November Update

Instead of just updating everyone on the boys I thought it would be more fun to give a family update.

Preston - 4 months old. The past month has been rough with him getting two top teeth. He wakes up about 4 times at night, but usually twice I just put the pacifier back in. He likes to be held looking out so he can see everything. If this doesn't help calm him down then usually taking him outside will. He loves walks and always falls asleep or is content playing with his rings. He is 25 1/2" long and weighs 16 1/2 pounds. He has been eating every 2 - 2 1/2 hours, but the doctor said to stretch it to every 3. We will try rice cereal to see if he is ready for it. Preston now turns over, from his back to stomach, and can pull his pacifier out of his mouth. He likes a different pacifier than Hallister did. It is one we got at a shower and didn't even register for - Mam brand. It is neat to see the differences between these brothers.

Hallister - 25 months old. He has learned many new words. He says socks, shirt, and tells the dog to sit. The problem sometimes is that he leaves the "r" out of shirt or pronounces sit with a "sh" sound. It is amusing and so innocent. He can now count to 5. He was sitting in his high chair this past Sunday eating lunch and just started counting. It is nice to know he is listening when we teach him things. He goes to bed at 8pm and has been waking up a little earlier, at 6:30am. His new favorites are vanilla wafers and raisins. I have been watching a friends 2 1/2 year old the past month who is potty training. This has helped Hallister gain interest in it. He goes potty every day, about 3-4 times. We ask him sometimes and other times he will say potty. He has a morning poop after breakfast and he has started to do that in the potty as well. We have some candy in the bathroom for a reward. He often asks to hold Preston and kisses his head. He says please, thank you, hi, and bye ALOT. We have tried to teach him 'You're welcome' after someone says thank you, but he will run them together saying, thank you welcome. It is very cute. He is a sponge and just soaking up the world around him. That is why we are careful to watch what he sees and what he hears.

Jonathan - 368 Months old. Jonathan changed jobs last month. He now works for Curves International. (Curves is the work out place for women. And no I do not get to work out there for free, I have to be an employee. ) Teaching at TSTC was starting to wear on him, long hours and not enough pay. This opportunity came up just in time. There are 3 airplanes and 1 helicopter he gets to work on, but he never can tell what each day will hold. The first week he worked on a boat and lawn mower. He also assists with their hot air balloon, sometimes chasing it in the Curves van when in flight, having to guess where it is going to land to help dismantle it.

Elizabeth - 349 Months old. I joined MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) this Fall and have really enjoyed meeting other moms, hearing speakers, and making crafts. To help us out financially, I started to sub at Austin Ave United Methodist Church for their Parent's Day Out program on an occasional Monday or Wednesday. It was convenient because I could take the kids, and I actually subbed in the 2 year old class so I was with Hallister. I also kept our friends Jeremy and Sarah's daughter Emri twice a week. Sarah was due with their third child this month, and with Hanan in preschool, this allowed Sarah to have a break and rest. Praise God for providing for us once again with Jonathan's new job. Things have been tight since bringing Preston home and with the hospital bills starting to come in. We prayed for change and the Lord heard our cry and provided. Next week will be my last time of watching Emri, since baby Chloe has arrived. As for my business - My x-boss let me know about a wedding store needing a designer. I am excited to be designing a prom magazine, with the deadline in mid-December. It is fun to get these creative juices flowing again.
Wriley and Ranger - They are on a weight management food. We don't feed them people food, but they have cleaned up after Hallister one too many times. At first the food made them throw up. Now they are used to it and it has definitely helped them lose weight. Hallister has not felt well the past few days so I thought putting Ranger in with him for nap time would cheer him up. They both slept very well.