What's in a nickname?

We've taken to running possible baby names by Jack - he never fails to disappoint us with his response. Here is tonight's conversation:

Mommy: Jack, do you like the name Reagan for baby sister?
Jack: Yes
Mommy: Which do you like better, Claire or Reagan?
Jack: Reagan
Mommy: If her name was Reagan, what would we call her for short? Your name is Jackson and we call you Jack, Wesley's name is Wesley and we call him Wes. What would we call Reagan for short?
Jack: Snake

A Little Corn

Here is a little extra corn to go with your Thanksgiving feast:

This year I am thankful for:

• The way God has worked in my life and drawn me closer to Him
• The wonderful, faithful, supportive, patient, caring husband I have been blessed with
• The amazing father my children have been blessed with
• My children and all the things they've taught me about love and God's relationship with His children (and a little bit about construction machines too)
• My family and the amazing support they've been - everyday life would be much harder without them
• My friends and the things I've learned about the world and myself through them

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for this year?

Keeping Up With the Boys

Last week Wesley was sick and couldn't go into the nursery at church so he stayed with us during ABF and the service. He made it up to the sermon and then crashed. He was sleeping with his head on my belly and apparently his little sister didn't like him "cramping her style" because she started kicking/punching (who knows what part it was - maybe she was even head butting) him. You could see his head bobbing up and down with each little kick. She's already holding her own.

And The Winner Is...

I love this stage of Jack's life, but it clearly makes it evident that selflessness is something that needs to be taught. Last night I had a glimmer of hope that Jack will eventually grasp this concept.

This was our after-singing-before-I-leave-the-room conversation:
Mommy: I had fun with you today, Jack. Did you have fun?

Jack: Yes

Mommy: Do you like when Mommy stays home with you?

Jack: MmHmm

Mommy: When baby sister comes Mommy will be able to stay home with you every day for awhile. Will you like that?

Jack: Yeah. When baby sister comes she'll crawl right into my room.

Mommy: Baby sister will be too little to crawl into your room right away. But in a year, she'll be just like Wesley is now and she'll probably crawl into your room.

Jack: Then we can all have a race and baby sister will win!

Happy Birthday Wesley!

It's hard to believe that one year has passed since our sweet Wesley arrived. A year and a day ago I couldn't imagine how our lives would change with the addition of another baby and now I can't imagine life without our very full, very crazy days juggling children, work and home life.

Hockey?

Recently Jack has been very concerned about what Sean and I are going to do after he goes to bed. "What are you going to do, mommy?" he asks me every night right before I leave his room. The most common answer these days is "work." "Why?" he asks. "To make money," I respond. "Why?" he asks again. This could go on all night so I just say, "Goodnight, Jack. I love you. Don't get out of bed."

Saturday night we had a slightly different exchange... We had dinner at the Phillips' and put the boys to bed there. As I was leaving the room Jack asked, "What are you going to do, mommy?" "Play a game" I responded. "What game?" he asked. "I don't know" I said because we hadn't decided yet. "Hockey?" he asked. I assured him we would not be playing hockey (not sure two pregnant women could navigate very well on skates holding a big stick) and left the room.

Quick Update

I know it's been forever since I've updated, but I've been really busy. Things are changing quickly in the Starkey household and "baby sister" (as she is commonly referred to) will be here before we know it.


Speaking of baby sister...everything is good on that front. I had my glucose screen a couple weeks ago and they didn't call me so it's safe to say I'll make it through another pregnancy with no diabetic complications. She's moving around like crazy, kicking me all the time. My only complaint is the toll this pregnancy is taking on my body. I'm just a lot more sore than I was with the other two. The other two could have something to do with that...


Let's go youngest to oldest...Wesley is zooming into toddler-hood. He is starting to really be able to communicate with us and is even starting to put together syllables that, to eager parents, sound like words. He is pretty good at "hi" - we know it's "hi" b/c it's frequently accompanied by his Miss America wave. We think he knows "all done" or "ah da" because the few times he's used it have been at an appropriate time. The problem is that he is never really all done eating so he doesn't get much practice on this one. Wesley really likes his big brother and his big brother's toys. He likes talking on his cell phone and started holding it up to his ear a few weeks ago. No steps yet. He has ventured a few behind the walker, but he's still a little out of balance to stand or take any steps on his own. I'm anxiously awaiting that day because he's getting pretty big to carry around all the time.


Jack is busy. All the time. And we've entered into the "why" phase. I proudly admit that I have used the phrase "because I said so" more than a couple times. All parents have earned the right to have that kind of authority. I have started turning the question around to him and asking "why do you think?" I keep convincing myself that this approach is good for him and will help him learn to reason on his own...not just an easy way out for me. He's really been into reading lately. I attribute this to two things (1) he got a library card last week so he's been reading the new library books he got to take home, and (2) he has earned several new books as part of an incentive program (bringing my work home?) for memorizing Bible verses. Each time he recites a verse in a normal voice while sitting still (pretty low criteria, I know) he earns a sticker on a chart for that particular verse. Once he earns enough stickers for a verse he gets a "prize" (read new book). I've come to the conclusion that it's a behavior chart as much as it is a Scripture memorization chart. The Scripture he's got down - he often recites his verses throughout the day in different play situations. It's the behavior that is a little more challenging. Why do children always get a burst of energy right before bed regardless of what you do to burn it off in the evening? I'm glad God has a sense of humor - I'm banking on it when it comes to Jack's behavior during Bible verse and prayer time. Each prayer starts with (keep in mind that prayer time is right before we turn the lights out for bed) "Heavenly Father, thank you for this food and thank you for this meal and thank you that Grandpa could come and stay with me today" (whether Grandpa came or not).