A Letter to my B

what a diffrence 2 years makes...a baby to big boy

I can't believe you are 2 but at the same time I feel like you were a baby a million years ago.
Honey you are giving me a run for my money. There is not another person on the planet that can drive me CRAZY and make me smile all within the same minute.
You are so very special and I hope I can always help you remember that. I truly love both you and your brother more than anything in the whole world. When I look back at my life, and think about the things I am most proud of…it will be you guys. Never forget how much I love you.

You have had a big year little guy!

You started this year as a crawler and are not a full fledge walker/runner/sprinter
You were diagnosed with one million different allergies and have had to swear off eggs.
We introduced the epi pen into your life
You had some rough bouts of eczema, you may be a tough guy but you have some sensitive skin
You battled a multitude of ear infections, one you just couldn't shake, but pulled through like a trooper.
You found a love for all things related to the kitchen: pots, pans, bowls, spoons. I have had to empty and hide the contents of many of our drawers and cabinets
You have successfully broken the baby proofing mechanism on each and every cabinet
You got your first big boy hair cut thanks to dad. Mom was not a fan so we are growing it out. It's more your style.
You outgrew all clothes that are "months" and are now sporting a solid 2T
You shoe size jumped to an 8
You weigh 28lbs.
You are in a size 5 diaper even though you are just about ready to be potty trained we are holding out till summer.
You love the water, but are afraid of heights.
Your best friends are Uncle Kevin and Paw-Paw. You LOVE to call them on the phone and have LONG conversations.
Currently you are speaking in some kind of English/Japanese hybrid that is understandable only at certain times. You have a clear vocabulary of about 25 consistent words.
You love to play outside
You love bye-byes but are not always a fan of the car seat.

You make me proud to be your mom and I couldn't love you more.

Happy Birthday B. Mommy loves.

Love and Hope in Tiny Packages

Anyone who is a mom of boys knows that is can be tough.

They are crazy.

And I love them like crazy.
Since my guys are close in age I have always had the hope that they will grow up to be best friends.
The awesome part is I see that relationship forming already.
When they are not fighting over the train set or the last chicken nugget, you can see they truly care about each other.
Those moments melt my heart and make me realize that although I question myself as a mother almost on a daily basis I am doing something right.
My boys love me and love each other.
At the end of the day when I contemplate my current life status, I see areas of my life literally falling apart in front of my eyes.
My boys love….real unconditional love gives me faith in our family's future.
I gave them life.
They have changed mine.

I have 2 little guys, 18 months apart.

I have the bruises to prove it.
I am always told by random ignorant strangers "Boy you have your hands full."
My boys are full of energy, very determined, and already extremely opinionated.
They play rough.
They break the rules.
They push my patience to the absolute limit.

Milestones

This is not really a blog post, it is a mental note. Something for me to reflect back on.

We have had a pretty big week. I am in the middle of my "staycation." I have been off work since June 30. To be honest I am LOVING being at home and I feel so very lucky that I have been able to experience some pretty major milestones with my boys. This is a shout-out to stay at home moms. Remember how lucky you are to be with your children every day. I know it is a tough job but I am so very jealous.

Anyway onto the milestones.

A little potty talk…

Grant started potty training this week. I was praying that this would be the one thing he caught on to really quickly. He was a slower walker and an even slower talker. He just likes to do things at his own pace. He is now running around like a crazy man and his vocabulary has been so advanced that we now have indepth conversations about all the character in Thomas the Train and the monsters that apparently reside in his room. I did not want to put any pressure on Grant but again I was praying that this potty training thing would be a piece of cake. However we got off to a rocky start. He hated the potty, he cried for his diaper…you get the picture. I promised him he could pick out any toy at the store if he used the potty (I know bribing is not endorsed by all the parenting know-it-alls out there, but I do what works) and guess what….it worked!!! Last night he went potty (July 5, 2010)!!!

Today he has consistently used the potty and even did a #2 (July 6. 2010) without any bribes or pleading from me (the #2 is TMI I know but again this is for family record).

Now I literally just read an article in Parenting that was all about celebrating your second child's accomplishments with equal or greater enthusiasm than your first so this one is for you Barter Boy…

Making strides…

For weeks, especially since summer has started I have begged Carter to please start walking. Like his brother he seemed to take this task on at his own pace. He is such a little stinker. I would watch his am I am still pretty sure that he has know how to walk for quite some time now. He simply did not want to do it. He would scoot his little but everywhere. At the pool he would act like a submarine and try to crawl under the water. He would scoot along the concrete to avoid knee injury. This kid knew what he was doing. Despite my pleas with him to walk he just would not do it. I told my mom I wish he understood money because I would totally pay him for his first step. I was worried that his walking would finally take off and I would be at work. My mom would be the one to congratulate him and give him all the kisses and praise. These are moments that I treasure and I desperately want to take part in, so I was so very please when Carter decided to get down to business.

This week Carter has started walking!!! As of yesterday, July 5, 2010 I am calling him an official walker. It is still not his 100% preferred mode of transportation but the kid can do it. My baby is walking and I am so very proud of him. His 15 month check-up is tomorrow and I am so happy that I can report that he is a walker. Way to go Barter Boy…you make mommy proud!!!

* Note to Carter: Grant did not get a blog post about his first step so this makes you extra special!!!

Boys- I am so happy to be able to spend this time with you. I am so proud to be your mom. Even though you drive me crazy sometimes, being your mom is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. Thanks for being such wonderful kids.