The Lives of Langs: November 2009

I'm baaaaacccckkkk

A year and 2 months later....

Okay, seriously. The last time I blogged was March of 2010. I had 3 children then. Now, I have 4...and baby is nearing a year old!! Unbelievable. But I guess we have been a little busy. So, let's see, to catch up on our world...
Baby Georgia joined our family last August! She is so much fun. She brings incredible joy to our lives and is such a good baby! She endures being carted around the world to her siblings' activities, and she doesn't seem to mind. She has dimples that melt you like butter...she has blue eyes the color of the ocean. We LOVE having her in our family! What a blessing. She wants to keep up with the big ones...crawling, pulling up to stand, and trying to wrestle with Daddy like everyone else!
What a fun year....
Ella completed first grade. She had a wonderful teacher and really enjoyed it. She even won a math award at the end of the year. This is a feat in itself because math is not her mother's strong suit. She also danced in her ballet's production of Mary Poppins. She was one of the toys cleaning up the nursery. It was really fun to watch.
Owen completed preschool at our church. He loved learning and his teacher, Miss Tiffany. He is becoming more interested in letters and numbers now and constantly gives me a digital time update: "Mom, it's five two five (5:25). Mom, it's five two six. Mom, it's five two seven." Get the picture? I never need to wear a watch anymore...
Owie also completed swim lessons, along with Ella. What a fish. He would swim in our soft sided pool for 8 hours a day if I would let him. And some days I do! Let's just say he is sleeping well at night!
For some time we have been amazed with Owen's questions about heaven, God, and all things spiritual. He prayed today at lunch: "Thank you, God, for all the things you give us; for Your whole love; for Your Holy Spirit; and for giving us Your Jesus. Amen." Ella said, "Good job, Owie." Ava clapped. And Owen was basking in the praise, and said, "Thanks guys!" And Ella responded, "I couldn't have said it any better, Mom."
Ava is our sunshine. She will be 3 in a few months. So many funny things...loves Mr. Golden Sun....wants to know where he is if it's cloudy; loves to sing, dance, wear high heels, put on lipstick. But she also wants to be rough and tumble with Owen. I can't wait to see who she becomes!!!
Eric worked like a dog all year...short on staff....a very refining fire for him. I am so proud of his dedication and heart. I'm so glad he is my partner on this crazy ride we are on!!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I don't want to be a big boy anymore....

We finally did it. Our dirty little secret of a 3 year old still using a binky was out....after a trip to the dentist confirmed what we already knew: 4 of the most adorable little teeth were starting to stick out due to the binky. We knew it was coming...we knew we needed to get rid of it...but life was just getting in the way and mama had her reasons....like, well, Ava joined the family and you should never take away a comfort item during a change. Okay, so she's a year and half now...so I guess that doesn't count....and well, he just loves it so much...and well, he's my little boy. But, I decided it was time and bravely concocted a plan: BRIBERY! The binky fairy would come visit Owie that night and leave him a gift for being a big boy. He had to leave all his binkies in a box so she could give them to other new babies that needed them. I was nervous but he did really well. He had a little trouble settling in and lots of questions, but he was so tired that night that he did go to sleep fairly quick and that was the end. After he went to sleep, we crept into his room and left him a train roundhouse and a little train (bought from a friend whose daughter didn't play with them anymore) and a note from the binky fairy, glittered all over. In the morning I heard lots of rattling and then Owie coming downstairs with his roundhouse and his little train. It was precious. He was almost hyperventilating, he was so excited. He is still sad and misses his binkies though at nap and bedtime and last night was the most sad I have seen him yet. He said, "Mommy, I don't want to be a big boy anymore. Can't those angels bring me my binkies back?" It was with such a sad heart. It made his mommy sad. Maybe one of the reasons I hadn't pushed him before now was because I didn't want him to be a big boy either. If I was psychoanalyzing myself, that would be my diagnosis. Just because I'm a sap, I saved the binkies. Growing up is hard. On the boy AND the mother!