Independence

It is interesting to see the different stages of indepence between the three children. Jonathan is at a point where he is understanding the difficult things much better. For instance, in the morning he gets up goes down stairs and puts in a DVD. This is quite the feat because you can't just turn on the tv. You have to turn on the tv, the DVD player and the receiver. And the tv, you have to make sure it is on the right channel! So, he has made many trips up to me (I am still in bed!) to make sure he is hitting the right buttons. The other day he not only managed to get it all right without having to come back upstairs, he informed me that he was hungry and made himself a bologna sandwich. In some ways, it is nice to know he can do things by himself, but others times, it is frightening. Like when he tries to use the toaster!

Samantha and Nicholas, on the other hand, have not gracefully made the transition. It is more yelling and screaming! Samantha wants to do it herself, mostly because Jonny does, but can't. And if you try to help her, well you have your earplugs! I have come to learn to first let her try it and then let her ask for help. Usually, if you don't say anything, she'll end up asking for help. As Jason would say, she is just like me!

Nicholas only yells because he doesn't know how to verbalize his requests yet. Most of the time, if he wants something, like a toy on, he will bring it to you and say "on". Only you need to move fast, because he tends to be impatient! When he is hungry, he knows to go to the kitchen and start opening doors, eventually, he will find food. He will bring it to the table and go to his chair and then start saying "eat".

I think of all this as I sit in my chair not wanting to do anything, but knowing I have alot to do. Only I remember someone telling me to enjoy my children because they are only young once. Normally, I would not sit and just watch the kids. But lately, I realize that I learn some interesting things during this down time.