitement as we watch the Patriot’s dominate the Jets, and let’s not forget the college bowl series.  The championship game is sure to provide ample entertainment, but the prize already came to Josh and I as we watched TCU defeat the Badgers.  Hooray!

As you can see we expose the little ones early.  Thanks for the wicked cute Utah hoodie Grandpa Brian and Nana.