The boys have adjusted really well and really do love their little sister. They each keep a close eye on her throughout the day, and it's Levi's first order of business each morning "Where's the baby?". I feel very proud of my little guys for being so sweet. Levi has definitely moved into his 2 year old habits. His favorite phrases these days are, "Oh, sure!" "Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah", "Oh, God" "Oh, dang it" and of course, "No." Hahaha. It's pretty funny and he certainly amuses us all. I wonder how things will go over the coming years and planning parties for both Levi and Violet. What does a parent do?? I think I've got a good chunk of years before either of them will notice that they are sharing, or shall I say mind that they are sharing. We shall see!
Franklin is of course the eldest, and he is a very good helper. He does a very good job of helping me with Levi, who has become a bit more of a handful these days, so this Momma certainly appreciates that! He is learning so much and starting to show more interest and comprehension of his letters and reading. Not long and he will be reading. He struggles at times, but he really does know a lot. I was telling Andy the other day when I went to the BX (shopping on base, like a Walmart), that Franklin has gotten so much bigger where he really focuses on things. He told me he was going to check out the toys, and he just stood looking at the Legos for the longest time. Really thinking about it and taking it all the different kinds - of course he was standing just like Andy too with a hip out, arms crossed and hand on his chin. Boy I tell ya!
As for the parents, I think we're doing pretty good. There's definitely a bit more work to be done with 3 little ones, but it's going smoothly. It's been very nice to have Andy around the house for this week to give me some more time to rest up and heal. I am feeling better each day and now at one week postpartum I'd say I'm feeling pretty darn good! I am looking forward to getting more active over the next few weeks, and then joining Stroller Strides probably early November! I saw the group of gals working out last week when we were on our way to the hospital for Violet's check up and it reminded me how much I enjoyed the fellowship of the other mothers.
It's been a very different experience for Andy and I to be so far from family and friends that we know, and feeling so dependent upon the base and military for socialization. But, even those options are hard to adjust to. I suppose if we lived on base it'd be a different experience, and we are quite happy with our home out in town so it is what it is. I feel content to be here and there is so much of this journey left, with lots of good things in stores, but I will admit I've had a moment or two where I look forward to being back "home." Even at this point in the game I will not take for granted the ease of living in your own country. You never know what to expect when you head out, who you will encounter, will you know what to do, will it be stressful or complicated... But there's also that great measure of excitement and anticipation of the unknown. I would say at least 90% of what we've experienced so far has been amazing and totally worth sharing with others.
Well, I could keep rambling, with a few points here and there but I think I'll stop cause I'm pretty sure Miss Violet is about to wake up. Here are a few pictures I snapped of her the other night when she was having some alert time. I think she is starting to look like Andy quite a bit! He says that she often looks a lot like me tho, so I suppose that's how it goes... hahaha. We sure do love having this little gal. She's truly a gift from above that we could have never expected, and we are so blessed to have her in this family.
We love everyone and miss you all. Start planning your trips out to see us!!!! :)
