LOOK WHO TURNED 2!

I can not believe this sweet little guy is already 2. It is almost as if he knew that it was time to get bigger because as soon as we had his party he started spewing out new words like he has known them all along his favorite phrase "atch dis" (watch this) certainly means he is taking after his big brother with the love of attention. Most of the other words sound similar but we are able to decipher what he means. We are also very proud to announce that he gave up his NUK. It really wasn't as much of a fight as we were expecting! I think it was harder for me than him! Our family is so lucky to have added this sweet blessing to our lives 2 years ago and I can't help but love how God made them each so different, even from the start. There will be many things these 2 boys will be able to teach each other ()and Andy and I) over the years to come.

We did a carnival themed party and it was such a blast! All the kids were participating in the games, and loaded up on candy after they earned their tickets. My adorable niece Leightyn turned 6 in August as well so we did a partner party (as she called it). They didn't mind sharing at all because they are such pals. Brinley cried anytime someone sang Happy Birthday to him. He was also very offended when he realized someone else got to his candles before him. He loved his presents and much like his mommy he was eager to put them to immediate use! Enjoy a glimpse of our supper fun day:)

BECOMING FRIENDS

I can not say enough about Rowan being a loving big brother. He is always looking out for Brinley. Sure he has his moments of frustration, but, well, he is more patient with Brinley's tantrums than I have been lately! If Brinley hits Rowan with a toy he never reacts with an equally harmful motion, in fact, it is more likely that you will see him scrunched in a ball cowering and begging for Brinley to change his mind. It is rare that Rowan is the one who has initiated a fight.  Don't get me wrong, Rowan has his moments of name-calling, but if he catches you saying something bad about his lil' bro he would be the first to shut you up- because, of course, that is his turf! As a mom it is hard to be mad when Rowan is being mean to another kid out of defense for his brother. Call me evil annoying but some kids have it coming haha. Anyways, it is so wonderful to see him look after his brother and always helping get toys and trying to keep Brinley satisfied (trust me it is a tough task these days). But I will never take their friendship lightly and I will continue to pray that they will grow up and continue to be so involved in each other's lives, because nothing would mean more to me as a mom!

what 10 minutes with Brinley looks like

This post just wouldn't be the same if his face was clean! Little grubby.

 (I want a kiss)

 (please don't make me eat that)

 (I am spiderman)

 (I am up to no good)

 (I want another kiss)

 (I am scaring you)

 (I am so proud of myself)

(Oh, crap! I lost)

Rowan, age 4

Finding the balance of mommy and friend is harder than I thought it was going to be. The thing that is never hard is watching Rowan learn so many new things. It is incredible how enthusiast he is about his new knowledge (ask anyone who knows him he loves sharing his discoveries... and does it in the loudest voice known to mankind). He really has an enthusiasm for life and that is something he will never grow out of! I am actually loving 4 (even with all the struggles that it has brought on) I find it sweet that he DOES still need me- even if I think I am too busy to do what he is asking. He is definitely more independent. His new found confidence is really wonderful to see. He definitely knows what he wants and what he likes. His persistence has yet to fail him. Many wonderful things have come with age 4!

 Age 4 has also come with many challenges. Rhyming words for starters. You do not realize how innocent little kids are until they start "making" up words that actually have meanings- most of which are inappropriate for a child to say. Then there is the added pleasure of "I don't like you" into his daily dialogue. Call me immature, but mommies have feelings too! Although those things can be easy to navigate out of the one that I am most threatened by is the fact that he enjoys playing with daddy a lot more than mommy these days. Apparently, my baseball pitching isn't nearly as accurate as Andy's and my basketball defense seems to be too rusty for his liking. Also, it seems, I am not hyper enough when I play tag at the playground. Ha, I guess I am getting older too:/

These are things I thought would surely pass me by- it wouldn't happen to me. I have to remind myself that I am so lucky that my son is so active and that he has such a strong bond with his dad. It melts my heart to see him look at his dad in adoration. More importantly, it is so wonderful to have a husband who is so involved ...and genuinely loves teaching his 4 year old how to properly hold an aluminum bat and swing at the perfect time for maximum results! (Yes, apparently that is something every young kid should know.) Sure I feel threatened by the fact that mommy doesn't know how to do everything anymore. Yes, and partially I am jealous. I wish he wanted me to do everything for him still, but truth be told Andy has much better attributes to instill in our boys than I do. For that I am grateful. I am just finding it hard to let my little clingy side-kick grow up and move on, because from here on out each day he is more independent and more confident. It is wonderful thing to see your child growing up. But by watching him with Andy I have realized it is even more wonderful to start becoming their friend.

We are out from hibernation

 Sometimes there are days when all we eat Cheetos for lunch, and Skittles for breakfast. We do anything we can just to survive the day.  I am finding those days to be fewer and far between (thank the Heavens!) I am not sure if it is the ease of summer or just the fact that my boys are getting older, but we seem to have more and more days filled with laughter, fun and simplicity. I am thinking that I may get this mommy-of-2 gig figured out after all.

 On another note:
I love the little secrets my boys share with each other. They have many private moments that I so want to be part of but I know it is best if I let them keep those moments sacred. Brinley is sure whirling new things at us each day, but he seems to have one thing that is constant, he ADORES his big brother. It is hard to see your baby trying to grow up so fast, but it is a treasure to see him so love his big brother so much. Rowan is finally learning that his little pal isn't such a bother. In fact, he is quickly learning how great it is to have a #1 fan. I know that this is just the start of their friendship but it is just so fun to watch it all happen.

It feels so nice to be back blogging:)

Brinley 17 months

When you're chubby you learn to break an entry in the snack cupboard at a young age....

Time is whizzing by and I am starting to realize how quickly life is getting away from me. I want to pause time, because for now things are just where I want them! Brinley has figured out that doing things his own way instead of mommy's way is much more interesting. He is finding little hiding spots around the house. Not only does he have a nuk in his mouth he usually has one more in each hand. He drags his blankie around behind him. He is very observant and learns by watching you closely (even when you dind't know he was there) He has thrown at least 8 tooth brushes down the sink drain. He can unlock my iPhone and scroll through the pictures. He can take his diaper off and escape from my grasp while I try to put it back on. Brinley can also empty every cabinet in the house in under 3 minutes. He loves having anything on his head ~including dinner.  He is starting to say all kinds of things (only if he feels like it though) -there is certainly no bribing this little muffin! His favorite things to say are this: Bapuh (Boppa), O-Row (Row Row), Ot (hot), puh puh (pup pup) Uh-oh, Mum mum (Mama), Knee-nee (Lonaiah- my sisters name), Go-Ka (mocha), Bah (ball) and his most impressive word Ka-ooo-ga (bakugon-which are Rowan's toys).  If only I could describe his raspy little voice this all would be so much cuter:) I will let you know Andy and I can not look at Brinely without laughing. He is always up to something interesting or making silly faces...even the way he walks and moves brings us humor. I am not sure if I want to pause time because this stage is our favorite or if I am scared to see what the near future may bring...