Riding Cargo, Raeford

Here are some of Rae's exploits of late. 

He loves climbing into the cargo of the single and the double stroller. 

He's learning to undress himself. The one where he is on the little car, he has pulled his shirt down around his hips. We laughed at him and he was proud of himself. 

He's learning more signs. And fist bumps. He can now do friend, dog, swing, sleepy. He signs all of 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and likes 'The Wheels on the Bus'. He probably would learn them quicker if I learned them quicker... 

Since the weather is nice, we spend lots of time outside. Mostly so Rae doesn't destroy the house.

He likes having pictures taken. 

Brotherly Love

I try to capture these moments. One of the blessings I got while Joe was still in the hospital said that Raeford would love Joseph and that Joseph would love Raeford. That's been a big comfort to me, and it's been nice to see that blessing in action. 

When Rae wakes up, he runs to find Joe. Every morning. He loves talking to and playing with him. One day, I even watched him grab Joe's hands and dance in front of him. 

He loves to show Joe things that he is learning how to do. 

 

And he loves giving hugs. 

We're working on the "gentle" part of showing affection. 

Playing in the Rain

My favorite memory of my childhood is playing in the rain. 

In Houston, rain pounded the ground for a few minutes, then the sun would come out and the sidewalks would steam. We ran and put on our swimsuits as fast as possible so we could play in the deluge. 

I felt like my boys needed this memory. And what better time to relive my childhood than when my children are little? Mr. Graff moby wrapped Joe and took an umbrella. Rae and I ran wild. We had fun. 

Toddler Bed update

We decided last week to upgrade Raeford to a toddler bed. 

Rae likes to feel all grown-up. He likes glasses, not plastic cups. He wants to unlock the car and lock the house. He wants to help feed Joe. 

So we converted his crib to a toddler bed and then told him how grown-up it was to have a big boy bed. He ate it up. In fact, that night, when we told him to go to bed, he picked up his book and climbed in bed and fell asleep himself. 

He fell out of bed twice that night, but we put him back in and he fell right asleep again. He's only fallen out once since then. 

But, with the upgrade, Rae's decided that he's big enough to pick his bedtime. Au contraire, big boy, we still get to call the shots on bedtime. So, Mr. Graff is re-sleep training Rae. He puts a large couch cushion beside the bed and lays on it until Rae falls asleep. And on the weekends, he does that during nap time, too. 

But what about naps during the week, you ask? 

Good question. 

Observe: 

My job is done here.