All better

As of yesterday, Mark and Nathan were both back to normal! After the breakfast of champions (cheerios, yogurt and raisins) they were off to the races.


They both look so good to me now that they're not sick anymore.

p.s.

Sometime last week, Mark cut two new bottom teeth. I just noticed them yesterday, when he was screaming and his mouth was wide open. Poor little guy, teething on top of everything else! He is a real trooper.

Lock-In

We have had a series of illnesses this week. The fun started Saturday when Mark had dirty diapers "that make you weep," as Aunt Melanie put it. By Sunday night, the boys and I were vomiting. Greg came down with it Monday evening. Once that seemed to pass, the boys remained very cranky, ran a little fever, had trouble sleeping, wouldn't eat anything...generally sick. I took them to the doctor yesterday to find out that they both have ear infections and pinkeye, plus Mark has chest congestion that requires a breathing treatment and steroids. They are both on antibiotics and seem to be improving already. Mark's medicines make him really hyper and moody, so he's like a little Tasmanian devil running around the house.


But, now I am sick again, this time with a painful sore throat and body aches. Motrin is my friend today. You know, the things that keep running through my mind (when I am not totally feeling sorry for myself and wishing this would go away for good) are:

1) I live in the U.S., in a warm, safe home with medical care readily available, not in Haiti. What a blessing. I have no idea what it means to suffer.

2) Whatever ideals I have held about serving the poor alongside Mother Teresa's nuns in Calcutta, India are just that - ideals - taking care of sick people is HARD WORK.

3) Nursing my own children is just as important as providing relief to countless others suffering around the world, even though I am always tempted to devalue it.

Well, this post has taken enough time away from tending the little ones, so let me scoot and address the dispute in the background.

Blessings

In all honesty, I have grown weary of temper tantrums and seemingly endless conflict with Nathan. I am tired of the test of my self-control and patience. It has been a challenging season for me as a mother. But God has been faithful to me, reminding me of his continual compassion and new mercy. And He has allowed Nathan to transition to a more peaceful and pleasant stage - at least it seems to be true this week.


I bathed the boys together this weekend, and they both really liked it. Nathan even asked to take a bath with Mark last night! He squirted Mark and patted his tummy, and Mark enjoyed it. He loves any positive attention from his big brother. This is progress for their brotherhood.


Everyone who takes care of Mark always comments on his activity level and happy disposition. They ask me how I possibly get anything done or ever turn my back for a moment. I just laugh and say, "That's Mark!" It does help to know that it's not just in my head - he really is an amazingly quick and energetic little boy. With that said, he does have a quiet side, too. This morning he sat on the couch for 3 whole minutes and looked at this book!


Nathan has been pretending that this firetruck is his car. He has a spot that he pretends is Mint Hill, a spot that is his house, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Good morning from the monkeys

I let Mark hold and eat a whole banana this morning, and he handled it like a professional monkey. He has probably been waiting many months for me to let him eat one like his big brother does!


Yesterday we tried out the ROC program for the first time. I took a pilates class, and the boys seemed to do great in childcare. Nathan was so impressed by the elevator that he pretended that our dining room was an elevator all day yesterday. Every floor takes him to a different place...Gram and Gramp's house, Nanny and PopPop's house, etc. He "lets" me to ride with him while he pushes the buttons. I don't think Mark has been invited yet, but maybe his turn will come soon!

Here are photos from Christmas, the week after, and New Year's Eve. We had a wonderful time with our family! Nathan and Greg flew to LA to visit Gram and Gramp a few days before Christmas. Nathan was "the surprise" and he had such a wonderful time at their home. The first words out of his mouth when he got in the car at the airport were, "When can I go back to LA?"


We woke up at our house on Christmas morning, and then drove to Cheraw in the afternoon. Here's Nathan in the living room with the Christmas tree.


Mark enjoyed taking it all in. I think this was the one moment he sat still the whole time we were there!


Nathan and Aunt Kate enjoyed snuggling in PopPop's armchair. We treasure our time with Aunt Kate and Uncle JW and it always seems to go by way too quickly.


We came home the day after Christmas, and then Greg had the next week off. He worked from home a little bit, but mostly just enjoyed vacation. I loved having him home. We spent as much time as we could playing outside, taking walks, etc. One evening we took the boys to IHOP for pancakes, and the other nights Greg cooked a wonderful variety of tasty dinners. I am so spoiled!

Nathan pushed the truck while rooting for the Tigers.

Look who can join in the truck-pushing fun now!


Hi!


Two trucks passed in the yard. There were no collisions, thankfully.


New Year's Eve in Daddy's arms...the best place ever.

Goals for 2010

The turn of a new year always has me thinking about goals. Here is my list for 2010.

Let gentleness be the rule in our home. Use more kind words and practice quietness.

Keep a healthy diet. Run a 10K race in the spring and the Dowd half-marathon in the fall. (Drank some muscle milk this afternoon!)

Have a hospitality focus. Invite guests over for dinner at least once a month. (Mel & Rick are our first guests this evening.)

Take a yoga/pilates/aerobics class at the Carmel Baptist ROC during January and February, and maybe longer. (I plan to start this tomorrow, assuming boys are still well when they wake up.)

Establish a relationship with a babysitter(s) and go out with Greg once a month. (I'm already making progress on this one - just need to call her to set up a night out!)

Donate groceries to the Matthews Help Center once a month.

Volunteer once a month with either the Matthews Help Center, Church on the Street or Jackson Park Ministries. I am particularly interested in helping the homeless.

Read through the Bible following Christ Covenant's guide.

Memorize a new scripture each week.

Borrow library books every three weeks. Currently, I am reading The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mom and Where the River Ends by Charles Martin. Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner is next on the list.

Be intentional about how I spend time with the boys. Plan a weekly craft or activity to engage them. (Right now, baking seems to be of particular interest for Nathan!)

Work more Snowflake Sudoku puzzles (designed by my friend Japheth Light).