From Toddler to Little Boy

 

There are milestones in parenting that for me have been unexpectedly. When you look down at that little baby that no longer cares to crawl and walking has become their primary form of getting from point A to point B. That baby is no longer a baby, he's a toddler. Or when the isolated words turn into phrases which then turn into sentences. Oh boy - we have a talker on our hands!  These milestones don't come at suspecting times. It's not as if once the child is one year old, they are now a toddler. Many don't walk until later and still lean more toward baby until closer to 2 years old. Or the opposite, Austin walked at 10 1/2 months - you better believe that walking in my book did not make him a toddler. He was still MY BABY!!!! Growth in these little lives come without warning. Many have been the times when I look down at one of my little guys and think, "Oh, how did we leave that stage and are full on into the next stage. I had no warning." This is currently happening in our home!
In the last couple weeks, it's been so incredibly clear that Austin has gone from toddler to little boy.

There are countless stories of how we've seen our little toddler turn to little boy.



Here pictured is Austin making his own breakfast. Not because I make him, but because he begs me to allow him! On this particular morning, he did it all. Poured the yogurt, cut up his banana, put it in the bowl. When it came time to pour the granola, he attempted. Then came running at me. "Momma, I need help because I'm afraid I'll pour too much!" Well hello responsible three year old!

Austin has also insisted on helping with other meals. Initially, I resisted it, knowing that the kitchen can be dangerous with a hot stove, breakable dishes, etc. In the recent weeks, I've decided that I need to nurture that desire in him. He loves to help in the kitchen. So I plan on things taking a little longer, but we get quality time together and hopefully his wife will thank me later! His roles at meal time have included, setting the table, pouring our drinks, stirring whatever's in the pot, cracking eggs, cutting soft things(with close supervision), and washing dishes (he loves it and actually does a really good job!). He's had such satisfaction in taking part. As I have allowed him I've realized that he truly does assist. My job is not only easier, but more fun with my little companion!

Also, there have been several mornings where Austin decides he wants to get dressed before I've gotten to pulling clothes out for them. Without announcing his plans, he goes into his room, pulls out his clothes and fully dresses himself. The other day I asked him to get socks for him and his brother - he got each of them a pair that matched what they were both wearin!!!! Not sure if it was coincidence or not, but I was impressed!

We have been working through a book that our cousin Cari got Austin before we left NY. It's filled with academic activities that are intended for the summer before preschool. We call it "school"! Austin has thrived on it. He's completely surprised me at being able to tackle tasks such as identifying the different object, pairing the type of vehicle to it's driver, writing letters and saying their sounds. It's been really fun to watch him have such joy in his accomplishments!

This one's my favorite! All four of us were sitting in the living room playing something (can't remember what!) Austin popped up and took off to the bathroom. I wondered what he was doing, but didn't ask to see what was going to come of it. He reappeared a few seconds later with toilet paper in hand. Without saying a word he wiped Jonathan's snotty nose, ran off to the bathroom again to throw away the paper, and plopped back on the floor with us. Both Aaron and I looked at one another is disbelief and pride all in the same moment!

Yes, it's sad to watch the baby turn to toddler and toddler to little boy. But in the same moment there is such promise and excitement in watching them grow and develop. I am so thankful to have a front row seat to this little man's life. What a privilege and what delight! I'll close with a few of my favorite quotes from this little boy:

"Jonathan taking out the cars is troubling me."
"I'm not available to hold Jonathan's hand."
"My choice made God sad didn't it?"
"Momma why are you so frustrated" (Ouch!!!!)
"No Jonathan, that's not your toy, it's OUR toy!"

Yup - definitely no more toddler, he's turned into a little boy right before our eyes!

9th Anniversary

Friday, October 19th, was our 9th anniversary. In light of my last post, I am sure you can understand how our plans to celebrate got postponed. With both Aaron and Austin so ill, we decided to wait until next week to attempt a date night. So we got to "celebrate" with two toddlers in two. Aaron had class in the evening, so we went out for a quick lunch as a family. It was comical at best! Our conversation as we reflected about our wedding day was consistently interupted with "why", "what do you mean", "what are you talking about". How do you explain an anniversary to a 2 and 3 year old? Oh, and the scene as we exchanged gifts...As I tried to read the incredibly thoughtful card from my sweet hubby this is what I heard. "Momma - open the box. I want to see what's inside. I think it's chocolate. Is it chocolate? Open it momma. Can I eat it?" Over and over and over and over again! By the time Aaron was opening his, they were over it and loud animal roars and ribbits and such were coming from the table. We couldn't help but laugh! This is our life now and we wouldn't trade it for the world! Those little "distractions" are a fruit of the love we share and the committment we made to one another 9 years ago. Our world is incredibly joyfilled and colorful with their presence.  Yes, we look forward to a quiet evening alone to truly celebrate, but Friday was just perfect the way it was.

What an incredible 9 years it's been. I want to journey through them. Join me if you will :)

October 2003 - Markham Woods Road, Lake Mary FL
We were united as one and lived in a 100 year old furnished little house which was orignally Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. It was a perfect home for a newly wed couple preparing to leave the country as missionaries! We share such sweet memories here of learning to be husband and wife and delighting in an extended honeymoon!

January 2004-November 2005 - Fortaleza Brazil
We lived in two different apartments here. Our time in Fortaleza working with Campus Crusade for Christ was incredible. We sharpened one another as we labored together for God's Kingdom. We experienced deep fellowship with our staff team and endured many challenges together. Most of all we saw God's hand of faithfulness as we experienced being one in marriage and even in ministry!

December 2005- August 2011 - Arlington TX
Our home was the Franciscan of Arlington where we got to minister as actual employees of the apartment complex as activity directors. It was a perfect fit for us. We loved every minute of gathering our community and developing relationships with them. We got to develop stronger bonds of friendship with our family during our time in Arlington. We both worked in our secular professions. Aaron excelled greatly as labored both for City of Grand Praire and City of Arlington. I stopped working for Big Brothers Big Sisters to be a momma to our first son Austin. We barely blinked, and were expecting another little man, Jonathan. Becoming parents in every essence unified us. Aaron supported me in an incredible way through pregancy and child birth. We experienced God's strength and power as He brought our boys into the world. Also in our time in Texas, we grew deep roots in our home church First Baptist Arlington. As members in that body, we are well loved and invested in. In every aspect, we are listened to, supported, and sharpened to pursue whatever God had before us. Which lead us to gradschool!

August 2011-July 2012 - Morningside Heights Manhattan, NYC
Unexpected joy met us in New York City! It was as if we were the missing piece of a puzzle to a life that needed to be lived. There was no "transition" per say. We immediately found and incredible community through Trinity Grace Church. Friendships came very easily in the most unexpected ways. Our neighborhood was incredible. We had a plethera of choices of playgrounds to choose that were within walking distance. Aaron recieved an incredible education. Yes, it was a challenge to be a family of four with kids as toddlers in one of the most difficult universities. But it was well worth it.

July 2012- Now - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Yup - as it life wasn't crazy enough. Why not pack up your two year old and three year old and move internationally to complete the second year of grad school!?! The transition was for sure slower in the making here in Sao Paulo. But many gifts have come from it. For starters we have grown more hungry for God, His Vision, and His strength. Our boys have become best buddies. Since they don't have the wide community of peer friendship as in Texas and New York, it has fortified their friendship. They miss one another when they are away, and they have learned to have a blast playing together! Likewise Aaron had I have grown a deeper friendship with one another. We continue to delight in pursuing adventure together. We lean into what God has for us next. Though it still remains a minstery, we are enjoying standing at the Throne shoulder to shoulder asking God for His direction!

What an incredible 9 years! The memories overwhelm me with joy. Psalm 77:11 says, "Remember the works for the Lord. Remember His wonders of long ago". It is so important to stop to look back at how incredible the journey has been. Very early in our relationship, I told Aaron it was an honor that he would pursue a relationship with me. 9 years into marriage, that is no different. My husband is an incredibly capable, God-fearing man. Everything he puts his hands on, he does so in pursuit of excellence. He is a loving husband who strives each day to demonstrate his love for me in a way that I will comprehend. He is an amazing daddy who invests deeply in the lives of his boys. He enjoys and pursues family time. He is a visionary with big dreams of how God's hand can impact this world for good. Yes, the adventure at his side is WILD to say the least. But it is an incredible honor to be the woman he's chosen to pursue adventure with!

On the Mend

It's been nearly a month since I've blogged - why - illness! It started off with Austin having a minor cold. He then passed it on to Jonathan (of course). Within a couple days, Austin got a weird stomach bug with fever. He got sick several times one night before bed. Then went to sleep and was completely OK for the next three days. Then - it hit again - got sick several times before bed, went to sleep. Woke up completely fine. Weird. To further make us perplexed Aaron got the same thing. Once Aaron and Austin were well. I got a big ole sinus cold. My nose over took my face. Sleep was hard to come by. Starting this week, I breathed a sigh of relief thinking everyone had their turn and we were all finally well - WRONG!

You might even say, the other illnesses were the quiet before the storm. Monday, I picked up Austin from school and the look on his eyes said, "Momma please hold me". I immediately picked him up and he wrapped his entire body around me. His hands met behind me in the middle of my back. As did his feet. His head was on my shoulder. Every part of his body that could be touching me was. We walked the 10 minute walk home like this. Austin remained this attached until Friday - whew! Poor little guy ran a high fever all week and had crazy congestion which made sleep very difficult. After taking him into the doctor, he was diagnosed with an ear infection and put on antibiotics.

Then there was Aaron. I took one look at him on Tuesday morning and thought - Oh no this can't be good. He ended up having a severe case of strep throat that kept him in bed most of the week. It was hard to see him so weak. He handed it like a champ and even helped in keeping Jonathan while I had to take Austin into the doctor. A few days into his round of antibiotics, he is fever free and feeling better too.

Needless to say, it's been a hard stretch. I wish I could say I handled it in grace the entire time. But I didn't. I grew weary in being needed! However, it is cool to see how God continues to provide community to uphold us when we are far from home. Just to name a few, Rachel our neighbor, who once again looked at Austin early in the week. Leonor my sweet nurse friend who coached me along the way through the Brazilian health care system. Ana, my "cousin" in Florida who's a PA, and always gives us counsel in illness. Lurdes our neighbor who rode in the Taxi with Austin and I and helped us get checked in at the hospital for Austin's doctor's visit. Countless friends and family from back in the states called, emailed, or texted saying we were on their mind and they were praying for us. Not to mention the free doctor's visit and free meds we were able to receive for Austin and Aaron (the health care system is far from perfect here, but in this situation it blessed us and was perfect provision).

This week I asked often why God was allowing such intense illness. I know it's part of life and people get sick. But in the midst of it, I nearly lost my mind.  In retrospect, perhaps He was reminding us, yet again of His care. I stand amazed. All those people He mobilized to support our little family. We are just a fraction of His creation. Yet, somehow, we are extremely important to our God and His care for us is perfect and personal. I am humbled and I am grateful!