Joshua Manuel: 4 years

Joshua Manuel,
You are four years old. That seems very old. We have been parents for four years... and are still very much figuring it all out! It's been crazy and fun and hard and awesome and scary and wonderful. All, I know is that we love you TOO much and are so very thankful you are our son.



November 1st landed on a Sunday this year, so we had the breakfast of your choice- donuts, eggs & sausage and then went to church. After church we went out to lunch, your choice- tacos at Chipotle. Grandma Mary joined us for lunch. That night we all just stayed home, had noodles for dinner, and then watched Cars 2 & ate popcorn. You were celebrated the following Wednesday at school and brought clementines & pirates booty for snack with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plates and napkins. Then on Friday, we went bowling with a few of your friends! It was so much fun to just have fun & celebrate YOU! Your Daddy got you SKIS for your birthday and you can't wait to go skiing down the mountain with Daddy.

 

Joshua, it it such a joy to be your mom. You are kind to those around you. You are considerate and aware of others feelings. You love to run & jump & do karate. You also love shows and pirates booty. You go to preschool on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. School is a great blessing for all of us and you are really enjoying it. Our neighbor, Caleb is in your class. You don't usually tell me about what happens in your day, but then randomly you will start singing a song you learned in school like "Days of the Week" set to the Adam's Family tune or "Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, swish your bushy tail." You love to make your sister laugh and often try to hold her. You and Asher are great brothers. You play hard, fight hard, and love hard. Your favorite "pretend play" is "mom & son" or "dog & owner." The two of you also make lots of messes together and get in big trouble together. You are just starting to like football and watching it with Daddy. We are working hard on learning the consequences of disobedience and how to serve with a joyful heart and what to do when you don't get your way. It's hard for you to not know the plan or when things don't go your way. You love your friends and spending time with family. 

At four years old: 

Favorite Food- noodles, peppers, pizza, apples.

Favorite Show- any NEW show- you don't really care about watching one show over and over, you just always want to watch a NEW show. but you like Rescue Bots & Paw Patrol.

Favorite Toy- all your cars.

Favorite Book- Ferdinand.

Best Friend- Asher, Jackson & Lily.

Favorite Activity- playing outside in the dirt or water.

Happy Birthday, my boy! I am so looking forward to seeing what this year brings. To see what you learn and what you like. To see how you grow, physically and emotionally and even spiritually. To see how your relationships with your brother and sister grow. To see the world through your four year old eyes and hold your hand as we adventure. 

we love you more and more everyday!

love, you momma

i don't want to forget...

Joshua, I don't want to forget...

how you are obsessed with tea parties

your love for tea party soup and pretend pizza 

the way you say "jump-in-the-watee" and "clifford-the-big-red-dog"

how much you love green beans, peppers, and anything i call a "special treat"

how every time we get in the car you want to listen to "tyler's song" & "kaci's song"

your special friendship with Jocelyn

how you kindly share toys with your brother

your love for the snow 

how you always look for "luna" (the moon)

how you sleep with all your blankies, animals, and lightening mcqueen 

your no-fear, i can do everything attitude 

how you always want to jump in puddles

how you wear your cowboy boots 6 days of the week

your monster/dinosaur/dragon roars 

this age is fun. this age is hard. 

we love you Joshua!

Joshua Manuel: 2 years

Joshua,
It's hard to believe that I have a two year old! You made me a momma two years ago. Two years ago, we skipped out on all the Halloween activities and hung out in the Labor&Delivery floor of the hospital. In these two years, you have blessed us beyond belief! You bring joy and laughter into every.single.day, usually every.single.hour.

At two years old, I don't want to forget:

• how you want "noodle lunch" for every single meal
• the way you add an "s" to any word that ends in "er"
•  i.e. Tylers, laters, Ashers, underwears
•  how you yell "go bears" every time see Uncle Johnny's yard sign or the PRHS Bears logo
• your love for all things musical, dancing, and singing 
• the way you call things "cute" 
• the kisses you give your baby brother
• when you say things are hiding that you cannot find, i.e. cows in the field or the moon 
• how you run around with your arms behind you like a cape when we yell "SUPER JOSH"  
• how you potty trained (pretty much yourself) 2 weeks before your 2nd birthday

 

At two years old, some of your favorites include: 

• your blankies, monkey, Ben the doggie, and night-night bear in your crib with you every time you sleep
• hanging out with your best pal, Jocelyn
• playdough 
• doing "paperwork" with momma 
• "spraying" your hair to get ready to go 
• eggs, apples, milk, noodles, green beans
• elmo
• going to church to see Daddy 
• playing in the dirt
• going on walks 
• reading with Grandma Mary 
• wash the dishes 
• play with your "ham" fixing Opa's house 
• making tents
• tickling your bro 
• singing about everything. singing "kaci's song" and "tyler's song." singing "hallelujah."
• shoes
• favorite shows: curious george, the Lorax, and super why! 

 

There are days that are hard. And we are all learning the hard way how to love and discipline and parent and obey.  But we are working together, trusting the Lord has a great plan for you and your strong-willed, opinionated ways. We are so thankful for you. You are an amazing blessing!

2 months Stats: 

• Weight- 30 lbs- 83%
• Height- 34in- 53%
• Head Circumference- 19.5in- 81%

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Joshua Manuel Pollard!!! 

 

 we love you more and more everyday! 

love, your momma

Adventures in Parenting: poop on the foot

This parenting thing can be difficult, frustrating, fun, crazy, and pretty much every adjective out there! As Manny and I navigate this journey there moments I don't want to forget- hard ones, funny ones, ones that make me want to cry. 

But I blog so that I don't forget and today I don't want to forget... the time Joshua pooped on Manny's foot! 

We had just gotten back from a morning of swimming at the lake for the AY camping trip. Joshua was taking a bath and Manny had just gotten out of the shower. Manny sat down on the step outside the bathroom in his towel to chat with us. Joshua, always wanting to be just like his daddy, insisted that bath time be over and he go sit in his towel next to Daddy. Manny and I kept talking and just hanging out when I saw *the face* - the *i'm pooping face.*

"Manny grab Josh!" as Manny lifts Joshua from where he was standing in the hallway to me in the bathroom... plop. 

Joshua's poop landed on Manny's foot. 

Just like that there is poop on Manny's foot and I'm trying not to die of laughter and Manny's trying not to vomit and Joshua is trying to figure out why he is sitting on the toilet. He finishes pooping {on the toilet} and we just cheer and laugh. Because our boy just *sort of* pooped on the potty & there is poop on Manny's foot.  

Over the mountains and through the woods...

to Gram's house we go!

 

my mom, Joshua, Asher, and i took a little trip to see Gram.

 

 traveling and hotel-staying with a toddler and newborn weren't the easiest, 

but what a blessing it is to see Gram love on her newest GREAT-GREAT-grandson and laugh with her Joshie!

 

Gram pushed Asher around on her walker and showed him off to all her friends and neighbors. 

Asher flashed that newborn grin for her more than anyone!

 

we threw bread (and rocks) to the fishies and saw a deer and 2 fawns. 

 

we ate fried chicken and ice cream at Uncle Jerry & Aunt Sue's 

Josh played in the mud, explored their garden and got scared of the chickens. 

 

we love our Gram!

brothers

i think it was a pretty known fact that i was most worried about how the introduction of this new little family member would affect my little man Joshua...

but i am happy to say they are both doing so great. 

for the first couple of days Joshua was pretty indifferent to Asher. 

each day he has gotten more and more interested in his little brother. 

he knows which blankie belongs to Asher and is quick to bring it to him. 

he always wants to give Asher his pacifier. 

for the past three mornings the first thing Joshua has said to me when i go in and get him from his room is "baby?" 

when Asher cries Joshua is always concerned. 

i'm praising God that my Joshua is already such a good big brother. 

he is sweet and concerned and quick to love on his little brother. 

what a blessing!

 

not to say there aren't hard times between the 2 of them... 

Joshua has thrown a fit or two while i'm nursing Asher. 

Joshua often wants to climb in my lap at the most inconvenient times.

 Joshua tries to "rock" Asher in his chair a little too rough at times. 

and Joshua is certainly  hearing "no" way more than before.

but all things considered, these brothers are doing great! 

we are so blessed and so thankful for the bond they already share. 

we can't wait to see their relationship grow and change. 

Joshua, you are already such a great big brother!

Momma & Daddy are very proud of you! 

Asher, just keep up your sweet newborn ways & i'm sure Joshua will make you nice and tough :) 

we're waiting... not very patiently.

this is my giant belly. 

i have very little motivation to do anything besides have a baby this week. 

last week i was crazy nesting/ getting ready/ cleaning/ building/ preparing. 

this week i am ready for that baby to come! 

joshua's been helping me get ready. 

trying out all the baby gear & even got a nasty cold/ cough so i could practice waking up in the middle of the night to rock a baby. 

thankfully he's feeling much better :) 

i am so ready to be done being pregnant... 

but i am pretty scared about how this baby will change our family. 

manny asked me what my biggest fear was and my honest answer- 

i fear how joshua will respond/ react/ feel...

i KNOW that this baby is what the Lord has for our family, 

but change can be scary. his little life is about to be turned upside down and he's not going to understand that in about 9 months he'll have a built-in best friend and playmate... 

transition and change will be hard, but i KNOW it will be SO WORTH IT. 

praying my heart remembers that when my joshie boy is struggling with sharing his momma and daddy, our time, our laps, our mealtimes, our house, our bedtimes, and everything in between.

so these days are all about waiting. not very patiently.

not wanting to cook, clean, or do much of anything 

(especially bend over, move quickly, or really move at all- thank you giant belly)

but we are waiting... 

baby #2- come out whenever you are ready!

Joshua Manuel: 18 months

 

 Joshua, 

Happy 1/2 Birthday! You are 18 months old. 

You are smart, funny, talkative, curious, and ALL boy!

If you had it your way you would eat all.day.long. Your favorite foods include peas {still}, ravioli, any type of berry, cheese, and of course cookies :) You really eat well. Not only do you love cookies and ice cream {especially from Kma or Opa} but you love green beans, broccoli, and will eat everything that we eat. The only thing you don't like is "slimy" food, such as avocado, melons, etc. Some weeks you like bananas, other weeks you do not. I just keep giving them to you & see how you feel. Your getting really good at using a fork & spoon! Really, you just would eat all day if I let you. 

You have lots of words, real and made up. You say dadda, momma, hi, bye, yes, yea, no, dog, brush teeth, i want this, i don't want to, please, watch, two, shoes, socks, blue, and you repeat lots of words everyday! You literally talk all day long. You tell stories and explain things all the time. Your facial expressions ans hand gestures are often hilarious and I never tire of listening to you talk your little head off. 

Our daily schedule looks a bit like this: 

7am: Wake up 

Breakfast

watch Sesame Street

Play

11am: Lunch

Play

1pm-3ish: Nap time 

Play 

{the not fun time before Daddy gets home & I'm trying to make dinner}

5ish: Dinner

Play

7ish: Bedtime 

Your favorite activities include going bye-bye, watching the Lorax, playing with any ball, reading, digging in the dirt, being outside, going down the slide at the park, making a mess, playing with Jocelyn, cleaning, dancing, and singing. 

You are strongly attached to your blankies, yes there are 3 of them... When winter came I let you sleep with your lovie blankie {that I made you} and two of your bigger "stroller type" blankets, and... you got very attached! Now you love all three. But momma's rule- blankies stay in bed :) 

Joshie, my Joshie, I love you my Joshie. You are fun & opinionated. You keep us on our toes and make us laugh ALL.THE.TIME. We are constantly in awe of how funny, smart, and talkative you are. You are friendly and sweet, but not very cuddly. You are the most wonderful boy we could ever ask for and we are beyond thankful for you! 

we love you more and more everyday,

your momma & daddy

Joshua's 1st Haircut

after over a month of putting it off, manny, joshua, and i braved the snow and trekked down to "cool cuts for kids" to get our little man his first haircut! 

pre- haircut:

 "i'm not too sure about this..."

 "oh, everyone is saying i look cute... and this tickles!"

 all done! our handsome boy!

{i'm sure} the first {of many}

it happened today... for the first time... i'm sure it will happen many more times. 

daddy had to take joshua out of the restaurant. 

we're so new at this. this discipline thing.
this "you may not act like this"
this "you need to obey your momma and daddy"
this "this is not how we respond"

and my goodness has our boy been giving us plenty of opportunity to learn!
he's yelling, even hitting, he's having tantrums, and yelling, and yelling some more.

Lord, please just send Your wisdom! 
we.have.no.clue. 

love you.

the past few days he started saying

"love you"

it sounds more like "lode u" 

it is such a sweet noise.

i love you too little man

more than you will ever know.

things i don't want to forget:

i don't want to forget joshua at this age.
i don't want to forget this crazy dancing, talking, running, playing, eating, laughing, grunting 1 year old.

i don't want to forget his kisses.
i don't want to forget how he says "baby" or how when i asked him what his brother's name was he came running to my belly pointing and saying "baby."

i don't want to forget how he smiles at me every time i go pick him up from a nap.

i don't want to forget how he shows off and already knows how to make people laugh.

i don't want to forget how when i left to go to the bathroom, he opened the box of teddy grahams {left by the sofa, from my snack}, put a large handful in his bowl, and returned to find him sitting next to his bowl enjoying his own snack.

i don't want to forget how he says "BUY" like an old man from the south.
i don't want to forget how he throws his head back to enjoy a bite of something really good. 

 i don't want to forget his crazy, crazy hair.

i don't want to forget how he loves tools & makes power tool noises all the time.
i don't want to forget how much he loves his blankies.... and how much i don't understand how he all of the sudden loves them so much.
i don't want to forget how smart he is: every time i say "nakey boy" he knows it's bath time, every time i say "let's go change your diaper" he runs to his room & changing table, every time i say "it's lunchtime" he runs to his highchair, or when he wants more milk he tries to open the refrigerator.

this boy... he really makes me laugh everyday. he also frustrates me & makes me feel like i have no idea what i'm doing. but most of the time i'm laughing!

i love this boy!

Joshua Manuel: 12 months, 1 year old!

Joshua,
how is it possible that i have known you for a whole year? that i have held you and kissed you and changed your diapers for an entire year? you are such an incredible boy. you are so smart, so funny, so opinionated, and so wonderful. everyday you make me laugh and everyday i am so thankful that God has given me you to raise and love and teach.

this month you finally said "momma!" that made me pretty happy. you can also say "hi" and "bye" and "dog." you babble sentences of stories all the time. everything you say is so important and you have all the hand motions and tone inflections to go with your stories. you also like to "sing" and can repeat syllables of music like humming. not only do you talk, you also yell. and scream. like i said, everything you talk about is very important, and you have no problem making sure you are heard, even if it means volume levels that are through the roof!

along with all this screaming and yelling, we are starting to have to discipline you for the first time. but Joshua, you are too smart. the other night your were just yelling and yelling at me {in anger} and i had tried talking it out, explaining to you what was happening, putting you in "timeout" in your room, and nothing was working, so i patted you on the mouth. not 2 seconds later you screamed again and started hitting your own mouth! child, sometimes i just don't know what we are going to do with you!

this month Auntie Karla got ENGAGED to Dan! we found out you are going to be a BIG BROTHER! and we BOUGHT A HOUSE! it has been a very eventful month :)

not only are you walking like a pro, you are running! you can kick a ball, throw a ball, and totally know the difference when told which one to do. you still love to dance. your favorite toy would still have to be your music table, always the go-to toy. you have also taken up a love for laundry! every chance you get you grab laundry from our room, your room, or Kma's room and run around the house laughing your head off.

for halloween, we did trunk-or-treat at the farm and then on halloween night went trick-or-treating with Aunt Amber, Uncle Sam, Izzy, and Liam. you were the cutest tiger i have ever seen :)

for your birthday we celebrated a few times! on your actual birthday we went to lunch with Auntie Kari, and then had pizza, peas & birthday cake at the house with Grandma Mary, Grandpa George, Auntie Karla, Dan, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Christine, Johnathan, David, Kaitlin, and Timothy. {Kma, Opa & Uncle Johnny were at Johnny's last football game.}

on Sunday, you were dedicated at church by Uncle Sam and then we had a big celebration with all our family and friends! it was so fun & you are so loved! i'll post more on that later.

photo credit to Eric Chin

so Joshua, you are 12 months old. we made it to a year! everyday you make me smile. i am so proud of you and i cannot wait to see what your next year of life will hold. i could go on and on talking about how much we love you and how wonderful you are, but please just know we are so blessed by you, we love you way too much, and we praise God for you everyday.
we love you more and more everyday. 
love,
your momma & daddy

Joshua Manuel: 10 months

Joshua,
{camera is still lost, no replacement yet, very few pictures, so I'm just going to write, because i don't want to forget}

my growing boy! O how you bring so much joy into our lives!

you are very opinionated. you are a ham & a flirt. you love to laugh & make other people laugh. you also really love dancing. your favorite toys are anything that make music. your favorite foods include blueberries, peas, and squash. you're all about feeding yourself and being a big boy. no more squishy-mushy food for joshua!

you got 1 more tooth- total of 4 now. your hair is growing in quite nicely, a little lighter than i thought it would. you say Dada all the time & also say the cutest "Hi" i've ever heard. it's sort of soft and drawn out and very sweet. you are growing out of the baby stage. some people have been calling you a "toddler." really, i don't know if i can handle that. really, i can't believe you are going to be ONE year old in just 2 months. you are real close to give up nap #3. and could start walking any day now. really, my baby... you can't be ready to walk can you?

you're also into everything. that's pretty much the understatement of the year. any trouble there is to find, you find it. anything that's not suppose to be picked up off the floor and eaten, you eat it. every tiny piece of paper, shoe, crumb, or spec of dirt there is to find, you find it & put it in your mouth. i'm having to vacuum more than i ever have before... and it's still not enough. you find the smallest spaces to crawl into and get stuck in. you pull things down, knock things over, and tear everything apart. it's lots of work for momma & daddy but we love to see you exploring and adventuring!

"helping" momma with the laundry

stuck in the strangest places

we spent a lot of time away from home this month. a dear friend and brother in Christ was killed in action in afghanistan. it was a very hard month for your momma & daddy. but you brought us so much joy! we are more thankful for each moment with you than ever before. you LOVED being with your friends. i think you will the best big brother! you aren't intimidated by their size, volume, or roughness. you are loud right back and have no problem tackling anyone who's messing with you.

hanging with the Ferni's

on a much yuckier note... you got the flu AGAIN. and graciously shared with all your friends. you were the first one. the first throw up. ALL OVER momma at red robin. yup. you threw up all over me. at red robin. for about a week you had no appetite. it was really no fun, but you were such a happy boy even in the midst of being sick and having no appetite. and you seriously shared your sickness with about 10 people. yes, 10 people got the sickness you did! pretty impressive sharing joshua! let's hope for no more flu again for a while.

  

we love you so much. we love your smile and laughter and contagious joy! thank you for making us laugh and smile, even on days when we didn't think it was possible. we thank God that he made you ours and that we have the blessing of being your momma & daddy. you are one incredible baby boy and we can't wait to see the great plans God has for your life.

bath time is great fun!

 we love you more and more everyday!
 love, momma & daddy