Breaking Through

Joshua and Mira both had great break throughs before we even had lunch today. At preschool, Joshua's teacher is asking more of him each class. She is judging whether he is truly having a problem (and being hesitant) or if he is just being stubborn. So last week Joshua would not wear a smock and therefore could not paint with the other children. This week, the teacher insisted but found a different style of smock for Joshua to wear. He still wouldn't put it on and paint. She just kept re-iterating, 'After you paint, you can go outside to play.' Finally, he sighed as if giving up, put on the smock and PAINTED! Wahoo! Next week she plans to ask him to dance with the other children. This is something he has resisted doing all year. I can't wait to hear the result.

Mira has been working on getting to the potty. So, today while we were out I took the potty with us and offered it to her periodically. She was dry ALL morning. Yesterday we only used two diapers. I am so excited. She doesn't like to go poo on the potty but catching pees is great. I know that she will have a set back when the baby is born. Even Joshua did and he was almost a year older but at least we are heading toward diaper freedom. I just don't need two in diapers at once!! I think I'd have to go back to disposables if that happens.

Strangers have been asking me questions about being pregnant. That is always my big sign that I am 'showing'. Guess it happened a whole lot sooner this time. Seems like I've 'popped' in the last week or so.

23 weeks

Joshie, Mira and I trudged out in the rainy weather today for an OB appointment at 10:15. Everything is looking good size and heart rate-wise for the baby. My weight increased by 6 lb since the last visit and my blood pressure is back down to 110/60 (a normal rate for me). It had been high since January but this last month when Jason also came back from the dr with higher than normal bp I started getting us out the door for short walks with Jack to exercise and de-stress, added more salads and veggies into our diet and started watching our salt intake. Seems to have worked. I'm interested to hear how Jason's has changed.

After the appointment we stopped into Ikea to recycle batteries and lightbulbs and then to Target to pick up a prescription. Now the house is quiet while everyone naps. Joshua is finally resting after 2 grumpy days of no nap and some really nasty behavior. I unplugged the tv this morning and the Easter candy is gone so I hope that helps things!

Happy Easter

Joshua was SO excited about Easter. On Ash Wednesday, we made a paper chain and for each of the 40 days of lent we took a link off and said a prayer. Joshua's prayers developed well over the 40 days and he went from praying for rc rockets and robots (as if praying to Santa!) to saying prayers for people and things he was thankful for. It was wonderful to see the progression. Then as Holy Week passed he became more and more excited about the Easter Bunny coming and having an Easter egg hunt. It was to the point where he was just a little monster! But Easter came and he got everything out of it that he wanted and Monday, even with the sugar high from all the candy, he was a MUCH better behaved boy. He had parent conferences at preschool on Tuesday and the teacher praised his progress from the beginning of the year. She even surprised me by sharing that during circle time he will speak up when it is his turn! I was shocked. When she asks the children to imagine something (like a fish) and then describe it he comes up with and shares detailed descriptions of his imaginary fish. That's my boy!

Mira is 'talking' a lot more. She has a few new words including 'light', 'sheep', 'thank you', 'Bear', 'pee-pee' and I am sure there are others.... BUT, the biggest change is that she has taken to sign language. She makes all the signs (Baby, Signing & Time) to the intro song on the videos that we watch. She also says 'Thank You', 'More', "All Done', "Eat", 'Milk', 'No', 'Please', 'Night Night or Sleep', and 'shoes'. So, we are definitely going to continue with those videos. Joshua has also started using the signs and understanding Mira's language and that has been a big help.

Baby Tres is now 22 weeks along. It is scary to think it will only be a little under 3 weeks and we will be at the point when we found out about the pre-term labor with Mira. He/She seems to be doing great and I have an appointment on Monday. I am looking forward to it. I have been working on watching my salt and getting more exercise (walks with the dog) to help my blood pressure. Jason has been working on the same thing because his was pretty high, too. 1 more month of school and he is done (for this semester)!

Profound statements from Joshua

We were out with Joshua's Godmother, Carie, her sister-in-law and two nephews yesterday when Joshua said, 'They have two babies just like we do.' I thought at first he was referring to himself but he doesn't usually call himself a baby. He went on to clarify, 'Just like Mira and the baby in your belly.' How wonderful that to Joshua Baby Tres is already part of our family and to be counted along with the rest of us.

We had a wonderful morning at Storyville, an interactive children's museum like add on to one of the local libraries. We had lunch at McD's afterwards and then home for non-naps, errands and a nice walk on the promenade downtown. It is a busy week for us with school, field trips, play dates, family visits and three nights of work for me. I hope I don't forget it is Easter and take a moment to celebrate.

Permissions and Photos

As you are probably already aware, we are making changes to the blog and our photo sharing account to make it more secure. We feel this is safer for the kiddos so I hope you will bear with us on these changes. If you are reading this blog post it means that you have an account now on our blog. You have an email address and password that you use to log in to view it.

The same will also be true for our flickr account. You can view the photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlowens/ . I am currently making changes so that the photos will only be viewable by friends and family and will not be publicly viewable. I think you will need to create a flickr account (it is free) and ask to be our friend. I'll work with you to work out the kinks.

Thank you for your understanding!

1 yr checkup for Mira

Mira FINALLY had her 1 yr check up yesterday. She is 28" long and 19lb 6oz in weight. Both measurements are the 25th percentile for her age. The dr. would like to see her gain in percentile for weight or at least not drop. She has been steadily dropping percentiles over the year. So, we are the high fat family. Joshua, Mira and I have been told we can add fat and calories to our diets :-) How fun! She also got three shots and impressed the dr by imitating the dr's actions with the stethoscope. Dr. Paxson said,'I haven't seen a 1 year old do THAT!' :-) Smart kiddo! She also had her final thumb check yesterday and everything is healing well.

Baby Tres is 20 weeks now, halfway! He/She is kicking up a storm. Quite the wiggle worm in there.

At church on Sunday, the children had a seder dinner. Joshua participated and actually tried some of the various foods. I was shocked. He also ate 'Green eggs and ham' at preschool yesterday.

While Mira and I ran all over the place, Memaw and Grandad kept Joshua out of trouble and raked leaves in our yard. What a HUGE help. We all had a fun lunch at McDonalds and the kids were very well behaved. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Lastly, Happy Birthday Papa!