Continually Learning


Draven and Elora are constantly learning something new, whether it is how to be more creative, finding new ways to scare Mommy and Daddy (i.e. jump out from hiding, climbing to the top of the couch in attempt to fly, pulling Daddy's swords out just to deliver them to him without our knowledge, wanting to "cook" us something in the kitchen), or even basic counting and alphabet understanding.

Last night during dinner, Elora stopped eating to study her fork. She then began counting its prongs for the first time. Although she kept thinking there were five instead of four, that is besides the point. At bedtime, she began counting the spots on a ladybug in her book, uninterested in the story or other pictures, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, eweven, twelf, thirteen, eighteen, if-teen, ine-teen, sis-teen, tenty, thirteen, eighteen! Eighteen Mommy!" Again, although there were only nine spots, that too is besides the point. In addition, she is becoming more aware of written words around her (i.e. asks what the letters are in books or on boxes). Where has the time gone since my sweetpea could barely say, "Mommy"?

Well Draven is doing his brotherly duty of correcting everything Elora does or says. It is hard for him to comprehend that the way she counts (as I wrote above) is o.k. because she is learning; she is trying to be a big girl like her big brother. Another example, is when she tries to say a big word (Elephant = Ewphant) he feels the need to tell, "You're saying it wrong Elora, it is..." He is slowly accepting our teachings of how to correct constructively or help her instead of telling her she is doing it wrong. It is coming along but he takes his big brother role very seriously! On a another note though, he now comprehends that he is pretend reading whereas I am actually reading. It is great though to see him trying to understand the letters on his own but I don't see real reading a top priority for him anytime soon, which is completely o.k. It is hard to believe that Draven has gone from my baby who loved baths, to my toddler who could spend hours playing on the dog and rolling the ball around, to my preschooler who loves imaginary sword fighting play with his Dad.

Raising Draven and Elora


I have recently started reading weekly journal entries on the Parent Center website called, "Raising Ben & Birdy." If only I had captured my children's life this way, I would actually have completed a novel or two by now!

Well lately, Draven has become more intrigued to learn how to do something than actually having me do it for him. It amazes me how their mind switches modes over night. For example, he asks, "Mommy, will you show me how to tie my shoes?" or "Will you show me how to zip up my coat?" Also, he has reached a point where he is trying to grasp the difference between me reading a book and him "reading" a book. I actually read the book, whereas, he runs his finger across the words saying them aloud because he has memorized my reading of that book. "I'm reading too Mommy!" he says. In the end, "Yes bud, keep it up" is one of the only answers he is looking for; not me trying to explain that he is memorizing and not actually reading...maybe another day I will try that one.

Elora's most used phrases lately are "Where you going?", "Why Mommy/Daddy/Daben?", or when asked, "What are you doing sweetie?" she responds with, "Me do nutthing Mommy." I just can't believe that only two years ago, she was this 9 lb., highly dependant on her parents, needing us every moment, little sweetpea baby.

Before Elora was born, I was one of those mom's who read the parenting books and magazines expecting them to know everything about my child. I thought, "If the book by so-and-so doctor said this, than why hasn't Draven reached that milestone yet?" I never really put pressure on him to be a textbook baby/toddler; however, I stressed myself out to the point of crying many times just thinking about what this book says, how I am not acting like this magazine says a mom should act at this point, worried I wasn't giving my son enough "educational" toys, or even the very common thing of comparing my child to another (as most parents do). By the time Elora was born, I was so exhausted with such drama and stress I put on myself that I just gave up on the idea of raising my child according to "the book." Therefore, I have truly been enjoying watching my children meet their milestones at their own pace. From crawling, walking, teething, potty training, socializing, talking, and so on, I am finally stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, reminding myself to enjoy the moments instead of stress over them.

Simple Happiness

The two very children that cause me to ride an emotional rollercoaster (sadness, fear, love, stress, etc.) also provide me with the most unimaginable happiness. It baffles me that no matter how many toys or entertainment we buy our children, their true happiness is priceless. A tickle-fest with Daddy or a game of hide and seek with Mommy means more than anything money could buy. It's amazing how children are satisfied by the simple things in life. If only all of us could learn from these small creatures, life would be much less complex!

Well it has been couple of weeks since I last updated you so I will do my best to summarize it. Elora's communication skills are expanding and she says new words regularly (e.g. "No hurt Mommy, it was a ancident (accident)" or "Kana n Miakye need go o-side for potty, open door - me do it!" (Kyanna, dog; Malachi, cat) or even as simple as, "Daben (Draven), come on!"). However, there are still many times I do not comprehend her toddler words. Draven is finally at an age where I can understand everything he is saying though - it's great! He is such a helpful big brother as he tries to teach Elora her colors and numbers. She now can count to five and with help; she can make it to ten. Her colors need much help because on the first guess, everything is the color green! Draven on the other hand, at preschool, is learning to better write his alphabet and numbers. In addition, Daddy introduced him to Highlights Magazine hidden pictures - he loves them!

Well although our children are not always this satisfied with the simple things (tantrums are a regular thing in our household) and I do ride an emotional rollercoaster raising them, they still provide an inconceivable amount of joy to our lives and we wouldn't have it any other way.