Maturing

 

I am glad to report that they are still full of spirit and quite adventurous these days, despite being home bound most of the time.  The weather is treacherous and cold.  The good thing is we are actually beginning to love being at home.  This may be because these days, they actually clean up after themselves, and we have a routine of some sort so that being home is more tolerable.  They do have incessant energy for creative play, and they chat and play together non-stop all day long.  Thank God they love playing with each other!  When my head is full and distracted like today, it's great to have a routine to follow and they have each other's company.

Artimus is THREE

 

Here is Artimus' photo smile at her three year birthday party! So typical of a three year old who does the fake/forced smile at the sight of a camera pointed at her.  She makes me laugh every time.  Can't believe she is three.  I also can't believe how the past three years felt like a lifetime.  Remembering how she was when she was a baby is a challenge.  I just remember she was always curious, even when she was just two weeks old.  When people say personality is formed or can be seen by age three, I think one can have a pretty good guess after just a week of life.  Artimus was easy going the moment she was born.  Yes, that's right, but I will spare you the details of how I came to that conclusion.  To this day, at age three, Artimus is still easy going, with a carefree way about her.  At times though, she is beginning to be self conscious of her appearance and what people think about her.  So only recently, I find that she is exhibiting some "shyness" and reservations about saying "hi".  Well, that's part of growing up.  Happy Birthday my love - the girl of my dreams!

Inspired by the book "Half The Sky"

I am inspired by a new found feeling that I can change the world despite all the obstacles - because either I am engaged in making it better or I am just making it just as bad.  Now, the urgency to be a part of the change comes from seeing my little girl's pure love, feelings, curiosities and innocence, and knowing that millions of little girls in poor villages throughout the world are beatened, maimed, raped, and even killed.

I love my precious Artimus and I could not even stand seeing her sad.  Well, I have the joy of saying I have never seen her sad, and I hope I never will but I know I am dreaming about that.  She has been throwing a lot of tandrums lately to get me to yield to her wishes.  Can't wait for this phase to be over. 

Hope everyone gets a chance to peek in this book.

I Am Back

In case you wonder why I have not entered a new post since August 2008, the lives of the He's have changed drastically beginning right around August 2008. For reasons too personal to get into on a blog about life with the new beings, I'll just say that Daddy and Mommy separated, and Mommy has physical custody of Ethan and Artimus. As always, Daddy and Mommy put Ethan and Artimus on the top of our priority list. So as far as they know, Daddy just doesn't sleep in the apartment. Well, okay, we also told them that Daddy and Mommy are not together anymore but that we will always love them and we will always "love" each other, which we do.

Gosh, it's amazing that I am still struggling with the sleeping issue a year and a half after I vowed to train them to sleep on their own. How did I think that it was just going to be several months? The good news is, they each have their own twin size bed and they fall asleep in their own bed, with me sitting on a chair in their room. Then some time in the middle of the night, I find Ethan right next to me in my bed. This has been the norm for the past two months. Well, I am gathering up the strength to carry him back every night. But that won't start until work in the office slows down a bit.

Until next time, please take care!

-JW