Time just seems to be flying by! I can't believe Kayleigh will be 2 months old next Wednesday and Ian will turn 3 a week from Sunday!!! I'm trying to cherish every smile and coo from my baby girl and wonder how much Ian is going to change in the upcoming year!
Age 2-3 has been a crazy year with lots of milestones (and tantrums) for Ian. Here is a breakdown of the life of Ian this last year.
We conquered potty training completely in April, he FINALLY counts correctly from 1-10 (no more 1,2,4!), he has just recently been writing a few letters from the alphabet ("I", "T", "A", "V" and "C") and he is awesome at coloring in the lines and drawing things like stick people, spiders, and balloons. His favorite things to do right now are "fix" things like Daddy with random "tools" (For instance, a "crayon" is a screwdriver that he uses to fix the wheels on his quad), PAINTING whatever Mommy will let him paint, singing songs or making up his own and laughing hysterically at himself, pretending to shoot deer with his pretend bow or Nerf gun (Thanks Daddy), and of course playing outdoors whenever possible or playing with friends. His personality is EXTREMELY outgoing (wonder where he gets that from)! We will be at the grocery store and if there is someone within an 8 foot range of us, you will hear, "Hi! What's your name?". If, that person indulges Ian's question they will get a detailed description of what his day has been like, right down to how many bowel movements he may have had... Oh yes, that's always a wonderful moment when the conversation goes from "We bought bananas" to "I had diarrhea this morning". Speaking of conversations, did I mention he is CONSTANTLY talking? Whether he is asking me where the rain comes from or just repeating everything I say in a song, his mouth never closes unless he is asleep. His mind is running a million miles an hour and so is his body! Ian also NEVER sits (or stands) still! Not for more than a minute at a time, I promise. This is what makes him 100% boy! No matter what we are doing, a foot, hand, or head is moving in some way or another. Another joy of parenthood this last few months especially has been dealing with some attitude! I thought back talking started in the pre-teen ages. Oh no, it starts a little before age three. Now, some of this may be due to the fact that he is no longer the only child I give my attention to, but some of it is just his age. I'd love to say I'm the perfect parent with a perfect discipline plan for all of his outbursts, but I'm not... trying to discipline while nursing is always a fun one. There has been a lot of in his room time outs where I let him scream it out and come down when he is fully calm and ready to talk. Not too sure what else to do when I'm immobile and trying my best not to shout at him... Ahhh, well these are my struggles of parenthood and won't go into much more detail here. I love my boy more than words can describe and can't wait to see how God uses his wonderfully strong will and personality for the work of the Kingdom!
Now, granted Kayleigh is only 7 weeks old, but I can totally, TOTALLY, see the differences in her personality versus Ian's. For starters, QUIET... when she is awake and absorbing her surroundings she is SO quiet. I mean, I have forgotten she is still laying on the ottoman after a diaper change 20 minutes later and I come to check on her and she is happily just looking around, completely content! Her volume level is also very quiet! She will be trying to coo at you and you have to not be talking in order to hear her attempts. She is just such a content baby! She never really cries unless she is in pain, REALLY hungry or made about getting dressed after a bath. She gives her little "angry coughs" I like to call them when she is wanting some attention or a not 100% happy. But, if she is in her swing I can let her go and she will either fall asleep or just keep "warning" me until I pick her up. I keep wondering as her personality develops if this is a sign that she will be more shy than her brother. Everything about her at this point is very mellow and I am soaking it in! Ian was the baby you always knew where he was and he wouldn't let you forget it. He needed to be held, rocked or talked to constantly to be content. I never thought of him as a super high maintenance baby until, I had Kayleigh and saw the complete opposite side of the spectrum. :) I am excited to see how God shapes this sweet girl and uses her to reach others.
So far I am loving life as a Mommy of two! It takes a lot more effort and time to get out the door these days, but that's life with kids. Ian and Kayleigh have physicals on the 24th so I will post some growth chart info around the end of the month. Kayleigh weighed 11 1/2 lbs at her 6 week appointment with the midwife! She's my healthy chunky girl! Here is a cute comparison picture of Ian and Kayleigh at the same age!
Kayleigh - 7 weeks old
Ian - 7 weeks 3 days old
