P.S. No more pacifiers

Josiah's graduation party also marked a momentous occasion: he gave his pacifiers to Mrs. Heather. We talked with him about the idea for about three weeks leading up to the big day. Then we brought out a colorful gift bag and encouraged him to drop his pacifiers in while Heather held it. He didn't mind putting in the first two, but the last one took some extra encouragement! I wasn't sure he'd do it! But he did finally decide that yes, he really is a BIG BOY and doesn't need them anymore, and he dropped the last one in her bag.

Bye bye pacifiers.

So far we've managed two naps and two bedtimes without them. He's a little sad, but less so than I was expecting. I think this way of letting them go was a good one.

Josiah's graduation!

We have been so blessed in our speech therapist, Heather Lovejoy. We started working with her nearly 2.5 years ago, back when Thomas needed help. Just a few months after he finished, Josiah started therapy. Week after week after week, Heather showed up at our house, always patient with the boys and often including brothers in the therapy play. Josiah loved her, and would grin and run to the door when he heard her knock.

A year ago, this was Josiah's language:

“oooh”
“oh”
“Mama” (no relationship to me)
"Dada" (no relationship to Gabe)
“doh”
"a-duh"
“ahn guh”

Today he's speaking in 4 word sentences, and I'm not the only one who can understand him. :)



Happy graduation, Josiah!

Thank you, Heather!

Free time!

All three boys are at Grandma's house today. All day. I am sitting in a blissfully silent house, dreaming up all the amazing things that I have time to do today. Read! Crochet! Watch a video! Garden!

I mean: Vacuum! Do the laundry! Wash the dishes! Clean the refrigerator!

Actually I'm thrilled to have time and space to do things on both those lists. :) My first project of the morning:



Isn't it beautiful?

Self-aware toddler

Mid-morning, I was trying to decide what we'd do next. Go out to the park and/or the library? Stay home and have quiet time first? Josiah made that decision really easy when he picked up his blanket, held up his arms for a hug, and said "Mama, need nap."

Yes, he's sleeping now. This little two year old really does have the most amazing grasp of his own sleep needs. Instead of getting cranky and waiting for me to figure out what he needs, he just tells me!

(Lest other mothers start getting jealous, I should mention that my other children do not have this skill.) :)

Shutterfly Groupon deal

For the past six years I've been using Shutterfly to create photo books for each year of the kids' lives. I love the result - crisp, clean pages capturing the year, and I don't have to put all the photos into plastic sleeves!

Because I know that I'll be doing 2-3 books every year, I'm always on the prowl for good deals on photo books. And today there is a great deal available on Groupon: $10 for an 8x8 hard cover photo book. Check it out here. Remember that Groupon deals are only available for a limited time (2 days left, as of this posting) so if you want one, be sure to jump on it.

Also, if you are new to Groupon, I'd really love it if you'd sign up through my link - that way I get referral credit!

Golden moments

These are the kind of pictures that home schoolers post on their blogs to make other people jealous. :)



Well, I suppose the result does not necessarily imply the motive.



Maybe we just all like sharing the golden moments.

This is what a cesarean ought to look like.

Child centered, mother centered, and incorporating all the best research into their methods. When a cesarean is necessary, this is how it ought to be done.



Warning: there are a couple of graphic moments showing the open abdomen.

Spring in the garden

Although the recent weather has me rather confused (it was 34 degrees just two days ago!) my garden is quite convinced that spring has arrived. After the drab winter/rest season, these early flowers are making me smile every time I look outside.









I just realized that these flowers are in my wedding colors. I think I tend to plant my favorites. :)



(Almost 8 years ago!)