Sibling Love

I hope and pray they enjoy one another like this always...

Hubba Bubba

Our boy is 8 months old! Yes, the last time I updated on him, he was a mere 3 months old. Where has the time gone?! Well, I can tell you he hasn't wasted it sleeping. ; )

"Little Man" is definitely not so little anymore and has taken on quite a few names to prove it. Silas' alias' include: Bubba, Bubs, Tank, Chubs, Snugglebuns, Little Stinker (Nora is, of course, Big Stinker) and I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting. I know I'm his mom and he's my little boy, but can I just say, in all fairness, this kid is ADORABLE. I'm realizing discipline with him is going to be tough. Not only because he is showing us he is strong-willed, but he also knows just how to cock his head and shoot me a grin that melts my heart.

He got his first two teeth within 2 days at 7 months, started doing "the worm" at 7 1/2 months and just this week (at 8 months) began full-fledged crawling! In comparison, Nora didn't get her first tooth or start crawling until she was almost 1. This kiddo is not going to let us sit back and relax.

He also loves to feed himself. While Nora would sit patiently in her high-chair and pleasantly let me feed her, if I don't strap his arms down, Silas will rip the spoon from my hands as in "Mommy, you are too slow!". And, boy that kid is strong! So, I've been introducing finger foods earlier than I ever did with Nora.

If there were one word to describe Silas, it would undoubtedly be Jolly. He loves to laugh, super smiley, seemingly making jokes with his eyes...although he is more of a giggler than a full belly-laugher. Silas is social like his sister and is always looking to make eye contact in order to turn on his charms. He is almost never grumpy and will play happily by himself for small stretches as long as he has plenty of space to move. Already quite the adventurer, I do have to be careful to keep my eyes on him as he will quickly worm his away around the house. His crawl is still pretty cautious, but I'm sure he will have that down before long.

When he does get upset about something, he certainly lets us know. There's no whimpering or whining from Silas...it's full out wails, some turning into those silent screams where you're willing your child to take a breath. Oh well, thankfully we don't get those that often, but wondering what we have in store for us!

Such a mama's boy. One of my favorite parts of the day is our snuggle time before bed. He quietly hums to himself as he nurses and I rock him to sleep. While he is a great napper during the day, he is still a bit of a mystery at night....falling asleep easily, but still waking up 2 or 3 times, complicated by the fact that he shares a room with his sister.

Juggling two kids has proven more challenging than we could have ever imagined, but love, love, love our little boy and how much he has brought to our family and our lives.

Update on Our Girl

Exuberant [ig-zoo-ber-uh nt] - adjective
1. effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; lavishly abundant.
2. abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous.
3. See "Nora Tran"...

I can't think of a better word to describe our Nora. Our sweet, laid-back baby girl has grown into such an energetic, opinionated, brave, out-going, loving young lady. Everything she does, she does it with gusto, she gives it 110%, whether it's squealing with delight, jumping from great heights (much to Mommy's worry!) or giving a hug (or 3 or 4). We hear often these days, "Let me do it by my big girl self!" as she's growing more and more independent and testing her abilities (and boundaries).

She is still a bit of a tomboy (although I'm thinking I don't like that label), spending much of her time running, jumping, splashing in (very muddy) puddles, swinging, digging in the dirt, swimming in her pool, throwing balls, collecting rocks, wielding swords and battling invisible "bad guys". In fact, after seeing the movie Tangled, we've had to be careful about leaving frying pans anywhere Nora can get her hands on them.

Cinderella has also become a favorite around here and Nora has also started getting into princess play. Each morning she runs to her closet declaring she has to find "something suitable to wear" (a.k.a. a dress for the ball). Btw, I had NO idea the stress and drama over what clothes and shoes to wear would start this early! And, in preparation for the ball, she often asks "May I have this dance?"...tonight, I found her waltzing with her Baba in the living room, a precious memory.

Nora wearing "something suitable" ; )

With all her unbridled energy, we've had a few bumps and bruises around here lately....

...a bloody lip and yes, a broken finger. You can ask Nora about it, she likes to tell the story with every detail, but in short she "pinced it in da hide-a-bed!" : (

She is such a great big sister to Silas...

and what a helper. We recently caught her doing this...

We celebrated her birthday this year with a big kid, backyard birthday blowout. I can't tell you how fun it was to see all the neighborhood kids, cousins and friends from church swarm to our backyard to celebrate our little girl.

Nora and her pinata, pre-demolition.
Although you can't tell from these pics, Nora was having a ball!

With swimming and soccer, pinwheels and a pinata, coloring and cupcakes and most importantly being surrounded by those who love her dearly, Nora's love tank was totally filled.

As we cuddled and I rocked her to sleep that night, her face was covered in a contented grin. Thang and I have been discussing lately how important it is to teach our children how to celebrate - although I'm thinking it will be awhile before we have a celebration quite that large again!

Our little Nora is proving to be quite a handful but she makes us laugh every day and we couldn't be more thankful for her vibrant spirit. This year, I am praying John 10:10b for her...

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

...that she would know the abundant life God offers her.

P.S. If any of you have some good book recommendations on the "spirited child", let me know!