Change leads to...change

It's been 5 months in our new place and it's finally feeling like home. Sure, we still drive by our old place and lament all the conveniences we've given up...but like everyone told me, the suburban thing is cool too. I've even gotten much more used to driving around in my minivan. I wouldn't say I'm comfortable, but it's not as much as a stressor as it was before. Dare I say I'm growing up?

And even though I don't typically welcome change, I guess all these big changes at once have gotten me more open to it...so much so that I've decided to shake things up and take a new job back in the city! It was a really difficult decision since my previous gig was great, but ultimately felt like I needed to grab a hold of this chance to do something different. It may be crazy to be take on more things right now, but I'm doing it...ready or not.  This doesn't feel like me at all, but I'm riding the wave (we will see if my tune changes once the commute starts wearing on me)! I just finished my first week and so far, so good.  It's refreshing to have a new start...and in a weird way, it actually makes me feel like I'm in my 20s again!  My main fear/concern is that this new job will compromise my home responsibilities and energy with the kids, so I'll be actively monitoring that and will try my very hardest. It's all about finding that workable balance, right?

Speaking of change, the kids seem to go through it daily. I've been so bad about updating this blog, but time is even more of a rarity than before. Here's a rambling list of updates:

Josiah - 3 years, 11.5 months
My big boy is getting so mature!. He's completely potty trained - even at night - but that doesn't mean I don't wake up nervously every morning and shake him out of his slumber to run to the bathroom. And of course, there are those not-so-great surprises in the morning too.  Even though I've somehow earned the family role of Potty Whisperer, I would lie if I said I am not obsessed with it. I think "potty" is my most commonly used word in the house :(

More than physically, he's really grown up so much behaviorally. We recently took a family trip to Vegas and he was so well behaved on the plane, watching his movies, coloring, and socializing with people around him. He has so many new thoughts and factoids in his brain too. He was rattling off fish names at the aquarium, often correcting me (hammerhead, lion fish).  And saying grown up things like "my pleasure", "that will ruin my appetite", and "Daddy, you need to be more careful when you drive!". He observes and remembers everything too, so we can't just slip things by him anymore. He asks a lot of questions and often references things that happened ("Mommy 'member...?")

Josiah is proud of being the big brother and takes joy in teaching Samantha things, like using the potty, and chiding her when she screams or changes her mind too many times ("Pocoyo or Mickey Mouse? You can't keep changing!"). They definitely squabble (Samantha fights dirty), but I love when they play together. Josiah initiates games like hide and seek and Samantha loves tagging along. They watch the same shows (Mickey Mouse, Lion Guard, PJ Masks) and dance to the songs together. And it's so cute when they chit chat..."what is it?", "follow me, ahwight?"
Josiah is also a bit easier to reason with these days, and is more open to trying things if we explain them. He's now going on slides in the playground and eating more veggies ("slimy, yet satisfying"). He often talks about being brave and asking us to not let bad guys come, including purple minions. He has started to gravitate more to Daddy (*tear) and wants to be a doctor like him, cook with him, be strong like him, etc. Luckily, Samantha's been more cuddly with me these days, so I'm not too sad.

Josiah turns 4 next week! He really wants a minion party and to watch "Finding Dory" in the theater...with popcorn! We are also bringing pizza and cupcakes to school, which I'm so excited about since his school buddies are so sweet. During school pickup everyday, he asks aloud "who wants to give me a hug?" and these kiddos run over to him.

Josiah's prayers always crack me up. They are very indicative of his mindset.  After thanking God for our family, he adds, "thank you for giving everything we want, and everything we eat, and wake up to a new morning and have another day off. And don't let the bad guys come. Amen."

Samantha - 2 years, 2 months

Oh Sammy, our adorable and moody teenager. Unlike Josiah who wakes up chipper, we always give Samantha extra time to lay in bed...or risk her wrath. When she's happy, she's belting out songs, running around, or giggling up a storm. When she's unhappy, stay away! She will put on a hissy fit, compete with hands on her hips, screams, objects thrown, etc. She even fights dirty with Josiah and will jab him in the face and scream "SIYAH". We even heard her growl back recently, "walk away!" Where did she learn that? We are trying all kinds of tactics to reduce these tantrums and outbursts, but she is smart and stubborn. She even tells other babies at school/church "no screaming, no hitting..."  The only way to pacify her is to let her suck her fingers (which we are still trying to wean) or giving her "telephone" and letting her surf around my apps and look at photos.  She actually navigates the iPhone remarkably well, even more intuitively than Josiah does!

Samantha's verbal skills are rapidly expanding, yet her voice is still very chipmunk-like.  Even her name has evolved from "Peeta Lee" to "Mantha Lee". She thinks everyone is a Lee.  She sputters out phrases that are starting to make sense. She answers questions with "uh, yes". Her most commonly used phrases are, "hold me hellllp", "let me down", "go outside", "who dis?" (pointing at objects in books), "my turn", "sure!", "amazing", "yum, me like it. taste good!", "oh no, how we do?" (with hands on her cheeks). And when she figures something out, like a puzzle, she taps her finger again her chin and then puts it in the air and says, "hmm. that's it!".

She also sings a LOT of "Let if go" these days, complete with the hand motions and hair flips that she must have gotten from the YouTube video, since she actually has not watched he movie many times.  The funny thing is that she is actually not a great singer (different than Josiah who is pretty tonal, even from an early age), but she has confidence for days! And if I try to sing along, she assertively puts her hand out and yells "stop!"

Sammy is definitely the independent one, not seeking as much permission nor approval as Josiah.  But she is a master whiner which drives us crazy.  She even still cries during daycare drop off - even though she's been in the groove for 5 months! But a minute after I leave, she's totally fine. She also knows how to manipulate, and will rattle off her list of requests when she whines..."telephone....chocolate...oreo cookie..."  I think it''s all part of her master plan.

And now Samantha's prayer (with eyes scrunched so tight): "Dee God, thank you day. Mommy, Siyah, Ehbody, Amen"