Happy 2nd Birthday Week: Dear Matthew

Dear Matthew:

Oh my precious little monkey, I don;t know where to begin to tell you how much you mean to this family. You are the sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day. You make our world more interesting every waking minute. All three of us cherish you more than you know.

You pick up at least 3 new word every day, I always ask you to repeat it to make sure I heard it right. To see you growing in your words reminds me how fast this goes by. There are still some words that only I can understand and the selfish part of me wants to keep it that way. A bond that only you and I have. Although John translates sometimes a lot better than I do.

When I stare at you I see the little boy coming out and the baby fading away, I am filled with pride and sorrow at the same time. I know I am losing a part of you, but only to be replaced by a different part of you that is as just as great.

The full blown fits have started, tears, screaming, body flailing and all; difference is, this time I know it will pass and I know how to stay calm with you and give you choices. I sure do wish I was that way when John hit this stage. I think you will have an advantage to my patience over your brother. Something I am hoping you can later rub off on him. By all means, that is me growing as a person and parent.

When you look up at me from your crib at night and say 'I love you mommy' with a huge smile on your face, it makes anything that was wrong right again.

You are already protective of me, just like your brother was and still is (a little bit). When you boys are wrestling in the living room, it is all smiles until Mama gets involved, then you stand back and start to cry and scream 'no'.

You are so goofy. Out of the blue you will bust out in some sort of march or wiggles or something, and when music comes on and I ask if want to to dance, you go for it! You know when you are trying to make people laugh, you like the stage a bit more than your brother, but still not a complete extrovert.

Most of all, I love to see you with a ball in your hand, as I know that is when you are the happiest. It is amazing how much you can already do with any ball you are given. You cheer for yourself when you do something good and say 'almost' when you miss the basket or don't catch the ball or score a goal. You will do the same for anyone else that will play with you.

Although you and John have some sharing issues at times, overall you are very giving and sharing. You take John any snack you are having, you always let anyone have a bite, and when asked if you will share you gladly hand it over, but with the disclaimer " riiiiiight back " with one finger up I the air. This your favorite phrase by far!

I can't wait to see you every morning, and I can't wait to kiss you goodnight every night. You make our world a better place!

Happy 2nd Birthday Week: Facts and Feelings

Oh baby boy, I love you, I am sorry that is April 13th and I am just now finishing your Birthday Week blog. More than a month has passed and things have already changed a bit, but I here we we go (again).

Facts:
*Height: 35.5 in (78%)
*Weight: 28lbs  (50%)
*Head Size: 20cm (93%)
*Still sleeps in a crib and through the night. I have not been up there at night in probably a year. tells me "I love you mama. Bye Bye Mama." as I leave the room. (cue melted heart)
*wears 2T easily and in some brands needs to go up to a 3T.
*He is a starfish at Stonebridge United Methodist and loves school. This is the only year the boys will lapse in school. They both like it so much, and I am fully aware that this might be the only time that they both love this.
*Goes to swim school and LOVES IT!
*Not sure he would survive without the DVD in the car. :(
*started saying his name on Good Friday!!! still won't say John, he calls him bubba.
*you are fatty fatty and I love it!


Feelings:
*Would choose John over anyone or anything else 97% of the time.
*loves balls more than any other toy or game
*He has just started to watch a little TV when John does, so basically anything on Disney Jr. and Nick Jr.
*showing a lot of interest in the ipad.
*says "mama hold" WAY too much
* swimming is by far his most favorite thing to do right now. He has no fear and wants to figure it out himself. Thank goodness he can hold he breath for 6 seconds and expanding that every time, because he just jumps right in and starts kicking.
*Doesn't really have any best buddies, less bubba of course. He has his classmates that he likes, but no one in the neighborhood, so not convenient to see them frequent. Although he would perfer to run with John and Garrett over anyone else anyway.
*loves him some mango!
*pretty much tags along with whatever we are doing, very easy going and easy to entertain.

Happy 2nd birthday week: when I picture you...

I picture you....

- galloping around the island chasing your brother, or not, with a snack in hand and food in your mouth.

- throwing all of your animals and blankets out of the bed before you will let me get you out.

- keeping up with the big boys at johns play dates and honestly not realizing you are three years younger.

- chasing you and a soccer ball off the field during one of your brothers games.

- blowing kisses

- yelling at your ' bubba' to come eat or come to bath (bas)

- sitting in the little red chair with iPad in hand. Not really playing anything, but thinking that you are.

- pointing to your chest with an 'm' sound coming out when you are referring to yourself.

- doing whatever your brother is doing.

- getting a snack out of the pantry, 'asking' for permission and the only after I say yes you will go and get John one of the same thing and take it to him, whether he wants it or not.

- 'helping' me take out the trash to the garage.

- with a ball. Throwing it, rolling it, trying to spin in it on your finger, kicking it, bouncing it, etc.

- jumping on the trampoline.

- sleeping through the night for months and months. Easy !

- standing in some corner when you have been given a time out, then walking back over to me with shoulders as low as they will go and a pitiful look. Followed by a 'sorry mama'.

- screaming 'mine' or 'stop bubba' frequently

- wobbling into school with your yellow and grey backpack that is bigger than you holding my hand to stay upright.

- hugging and kissing John with the most genuine love and affection.

Happy 2nd Birthday Week: A year in pictures

April 2012 to March 2013... somewhere in there he got hair!

Happy FIFTH Birthday Week: Dear John

Dear John:

Five years old seems like such a milestone in a child's life. For you, I see you teeter tottering on the big boy fence. I eat up pieces of that and get frustrated with some of it too. You love a good nursery rhyme CD just as much as "One Thing" by One Direction, and you know the words to several pop radio songs (thank goodness you don't know what a lot of it means though). You can do so many things by yourself but you would prefer us to do it for you any day of the week. Mostly you revert to baby tendencies when you are with me and act a bit more mature when I am not around.

I know I am your comfort zone and I want it always to be that way. I want you to always know that you can come to me about anything. At this age, you really use it to push my buttons though. The fits, although less often, are still a presence in our daily lives. Daddy and I have started a new technique that we are sticking too and it seems to be working for the most part. After reading a lot of books and articles and talks with friends and family, the Bible pointed me in the right direction with love and discipline, underlying love most of all.

You confuse your feelings quite a bit right now and when you are embarrassed or in pain you think you are angry. I am sure that will sort itself out soon. You are still either HOT or COLD about anything. There is no in between or indifference, you are your fathers son. You do not crave the spot light, but will step up to the task if you feel compelled. When it is just you and me and Matthew you will dance up a storm with me and I love it. I hope you dance like no one is watching the rest of your life. I wish I would have. I do now because of you kids and love every second of it.

Matthew is your best buddy and worst enemy right now. He does anything you ask and loves to be with you more than me most of the time, but he also takes attention away from you when you want it. I know it is hard to understand that one day you were that little and you got all that attention too. You are so protective of him. You will NOT let him out of your sight or lag behind us if we are in public at all! You get frustrated with me when I won't carry him when he is going slow. You even stick up for him when your friends are not careful of him. Another trait I hope you keep. Permanent playmates.

Meal time for you and me is one of the most challenging parts of our day. Your tastes seem to change with the wind, but really I think it is just your moods. All I want is for your pants to stay on! But I won't give in to the unhealthy choices every day, I know that starting the habit of healthy eating now will only help you to continue that through life. Don't think you are deprived though, you get special treats plenty!

Seeing your genuine smile when we tell you something you want to hear or when you do something all by your self for the first time, or you see something funny on TV, or laugh with your brother is the most amazing and fulfilling part of my day.

Watching your imagination when you play by yourself (and typically your legos or animals) is awe inspiring to me. I have little imagination, so to see it so naturally in you makes my heart all warm and fuzzy.

You have started to realize there are real evil things in the world and it makes me sad that your innocence is drifting away. You hear "weird" noises and think that something is in your room, and you talk about bad people taking things or hurting people. But you also mention Jesus or God at least once a day (excluding prayer) and it typically involves him being able to do anything (and you can come up with some curious things for him to do) or being bigger and stronger than anything. When I hear that it gives me peace that we have planted a seed in you and hope that you will always want to know more and be closer to God. He gave us to you and will see your faith to completion.

We love every piece of you!

Happy FIFTH birthday: when I picture you....

I picture you....

- crawling into our bed in the wee hours of the morning because your hand is asleep, or you thought it was morning, or you had a question, or you dropped your animal, or...

- running your hardest on the soccer field in your red cobras uniform only to get to the ball in time to run the other way. Never giving up though.

- sitting on the red chair with the iPad fully engaged in stars wars angry birds, plants versus zombies, some zoo or dinosaur game, drawing, or searching for a free game with high star rating. :)

- giving me hugs and kisses and then tackling Matthew in his car seat with the same love and then watching your grey and yellow back pack getting out if the car and walking down the sidewalk at carpool drop off.

- crashing anything into anything else, with impressive sound effects.

- genuinely thinking through which animal in the animal fort will be chosen each night to sleep with you.

- batting your eyes on purpose when you are trying to ask for something you think I will say no to.

- throwing your fists down to your sides, leaning forward and strongly expressing yourself through gritted teeth. This is not one of my favorites, but I see it often.

- dressed up in a cape, hat, binoculars, safari vest, glasses, shield, or any other apparatus you can find to pretend play.

- the look in your eye when you realize that a boo boo has blood. Down. For. The. Count.

- sticking your bum out at me and making tooting noises. And then laughing like it is the funniest thing EVER. Only to be encouraged by your brother laughing too and mimicking you. What is wrong with boys?!

- and Garrett making bird soup out of anything you can find in the pantry.

- helping your brother up and down the stairs.

- in pants that are too big in the waist, but too short in the length. #plumberscrack.

- fighting me every time it is time to get dressed. Every time! Guess it gets back.to never wanting to leave the house.

- telling me good night, you love me and to have sweet dreams every night.

Happy FIFTH Birthday Week: Secret Agent Magician Party

This years party theme revoloved around a magician that incorporated a secret agent identity theme. John was all about it. Since it was the big 5.0 and he kept changing his mind on which classmates he wanted to invite, we settled on all of them. And then of course his neighborhood friends and a few from the soccer team.... I only got 2 "no" rsvps. As such, we had 20 children at a drop off party at our house. Thank the good Lord for grandparents, aunts and great friends and a couple of parents that ended up staying at the party. It has been 5 days since the party and I think I am still recovering.

Carl and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning turning the hallway and living room into a tunnel and spy headquarters. The kids got invitations that told them a password ("dragons") that they had to use to get in the agency. Granddaddy greeted the families at the door and sure enough, they all remembered. Carl sat in the HQ and handed out badges and branded their agent numbers on their arms and fingerprinted them. They were supposed to then go to their first mission. This became a huge bottleneck, so we improvised.

The Magician arrived 30 minutes into the party and put on a great show. The kids were entertained and John was taking part (I was afraid he would shy up) and being the volunteer. The kids seemed to really enjoy it.

Then we went upstairs for the 2nd two training missions. 1) Get through the laser field and 2) target practice with nerf guns. Both activities seemed to go well. Their were adults running around even more than the kids trying to set up for dinner and cake downstairs as well as man the two mission stations. It was crazy to say the very least.

Finally it was pizza and cake time. I over estimated how long I could keep them entertained, so we did have about 10-15 minutes of free time after cake before parents came to pick up. Which, in kid world where they were not allowed back upstairs to just free play, was a REALLY long time.

I failed one mission that I will never forget. One of the mom's was trying to figure out if her son was having adverse reaction to a certain dye. So she emailed me ahead of time and asked about the menu as well as to tell me she was sending him his own cupcake.... which sat on my counter unopened until she got there. In the mean time, he not only had our cupcakes, but he also had a cookie. awesome.

Here are several pictures from the event. I have to say thank you to Ashlea and Abbey for helping me to capture this fleeting moment in time as I did not pick up my camera one time. It means the world to me! I can not figure out how to do the slideshow show anymore from picasa (if someone wants to help me out there, that would be great), so in the mean time, here is a long string of pictures.

Happy FIFTH Birthday Week: Yearly Interview

How old are you? "five"

What is your favorite thing to do? "play with legos"

What is your favorite food? "chicken"

What makes you happy? "silly things"

What makes you sad? "boo boo"

Who is your best friend? "Sadie"

What is your favorite book? "my bible. Wait. it is the zoo magazines"

What do you like to learn at school? "math"

What do you like to do with your family? "group hug"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "vet"

What kind of birthday party are you having? "spy"

What makes you mad? "someone hitting me"

What do you like to do with Mommy? "play"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "play"
 

What is your favorite show? "How to Train your Dragons"

What is your favorite song? "One of the Laurie songs"

What do you like about Matthew? "He is cute"

What is your favorite movie? "Actually I do not have a favorite"

Where do you like to go when we leave the house? "Chuckie Cheese" (weird, been there once a year)

What do Mommy and Daddy do for fun? "go on a date"

What is your favorite animal? "Zebra"

What does Daddy do for work? "makes money"

What does Mommy do for work? "make money" (Pretty sure he has tuned me out)

What do you think about before you go to bed? "I have never done that before"

What do you pray about at night? "Jesus" What else? "God. That's all"
 

Happy Fifth birthday week: facts and feelings

Facts:
*Weight: 39 pounds (37%)
*Height: 43 inches (52%)
*sucks his thumb when tired, nervous and sleeping
*plays soccer and in swim school
*his body doesn't make a certain hormone yet that allows him to hold his pee at night. Still in diapers. (Fun fact, right?)
*Is a busy bee at Stonebridge United Methodist Church.
*a lot of new moles on his body
*falls asleep within 1 minute of turning the lights out at night.
* knows a lot of sight words, but doesn't show that much interest in reading on his own yet.
* will announce EVERY TIME there is a speed limit sign and ask to make sure you are not going over or under.


Feelings:
* would rather be at home 97% of the time than anywhere else. I know this will change, trying to soak it up, but makes errands agony.
* loves Matthew with his whole heart and loves to teach him things, until he gets to a certain point and then wants me to just put him to bed.
* protects Matthew when we are in public ALL of the time. Will not let him out if his sight or tells me to pick him up.
* still pretty passionate most of the time. He can be hot or cold, not a lot if indifference in that boy.
* loves to play soccer, but the raw ability and/or competitive drive has yet to develop.
* animals still top his favorite list, but now Lego building is up there and art and drawing have fallen farther down.
* will not ride a bike or scooter. Don't try to talk him into it, he's heard it and is having nothing of it.
* playdates with Garrett are quite possible the best thing EVER
* changes what he likes in food on a daily basis
* Cars, and How to Train Your Dragon are still his favorite movies, but also likes to watch the baby Einstein videos with Matthew. Octonots, bubble guppies and Doc McStuffins are probably three of his favorite TV shows.
* Ipad time is a favorite activity and he has probably 50 games on there. He is really good at some of them. I am impressed at some problem solving type skills that some of those games teach him.
* Loves to pretend play. Dress up like super heros, act like animals, go on missions like spies, go hunting for things, etc. He has an incredible imagination.

Happy FIFTH Birthday Week: A year in pictures

From March 2012 to February 2013. Not near the changes as previous years, but still growing too fast!