Lots of little things going on here and there. I really should dedicate an entire post to Micah, he's growing up so quickly and changing so much. I enjoy his company and watching him learn and say new things. He's quite the conversationalist--with anyone and everyone. People are so gracious in the stores, going along with his stream of nonsensical words, nodding, and responding. It's fun to see that side of people, too, one that only a little one can bring out! He's such a little mimicker, too...of words, but especially of sounds and noises. I decided to extend his First Year calendar into a however-many-years-I-keep-it-up-calendar. It's something I will easily be able to do for however many kids we end up having, and it's a great replacement for a baby book that I'd probably never get around to doing (he has one for all his pre-birth and birth stuff, but then the calendar took over). I hang the calendar (that I got for $1) on fridge and write a snippet of something we did that day or a new word or sound that he said or anything that I think he might find interesting in years to come. It's working out great so far!
Another Micah project I have in the works is printing out some pictures of our baby in utero and putting them up on the fridge. Not sure if it'll help him make the connection, but it might since he's a smart one. I have a list of big brother books I want to check out from the library, too, so maybe that'll help. He's already fascinated with his little cousin Brea-Brea so this very well might be a waste of time, but you never know what will click when with toddlers. We're also making a baby collage by cutting out pictures of babies (and I might dig up a few family members' baby pictures for him to see), but Dad had a better idea: have the babies be with a big brother-type figure. Anyway, just trying to introduce him to the world of babies a few different ways.
Yet another thing we're working on (M and me) is starting the seedlings for our garden. We bought some seeds from the dollar store and the food store (and I have some basil seeds from my basil plant Rita gave me last year) that we're going to start sprouting in egg cartons. All you have to do it cut an X in the bottom of each egg holder, fill with soil, plant seeds, water until sprouts appear, and then plant in the garden. The egg carton is biodegradable, so you plant that right into the ground. Last year I got a late start (in May) in my garden because I didn't know this sprout-indoors secret.
Last night Mom had another one of her haircutting parties. There had to be at least twenty people there, some husbands included. A few people from our church were there and they had kids M's age, so he was a happy man. He did so well sharing all of the toys at Grammy's house (I never call them his, I just say "the toys" in hopes of lessening the greediness...don't know if it works or not, but it's worth a try!). I only heard a few "no, no"s when someone went near something he had and he was promptly corrected by Daddy or me. It's hard to teach a first child to share because most of the time they aren't around people who care to share their toys. Over the past few months I've been pretending I want a few of his toys as he was playing with them and used those times to teach sharing. Being in the church nursery three times a week also helps, I'm sure! All that to say that he had a great time with friends and I did, too! Mom always outdoes herself with the food she makes and since she's cooking healthier like us, it's always that much more yummy to eat! Last night she made crockpot orange chicken and brown rice along with some very tasty desserts. People filled in the rest: veggie platter, cheese and cracker platter, salad, rolls, and drinks. I didn't get anything done to my hair (Dad had recently cut it and did a great job), but Mom said people liked the results, so I'm sure there'll be another one in the near future.
D is on call for Easter, otherwise we'd all have matching outfits. Mom bought Micah and Brea matching outfits for the occasion and I have a dress that matches M's suit. I can't wait to see them together, they're going to look too adorable! Since Easter isn't all about new outfits, I'm reading a portion of the Easter story each day to M. I'm sure he isn't getting a lot of it, but again, you never know how much they understand. I won't be doing egg-dying with my kids, since bunnies and candy and eggs are not what Easter is all about, but there are a few other fun activities we will be doing (Easter cookies, Resurrection eggs, and I think I will do baskets, but with cross-centered items, not meaningless junk that gets thrown out in a week). We'll do egg dying on the first day of Spring, along with eating our free Rita's Water Ice, so no one is confused as to what Easter really means.
M had such a good time feeding these geese and ducks a few weeks ago. I'm sure it'll become a habit in the summer when it's warmer and less windy!
Alright, it's time to go scrounge up meal #14 of the day. I'm eating us out of house and home, rather, this baby is making me eat us out of house and home. Amazing pregnancies can be so different. With M, I ate only the suggested extra granola bar a day for the first two semesters. But this one...I should keep a food journal. I think I'd surprise myself!
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