Have you ever?

Have you ever...

- Taken a shower with your little baby while his arms are wrapped around you and his head is laying on your shoulder? It is, seriously, the most peaceful and tender thing I've done all week.

- Embarrassed yourself by crying over something that doesn't really matter that much to you anyway?

- Realized how much you have grown and changed in the last year?

- Fought the urge to scream at your child because she bit you so hard you wanted to cry and won?

- Figured out what the parenting books are really talking about when they tell you to be kind and firm?

- Decided to just give someone the benefit of the doubt?

- Been really impressed with the man your brother has become?

- Been told by your husband that there is a big bug under your foot?

- Looked down and seen said bug writhing to get away with all the life left in it? (Ew, seriously)

- Felt really good about what you accomplished in a day?

Okay, so I know this list is pretty corny but my life has been pretty full lately. There have been victories and disappointments and all of the sweet and loving tenderness that comes from just being a mom and living life.

Compared to this time last year my life is so much easier. At the same time though it has so many challenges. One really smart person told me once that the Lord shows his love for us by giving us challenges. Of course I rolled my eyes at this with my college freshmen attitude. In the last few months (maybe years...) this thought has really stuck with me.

I am so grateful for the challenges that I have. I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of; I have had a glimpse of what my potential is. I know that the Lord trusts me to endure through my trials and I know that if I can be faithful that my testimony will only be stronger because of them.

I also want my friends to know how grateful I am for them. You know who you are. We may not live next door to one another or be able to start the invitation only village that I would LOVE to start but I know I can count on you. I know that your thoughts and prayers are with me as mine are with you. You are the sisters I have longed for my whole life and I am so blessed to claim you as my friend.

Little Steps...

BIG NEWS!!

Sawyer took his first independent steps today!

We didn't even know he could stand independently.
Here's how it went down:
Jake got Sawyer up from a nap and put him down in front of me. I was helping Sawyer stand and just let go to see what would happen.
Well, Sawyer stood their for a second or two and then took one step forward before sitting down ever so gracefully (seriously, he sat down gracefully, no falling at all).
Sawyer proceeded to do this a couple of times in a row.

Have I mentioned yet that he is only 8.5 months old?! Crazy huh?
Jane was a relatively early walker herself.
And they do say that boys pick up physical skills more quickly... so I really shouldn't be surprised, Right?!

In other news, we've been trying a new method of punishment for all of Jane's hitting. Instead of spanking, lecturing or putting her in time-out we have been holding her down and giving her kisses for every hit she gives us. This totally de-escalates (is that a word?) for me. I feel less like screaming at the top of my lungs and more like laughing when we do this so even if it doesn't work for Jane, it is worth it because it keeps me calm.

The funny thing is that it actually works with Jane.
We started this yesterday and today she is taking considerably less swipes at us than she normally does. Yesterday the hitting and kissing game would last for 5 or more minutes at a time. We would literally be holding her down and kissing her arms and legs and face she was trying to hit and kick us so many times. Today she just tries to kick and run and gives up after about 10 tries when she sees that she's not fast enough to get away without a kiss yet.

If I think of any more brilliant parenting tricks I'll be sure to post them here first!

Sweetheart

Jane is growing bigger every day.
She'll be three in 18 days! (Can you believe it?!)

Today she came up to me, caressed my cheek and said:
"Sweetheart. Listen to me. I'll keep you safe from the alligators"

What a little cutie pooty.

Jake also cut Sawyer's hair while I was sleeping in the other day. He buzzed it all off!! I woke up to a son that I didn't even recognize. (Well, I DID recognize him but I couldn't believe all his hair was gone!)

Jake says Sawyer looks like a boy now instead of a girly boy. Hmph...

I'd love to show you guys a picture of Sawyer's new "manly" haircut but we lost our camera when we went to ATL for my brother's wedding.