Dax Daniel

Oh our sweet squishy baby Dax...he doesn't like being called a baby and he's not too squishy anymore either. More like a long string bean that's all arms and legs. Which means wherever he moves his body it seems to be in someone's way or where it's not supposed to be...sigh...Jamie Lee Curtis' book It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel pretty much summarizes the season of life that Dax is in right now. Even though he turned six in June, we read this book often so he knows it's okay that there are ups and downs to this time in his life. He is growing more and more independent, although he still would like to be carried places and have his shoes tied for him. He loves to eat a random selection of things; we call him a fruititarian often at dinnertime. His favorites are cucumbers and avocado, or pretty much any fruit-especially if it's grandma's fruit that's been ripening on the counter all week long, at his exact eye level. But he does like drumsticks, chicken kabobs and cheeseburgers (with extra pickles). Most mealtimes he sits and chats with us (or tries to at least get a couple words in edgewise between his two sisters), eating only a couple bites of food. But every once in a while he'll surprise us and put away half a dozen pancakes or down an entire Costco-sized jar of applesauce.

"soccer"

So handsome, right?

Apparently he remembers surfing in summer.
 Maybe he was and I was busy chasing Phoenix down the beach!

In school, he's in first grade and working his little behind off. We forget how much work it is to learn those foundational skills of reading and writing. Not to mention getting used to basic school days: using the school bathrooms which never seem to have locks that work, how to survive in a game of soccer with forty other children at recess, and having to remember a twelve picture password to log onto your IPad for math practice. To say I miss Dax while he's at school is such an understatement. I was able to be home with him since he was a baby (thanks to God and my faithful hubby) and since there's a five year gap between him and the twins, he basically was spoiled and snuggled for the first five years of his life. Which I don't regret. At all. God is teaching me a lot about contentment these days. And being able to stay home for so long has been a huge blessing. Challenging but wonderful.




My pregnancy with Dax was scary in the beginning because they found hydronephrosis in ultrasounds and kept a very close eye on my amniotic fluid level. However, after much prayer and many more ultrasounds, my doctor was totally perplexed that the issue was nonexistent a month or so later. I told her that lots of our dear friends had been praying for the baby and she kept telling me how I didn't understand, that she'd always assigned her best tech to do the ultrasounds and how it just didn't make sense that such obvious evidence could disappear. I'm sure we would have loved Dax just as much if he'd needed extra care when he was born, but my heart was filled with thanksgiving when we got the results of that normal ultrasound. When he was a couple weeks old, they wanted to check him again and everything was great. The twins and I thanked God in the car after we left that appointment; they were relieved that their new little brother was given a clean bill of health.  God was so gracious to give us the sweetest baby with an amazing temperament. Especially since we started homeschooling right after he entered our family. Of course as he got older, he got into mischief while we attempted to do schoolwork. He loved to unload groceries and bite every apple in the bag, spitting out the skins all over our home.

One of my favorite onesies Dax had when he was still a baby was a blue stripey one that said "Apple of my eye". SO true. I'll always have a special spot in my heart for our first 'single' baby that got so much love and attention. He was the best baby a homeschool mom could ask for. Stick him in the boppy pillow for who knows how long, come back, and he's still just cooing and smiling. Lol. He loved being in his sling. We went everywhere with him. I think he'd gone bowling, to an outdoor concert, to the beach and pool; all in the first two weeks of his life. He was toted along on all our fieldtrips; Long Beach Aquarium, Sea World, Riley's Farm, strawberry picking, the list goes on and on. And he always dressed the part when he attended the history festivals at the twins' school. (Caesar in a toga, knight in chain mail, WWII fighter pilot complete with swim goggles.) Dax may not have a bedazzled baby book but at least we have a bazillion pictures on the computer of all the fun stuff he got dragged around to!

Dax still holds my hand when we walk into school...I don't think he'll ever know what a big deal that is to me. It's not as often as it used to be, but I savor it whenever he wants to. When the sun sets each day, I never feel like I'm able to squeeze in enough time with this sweet middle child.  Since Phoenix has been the dictator queen of the castle since she turned two, Dax has been smacked in the face with toys more times than I'd like to admit... and been wrongfully accused of crimes on more than one occasion. He and Phoenix love to drive each other crazy though, especially in the car; which every driving parent loves, right? Last night she wanted to wear his special Spiderman beanie and I let her because he wasn't using it and, well, she looked cute in it. Seemed logical to me. Looking back on it, I probably shouldn't have let her. But apparently I let my own memories of sibling conflict come to the surface as I deal with my own children. Something in me felt like she had to have an opportunity to get back at him for the car ride earlier in the day; when he continued to point his finger at her even when she would repeatedly scream "No! Adagawana! No! No! ***%#!" (Excuse the baby cursing). Don't you want to carpool with us now...? ;)

Loves watermelon as much as his mama does

Carnivores

This is pretty much where Dax has lived half his life. Life with older siblings ;)

Loves Minecraft. Well pretty much any videogame. And anything involving sugar.

Showing off Jade's face/hand painting skills

Ewok

See-all legs, right?

Phoenix adores him

Cute boys. I buy their love with ice cream.

Enjoying his popping bobas

My favorite part of summer was having him as my napping buddy.

He's lost five teeth so far!

Dax's sneeze...lol...every time he's in the sun.

God, help me to make time for this sweet soul you've placed in our home and hearts. Thank you for how much grace he gives me, always willing to forgive his tired mama at the drop of a hat. He has the most beautiful blue eyes and the most delicious giggles...help me to remember the joy he brings when I'm impatient and feeling like a broken record as we train him up to be a man after Your heart.