about the kiddos

I thought maybe it was time to post a little update about the children. How they're doing and all. We are going through a big transition right now. Another move. It's a good thing for our family but really hard to leave our community and friends and the schools we love. But no more travel for Daddy and we are very happy about that. It is taking it's toll on Josh and me though. Trying to sell this house and buy another one in a new city we don't know that much about. Just a lot of coordinating and organizing and ugh... all the things I feel like I'm not good at. But I'm sure we'll make it through. 

So that's all I have to say about that.

The kids are just growing and changing and doing really well.

Shep is almost 14 months old. He is all boy. Everything gets thrown. Food, cups, plates, all kinds of toys, you get the idea. He is a squirmy worm. Doesn't want to be held much. He wants to get down and run and play. There are moments that he is a cuddler though. We stopped nursing after our Disney World trip about a month ago. It makes me a little sad, but it's good that we quit. He says daddy, mama, gg, sissy, ball,thank you, thanks, wow, yay, puppy, birds and he sings " up above the world so high" from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and he sings " i love you you love me" from the Barney song. Now the words aren't exactly understandable but the tune is dead on. He loves to sing and dance. Anytime there is music on he is just bopping around. He gives good kisses still, when he has the time. When I pick him up he pats my back or my shoulder. He does really well sleeping all through the night. He still takes a bottle of milk a couple of times a day. He has pretty much mastered the stairs. He crawls down backwards on his belly. He's also good at getting down off the couch and beds now by sliding down backwards. He loves to climb on the coffee table and sit there. He's kind of being picky about his food right now. I don't think I could name a favorite food at this moment. I guess he's partial to spaghetti and pizza. He can throw a really good temper tantrum. He runs away, throws himself on the ground, cries, yells and sometimes rolls around. It's very dramatic.

GG. Oh my little GG. She is now almost 3 years old. 34 months to be exact. She is turning into a little ham. If you come to our house, she will tell you she's a princess or a mermaid and she'll dance for you and spin around and tell you " look at me, look at me" or "watch this".  Sophie's friend Kylie spent the night with us the other night. A couple of days ago GG was walking around with a purse and some beads on and came up to us and said" Hi, I'm Kyrie. I got my purse." So now you never know if she's going to turn into a princess or a mermaid or Kylie! She has such an imagination and I absolutely love it. Sophie plays with her a lot and taught her how to play restaurant one day. So now GG likes to put on her apron ( that Grammy Salen made and sent to her) and ask you what you want to eat today. She'll make it and bring it to you.  She loved Disney World and the best thing was seeing her face when she saw Cinderella's Castle for the first time. Priceless.  She can count almost to 20. She knows all her colors and shapes. She's doing well with potty training. Got the potty part down pat but the other is taking a little longer. It's ok, I know she'll get it eventually. She loves her brother and sister so much. She's so good with all her little friends. She loves to play and run and is pretty good with sharing. Most of the time. She has had a sassy little mouth lately with us and spends a good amount of time in time out. She likes to make it well known that she is " MAD BECAUSE SHE'S VERY ANGRY!".She also said one day " It's not fair, cause I"M THE PRINCESS!". Yikes. I have very dramatic children.  She is also a very picky eater right now and it is driving me a little crazy. She just wants hot dogs and mac and cheese. But, she does love apples. So that's good. 

She is growing up so fast and I just adore her. Drama and all :). 

And Sophie. Sophie is almost 13. (gulp). I can't believe that. She is growing into the most beautiful young woman. Inside and out. I just marvel sometimes at her wisdom and maturity. I have been most heartbroken over this move for her. She is handling it ok though. She just made the volleyball team at school this year and it was a big deal. I had to pull her out because of the move. That broke my heart. I know she is sad about it, but she understands why we have to move. She said she knows in her mind it's the right thing but she does feel sad. She is so good with her brother and sister. Even though I know sometimes they are the last thing in the world she wants to deal with. She still helps. She finally decided that she would watch the Harry Potter movies with her Daddy. And she loved them and now they are planning their date for the new movie when it comes out. She had a lot of fun in Disney World and I was so happy we got to spend some alone time with her and ride the big rides. It made her vacation a lot more fun I think. I am very proud of the person she is becoming and I don't know what I would do without her. She's my Sophie Sunshine!