Before it gets lost, I need to finish up this post! While we were back in Kansas for Thanksgiving, I asked Joel if he would dedicate our two littles. Having grown up with him as my pastor, and being so close with his family, it was special for him to dedicate all of my children. (Lil' peanut got "double dipped" as hubby said. We felt it important to let our pastor in MD do a dedication ceremony for him after he came home because Pastor Kevin had been very supportive and involved with us, as well as several members of the congregation, as we waited to bring lil' peanut home) Our parents and most of our siblings were able to join us, which was really nice.
Even though C was dedicated by Joel as an infant, I knew that it might be tough for him to be the one "left out" of this ceremony. So, I asked Joel if he could include a special part just for big brother. I wasn't too nervous about what C would say in response since it was just family. ;) This is his expression when Joel asked if he could talk to just him for a minute.
Loved his proud little face and I was so glad I thought to have Joel do that. Now, as you will note, lil' peanut is about to chuck his cup on the floor...for the 3rd time.
He was coming undone in a hurry. We did the dedication the day after Thanksgiving so it was coming on the heels of the big family dinner at hubby's aunt's house. There were a lot of people there. People that lil' peanut doesn't know. As soon as we walked up to the door of the house and everyone started saying hi to him he got very nervous and didn't want to go inside. He did eventually warm up a bit, but was still pretty clingy. There was a bit of unwanted affection (he is very cute and I know it's hard for people to resist trying to coerce him into hugs and kisses, but he's at the age now where he can decide for himself if he's comfortable with it, so if he says no I kind of expect people to accept his answer). It doesn't always work that way and while he might seem fine at the time, we often deal with after effects from over stimulation/unfamiliar situations/etc. Mostly in the form of regression in his attachment, sleep disturbances, and fits. Anyway, he was not at all comfortable with Joel holding him, or touching him...frankly he was fussing when Joel even tried talking to him. Here you see Joel praying for lil' peanut. But, what you didn't see (hopefully because your eyes were closed!) was mama get slapped in the face. After he smacked me he started clawing at me (these again are signs of that regression and ways that he acts out when he is overwhelmed or scared). I looked up and saw my dad and quickly thought to see if lil' peanut would go to him. He nodded his head when I asked him if he wanted to see Papa and he spent the rest of the time content. You all know my dad has magical powers! I also think lil' peanut was glad to get out of the spotlight.
Next up it was our pumpkin baby's turn. He had no problem letting Joel hold him. (It's like dejavu looking at this picture and remembering him holding C just that same way)
Joel had little bibles for all three of the kids. He gave them to the two littles first and just when I could tell C was about to ask why he didn't get one, Joel whips out a 3rd and tells C it's a special big brother bible for him.
Even better than a big brother bible, some time with Lizzy. ;) If I haven't mentioned it before on here, Lizzy is C's dream girl. Not too long ago he was expressing his desire to marry his friend Kaylee and he said this "Everyone knows Kaylee is my target and I'm gonna marry her. Because there's no one more beautiful. Unless I can time travel and be as old as Lizzy." He has said before that he hopes she is still available when he's old enough to get married. For her sake, I hope that's not true but boy would it make him happy. Haha!
After the dedication, our families went out to brunch together. We were glad they carved time out of their days to join us and enjoyed visiting with everyone.
