Rawiris 2nd Birthday

Happy birthday to Rawiri.

Today I read my post about Rawiri after his first year. Talk about a laugh to myself especially when I wrote:

When I was pregnant with him I use to shed tears all the time about how could we manage with three children and about how hard it was with two. 

Chuckling to myself as he turns two that we have added another baby to our family in the year since he turned one. It was actually only about 2 weeks after his 1st birthday that I found out another little baby would be joining our family and once again I shed tears over how to do it. You think I would learn the first time that Faith with works, well it works out. 

But getting back to little Rawiri. He is such a great child to have in our family. He is a happy little spirit who loves to have a laugh. We love to make him laugh because his whole body emulates the joy and excitement and makes me wish I could still get excited as amused by things instead of having an air of wariness and sarcasm mixed in. 

This year has seen his dead straight hair turn into tight tight curls. With the right amount of water and gel he has a full hear of tight curls. I never believed it would go curly and after Josephs hair went straight from cutting it, Rawiri's will probably not be cut for a long long time especially since I feel like I kind of messed it all up with little Joe. 

I believe Heavenly Father actually understands the need for the children to come in the order they do. Hinalei and Joseph love Rawiri - to Hinalei is a kind and caring little brother where Joseph comes off a bit bossy and loud and to Joseph he is the perfect companion because he does not compete with Joseph but stands his ground, affirms his stance but is also a loyal companion. His speech and understand seems to be leaps and bounds what Joseph and Hinaleis was at that age but with two clever older siblings how can you not expect him to flourish by being around them. He is also very caring towards Lennie even if sometimes I sense that he wasn't quite ready to have his baby title ripped away from him and wants an extra cuddle or attention. 

Rawiri likes:
His tiger pillow pet
(Loves) his yellow gumboots
his daddy
Playing hide and seek
Eating or trying new foods
Feeding himself
Singing songs
Pointing to different body parts
Bath time
Nursery
Balls
Packing and unpacking pots, pans, containers
Blocks and big cars
Following Joseph around
Running
Having his head stroked
Watching people bake or cook something
Staring at the oven when the light is on

Rawiri dislikes:
Nappy changes  ever!
Being left alone in a room
His dad leaving the house for callings, job, any reason
His carseat
Being left out of activities even if he is to small
Cleaning
Saying sorry
Closed doors

For his 2nd birthday his Nanny wanted to host it because she was away the previous year. Since Rawiri loves to point at "Donalds" (McDonalds) we decided to do a small low key party at Donalds. In the morning we went to Timezone and played games, Rawiri liked the game with the hammer to smash the sharks, throwing balls to sink the alien and also the ball game into the animals mouths. Then we went to the warehouse so he could chose a present. After walking around the whole store he chose a chocolate bar. He also got a bunch of clothes and a puzzle from Nanny and Grandpa, clothes from Aunty Nic, money from aunty Jenna and Uncle Jared, a maori necklace from the parents and some other little toys from his siblings. At McDonalds he played on the park and had a cheeseburger happy meal. For dessert he had a chocolate cake decorated with M&Ms. He was so cute when he blew out the candles because he did several tiny little huffs to get it blown out. We had to relight the cake 2 more times so Hinalei and Joseph could each have a turn at blowing them out too. Afterwards out friends the Totties came by the house to drop off a lunchbox and some transformer underwear for Rawiri. RJ Tottie is 2 months older than Rawiri so they are good friends. 

We love you Rawiri. I see you as kind, happy soul who will stand your ground for what you believe in. I see you as someone who cares for others and puts their needs before your own. Someone who loves his food and enjoys learning how to cook. I see you loving to sing, play instruments and share those talents with others. You and your brother will be great friends who support and lift each other up as your personalities balance other the others. Stay happy and stay fun. 

Lennie is 3 months

Our beautiful little daughter turned 3 months this week. The time goes by much to quickly with 4 children as you are kept busy with the day to day routine. I can't believe we have been blessed to have her for 3 months and yet I wish I could freeze time so that we could keep her little just a tiny bit longer. She is sleeping through the night, gives big beautiful smiles and has deep eyes that keep you fascinated while you try and coax some coooing out of her. All of her siblings adore her and are constantly trying to be in her face, kissing her, holding her, squeezing her and loving her. She is a happy baby who doesn't mind their attention. She does seem to have it in a bit for Rawiri. Maybe he secretly pokes her while I am not looking but he always seems to make her cry even when he is only looking at her. Must be a bit of pre sibling rivalry. Rawiri has had to adjust the most to her coming into the family and some days he loves her and some days he doesn't want anything to do with her.

Each day I thank her for coming down to our little family. I didn't realize or maybe remember how much joy each new addition can bring to your home. Even the feelings of familiarity like she has always been with us surprises me sometimes when I remember it has only been 12 weeks. She suits her name perfectly "Lenore" which means light. She is a little light in our family and always brightens up everyone in her special way. Joseph calls her Nenie because he can't pronouce his Ls right now. Rawiri just calls her Te baby and Hinalei calls her my little darling.

All of the kids love to sing to her. I constantly hear Hinalei making up words to the tune of "Are you sleeping" or sometimes even her own melodies staying things like, you dont have to cry I am not going anywhere, I love you little sister I am your big sister Hinalei. Mummy is there and she has the milkies, I will hold you while mummy is busy. I burst with joy as I listen to her singing and see her kindness. Even Lennie coos back and sometimes falls asleep to her sisters songs. Hinalei loves to tell me "Mum! I put her to sleep! I did that!"

Life with 4 definitely keeps me busy but they are growing and maturing each day. I am grateful for these tender moments I get to experience each day even if in some moments all I can do is pray for the strength to hold in there a little bit longer. I appreciate my husband so much for all he does. I don't know how single mothers do it because I rely so much or look forward so much to him coming home and having those extra pair of hands. Sometimes I still can't believe I am a mother to 4 children.

Life is real and messy and busy and even heart wrenchingly scary when I look into the world sometimes. Thank goodness for the gospel of Christ and for the comfort it provides and thank you to Lennie for coming to our family.