My Little People

Taylor - 3.5 Years
My little girl is not so little anymore. Sure, she's still petite, but she is looking more and more mature each day. Her hair is growing longer, the gap between her two front teeth is closing, and her body is long and lean. She is fully conversational and has been for some time. We have moments of utter bliss and moments of complete chaos. Her little mind is sharp. Obviously, I've never had a 3-year old before, but I think she's smart (every parents says that, right?).

Taylor has a big imagination. She loves to play with her "sisters," her imaginary friends. The last time I asked, she said she had 18 sisters. Ha! Whenever she helps around the house, her sisters help her. She is also regularly talking/reprimanding/teaching her sisters. I also had an imaginary friend growing up, so I think it's pretty entertaining to watch her.

T is so girly. Admittedly, some of this is my fault, but some of it has nothing to do with me. The diva loves to wear skirts, dresses, bows, makeup, and nail polish. It is a pet peeve of mine when my nails are chipped, and as a result, I cannot stand seeing her smeared, chipped, half-painted finger and toe nails. I spend too much time re-doing her nails so that they look nice and manicured.

Taylor is my little helper. She happily agrees to help me whenever I ask for something (a kleenex, Matty's paci, my shoes). She loves to cook, she loves to clean, she loves to do laundry (as much as she "helps" with these things, she generally makes these tasks more work for me). She also loves to mimic what I say. Apparently I say "sure, actually, and okay?" a lot. She is a jabber jaws and will talk and talk and talk my ear off. She also loves to make up stories and songs - they usually involve her sisters, the princesses, witches, wolves, and bears.

I've started going through all of my baby girl clothes since we know #3 is a boy, and it has made me very nostalgic to think that I'll never have a baby girl again. I remind myself of this whenever I grow tired of playing dolls or princess - I'm sure I'll miss the princess play when I'm wearing spiderman capes and playing war.

Matty - 14 Months
Matty is a toddler now. Sigh. He has been walking for a month, and it just melts my heart to see my little, stocky man waddle across the room. He used to walk with his hand outstretched (like he was wearing a body cast), but now he walks with his hands straight down by his side. Both look awkward but cute. Matty has his four top teeth and four bottom teeth, and all four of his molars are right there, just beneath the surface of his gums. His hair is getting longer and it may be time for a hair cut soon. The blonde curls are adorable, though.

It would be a stretch to say that Matty is talking. He loves to grunt and whine, and sometimes you can hear "momma" in the middle of his whines. Otherwise, he prefers to point for things and make a scene until he gets them. I'm pretty sure Taylor had a handful of words by this age, but I've heard that boys are slower to talk than girls. Matty makes all sorts of noises/babbles throughout the day, and I just love to listen to them. He will give hugs when requested, sign "more" when he wants more food, and give his mommy eskimo kisses.

Matty's current loves include his loveys (he has three and uses them all interchangeably), his toothbrush, Mickey Mouse, a wooden spoon and bowl, stacking cups, balls, remote controls, phones, and his penis. :) As soon as his diaper comes off, his hands immediately go "down there." His budda belly typically covers his privates, so he has a hard time checking himself out. I'm sure he'll be horrified that I wrote this someday, but it's pretty sweet and innocent to watch right now.
Matthew has been a great sleeper from the get-go. He still sleeps 12 hours a night and takes two naps a day. However, I think he's close to dropping his morning nap. It will be nice to have extra time in the mornings to go out and about (you know, until the next napper arrives!). He still uses a pacifier and snuggles with his loveys, and oh, how I love to watch him snore during his sleep. I also love and cherish walking into his room first thing in the morning - seeing that little blonde head peering over his crib, arms outstretched to me, is a sight I want embedded in my brain forever.

Baby Bligh #3

I am 21 weeks pregnant now. I am not wishing the next 19 weeks away! There is so much to do before our little boy arrives. I carry a lot of guilt that adding to our family so quickly is unfair to Matty, yet I also feel guilty that I've spent so little time thinking about Matty's little brother. I remember saying that when I was pregnant the second time, but it is even worse this time! I have barely read about the baby's development on a weekly basis. I suppose the silver lining with the scares we had the first half of the pregnancy is that they forced Tommy and me to focus on our little miracle. We feel so grateful that God has blessed us with a healthy boy. My growing belly is a good reminder that our lives are about to change... for the better... again!