New Baby Tricks

Thomas is now crawling quite quickly, even when he's in footed jammies. Thomas and George play together with their new tunnel. George will sometimes crawl across the floor with Thomas. The biggest thing that has happened in the last couple days is that Thomas is pulling up! He is 10 months old and pulls up to standing on stools, chair spokes, and even rocking chairs. He still has no idea how to sit back down, though. After a while, he will cry out, I'll go over and ask him if he wants to sit, and he looks at me like "and just how do I do THAT!" I'll take his little hands, tell him to sit while slowly pushing his hands back past his shoulders. When his bottom finally plops, he grins at me and his whole body relaxes. Then, he'll crawl off quickly to where ever he wanted to go.

Hubby asked me if I had photographic evidence of this newest feat and I had to admit that, no, I didn't. I hadn't thought of it. So I'll have to get some good standing shots tomorrow.

Baby Thomas is still speaking his own language, but if you pretend you know the language, you can usually figure it out. So I'm probably the only one who can understand him. Here are some things that he seems to have communicated with more than just body language: light (of course), up, out, down, brother (bubba), "here brother" while handing over a toy, ball, what, get out, and probably some others.

One day, he was pointing to a door knob and said "uh-t". I said, "what's this?" He said, "uh-t" with bright eyes. I said, "door knob." He said, "oor ob." I further said, "this is a door." He said, "oor."

So I've started my thing of naming all the objects around me and narrating all my actions. I've got a new sponge in the house and he's learning English! Or at least American.

A Revelation

The last few days, I've felt different. (I am NOT pregnant.)

Something about the air and the light. The regular ability to get outside with the boys and not be miserable. Feeling really at home in my house with a couple of windows open. The smell of the house with the windows open. Rolling on the floor with the boys, tickling, laughing, and kissing.

And I feel good. Nothing is hurting. Nine months after giving birth, I think everything has settled into it's new, regular position - whatever that is. My shoulders are lower. My patience has increased. My feet are bare and my feet aren't cold.

Thomas is independently mobile which makes him a little more independent. My invisible 3 foot tether to him gets extended when HE crawls off. George's vocabulary has increased so much that I speak to him the way I would speak to an adult. I very rarely have to simplify what I said. He is incredibly helpful and learning to take directions as to where something is that he's looking for. Directions like "Go get me your brother's blue sweater out of the other room" might produce the blue sweater, a different sweater, or something blue. Not bad for nearly two and a half.An interactive, helpful child.

My faith is in a stronger place than it has been in years. I'm praying more, and praying with my boys more. The more I do that, the more familiar it feels.

Sitting in church this morning, it hit me. What all this adds up to. Something that hasn't happened in 18 months.

I am content.

I am deeply happy. The weather's warmer. Winter's cabin fever is probably over. I have a sleeping baby in my arms. And I love my life.