Video of Lydia - Jumping, Counting, Dancing

Yes, here's a brief set of videos of our little Lydia entertaining. Recently she said, "I'm a ballerina!" - I don't think she's quite graceful enough for that yet ;) She certainly does put on a good show!

Christmas

I have decided to share our Christmas through SmileBoxes. They are so much fun for me to make! Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Tobias is 5 months old!

What is Toby up to?
• rolls over (both ways) but a little stage fright in front of an audience

• plays with his feet – I think this is the most adorable thing probably because it’s totally a “baby” thing – not even a “milestone” or big event yet so so cute
• grabs toys and passes them from hand to hand. Basically he reaches out and grabs anything... From wooden arms on chairs,

to noses (the Gotwald's do have particularly great noses for grabbing ;)

• really starting to enjoy books. He tries to turn the pages - well, maybe he's trying to get them to his mouth but turns them in the process. Anyway, he's fascinated by them.

• stands and plays and spins in his exersaucer


• smiles and giggles at his sister
Ok, so he wasn't really thrilled with his sister at this moment. Being a "sticker head" is not his idea of fun. On the other hand, Lydia and Mimi had a blast!



Ok, here's a little sibling love during our daily Sesame Street viewing

• straightens one arm when on his belly

• eating cereal about once per day – at first he kinda sucked on the spoon but is really getting the hang of it. We’ve only tried a couple fruits and veggies and he eats them all!

• begrudgingly concedes to taking a bottle during the day, but still refuses for his bedtime meal.
• prefers to use the first couple fingers on his right hand (he'll settle for the left hand in a pinch) to suck on and soothe himself

• still screams in the car, but we find that blasting classical music helps to calm him a little bit
• We have no idea what color this kid's eyes are going to be: some days dark blue, some days green, some days gray, some days hazel (like daddy's)
• a favorite nick-name: “Stinker bug”
Here's my little stinker bug-arino upside-down

Right-side up!


Over the past month I have gradually realized that Toby is who he is... My instinct is to compare him to Lydia, of course, but also to what "the books" say about infant behavior, sleep patterns, etc. Really, I have come to embrace that Tobias is a screamer (screecher as Daddy calls him), he's an erratic napper, a finger-sucker, a fuss-face in the evenings, a distractible nurser, a momma's boy, a giggler, a drooler. Tobe also has ticklish spots under his arms, unpredictable morning wake-up times (anywhere from 5-7:30am), a preference for being held upright and standing (versus any other position), an adorable coo (more like a "goo"), a smile that lights up his whole face (and those around him). Tobias is a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made in the Lord's image. He has a family, friends, and God who love him beyond comprehension despite his unique preferences and idiosyncrasies. What more could we ask for!?! Thank you Heavenly Father for Toby A!