Grandparents with RosieCheeks

We just finished a delightful two week visit from CallaLily's parents. We hiked, went to the beach, built a greenhouse, toured a wee bit, and spent lots of time at home. Squeakums got his second fish, this one teeny tiny.

We hoped RosieCheeks would take her first step and start walking while they were here. And she did take a step, while they weren't around to watch. But hasn't started walking.

First Flounder

Squeakums had his third birthday and received a kid's fishing pole from daddy. He excitedly went down to the pier for a first attempt at real fishing. As daddy cast and reeled over and over again, Squeakums liked to let his bait (cheese) just wait while he sat on the stony beach. On his final cast, both parents were silently praying that he'd catch something. The young fishermen all around us were pulling fish in left and right, while we had nothing yet. Then there was that familiar tight line. And a slow reel in revealed a nice sized flounder. Good job, buddy.

"Our kids grew up together"

Now I'm beginning to understand the depth of the phrase "our kids grew up together." It's not just a marker of time, or an era, or even of which kids know who.

It's more like a bonding experience. Having timeouts during a playdate. Giving their kid a timeout at my house. Apologizing for the screaming of my almost 3 year old, who is learning to deal with frustration. Giving one another advice on the parenting stage we're struggling with. Encouraging one another through the phases we remember, or recalling something I read in a book somewhere that might help. It's all a bit like being in the trenches together. We're combat buddies.

House Blessing Party

We're moved in enough to have our house-warming party, which we called a house blessing party. We gathered to pray blessing over the property and home and to bless God for his amazing work in providing us the home.

A good number of friends came by, some even had to park on the street. Rootbeer floats and banana bread topped the afternoon. It was a good feeling to know we have so many friends here. Though we've been here three years, I still feel like I'm new in town sometimes.

RosieCheeks is saying Mama and Dada already! What a delight. She signed and said Dada at the same time which really clued us into the reality of her communication. She's eight months old and on the verge of walking too! She's been crawly for over two months and now can hold her balance standing, very briefly. So she's getting into thngs. WE had to train her to understand the word "no" which she learned very quickly.

Have an older brother makes her childhood different than Squeakums. As a mom, I spend a lot of time keeping him at bay. I perhaps am too protective of the baby. Maybe I shoudl let them duke it out and learn to play together rough 'n tumble. Squeakums is almost three and loves to jump off the couch, wrestle with dad, and kiss his baby sister.

We are celebrating our anniversary this weekend through a friend's generosity. We are enjoying a local B&B, with massages and hot tub! A YWAMer is watching our son while RosieCHeeks stays with us. She still nurses every few hours and doesn't take a bottle yet. Speaking of food...she has mastered swallowing now and is eating well. I presume she'll gain weight soon and get back up to an average weight. She is a joy to everyone and a beauty to behold. Even strangers say how pretty of a baby she is. We agree. ;)