Dear Sons

Dear Riley,

I love the way you are using so many new, grown up words correctly and I also love that you still say "lasterday" for yesterday. I'll be sad when that word vanishes from your vocabulary. I won't be sad when "stupid" vanishes from your vocabulary....and a few other choice words you've learned.

I love to snuggle with you in your pajamas. I don't love that you like to sleep in your underwear sometimes now. I think you might be getting big.

I love that you are such a good eater. You'll eat just about anything AFTER you tell me you don't like it first. "I don't like chicken." "I don't like broccoli." "I don't like pasta." You always eat it for me, thank you. You know butternut squash, asparagus, avocado, acorn squash, and various other fruits and veggies when you see them. I think that is pretty cool.

I love that you love to help me cook. And that you learn so much while you're in the kitchen with me. Like this morning, when I was working out, you taught Daddy how to make a smoothie. "Daddy, you just put a banana, some blueberries, some strawberries, and some milk in the blender. And push this button. See Daddy, I taught you how to make a smoothie!" When Daddy told me that story, I was so proud. We both were.

I love that you love your baby brother. I love that you can make him happy and make him smile. I don't love when you get too close to his face, touch his things with your dirty hands, or forget how to be "easy." He's just a baby and I know it's so hard for a 4 year old boy to know what gentle means.

I love going upstairs every night before bed and kissing your cheek goodnight. Daddy and I have done that since you were a tiny baby. You are so peaceful in your p.j.'s, cuddled up with your Dog.


Dear Kace,

I love your rolls. You ankle rolls, your wrist rolls, and that you can roll over from your back to your belly! And your belly to your back--once.

I'm so proud of you for being a good eater. We practiced cereal for a week and I wondered if it would get better. You spit every bit out and I think more was on your clothes than in your belly. That's okay, we tried again the next day...and the next...and the next. And guess what, you've got this eating thing down--I'm impressed. You loved the new flavor of apples and tomorrow you'll get to try pears! What an exciting time! By the way, your brother has to taste test all of the food I make for you first. He's tried your apples, pears, acorn squash, and butternut squash. He says it's delish!

I love the way you light up when you see me or hear my voice. My heart swells with pride and love. I am so proud of what God helped us do, buddy. I don't thank Him enough.

I love that you are grabbing things and holding things that look interesting to you. And you want to hold that bottle of yours so bad, but you're just not ready. And that spoon. If you could feed yourself I would let you. Sometimes I think you want to eat the spoon, not the yummy food on iy! I have to trick you and let you hold onto my pinky so you "think" you're feeding yourself. Mommy's quick and figured that trick out pretty quickly.

I love that you are so laid back. You are very easy going, you don't fuss at all. Unless you're hungry...

I love that you like to cook with me. I sit you up on the bar in your Bumbo and you watch me and I tell you about what I'm doing. Thanks for keeping me company.

I love your Fozzie bear voice, I could talk to you all day long! Daddy and I can do a great impersonation of a conversation with you. Mimi thinks you've already said "Mama." Riley says you said "no" today. I thought I heard you say "Yeah." Were you singing Usher or repeating that word that Riley says to you 1008 times EVERY day in his baby voice? Either way, I love it.

Boys, thanks for making me one proud, exhausted, happy Mommy! I love you.

Morning Son

We were up before the sun, just the two of us as usual, so we had a little photo session as the bright, morning sun beamed through the front door. 

Every day he discovers something new.  This is what being a Mommy is all about.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Friday, June 25, 2010

Outside my window... sun, hot, staying inside where no one sweats...for now.  Outside when it cools a bit.

I am thinking... how lucky I am to be home with these boys AND how nice it would be to have an opportunity to do something without them!

I am thankful for...my boys, my family, silence, chocolate (just a bite or two)

I am wearing... shorts and a t-shirt

I am remembering... Kace in the hospital 6 months ago, how far we've come, how blessed we are.  I was cleaning up and organizing in his room yesterday and went through hospital momentos and cards.  I had a good cry up there. 

I am going... to cross two more things off of my "to do list" before I go to bed.  And hopefully to Rockport for the 4th to be with family...and hopefully NOT a hurricane!

I am currently reading...Eat, Pray, Love

I am hoping... my grandmother's will is probated soon.  Lots of loose ends to tie up.  Also hoping Kace loves applesauce, pears, bananas, acorn squash, and butternut squash!

On my mind...starting to make baby food again!  Looking forward to this adventure...

Noticing that... my pores are getting larger and larger!

Pondering these words... "Mom, I like you.  You're my favorite Mommy in the whole world.  And you're pretty."  Boy, I wish I saw myself that way...

From the kitchen...leftovers, you pick:  chicken alfredo pizza with alfredo sauce, hamburger pizza, or green chile chicken casserole.  With spicy caesar salad.

Around the house...things are staying a little more tidy now that we all stop and pick up 10 things a few times a day. 

One of my favorite things.....is Kace laughing, when Russ comes home from work, and when Riley hugs/kisses me for no reason.

A picture I'm sharing...
 

From my garden this morning while I was out watering with the boys.  It makes me happy.

(From The Simple Woman's Daybook)

And Along Came a Spider

I've missed gardening and watching things grow.  With a new baby at home and a whipper snapper of a 4 year old (aren't they all?), we didn't get around to planting anything in the backyard this year.  What is growing was tough enough to handle being ignored for quite some time...and a few freezes this winter. 

This week, I decided something back there should be watered and tended to.  I make a cup of coffee, take Kace out in his exer-saucer and he plays and smiles while I water.  I've enjoyed it.  Riley's slept in and he eventually comes out in his pajamas...which I love.

This morning while watering, I saw several spider webs...and of course they look so cool with drops of water on them, but his one I had to go in and get my camera for.

And along came a spider...MAN!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

We are so blessed to live in a cove with great neighbors.  Not just neighbors you wave to when you drive up, but neighbors you enjoy being around.  Neighbors you hope never leave.  Neighbors who have children that play well together with your children.  As long as your child can be the boss.  Ha, that's MY child.  Neighbors to hang out with.  We are so blessed AND we have some new neighbors across the street we've been getting to know and they fit right in.  Now if we could just get our "former" next door neighbors to move back into their house that hasn't sold yet....

The Helmet Heads

Half Birthday

6 months ago I gave birth to this precious little boy.

After spending 75 days in the hospital...my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and my husband's birthday in the hospital.  And let's not forget football season.  Argh!

We spent 2 weeks in NICU.

We are home, happy, and healthy.  Kace is definitely a people person, he'll look right at you and give you the brightest smile you've ever seen!  He loves his Mommy, Daddy, and big brother.  He's really started talking, he's discovered his feet and ears in the last couple of days, and we'll be having our first solid food this week.

I'm anxious to start making his baby food!  He LOVES to eat, so I anticipate this change going over like a charm.  He is NOT patient when it comes to eating--and Riley wasn't either.  Seems to be the only time he fusses is when he's hungry.  So many people have commented about how relaxed and laid back he is--he must get that from his Mommy, yeah right!

Happy Half Birthday!

First Date

Riley's grandmother asked me if it would be okay if she took him to the park and McDonalds on Friday.  "Absolutely!" couldn't come out of my mouth fast enough. 

They had a great time!  Riley convinced Nunny to visit 3 parks AND have lunch at Old McDonald's on their date.  I think know they had a blast...and Riley had a great nap when he got home (hopefully Nunny did too)!

(yes, my very on son took this photo!)

Lemonade for sale!

When can we do this again?? :-)

We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Tonight, my little muffin man drank an 8 oz. bottle (in its entirety) for the first time.  I was thinking it was time to try and tonight we did and he drank every drop.  It's hard to believe that 5 months ago we were in NICU trying to pour 30 mL into him.  The last "task" he had to complete before checking out of NICU was to drink 30 mL in 30 minutes.  It worried us so much...it just didn't seem like he would ever do it.  You've come a long way, baby!  We are so proud of you and so blessed.  Goodnight!  (Why don't you go ahead and sleep until 6 or so in the morning, while you're at it...waking up at 4:30 is not so fun, is it?)

6:43 a.m. update:  He DID sleep until 6:00 on the nose...I'm so disappointed in myself for not trying that sooner earlier (that other word is a bad word at my house)!

Things To Do at The Ranch

I was looking forward to spending some time at the ranch Memorial Day weekend.  School was out, I needed a getaway, and this place is perfect.  Riley is so independent out here...frightening at times, and of course my in-laws are there to help entertain the boys!  I love the peacefulness of being out here, the animals, hanging out with family and friends, and not having the t.v. on.  My only complaint is that there is no dishwasher!   Our dear friends Cindy and Shayne joined us for the weekend.  I think we all needed it!  There are so many things to do out here in the middle of nowhere...

admire the critters...

eat, eat, and plan what you're going to eat next...

Not pictured:  Peach cobbler, corn dip, ranch dip, veggie tray, breakfast casserole, hamburgers, cream cheese stuffed jalapenos, beans, oh goodness I'm stuffed all over again.

relax...

work...

play...

admire the scenery...

and smile!

What a great weekend!