Sam's sleeping solved

I've struggled Sam's whole life getting him to go to sleep; I finally just read something that brought it all home for me...

"Different kids require different amounts of sleep. Recent research has shown that brighter children, particularly gifted children, may not need as much sleep as others. Too bad. They are bright enough that they may be more of a problem when they're awake. In reality, God has deteremined how much sleep kids need- and it varies from child to child." (Parenting with Love and Logic, p. 115)

Take it or leave it.... I'm going to take it! :)

Brotherly Love

I sure hope this lasts. Sam loves Will so much, and Will loves him.

motherhood and make-up

Ever wonder what a two-year old looks like when he does his mascara himself? Check Sam out if you were wondering. He's so cute....
I've read so many tender quotes lately that are such a reminder to me of how to be a good mother. Sometimes I get so caught up in cleaning, cooking, and unimportant things that I forget how simple motherhood should be. Children just need us more than they a "perfect" life.

"Enjoy your toddler! Although it may seem at times that they will never grow up, they always do. The long, seemingly endless days will gradually be replaced by days with not enough hours in them. Children who once needed you for everything will need you less and less, and the days of leisurely walks, playdough and afternoon naps will be a warm and fuzzy memory. My hope is that both you and your child will have many happy hours of playing, growing, and learning together."

"If I had to raise my child over again,
I'd fingerpaint more and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting and connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and serious play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love."

"It will be gone before you know it. The fingerprints on the wall appear higher and higher. Then suddenly they disappear."

The things Will loves

Will is such a lovable baby, and he is starting to have a few loves of his own...
*he loves laying on his back and grabbing his toes; he is so fascinated by it and soooo cute.
*he loves sucking on Sam's fingers, and you know Sam loves sticking his fingers in Will's mouth. I guess it's ok for brothers to share germs!
*he loves being held; he loves for anyone to hold him but he especially loves Mom and Dad
*he loves being held in the air by Pete; I just hold my breath and remind myself that Dad's play differently with their children than moms do!
*he loves his cousin Jade; they met for the first time this week.
*most of all, he still loves smiling, and he's doing it all the time. We are so happy that he finally is smiling and responding so much.

it's great to be 2

I definately have a 2 year old!! He is growing so quickly I can't believe it!! He is saying so many cute things, being soooo smart, and getting into all kinds of mischief. Just to recall a few things this week...
*he colored the closet doors in Will's room with crayons. Any tips on how to remove crayons from closet doors???
*he told me today that "I love blue." ok, thank you, Sam
*he desperately wants to be potty trained. Every time he dirtied his diaper this week he would take it off and try to dump it down the toilet. That has been fun!! We are really going to give this potty training thing a try. I have no idea what I'm doing. Help please.
*he's so smart. I have no idea who told him this... He has a shirt that says "Trouble is my middle name" Grandpa Dennis asked him yesterday when he was wearing the shirt what it said. Sam responded "it says I naughty." Whoever out there is telling him he's naughty please stop because he's understanding too much.
*he thinks everything is funny. He's constantly asking me if things are funny. Today he was watching Ice Age, and he was laughing his head off. He kept saying "animals funny!!" It's weird to see him have a sense of humor. He doesn't think Pete is funny though. He was on his funny kick, so Pete asked him if he thought he was funny and he looked at him squarely and said "NO" Don't feel bad Pete, Sam is always telling me to stop singing and dancing!!!
*my favorite thing of all was what he said to Will. Yesterday I was making dinner and Will was in his swing in the kitchen fussing a little. I asked Sam to go tell him everything would be ok, so Sam went to him and told him it was ok and mumbled some other things. Then he said "Hey, do you want to go run around?" It was so cute!! I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

I sure do love Sam; I cherish every moment and I'm enjoying him so much again.