Changes Are Afoot...

Wow, it sure seems like the season of change in our household right now.  For some reason, each of our kids are blossoming through new developmental phases left and right, and we are enjoying every minute of it.  Katie is in the midst of a week-long kindergarten orientation/assessment at her new school, so her changes are obvious.  She was pretty scared walking away from us this morning at drop-off, but she emerged with some confidence gained that she will be fine this year.  We think she just needs to make a new buddy or two and she will absolutely take off.  She has been walking around our house non-stop with her new backpack on, just so that she can really feel like a "big kid."  The look certainly suits her!

As for Michael, we are just flabbergasted at how much he has come out of his shell lately.  It's almost as if he knows that he will now be the big man on campus (with Katie at school).  Whereas he was always so cautious in his play before, he is now willing to try everything at the playground:  ladders, big-boy swings, slides, you name it.  Even though the video above may not convey much to you, it is an astonishing turn of events for us.  Basically, just a month ago, he would have done nothing that he does in the video.  He is also really trying to engage in more imaginative play, sometimes coming up with the scenarios that he and his sister role-play.  We know that some of this probably has to do with his breakthroughs in language, so we hope the good surprises keep on coming.

And, finally, we are really starting to have fun with Neve.  She is starting to be downright giddy and giggly with us.  (She was totally cracking up on the baby swing today...will have to video that!)  She is starting to nap better during the day, which leaves her so much happier post-nap-and-feed.  She's trying her hardest to roll (which is so different from Big Sis), so we know that will come soon enough.  And, she's actually able to entertain herself for stretches at a time (today's toy?  a baby spoon), which helps free Mom up a bit.

We don't know how long this will all last, but we'll take it!!