Why Rush Things?

So I was reading this article in one of my parenting magazines this morning and thought it was interesting and thought I would share. The article talks about how some babies walk and talk later than others.

Ethan skipped crawling and went right to walking the day before he turned 10 months. He was an early bloomer in that department. I think he's a bit of a late bloomer in the talking department. He is definitely a smart cookie, understands well and is definitely trying to communicate to us more. It's cute! I'm not the type of mom who finds the need to compare my kids to other kids - at least not in the competitive way that many parents do these days. It drives me crazy actually. I prefer to accept my kids the way they are! Anyhow, here's one part of the article.

"Luke Nelson, 2, is a great communicator. He makes faces and uses a wide variety of gestures. He points to what he wants. He shakes his head for yes and no. He follows commands (and sometimes refuses with a stamp of his foot), demonstrating that he understands what's said to him. He just doesn't say much back. And that's not uncommon. Late language development is the most common delay, affecting 1 in 10 children. That's because communicating is so complicated, says Pamela High, MD, a development behavioral pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital. It requires understanding as well as speaking, and these skills develop differently. Receptive language (understanding) needs to happen first and usually comes before expressive language (speaking) by half a year. So if, for instance, your toddler is able to point to his nose when you ask him to, that's sign that skills are developing, even if he's not talking."

As a mom of a late bloomer in the talking department - this was so nice to hear! I wasn't worried about him, I've watched dozens of kids from my nanny years to daycare years to owning my own daycare years but it's still always nice to read articles like this. One of the smartest little boys I know, Benjamin, came to my daycare at 2 years old not saying much of anything. He quickly bloomed to be one of the smartest little boys I've ever watched. He amazed me daily and talked so well (and so cute) within the next 6 months to a year. I know Ethan will do the same.

The article goes on to say that if your child is past his second birthday and still has few words, think about whether you're giving him the chance to speak. Luke's mother, Karen, realized that she and the rest of the family were talking for him. "I'd guess, out loud, what he wanted, (totally something Jer and I do too!) and when I got it right, he'd nod and do his little happy dance," she says. "Now I make it a point to say, 'Tell me what you want' and wait for him to respond." This approach takes longer. It was faster to guess what Luke wanted to drink, for example, then to wait for him to say "juice" or "milk" (or "sign" milk in Ethan's case). But the payoff is that Luke is gaining vocabulary.

It also goes on to say that personality plays a role in talking too. Some babies are naturally quiet. Pretty sure we know that this is NOT Ethan - lol!

It says that parents tend to dwell on the worst case scenarios - that many people start to worry about autism if their child isn't talking. It says that the first thing your pediatrician is likely to check is their hearing - we know Ethan hears just fine:) It says that lack of early language doesn't mean that your child won't be bright. Albert Einstein, for one, didn't speak until well after his second birthday. Interesting huh?

The last part I completely agree with. It says to look at the big picture - at all the things your baby may be doing, whether playing peekaboo or blowing kisses. Development happens in spurts and plateaus. Enjoy the plateau your child is on now.

I have always been about enjoying each season. Enjoying the pregnancy. Enjoying the newborn stage (did you notice I skipped the labor and delivery stage?? :)) and just enjoy each season with your babies because it goes by fast. Soon Ethan will be talking our ears off and we won't remember the days of him not talking.

As far as our sweet girl, I am quite confident she will be an early bloomer in the talking department. I could be wrong but that girl has been trying to talk since the day we brought her home. I have a video of her at 2 weeks sleeping and she's seriously cooing and talking in the video. She's been scooting for months, been crawling for weeks and is already pulling herself up and standing all the time while she holds on to something or someone. She is a go getter and goes after what she wants. I continue to tell her she better slow down and start acting her age (mommy's little baby girl) or else she won't stay the "baby" for that much longer ;)

Enjoying each season God has given me!
Momma Keri

Changes

Our sweet girl is changing so fast. She just started crawling within the past couple weeks and this past Thursday she is starting to pull herself up on things. I am pretty sure she is trying to keep up with her brother - she is constantly watching him. Last night when she got up in the night to nurse I walked in her room and there she was standing up in her crib, holding on to the rails just waiting for me. So funny. It immediately made me smile as that was the first time I've seen her standing up in her crib like that. As I sat there nursing her I then felt a little sad...haha...just can't believe she's already this old. I know, 7 months is old? Ha. It is when you're a young mom :) You treasure all these moments with your little ones. Here's a picture I took of her and I today :) Do you notice anything different?? Well, I woke up Saturday morning with the strong urge to chop my hair....so, I did. I cut about 5 inches off but no one seems to notice - haha.


Our sweet boy Ethan is doing good. Yesterday he was having a rough day as I think maybe a molar is trying to come through. He just wasn't himself and was crying a lot on and off. Once I gave him some Orajel and Tylenol though he was much better and today he woke up just fine. Poor baby - always hard to see your babies not feeling well - glad he is feeling better today. Teething is no fun.

I know I say it all the time, but I just love being a mom! I was staring at Ethan today and couldn't believe that this cute boy is mine and that I am a mom. I mean, I have watched other people's kids for so long so it's just crazy to me at times that I am finally a mom and have my own kids. I love everything about being a mom...minus the sleepless nights and days where my babies are sick. It's such a gift from God and I couldn't be more blessed with two adorable kids.

Tonight is Women's Ministry at church which I am really looking forward to. It's just once a month on Monday nights so me and my little woman will be going and Daddy and E will stay home and have some guy time :) I just love our church and thank God for all the beautiful friendships we have built there and just a church that feels like home. A place where anyone is welcome and you don't feel judged if you walk in with holes in your jeans!

Thank you Jesus for giving me such an amazing life. I am blessed.

Momma Keri

Love them.

I love this little boy of mine. This picture says it all. It sums up his silly personality. He's so sweet, fun and loves to laugh. I am blessed.




And this is what Gracelyn looked like after eating her first Gerber Biter's Biscuit last night. Ha.

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

I gave Gracelyn a bath in the kitchen sink tonight for the first time and it resulted in the cutest pictures ever! I just love them - she is simply the cutest little girl I've ever laid my eyes on!!! See for yourself!

Milestones!

Look what I can do!!!!









Gracelyn hit two milestones on January 4th! She started to crawl and she can also sit herself up from a laying position! She is still mainly scooting to get around but she definitely knows how to crawl now - she just doesn't have it mastered yet and she likes to get around fast :)

The kids are doing great! Ethan is still getting over Rotovirus but he's pretty much better, thank you Jesus! I'm also so grateful that Gracelyn never got it - I prayed she wouldn't.

Ethan is growing up so much and trying to communicate with us all the time. I think he gets frustrated when we don't understand him but we are constantly figuring out new things he's trying to say to us, it's such a fun time! Ethan gets frustrated so quickly when he can't do something or doesn't get his way. It almost always results in a screaming fit but this is expected at this age - all my daycare kids did it also. They are at the age where they are learning to express themselves and fits are one way to do that - ha! He's so much fun and such a goofy boy - we love him so much.

We moved Gracelyn's crib into her room over the weekend and it's working out much better for nap time and bed time. She's been getting a little better at night. Last night she still woke up 3 times but she has gone a couple 6-8 stretches at night in the past week so she's improving - oh how mom and dad love sleep :)

She is starting to show her personality also. We aren't quite sure what it is just yet but I think she will be a go getter. When she sees something she wants she is very persistent and aggressive in going after it! She is so sweet, always has a smile for mom and likes to watch Ethan and they constantly get each other giggling - it's the cutest thing! She is such a talker too....has been since the day we brought her home. She was always making noises and sounds in her sleep when she was brand new and she constantly talks now - I think she is taking after her momma :) Oh how I love having a little girl! It is so fun to have one of each - I just love being a mom! I'm so thankful that they are healthy and I thank God for them constantly.

We are settled into our new home and I love it. It is already starting to feel like home to me and I just love this house. We are really enjoying being in a home again and thank God for all He's done in our lives over the past couple years and how GOOD He has been to us.

Hope you enjoyed the short video of our go getter ;) Have a blessed day!
Momma Keri