Preparing to be a big brother

So Mason (or Mafin as he calls himself) is finally starting to figure out that change is a comin! Now that Amanda is 6 months pregnant and really showing, he is realizing that things are changing. He can't sit on mommy's lap that way he used to, he can only rough house with daddy, he has to be gentle with mommy's tummy. We already see some signs of jealousy, especially when he can't do something with mommy because of the baby. But for the most part, we are anticipating that he will be a good big brother. Several of our neighbors have younger children and babies. Mason is always drawn to them and is very gentle and sweet. As the next few months pass we will be taking some trips to the library to read books about becoming a big brother and preparing him for his special role with the new baby.

Meanwhile, we are trying to spend some special time with him. He is really excited that his long time friend Raven has moved back to Pasadena. We recently went to their new home for an art project. As you may know, we do have quite a little artisan on our hands. He loves music and dancing and painting (triple threat, watch out). But he has only ever painted on paper on an easel. This time, our friend provided a real canvas and some various brushes to provide different textures. He had a lot of fun! He has also been enjoying some quality time with his Gramma Martin, who is visiting for a couple weeks. We'll post some pictures from that trip in another blog.

As for the rest of us, Amanda is getting healthier everyday, praise God. Mason has not been sick once since she dropped classes either! Dave has been warding off a cold with 2-3 Emergen-C a day and a glass of OJ with liquid echineccea every morning! We are all working the vitamins and supplements pretty hard in this house. Dave is almost done with his first year of credential program and has been running some IEP's by himself now. He is still quite busy with work and school and trying to balance family time in with everything else he has to do. But, he does a great job! Amanda just finished her second doula gig and will be starting a certification process in the next couple of months. She will be certified as a birth educator and eventually licenced as a doula. So, that is exciting. Well, I think that is it for now. We'll try to post some more later.