Zane

My little boy, not so little anymore. He is 4 1/2 and acts like he is 6. He can read now and loves learning. He loves to draw which is something i forgot to say about Jordan...he will sit and draw detailed pictures or all sorts of amazing things! They hang out together and draw when they arent playing with legos or wrestling. Zane is a wonderful happy child. He loves his baby sister and when Jordan is doing school he will sit with her and read to her and play games. I really love the age differences because it made it possible for bonding to naturally happen. When Niko was smaller, before school started, Jordan was her main man and she pretty much ignored Zane and he didnt really care. As Niko got bigger and school started i was busy with Jordan so Zane took over big brother responsibility and an instant bond formed! When they are all together the boys are amazing to watch with her. Its like they are connected mentally. They play together for hours which makes it easier to get things done. Zane loves to clean up and is always picking up after Niko and showing her how (she doesn't think pick up is as fun as dumping things out) Zane can play alone and be in his own little world just like Jordan did when he was younger, which makes for a crazy imagination. By the time school is out he is bubbling with new ideas for things to build, play, create or draw. Niko will also spend time in her crib willingly and play alone for up to 45 min during the day.  Zane loves the outdoors, as do the other two. We love to hike and try to get out every day. We take our two dogs and the pistol and off into the woods we go. Zane wakes up with a happy heart ready to start the day and if its sunny the first thing he says is "mommy its beautiful, we should take a walk!" Zane can be very quick with his hands when he is angered and being around Niko has helped with that a lot. He has a lot slower reaction time and has become more forgiving over the past 6 months. He has also become more aware of his relationship with God all on his own. in the middle of a movie a couple nights ago Nate had been asking if i felt ok (i didn't). I few minutes later with no prompting at all Zane started praying out loud that God would help me feel better... i cried.  ( excuse all my ramblings all over the place...i feel bad for whoever reads this, it is meant for my memory sake only at the point)

Jordan

Jordan turned 10 in February. Hard to believe it went by so fast! He is an amazing kid! He has such a willing heart and a gentle spirit about him. He is as smart as his dad and makes my head spin how fast he catches on in school. He is at the end of 4th grade and doing algebraic equations. He loves to build amazing things with legos and read books. He is always spouting off something new he's read about or asking questions i have to say, 'hang on one minute' to answer as im running to google it! :) He gladly helps out with his sibling whenever asked (or not asked) He is always expressing how glad he is that he has a brother and a sister, which makes me very happy since he is the oldest! He has a best friend now named Wyatt, who is almost 10. They enjoy going to the pool together or just hanging out building legos and playing Nerf wars for hours! They are alot alike, quiet thinkers. This year Jordans health has been better than ever. Our family went grain free for his health as well as mine and everyone has benefited. Jordan skin is clear for the first time since he was 4 and he has had no asthma or allergies since. Although he still carries an inhaler because he remains allergic to some cats (not sure yet why some and not others) he hasnt had to use it because now that he is older he is aware and can sense cats and will leave a building at the first sign of breathing trouble so it clears up on its own.
Now that he is ten a whole new world has opened up for him and he gets to go with Dad and Grandpa and do more manly stuff :) which he is enjoying.  Zane was not thrilled at first at being left out but now he knows when he is older he gets to go too and has figured out that means he gets to be the oldest when Jordan is gone. He gets to have more time with me and he is learning to be an even bigger help around the house. When we go out shopping without Jordan he actually loves it and the fact that he can be Niko's oldest brother and do Jordans jobs when hes not there. He takes his job very seriously!

Niko

So Niko is now 13 months old. Shes been walking on her own for a month now. She now says hi,bye, up, no, yes, mom, dad, hot,dog, ball, bed, night-night. she says "I awe oo" (i love you) while hugging and patting our backs. She also says "awe duh" (all done) signs milk, please, bath,drink,and eat. She can tell you what the sheep,cow, rabbit and monkey and duck say.she loves to hide and play peek a boo. She LOVES to sing and you can even understand when she says some of the words and can guess which song she is trying to sing! Its nuts! She has a very good ear for music. Everyday she says something new! Always watching and trying to copy anything new she sees or hears. She loves to climb up on the couch and sit with her blankie and smile at everyone. Niko loves affirmation. When she does something she looks around to see who is watching.She loves to color as well. (writing all this because if i dont i will forget what my daughter was like as a baby, its going by so fast) Today she got some nail polished and "asked" my to put it on her toes. We did that 2 months ago...she amazes all of us everyday. The boys are beyond happy they have a sister (even when she is a pain:) Not a day goes by that one or both the boys say "Im so glad God gave me a baby sister" my heart melts! We all feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!