6-Month Hendrix

How are we at 6 months already?! Hendrix is a busy guy. He's kind of into a lot of things now. He seems to really like Peppa Pig and tries to reach the TV when it's on.

He's distracted by all there is to look at and investigate. We turned the coffee table around because now he can open drawers. Kids are trying hard to remember to put small things in their room or in basement.

He's pulling up on things, wanting to stand, and with a slight push on the bottom and a close hand nearby, he can pull up to stand. No pressure to do these things but we try to assist in meeting his strong desires so he doesn't completely lose it and he can rest when it's time. His crawling is much like Zane's, like he'd rather walk than crawl, but when he crawls his hands hit the floor with strong and deliberate force.

He's licking floors, shoes and wrappers left behind. Bath time is not enjoyable for those giving him the bath -- he climbs and tries to stand in the tub or he kicks aggressively splashing himself in the face.

He's incredibly visual and tries to grab tiny insects and specs of things. He studies certain things for long periods of time.

He started cereal and butternut squash. He chews on fruits and veggies in his mesh bag. He's licked and sucked on Honeycrisp apples and seems to REALLY love them.

He averages 5-6 hours of sleep the first stretch of the night. His sleep cycle is very much like Vanessa's was for early morning feeding and sometimes play -- 5 or 5:30AM. We're working on staying in our crib so all know he is safe and Mommy can hopefully have a free hand to work. He's like Zane in this sense -- he craves closeness and acts like he's afraid to miss out. Unfortunately he wants to begin his night of sleep near us and sleeps on the oversized chair until we go up. However, I have tricked him in thinking he is in the chair by propping him on the Boppy in the pack and play while asleep, but only a few times.

A Wrap

Maybe two more times and it's a wrap for 2016.

Bridging

Vanessa bridged from Brownie to Junior and from U8 to U10. What a big and great year!

Hindsight

Sometimes I appreciate moments more in hindsight, like the day above. A day with freedom to just take time with each other, with no set schedule nor must-dos. Now two children are in school all day, learning to meet standards developed for children not my own, whether ready or not. 

The day above I observed and soaked in the little details that flow through their very bright brains, noting capabilities and workabilities, praying their teachers understand them and don't feel the pressures to fit them into insufficiently developed molds certainly forced on them. 

This week it is sinking in that supplementing and meeting their needs, while keeping up with worldly demands, is in full force -- I have 177 more days to work well with current and major influences. 

In hindsight it was awesome to be free in spirit for even a short time.

Hendrix Ready

I witnessed Hendrix slowly crawl to the toy bin and reach in. He's moving right along.

He is sitting up a little more now but still topples over as he grabs for his toes or things around him. He's figured out how to bend to soften his tumble.

I'm having trouble getting a picture of it but he's sometimes reaches for us with both arms now. He also seems to be looking for things to pull up on, like the sides of the crib, stools, legs, etc. . . .

Just like in the pool, he kicks his legs aggressively when in the bath. He lunges forward to grab at things and will topple over, so we have to keep a hand on him almost at all times.

When in the bathroom and lifted, he looks for himself in the mirrors.

Before getting bored and moving on to the toy bins and other things in the great room, Hendrix made his way to the drawer pulls. He seems to have learned that they are only fun for spinning and grasping. But boy it felt like he reached the top of a mountain he was climbing. 

Although we haven't formally introduced foods, he has tasted sweet cantaloupe and seems to dig it big time. He's also tasted bread and chicken and rice casserole. He's definitely been ready for food, smacking his lips and grabbing at everything we put in our mouth.

Napping though . . . well that's another story . . . :-)

Firsts of K and 4th

Our first day of school was yesterday. It was a rainy day but we still walked as I promised. Yes, my heart was torn between excitement for both kids and a huge milestone for Zane. He's gone. He's more in the world than ever before. He didn't go into it as gradually as Vanessa cause he's in K ALL DAY LONG!

I think one thing that felt odd about this whole thing is that for years I was envisioning sending Zane off to K and figuring out redirection for myself. My mindset stayed that way -- I never adjusted my earlier visions since anticipation of Hendrix and his arrival. We've just been going with the flow, which is what Hendrix (and Titus) has been teaching us all along.

Zane did well, though. He was ready. I didn't have to push or persuade cause the timing was perfect. He didn't even reach back. He hugged and got right in line. He is so observant and gets cause and effect so very well.

As parents in today's world, we're blessed to have technology where teachers share and keep us in the loop. It not only gives parents peace of mind but it is such a huge plus for accountability. We are their first and main teachers in this world. It also helps the kids to feel connected and safe.

Zane did just as I expected -- great. He earned his green, great job smiley face for the day, and as we did with Vanessa's we'll collect them and display them to create a number line.

For me, I started tackling jobs around the house once I got Hendrix down for a nap. I even scarfed down chocolate cake without my kids witnessing and begging. :-) When Zane got home he asked if I napped with Hendrix. I told him no but I got some stuff done around the house. He said Dad told him I would just be coming home to nap with Hendrix. Surely Dad just wanted him to know he wasn't missing much.

His second day started off just as easy. No worries whatsoever. Feels natural. So thankful for the time I had to spend with him and to prepare him in this way.

Vanessa takes off with her friends as soon as she gets there. She keeps asking to take Zane to school and to his class on her own but I told her not just yet, but maybe in a couple of weeks. She's a great big sister but will often bite off more than she can chew. Plus, she needs her time with friends. Today she was milling around with Dylan and Caleb. I joked that I felt I needed to give her more direction than my kindergartner. :-)

VBSes 2016

Vanessa loved her time with old friends at NW Bible. It was Operation Artic, studying and exploring how the Bible came into existence and how it holds true. Vanessa, as always, loved making themed posters and dressing up in costume. I missed my opportunity to get a picture of her in costume but I remember her friends being so impressed and giving her huge praise for dressing the part, scoring her team a ton of points. Ken Ham came and talked with the kids too. Even after VBS was over, she went back for a few more summer meetings in June.

Then at the end of July, we submerged ourselves in Bible studies at our Guide Church VBS. The kids had a big time and Zane was so happy he could be back this year, after missing last year's cause he was so very sick. Zane memorized the big and main verse and shared it the first night. His many applications to the Bible stories scored him a bunch of G bucks for the VBS store at the end. He bought a Star Wars Rebel action figure that is about 18 inches tall. He was a leader and helper in his group, a great example to all of his peers and younger.

Vanessa and Gillian enjoyed teaching others dance moves and signs for remembering their verses. 

As one of the several crafts, Zane made a periscope out of a tin can to remind him that Jesus sees below our surface and knows our hearts!

Both Zane and Vanessa decided one day to style their hair to follow the VBS theme. We used hairspray and blow dryer to form his hair into a huge wave. :-)

I could not lead Crafts without Adam keeping Hendrix close to him throughout, during Hendrix's most difficult time of day.