Helping out with Maverick!
- When the boys' went on their Father's Day camping trip, we had some fun girl time at home. We dressed up, I put a little make-up on you and Zoë, we danced, ate pizza, watched The Greatest Showman, and shared a cookie mug.
- We visited baby Wren in June. I was a little nervous to see how you would react because you refer to yourself as the "baby" in our family. Which I can't help but love. But you did wonderful with her! You were gentle, held her little head a lot, and wanted to be around her. Only a slight twinge of jealously showed when I held her for awhile.
- We made bubbles one day and you had a great time playing with them. It made a pretty huge mess, but that's exactly what toddlers seem to like :)
- You are pretty shy around large groups of people. You stay very close to me and don't say much. You especially like me to hold you until you feel ready to start branching out. Then you cautiously explore your environment while still saying very little. After an hour or so, you start to perk up a bit and feel safe enough to participate.
- We've been going out to Line Creek for several weeks in a row with our friends. You're starting to splash and play in the water a little more.
- You like doing whatever Zoë is doing -- painting, coloring, drawing, cutting with scissors. You also love to carry your doll, Lena, around. You change her clothes regularly. Act out daily activities with her -- brushing teeth, going potty, feeding her, etc. She's in your arms a lot and you are sweet and careful with her. When you drop her, I hear you say, "Oh, sorry baby." You are quick to apologize with all of your family which is so sweet and are pretty good with your manners!
- You are not a huge fan of playing in the pool. You prefer to stay on the outside and don't mind getting splashed a little. Some days though, you don't even want to put your swim suit on. Although several days, you've come back inside with your clothes thoroughly soaked because you got in the pool anyway :) So who knows? You like to play outside with the older kids, you're warming up to Marshall, like to follow the chickens around the yard, love to swing, dig in the mud, ride your bike (you're doing so well!), riding high on the tire swing, and don't seem to mind the heat!
Our Girls' Club tea party
Easter 2020
- You love to keep up with your older siblings! Riding the bike has been no different. You go way faster than I like, and we make you wear a helmet already because you've had several downhill spills!
Riding in the bike trailer was fun!
Sleepy darling girl
Braids
- You love spending time with Daddy and I at night. You eat snacks with Daddy and then we watch a show together. You know the theme music to both of our favorite shows {NCIS and Community} and even said "Gibbs" the other day. HA ha ha ha! Then we snuggle on the couch, and still usually nurse (I can't believe you've lasted this long!). Sometimes you fall asleep downstairs; sometimes you lay in bed quietly and fall asleep that way. You have your own pillow now. You still take an afternoon nap which is wonderful. Usually about 230-4 pm every day.
- You are finally getting better at car rides! You were so fussy before, but now you last all the way to Mimi's or Heather's house with little to no complaint. You have your own headphones to be able to watch dvds in the van when we really need them. But I think you like being to converse with your siblings and are staying interested in your toys for longer.
- You love getting your nails painted with Sis! We have quite a collection of Piggy Paint colors now. And we're figuring out the tricks to getting it to stay on longer. You sit fairly still and let the paint dry. It's fun to be able to paint our nails together.
- Your hair is so curly now that the summer humidity is here! The ringlets are getting tighter, there are more of them and you're allowing me to work with your hair at night -- putting in conditioner, brushing, and twisting your hair. I usually need to distract you, otherwise you will scream at me. And once you even screamed for "TERESA!" because apparently she does a better job with your hair ;) I'm enjoying learning how to take care of your curly hair though. And am a little jealous at times!
- We've had a couple of special times together now and I think they're finally meaning something to you! You notice more when I take the other kids out for their special times. So I'm glad you are having fun doing things with me as well. I enjoy seeing your personality come out when you are on your own.
- You went through a pretty good nap strike in the Spring and would often fall asleep around 7 pm like this. I was afraid it might be the end of the nap time already, but decided not to give up with a regular rest time. You probably went about a month or so with only a few naps, but we've come around to the other side now and you are back to napping regularly! I'm so glad, because those days without naps were pretty rough.
- Oh, how you love your Bubba! He's pretty gentle with you, unless you're hitting him, which is happening more recently. But you still spend a lot of time playing together. And you're very tuned in to when he, or Zoë, or Zeke are gone. You don't seem quite your normal self when one or all of them are missing.
Naomi Irene, you are so dearly loved! You sing along with songs, I'm surprised by how many of the words you know, you say our prayers at meals with us, you even sing along to new songs and catch a lot of the vowel sounds correctly which is awesome! You like to dance and one of your favorite things recently has been to put your hands on the ground, stick one foot in the air, and say, "Look Mama! Watch Mama!" You are more interested in reading, know most of your ABCs and count up to 15 quite well. You like playing family with your siblings and cousin, Miriam and sometimes take on the role of "Mommy" which you seem to enjoy. You think it's funny when I accidentally call you "Zoë" and will correct me and remind me that you are in fact, Naomi. You love to give me kisses on the cheek, and then I give you a kiss back, and then we do eskimo kisses. You are so sweet and gentle and loving. You love to place your face very closely to other faces, especially when hugging. You rarely ride in the baby Boba on my back because you'd rather be walking fast/jogging or riding your bike on our family walks and hikes. I love hearing you talk and laugh, watching you learn and grow, and being your Mommy! I'm so very thankful you are part of our family and I look forward to getting to know you better each day. Love, Mommy
To life... full of growing and cuteness!
