Did I mention my son has mad puzzle putting together skills? He does. Yesterday afternoon we sat on the floor in his room and puzzled away. He put them all together.
He’s impatient. If he can’t get them in the first few tries he whines and tries to make me do it. I make him do it, and then he feels very accomplished.
He’s so funny these days. His new thing is pulling things around. Last night we went to get some groceries and he tried to carry my purse (which sadly is larger than him) to the car. He wouldn’t let it go, and threw a LARGE fit all the way to Panera. Today he was pulling the tape measure around like a dog, and yesterday we couldn’t go get the mail unless he could take his entire wagon of legos with him.
He’s also getting independent. Last night at Panera he was CERTAIN he could eat my soup…BY HIMSELF!!! He needed a cup of water like Mommy and Daddy, and just thrives on trying everything out. At restaurants, he often likes to have dipping sauces, and will dip into ketchup, ranch, or tomato sauce like a fiend. He won’t let me feed him yogurt anymore either. Let’s just say mealtime is messy.
This stage of parenthood is interesting. I try to balance his need for independence with good boundaries, but I suck at it. I usually just let him do it, but fits are often and usually happen instantaneously. As in if he doesn’t get what he wants, he runs off crying.
Today he couldn’t decide what show he wanted, so he kicked me until he was done fitting. I kept telling him, “NO!” but he didn’t get it. I was trying to get him to communicate with me, but he didn’t know what he wanted and it made him mad. It’s frustrating this time, where he knows what he wants but can’t quite tell you, or get it fast enough.
Greg and I last night were talking after the Feebus went down. We’re nervous about what happens after a new baby arrives. We’re enjoying the independent stage, because it allows us a freedom we haven’t had in quite awhile. Last night at 8, the boy took to peeping his diorama, and I watched the tube and dinked around. A new baby ( or two ) would mean back to crazy hours, sleep deprivation, and chaos again. We’re loving our newfound stability. I stay home all day most days now. In fact when we went grocery shopping it was the first time I’d been out since Sunday for church. I don’t do anything at night anymore, and it’s brought such a peaceful ambiance to our home. Things are clean, laundry is done, and honestly it just feels good. I’m really looking forward though to doing this baby thing again with family close. It already feels more manageable with knowing we know what to expect, but with HELP, and lots of it I’m feeling very confident.
I’m also already starting to mourn things about moving. Like the act of it. :) But it helps to know when we do LAST ONE FOR A LONG TIME. But things like how much Minneapolis has to offer, the boy possibly traveling more. The upkeep of a small 2 bedroom apartment, versus a five bedroom house. The transition from lots of friends and familiarity to meeting new people and starting all over again. It’s all a challenge, but I’m positive it’s what we’re supposed to do.
There’s also H O U S E ! With all our stuff in one place. A final purging of stuff at various parents houses, to know finally what we’ll need. Family close, friends close. HOMENESS. A stability. And connecting in long term with a church and not leaving it. Those things are a wonderful thing.
I’m feeling ancy today. There is a lot to do, but nothing to do yet. So many details to iron out, but no way to do them. I started getting insurance lined up, and that’ll be nice to have done.
I’m just feeling happy too. Happy to look forward, and happy to be home tomorrow. We’re going to the house and a church on Sunday, so at least we’ll know some more things. :) I’m all over the place. 
What a answer to prayer this all is. I just can’t believe this house fell in our lap like it did. I’m praising a wonderful God in the midst of feeling crazy. THAT is the way it’s supposed to be.
