9 Months/2 Years, 4 Months

Don't worry, Blogger blog, I haven't forgotten you.  I've just been busy with the new podcast and all.

Last week, as it always happens together, Spencer reached the 9 month milestone mark, and Miles is now 2 years and 4 months old.  Here's what they are up to...

Spencer:

• Wow, kid, you are on the move!  As soon as you figured out "proper crawling" about a month ago, you totally took off!  Not only are you fast as lightning at crawling, but you are pulling up, cruising around the furniture, climbing stairs, and standing for short periods of time with no assistance!
• What an eater!  You're ready to eat anything we give you - any kind of vegetable, fruits, some breads now, and some meat (just in time for Thanksgiving)!  You're nursing about every 4 hours during the day and eating food about 3 times a day.  I'm still trying to get you to figure out the sippy cup, but that's no big deal
• You're starting to do some cute verbalizing these days.  You do some "ma ma ma ma ma" and then some "da da da" and then "beh beh beh" and then you blow some raspberries.  You are the king of the raspberries.
• You have graduated to taking "real" baths with no apparatus helping you.  We were having you take baths alone at first, in an infant bathtub.  Then we moved you to the infant bathtub with Miles in the big bathtub.  Then we got an infant bath seat that we used until about 2 weeks ago.  You love the bath!  You love splashing and playing with Miles in there.  You guys are so cute together.
• Speaking of being cute and playing with Miles, you're starting to 'toughen up' a bit.  He is pushing you around less, and you don't get your feelings hurt as much when he does it.  You're not so quick to burst into tears if you topple over, either, unless you're very tired.
• Which brings us to your sleeping habits.  *sigh*  I miss sleep.  But we have made some progress.  Using The Baby Whisperer's method of Pick Up/Put Down, you have learned to fall asleep on your own.  Last week out of the blue, you slept for 5 hours straight in your bed!  Tonight you have been in bed for a few hours, waking once so far.  It's definitely better than what it has been for the last few months though, so we are grateful.  I am looking forward to you sleeping all night and then moving you into Miles's room.  You guys will have so much fun together as roommates.

Mommy and Daddy are both so proud of you and the sweet little boy you are.  We love you very much and can't imagine life without you!

Miles:

• I can't keep up with you these days!  You are learning so much!!  First you learned the entire alphabet before you turned 2.  You learned all of your colors, even pink and purple.  You learned numbers 1-9 very quickly.  Then you learned all of the letter sounds.  Now you are starting to try and sound out little words like "cat" and "dog" and gibberish words you make up with your letter blocks.  After the holidays we might start doing some workbook stuff very slowly with you. You're so eager to learn and to show everyone how smart you are!  We are so proud of you!
• You made your first phone call last week.  We were at your Grandpa's Big's fiancee Kathy's house and I was holding Spencer.  Your daddy came up to me with my phone and said "Your mom is on the phone."  You had walked over with him and were grabbing for the phone saying "Grandma! Grandma!"  I talked to her for a second, then let you talk.  After a few minutes, I figured out that you had called her!  You have a real knack for figuring out electronics.  You would sit and play with Daddy's iPhone or my iPod Touch for HOURS if we let you.  We have decided to limit your screen time, though.  You get very into it and while it does help keep you occupied at restaurants, I don't like you getting so hooked on it.  You have learned how to play Eye Spy, so I like playing that with you.
• You also have learned to play Memory matching games.  You like playing games where I hide pictures or objects around a room and you find them.  You don't quite have the hang of not peeking, but we'll work on that.  You are getting some more games for Christmas, and I'm very excited about playing games with you while Spencer naps in the mornings.  That can be our special time.
• You have had some emotional and social development lately, which is exciting to see.  You are starting to notice when people are sad.  If you see someone with a sad face or if it looks like they are crying, you'll say "Cry" in a really sweet voice.  Someone at MOPS told me you comforted her daughter when she was upset that her mommy left her at the class by patting her and saying "It's okay."  You have spent some time playing with friends lately, which is really good for you.  Maybe that's why you are getting better at playing with your brother.
• You still love reading your many Bibles and you can pick Jesus out in the pictures.  You call him "Ha-gee" for some unknown reason.  I am looking forward to doing more Bible lessons with you as you get older.  When we read books together, you are starting to fill in some of the words that you recognize or remember.  I love your little voice.

You are a funny, sweet, and cute little boy.  We are so proud of you and look forward to every day we are blessed to spend with you.

Boys, you have stolen our hearts.  You fill our days with laughter and joy.  God orchestrated the way your lives came to be, and we thank Him for entrusting you to our care.  We love you so much!