Family News Dec. 2004

It is now 2005 and I cannot believe that it has been a whole year since we last updated our site. Cameron is about to turn a big 4-years-old and Cole, Brandon, Parker and Nathaniel just turned 2. Where has the time gone? In some ways I am glad the time has gone by quickly, however, in many ways, I wish they could stay this age for a longer period as it is so much fun. I am aware that there will come a time when they leave for college and I am going to wish for them to be young again. With that in mind, I try to take advantage of all of these hilarious stages and not dwell on some of the more stressful periods. This coming year I feel will be most challenging (and fun of course) as the younger boys spread their 2 year old wings!! Of course we still have potty training coming up. That should be lots of fun! :-)

Cameron continues to go to day care close by our house 3 days a week while I work. He enjoys that time with his friends and teachers. He continues to amaze us with his ability to remember such things as dates, spelling of words, memories, etc. His teachers often tell us he is doing fantastic and is a joy to have in the class. His current interests are playing with his race car sets and of course any and all of his trains. He also loves to play with any one of his many trucks. His garbage truck is his favorite and one of his favorite trips in the car is when we all go to the local county waste headquarters and watch the garbage trucks come and go. One time when we were there, a garbage truck driver was walking by our truck and said to Cameron... "stay in school, don't become a garbage man" and Carl explained to the driver how he is Cameron's hero and how Cameron was a garbage man for halloween this year. (see picture below) He loves playing with his brothers and looks forward to the days where we are all together as a family and of course when Daddy is home.

Cole is still one of the sweetest little boys. His tiny laugh/giggle will certainly get you smiling yourself. He is speaking some words but understands so much more. He has gotten quick on his feet and all the physical theapy has paid off. He still receives a visit from the PT once a month and that will continue I think until he reaches the point where he doesn't fall below average in the large motor skill area. I'm looking forward to our yearly visit with the developmental pediatrician this month to see their reaction to his great progress. He loves to spin things... anything... and also loves pushing any of the trucks around. He enjoys playing with all the blocks and arranging them into a tall tower before of course a sibling sees this as something to tip over and poor Cole is then left with a pile in front of him. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it however, and simply laughs! It shows his easy going nature! Let's hope that continues, he'll need it with this bunch.

Brandon contines to be full of energy and fearless curiosity. He was of course the first boy to receive his own crib tent. This invention keeps active children IN the crib instead of OUT. He was quickly mastering his escape so this tactic had to be done for everyone's safety. He is a wonderful sleeper which is no surprise because of his activity level. He is the first one to throw a smile and very expressive when trying to talk. He enjoys pointing out facial features and one time this week he was pointing to his nose saying "My nose?" and then he proceeds to touch my nose and says "Mama nose?" and then as he is walking around the room, he is saying "My dada nose?". His favorite thing right now is "choo choo". He obsesses over any videos or pictures that has to do with trains. He often is bruised from a recent accident but nothing ever seems to slow him down.

Parker is so enjoyable. He is attempting to talk often. He has his own little conversations with himself with words that noone can understand. But he seems to understand everything we ask of him which is nice. One thing he loves to do is to dance. And he knows he excels at this because he doesn't always share this talent all the time. He seems to wait a bit and hold off until after his brothers have the stage, and then he "turns it on" taking over the floor with a big smile. He enjoys watching any TV and seems to want to digest everything. He doesn't like to be alone or apart from his brothers. One night when we we had decided that Parker would be the boy who stays up late with Cameron, Parker acted sad that he wasn't going to be going to bed with his siblings. (He forgot soon enough, and played with Cam of course.) When he does go to bed, he wishes he could sleep in Cole's crib. I've tried doing that (as they are identical so I thought "why not"), but of course it ended up with them playing for the next hour and not getting to sleep. He loves people and loves anyone's lap!

Nathaniel is so unique from his brothers in so many ways. At home he seems to be somewhat of a quiet bully. Just taking what he wants, when he wants and not usually considering anyone in his path. Never really expressive or loud. When he becomes attached to a toy, there is noone that will be able to come near it as he holds on to it with his steel grips. He really takes his time with most things and is so serious. He seems to have a fear of a change in his environment. For example, when I take him to the store with me alone, he sits very stiff and doesn't smile or interact with anyone. When we took him out recently to play in the snow, he wouldn't really move. He seemed to be just frozen in fear. He is clearly the biggest in size and eats wonderfully. He just recently surprised me by crawling out of his crib and cut his mouth on the landing. He too was awarded his own crib tent. He loves it!

Carl is still finishing up his residency and is shooting to be done in October of this year. We are looking forward to him being done of course and the kids will be thrilled to have him around the house more often. Carl's favorite part of the day is when he comes home from work and I have the boys all lined up in the family room. When Carl appears in the door, they all at once run to him yelling "Daddy Daddy Daddy". Once they reach him, they all are reaching up to him with their arms hoping they will be picked up and thrown around somehow. It reminds me of a Mama bird arriving back to a nest full of baby birds wanting to get fed with their mouths open. It is too cute!

I am working still 3 days a week for GE. While I am home working, the babies are cared for by Aunt Liz and Aunt Tina on different days. I am so grateful to have such loving family members to be here while I bring in some additional needed income. I have gotten into sewing lately and attempted to make a majority of our Christmas gifts to family and friends. I may take a beginners sewing class so that I can maybe start making some simple clothes for the kids. We'll see! The list of things that I am behind on is staggering so I don't know why I am looking to fill my little free time up with additional things, but I enjoy it and look forward to the evenings where I have some quiet time to myself.

Above everything mentioned here, we are truly grateful for our continued health and of the love of our family and friends. Without any of these things, we could not be as happy as we are. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we enter into this coming year.

All the best to you!