Making Memories

Tidbits from our life of late...

Kate started signing "More"in early October. This was a necessity as she is very interested in feeding herself little bits of anything she can get her hands on which has included far more things that I would have allowed with Deane. I guess I've really loosened up with kiddo #2.  She continues to make a lot of frustrating grunting and screeching sounds so we'll be continuing focus on words and signs for my sanity!

We are loving the early October gorgeous weather. Windows open...playing outside...wearing shorts! As I prepared for our garage sale, Deane and I carted a ball up and then down the yard.  I'm hoping this means he will be a good shopper, but I'm guessing it's more about being outside.

At the grocery store last week, Deane said "Hi Grammy" to a random woman who was probably in her 60s.  She looked nothing like any of his grandmas.  I found this exciting because I believe he is generalizing that most older women are grandmas and not just that this is my mom's name.

Deane has also started saying lots of functional things like "I'll get it!" if he drops something or Roxie comes to the door.  Functional language = happy mama!

Kate is now SO BIG!

"Go see animals at the zoo!"  We live about 15 minutes from Niabi Zoo and Deane knows when we are in the vicinity of the zoo (which is basically every time we drive into town).  He says a few variations, also "love the animals at the zoo".  He is especially interested in giraffes (because of the adorable baby giraffe).

Deane opted not to ring the bell on the train, but every time he hears it, he announces it.

Dad & Deane by the elephants

Being a monkey

Baby Giraffe

He loved calling everything a wallaby after we told him what these were.

Kate relaxing in her stroller, as we try to keep up with brother

Chris & Deane after feeding the giraffes.  Deane wanted to help, but got too excited and dropped the lettuce each time the giraffe came close.

Papa & Deane on the butterfly chairs

Deane is also very excited about rhinos, but we had to settle for the statue.

We also made the required Fall visit to an orchard/pumpkin patch.  This year Mom, Deane, Kate and I made a quick stop to Stone's Apple Barn.  The highlight was the animals, not the apples for Deane.

Baby Sister was less enthusiastic about the llamas

Grammy & Deane saying hi to the llama

This is how all of my photos of both children are turning out these days!

It's such a pleasure to stay home with my children.  Yes, there are hard days, hours, etc., but to be able to introduce them to new things throughout the day every day is a blessing.  I had not been to the Putnam Museum since I was a child.  It was amazing to explain to Deane what a submarine is and look at all the "pretend" (aka taxidermed) animals.

I think this was a "wigwam" - group photo



running the controls on a mechanical arm in the "submarine"

Deane was enthralled by the rhino!

When Deane does something to Kate (such as hitting or pulling a toy out of her hands), we ask him to apologize to her.  The other day he screamed at me and Chris jumped in and said, "Say sorry for screaming".  Deane looked at me and said  "I'm sorry I screamed".  This is HUGE.  He typically says "I'm sorry" but beyond that his use of pronouns is rarely correct and here he expanded it and conjugated the verb!  I love these little surprises.  Whereas a typical child might learn quickly and at a younger age, we are getting the opportunity to witness the development of language in baby steps.  It's a beautiful experience and I pray Deane continues to be motivated to speak more and more.

Our life has been full of many not so fun or happy moments this month and honestly several preceeding months.  I'm not ignoring these realities or pretending like life is better than it is.  I think my Making Memories posts focus on just how good life is even in the midst of struggle.  I posted about making big decisions recently and we have made one...to list our home for sale. It's sad as we thought this was a place we would be for a long, long time, our dream home.  It is a blessing to be on the same page with Chris about what is right for our family.  Now, we're looking for the relief that will come with selling or leasing our home so we can gain more control over our future and hopefully maintain the opportunity for me to stay home with the kiddos. 

It's been a wild, fun, surreal month!