I can now travel the world as I've renewed my passport that expired in 2013. The boys can come too as they now have passports. Graham renewed his in the fall due to some training in the States for work. I doubt there will be any major travelling any time soon, but it's good to be prepared. I took the boys with me to the passport service centre one morning. We obviously don't go to downtown Kitchener very often as Isaac said that it was like Toronto due to all the cars. There is a special place in Isaac's heart for downtown Toronto. It reminds me of his Grandpa Lucas.
Isaac told us one day how all of his best friends became his best friends (note: Isaac refers to most of his friends as best friends): #1 Be friendly. #2 Follow them around. #3 Do what they do. #4 Do more of those things.
In the car today Isaac was pondering what Baby Girl Faulkner will look like and he wonders what her name will be (he's partial to "Salt and Pepper"). Actually, a couple of times he has kissed my big covered tummy and called Baby, "My sweet little pumpkin." This month we have received a beautiful dress and jumper, a blanket, and a knit sweater for the baby. After we received the dress Isaac had the following conversation with me:
Isaac: What is she going to wear with the dress Mommy?
Me: I don't know.
Isaac Will she have any of those things that Iris wears? They are not pants but they are girly things.
Me: Tights?
Isaac: Yes.
Yes, there will be a few things I need to buy that are not in the boys' clothing bins.
On the way to and from Isaac's piano class we pass the cemetery with Josiah's grave. Isaac and I always say hi to Josiah or sing our song to him or blow him kisses. A couple of weeks ago Isaac told me shortly after we passed the cemetery that Josiah sang a song back to both of us and then to him. The song to Isaac was about what a good big brother he was. I told him I thought that was a nice gift from God.
We have discovered that there are dangers to not monitoring what Isaac is reading. One morning at breakfast he told me that the children's book he was reading said, "We need to use nature, be nature, and follow nature." Okay, let's talk. God created nature and we need to follow Him!
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| Bye Bye Soother! |
Kohen has been busy growing up this month, through no choice of his own. I have a list of things that I'd like to see happen before the baby arrives and number one was to say goodbye to the soother. I gave him two days of warning and then he said good-bye to it in the morning and put it in a bag and chose a stuffed animal that he wanted to sleep with. Our timing was a little off because that afternoon he ended up throwing up in the car for some reason (unrelated to the soother) so we gave it back to him that night. We started the good-bye process again later that week (I value closure) and he refused to nap for three days in a row. Only the first night was a little hard and since then things have been fine.
Now, we are on to potty training. He's surprised me by doing really well. We haven't had too many accidents and I haven't had to set any timers like I did with Isaac. His last diaper rash hasn't completely healed so he is still wearing a diaper during his nap and at bedtime so that I can put cream on his bottom. I think I'll try to get rid of those too as soon as his bottom is all better.
After toilet training comes being in a big boy bed and then sharing a room with Isaac, both of which will hopefully happen in March. The boys are looking forward to sharing a room.
One of Graham's colleague's retired today. The boys and I went and said good-bye. We wish him every blessing in his retirement.
In January I had an extra ultrasound as the imagining from a previous ultrasound did not show everything. The ultrasound in January showed a little extra fluid in the baby. My ObGyn said she had one other patient with this and it had disappeared after a couple of weeks so I went for a third ultrasound earlier this month and it still showed a small amount of extra fluid. So, I went for an echocardiogram at McMaster with the amazing cardiologist who cared for Josiah when he went to the clinic at McMaster. The cardiologist said the baby looked fine and he wouldn't even note the extra fluid. So, we praise God for this news and answer to prayer. I had two good cries over this and peace in between. It was a blessing to have a day away with Graham and to be able to thank the cardiologist again for the blessing he has been to our family.
Speaking of crying, Isaac was blessed to be invited to go to the Aquarium in Toronto on his PD Day last week. He has a wonderful time and I think it's great for him to do things without his parents around. He went with this same friend to the Science Centre over the Christmas holidays. For some reason I kept thinking about what if something bad happened to Isaac. The boys were eating breakfast while I went to my room and bawled after giving him permission to go. I am very glad we didn't allow my fears to stop him from having his adventure and I hope I won't entertain these thoughts again. I don't want the boys to be limited because I am scared of losing them.
Sadly, my new record this month is sending Christmas cards in February (sigh!). I never sent any overseas so now I need to cut off the Christmas message part and just send out the family photo in a regular card. I am thankful for and always in need of grace.
It is time to say good-night and to thank you for your prayers.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
