Toews Adventures: A new kind of normal...

People often ask me about the adjustment from 2 to 3 kids. Honestly, for the most part, I have found it easier than the transition from 1 to 2! When I had Josh, Ali was only 19 months old, and needed my attention. Unfortunately, so did Josh. I often heard, "No Mommy, don't go to Josh! Stay with me!" Those words definitely break a mother's heart! :) And though my children still need me and my attention, they have each other to keep them entertained, which is a HUGE help!

Mother's Day at Crescent Beach

Mother's Day Picnic

My Boys!

Ali is 4 and an incredible big sister! She loves her brothers to bits, though often "mommys" them. Yesterday I heard her tell Josh, "I told you if you put it in your mouth, I was going to take it away from you." I had to smile! Natalie loves to learn! She is counting down the days until she starts preschool. And is ever asking questions about EVERYTHING! "What road are we on? Can you tell me when we get on the freeway? Can you tell me when we get off the freeway? What does why mean?" And it just keeps going. She loves to make up stories and songs and is ever serenading us or her brothers or her dolls or herself! She is adjusting to life's change pretty well, though has taken on the role of being a baby again...She is such a joy and delight to our family!

Reading to Zack

Lining up all her "kids" and putting them in HER pajamas to sleep

Josh at 2 1/2 is no longer the baby! (though, like Ali, has starting pretending he is one) Its fun to watch Josh learn daily. Thanks to his older sister, he has begun to make up stories as well. And he is actually pretty good. They make sense and flow! He is getting really good at jigsaw puzzles, matching games and all manner of sports! He loves to play the drums, just like Daddy and is actually pretty good! Josh looks up to Natalie so much wants to do whatever she is doing, whether playing dolls, dressing up or anything else. They are 2 peas in a pod, often wishing they were twins. This is such an answer to prayer...and I pray it continues! Josh is starting to come into his own, even in his options. He loves his cars and car mat and dreams of being an "airplane pirate" when he grows up. I love this boy!

Fishing for the 1st time with Daddy

Feeding the donkey that lives at the end of our road

He is surprisingly gentle with "His Baby"

Petting a live turtle at the zoo

Its hard to believe that 10 weeks have passed since Zack joined our family! It feels like yesterday, and yet its hard to remember life without him! (though I do remember sleeping through the night...I think :) ) Zack brings such a light to our family. His smiles and talking can light up a room! Our kids are ever surrounding him and loving on him! I treasure those times.

At 2 months, he weighed 12lbs 1oz (75th percentile), was 24 1/2 inches long (95th percentile) and had a head size of 40.5cm (75th percentile). He is thriving, though often seems in pain. Its horrible to know your child is hurting, and not be able to do anything about it. Thankfully the doctor was able to witness a little bit of this at Zack's 2 month appointment. We have started Zack on some meds for reflux to see if that helps; I'm praying it does.

Nate and I are doing well. We are getting into a routine of our new normal. In January we celebrated our 8th Anniversary and are enjoying each day together! I am so blessed to walk through life with Nathan. He knows me so well and so often knows exactly what I need, when I need it. I love him so much!