Isaac: 3 Years Old

Dear Isaac,

You are three today! You are the happiest child I've ever met. You're constantly smiling, giving out compliments, and showering us with affection. You tell me at least a dozen times every day that I'm a nice mommy and that I'm pretty. What girl doesn't like to hear that constantly?! I can't help but smile when I'm around you.

You talk NONSTOP from sun up to sun down. It's exhausting but I can't be mad about it because it's so adorable. Instead of getting crabby when you're tired, you get even more hyper and talkative than usual. It takes you a reallllllllly long time to finally wind down enough at bedtime to fall asleep. You keep your brothers awake for up to an hour or an hour and a half past the time they want to be falling asleep every night. You talk nonstop until they can't take it anymore and start yelling at you. You come out of your room over and over with various excuses. Some nights it gets so intolerable that we finally have to put you in timeout or have you fall asleep in our bed so that you're all alone.

You love to act silly and are a big clown. You giggle nonstop, even when things aren't funny. You love to climb on people, talk about potty humor, and snuggle. You're very affectionate. You're tough too, and can take a serious beating from your older brothers without batting an eye. You giggle through just about everything. You're such a good example to me of what it means to have a good attitude!

I've heard that redheads have a particularly low pain tolerance, and boy, is that true with you! You hurt yourself so many times a day that it's comical. One day I decided to keep track but lost count by the end of the day because it was getting out of control. Your most commonly uttered phrase is, "I hurted myself! Tiss it!" I'm not exaggerating, you probably hurt yourself two or three dozen times a day.

You adore your big brothers and refer to them as either "the guys" or "the brothers." You play right alongside them and don't let being younger hold you back. In fact, sometimes you play with your brother's friends better than they do. You love Moses too and love to kiss him and squeeze him (usually a little too hard). You drag your stool from the bathroom into Mo's room when he's on his changing table so that you can climb up and get a better look at him. When he's nursing, you like to stand behind the rocking chair and stroke his hair while he eats. You're such a good brother to him. Your nickname for him is "Moey."

You've been potty trained for a few months and are doing great! You never have accidents and can even make it through the night and wake up dry. We never put a diaper on you anymore at night. Your favorite foods are strawberries, cheese, and apple juice. I can usually get you to try just about anything.

I love (almost) every minute I get to spend with you, minus the constant talking in your loud, monotone goose honk, climbing all over me, and cackling loudly at inappropriate times. ;) Just kidding, I love being with you no matter what. You're just kind of exhausting. I wouldn't have you any other way. You're a delightful little boy that lights up my life. Thanks for being you.

Love to the moon and back,
Mama

3 Year Stats:
Height: 38 in (60th percentile)
Weight: 34 lbs (73rd percentile)

Moses: 2 Months Old

Dear Moses,

You have been a part of our family for 2 months now and we couldn't be happier about it. We're all obsessed with you! We kiss you, squeeze you, and tickle you hundreds of times a day. We can't help ourselves. You are just so dang cute! You got a pretty bad case of acne shortly after you turned one month old and it's been slowly clearing up ever since. It's almost all gone now and your soft little cheeks are almost back to how they should be. You've had a little flaking on your scalp, but it hasn't been too bad.

A big milestone of the month was that your dad gave you your name and blessing at church. We had a big celebration along with your cousin Vienna, who was blessed the same day you were. We had lots of people from both families over at our house and we had a big spread of sandwich platters from Costco, fruit salad, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, and all kinds of desserts. You slept through the majority of the party, but were an angel during your blessing. You dad gave you all kinds of beautiful blessings and the room was full of the spirit. I felt such a strong connection to you that day and was so full of hope for your future. I know you're going to grow up to be an amazing person.

You've gotten really smiley and animated the past week or so. You've even started to coo in response when we talk to you. You have lots to say to us! I love when you look into my eyes and talk to me. I wonder what you're trying to communicate. You are at such a fun age and I love seeing your personality emerge. I live for the times when you focus on me, smile, and talk. It's the best thing ever.

We still have bad nights with you sometimes where it takes us hours and hours to get you to go to sleep, but they are getting more rare, which we're really thankful for. You're also going down for your naps more easily during the day which is helping me feel more sane. You still wake up every three hours in the night, like clockwork, so I'm pretty exhausted all the time. Unless I can sleep in a little in the morning, until like 7:30 or 8:00, I feel awful during the day. With four kids to take care of, I never get to take a nap during the day, so unless I can get the sleep I need at night, I'm in trouble. Your dad has been great about going in to work later lately so I can get a little more sleep.

You love your big brothers and put up with them even when they're a little too rough (which is basically all the time). They love getting up in your face, just inches away from you, to talk to you, kiss you, and show their toys to you. They frequently pull on your limbs and squeeze you too hard which really bugs me, but I don't want to constantly be discouraging their affection for you so I try to not say much. Fingers crossed that you can survive these next 15 years with them around!

Moses, you are a ray of sunshine in my life. I'm so thrilled with your presence in our home. You have such a sweet spirit. Thank you for choosing our family.

Lots and lots of love,
Mama

2 Month Stats:
Height: 23 13/4 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 13.4 lbs (64th percentile)
Head Circumference 16.3 in (94th percentile)