Never An Empty Nest: 4 Months Home - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Update for December 18th Posting:

There will be 2 postings for this month because my Christmas post will be one in its own. This past month has been a complete blur! Zander is growing by leeps and bounds. He's taller, faster and a true toddler boy. We still feel like we are in a honeymoon period with him because he is just like the rest of the kids, no transition problems whatsoever. Believe me, I pray that it remains this way, and knock on wood, it will.

The family dynamics have changed just a bit and he has rolled right with them. Alex, our 25 yr. old daughter moved to her own place the end of November. Zander was used to waking her up at all hours of the day (she works evenings) and kiss her or just want her to play (her bedroom was our couch) and the main portion of time we spend is in our living room. He was a bit confused as to where she went, but rolled with the change.

Zander's relationship with Carmen is actually blossoming, as much as a 2 yr. olds can with their 13 yr. old sister. He likes to follow her to her room, where she asks him for privacy and tells him she is shutting the door. After she shuts the door, he knocks several times, mumbling words only he can understand. If she doesn't open, he s-l-o-w-l-y starts ripping one of her One Direction posters that she has tacked on the outside of her door. He knows she can hear and that this will make her open the door. It works! the door is open, he giggles and runs with big sister chasing him.

Zander and Richie are quite the dynamic duo. Zander LOVES spending time with Richie. He mimics just about everything he does from play shooting his nerf gun, running around, playing ball, dancing, wrestling, etc. You name it, he copies it. Richie is an extremely good sport and a great role model. The only thing you don't mess with is Richie's food though. If there's one thing Zander does want, that Richie has, it his food and it's a constant battle to keep him away while Richie tries to eat, even if Zander has his own plate of the same food.

Big sister Brandy doesn't get to see Zander too much because she has a very busy schedule with her own little ones. But he will interact with her, just at a distance. He loves our grandkids, Savannah (almost 7), Kalya (23 months) and Sophia (8 months). He hasn't been around Savannah too much yet, but he is amazed at how much she moves. He follows her with a perplexed look. He and Kalya are a riot, they are only 3 weeks apart, but Kalya rules the roost. She's loud, fast, and bossy. He just laughs and chases her, all the while trying to give her hugs and kisses. With Sophia Zander is very gentle and says baby and pets her. The only time he pays her much attention is when I try to hold her, he's not real crazy about that.

Tim and Zander's relationship is something to behold. Zander KNOWS he has his daddy wrapped around his little finger (not too tough to do). He leads Tim a merry chase getting into everything, wanting everything, wanting to be held, led and fed. Tim will constantly ask me how I can sit and get things done and Zander justs ignores me and will play and I tell him, "He's got your number."

Zander and I get along great. I adore his giggles, his teasing and watching and teaching him. He is still learning so much. His speech is improving slowly, but he has just started babbling and says things to us and we don't have a clue so we smile and say "really"? He seems pleased with this response because he giggles and moves on. His frustration level has seemed to gotten a lot better since he is babbling more, there isn't much hitting anymore (true blessing).

Zander's first Thanksgiving was very nice. He got to meet the whole Verbeke clan and was the hit of the party. Unfortunately daddy was sick so Papa Art stepped up and Zander toddled around with him all day seeing the goats, miniature horses, donkey, ducks, geese, and rabbits (Yes, he has all these at his home). It was amazing seeing them together because it's never really happened. Zander wasn't really keen on eating all the food (believe it or not) and we went home for a quiet evening.

The next week Zander was placed in outpatient care to finally have his teeth fixed. He did so wonderful for a little 2 yr. old who had to be without food or drink for 12 hours. His surgery was at 2:00 p.m. and he didn't have anything until the next day. He ended up getting 2 root canals, 2 fillings and 3 crowns. He was one funny little boy when they gave him the versad. I will try to load the video. Since then he's had some problem with adjusting with so much silver up there though and constantly has his fingers in his mouth now.

All in all he is doing amazingly well, amazingly adjusted, and amazingly loved. We are VERY excited about Christmas this year. He LOVES to open presents. He has an advent calendar with individually wrapped gifts (they are just small pieces of candy, a small toy etc.) and he can hardly wait to open them daily. He had his first meeting with Santa last week, he liked him from a distance, but when it came to him holding him it was very short-lived, but we were able to snap a picture.

Well, time to sign-off from the Verbeke home, running and Christmas shopping awaits. We pray all of you have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve. Until next month!

Blessings,
Francine