Three precious words

Last night for the first time Gabriel said those three little words that every parent longs to hear. We were all in the kids' bedroom, reading stories and getting ready for lights out. Garrett prompted Gabriel to say "I love you" and the little genius actually said it! Then he went around and, with Garrett's help, told everyone he loved them individually: "I love you Daddy. I love you Mommy. I love you Abby. I love you Mimi." (Mimi is the closest approximation any of them can yet make to saying Amelia). It was stunning. It brought tears to my eyes. If it's possible, it made me love my little boy even more, though I'm pretty sure such a feat would have to break some law of physics. I felt proud enough to pop.

I said it a few times last night, but in case it helps him if I put it in writing here it is: I love you too Gabriel. I love you too.

Beautiful eyes

Urgent!

Just a little while ago I put the kids down for their naps without a fuss. Ten minutes later Gabriel started crying--the kind of cry that made me wonder if his leg were caught in the crib bars or at least something legitimately upsetting had happened, like he dropped his bear on the floor and simply could not sleep without it. So I went back into their room to find out what was wrong. Gabe started pointing toward the door urgently exclaiming "Pee pee! Pee pee!" So I rolled my eyes and then took him to use the potty and he did it like a pro, complete with wiping and washing his hands. Ugh! So cute, right? And I'm proud of him for asking to go. That's actually the first time he's spontaneously requested to go to the potty (Amelia has been asking on a regular basis, and Abby is still taking her sweet time and observing). But during naptime? That's no good. I can see their wheels are already turning--they know it's a stall tactic. At least he actually had to go, instead of getting into the bathroom and just wanting to play with the water faucet. The potty adventures continue. I still don't consider myself to be potty training them. Does that mean they are potty training me?

Back at it

It has been a very busy August indeed! MOPS events (I am volunteering as part of the steering committee for this upcoming year of Mothers of Preschoolers, my moms' group), out of town guests, and my first experience with VBS have kept me running from here to there. I haven't even had any new pictures to post! But to my pure surprise and delight my mom, who is visiting now, spoiled me with a brand new camera and I am thrilled to be taking pictures again and exploring my new toy. I have vague ambitions of becoming somewhat of a hobbiest photographer. I'm not sure what that looks like, but I like taking pictures and looking at pictures, especially good ones, and I've got some great subjects to work with, so I've decided photography is my new thing. My first goal is to actually read the manual that came with my beautiful new camera. That will be a feat in itself, but I'm determined.

The summer has finally hit us in New York and we've had the AC running every day for some time. It's a bummer though to see the nights getting darker sooner though, and to realize what a very short summer it has been. I can't believe the fall has crept up so quickly! Getting ready for MOPS has me in tune with the school calendar so even though my kids are not in school I get a sense of the preparation going on around me as families gear up for another year. I think sometimes about what it will be like to send my kids off to school and it makes me see them as growing little kids. It's a very slow metamorphasis, this growing process. Sometimes my kids now do things that I only associate with little kids, not toddlers. Many times it's in their posture. Abby will sit on the floor leaning back on her arms, or lean with her elbows on a table, chin in hand. She looks like such a kid it almost always strikes me. These little guys are growing up.

We've been frequenting the pool a little more often and just this week Amelia and Abigail decided the water might actually be a fun place to play. Abby is still warming up to it, but she'll get in on her own terms and she likes to be held so she can splash and dip her feet. Gabriel just loves the water and requests pool outings on a regular basis. I've only dared take them on my own one time, and it actually went very well. They are good about sticking near the kiddie pool and during the week the pool area is quiet enough I feel like I can keep track of all three of them. Plus during the quiet times we have the lifeguard to help keep a close eye on them. I do like the feeling that I can take them on my own and we can enjoy some time. I don't spend the entire time stressing--I actually get to play with them and watch them get comfortable splashing and getting in and out and playing with the buckets and boats and balls. Gabe has mastered how to use a swim ring to help him stay afloat. It's so fun to watch! It's those little achievements that remind me that they are always growing, always observing, always learning. It's easy to forget that in the monotony of day to day, or the challenge of overcoming regression in the face of frustration. The kids are coming along well enough in their speech. Gabriel is showing the most strides on a daily basis in terms of imitation and spontaneous language, but they are all progressing. But in the moments of frustration, stress, fatigue, those achievements seems to disappear and we are back to tantrums, pointing and grunting, refusing to speak and general communication breakdown all around. Those moments are challenging. So I love it when I see other evidence that my kids are coming into themselves. It keeps me positive during the rough patches. A week ago my brother Cabell was here visiting for several days and we all went on a exploratory visit to Norwalk, CT just to get a change of scenery. We went on a walk during which Abigail stopped to smell the wildflowers and Gabriel stopped to collect rocks and put them in his pockets. Watching these ordinary things was pure delight to me. I don't want to take a single thing for granted.