Okay, so perhaps the title is a bit of an exaggeration, but Benjamin's 3 month birthday is on Monday. In all of the busy-ness of summer, adjusting life with two children, and Steve's contract work, I just can't believe that it's been 3 months already. It slapped me in the face yesterday when I was downloading some pictures from the camera. I organize by months and Benjamin's 1-3 month folder is getting full. So, it's time to start a new one ... I just couldn't believe he's creeping out of the "newborn" age and headed into infancy. He impresses me everyday with his laughter ... oh so much laughter (usually right after he wakes up in the morning ... he's a morning person like Mommy). He is constantly interested in new things. His favorite lately is a blanket spread out on the ground outside so he can look at the sky, the bugs, the grass ... and feel the humid breezes. He LOVES his outside time, which is just great with his big sister who can't get enough either. Benny always wants to practice his head holding and his new skills ... If he's not sitting in his Bumbo or on mom's lap, watching sister, he's not happy.
Yesterday, though, I had two moments that just made me tear up ... like for real want to cry at the beauty of it all ...
(1). Benjamin had JUST discovered the exersaucer (with a towel behind him for support). He was sitting in it, reveling in his awesome-ness when Big Sister came along. I have to watch her more closely because she's going through some separation issues right now and you never know what she'll do. So, I peered around the corner of the laundry closet, ready and waiting. Kayleigh walked up, patted her brother's head and said: "Good boy Buddy. See this .... ROAAARRRR ... Lion. Push button .. (pushes button and lion roars)." Benjamin giggles. Kayleigh, encouraged by his giggles tries again, "Buddy, push button (grabs his hand and tries to make him push button). It's okay ... Kayleigh do it .... (pushes kitty button). KITTY Benny, MMEEEOOWWW!" This went on until all of the animal buttons had been pushed. She worked her way around the exersaucer, introducing him to all of her old toys and showing him what to do. Benny couldn't take his EYES off her ... there was admiration, pride (at his own ability to keep up), and love that I didn't know could exist at this stage. I had to use the towels I was folding to wipe away the tears that fell ... Thank you, Jesus for my loving children.
[caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="So Proud."]
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(2). After Ben's second nap, I needed to bring the diapers in off of the line. So, as described above, I set the baby on a blanket and let Kayleigh and Andre explore the backyard. Kayleigh ran around for about 2 minutes and then decided she was bored. She had brought out 3 books and laid down next to her brother. She began reading "Mr. Brown can Moo" .. Something like this: "Benny, cow MOO MOO. You do it ... (pause to wait) ... It's okay. Kayleigh do it. MOOO MOOO." and on it went through all of the noises in the book. Every once in a while when Benny would whimper or coo, Kayleigh would turn (and like I do when I tuck her in) rub his face with her hand ... gently. She'd say, "Ohh Benny. No sad ... No sad ..." And he's smile, and stop ... UNBELIEVABLE. I love my babies :) ...
And if all of that just wasn't enough, listening to Kayleigh try to potty train her baby doll (using exactly the same words Mommy does with her) was just too much. Even after the baby doll landed in the toilet water, the desire in my little one to care for others warmed my heart. Sigh. .. they were both temperamental yesterday, but somehow it was all worth it ...
Thanks Jesus for the chance to see it all, daily ... They are truly gifts straight from your hand. Ohh yeah, and remind me of this day when they are 13 and 14.5 and fighting like cats and dogs.