Makayla and I were playing our version of Catch Phrase today. She was thinking of words and I had to guess them. This is how it went:
M: Someone who wears a blue mask.
W: I don’t know. Hmm. Spiderman?
M: No.
W: Superman? I don't know. Tell me.
M: No, a doctor.
W: Oh, yes. Sometimes doctors do wear masks on their faces. Do you know why?
M: So they don’t get blood on their face.
W: [look of shock and horror] No! It's so they prevent the spread of germs. Well, I guess you could be right too. [Yikes!]
She has been so funny lately. Nathan received a magnetic Leapfrog Phonics alphabet from my parents for Christmas and has been busy playing with it. Makayla likes it, too. I was making cookies yesterday while she was by the fridge. She exclaimed, “Mom, I spelled BUT!” Out of 26 letters, she picked B, U, & T. She was so excited and was roaring with laughter. I tried to explain to her that the “but” she spelled wasn’t the same as her “butt.” I didn’t have a good definition of but off the top of my head so I used it in a sentence, which only made her laugh even harder. She had tears rolling down her cheeks. I quit trying to explain, gave in, and enjoyed laughing with her. It’s moments like this that make the challenges of being a stay at home mom worth it.Yes, I did a poor job of photoshoping clothes onto Makayla in this picture. She likes to run around our house in her undies. I don't mind when she's at home, just not on the internet! :)
We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family last weekend and had a white elephant gift exchange. Makayla walked away with a pet goldfish. (Thanks, Keri & Scott.) She was so excited. She named him Max and kept saying, “I love Max.” Great. That really threw a wrench in our “No Pets Allowed” policy. But, Max has proven to be a great asset. Max has nearly eliminated all of our bedtime problems. I have been so pleasantly surprised by Makayla’s compassion for her fish. We went to Walmart today and picked out three more goldfish to keep Max company while she is at school. Makayla has named them Blackey, Silver Sara, and we keep forgetting the name of the last. Max also taught me a lesson about the relationship between babies and fish. I was showing Nathan the fish, not even thinking that an open bowl was an issue, when he stuck his hand right in. I was completely mortified and ran with Nathan’s outstretched hand to the bathroom so I could wash it with antibacterial soap…twice. Nathan was very confused. I am sure that had he been given the chance to catch Max, he would have tried eating him. We went and bought a fish tank with a lid yesterday.
Nathan stood up and was walking by himself today. I think he is gaining the confidence he needs to get going. What a stubborn little man. I guess walking had to be on his terms. He has mastered climbing up our counter-height chairs and likes to sit on top of the table. I had to rescue him three times today. That is going to be a problem. I don’t remember Makayla doing that. Nathan now says: waffles, bompa, boma, mama, dada, santa, blue, woof-woof, that, ba-oo (balloon), ball, yeah, and all done. He is always saying, “bompa” and often calls strangers by the name. Although it often makes grown men smile, it kinda gives me the creeps. I think he just misses his bompas so much and is trying to find them all the time.
Here's some video of what has been happening around our house:
I love that Makayla is wearing a helmet in this video! It makes it so funny. I don't know how, but, she taught herself how to skip. It is so cute!
Nathan was making these funny faces trying to copy Jason.
On a more serious note...
It is easy to get caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, but, this year I have tried to stay grounded and remember the true meaning of the holiday. I am so grateful for my wonderful family, Jason’s grueling job [not the grueling part, but the fact that he has one], and our health. It’s easy to take that last one for granted. I have been thinking about our friends, the Turners, often lately. Their little girl Paige is in the hospital battling another relapse. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be. If you are reading this, please mention the Turners in your prayers. I know that it is through God that they will find comfort and strength.
