These Days: Elias and Adeline

Elias and Adeline are growing and changing so much.

Sometimes I watch them play and laugh together and my heart wants to explode.

Photo by Matthew

Elias is a first-born in every sense. He is independent, creative and so funny.

These days his imagination seems to be working overtime. I hear him telling stories all the time as he plays.

He is such a kind-hearted, polite, gentle child. I marvel at the gift he is.

He has recently started coloring in the lines all the times. No more scribbling with just one color. Now his pictures are filled with colors, all within the confines of superhero coloring book images.

His favorite toys are cars, dinosaurs and superheroes – especially Spiderman. He tells me, “when I am 15 I am going to see The Avengers with Daddy.”

Yesterday, he went on his first field-trip. Matthew chaperoned and when it was time to go back to school he called me and said, “Mommy. I want to go on another field trip.” I love how resolute he is.

He also remembers everything. A few weeks ago we were shopping and he asked what a nutcracker was. I told him that they crack nuts open. Yesterday on the field trip, the kids found some nuts. When the field guide asked who eats the nuts, one child said squirrels. Another said chipmunks. My Elias said, “I know! Nutcrackers!” Man, I love that sweet boy.

Photo by Rex Perry

Adeline is fiercely strong-willed. She knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She is also very serious.

Elias will often go up to her to hug her and give her sugar and if she is in the middle of something she will scream and push him away. NOTHING can get in her way. We will often say to her, “Adeline girl! Elias just wants to give you some love.” She will look up and smile, but not stop what she is doing. Elias usually just tries another tactic to get her attention. He is so, so fond of her and she of him (when she wants to be!).

She is talking and signing up a storm. Her favorite word and sign is “More” and she usually does them simultaneously, especially at any meal and if music is on. “More, more, more, more” she says.

She hates to have socks and shoes on and pulls them off just as fast as we can get them on her.

She seems to be getting longer and some of that baby fat is melting away.

She still is waking up at night and as much as I hate it, I love the quiet of her and me, rocking and feeding her a small bottle. She usually plays with my night shirt and cuddles close. I love having a daughter. I love her.

She loves to read books – often wanting 5-10 stories in one sitting. My favorite part of the day is bringing both kids into “the big bed” as Elias calls it and reading stories together.

Both love taking baths together. They also LOVE to play outside, especially in the sandbox and the water table.

They are the best of friends. I hope that never changes.

 I love my kids.