A very nice weekend.

It's been documented several times that William has an endless and active imagination.  Well, this weekend we got our first imaginary friend - Dino.  He's very silly and likes to run off, so we have to search all over and find him in funny places.  I think it's the cutest thing ever.  I also think that the guy in the Wal Mart parking lot thought we were crazy for loudly calling "Dino Dino Where are you?!"  (note - he might not be totally imaginary - I think Dino might be from an episode of Caillou...)

We spent nearly all day Saturday playing with long lost (well, temporarily relocated) friends.  We went to Cooper Creek to take turns riding bikes, tormenting feeding the geese and baby ducks, and having a ball.  The boys had a BLAST!!!  They're only six weeks apart in birthdays and oh so cute together.  It was fun to hear their conversations and see how well they get along, atleast when they are well rested and not hungry... ha!!  To our surprise, they were really great at taking turns and sharing most things.  How'd we get so lucky with such wonderful boys?!

Patrick has unbelievably sensitive skin, so when he got a rash all over his body, we didn't think too much of it.  Definitely called my doctor sister though (so nice having a doctor as a sibling) and she said most rashes all over the body in kids were viruses, but not to be too worried unless he had a high fever.  He did not.  The rash started to look better the next day, no fever, no worrying.  We thought maybe his whole body decided to reject his teeth - William always got a really bad rash on his face during teething...  Then it got worse on Saturday, especially after playing outside for a couple hours (turns out that of course heat makes a rash look worse because of blood..something...I need a doctor to really explain).  Freaked Sam out for sure.  Still not too worried.  UNTIL I look at William and he has little red bumps on his head and arms and chest.  Oh lord.  But, still neither has a fever.  We made the executive decision though that we didn't want to be the parents who let our kids die of flesh eating rash because they didn't have a fever to prompt us to visit Pediatric Acute Care.  $55 later we find out that it is a virus, not to be worried unless they have a fever, it will run it's course in about a week, and it is called roseola.  Noted.

The word of the week has been "favorite".  William has a favorite everything.  Favorite blanket, favorite drink, favorite animal, favorite towel, favorite parent, the list goes on.  I find it adorable.  You probably don't know this, why would you..., but "You are my favorite" is something Sam and I have said to each other nearly daily for most of the 9+ years we've been together.  So I think it is beyond sweet that he might be picking up on it.  Or he just has a lot of things he prefers and it's not sweet at all.  I don't know about you, but I hope it's not the latter... haha!!  Plus, I like it when he says I am his favorite ;)  Though, he also says "that is NOT my favorite" a good bit of the time though as well... moving on...

It really was a super full weekend of kiddo playing.  Nearly all of Saturday was spent with Henry, Sunday morning we went swimming with Henry again, and then Sunday after nap we went to Callaway with little Will and baby Jules.  It was absolute perfection.  And I realized on the way home, that I hadn't stressed one time about cleaning the house or what I was 'supposed' to be doing.  I was all caught up the whole time in playing with all the kids that the thought "I can't because I'm supposed to be...." never happened once.  And honestly, it has about the same effect as going to the beach.  Just relaxing and nice.  Breathing is easier kind of feeling.  It was a BUSY weekend, but I feel so good about it all and not overwhelmed or anything.  Now, granted, the floors are still dirty and there are a billion loads of laundry to be done... but atleast we had a fun weekend instead of one filled with normalness.  It's nice to have these kind of productive, non-productive weekends.

The countdown to Patrick's birthday has officially begun.  T-minus 6 days.  Poor second baby.  I have almost nothing ready for the party either.  I think I am going to reuse the table cloth (IF I can find it in the attic) I made for William's first birthday, his party outfit, "1" tshirt....  I WILL make a new cake .. haha!!  But seriously..how terrible is all that?!  It's his FIRST BIRTHDAY and I'm nearly acting like it's just another day.  Patrick - I promise your second birthday party will be amazing.  It will be your turn for a "friends party" and it will be the coolest thing any 2 year old has ever seen.  I have managed not to let the mini person have a single bite of cake or any real treat this whole year, so hopefully he will be REALLY excited to eat/smash/enjoy his personal cake and we'll get good pictures of the whole thing.  I love a good icing nose picture :)

That's Henry's dog Ava and William is in love.  She is so sweet, perfectly sized, totally well-behaved, and everything our dogs are not.  (which, admittedly, is probably our fault)  He was sad when she had to leave the house - he wanted her to stay with him all day/night/forever, and he woke up Sunday asking where she was... sweet boy.

Random points of interest from the past couple days - William corrects me when I start to sing him Jesus Loves Me, telling me that it's not my favorite - Twinkle Little Star is my favorite.  He won't stop telling me this until I switch songs.  We have seriously conditioned the kid.  Patrick walked out of his room today and then turned around to wave bye to Ms Shay - one of the most adorable things ever.  We just spent nearly an hour and a half trying to get Patrick to sleep.  I don't know why this surprises me anymore.  Success - he went to sleep in the crib without being walked and without being left to cry.  He did cry a little in protest, but I was there the whole time to reassure him.  Maybe we will give sleep training another try, but I think I'm in charge this time.  I have the patience for it.  Tonight anyhow.  haha!!  We will not be bringing William's preschool teachers surprise donuts - I think they are inventing policies so they don't have to deal with certain situations.  Truthfully, maybe it is a policy that he can't have a donut when no one else in the class (2 girls that he doesn't even know and are very focused on playing at a different table) has food, but now I miss Ms Phyllis that much more.  Cue Real Tears.  I may never get over this.

Loves!

Just words.

We have not taken a single picture the past week, maybe two...  Bad mommy...I know.  Though, I did take a 3 minute blurry video on Sam's phone this morning of Patrick walking down the hall at school like a big boy.  I don't have the slightest clue how to get that to the blog though, and even if I did, I doubt you would want to actually watch it.  I mean, he's cute and all, but it's three minutes of blurry.  Only I will watch it over and over I am sure.  And cry just a little bit every time, because it means that my baby is that much closer to not being a baby anymore.

William has been doing really great with his new classroom this week.  He usually runs right in without any tears and then, after checking on the giant dinosaurs, comes back and gives us all big hugs and kisses.  I'm hoping his new teachers grow on me, because right now, I'm still in mourning over Ms Phyllis.  I had a long talk with her, well as long as you can have in a busy daycare parking lot, at the beginning of the week, and I miss her.  She geniunely cared about William.  Loved him.  And these teachers are giving me attitude that he is having poopy accidents.  It's not ok.  I guess it's silly to think that anyone will be as good or replace Ms Phyllis, but I suppose I'm disappointed that they are falling so short.  It's only one year.  It's only one year.  And William has no idea and loves being with his friends.

He has started using the word Best Friend.  Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's Daddy, some days it is Garrett or Jude... It's so funny to hear him talk about his friends.  And it seems that nearly everyday he tells me that someone hit him.  Which is inevitably followed with "I hit him too".  I don't know how many conversations I've had with him about why we don't hit, it hurts, etc etc.  He always says that his friend hit him first though...  Right... I will believe that only because I want to.

We have abandoned the idea of sleep training Patrick.  Sam lost patience and I refuse to let him cry, so we were at a bit of an impasse.  I guess lucky for Patrick, Sam agreed to maintain the status quo - so kiddo gets to continue sleeping with me.  I am not the least bit disappointed.  Remember - I'm clinging to my baby... haha!!  He is a bit of wiggle worm when he sleeps though and somehow I'm relegated to the VERY edge of the bed.  He's a mini person and I'm the one sleeping within 6 total inches.  Goodness.

Patrick has been teething this week.  Atleast we think he has been teething.  And he gets ALL the symptoms - diarrhea, crazy bad diaper rash, painful mouth - it's just been ugly.  But no teeth yet.  Kid is going to be a year old with nothing to show for it all.  Google tells me that it is perfectly normal not to have teeth yet though, so I'm going to hold off on my panic that I have birthed a truly toothless child who will need dentures in kindergarten.  Not having teeth doesn't slow him down when it comes to eating though.  His new favorite food is italian sausage.  Which is good, because we eat a lot of it.  Unfortunately, he hasn't quite come around to chicken yet, and we eat a lot more of that...  He'll learn.

William had his first real dentist appointment this week and he did great.  We practiced saying AHHH and how he would open his mouth so the dentist could see his teeth.  The office has a rule that parents don't go back with the kids, which is fine by me as long as William is behaving.  He did request that I walk back there with him, but released me with an "I love you" once he got in the chair.  Big boy.  His teeth were shiny and white, he got a really cool Cars toothbrush that he loves, and no cavities!!  Dr Lawrence said everything looked good and we were on our way.  Easy cheesey.  I'm just glad that all the "shake milk" hasn't rotted his teeth out.  Though, I still maintain that it has less sugar than apple juice.  Just saying.

Recently William has been ALL about holding Patrick.  It's really cute.  He's starting to really try to play with him and involve him in activities.  And he definitely always have to give him a hug and a kiss at school during drop off.  Patrick returns the love and follows William around, now even faster that he can walk!!  Brothers are cute.  They are lucky to have each other.  Wish we were going to have more...

Loves!

The Rumers go on vacation

It has been two long years since we had a good vacation.  Last year, I saved all of my vacation days for maternity leave, so there was none left over to go anywhere... which was fine.  But this means that when August came around this year, we were READY to GO.  We desperately needed the time away for all kinds of little and big reasons and we were not disappointed.  We may not be well rested, but I do feel more relaxed (which should count for something, people at work say I am "tightly wound"... whatever that means haha)

The weather was wonderful, even if it did rain every day, highs in the 80s.  I can absolutely become a beach bum with temps like that.  It will be great when both boys are big enough to play independently (or, god forbid, happily with each other) and Sam and I can truly just sit back and watch.  That being said, we had a great time building sand castles and riding the waves with the boys.  William kept wanting to crash my moat, and I had to remind myself that I was building the moat and castle for him... to not be upset that he was destroying "my" castle.. haha!!!

 

Patrick was convinced that he could swim and kept diving for the water.  William was super excited to play in the (very calm) waves the first day, but then swallowed some ocean water, which caused him to gag and throw up... so he was a little less than thrilled about playing by himself in the water for the rest of the week and tended to cling to Sam or me.  I don't blame him.  Both boys loved playing in the sand, but William kept having to wash his hands off.  Atleast he was in the sand this time!  Patrick thought it tasted good...silly boy.

 Oh - much to our surprise - we ended up potty training while we were down there and he only had 3 accidents total!!!  By the end of the week, and on the ride back home, he started telling us when he had to go.  Way to go William!!!  And, just because I KNOW you want to know, he even pooped on the potty!!!  "It was a good poop" too - such a silly boy.  Not sure where he learned that one.... I'm a little afraid to know really.  It's so funny - something obviously just clicked - and he was ready when he turned 3 and not a moment before.

 William got a king bed all to himself at the house and he must have loved it, because he didn't fight bedtime all week.  That might be because he was exhausted every day as well, but still.  Too bad kiddo - back to the twin at home.  haha.  Patrick slept with us in the king bed downstairs.  Oh, how I wish we had a king now.  Maybe one day.  But then we'd have to spring for the really expensive sheets... big bed = $$ sheets.  haha.  But William did really well in the bed all by himself and even let me take a snuggly nap with him one day.  Love that little boy.  He definitely started to develop a bit of Mommy phase down there and I'll take it.  He's always preferred his Daddy, so I'll enjoy it while I  can.

The rain finally stopped long enough for us to get our very talented cousin to snap a couple family photos of us and the boys.  I know that they will change far too much to actually use the picture for Christmas cards, assuming we even send any out this year, but I can't help but feel like it's kinda mandatory when you're at the beach to take the picture.  I'm still on the fence about whether we were TOO matchy or not, but I think I have almost decided that it doesn't quite matter.  It's hard to find outfits that coordinate between four people and not buy anything to make it happen... Just saying.  Anyhow - here are some of my favorites...

our very own mini Karate Kid

 

So, yeah, I guess those are the high points.  We swam.  We played.  We ate.  Sam and I even squeezed in a date night.  Good times were had by all.  I'm thinking we might go back to Destin, same general location, just the four of us next year...

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 11

I am desperately trying to hold on to my baby.  Which I realize probably puts me in some lump of mom categories that is not at all flattering - but I can't help it.  Every time I turn around he is more of a big boy than I want to believe.  This is certainly not helped by the fact that he is toodling around everywhere.

*Who knows how much he weighs now.  I'll make an uneducated guess at 21 pounds.  This is based on nothing.  Our scale lives at my office and he hasn't been sick recently (yay!!)... so yeah.  Totally guessing here.

*Is wearing 12 months clothes.

*Walks more than he one legged crawls.  Can make a U-turn, side step, and lower himself to a squat and then back up again.  He walks a little bow legged and usually has his arms in the air.  I love it.

*Wakes up every 2 hours still.  I will admit that this is partly my fault, he wakes up to nurse because of the sleep association we've developed over the past 11 months, and that's the only way he thinks he can get back to sleep.  Hopefully by the time he is one we will be halfway to waking up far less and making the transition with as few tears as possible.  Wish us luck, it starts tomorrow...

*Refuses to eat baby food.  But he doesn't want any party of most of what we eat.  He throws puffs on the floor for fun.  He LOVES bread though and baby rice cakes.

*His favorite game is "Switch the Paci".  Doesn't matter how many times he does it, but stuffing the paci into mommy/daddy/grandaddy/etc mouth is THE funniest game.  Hands down.  We play often because who doesn't want to hear his laughter?!

*Patrick loves to drive cars and trucks around the floor and makes the Vroom (BBBbbbbb razz) sound to go with it.  Cute kid.  I think he and William will get along JUST fine...

*Says Mama, Dada, and uhoh.

*Understands what no means, and it hurts his feelings nearly every time.  The best is when he cries into the floor in protest.  With real tears.

*Really wants to see what being electrocuted feels like, as evidenced by his persistence in sticking his fingers in outlets.  See above for his reaction... ha!

*Is a great snuggler.

*Finally gives open mouth kisses - I've been waiting for this one.

*Has no teeth.  Zero.  Not one.  Which is good when the open mouth kiss turns to gnawing on my chin.

*Enjoys clapping.  And when he's REALLY excited he waves his arms in the air, shakes his head side to side, and smiles so big.

*Plays coy/shy often.  I love it because he buries his head in my shoulder.  He's going to be a real flirt one day.  God help us.

Only one more month number to go.....

Loves!!

Oh Toodles!!!

Now that we are done cramming things into too short of a time period - I suppose I should catch the blog up on the all that happened in the past two weeks!  Let's start with WILLIAM'S THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

Since he is officially obsessed (albeit off and on) with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we chose that as the party's theme.  Easy enough - a lot of red and black (duh!) with some yellow thrown in for good measure.  Add a 54" tall Mickey Mouse and hundreds of latex balloons = birthday balloon explosion!  It was so much fun!!  It was a ridiculous amount of work, I seriously underestimated the work that would go in to throwing this party, and could NOT have pulled it off without my parents, Sam, or his family's help.  And I might have said that I would never do it again - but I think I'm retracting that statement already.  It was totally worth it - William and the kids had a great time.

Happy Birthday my darling boy.  You are a ball of energy and imagination.  You are kind, smart, and have a wonderful sense of humor.  You are full of joy and an absolute pleasure to be around.  We are proud and blessed to be your parents.  

Loves!!