Dependence vs. Independence
I can see a competition brewing inside of my littlest one. Her development toward independence versus her fears and need for dependence. Crawling and pulling up to furniture has given her a little tinge of confidence that proves she can try new things on her own, but yet she backs down and away from the danger if it feels too risky. She is just now starting to have her first tastes of food (at ten months). And she's loving it. I wouldn't say she loves food more or even as much as breastmilk, but she's slowly getting the hang of exploring new flavors. She's tried green beans, peas, carrots, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and she absolutely loves steamed broccoli. She pretty much enjoys feeding herself, but she knows she still needs help. She's beginning to stand for a few seconds without holding on to anything, and while she's doing it... while she's upright, all by herself, without any support, she gets this sparkle in her eye while she smiles a smile of Are you seeing what I'm doing, Mama?, but the sparkle is quickly followed up with a nervous I don't quite think I can do this alone yet look right before she plops to the ground, and gives way to her doubt. She'll walk behind the security of Mommy or Daddy's fingers to hold in front of her, but she doesn't believe yet that she can actually push that walker at the same time she walks behind it. It's quite bittersweet to watch her take each step of independence, but I suppose that's the entire goal of living a life of a parent. I think with each developmental milestone she has, BrettRyan is itching for a third little Buckingham. I always thought I'd be the one who always needed a baby around, but I think he might be living up to that need too. :)
LOOK AT THOSE TEETH!!!! Four pearly whites now!
(Laidey's 9 (9.5) months)
Adelaide 9.5 months & Breck 2.5 years
Breck has always been the best to go to bed with no questions asked. He'd crawl up into bed with paci and Bearpo in tow. We'd sing, read a book, and then pray with him. He'd give us a kiss, hug our necks, roll over to his side, we'd cover him up, he'd tell us goodnight, blow kisses, and wave as we backed out of his room waving too. But lately?! Things haven't gone quite so smooth. Now we frequently hear any one or many of these:
"Breck NO wanna go to bed!"
"Breck no want paci bearpo." (As he tries to hand them back to us)
"My tummy hurts. I need Tyzenols."
"Breck need to cry. Breck need to scream."
"Breck hear-d a noise! Breck scared."
Our extremely hot picnic at the "Air-pain-port"
July 4th -Beach Day!
I refuse to get used to the fact that we can just buzz over to the sandy shores of our Michigan beaches for a sunset, or a day of fun at the beach. It takes my breath away every time that sky and water horizon comes into view.
The beach was completely packed on Independence Day.
My sweet boy...
(reminds me of this photo: Summer 2011)
(Summer 2011)
He actually played IN and WITH the sand this summer! :)
Sweet Lou peeking up over her little sand-free hideout.
Mama can't get enough of this hat that miss Brittany got Adelaide!
It's the cutest and I understand she swiped it for $1.00!
I scored big. time. with this play kitchen! We've been looking for one for the kids for months! Used ones are going $40-$60 on craigslist, but I found this beaut for $5.00 at a garage sale! I hauled that thing up into our van all by myself... then gave it a bath in our front yard and it looks brand new!
We have several fun days ahead of us... Family will be visiting!!! Aunt Holly broke the news to Breck the other day on the phone that they are coming up to stay with us, and ever since, Breck says at least once a day "Breck need to see Holly. BroBro, Dylllllly, Aaanon, and Holly coming in twwwo weeks." Little does he know we'll see them in ONE day! Yaay!
