A 4-year-old and a 6-month-old

Such an exciting time in our house! Silas officially turned 4 last Monday and he couldn't be any more excited to be 4. We had a great time celebrating at the bowling alley for his party where he and his friends (and grandparents!) bowled, ate cake - a Curious George riding a train cake, to be exact - and opened presents. He had a blast! On his actual birthday, I took Silas out for a special date day where we went to Smokey Row for lunch (his choice!) and then we did some shopping just the two of us. It was so fun to spend some one-on-one time with him.

Bowling with his buddies

Go Superman!

Stella's first time trying cake

Superman & his leading lady, Aubrie

The party was exhausting

Our big boy started soccer today and was so excited to play that he came into our room at 6:50am dressed in his soccer gear ready to go.  :)  You gotta love that!

I wish I could capture Silas' growth this past year. His comprehension of life around him, his ability to observe the littlest details and his educational growth completely blow my mind. Jake and I are always saying how impressed we are with him. He is so funny and when he wants to, can be so obedient. I love seeing him use his manners and he is just as social as Jake is. I am so very thankful for his love for his little sister. He adores her and she adores him. All he has to do is talk to Stella and she smiles and squeals at him. I've never seen him act jealous of Stella and instead wants her to be included in everything.

And so now for my annual birthday letter to my boy:

Dear Silas,

What a year this has been! Age 3 was so challenging for us - you are strong willed, very sure of yourself and your abilities (and you frequently tell me "I am right, you are wrong"...about everything), so gentle with your sister, and very determined when you set your mind to something. I love your confidence and self-assurance. My hope and prayer is that your Daddy and I can help you use your God-given strengths to become a wonderful man, full of convictions, full of love for Christ, and help you grow into those strengths. I love the way you see things as right and wrong, black and white (just like Papa and me) and stick to your beliefs when you think something is wrong. What we need to work on now is admitting when you are wrong. :)  We'll get there, buddy.

I look back, even at the little boy you were 6 months ago when Stella was born and I'm amazed and how much you've grown in that time. This week I've been remembering when you used to pronounce your name as "Lyla" and it brings tears to my eyes.

You are full of energy and curiosity....more than I ever thought possible. You love Curious George and I think that's so cute, because that's exactly how I see you - Curious Silas. You ask such intuitive questions because you are genuinely searching for the right answer. When I tell you "I don't know, buddy", your response is, "I'll ask Daddy, Daddy knows about everything...me and Daddy know about things."  I've caught on to your Daddy, Silas - if he doesn't know the answer, he makes it up because you are relentless in your search for answers. And I love that.

Silas, when you pray, I want you to know that God hears you. When Great Grandpa Darner was in the hospital recently, I told you about it and that night, without me prompting, you said, "and I pray for Great Grandpa's heart that it would be better" and you continued praying for him and his heart...and sure enough, Great Grandpa got better. When there were some issues with a little boy at daycare being mean to kids, we prayed for him at night and the situation got better. Listening to you pray for others and thank Jesus each night melts my heart. You are increasingly curious about Jesus - don't even lose that curiosity, buddy! Keep searching for answers about Jesus.

I love you more than you will ever know and more than I can ever express to you.
Love, Mommy




::Sigh::  Can I take a moment to recover from writing about my now 4-year-old? My heart can't hardly take it! :)


Sweet Stella is now 6 months old. What a FUN age!! She is so interactive and developed such a sweet personality. Just last night she started playing a game with us - she'd sway back and forth in my arms and then I'd do it. She'd smile at me and do it again. Then I'd dip her back and back up, making her smile and then she'd lay back, making me tip her back again. Such a silly girl. As I said before, Stella absolutely ADORES Silas. She thinks he is the most entertaining one in the family and smiles every time she sees him. One of my favorite quotes by Silas about Stella recently: "She's squishy like a marshmallow!"  Yes, she is, buddy.

She is currently 17 pounds, 5 ounces (69th percentile) and 26.25" (59th percentile). She has been waking up usually twice a night to eat (yes, that's a regression and I'm trying so hard to get her to once/night) so she's really gained some weight the past month and half with two extra feedings. I've delayed feeding her cereal, however this past week we've given it to her a few times. She does fine with it, I'm just not wanting my supply to drop.

Miss Stella brings so much joy to our family and absolutely completes our family. Not to say that I'm done having (or at least wanting) more children, but I could be satisfied with our family of four (until baby fever hits again in a couple years). Stella is just a joy and having a baby on my hip makes me so happy. She is never happier than when she's in my arms and loves to snuggle with Mommy.

Stella's current accomplishments:
*Rolling from back to tummy with ease...and usually enjoying it!
*Sits up with some assistance
*Is so proud when she stands with help and loves to be praised for it
*Blows lots of spit bubbles
*Is very vocal sometimes and has a wonderful range
*Keeps her eyes on Mommy at all times when Mommy is in the room - no matter who is holding her
*EVERYTHING goes in the mouth
*Currently wearing 6 month and a few 9 month clothes

I am feeling tremendously blessed...as in, I get teary-eyed when I think about it. Life is so, so sweet and having these two little blessings and an amazing husband has brought me so much joy.