So Much!

PICTURES AT THE BOTTOM!!

The past few days, I have really wanted to blog everyday! I feel like I have a lot of stuff I want to write about, some over what we did the past few weeks, and some over what we've done yesterday and today. We aren't doing a lot of new and exciting things, but I've felt in the mood to share a bit more of our lives with you lately.

So, here goes just a bit. I am going to try to make it brief, because I turn things into mini-novels if I'm not careful. Which doesn't bother me, and those who don't want can just skim, but it does make it where I can write about less of what has been going on in the McDougle family!

Where to Start??

So for the past few days we have been listening online (on and off as our day permits), to people at Sunset reading the Bible orally. They are doing a 72 hours challenge of the congregation reading through the Bible straight through: Genesis to Revelation. They started Thursday, around 8am, and should finish around church time Sunday morning. There are time slots that families can sign up for, to read. Fifteen minutes at a time. My parents chose time slots at 3am, because they knew we'd be awake to listen. (Yes, they are the most devoted-thinking of us even in this!) It has been cool to see various familiar faces reading parts of the Bible.

My boys, since they really hold the title and reason I started the blog, are growing up so fast! Everyday I am becoming more aware of their unique and amazing personalities. Max, our very laid back and easy going baby, is starting to develop some opinions of his own. Instead of just going along with the flow and calmly backing off things when we tell him "no," he is starting to test us to see if "no" really means "no." And he is starting to throw mini tantrums when we take things away from him that he can't have. We've started to discipline for this behavior, since it isn't a good habit to start forming at such a young age, and it will be much easier to break him of it now than later. Though there aren't always natural consequences to this, there was the other day. I told him not to stand up in the bathtub (he is now pulling himself up on everything), and he got mad, threw himself down- and into the water. He came up sputtering and spitting. No need for any further discipline there. I just reminded him in a stern voice not to do that again!

In other Max news, he has finally started cutting his 3rd tooth! A top, front tooth poked through about a week and a half ago, just 4 months after he got his first two teeth. And speaking of teeth, they are great to have to eat with, which is what Max would do all day if we'd let him. He LOVES to eat! He eats most things, although he prefers to have his veggies pureed, instead of just chopped up in small pieces. He also likes breads, oatmeal and cream of wheat, and some fruits.

Max is the King of jibber-jabber these days. He rambles in baby talk all day long. Sometimes loudly and directly at someone, but most of the time just a general jabbing of the jaw! He doesn't say any of his words that he was so direct in saying just 3 months ago. Just blabs. In addition, Max is pulling up on everything and is walking along the furniture. He has no interest in walking or standing alone. We even try to grab his hands and walk with him. He'll go a few feet, and then crumple down and start crawling. Also, Max has learned how to navigate all the stairs in our house (there is a step down into the bathroom, two steps up in the entry way, and a step down into the laundry room). He can successfully go up and down them without crashing, though sometimes he forgets he is near stairs and sits back down and stair. But he is pretty tough and doesn't cry too much.

Go Fish: that is what seems to describe our play time recently with Canaan. We are all the time playing games of Go Fish with him. It isn't the traditional game where you collect 3 of the same, but Alphabet go fish, matching animals and alphabet letters (mother animal on the big letter, the baby animal on the small letter). He LOVES it! Malachi came over to play the other day, and he and Canaan both played a game. Except when you are 3 and 4 years old, your little hands can't hold the cards; so you lay them out on the table. This is fine when there is one child and one adult; the adult just holds his hards strategically so that he can't see the child's cards that are all laid out. However, two children, each with cards laid out for the other to see: quite a different story! Overall, Canaan is very into games these days, even having Daddy break out his game of Risk that he got for Christmas to play a shortened version (of about 10 or 15 minutes) with him! He likes to play Sorry (a bit revised to his level) at David and Olivia's, which they have, and dominoes if the mood strikes him. Oh, we also play Memory, which he is pretty good at, and Daddy plays War with him with cards. I am planning to make a game for him soon, since he seems to love playing them so much.

Canaan continues to keep us laughing all the time. He says funny stuff all the time, which I am trying to keep record of when I remember. I plan to make a blog post of it soon. However he is also starting to drive us crazy with his constant, "WHY?" He chatters non-stop about everything, with questions littered throughout his ramblings, I think to make sure we are still paying attention. :) To end up this section, I'll leave you with one funny thing he said the other day. Dougle told him to clean up all his books. A minute later he looked over and Canaan was just sitting on the floor. "Canaan, obey me. Clean up like I told you. " To this, Canaan replied, "I was just thinking how I was going to clean up the books, Daddy." Always the stinker.

Canaan has also recently started to color in the lines, a skill that was being honed over the holidays with all the extra attention of grandparents and Auntie, Uncle and Daddy. This is a leap, since he really had no interest in actually coloring anything but scribbles and circles and lines until recently. Oh, Canaan has another interest these days, as well. He has started to pretend. His cars are now starting to talk to each other, and he even goes around play-acting, in part. The funny thing is that he always wants to be a 'bad guy.' I am not really sure how this came about, but he knows there are 'bad people' and he sometimes will tell me he is going to be the bad guy and fight me, or hit Max. Of course, I tell him that isn't nice, and if he really hit someone, he'd be in trouble. Then I try to talk about how he needs to be the 'good guy' and fight away the bad guys, or save the people. I guess this is a Boy thing. My friend Katya told me her son does the same thing now (he is almost the same age as Canaan). So perhaps it is all normal. When I start to get worried about his love of being 'bad,' I remind myself about how fun it was to play the 'robbers' in a game of Cops and Robbers with neighborhood friends. Or how daring it felt to play the rebellious child when we girls were playing house as kids. So, as he gets older and starts play-acting more and more, I try to engage him and play with him sometimes, even to the point of playing 'swords' and fighting him with our left over wrapping paper rolls (the brown core left when you finish the roll).

I guess that is our biggest news lately. If you haven't read Dougle's blog, then you don't know that he, too, has been having fun being a "walrus." He has gone two Saturdays in a row to jump in freezing cold water outside. Yes, crazy. Today he said it was the coldest he'd ever felt before (it was 20 degrees F, and snowing). Took him hours for his feet and fingers to finally feel warm again! But he's enjoyed some nice cups of tea afterward with our new friend, Kevin (Yang Ping Jiang) from China.

Hope you all have enjoyed reading. I want to post more often, but I know I shouldn't promise that to you or myself. However, I'll write again when I next get inspiration and a moment of time to do it - both at the same time!

Christmas Pictures

We've had a great Holiday season! Here the holiday season lasts a little longer, when we combine our American Christmas (Dec 25th), with the New Year, and then the Ukrainian Christmas (Jan 7th). That means a long season with a tree up, which we love, and lots of fun festivities!

We put up our tree just a few days after Thanksgiving, as has been our tradition. My parents arrived on December 13th, to spend a couple weeks here with us and the boys. We've enjoyed several Christmas parties, snow (and rain, and then snow and rain...), and making lots of memories!

Christmas just keeps getting more exciting as Canaan gets older. He was 3 this year, which meant he knew it was coming and was sooooo excited. I made a calendar to count down the days to Grand-Dad and Gran-Nan's visit, as well as Christmas. He was super excited. Of course, as soon as Gran-Nan and Grand-Dad arrived, gifts started coming out. Well, not as soon as they arrived, because it took 3 days before all their luggage arrived! But, then the flow of gifts started. Maximus Prime pez container, some warm clothes for the cold weather, a couple books, Christmas cookie cutters and sprinkles, etc. They even had gifts left to give on Christmas, which was so much fun too! The boys got lots, including gifts that MiMa and Grandpa Fred, Beth Cunningham, Hollis and Ernestine, and Vinus and Jean Nelson sent with my parents for the boys. And Aunt Carol and the Stover family even sent us packages! We are so blessed with so many who take such good care of us and love us so much! Thank you all!

Canaan did a great job opening his own gifts. When we sat down to open gifts, our family tradition is to start, one gift at a time, and go from youngest to oldest. Gran-Nan was concerned Canaan couldn't wait for everyone to get through their gifts before it was his turn again, but he did fabulous, and even helped everyone else open their gifts! He even helped Max. Max just wanted to eat the presents and didn't have much interest in trying to open them. So, Canaan got to open his presents and give them to Max; Max just loves watching his brother so much, I think he enjoyed this as much as if he'd opened them himself. (One picture below is of this.) Later I found out that for future gifts for babies (not ours- since we won't be having more), we should wrap them in tissue paper or napkins, because I ran out of paper and wrapped one gift in napkins, which Max expertly unwrapped before I could give it to the intended person!

It was a lot of fun. While we don't have many pics of them actually unwrapping, Canaan was SUPER excited at each turn, and so happy with everything, even if he didn't know what it was!

We hope your Christmas and New Year was fun! We pray God blesses you and yours this next year!

Here is just a small peek at our Holidays thus far. Hope you enjoy. I'll post some more pictures soon! We have lots of fun ones to share!

Quick Peek

This is just a quick peek at what we've been doing lately! Having lots of fun with Grand-Dad and Gran-Nan!!

Hope your holidays are going well!

Canaan Funnies

So, are these just funny because I am his mom? I hope not. So, I am sharing them! Hope you enjoy seeing a tiny bit of our ever-interesting lives!

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Canaan: What is that?

Shelby: An algebra book. Scary, isn't it?

Canaan: Yep.

Then he came to stand next to me: Mom, I'm scared!! (and he was serious!)

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Canaan: Max, do you want to play with Ramone? (a car)

Pause

Canaan: No? If you don't say you want it, then you don't get it!

I had to step in. He is such a stinker; he knows his brother can't talk!

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Mom: Don't drink the bath water!

Canaan: I'm just licking it and then spitting it back out.

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After all our company left after Thanksgiving:

Canaan: Max is sad they left.

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When jumping off two stairs in our new apartment: Mom, watch me fly! Wait. I haven't flewed. I flew!

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Canaan: Sometimes I see my fingernails...and I want to eat them!

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Canaan: Mom, is the house going to stay up all by itself? Because I want it to.

Me: What do you mean?

Canaan: I don't know.

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Dad: What are your eyes for?

Canaan: To see.

Dad: What do you do with your nose?

Canaan: You get buggers out!

Dad: No, for smelling!

Dad: What is your bottom for?

Canaan: For pooping!

Dad: No, for sitting on!

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Canaan: Why is the snow brown?

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At nap time, I was in the room next door to the boys. They weren't sleeping, they were gabbing. First, it started with Max, making coo-ing sounds. Then I could faintly hear Canaan talking. This went on for a while until I went in there and laid Max back down (who now stands in his bed), and told Canaan he needed to be quite.

Canaan: I was just tellin' him about how we lived in Moscow.

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I was carrying both Max and Canaan. We have this tradition that when either Dad or I carry them both, we find a mirror and look in it, and say: "Who is that? It is my two favorite boys in the whole wide world." The funny, is that last time I was carrying them, Canaan told me: Mommy, you're heavy for Max and I!

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Growing Up

Canaan is growing up so much. I don't remember when I felt like he moved from the baby to toddler stage, but I feel like he is growing out of the toddler stage and into the little boys stage already! That isn't supposed to happen right after they turn 3 years old! But, he just seems so much older these days!

Canaan is getting taller, his hair is getting thicker, little by little, and he is becoming more responsible and mature. Plus, he is just smart, but I feel he has always been smart for his age! :)

Canaan comes in and wakes us up each morning, telling us it is time to get up! If it is earlier than normal, we have him crawl in bed with us, or, like this morning, he can sit on our window sill and look out the window at the cars driving by. Canaan helps me unload our dishwasher each day. Now that we have one, it is his job to put away all the forks, spoons, and utensils. He still throws away Max's diapers for me, even stopping from playing to do it. We have a calendar and a chart that shows his 'jobs'. Plus he gets some stickers for being an extra big helper when I need it. He is learning to make his bed, can almost completely dress himself (this is one area I have felt he has been a bit behind in- but I don't push it), and when we come in from outside, he can take off his shoes, coat and hat. He hangs up his coat, all by himself, and puts his hat up. He is very observant and listens to everything Daddy and I talk about, even when we don't realize it. He is quick to see Max pick up something he shouldn't have and take small things from him that he tries to eat. Canaan is learning how to make his bed, and we have recently started 'reading time' where we read a book together, and then he sits quietly with me for 15-20 minutes reading, while I have time to read too. This has been great and he is so good about it!

In addition, Canaan helps me set the table, can take his dishes to the sink, cleans up ALL of his and Max's toys at night (or during the day before company), and uses the restroom and washes his hands all by himself (except for wiping). He just carries his little stool around and turns on lights and uses to reach the sink himself! He is SUCH a big boy! Plus, I can talk to him more now and reason things out with him. He even answers more and more with yes ma'm or yes sir, please and thank you- on his own. Or he will ask, "May I please ______."Lately we have been trying to work on patience, even though this is so hard. We just feel that it is best learned young. Makes life as an adult much calmer and peaceful!

Another thing, Canaan is a participant with us in church and small group. He also loves Bible class and looks forward to it all. He sits still with us, or in his own chair (as pictured below) and will hold his own song book when we sing, or Bible when we are reading. He sings songs with us and has a few favorites that are memorized. While we were in the States for 2 weeks when my grandmother passed away, he learned the choruses for Leaning on the Everlasting Arm and one other song, which name has slipped my mind! He still requests the King of Kings song (We Will Glorify) when given a chance, and even knows parts of several songs in Russian, now that we are doing church in Russian! It is just amazing to see him sing and try to participate with us during church, as well as him pray with us at home. His prayers are even more relevant, as he has started including things that we have done recently in his prayers. For example, "Thank you for Eileen coming here"- which is what he prayed last night at dinner after Eileen arrived in from Rostov, Russia (who is staying with us a few days).

Canaan still likes to line up his alphabet cards on his own (though some letters are set backward), and still writes his name- he has progressed to getting all the letters in one line recently! And, as you can see in the pictures, he still loves to line up his cars!

As a little boy, Canaan loves to run! He runs through our house and runs (or crawls with Max) in circles around the table. He loves running and climbing outside. He likes to draw at short intervals, and loves to work puzzles (around 12-25 pieces he can do on his own). He loves to still read. With us and on his own look at the pictures. He has several books memorized, which he loves to read to Malachi or Silas when they come over (picture below). Skipping is fun for him too. Sometimes we skip together down the sidewalk, much to people's amusement, since we live more in a buisness district, than a residential one!

Canaan still takes about a 90 min nap each day, and sleeps about 11 hours at night.

We are just so proud of him and what a sweet little man he is becoming! Of course, he is still a little boy and far from perfect, but we love him so much and are so proud! He still has a stubborn streak, but every month is learning to curb it better. He likes to chew his fingernails, which we are working on, as well as a bit of a whining problem, especially when tired. But overall, he is just growing up perfect, in our minds! :)

Crawling and more

Max is crawling everywhere these days. He is quite good at it, too! And he absolutely loves being on the floor and going where he wants! Some things, you can just tell, even from a baby.

Max is now a bit over 10 months. He is even starting to pull up on things. He has tried pulling up on things for over a week now, but he made it into a standing position all by himself for the first time just 2 days ago! Wow. He will be taking off walking before I know it.

Max continues to grow and smile and be just a wonderful baby. He's had some fussy periods (fussy for him, but normal for most babies), but mainly it is due to sickness. He has had a bit of a cough and sniffles recently, but is finally getting better. But most of the time, he just hangs out content and happy. Well, I guess he doesn't like it when we tell him 'no.' But who does? He is not as stubborn as Canaan was (and is), but stops doing what he ask. However, he looks at us with this incredible poochy-lip frown and fusses at us to let us know he didn't like us ruining his fun. He also does this when I have to dig small, unknown objects from his mouth. Oh, the way our lives change when the babies begin to get around!

Max still has just 2 teeth. Funny, but no others have decided to pop up yet. In time.... He loves to kiss our chins, though he likes to test those teeth out sometimes too. I have been having to smack his mouth recently because he keeps biting everything and everyone. Maybe new teeth are trying to come through!

Max says 4 words, no new ones recently. Ma-ma, Da-da, ba-ba (bye-bye- but rarely says this), and Na-na (night-night- he tells us this one a lot when he is tired).

Max has found a new love: balls. Canaan was never very 'into' balls, but Max loves chasing them around the livingroom and bathtub. He will even slip in the tub, trying to chase a ball, and dunk his head under the water, but not cry. He seems to like music; if he is a bit fussy, this calms him. He likes stuffed animals too. Canaan wasn't a big fan of these either, but Max loves to cuddle and hug stuffed animals! Like Canaan, Max loves pulling our animal magnets off the fridge. I keep them low enough for him, and he likes to play with them. They are wonderful for when I am in the kitchen cooking and he joins me. They keep him occupied for a while. Of course, then he just moves on to measuring cups, or something else fun and noisy! Also, a favorite of Canaan, he still loves playing with cars. I think this is more because of Canaan! Too cute.

Max is actually nursing less during the day now. He really eats every meal with us and loves to eat! Sometimes he can tell we are feeding him something different and objects. We finally have a high chair for him, thanks to our team! We were waiting til we got moved to get one, and he is really happy. Funny how babies that young can have such preferences, but he does. I can tell a difference in how he likes to sit up, at our level, at the table, versus lower, in a walker, which is what we used before we had the high chair. But, he really has cut back on day-time nursing, though in the evenings and early mornings he has some 'good' feeding times (meaning he eats all of 10-12 minutes instead of 5)!

Well, that is all I can think of for now. Here are some pics of my precious boy!

Becoming Brothers

Well, though they've been brothers for 10 months now, Canaan and Max are starting to interact more with each other now. This is mainly due to Max getting old enough to do things on his own with Canaan. So, I have snapped a few pictures recently of them doing thing together. Max adores his big brother, and Canaan has started enjoying some actually playing 'with' Max. They crawl, chasing each other around the kitchen table. They play with cars together, with Canaan continuing to do better about sharing and giving Max toys to play with. Canaan reads, and sometimes Max sits near and listens. The love splashing in the bath together. Max sleeps better with Canaan is napping in the same room with him, except for those rare times with Canaan doesn't feel like sleeping and wakes him up talking out-loud! And Max loves to crawl on top of Canaan, which he is still getting used to! But, it all warms my heart! I love watching them become brothers at heart more each day!