They are continuously teaching Scott and I that we need to relax and not try be so controlling because let's face it, you simply cannot (and should not) control your children, as much as you may want to at times. We are trying to balance teaching our kids boundaries and consequences while also allowing them to make their own choices, which is much harder than it sounds. I know God is using them to develop our character as parents and individuals. He is teaching us to be more patient and less controlling, which at times feels like we are continuously failing. I just pray that these life lessons Scott and I are learning though our children is not at the expense of our children. We love them so much and there is truly nothing we wouldn't do for them. I hope they always know this and always feel we are their #1 advocates (after God). Because we are.
Here are some stats and things they are doing as big 4 year-olds:
Tycen
Height: 43.25" (3' 7.25") = 95 %tile
Weight: 39.4 lbs = 75 %tile
*Has an amazing memory! He remembers random words from a few days to a few weeks prior and will randomly ask what they mean. He also remembers his way around very well and tells us that we're headed towards somewhere we went up to 1-2 years ago, and he's always right.
*Can write all the letters in his name, although not always in order, usually spread randomly on the page or often written backwards
*Can recognize all letters in the alphabet
*Loves to play with cars, trains, airplanes, boats
*Loves to dress-up
*Loves to read books
*Loves crafts
*Dresses himself
*Still wearing "night-time undies" (pull-ups). No accidents during the day
*Can ride a bike without training wheels (!! Pics/Video to come!)
*Loves to be loud and silly
*Loves to laugh
*Loves to listen to music. Rocks out dancing and singing in his room.
*Loves potty talk. Thinks the word "poopy" is hilarious. And it never gets old.
*Wakes up before anyone else in the house every morning (usually between 5-6 am). Wakes Shaylie up and wants her to go downstairs with him to have breakfast. Pours himself a bowl of cereal and gets a snack in the morning. Has also made mommy and daddy breakfast and even brought it to our room for breakfast in bed (bowl of cereal) :)
*Loves his family. Is such a good big brother and can't wait to play, play, play with Alyssa. Shaylie is his best friend and he misses her so much when she's gone. Loves his time with his daddy so much. Loves spending time with daddy at work. Is a mommy's boy at heart. Had a difficult time initially with the transition of having a baby but has adapted well and now seeks out his mommy to make sure we get our special time together.
*Makes friends very easily. Somewhat of a 'ladies man' at school.
*Loves to ride in daddy's car.
*Memorized mommy and daddy's phone numbers and can call us on the phone without help
*Has the sweetest heart. Often tells family and even friends 'I love you' when saying good-bye.
*Has an obsession with watching people leave our house. Must watch mommy and daddy leave. Every. Single. Time, as well as any other guests who come visit.
*Loves God
Shaylie
Height: 41.5" (3' 5.5") = 80 %tile
Weight: 35.6 lbs = 55 %tile
*Can write and spell all the names in our family: Scott, Dad, Gita, Mom, Tycen, Shaylie, Alyssa, Haij
*Loves to write letters and can write all the letters of the alphabet
*LOVES to draw pictures of people (usually draws the same picture of a girl who evolves weekly with hair, fingers, feet, etc)
*Enunciates words very well and often corrects her brother when he says words incorrectly :P
*Dresses herself
*Loves to read books
*Loves crafts
*Loves to wear dresses or skirts and resists wearing anything else. Wants to change her clothes multiple times per day
*Has been more into her dolls again lately, especially since baby Alyssa has been born. She often will put her baby in the "carrier", which is a coat or sweatshirt that she's tucked a doll into.
*The best helper for mommy and baby sister. Will grab diapers, burp clothes, binkies, hand sanitizer, anything we need. Loves to help out.
*Loves to sing and dance
*Loves listening to music
*Fully potty trained at night and during the day
*Can ride a bike without training wheels (!! Pics/Video to come!)
*Loves to be loud and silly
*Daddy's girl. Loves spending time with her daddy. Is starting to appreciate mommy more and more, though :) And loves to mimic mommy in what I wear, do and say...yes, I must be very careful what and how I say things around this girl, she's my best little recorder!
*Girls in her class at school want to wear dresses like Shaylie (I've heard this from several different parents) and love to play with her.
*Always wants to feel approval by her mommy and daddy. She gets very upset if she thinks she did something wrong and loves praises.
*Extremely affectionate. Loves to cuddle.
*Memorized mommy and daddy's phone numbers and can call us on the phone without help
*Very good at puzzles
*Loves to ride in daddy's car
*Has an obsession with watching people leave our house. Must watch mommy and daddy leave. Every. Single. Time, as well as any other guests who come visit.
*Loves to say our dinner prayer at night
*Loves "God and Jesus" :)
Tycen and Shaylie are doing very well in preschool, too. Their teachers have told us that they are some of the best behaved kids in their class :) It is so fun to see them get so excited to see their friends and teachers. We can tell they really love their school.
We truly are so proud of Tycen and Shaylie and their loving, caring, resilient, and strong personalities. We love you to South America and beyond the galaxy, kiddos!! And we look forward to each new day we get to spend with you and watch you grow!
