Fighting independence...

Wow.  Another week flies by.  Though, while it was happening, time was moving like a slug.  Seriously.  I thought Friday would never end.  (oh and the camera didn't get charged until Sunday, so this is all you get, they are cute though in their Halloween costumes.....)

 Patrick was transitioning all week to his new big boy room at school.  And apparently he did not take my advice and melt on the floor in a puddle, so they would call him "sensitive" and never move him from Ms T & Ms Tonja.  Oh no.  He had to do wonderfully.  Threw a fit when he had to come back to the infant room.  I know I know - he has to grow up some day - but why does that day have to be now?  I need him to be little just a little while longer.  It is neat to hear that he loves to pop bubbles with Ms Sabrina and that when asked who wanted more chicken fingers - he said "Me!!".  He's a cool kid who is learning much too much far too fast.  This mama isn't ready.

For the first time EVER, William ran into the morning drop off room and gave Ms Bee a hug.  This is TOTALLY noteworthy, because for the past, well forever, he barely even acknowledges Ms Bee at first and usually growls at her and hides behind my legs.  Not sure what happened there, but there was some bad blood in W's mind.  Maybe it was the Friday donut day high - but I couldn't believe it when Sam told me.

William and Patrick are starting to entertain each other in the car.  Their favorite is holding hands.  I made the mistake of taking a picture the first time - well, not so much a REAL mistake - but now, every time they hold hands William requests me to take a picture.  Just a little difficult while driving on the highway...  Three year olds don't understand that unfortunately.  He also doesn't understand when Patrick is done holding hands... Silly boys.

Patrick really is becoming more and more independent, as much as I try to deny it.  He likes to walk in to school now, and knows how to hold hands - which is good for parking lots - thank goodness!!  There are very few things cuter than watching him run down the hallway chasing William to his room though.  Those little stumpy Rumer legs just going as fast as he can, waddling from side to side, with the biggest smile on his face, mouth wide open.  I die every time.  Such a happy boy.

So, I'm not sure where I stand with sleep training at the moment.  It's really quite awful and I've had a difficult time fully committing because it takes such a toll on an already exhausted mama.  The first three days, I'm not supposed to let him fall asleep at the breast.  Ok, so usually he nurses himself back to sleep in five minutes, there fore I have to stay coherent enough to pull him off in, say, three.  He then cries for hours because he lost those two minutes.  Inconsolable.  The sleep training is making me even more of a zombie.  I don't know what to do.  We haven't even made it to phase two, which is no nursing in the middle of the night at all.  We both know that he will literally be up and screaming all night, and I don't think we would survive.  Atleast survive and be able to function on any kind of level that would allow us to keep our jobs.  haha!!

We went trick or treating at Uptown Columbus tonight.  I had seen on Mommy websites that they were doing a big thing and thought it would be fun.  I've had it on the calendar forever now.  Yeah - it was a big alright.  Holy Moly there were a lot of people.  The trick or treating was more like standing in line and having candy thrown in quickly.  Very little actual interaction, which I think is most of the fun of Halloween, and it was just all in all disappointing.  We did run in to some friends and got to see their adorable kids dressed up - and I might totally have to steal their costume idea next year - too cute! - so that was fun for the five minutes we got to talk. So yeah - it was a bust and we will now have to go out on Halloween just to make sure there are some good trick or treating memories.  I will note though, that William is very focused on treats and knows what the game is about this year.  Lord help us on Wednesday!!

Random things I want to remember:.... Funny William quote of the week...  "Girls don't eat icecream Mommy".  Patrick kind of waddles when he starts running.  He waves bye with fervor, and will go back to say Bye to his valentine Ms Tonja.  Most of Patrick's words begin with D.  William likes to give hugs big enough to knock me down.  Both boys will give kisses when asked, and sometimes when not.  Patrick loves to clap and dance to music just like his brother.  He has no fear of the edge and loves the slide, especially climbing 'up' the slide. He might have learned that trick from his brother.  Both boys understand the importance of holding hands in the parking lot, only the mini-boy fights it occasionally.  Patrick has discovered the game "chase", life now moves in warp speed.  Hopefully they will forgive us for not taking them to the pumpkin patch for the second year in a row.  I know - epic parenting fail.

Loves.

Still October?

So this is going to be hard.  I'm sure there is no way to accurately recap the past 14 days since the last blog post.  Daddy - I'm sorry.  :)

Chef Boyardee might have won this one....  Bring on the bath!

William is the coolest kid.  I mean, seriously.  I am in absolute awe of what he is learning and saying.  He told us yesterday at breakfast there was a letter M and a little R (for McDonalds and the trademark).  Are you kidding me?!  I watch him just being himself and can't help but think how completely blessed we are.  He is such a cool kid.  Just neat. And wonderful.  Perfectly sweet and loving most of the time.  And oh so confident and independent.  

no such thing as a 'two' bite brownie in our house... haha!

Patrick is starting to walk into school, instead of always insisting on being carried.  He likes to chase William in.  Which usually means he then also turns around to try and go into William's room.  And he is getting good at working up some speed.  He doesn't have quite the fast switch that William has (and has never turned off) but there's a couple times in 4" heels that I've had to work to catch him.  Sneaky little boy.  He knows what he's doing too.  He's the one we're going to have to watch.  Boogsie.

He saw me pumping and wanted a turn...  Nutty little boy

He is transitioning into his "big boy" classroom this week.  I am in mourning.  I'll miss his teachers.  They are amazing and it's really just not fair that they have to stay with the itty bitty infants.  I think they would make excellent toddler teachers.  But no one asked me.  I am continuing to send breast milk in sippy cups as long as supply holds out.  Though, I started working at the campus last week, and it is significantly more difficult to grab time to pump while in training for 8 hours a day.  I am doing good to get in two sessions, and today only managed one.  We've downgraded to only sending two cups though, and I'm not stressing if they aren't exactly 5 oz...  We'll see how it works.  I've nearly been pumping at work for a solid year... ick.  I kinda hate pumping.  But can't stand the thought of losing my supply and really do want him to have the BMilk as long as possible at school.  So, I'll try and hang in there...  Who knows.  

silly monkey :)

We have started trying to convince Patrick to night wean and the first night was awful.  The "rules" are (for the first couple days anyhow) that he can nurse as much as he likes up until 11pm and fall asleep while doing so.  After that, if he wakes up and can't be soothed by snuggling, paci, etc. - he can nurse but not fall asleep at the boob.  This is where he got really upset.  The first time, he cried for two hours in our arms.  Slept for an hour, woke, nursed, cried for 1 hour.  I think that might have repeated...not sure... but that general idea until 6am - then he can nurse as much as he wants again.  I fudge the time a little.. if he wakes up to nurse at 5:30, I'm not going to bother trying to keep him awake... he's usually awake for the day and I'll just let him have a full meal.  Our plan got a little off track with some super fun weekend plans that I'll get to - but hopefully we will have him night weaned soon, sleeping through the night soon, in his crib and then off to William's room by the next year.  Cross your fingers!!

yeah, instead of taking away the applesauce, I got the camera.  

it only got worse from there.... LOL

So........ this past weekend, Sam's sister Laura got married!!!!  We love her new husband - Kurt is great.  And he likes our kids and can handle the older tornado just fine.  They are absolutely adorable together and at the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, I couldn't help but keep saying how infectiously happy they were.  That seeing the love and joy they had jolted me out of the day to day diapers, dishes, and bedtimes, and reminded me how much in love Sam and I were when we got married.  It's so easy to lose sight of that and it was refreshing (and so needed) to be reminded .  Of course, I missed seeing the actual vows during the ceremony because the tornados weren't behaving.  Patrick wanted in on the marriage and tried to join them at the front, and William wanted to play drums with pencils on the pew and throw around all the prayer envelopes.  God help me.  I think Sam was about to lose it on William... So I grabbed them both, because atleast Laura's brother was going to see the ceremony gosh darned it, and we sat in the chapel and I gave William a stern talk.  I doubt that it made an impact.  Anyhow.

The reception was at B&B's house and it was stunning.  I went to RPM in the morning, while Sam took pj's to the house in the morning, so I didn't see the preparations, but it was gorgeous.  And I'm officially giving myself a pass for all of our wedding's perceived shortcomings.  Just saying...  anyhow.  We had the best time.  And the boys went to bed at 8 (Patrick) and 9 (William).  The cutest thing was during dinner, there was music playing, not the band - just music, and William decided that he couldn't sit still and wanted to dance.  So he marched out to the dance floor all by himself and just started jamming.  I could not have been more proud.  He is such a cool kid.  He danced 2, maybe 3 songs like that.  In front of everyone.  Not a shy bone in his body.  Of course, when the band played Brown Eyed Girl and I wanted to dance with him - there were "too many people".  So, we danced in a corner with his head on my shoulder.  He was tuckered out.  Sam and I danced the night away.  Laura was a stunning bride.  Absolutely gorgeous.  And so happy.  Really - just put a smile on everyone's face.

before the rehearsal dinner

OH!  This picture reminds me.  A humongo THANK YOU to M&G for coming down on Friday to keep the boys during the rehearsal dinner before heading to Callaway on Saturday.  I was having a serious freak out about having to get a babysitter and they saved me from that.  I was literally not going to go to the dinner if Patrick's teachers weren't available to babysit; I just couldn't bear to leave them with someone unfamilar.  Just couldn't.  So, yeah.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!  It was nice to have a night without worry and just have a good time celebrating a great couple.  I'm sure much more has happened in the past two weeks, but besides me starting a new job -  I can't remember any of it.  I am really enjoying the training so far and my group is fantastic.  LOVE my new boss.  She's the bees knees for sure.  So - life is good.

the two cutest boys in bowties that ever did live... 

i can't tell you how hard it was to get this picture though!!!

Loves.

The Pox

Patrick managed to contract the chickenpox inspite of receiving a vaccine for it at the beginning of the month.  Granted, it is a mild case, but still...  Can I get my money back for that one?  We noticed Tuesday two little spots on his belly, but just figured he got a bug bite or something.  Then I get a call Wednesday morning that he has more red dots and I need to come get him.  Between then and getting to the doctor, I had a thought in the way back of my head about the pox, but pushed it away because he got the shot.  In what was literally the quickest appointment of all time, he was diagnosed with chickenpox.  It's a miracle that William didn't catch it from him - guess his vaccine was a little bit stronger... ?  Note to all you Columbus moms - Target does NOT carry calamine lotion.  A mild case is nothing like I remember chickenpox when I got it.  I remember wanting to die and crying because I couldn't wear my favorite smocked top dress because it hurt too bad.  Most of the time with Patrick, I'm not sure he realized he should be upset - unless of course it was 2am... Truth - Patrick and I had a pretty good time being at home for 2.5 days.  He had his super cling-on monster moments, but I got to experience grocery shopping in the middle of the morning with out crowds.  THAT was lovely.  And I made soft pretzels from scratch.  I can't do THAT on a weekend while at work. hahaha!!  He'll be back to school on Monday.  Easy cheesey.

Patrick loves to point.  Sometimes it's to the point to the cabinet with the cheddar rice cakes to say he wants more (so helpful).  Sometimes it's to point at me to tell me stop telling him no (less than helpful).  Either way, it's perfectly adorable and really fun to watch his mind work and his body participate.  He is also enjoying shaking his head no, clapping, and waving bye.  Oh how I wish my family would get excited for me to shake my head no....  Instead it usually results in a tantrum or two... or even three.  haha!

William sang Frere Jacques this morning in the car.  Some how the words melded into "there is a bear..." and something about crawling or growling, I can't remember which right now.  I love to hear him sing.  Just can't beat sweet little boy voices.  I got caught yesterday in the grocery store making up a song with Patrck about needing to get zucchini....  I suppose Sam is rubbing off on me a little bit, he is the King of making up songs.  His are absolute works of art (for about 30 seconds and then it usually gets a little weird) - I usually just repeat the same thing over and over again trying to get the boys to laugh.

We have decided, as a family, that the pillow pile should make a regular appearance.  William loves it.  Patrick loves.  Sam and I love it.  It has been decided.  I have a feeling that our quilts do not appreciate the massive amounts of popcorn and cookie crumbs that get ground in to them.  Though, it is motivating to get them into the washer.  I like our cozy new Friday/weekend/when-we-want-to tradition.  It may not be pizza night, but it is a good time.

I think Patrick might be working on a teeth explosion.  I'm fairly certain that on the brief instances when I can catch a peek inside his mouth I see the outlines of teeth and he's drooling like a monster.  Though, I've said it before, so don't hold your breath.  It sure would be nice to get the teething out of the way, though, I'm not sure what we would blame his fussy moods on then....

------- we interrupt this regularly scheduled program for a week break------------- I can no longer remember what days any of the above happened but it was over a week ago---------------Thank you for your patience and understanding. --------------

Ok.  Let's see.  Ooh!!  Meri came down to see us this past week!!  I had project validation that HAD to be done on Sunday, so our plans to go M&G's for the weekend were foiled.  But since Meredith was in Georgia instead of Ohio, she borrowed K's car and came down.  Yay!!!  Love my sister!!!  William was all kinds of excited to see her and even more excited when he realized that they were playing hooky on Thursday.  Meri took him to Callaway and they played at the Sibley Center, ate lunch, and came home for nap.  Then she took him to the park to play.  (apparently there was a group of mean mommies giving her nasty looks.  not in her head.  some one came over to her and commented - how crazy is that?!)  anyhow.  Then she helped us take the boys to the club to eat with Bill.  Thank goodness.  When those two (Sam & Bill) start talking politics, it's like nothing else exists - especially one rambunctious toddler and one antsy infant.  Lord help us all.  I think that might be the end of dinners at the club.  Bring on ChickFilA...  Very sad - she had to leave the next morning so she could see our other sister in Atlanta that afternoon.  Wish we were altogether more often.  I have the greatest family and by far the best siblings.  Just saying.

Friday I played flag football at work and that was crazy fun.  I was actually voted MVP on my team (yay) - apparently I am a beast of a linebacker... haha!!  But seriously, it was a great time.  And I felt every tackle on Saturday morning.  Ouch!!  So, when we had another pillow pile to watch Stuart Little, I was all for 85 minutes of laying down.  Pillow piles are becoming a bit of a Saturday tradition.  All four of us are big fans.  Obviously.

This week, I'm just gearing down (or up?) to switch jobs.  I am moving to the campus to begin my job as a Project Analyst for Conversions on the International team.  I am way excited and way sad all at the same time.  But it will be good and it's not like I will never be able to talk to my peeps.  I just won't be able to dance at 10:17 in the morning and have them laugh at me. haha!!  Wish me luck!!

We really need to step up our game and take more pictures.  Bad parents....

Loves.