middle-child syndrome

One of my biggest challenges about adjusting to life with three little one has been to try to find time to connect with Gabriel.  The oldest and the youngest naturally receive my attention throughout the day, but poor Gabriel often has to demand it, usually in the loud and wonderful ways that two-year-olds demand attention.  I cannot help but notice that he has received little attention on my blog as well, so here is an update on my funny and adorable two-and-a-half year old.

I have been so proud of Gabriel these days.  He has given nothing but love to his little brother during our new-baby transition.  If anything, I only have to rescue Nicholas from being overly smothered, but the intention is always positive.  Gabriel has also started potty-training himself (I do not potty train my kiddos, I only follow their own lead!).  I have also noticed the trickle-down effect with a lot of preschool activities intended for Dominic; Gabriel is starting to memorize songs and books, recognize his alphabet, and to develop his vocabulary, coordination and motor skills.

Look Mommy, I combed my hair all by myself this morning!

More than anything my little Gabriel makes me laugh all day long.  He is sharp, clever and FUNNY. His timing is perfect and he knows exactly how to deliver the punch line to his jokes.  He has a mind of his own, and never just "follows the crowd".  Gabriel truly thinks that he is one of the big kids.  When we go to playdates, he follows Dominic and the other four/five year olds around (instead of kids his age), believing that he is one of them.  Michael and I keep half-joking that he is going to be a handful as he gets older and that we will need to spend a lot of time working on his character.  We can already tell that he is going to be the "cool" and popular type.  Oh boy!  ;-)

I was recently sharing with a friend my struggle for giving him enough attention during the day, and she made a great point.  She suggested that in being squished between two boys close to his age, Gabriel will always get the most attention from his siblings as they grow up.  He will get to choose who he wants to play with and will have a lot in common with both Dominic and Nicholas.  I love imagining my boys growing up and sharing experiences together, and I especially love my sweet and funny middle-child.  :-)

first tee-ball game

what pre-k at home looks like

Though we have simplified our Learning Time during our newborn transition, the boys and I are still having a blast doing preschool at home.  I love watching them learn and thinking of ways to (secretly) weave it into our days.  I try to follow their curiosity and to plant seeds within their developing minds and bodies.  They are little sponges who learn something new about the world around them everyday, whether we plan it or not! 

Dominic has really caught on to reading phonetically in these past few weeks.  We are going through a reading program that we love, called All About Reading.  Since Dominic is still young, I try to listen to him read for about 10-15 minutes a day.  We usually only finish one or two lessons a week, which is wonderful, because it is hard work for him and I do not want reading to become a chore.  I have been reading aloud to him since birth to encourage a love of books, and I am not about to ruin that now!  That being said, I am so excited for this little bookworm to experience literacy-- and there is something very special about hearing your child read to you!

This is a photo of my proud little boy who finished his first Level 1 reader.

In addition to reading, we love our Kindergarden Math curriculum, which we work on for about 15-minutes three-times a week.  This program has been fantastic.  Dominic is learning so much through the use of manipulatives and repetition.  Almost every activity is oral and conceptual, which is perfect for young ones who have not mastered the fine-motor skills of handwriting.  

My only other focus these days is to keep reading-aloud to the boys.  

I believe that listening to stories daily builds their vocabulary and imaginations to prepare them for a lifetime of learning.  We mostly read picture books, though Dominic is starting to transition into being able to listen attentively to chapter books as well.  We have enjoyed a couple of the Winnie the Pooh classics, as well as Charlotte's Web in the past few months while the little ones are napping.  We also recently discovered audiobooks at our library, and this has been wonderful during car drives.  

I hope to resume our Little Saints program very soon, but for now my library trips are limited, and it is a little easier to simply grab a couple of stacks of various books rather than try to work in a weekly theme.

As you can see I am definitely not a "Pinterest" mom who enjoys coming up with beautiful art projects and extravagant "sensory" activities.  Spending my days with my boys however is something that I sincerely enjoy and playing a part of the foundational work for their future education is an honor.  We will likely be doing Kindergarden with Dominic at home next year as well, and although there are many factors contributing to our narrowing in on this decision, the most important reason is that learning together is FUN and that I love having that sweet boy home with me!

Lent and Easter books

Here is what we will be reading over these next couple of months:

The Thornbush

The First Easter

Little Rose of Sharon

The Tale of Three Trees

Simon and the Easter Miracle

The Monk Who Grew Prayer

An Easter Gift For Me

The Story of the Cross:  The Stations of the Cross for Children

Tell me the Easter Story

Celebrating Lent

The Way of the Cross for Children

The Proud Tree

Coloring Book about Lent

The Road to Calvary Coloring Book

Little Acts of Grace

Welcome Risen Jesus

first smiles!!

Nicholas, 10-weeks old

introducing USA's newest bobsled team

Despite our warm weather these days, we had a case of "Winter Olympic Fever" here last week...

St. Valentine's day 2014

I am documenting this almost a month behind...  but I am sticking with my excuse that I have a newborn!

Here was our Valentine's day spread! 

I pulled out our favorite Valentine's Day books, and the boys were each treated to a new LEGO car.  Growing up, my mom used to give my brother and I a little treat for Valentine's day.  I remember truly appreciating this as a tween or teen, when the focus started to shift from card exchanges to romance.  It is always nice to feel loved by your parent, at no matter what age!

Now that I live with four boys however, I am blessed to be EVERYBODY's Valentine!  Here is a picture of my newest sweetheart, who was dressed up for the occasion. <3 p="">

persevering... with a little help from my (little) ones

Motherhood is humbling.  

I am always learning so much from watching my children.  Their capacity to love and learn amazes me daily.

It is no secret that the past 10-weeks have been TOUGH.  

Though over two-months old, Nicholas has only reached the milestones of a four-week old baby.  Our little guy suffers from reflux and a lot of gassiness, causing for many unconsolable crying spells.  Needless to say, I have been in survival mode and experiencing a lot of "newborn exhaustion."  

I have spent many evenings complaining to Michael how discouraged and tired I feel of taking care of our unhappy infant.  I often feel as though I cannot make him feel better.  

I have been praying a lot of perseverance and gratefulness.

My sweet boys never seem to run out of love for their little brother however.  

Day-after-day, they have showered him with kisses.  They do not ask anything in return (Nicholas just learned to smile on Monday!)  I am astounded by their patience, and I cannot wait for them to experience the joy of having a tiny baby smile and giggle with them.

This morning was Ash Wednesday, and I bravely attended mass (alone!) with the three babies.  At one point, Gabriel started getting a little mischievous.  Typically, when he starts acting out I pick him up for some snuggles and try to refocus him, but I could not do this since I was already holding Nicholas.  It was in this moment that my Dominic walked over to his younger brother, took his hand and encouraged him to sing the "Holy, Holy, Holy" along with him.  The knelt together for the consecration, still holding hands.  And my heart nearly exploded, feeling surrounded by God's love and the love of my family.