2008 Begins!

Ok, I know it’s already March but I’m just getting around to writing “2008″ on my checks. Here is the Riddle family as we currently stand…

(p.s. You can double click on any picture below to see a large blow-up in your browser.)

Will

Will is entering his sixth month working at home, and it has been a great transition. Still working for IBM as a project manager, he is on the phone at least half the workday on conference calls with India, France, and other exotic locations. He’s glued to his laptop at all hours, but we now have the fabulous flexibility to eat together, play with the kids, and sleep on hours that fit our natural routine. There are now the six of us in our little house all together, and he has done a remarkable job adjusting to the conditions that that raises… even if it means more cleaning up and “shhhh-ing” on my part

Jaime

Jaime is having a lot of fun with her four youngsters. Everyone is so cute and expressive that it less of a job and more of a laugh riot, dealing with everyone and their problems! She is missing not having a baby this year but is a much happier camper now that Will has started taking her on “dates” a couple times a month =) She is currently considering getting a telecommuting job and giving some more time to her church where she is involved with crisis pregnancy counseling. This year has brought the biggest rewards now that “life” includes her husband on a daily basis =)

Samuel

Samuel is a full-fledged five year old! This is exciting because life has kind of begun for him, at five. He has transitioned from preschool to pre-kindergarten this year, and is learning to read and write amazingly quickly. Plus, he is now old enough to really communicate with us, express his thoughts and desires, and ponder what he wants to be when he grows up… which, in the past six days has included successively: a fireman, a daddy, a guy who builds “thingies”, a policeman, and an old man with a cat. We will keep you posted on what he finally chooses

Nathanael

Nathanael is in the throes of the silly years of three and four. Bright and happy, his favorite things are nursery rhymes, silly voices, and little pretend games. He doesn’t care much for structured activities, but he is very verbal and imaginative. He picks up a lot by listening and will often comment to me later about what he overheard, and ask for clarification… the funniest little things come out in the car or at bedtime! He is currently undergoing some sensory and motor therapy, but he has done a fabulous job of adjusting to being both an older brother and a younger one. He is very good at caring for Abigail, and I can see them continuing to have a nice relationship when they’re older.

David

David is all, and more, of his two and a half years. Talking to him, you’d think he was at least double his age. His favorite word this month is “Actually” so conversations with him currently go something like this…

Hey David.

Hey Mom. What should I do?

What do you want to do?

Well, actually I need some food.

Ok, but it’s not dinnertime yet. Thirty more minutes.

Ok. But actually I want to watch.

Oh, you do? Ok, what should we watch?

Actually, Bob the Builder is my favorite.

Ok, let’s watch Bob.

YAAAAAYY!

If anyone had told me that my two year old could be thinking like he does, I would have never believed it. I often forget that he is not four and five like his brothers. David is currently the Reminder around the house, telling me when I forgot Daddy’s straw, why Abigail is crying because she doesn’t want to play with Samuel, and when I need to stop at the red light. Unfortunately, he’s always right!!

Abigail

Abigail is a spunky, sweet, wonderful little girl. She has brought so much into our lives since she came, and it is so fun to dress someone in pink and flowers. She has a lot of personality at only one year old and is remarkably understanding for her age. I guess this is what happens when a little sister come last! Although you can tell she has brothers because while she doesn’t speak many real words yet, her favorite is “Bobbbb da bah bah” which anyone in-the-know knows is the famous first strain of the Bob the Builder theme song.