Miracles

I just read a book called Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup. She is a chaplain for the Maine Warden Service, which sets up search-and-rescue missions throughout the state. She is also the mother of four. There was a part of the book where she is talking about miracles. It spoke to me as a mother, and I wanted to post it so I can always come back and read it.

"As a mother, I pray for miracles of the most ordinary kind on their (my children's) behalf. I want their hearts to keep beating. I want them to live. But then, a grateful heart beats in the world of miracles. If I could speak one prayer for you, my children, it would be that your hearts would not only beat but grow ever greater in gratitude, that your lives, however long they prove to be and no matter how they end, continue to bring you miracles in abundance."

As a mother, I want my children to have miracles in their lives, be they large or small. I want them to be able to recognize these marvels and give thanks for them.

Learning a Life Lesson

Last night, Jay and I were trying to work on our kitchen design for the new house. Alex wanted Jay's pencil. Jay said, "No, Alex. Daddy needs to use it right now." Alex looked Jay in the eye, stomped his foot, slammed his hands down to his sides and exclaimed, "It's not fair! It's not fair!"

At first we thought we misunderstood him, but as he stood there repeating his mantra, we realized that is what he was indeed saying. I almost fell on the floor laughing. He had conviction in his voice and the body movement down pat! I guess he has learned at the ripe old age of two that life isn't always fair.

Winter Days

Last week we had a "snow day." All day long Alex kept asking me when daddy was coming home to take him in the snow! Once Jay finally came home, I got Alex dressed which was no easy feat - shirt, sweatshirt, jeans, two pairs of socks, snow pants, snow boots, coat, mittens and hat! By the time he was dressed he looked as if he was ready for the Artic Tundra, and I was sweating as if I had run a marathon. Here they are in the snow...

Today, we had arts and crafts. Alex finger painted, drew pictures and played with Play-Doh. He is my little artist!

2-Year Check-Up

I finally took Alex for his check-up today. He did a great job. He loved being able to hold the stethescope and only cried for a minute when he got his shot! Dr. Vazzano was very impressed with his speech (no surprise there!) He also said that it is advanced that Alex knows how to use the correct pronouns and can count and know the meaning of counting. He is my little smarty-pants!

As for the problems with hitting and pinching - he is right on target developmentally. Dr. V made me feel better and said a lot of kids his age go through this. He said it especially common when they are around kids their own age. And it is no surprise that I spend the whole My Gym class playing referee!

He is growing beautifully - he is 30 pounds and 36 inches tall. He is in the 60th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height.

I guess I will close with a cute (but too smart) comment Alex made the other day! He wanted to go in the basement and I said, "No, it is dark. Momma will be scared." He replied, "Well, turn the wights (lights) on." Outsmarted by my 2-year old!

Beynon Family Vacation

I can't believe it has been a week since we have been home from our trip to Turks and Caicos. We had such an amazing time, Alex especially! He absolutely loved every second of it. Here are just a few of Alex's highlights...dancing with the Sesame Street characters, doing the limbo with Nana and Laura, talking walks with Daddy and Pop Pop and Drew, and playing in the sand with Preslee and Mason! Oh and falling asleep on me on the beach - okay, so maybe that is one of my highlights!

I like to think that Alex loved it there so much, because he had been there before. He was there with Jay and I on our honeymoon (at least for part of it), but we didn't even know it yet!

To me Turks is the most wonderful place I have ever been. It will always hold a special place in my heart! It is where my baby boy was created!