Thrill Seeker

Over the past few weeks Judah has begun to pull up on anything and everything he can get his hands on, even trying to use Asher as a way to maneuver around the room. This is a wonderful part in his development that I am so excited about…the only thing is…he is kind of a thrill seeker.

When Judah was only a few months old he was showing signs of his wild side. Someone would be holding him and suddenly he would throw himself backwards and giggle with delight over the free fall feeling he just experienced. His love of viewing things upside down also gave me suspicions that he might be a little rambunctious. Anytime I handed him to someone I felt the need to give them warning of what to expect, “now you have to really hold on to him tight…sometimes he will just throw himself around without reason...oh and if he gets fussy if you let him hang his head back he really likes to look at things upside down.”

Well now there are a new set instructions, “Watch out for Judah when he is pulling up on things because he will just let go.” My poor sweet boy has several knots on his head from the hard falls he has experienced after letting go of the very thing that was supporting him. The first few times this happened I thought, well he just has to learn how to fall correctly. Then after more falls I thought maybe in his mind he is a really great walker and he just needs to learn that he indeed cannot walk on his own yet.

After spending all afternoon watching Judah play in his crib I have decided that his falling has been on purpose. He spent all day yesterday pulling up on the side of his crib and then throwing himself back to fall and bounce on his mattress. His laughter filled the room as he would climb up again to get into position. A few times his face hit the bed first and I was ready to give him comfort but instead of tears there were smiles as he rolled around and did a kind of baby wrestle move with his blanket. I wish I would have thought I need this on video but I could not pry myself away, afraid that at any moment he was going to give himself his first bloody nose.

So now I just have to figure out how to help him learn the hard lesson that the world is not made of padded floors…maybe I should get one of these?:)

The Hardest Job.

Recently Asher and I have been having some communication problems…and when I say that I mean, that I have been telling him things to do and not do …and he has not been listening. I think that is probably the biggest communication break down there could be! As I have been trying to correct his behavior, it has brought out things in me that need just as much if not more correction.

Isn’t it funny how God uses parenting to show us our own sin and His grace so effectively? After a week of speaking to Asher in a way I never have, I realized that I had begun to think that I parent alone. My ugly heart had shown itself. I am full of pride and confidence in my own ability apart from God. The patience, mercy, and wise guidance my perfect Father shows me I was refusing to give to my children. What a hard job God has given us…but He does not expect us to do it on our own. This is what I have to remember the next time there is chaos in my home. God listens and provides.

Back Up Mister!

Judah's crawling and his love for his brother has begun to cramp Asher's style.

Yesterday morning I was in the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast and I hear Asher yelling "No! You back up mister!" When I looked out into the living room Asher was standing in his little green chair with a fearful look on his face while Judah was trying to pull himself up into the seat with him. Judah of course thought this was hilarious and was laughing the entire time...I am not sure what Asher thought Judah was trying to do but he did not find the humor in it.

I think I have been getting little peaks into what it is going to be like in a few years with two boys so close in age and I feel like maybe I need to be getting more sleep.

Long Over Due Beach Pictures!

We had a wonderful time at the beach. I think it was the perfect place for both of the boys to enjoy themselves. Asher and Judah loved the sand, sun, and waves. They each had their own things they enjoyed doing.
Even though Judah will not remember this trip he had a wonderful time. Any time we would walk down to the beach the moment the water was in Judah's sight he would begin to squeal and laugh. Judah loved to stand in the water right where the waves came in. He would grab at the sand and let the water splash in his face. When he was sitting in the shade he would play with his toys and watch the waves come in.

The beach was a place that I don't think Asher could have even imagined for himself. Endless water and sand what more could a little boy want. I wish we would have had our video camera for the first time he saw the ocean. He was walking down the boardwalk from our condo and the moment he saw the sand he took off running as fast as his little legs could take him. It was not out of rebellion but out of sheer joy. He ran and ran until he could not run anymore. Asher favorite things included throwing hand fulls of sand, throwing seashells into the ocean, running from waves, being thrown into waves, and pretty much all things sand.

The place where we stayed was absolutely beautiful so I thought it was a wonderful moment to take some family pictures... unfortunately the boys were not in agreement. Asher was in full swing two mode and Judah was in I only want to be held by mommy mode...so I only got a few pictures. But I do have to say that the boys are so cute that it did not seem to matter.

We Made It!

I am sitting looking at a beautiful beach with one boy asleep and another having a blast down at the beach. The 18 hour drive in the car was totally worth the fun we are having. And surprisingly enough the drive really was not that bad. Asher and Judah were about as good if not better than a two year old and 8 month old could be. We watched movies, read books, played with toys and took naps the whole way here. I am off to go play in the waves but as requested there will soon be new pictures and lots of stories!

Judah at Almost 8 Months

Judah has been a busy little guy. He has been rolling all over the place and just really mastered sitting up by himself. He eats an insane amount of food. I don't know how I am going to keep food in the house when he and Asher are teenagers! He has the sweetest smile and a happy disposition. He got his first tooth this month. He loves to look at things upside down which has caused him to move on is back to get places instead of his tummy. To the delight of his brother he laughs very easily. He is becoming a real little boy and it is so fun to watch!

May Pictures