Survivor: Toddler Edition

There are some days where I wonder if I'll ever make it through the 2nd and 3rd years of Nolan's childhood.

I mean....how can a child be so disobedient and angry a lot of the time, while in between, pull a 180 and be clamoring for my attention asking for cuddles. I want to sock the person who ever started spreading the rumor that boys were easier than girls!

News flash.....either sexes are difficult no matter who's kids they are.

Matt and I'll notice we have to guard things which Eliza had no interest in. Things like climbing baby gates, pounding on doors, running toys on the walls, scribbling on walls. The list could go on forever.

Every child develops at their own rate, but I can't help but wonder if my son will ever be bright. Simple things like describing where something is in the room for them to put away or bring to me. Speech articulation is still an issue and we have him set up in March for another evaluation, but this time from the school district.

People say girls are usually ahead of the boys, but when do things level out?

This season of life with my oldest son has made it hard to want to love him. To feel like he is the world to me, and will be successful in life.

Nap time can go either way. We've had 1.5 hours of him screaming and pounding the door sooo hard that I wonder if he'll punch a hole in the darn thing. Simple requests are met with many 'no's' and temper tantrums. He'll bite me when I have to carry him to time out...take a swing at me or his sister while walking by him while on time out. A real Jekyll and Hyde kind of personality and its wearing both Matt and I out. Is a little balance too much to ask for?

I've tried everything I think imaginable as far as tips and tricks go...but this stubbornness is world record worthy.....

Please, please tell me there is light to be found at age 4 and beyond?

Seven Months

The new year has come and we've put to rest the year in which Alden was born in. Has it really been that long? It feels like forever and just last month that we had to swaddle him and precariously perch the binki just so to keep it in. How I could carry you around the house in the crook of my arm and not feel like it was about to fall off.

Sigh....

So here are the most recent firsts 

Celebrated Christmas

Sitting up unassisted

Two teeth! (ouch)
Scootching backwards around on tummy (and getting stuck)

Restaurant highchair club

Attended a funeral 

You can just see the tiny tips of those teeth. But they don't feel tiny sometimes while nursing...

With the move coming up, this may be the last basket picture in this house. It makes me a little sad to think Alden will only know of this home by pictures. But there may be some hope in Eliza's room floor and window. We shall see!

2016 Prayersolutions

Dear Gracious Heavenly Father...

Family
Very much is uncertain for our extended family. Matt's father has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Its been all rather sudden for us all. Please give the doctors the wisdom as to how to best attack it. Give our father the strength as he goes through chemo. Also give peace and endurance for our mother as she cares for him. I am so thankful for my children getting to grow up with a grandfather in their lives. It was something I never got to experience, and I praise you for breaking the cycle in our family.

Home
Please bring fourth a moving crew to help us make this move in yet another winter. I look at all we've amassed in 6 years of our last cross country move and can't help but feel overwhelmed at all which has to get packed and moved. You also know of the work we still will need to put into the house before and after we move in. May your timing be perfect and help us realize it when we get worried or frustrated with the work being done.

Community
I pray for the wisdom and discernment as to how best to serve our community. There are many hurting and broken people who just need to be loved. Please help our family better reach out to these people and any resources we might need to do so.

Business
Please help bring photography clients my way. I really do enjoy doing what I do when the opportunities present themselves. I would love to seek out any other working from home possibilities...whether it be doing side work of face painting or even being able to bless a family with affordable childcare like we have experienced in the past. I know how frustrating that process is when you want a reliable care provider in a loving home. With the blessing of having a bigger house, I ask for your will on that way to help provide for our family needs.