Dax's Journal

Spring has sprung

Last week I sent Dax out to the backyard with his daddy in tow and when I went to check on them later I found that Dax had shed his clothes and was playing in the sprinkler in his underpants. Ahhh...the first sign of spring.

As I've said before, Dax is a fantastic big brother. The other day he was sitting on the couch with Devin, holding his hand. He's actually asked to hold him a few times and last night he looked at his baby brother, grinned, and declared, "I love him!" I very nearly died from an overdose of swoon.

We got Dax back into My Gym this week and I'm getting ready to go online to check swimming lessons. Still no luck finding tennis lessons for little dudes but I'll keep looking. An active and challenged Dax is a happy Dax (and when Dax is happy we are all pleased).

Fortunate

When I first got pregnant with Dax I signed up for weekly email from Baby Center that included updates on what was happening with his development and my suddenly unpredictable body as it reacted to pregnancy. I still get developmental updates from them every week and I'm amazed at how on target they always are.

This week's topics? Ignoring and fighting sleep. Oh, yes. Those are Dax's favorite activities lately. Fortunately, Baby Center offers insight as to why he's like that and tips on what to do about it. Still, it has been a struggle. Especially for me, the woman who has not slept for more than two consecutive hours for a couple of months now.

The sleep thing is getting to me, I admit. It seems that if Devin manages to have a good night for sleep (4 to 6 hour stretch), Dax will wake throughout the night hollering. I'm fortunate because Dax is in school during the weekdays so I can nap when Devin does. I really don't know how stay-at-home moms with multiple children at home manage.

Also fortunate? The fact that Dax is adorable and that he is a fantastic big brother. This week I've noticed him taking even more of an interest in Devin, showing more affection toward him, and rushing to his aid when he's crying. This is just so awesome. I mean, when you consider that pretty much anytime Dax is not getting the attention he wants is because of the baby I'm surprised he's not more resentful. But no. He really seems to understand that Devin is completely helpless and he takes his role as Big Brother very seriously.

And while he's completely serious about being a BIG BOY he also manages to continue to be a complete goofball half the time. He loves to entertain. Sometimes we are just fortunate to be around when he's in a....um....creative mode. Like last night when he, for some odd reason, insisted on wearing his winter hat and mittens as he leapt repeatedly off of the ottoman shouting, "SUPERMAN!!!!"

It is insane how much I love this kid. What is more insane is that I love his baby brother just as much. Yes, they sometimes try my patience. Yes, they exhaust me. Yes, they sometimes baffle me completely. And for all of that I still consider myself very fortunate indeed.

Encouraging his interests

Dax loves playing Wii sports. He's quite good at it, too. That planted the seed in Cat's head to get the kid a real tennis racquet and take him to the courts.

The verdict? He loved it. So I think I may check to see if park and rec has tennis lessons for small fries.

Cat also had Dax out in the back yard running around a little soccer obstacle course over the weekend. It was awesome. Especially since he giggled the entire time he was running.

I'd also like to get him into swimming lessons at the aquatic center. The challenge is finding a class with room because they fill up fast. It also has to be an independent class (as opposed to "mommy and me") because I'll also be carting Devin along with us. He took swimming lessons the summer before last and loved it and he frequently asks to go swimming when we drive by the pool so I think he'll be into it.

I'm glad he's showing interest in activities that will encourage fitness and not just those that involve a television and a video game controller.