Sibling Love

People often ask us how Rowan and Holland are handling having a new baby in the house. For the most part, I think things are going really well. Rowan definitely understands that babies take a lot of time and energy. Besides, he is very distracted by school and the comings and goings of his friends. Holland seeks more attention from John and I, but that is normal and her behavior isn't that much different than before Shep arrives. The hardest part is the two of them fighting over who will hold Shep or wake him up, or help bathe him, or get a diaper. The rivalry between them is not what I expected. I am grateful that this is my biggest dilemma at the moment.

Daddy Day

John and Rowan spent 2 Saturday's ago at the air show on Shaw Air Force Base. They had a great time checking out all the aircraft and watching planes drop "bombs" in the sky. I really couldn't tell who had more fun. More importantly, though, was the fact that the 2 of them got some manly bonding time in without interruption and without anyone else tagging along if you know what I mean.

As simple as it seems for a few hours to be spent together, it is these outings that will remain etched in both their minds as time they had together-just them. I am so thankful for the dad that John is and how he makes time for our children despite his busy schedule. At times I find myself protecting John from being "dragged down" by the children and their expectations of him. Deep down I know that he truly enjoys the time with them, but that it's limited based on his job and his other responsibilities. Quantity time will always be the goal, but quality time is the reality and I so need to remember that.

First Day(s) of School

Well, school has been in full swing for 3 weeks now. Rowan goes every day and Holland goes on T/TH. She wishes she went more and Rowan wishes he went less. Isn't that just Murphy's Law?! All in all they are both enjoying their teachers and classmates. Rowan has been learning a little more responsibility like making sure he brings his folder back each day and getting it all together when he comes home. Good thing because my hands are pretty full! Holland is the oldest in her class and one of only 2 girls. I'm quite sure she gives Mrs. Frances a run for her money on a regular basis. Rowan's class is very familiar to him. There are only 2 children who were not at the school last year and one of them is his good friend Joshua from church. They work on handwriting, letter and word recognition, sound recognition, simple math, following instructions, other fine motor skills and of course social development/play. I am quite proud of his daily work and can tell that he is a pretty focused little 5-year-old boy. Holland is quite proud of her crafts and will always confess to me if she's had to go to time-out. My T/TH mornings might seem like a dream with 2 of the children at school, but while nursing a tiny baby you'd be surprised how little I can accomplish in 3 hours!