Portrait of the Month: September

Grape picking at Papa + Grandma Van's house. 

Portrait of the Month: July

These two...  they adore each other.

Almost as much as they adore their new backyard!

Portrait of the Month: June

This month, we've been packing...preparing for a move very soon...a certain little boy is quite excited.

Portrait of the Month: May

May was spent enjoying 70 degree weather, taking family walks, dinner picnics, daily trips to the park, mastering the "big" potty, learning to sit up, and living on little to no sleep since everyone had been sick all month long.

James has been wearing his glasses almost full time after a recent trip to his ophthalmologist showed that his eye isn't progressing as well as hoped.

Portrait of the Month: March

We're a bit late for ...mostly because this picture perfectly describes this last month...chill.

The kiddos have been fighting colds, fighting for attention, and one has been fighting with every word that comes from this mama's mouth.  Ah. The joys of parenthood.  Seriously I am so grateful to be doing this, but I've started a new note entitled: Things I Never Thought I'd Say.  It keeps me sane and focusing on the humor of it all.  

Portrait of the month: February

Just chillin' on the bed having a bit of quiet screen time. Wins all around.

Monthly Portrait: January

Those eyelashes slay me every time I look at them...just like his Daddy's.

Family selfie: I couldn't resist Indigo's blue eyes and James' peanutbuttery smile.  Happy January!

(I debated continuing this monthly feature, but I love looking back at them)

Monthly Portrait: December

 How could I chose just one?

Milestones:
Getting to see all the cousins this month.
James - singing the Uncle John song - ah AH ah ahhh ahhhhhh
James - putting his own socks on
James - accepting that baby's name is Indigo and not Margaret
Indigo - birthday
Indigo - pushing to hold her head up

Favorites:
James - Indigo, Christmas, going to Starbucks with Mama
Indigo - eating, sleeping

Excited for:
Christmas presents
baby Indigo

And...lest you think those two are constant snuggle buddies...yes, he was wielding an 18" paintbrush.

Monthly Portrait: November

This month we enjoyed shockingly great weather, soccer outside, raking leaves, family movie nights, and preparation for baby.  Brad celebrated 6 months at his new job, and James' spent most days building caves out of pillows and blankets, playing with paw patrol toys and running around outside.  I think I need a hug. OR let's laugh! - are his most common phrases, and he consistently asks for spaghetti for breakfast.  This is likely our last month as this exact family dynamic, since December will bring about some changes with a new baby.  I am so thankful for this wonderful family we've created.  It is crazy to me that I've only known Brad for 6 years, but imagining life without him seems impossible and definitely worse.  His steady and gentle ways are just what I need, and raising James together is a joy and a challenge as we strive to be the best examples we can be.  Watching James discover the world around him and how he thinks and feels about things is beautiful, and we are praying that his strong and compassionate spirit stays with him as he grows.  It is truly amazing to see how children can reveal your true character; birthing James, losing Graham, raising James - these innocents are witnesses to the everyday grasping towards being a person worthy of the position I have...mom.  As this month draws to a close and we prepare for another seasonal and familial shift, we are ready, we are excited, and we are waiting as patiently as possible.

Monthly Portrait: October

Milestones:

This month you stopped saying blankyly for blanket.  I must admit I was a bit sad.  

You have figured out how to show "tee" three fingers for how old you are.

Potty trained - during the day and naps.

Favorites: 

Playing paw patrol or swords.

Making forts out of couch cushions.  

Books - Miss Poppy and the Honey Cake, The Precious Pearl, The Two Sons, The Good Stranger  

Hugging my the baby/my belly and giving her pats.  

Peanutbutter bread

Excited about:

Christmas

Daddy's birthday - "you should have a paw patrol cake Daddy"

Monthly Portrait: September

This month James turned 3.  I cannot believe it.  He is getting so tall, so independent, so helpful and he is doing so well potty training.  Favorite phrases this month are:

"tickle me Mom!" (who is this child?!)
"snow deer" (reindeer)
"learn it to me, Mom" (read it - the book- to me)
"maybe you should take a rest Mama, and Daddy and I can watch a little show" (innocent smile included)

He has taken to kissing my belly every so often and giving baby sister hugs.  He loves to sing and play his uke.  When we were playing stuffed animals and rough-housing on his bed, he asked me to wait - grabbed a blanket and upon placing it over my tummy pronounced that now the baby wouldn't get hurt - then proceeded to jump on me.  

Monthly Portrait: August

This month we've met some of my end of summer goals - blackberry stained fingers after afternoon picking, campfire smoke laden laundry after a weekend of camping, cooling off in the hose on 95 degree days.  James is pretty awesome; his new favorite game is hide and seek in the dryer while I sit on the floor next to it.  He is changing and developing with every passing month.  Three of my favorite James-isms from this month are:

After I spilled droplets on my belly when taking a drink of water: "Mom! You're getting water all over the baby."

Upon Brad walking in the front door after work: "Perhaps now that Daddy is home, I have some screen time.  Perhaps."

Upon seeing my laying down down and explaining that I am tired and a bit sick, "Maybe if I hold your hand a little bit, you can feel all better."  

Monthly Portrait: July

This month he's spend most of his time outside...his hair is as white as it could possibly be from the sun...but thankfully his skin is still intact. He's been hanging out with cousins all month as Colton is here several days a week, Ella and Isabel came visiting for a few weeks, and Ethan, Torin and Elianna have been spending Saturdays down at Papa's house while Brad gets projects done, and I take a rest.  His latest isms have been: pupcakes (cupcakes), I believe you, and Wait! I need to talk to you.  He is taking to potty training pretty well too. 

Monthly Portrait: June

This month was spent walking to the park, watering the garden, and running....ready? set. go!  He has some of the greatest bedhead each morning, and I was able to capture that and a bit of his spunky spirit in this picture.  

Monthly Portrait: May

This month I've been working on savoring the moment.  Savoring and basking in...opening the fridge to find a neatly lined up row of little cars.  Patting his tummy at naptime and hearing his little voice say, "my toes aren't cozy Mommy", and recovering his little feet with blankets.  All the potty training successes and accidents.  The walks to "throw bread at the duckies".  I'm enjoying the hunts for dandelions  seeds to shake into the wind because blowing = eating.  James is 2 yrs, 8 months, and a little whirlwind.  Why walk - when you can run?  Why talk - when you can sing? Why listen - when you have your own agenda? 

 We are throat deep in training him into a kind-hearted, respectful, honest, obedient boy...many days feel like utter failures.  It is funny how different James and my childhood behaviors are (at least what I remember) behaving/interacting with my parents.  Our personalities are quite different resulting in very different confrontations.  He is fond of being in control and asserting himself thus, which will serve him well in the future if he can learn to respect authority and listen to others.  He has much compassion for others, generously giving hugs, kisses and neck pats to make sure everything is ok.  He would much prefer to be running around naked singing at the top of his lungs than quietly play with blocks, but both types of play happen.  I wake up never knowing what exactly the day will bring, and I don't mind one bit.

Monthly Portrait: April

This month, James has learned how to tease/joke.  His favorite way to do this is by calling me (Susan) Daddy or by calling his yellow truck purple.  He gets a glint in his eye and peeks over at Brad or I to see if we catch his "joke".

Monthly Portrait: March

In lieu of a still photo, I chose a short clip to document James' growth this month.  Sporting his eye patch (for a crossing eye), getting ready to make breakfast, and playing one of his favorite games, it was clearly a winner to document the month.  James is growing and his vocabulary is extensive.  He is recently getting into pretend play.  One of his favorite games is phone call.

Monthly Portrait: February

You stopped referring to yourself in third person this month.  No more do I hear, "Jamesy do it."  You've started using I and me instead.  You made it to three feet tall this month, and battled sickness all month.  We had our first night cleaning up throw up off you, your bed, the carpet, my bed and my shirt at 1 am.  We survived and you snuggled back to sleep next to Daddy.  He still puts you to bed every night, and because you always choose the floor over the bed, we moved your mattress down there and are selling your bedframe.  You've memorized your first book, "the Wheel Book" and are getting pretty good at the ABCs.  You love oranges and nenecados (avocados), but I'm pretty sure you would subsist on fruit snacks if we let you.  Your latest phrase is "Weeeeelll"  drawn out all thoughtfully.  

Monthly Portrait: January

Monthly Portraits: December

This is the last in a 12 month project, December.  Lately he has been enjoying singing:  His favorite songs are Ol MacDonawd, Winkle, winkle yiddle tar, and Baa baa back ship.  He was surrounded by family and cousins, and met one of his cousins for the first time.  He has an extensive vocabulary even if I find myself translating most days.  He helped decorate our tree, and loved rearranging the ornaments daily.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year James!