ALL boy, times two

It does not seem like it's been that long since I've updated our blog, but looking back, we've been so busy and done so much since the end of December! These boys have kept us on our toes, literally and figuratively, and give constant reasons for humbly acknowledging how blessed we are even as they constantly test and cross the boundaries we've defined.

I ran across this photo of Caedmon in our garden a few weeks back. It was finally time to harvest our single stalk of broccoli (I didn't realize that it would get zero sunlight where we planted it, so its growth was minimal!) He was so excited, as in previous weeks he would frequently go pick off tiny bits of the plant to sample. I cut off the top and gave it to him and he devoured about half of it before I reclaimed it. This child likes nutritious foods! I frequently have to remind him in the grocery store to please not chomp into raw broccoli, asparagus, and other vegetables until we have paid for them - seems like a pretty great problem to have with our little guy.

Since we haven't had a lot of cold weather this winter the boys and I have spent a great deal of time outside. So far we've found few activities that are as thrilling to these two as playing on the playgrounds in our neighborhood. Caedmon has conquered every piece of equipment that he's tall enough to reach and nimbly climbs up ladders, staggered steps, and even a rock climbing wall. He is blossoming into quite an adventurous little guy!

He also seems to really enjoy flying through the air, whether on a slide, swing, or ride at the carnival that was in town with the rodeo. So far he has not attempted anything that was overwhelming to him!

Isaac, too, has loved our trips to the playground, and I'm really proud of him for attempting new things by himself, like the slide. It doesn't appear to be quite as exhilarating for him as his brother, at least from his expressions in the photos, but he is definitely getting there!

We are seeing so much independence in these guys. I am continually amazed at the things Caedmon says, does, and figures out for himself. This afternoon he was telling me about his toy farm animals that were "fast asleep" and "sound asleep." Those word pairings probably shouldn't make sense to him but he knows how to use them! And he's beginning to have a strong opinion about what he wants to wear each day - usually jeans - but one day he surprised us with and eclectic get-up consisting of my wool knit hat, his sunglasses, a "digger" shirt, and camo pants tucked into his cowboy boots. He knew he had come up with quite an ensemble!

The cowboy boots have really become a fun thing for him since we went to the rodeo a while back. He loves to talk about cowboys, roping animals, and bustin' broncos. He wanted to wear his boots to bed last night and although I told him no, it was not surprising to me to find him sound asleep with them on when I checked on him later.

And our sweet Isaac has really gone through a growth spurt, physically and mentally. He's using a lot more words now and can repeat just about anything, even phrases. His focus seems to be on the really important things - such as outside, front yard, marsh_mal_low (pronounced slowly and carefully so I'd be sure to not miss his meaning!), and papa-cows. We've even gotten some complete sentences from him. After their recent visit to my parents' and the farm, he walked into the room with me and said, "Mama. Go Papa house, please??" He had really been working to get that one just right!

We've known from very early on that Isaac would be a determined little fellow. He is! Once he's decided something it's difficult to change his mind. For instance, while looking at a book about farm animals with him, I pointed to a horse and asked what it was. He contemplated, decided it was a cow, and could not be convinced otherwise. On the next page I asked him to find the giraffe, just to see what he'd do, and after mulling it over for a bit he picked out a horse, called it a giraffe, and was resolute in his decision. I've heard him arguing with Caedmon, too, while looking at a photo from when Caedmon was about a year old. Each maintained that the child in the photo was himself, with Isaac chiming in "No, I-dee!" (what he currently calls himself) every time his brother identified himself. Such determination can be a powerful tool in the Lord's hands - we are praying that his little heart will use that strong resolve to glorify his Creator!