4 Months

Well, we are comfortably settling into our new routine.  We are certainly busier than we were this time last year, but I'm definitely finding that managing two kiddies isn't as bad as I expected.  Don't get me wrong, they test me...sometimes daily, but it isn't the sheer chaos that I had mentally prepared myself for.  I actually feel so thankful that I get to spend my days with these two sweet little ones.  But they sure keep me on the go!

Elena is LOVING the new routine, though she is exhausted when bedtime rolls around.  She is doing so well in school three mornings a week, which gives Cal and me some quality time together. The remaining two days a week we are at the Jackson Center.  So no more "free days" to fill in with something "fun", but having busier days generally is better for all of us.

I just can't believe how quickly my babies are growing.  Elena has totally turned into a little girl over night.  She is such a sweet, little social butterfly.  I have no doubt if she could talk, that she would be getting notes from school saying she got in trouble for talking.  This isn't surprising, knowing she comes from a LONG line of Buchanan family "talkers".  :)

Cal turned four months old yesterday.  We are officially in uncharted territory.  Elena spent her four month birthday in a coma, on a ventilator in the Riley Hospital PICU.  I have been struggling a bit lately with those memories and the realization of just how little she was.  I'm not kidding when I say every.single.thing. Calvin does seriously amazes Chad and me.  Not because every parent thinks their child is the best at everything, but because we know how much effort it takes Elena to be able to do the very same thing.  Eye contact?  Amazing.  Grabbing things?  Unreal.  Rolling over?  Unimaginable.  Grabbing his feet?  Miraculous.  Every little thing from taking a bottle, to sucking his thumb, to recognizing me across the room blows my mind.  I take a bit of pride in the fact that Chad and I are able to appreciate these little things and know that watching a child develop typically is nothing short of divine.

For those reasons, Cal brings us so much joy and thankfulness, even to Elena.  It's obvious she loves her brother and his wet sloppy kisses.  She doesn't even mind him pulling her hair!  Cal still loves his "scowl".  He is full of smiles but still loves furrowing those little brows!  He has laughed at us a few times but he reallllllly makes you work hard.  His latest accomplishments include grabbing his feet, mastering the art of tummy time, rolling from his back to tummy, grabbing everything and putting it in his mouth.  He's a good sleeper and a good eater and really only grouchy when he is lacking one of those two.  He took his first swim the other day and seemed to like it.

The Hinton family continues to grow and change for the better.  As I've said many times, the future can seem so scary and so uncertain.  But God continues to shower us with His blessings and lift us up when we need lifting.  Life sure isn't easy but challenges make us stronger, give us better perspective and help make us more compassionate and understanding people.

Happy 4 Months little Cal...you bring us such joy!