Huston - June 2014

Huston Dean, you graduated from Pre-K and will start Kindergarten next year!  I went to your certificate party at school and got to see Mrs. Weaver and your friends one last time.  I thought you were going to have a hard time that you won't be at Highland Park next year, but when you found out your friend, Garrett, from across the street goes to Westwood too, you got over it really quick.

One day right before school was out, you got to go on your first play date at a friends house without momma.  Holden and his mom took you to school and picked you up and you played until I got off work.  You thought you were pretty big stuff!



You are loving summertime.  From the minute you wake up until you crash you are going full speed.  You started karate camp and can't wait to get there each morning.  They run you hard and you don't get a nap, so there are some nights you fall asleep on our way home.  Once we get home you go straight outside to play with the neighbor kids until the street lights come on.  You got a new bike from your Dad, so you think you are super cool.  Pretty soon we can take off the training wheels, but I'm going to let you get few more crashes under your belt first.





You also finally got to use the fishing pole that Poppop got you right before we left California.  I really wish he could have been the one to take you on your first fishing trip, but Papa Lowery had fun taking you too.  You impressed us both with how easily you learned how to cast it and work the spin cast.  You stayed interested longer than I thought you would, but once you realized the fish weren't biting, jumping in the mud seemed like a much better option.

Once you do finally slow down, you will come in and want some cuddles.  I know one day this will change, so I'm eating it up while I can get them.  If I get too busy, you'll even tell me "Momma, I haven't gotten cuddles in a long while."  You love to have your back scratched and will wiggle your way under my hand so that I can do it from anywhere.  Little brother is already in bed, so I enjoy getting some one on one time with you.

You have become so independent, I really don't have to help you do much.  You get dressed, get snacks, brush your teeth, take baths, etc. all by yourself.  You have also gotten modest and don't like to go to the bathroom or change where Nolan and I can see you.  But that doesn't stop your from streaking through the living room after bath at all....

You have started using more adult words and phrases and they sound so cute coming out of your little  mouth.  You ask a lot of questions about how things work and why things happen and you soak everything in.  When you explain something to me, you'll end it with, "Right, mom?".  Like watching a cartoon, you'll say "Dogs can't really talk, right mom?"

One thing I wish I could help you with is how frustrated you get.  I know a lot of it is how hard you play and how tired you get, but toward the end of the evening, you can lose your patience really easily.  I hope this isn't something that you struggle with your whole life.  I try to walk you through ways on how to not let things bother you, but most times you just want to throw something or yell to get over it.  Then, seconds later you are back to your normal funny, sweet self.

I love you so much buddy.  One of my favorite games we play is we take turns telling each other things we love the other one "bigger" than.  My favorite is when you say "I love you bigger than the Statute of Wibery".  Or you tease me and say "I love you bigger than a lego....that's not very big!  I tricked you mom."

Nolan - June 2014

Nolan Michael, since your last blog you have become a little blabber mouth.  Your most used words are bye, bite, water, brother, dog, cheese, nose, eyes, up, down and outside.  You love to give high fives, kisses, hugs and headbutt.

Cartoons have caught your eye and you've started watching "shows" with your big brother.  You have taken over his iTouch and are completely addicted to Backyardigans.  There is only one episode on there and you watch it over and over and over.  When they sing their little "Yip, yip, yip, yip" chorus you go nuts.

You love to wear hats and sunglasses.  The minute you get in the car your reach for your shades and immediately put them on and then laugh at yourself in the mirror.

You had your 18 month check up and even though I think you look like a butterball, you are measuring long and lean with a big head, just like your brother

You are completely fearless and love to free fall, jump, climb and try anything.  One of your favorite things to do is to throw blankets on the floor and stand on the couch and just fall straight on them.  The higher you bounce, the louder you laugh.  The other day we were watching Disney Cars and you practiced our crashes.

Now that you play harder, you sleep harder too.  Most nights you barely make it to 7:30pm.  The minute I say "night, night" you start walking to your room and stand by your crib so I'll put you in there.  You sleep all night long, which makes your momma very very happy.

You are still an awesome eater.  You will try most anything, but you love beef and spicy foods.  Your all time favorite is spaghetti and you make quite the production when eating it.  You do have a sweet tooth so I'm going to have to watch you.  You also had your first dental appointment, mostly just to get you used to it for when you go in for an actual cleaning.  I'm afraid you are going to have some crooked teeth, so I'm guessing braces are in your future.

You are an animal lover.  You go absolutely nuts for dogs.  You also make a big deal when you see birds, cats, cows, etc. too, but dogs are definitely your favorite.  It was even your first word.  Since I have a strict "no 4 legged pets til no diapers rule", I broke down and got you and Huston some fish.  You love Bert & Ernie 2.0.

You are such a sweet and happy little boy.  You will crawl up and sit next to me on the couch and put your little arm around me and squeeze tight and kiss my cheek.  I think the only time I see you get fussy is if brother won't share or you are hungry.

I can't believe how quickly you've gone from my baby to toddler and it makes me both happy and sad to see you growing up so fast.  Part of the reason I write these blogs is to keep up with how quickly everything changes and how much you learn.  Hopefully one day you will read them and know just how much I love you, how proud of you I am and how happy you make me.

Mother's Day

This Mothers Day I have gone grocery shopping, cleaned house, spanked butts and watched my kids eat cereal off of the floor.  I've also been covered in kisses, been hugged so tight it hurts and been surrounded by giggles and squeals of joy.

I love my boys more than any other kind of love that I've known.  They've also made me lose my cool more than I ever thought possible.  I struggle every day with my patience and I feel like a failure every day.  I never thought I'd be doing this alone.  I never thought parenting would be so hard.  But I love it.  No matter how frustrated I get and how many tears they shed, the love and laughter outweigh it.

I heard a father say once that he's prayed for his future daughter-in-laws since his sons were born.  It has really stuck with me and I do the same.  I hope to raise my sons with manners, love, respect and confidence.  This is why we have so many frustrating days.  What may seem like constant correction on my end is me trying teach them early on what is important.  Some days I'm lazy.  Some things I let slide.  But my ultimate goal is for them to know that they are loved more than anything else in the world and to raise them in a way that they will use those manners, love, respect and confidence to find someone to start a family with so that they can feel this same kind of love that I have for them.

Right now they are too young to "celebrate" Mothers Day with me.  I don't get breakfast in bed or flowers or jewelry.  But I do get to be their momma and that is the best gift I've ever had.

Huston - April 2014

Huston,

I am so behind on your blogs!  I'm sorry.  I do keep notes on what I want to include, so I'm not technically missing anything, they are just getting lumped together.  Besides, I'm just going to blame it on you for keeping me so busy.  You are a ball of energy that uses up all of my energy too.  Thank goodness you made a friend across the street, because he helps entertain you in the evenings.  His name is Garrett, and he is your 'best buddy'.  I don't know if he got that distinction because of the type of friend he is or the frequency you can play with him, but you are a bit obsessed right now.  He's teaching you lots of bad habits that your teachers and I would typically try to intervene on so we've been having lots of...um...teaching moments.

Since you've been in Oklahoma, you've already picked up a little twang.  Sometimes I just find ways to make you say "hat" because I want to see how many syllables you'll stretch it into. You love being outside and will often tell me, "Momma, it's a beautiful day", "I need some fresh air" and "I want the blue light in, not the yellow light".  And you LOVE playing out at Papa's on the farm.  You are his gate opener and help with the cows and think you are big stuff out there.

We went to a karate place in town that is offering a summer camp and you tried out and even though they typically only take 5 and up, they are going to let you attend (you'll almost be 5!).  You did a great job at following his direction and they promise to teach you a lot about discipline and respect, so I signed you right up :)

You have started taking on some chores and are very proud of them.  You are in charge of getting the mail, turning on and off the outside lights and bringing me your laundry.

Your teacher Mrs. Weaver recommended we go ahead and enroll you in Kindergarten  since you've been doing a good job in Pre-K, so we got you all enrolled.  You really seem to enjoy learning and tell me all kinds of things when you get home.  You loved the lessons on planting this month and you are counting, writing and spelling great.  Now that you know your numbers so well, you can even unlock my phone.  Stinker.

You have lots of phrases going on that I thought might hold off until you were a teenager, but maybe that was wishful thinking.  I commonly hear "Ya, I know that.", "Really?", "I told you.....", and my favorite "I need privacy".   You are also obsessed with the words "chicken" and "eyeball".  I have no idea why.  The one I'm completely okay with is that you learned to tell me I'm beautiful.  I know it's probably a ploy to get something, but I still love it.

I think I mention this every blog, but I love watching you play with your brother.  You two are getting close and have a lot of fun together.  You are both crazy and sweet and cute and smart and I love you both so much.  You tackle each other as much as you cuddle, but so far we've had no major injuries.

I'm proud of you every day buddy and I hope you always know that.

Nolan - April 2014

Nolan, my goofy boy.  These past couple months you have developed this ornery personality and you are testing every boundary you can find.  You love to laugh when I tell you "no", you tackle your brother every chance you get and you think chase is the funniest game ever so everything takes twice as long now.

You are a thrill seeker and love to free fall, hang upside down and will climb anything.  You think it is hilarious when I palm your face and push you down and will come and just stick your forehead next to my hand when you are ready for me to do it.  I see lots and lots of ER trips in my future.

The kisses you give are full pursed lips and your hugs are super tight.  You will go night night all by yourself and can be heard talking to yourself in there at random times throughout the night.  You also like to help pick up the house and if you see any trash, you pick it up say "trash" and throw it away.  Huston has learned to take advantage of this.

Right now you are playing with balls, cars and blocks and you LOVE to be outdoors.  You are starting to talk quite a bit:  ball, all gone, quack, cracker, down, brother, dad, momma, dog, papa, mine, etc.  You are also obsessed with dogs and wearing other people's shoes.  Papa is probably your favorite person in the whole world and you love to go see the cows. 

 

Your other obsession is food.  You will eat anything and eat all day long.  You have found a taste for sugar and can be really stubborn and throw fits if you know there are cookies, donuts or candy in the house.  You'll stand and point at them and bring on the tears if I say no.

 

I have so much fun watching you and your brother.  You two are getting so close and love to play and wrestle and cuddle.  I can see that you are growing to be good friends and it makes my heart swell up. 

Your teachers at school tell me what a kind boy you are and how well you listen.  I am so proud of you everyday and love watching you grow from my baby to a little toddler.  You are the happiest little boy I have ever seen and even though I see glimpses of the terrible twos at times, I know you are always going to be my sweet boy.  Love you so much my crazy critter.

 

 

 



Nolan - Feb 2014

Hey cutie pie.  I am happy to report that now that you've gotten the tubes in your ears, you are feeling so much better.  You are so much happier and all the goop is gone from your ears and nose.

I feel like each month you've learned so much more there is no way I can remember it all for your blogs.  You are learning sign language at school and can sign for more, milk, eat, play, love and diaper.  You love to dance and climb and eat and climb.  You are babbling all of the time and can now say momma, dada, brofer, uh-oh and dog.  There are times I feel like I hear words, you can mimic sounds really well.

You love to play peek a boo and hide under blankets.  You've started this wobbly little run that is pretty cute too.  You love to wrestle with your brother and are equally excited he's playing with you and horrified that he's coming at you.  You have no fear and will free fall off the couch and run and jump on anything.  You can't resist it if there is a blanket or pillow on the ground, you are going to land on it.

You had your first major injury.  You were playing with one of Huston's wooden drum sticks and had it in your mouth and fell off the couch.  It punctured that back of your throat pretty bad.  You healed up pretty quickly and it never even really seemed to bother you that much, but it was hard for me to see my baby bleeding.

Everyone points out what a lover you are.  You love to hug and kiss (which is a full open mouth contact with a hum) and cuddle.  You have such a sweet disposition and are almost never cranky.  You love tickles and have even started tickling back.  You make the funniest little noise when you do it too "ickcicleickickle".

You are finally on a sleep schedule and are very into your routine.  About 7:30pm you will come lay your head on my knee and just look at me.  I'll say "you ready for night, night?" and you will immediately start crying but walk to your crib and reach your arms up.  I put you in your crib and turn on your baby and your doggy (two stuffed musical toys) and you cry until I walk out of the room and then stop right after.  You sleep all night long.  I love you for this.  You were 14 months old before this happened and I was one tired momma.  When you wake up in the morning you will play with your toys and babble and just sit there until I come get you.  This means I get to get ready for work before I even come in there.  I really love you for this.  When I go to get you, you reach your arms up and hand me a few of your toys and then waddle into the living room to watch cartoons with your brother and eat a waffle.  When you are done with your waffle, you will walk to your changing table and point to be picked up and then I help you get dressed.  I say help because you are already putting your arms and legs in without my help.  If I get out of order on any of this, you will squawk at me and get me back in line.

You are sweet, adorable, smart and funny and you love to tease.  I just love watching you grow up and I see a little bit of little stinker getting ready to come out in you.  Be nice to your momma.
 

Huston - Feb 2014

Huston, this is your "don't get mad I just gave Nana's dog a mohawk" face.  You don't usually look so innocent.  I am way behind on your monthly blogs, but I will do my best to get caught up. 

A spot opened up in Pre-K in December and you are now a Panther at Highland Park elementary school.  You absolutely love it.  Your teacher, Mrs. Weaver, says you have made a lot of friends and are doing really well.  We have already been to three birthday parties of classmates and it's fun getting to know your friends and their parents.  Right now your "best buddies" are Holden and Conner.  You've come home educating me on body parts, organs, patterns, magnets and being healthy.  You look like such a big boy walking into school from the school drop off line with all the "big" kids.  It makes me sad and proud and I have to admit sometimes I feel a little bit like tearing up.

You had a great Christmas and got the guitar and Lego table that you've been wanting.  It's so fun to see you get into the whole season and understand what is going on.  You are not a fan of the cold weather at all and you are always asking when it's going to be summer.  Every day you ask if you can wear shorts and when you can't, you will push your pants up to your knees and wear them like that.  This is what I deal with on a daily.  You are quite a little character and you make me laugh. 

Probably one of the highlights of your year, was a sleepover at your cousin Gavin's.  This was your second sleepover and you were very serious about what to pack, because you only wanted to pack things that Gavin would think was "cool".  Gavin's momma sent me pictures throughout the time and it looks like you had a blast.  You are already planning the next one.

You are getting really close to your baby brother and I love watching you with him.  You are very interested in when he's going to be able to do things and you always ask me "when I was a little baby could I do that?".  Now that he's walking and can get around better you two have really started playing together and the wrestling has already started.  You also look out for him.....you got on to a teacher at his Valentines party for starting to give him chocolate (he's allergic) and you warned the lady giving him his haircut that he had tubes put in.  You are a great big brother.

Your toys of choice are ninja turtles, power rangers, rescuebots and Legos.  You mainly watch Imagination Movers, but every now and again want to find something new on Netflix.  This led you to Aquabats.  I can never unsee what I've seen on that show, and I may always hold this against you.

We have started a tradition during our bedtime routine that I just love.  Once Nolan goes to bed, we will get in momma's bed and read 2-4 books.  You earn them throughout the day by how well you listen.  Most days it's two, but every now and then you will get four and you think you have hit the lottery.  After we are done reading books we'll play "I love you bigger".  This consists of us going back and forth saying what we love the other one bigger than.  Sometimes we're silly, sometimes we're serious and sometimes you just astonish me with how much you know.

Some of your cute sayings right now are:

• "lapstick" - chapstick
• "mom, I have the hiccups, give me a little tickle" - you are convinced tickles cure hiccups
• "wackys" - khakis
• "I can't know why...." - don't understand

I just love you so much and every day you make me proud and happy and crazy.