The House

I am beyond ready for our house renovations to be complete. I know this house will be a work in progress for many years and I'm excited about the prospect of staying here indefinitely, but we have so much material that is just waiting to be used. We have had hours of invaluable help already that I greatly appreciate, but I do hate having to rely on other people to get anything done. I overestimated how much I could accomplish while trying to care for Silas. Oh well...all these projects will eventually come together. My sister is in town this week and we stayed up til 4:30 in the morning getting the master closet in order. She helped me wade through piles of clothes that I have been hanging on to for WAY too long. I still had stuff I wore in high school and stuff I haven't been able to fit in for the last 5-7 years. It was good to finally part ways. Good riddance! Now our closet is organized and beautiful. It feels like a huge accomplishment. What a relief! I still don't know exactly what flooring we are going to use for the living room and dining room. I want it to look great and be ultra durable. I really dislike laminate, but it seems indestructible. I would love real wood, but I want to be able to live in this house without being concerned that kids or dogs are going to tear up the floor. What to do, what to do??? We can't buy any more flooring until we lay the mountain of tile we've already got. I hope that the house is presentable by Silas' birthday in October. I would really love to have his party at our house. The backyard is so awesome and I have grand visions of birthday carnivals!!!

Time moves so fast.

Silas is trying to become more independent. He is very adventurous and doesn't like to be told no. He appears to have no fear or apprehension. I'm glad for the most part. It makes me sad to see children who are fearful of everything. However, I wish he didn't try to climb our chain link fence at 16 months, but isn't there something about not having your cake and eating it too??? I am trying to learn flexibility and also how to be less fearless in my own life. Control issues. I love being his mom and watching him learn. It is an honor that the Lord has trusted me with His son. I am thankful for every day that I get to spend with him and pray that the Lord gives me patience and long suffering so that I can teach with wisdom and discipline in love. He is trying to speak English more and more everyday. Words that I recognize: bye, bye-bye, mu-ah (kissing), all gone, gone gone, shoes, shh, Mama, Daddy, oh no, no no, baby, woof, meow, bath, go... He baby talks to Grace and all cats, even ones he sees on t.v. He is definitely a Daddy's boy. He would prefer to be with Ashley, Jory and my dad over me, Marla or my mom. He tries to help do projects around the house...he has tried painting walls, screwing screws, texturing, and using a pipe wrench. He will hug me, Ashley and grandparents and will normally kiss family members goodbye when we are leaving. He will do the motions to "If You're Happy and You Know It". He loves when people sing and will dance almost every time he hears music. He loves it! He will even put down what he's holding in his hands so that he can give his full attention to the dance. It's like the dance is trapped inside and he has to work it out. All of his baby teeth have broken through his gums - his top canines are the last to make it in before more molars. He is still very smiley and joyful. He sometimes acts bashful, but is really a big ham. He was in the bathtub today and was showing off for Amy and Remy. Even though it was taking his breath away, he was dunking his face in the water to get a laugh from them. I have never seen a child that likes being outdoors more that Silas. It doesn't matter if it's 20 degrees out, he wants to be out exploring. I am excited for spring and the possibility of playing outside more often. Silas is trying to cut out the morning nap, much to my dismay. He really needs it still, but I have a very hard time getting him down unless he is worn out from playing. Ashley and I are working in the nursery this month at church. We are trying to help him get used to staying there during church service. He's had a bit of difficulty adjusting since we have just now started taking him back and leaving him. We are still blessed with amazing health. He hasn't had to go to the doctor except for well baby visits. He had a cold a few weeks ago, but nothing big. He really hurt his mouth last week and it was the first big scare. He fell on a toy and it cut the skin between his upper lip and his gums. It bled A LOT. I didn't know if we needed to go to the hospital, but I looked online and it is very common. Heals with no help. Yay! It was done bleeding within a few minutes and he was feeling better after a Popsicle and the chance to play outside. He is so beautiful...I love just watching him. I want to hug and kiss him a thousand times a day. Being a mother is everything I thought it would be. This is exactly what I expected and I am loving every minute. I just wish time would slow down so I can be sure to take it all in. I want to appreciate every milestone and cherish the sweetness.