September 2013 Recap

September's theme would definitely be family.  We got to spend time with members on both sides, several of whom we rarely get to see.  We went over my dad and stepmom's one Sunday, had my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews over two Saturdays ago, and of course there was the trip to Baltimore I wrote about below.  We also hosted David's parents for a few nights when a pipe burst in their kitchen sink, causing flooding in that room and several others including the basement.  With the dehumidifiers and fans running it was 95 degrees in their bedroom and sounded like a jet engine, so they opted to check into the "Grandparent Hotel" as Audrey dubbed it.  The bad-for-them-yet-fortunate-for-us thing about their stay was that it helped us discover a plumbing issue of our own that we may not have found until it was too late.  The sump pump in the basement stopped working, but a few trial and error fixes, $50, and a new piggyback floater switch later, (yay for getting to be the one describing that to the guy in Home Depot) it seems to be working.

On a drier note, Audrey started pre-K at the beginning of the month and there were actually no tears for either of us.  She's settling into the new class very well and since I get to be one of the two room moms, I'll get to be a big part of her school year.  As will Pinterest, I'm sure.     

What else?  David traveled to LA for a few days at the beginning of the month, my sweet friend Kara had baby #3, Reid, who I got a rare chance to see in the hospital before they headed back to their new home in South Carolina, and I rocked painting two popcorn bowls at my small group's ladies' night out pottery painting.  (I lied about that last part.  I'm terrible at painting ceramics, which is why I chose something that only our family would see and use.)

My running has been going well and I reached my training goal of 12 miles twice.  I have my half marathon this upcoming weekend, which blows my mind and freaks me out all at once.  I'm trying not to think too much about it, but I'm definitely planning on a post with details should I actually live to cross the finish line.  

Now for the latest on the  kiddos:

Luke had his 18 month check-up this month.  He is doing really well and is in the 78th percentile for height and 85th for weight.  He got two shots and barely whimpered.  Those thunder thighs I passed on to him are good for something.  He is teething and entering terrible twos, so pray hard, y'all.  I'm really hoping the attitude I've seen lately is more because of the former and less of the latter.  He's certainly attempting to be more independent and I get to hear, "No LUKE" (as in, "let me do it") at least a thousand times a day.  His vocabulary is getting quite large, though his pronunciation hasn't quite caught up. Sometimes it's like playing a game show titled "Can You Guess What Luke is Saying" and I get really, really excited when I nail it after several attempts.  He gets less excited when I can't put my finger on it and quit trying.  

He's getting great at playing by himself for a little at a time and even at playing with Audrey for longer periods (and by playing I mean he'll let her boss him around and do what she tells him for a solid ten minutes before screaming "NO" or "STOP" at her until she yells back and they both end up in tears.)  He really loves being around other kids, though, and has started to flourish in nursery at church.  He is wonderful at sharing and often insists on taking Audrey something if I've given one to him, such as a cracker while I'm cooking dinner.  Helping also brings him a lot of joy.  I've found out that I can convince him to do just about anything if I introduce it with "like a big boy" or "be a big helper".  He loves greeting people and saying "hello" incessantly until they respond...and then at least five more times.  He is a regular comedian and loves cracking himself up and attempting to do the same for us.  

His favorite things to play are coloring/drawing, talking on the "phone", cooking in their toy kitchen, playing outside, and hide and seek.  Miraculously, he's really good at staying quiet when he's hiding with someone until he is found.  He also likes Audrey's dollhouse and gives great snuggles and bottles to her baby dolls.  I think physical touch is definitely one of his love languages.  As I wrote in a previous post, he loves to hold hands.  He also gives the sweetest hugs complete with an "mmm-MMMM" noise.    

Audrey is doing great, too.  She loves school and the structure and routine of it.  They do a lot of fun things in her class.  Just in September alone she's had a gingerbread hunt, got to act out bible stories on stage in chapel, had a visit from Johnny Appleseed, and celebrated at least three classmates' birthdays with cupcakes.  She has weekly homework for which she has to cut out 4-5 pictures from a magazine that start with the letter of the week.  We send them in and then she glues them in a booklet at school.  

Outside of school, she's still my little bookworm.  We've been doing reading lessons most days of the week for several months now and are nearing the end of the program.  It's astonishing how much she's picked up.  I fully expect her to be reading on at least a second grade level by kindergarten.  

Academics aside, she is still 100% a fun-loving four year old.  She loves to dance, play doll house, color/draw/craft (and I do mean LOVES it), read, hear stories, make up songs, play school, and hit the park.  Dresses are her favorite thing to wear and it's a good day if she has some pink, purple, or red on, which are her three favorite colors.  

Her maturity and intelligence continue to amaze me.  Lately she's asked several questions that have sparked discussion about heaven.  She wanted to know how our bodies get there and I did delve into the truth with her a little, but was careful not to overwhelm or scare her.  She took it all in stride and wisely said, "Momma, I bet Jesus and God are SO impatient and excited to see us get to heaven."  Out of the mouths of babes.  Sometimes I have to remind myself I'm not talking to an adult!  

She is a wonderful big sister and, though she tries to smother him with hugs and squeezes a little too often and can be bossier than her Mama (which is saying something), she is usually very patient and kind to Luke.  Watching the two of them when they interact sweetly makes my heart absolutely melt.  I so badly want them to have a great, close relationship their whole lives.  They really do adore each other most of the time.   

A few quips and quotes from the month:

 - When Luke wants to sit on the couch or in a big chair, he usually pats the seat and says, "Big Boy, Big Boy" as in, he wants to sit up there like a big boy.

 - Audrey's memory is still absolutely astounding.  (Though mine is fading these days so forgive me if I've already written this!)  We were at a park that looks quite similar to another one that we'd gone to, but not since probably 12-14 months prior.  She tells me, "We've been here before, Momma.  Remember?  Mrs. Kara set there and gave Reagan part of her banana."  Whaaaa?  Sometimes it's eerie!  

 - Both kids love Martina McBride's song "Happy Girl".  It started out that Audrey loved it, but now even Luke requests it in the car.  We have probably listened to that song 30 times this month.  

 - Luke's answer to where something is is always "under."  David and I can't ask each other where something is without the other saying "under" in a Luke voice.

 - Luke is really getting into songs with motions and loves the Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Head and Shoulders.  It is so cute to watch him attempt the moves, but he usually prefers just to watch you make a fool of yourself. 

 - Audrey loves giving me "energy hugs" before I go on runs (usually she has to do them the night before since I go so early.)  They are looooong squeezes that I promise really do help!

Pictures coming soon...ish.  Happy October!