It’s been a while since I was able to update about the boys’ progress and they have seemed to each change so drastically these past few months I don’t know where to start!

Boaz is a talker. He likes to explain things as they are. Give you the facts of life. “Auntie is home.” “Uncle is working.” “Momma is crocheting.” He will point to each person to show you where they are and nod very dramatically so you understand this is srs bsns. He likes to give the play-by-play of what you are doing and repeat it and have you repeat it back to him. He is nothing if not thorough. “Momma is cooking. Momma is cooking [insert food]. [Food] is for [dinner, lunch, breakfast].” He is very proud of his verbal skills and it’s very imporant to him that you understand what is going on. I think this is because he is so sensitive to change and likes to be told exactly what is going to happen so he can mentally prepare for whatever is going to take place.

He also has developed a space-issue. Well, not really ‘developed’, he’s always had one, but lately Gideon has been intruding on his space and Boaz is not fond of that at all. Boaz is very much like me. I have a bubble and most of the time, I don’t want anyone in it. Gideon is very much like Michael. He loves getting as close to someone as possible and does’t understand ‘me-space’.

We are trying to figure out a disciplinary method for Boaz in a trial and error sort of way. He’s much more emotional than he was just a few months ago and has a hard time focusing and retaining an obedient heart. This is probably normative toddlerhood but it is a new thing for us! We are desperate to not be reactionary to just punish the crime but to get to his heart and destroy the root of the disobeidence and that process is quite long and draining. More so when we go through the process only to have him lash out right after we finished! We are thankful for the encouraging words we were given from much wiser parents who reminded us that in our consistency we are storing up our reward. He may not ‘get it’ now, or even in a year, but eventually we will see fruit from our hard work. Knowing that, knowing every incident and sin and offense is an opportunity to get to his soul and show him the love of Christ pushes me forward and gives me endurance.

Gideon has grown into quite the charming man. His personality has blossomed and all of a sudden I feel like this little guy opened another part of himself up to us. Unlike Boaz, Gideon is a total ham. He loves smiling and making people laugh with his weird faces or actions and adores the attention. He loves chasing games (where you chase him) and having someone throw a ball so he can retrieve it. He is very physical (as he has always been). He is fairly laid back and doesn’t mind if his big brother takes his toy or book from him. He normally just goes and grabs something else which makes trying to teach Boaz how to share hard since the offended isn’t that offended. He loves wrestling around with Boaz (which again, makes teaching Boaz how to be gentle hard when Gideon is laughing when he gets squished or sat on).

He is talking more which is exciting. He has a very loud voice and usually amplifies it by screaming. He added Un-gle[sic]and Amen to his verbal repertoire. We think Boaz taught him Uncle because Gideon doesn’t really know what it means – just that we all get a kick out of it when he yells it So he will go through the house yelling “UN-GLE, UN-GLE, UN-GLE” all the while opening his mouth at big as it gets and not closing it. That may be something I have to get on film.

3.0 is growing well, way beyond active (holy cow!) and seems very content. Michael has woken up in the middle of the night to the thumps coming from my belly. This little one is a monster. He stays up most of the night doing the conga and sleeps most of the day. I am assuming his first few weeks of life are going to be hell as we try to get his days and nights straight.

I am very excited because my milk has started to come in (this didn’t happen with Boaz or Gideon until post-partum). I am hoping that means my body will be prepared to feed this little one well and have been praying breastfeeding goes better this time. Not that it went bad perse with Gideon, but feeding every 45 minutes-an hour for 6 months did eventually wear on me.

I have gained -11 lbs (lost 22, gained 11 back) . I am hoping to end this pregnancy at the same weight I began it I am excited for my non-pregnancy season we are approaching. It is so enjoyable to be energized and limber and not weighed down by a little person kickin’ it in my womb. I am by no means rushing through this last trimester or resenting it, I am just excited for the next season as well as excited for the remainder of this one.

I am happier this time around I believe. My body is responding better and I am assuming that’s because 3.0 isn’t the ginormo baby Gideon was. I am still needlessly and relentlessly hormonal but Michael has been such a rock for me and covers me with dignity when I cry over doing the dishes.