Malachi

I was just talking with a friend who mentioned that I haven't blogged in a while. I used the excuse of needing a new camera(or just getting our two fixed). She reminded me that you don't have to have pictures to blog. Later in our conversation we were talking about some of the struggles and triumphs of raising Malachi. I told her that when I go back and read my blogs from the hard times it makes me realize how far he's come. And she said I should write down those triumphs so I can look back on those and be grateful for the positive changes. So, thank you, Betsy! I needed a little kick in the pants. I love reading about my life through past blog posts. I'm not much of a journal-er, but this is a great way for me to remember my wonderful life.

Malachi really is doing exceptionally well - especially considering all of the positive changes. I was asked by one of his church nursery teachers today if he screams a lot at home. If I'd been asked that question 9 months ago, I would have said, "YES!" But today I hesitated. Sometimes he does. Not all the time. This week he did a lot because Ian was gone for 6 days and I ran out of patience on day 2... so you can imagine what Kai's week was like. But overall, I can say that he's not much of a screamer. He's learned most of the rules in the house and even though he doesn't always obey them, he does a pretty good job for a 2 year old. He still gets sent to time out more times than he or I would be okay with, but the nice thing about that is that he actually stays there.

As long as I look for the silver lining, I really can't complain. And the best thing I can say now is that he is a genuinely happy kid. I couldn't say that last August when we brought him home. He is sweet, loving, funny, and happy. He tries my patience, but what two year old wouldn't? I was just so blessed to have an angel of a son in David, that any normal kid would seem like a holy terror in comparison... and many days Malachi does.

I am very grateful that Malachi has his sisters and brothers to play with. He loves running around with them, playing hide and go seek, tag, wrestling, and any other physical game. We've tried to go to the YMCA pool at least twice a week this summer and Malachi is my little fish. Last Friday he was jumping in and swimming to me. One time when he got out to jump to me he changed his mind. Instead of jumping feet first into the pool like he'd been doing, he just leaned forward and kind of fell head-first into the water. It looked like a combination of a dive and a flip. And when he came up he was oh so proud. I've been working on better form, so he can actually move forward when he swims, instead of flopping all over the place. But that boy just LOVES the water!

His speech is continuing to improve. Friday night we were watching a movie and he leaned his head back on the couch, looked at me, and said, "I tired, Mommy." So cute!

So, there you go, Betsy! I blogged! And I'll try to do it again soon! Thanks for the kick in the pants, I needed it!