Finian: (As we’re driving down the road) Look Mama! Sheeps!

Mama: Oh!  You see some sheep!

Finian: No.  Not one sheep.  Lots of sheeps!

Finian continues to exhibit behaviors typical of a two-year-old, but his reasoning abilities have greatly improved, which in turn, often leads to improved behaviors.  He is better able to understand that Mama and Daddy usually have a reason for saying NO!  That doesn’t mean he listens all the time, but we are certainly seeing an improvement.  Thank goodness!  He also continues to LOVE his little sister.  He was so excited when Isabel started going to daycare with him.  He is quite the proud big brother and (usually!) watches out for her when they are together.  When Isabel starts fussing at home, he frequently runs to find her, shouting “It’s okay Isel-bell!  Brudders comin’!”  We are just so very proud of him! 

Physically, Finian continues to amaze us.  He is able to climb up on just about anything, which is sometimes a blessing, but mostly a curse!  He loves to run, run, run and wears us out every day.  We have been working on writing skills.  While he isn’t able to do much more than draw lines and circles, he is able to hold a crayon appropriately.  And he does draw some lovely circles!  One of his not-so-great learned skills is the ability to unhook his carseat buckles.  He doesn’t do it often, but he is definitely capable!  It’s hard to believe he is going to be three years old soon!   

Isabel, you are four months old!

• On 8-2-10 (shortly after your three-month birthday!) you weighed 13 lb 12 oz and were 23 2/3 inches long.  On 8-20-10 (shortly before your four-month birthday) you weigh 14 lb 14 oz and were 24 inches long.  That’s a pretty hefty 1/3 of an inch! 
  


• You have outgrown all your 0-3 month clothes.  I really thought we could get some more use, since most of the outfits are little dresses.  Sadly, the elastic legs of the diaper covers are WAY too tight!
  


• Your little fat rolls are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen (aside from your brother’s fat rolls when he was a baby!).  You even have chubby little knees!
  


• You are still wearing a 1/ 2 diaper, but only because we need to use them up.  You will be moving into a size 3 as soon as this box is empty.
  


• You started day care this month!  I went back to work full-time, and you now spend two days with Angela in South Coffeyville.  I went out to visit you over my lunch hour your first day there, but that was mostly for my peace of mind.  You have settled in quite nicely!  The other little girls love having you there, and they shower you with attention.  Finian has also been quite the protective big brother and often tells the other kids “My sister!” 
  


• For the rest of the week, you spend one day with Daddy, one full day and one half-day with Mimi and one half-day with Grandma and Grandpa.  You are quite the social butterfly!
  


• You had your first vaccinations this month, and you did NOT enjoy them.  Your poor little face turned bright red and you had silent crocodile tears.  That lasted for approximately three seconds, until the silence was broken by your screams.  Poor Isabel!  You ran a bit of a fever that day, and were pretty cranky.  Otherwise, you didn’t seem to have any ill effects!
  


• You are still such a cheerful baby!  You smile all the time and are such a giggler.  My favorite part of the day is when I go in to get you out of your crib in the morning and you grin at me! 
  


• It melts my heart when you are so happy to see me after work that, while nursing, you pull your head back to look up at me and smile. 
  


• You have learned from your brother that LOUD IS GOOD and LOUDER IS BETTER! You have started squawking at us when you want to be picked up.  Daddy calls you a little Pterodactyl!
  


• You LOVE your jumper chair.  We can sit you in the chair and you are happy for, well, ever.  You’ve never gotten fussy!   Of course, I usually have to take you out pretty quickly because Finian thinks it is hilarious to twist you around and see how fast you can spin down!  You seem to enjoy it, but it freaks me out!
  


• You have found your hands and think they are absolutely fascinating.  And delicious!
  


• You have also found your tongue.  One of your best tricks is when you hang your tongue out of your mouth, all the way down to your chin!
  


• You are SO LOVED!!!