I was reading little cards that listed the developmental milestones for 9-month-olds, 2-3 year olds and 5-6 year olds. For example, the 5-6 year olds learn how to skip, start to be more empathetic and the 2-3 year olds have lots of tantrums. Jonathan was intrigued by the cards and asked me where he could find the 29 and 30 year olds. Mike came up with a few fun lists for those ones. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I walked down the hall and found James throwing a colored shoe lace at Gracie. He explained that he was being a cowboy. I guess the stuffed animals didn’t move enough for him to gain adequate roping skills.

Last night as we were reading books before bed James was “reading” his Curious George book quietly. He kept moving his head from side to side as if he were really reading the words on each page, quite adorable.

The primary chorister mentioned to me that James is a very good singer in nursery. This was welcome news especially taking into consideration that his big brother has never been enthusiastic about singing in church. Yesterday was the second time Jonathan actually “sang” with the primary kids in sacrament meeting, and that included Mike kneeling next to him as he was “too scared”. James was quite flattered by the compliment and now feels that he is an expert singer of Itsy, Bitsy Spider, Once there was a Snowman and I Love to See the Temple. He also has pointed out several times that he shared cars in nursery and is a good “peace maker”. The boys’ current favorite church songs are Scripture Power and Nephi’s Courage.

James likes to randomly tell us how “Daddy is a boy. James is a boy and Joshfin is a boy. Mommy and Gracie are girls.” He likes to run around the house and get Gracie any doll or soft item he can find. It isn’t uncommon for me to find her in her bed covered in five blankets. What a helper.

Happy Mother's Day

My mother-in-law raised my husband for which I will be forever in her debt. She is devoted to the Lord which is evident through her devotion to church callings. She pulls off very healthy meals that somehow taste delicious. She is super organized, clean and manages things very well. I’m glad Mike inherited her knack with math and attention to detail. She is conscientious, decisive, independent, a very capable woman and grandmother.


When I think of my Mom, I think of a person who is drawn to beauty in the world around her. She is a constant support for her children and grandchildren. She is thoughtful and always aware of the needs of those around her. I’ve already written extensively about her in two previous posts so I’ll limit this. She spends her life doing good, lifting the hands that hang down and strengthening the feeble knees.

I took Jonathan and Gracie to get their 5 year and 9 month check-ups. James came along for moral support, along with getting lots of cups of water and yummy sugar free suckers. Getting shots when I was five is still one of my earlier memories. I remember my sister Mary (17 months my senior) crying because she was so sad I had to get shots. I also remember getting a really neat colorful Band-Aid. We only had basic tan ones at home so that was really something special.

As always, Jonathan is 96%tile and 97%tile on weight and height. The doctor described his numbers as a little on the "chunky" side but added that he looks healthy to him. He had difficulty hearing in his right ear for the hearing test. The doctor asked if he seems to respond when I talk to him. How to describe "selective listening", hmm? Although his left ear was totally fine, the doctor tried to get out as much earwax out of his right ear as he could without hurting him. The doctor asked that I pick up a prescription of some drops to put in his ear every day for a week, followed by having him lay on his side for 15 minutes daily, followed by another visit next week to get his hearing rechecked. Is this guy serious? I mentioned that getting the kids in and out of the car is more difficult than one might think and he kindly offered to have the nurse try to squirt it out with a spray bottle, which she did. It was quite the interesting process but now his right ear is earwax-free and he has two fully functioning ears.

Gracie is now 50%tile on weight and has grown to 70%tile on height. She is slightly lagging in her gross motor skills (standing up holding on to things, leaning over to pick things up, etc.) I know it is my fault as I wake her up to drag her around town in her carseat, and enjoy having a baby that is content to just sit in my arms wtihout always trying to wriggle out. Hopefully she will catch up to other nine-month-olds if I stop carrying her around everywhere.