Kiddo Update

Where does time go? This Mom would like to be able to push a Pause button, once in awhile, please :) Let's see...what are our 3 kiddo's up to these days? Here we go... Bryton: Basketball. He loves to go out and shoot hoops, the second he gets home...and even a supper call doesn't always make it easy to get him inside! Baseball season will start soon, and he's excited about that. We've been down to the ball diamond in town a few times, so he can practice hitting and fielding. School is going well. He is getting all A's and one B plus in Math. Piano seems to come fairly easy for him...he doesn't mind practicing, either. He thinks he wants to play the drums next year. Yikes. That gives me time to talk him out of it! Bryton likes to dance, and he's got quite the moves! His Ipod games are a favorite past-time of his, also. At night, he enjoys looking at his school yearbook or non-fiction books. During the day he enjoys reading "scary" books like those in the Goosebumps series...but not so much at night :) The stinker still sleep walks from time to time...and it is usually when he goes to bed absolutely exhausted and run down/borderline sick. At this point, we are getting better at knowing when to expect it! Eating is also a favorite past time of his...and he is still far from picky, thank goodness. We have to watch how much sugar he has and when, b/c he tends to be a bit psycho when he has too much! Otherwise, its nothing for him to eat half a block of cheese and a stack of Wheat Thins as his bedtime snack. At 10 1/2, he's growing out of his size 12 slim jeans...and I think, just maybe, the next pair I get him won't have to have an adjustable waste! His feet seem to be growing just as quickly, and I can wear his sandals. He is still a very tender hearted, fun loving boy. He argues a lot with Avery right now, but that is initiated by her, as well. As for Lily, she is his little sweetie. So, the one who was most upset that we were having a girl, when we found out Lily's sex, now is wrapped around her little finger! This summer he is excited about basketball, baseball, football, and golf camps...and swimming lessons. He isn't too excited about the Library's summer reading program, but such is life :) Avery: She is quite the responsible animal lover. She is the primary caretaker of the guinea pigs, and does a good job of helping feed the dogs and Grandma's cat. Her American Girl doll pony is her favorite right now, along w/ her dolls of course - she takes very good care of all of them, especially at bed time! So far, sports aren't her thing. She practices basketball with Bryton (and yes, they have an official Avery "practice" time - Bryton's idea!) but isn't too excited about her summer camps, except for the social aspect of them! She likes having friends over to play, and Avery is getting more into playing Barbies. So far, she still lets me help pick out her clothes, but she definitely has an opinion! Her hair is growing out a bit so that she can put it up this summer (her idea - we will see if it lasts!) School is getting more difficult for her - especially Math - she is pretty tired after school, though, during Homework time.  She is doing really well in all of her classes. Her teacher says she is "always very helpful" and a "sweetheart." I doesn't always see that Avery, but thank goodness her teacher does! Piano lessons are going well for her - she doesn't enjoy practicing as much as her brother, but once she has mastered a song she likes to play it over and over! Singing comes naturally for her - she has a good voice, and she isn't too shy to sing in front of others, when we have extras in the car, for example. Her ability to remember the words to songs after hearing them once or twice is amazing. Actually, her memory, in general, is very good. Avery's sidewalk chalk art is coming along...her patience for drawing and coloring has really come a long way.  Riding 4 wheelers for long periods of time, with or without her brother, makes her happy.  Ramen Noodles are still her snack of choice...as are Grandma Engle's pickles and Nana Cheryl's cookies, but she is a picky eater right now.  Lily is very into watch Avery play with her toys, which Avery thinks is pretty cool; however, we will see how they do together once Lily can get to where she's at and grab them from her!  Oh, and Avery is excited about our town Library's summer reading program :)  She is a very good reader, and she enjoys it....especially when she can read to someone.  Lily: She is 8 months old, and starting to rock on her hands and knees as of last night, so crawling will be soon!  She is very inquisitive and watchful.  I often wonder what she is thinking as she is carefully watching what is going on around her.  Bryton and Avery can put a smile on her face in a second, without doing much at all.  They excite her, making her giggle and kick her legs, by simply being by her and talking to her!  Lily isn't much of a daytime napper, but at night she sleeps through the night.  She eats 3 meals a day and takes about 3 1/2 bottles, now, total.  So far, there isn't a veggie or fruit she doesn't like, and she opens her mouth like a little bird for every bite, until she is full, and she has started to shake her head back and forth or turn it to the side when she is ready to be done eating.  She sits and plays with toys on her own, for pretty long periods of time.  She inspects them, puts them in her mouth, inspects them again, talks to them, shows them to whomever is around her, repeat.  Its fun to watch her play so well on her own.  Of course, she absolutely loves it when her brother or sister come over and play with her toys, along with her!  Lily's hair is coming in thicker, and it is white blond.  It looks like it will have body to it, but not much curl, at this point...but that might change when humidity hits it.  Right now she weighs 20 lbs and is 90th percentile in weight and height.  She is 9-12 mo. clothing, depending on the brand.  Her hugs and smiles melt hearts.  She can say "Dada" and "Mom" or "Mama" now.  "Mom" and "Mama" come out most when she is tired, cranky, and/or wants something!   Lily is a  happy baby!
Brian and I are so very thankful, every minute of every day, for our 3 healthy, beautiful, and loving kids!  Happy Spring!!!