So very thankful

I am thankful for

'big hugs' from Patrick

conversations with William

tickling monsters

chasing dragons after bathtime

vanity sizing

large beds at a crazy good deal

a husband who tells me how much he adores me

babies who like to snuggle

reading books with two boys in my lap

a good job that I enjoy

the best Daddy & (step)MOM in the world

super cool siblings 

buttercream frosting

in-laws that let us come every weekend to 'borrow' their wide open space

that there is always tomorrow.

Loves.

Need Mayo?

William and Patrick are growing up so fast.  Maybe it doesn't seem like that to you and it probably shouldn't to me since aren't the subtle changes supposed to be less noticeable if you are around them everyday... but I just can't make time stand still long enough to feel like I've adequately soaked them in.  Every time I turn around, William has improved his vocabulary, diction, something wonderful has come out of his mouth and Patrick is working on words and is just so stinking smart.  Time needs to stop.  Like yesterday.  I can't possibly remember all of this.

William said to me last week, "Mommy, Tatrick's not my best friend."  "He's not?"  "No, you're my best friend."  Oh, how my heart melts, even though one of my biggest hopes is that the boys do become best friends.  I love my sisters and my brother.  I think it's one of the greatest things - to have a sibling.  Someone who, really, knows more about your core than just about anyone.  I know my sister knows exactly what I'm thinking when something happens and we've been able to rely on each other, especially in recent years (not so much growing up - we had the typical bickery sister relationship).  And I am oh so thankful for that.  And not to leave out my other brother & sister - they totally rock too!  Love you guys!!  

Sam went to Canada for work at the beginning of last week, and in an effort to preserve what little sanity I had left, I took the boys to Family Night at Chickfila.  I figured we would survive because we were eating dinner at a crazy early hour (before 6) and they are old enough now that they can play without being helicoptered over.  I order a chicken sandwich (gasp! I know!) and a nuggets kids meal for the boys.  I'm gathering straws, napkins, ketchup, and then William is DEMANDING that I get mayonnaise.  I didn't even think he knew what it was, but he insisted that he wanted some.  Ok.  I grab the packet.  Fine.  Get to the table - he wants it opened.. Lord.  Fine.  Seriously - the kid dunked his nugget and his fries in mayonnaise.  I don't know where he learned this.  His daddy has a pretty healthy relationship with Duke's mayo, but I didn't even eat the stuff until college at the earliest.  I don't know what got into him - it was the weirdest thing!  He hasn't asked for it since, so maybe that it was a freako night....  Just strange little boys!

We had a wonderful fun time playing that night though.  William was back and forth between the table and the playground and once Patrick had eaten enough, I let him follow brother around as well.  They were so cute!  William would hold the door for Patrick and was telling everyone who would listen that this was his brother Tatrick.  I think they will be best friends after all :)  The best part was I just sat at the table munching and watching them play and have a great time with the other kids.  Nearly relaxing.

Side effect of Sam traveling is that snuggles take on a whole new meaning in the Rumer house.  Surprisingly, I got Patrick down to bed relatively easily (which I was really nervous about because Sam puts his down) but William was not having any of the bed time routine.  He wanted to snuggle.  So I snuggled.  For a long time.  Then he wanted to snuggle with me & Patrick.  Goodness.  I put that one off until about 4 am and then just brought him in the bed with both of us thinking everyone would go back to sleep, no harm no foul.  Yeah right.  Not my brightest decision.  They were both wired the minute they saw each other.  At five, I gave up and put on Mickey Mouse or Little Einsteins or something.  

The week was pretty uneventful, normal stuff.  Decided on Friday afternoon, after playing kickball at work, to go to Cleveland for the weekend.  GREAT decision!!!  Sam stayed behind, so it was just the boys and me and it was wonderful.  Super relaxing, beautiful weather, fantastic company.  I wish it was easier to go up there.  Got to have a long talk with my dad about parenting, etc. that was really eye opening and therapeutic for me.  Dads are so smart.  Or maybe I'm just really lucky.  Either way - I've got the best one.  Hopefully my kids will say the same thing about me....  I took about 500 pictures on Daddy's camera over the weekend... but then we had to leave abruptly because William was sick and getting worse, so didn't get them burned to a cd... sorry.  I think there are some really awesome ones though.

William got to ride Shake the horse, and he was SOOO excited about that!  Mima brought it up as a possibility in the morning and William wouldn't let go.  It was going to be bad if Shake didn't cooperate, but he did a great job and William was beyond excited!  So cute!  He really enjoyed feeding Jake & Shake carrots too - even got some horsey kisses from Jake, which was too funny.  

Oh - William came home with his first "homework" project. I'm not really on board with the whole concept, I think kids should be kids, etc etc... but it was kinda fun to do.  They've been reading a book about a turkey that has to hide from a farmer (based on what William has told me...) and the teachers wanted us to dress up a turkey in a disguise.  William wanted his turkey to hide as a pirate.  So, Sunday morning, I was busy tracing and cutting construction paper and making paper feathers for a pirate hat. I'm really WAY too proud of the pirate costume.  Seriously.  He has a peg leg and everything.  And really, the only part that William could be a part of was to glue the pieces together.  Well, he wasn't really in to that when he realized his hands were going to get sticky.  And so begins MOM doing his homework projects.  Oh no.  This is no good.  But - the pirate turkey is REALLY cute.  haha!

This week has been the week of sick.  We rushed home Sunday to make it to Pediatric Acute Care because William's cough was getting worse and he was throwing up because of all the drainage.  Turns out he had an ear infection.  Then Patrick's temperature spiked up to 102 that night, so we kept him home the next two days.  Then in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, I started feeling icky and by 3pm I was absolutely miserable, so I left work and spent the rest of the day/night in bed and most of the day today in bed as well.  I would've sworn I had the flu yesterday I felt so bad.  Chills, aches, run over by a bus.  No fun.  But maybe now, that I don't feel quite so bad we are over the worst of it.  Though the boys are still on cough medicines and William has days left of antibiotics...  I'm living on cold pills.  So, just thinking happy unsick thoughts for us please... :)

Not a great catch up but my eyes are starting to cross and I need to go lay down again.  I'll try not to take so much time in between posts next time...

Loves.

We actually did stuff!

For once we actually had interesting things happen in our lives this week.  Granted, having a holiday midweek helps, but still.  I'm not scraping the barrel on things to say and that's nice for a change.

William was more than a little confused about why we were going Trick or Treating AGAIN on Wednesday, since we did the downtown thing over the weekend.  I tried to explain that Saturday was just for fun and that Halloween was really on Wednesday.  "It's Calloween?"  Yes baby.  Cute kid.  He began combining (best explanation we came up with) Callaway and Halloween - maybe because they sound similar in his head or he thought we were going trick or treating at Callaway... I don't know.  But it was pretty cute to hear "Happy Calloween!!"  We did make him say Halloween properly just to make sure we didn't need to start googling speech therapists...

We quickly ate dinner after getting home and then dressed the boys in their costumes.  Loaded them up in the stroller, took a picture or several, and walked a couple blocks to where we thought there might be houses open for business combined with good easy sidewalks.  It was a little slow starting but the boys had a great time.  Patrick was a bit shy but loved running on the sidewalk - or trying to make a break for the road... god help us.  William was an old pro - we had to remind him in what order to say Trick or Treat, Thankyou, and Happy Calloween - but he definitely understood the concept of treats. LOL!!  We walked and walked - had a big time - and then William up and decided he was done, didn't want to be an animal anymore, and it was time to leave.  Very well then.  Off we went.  He even got to eat a twizzler on the way home.

The rest of the week FLEW by!  We went grocery shopping on Thursday night (because we are gluttons for punishment) but only made it through Sam's Club.  William was a holy terror, Patrick was a cling on monster, and the thought of another hour minimum in Wal Mart made us want to cry.  We figured we had enough food to get through a day or two just from the warehouse trip.  Friday - I can't even remember Friday.  Huh.  Oh - got another bright idea to check out the new (relocated) TJ Maxx in Cross Country with the two mini peoples.  William was a holy terror, Patrick was a cling on monster, and all the boys sucked the good shopping vibe right out of me.  I did come out with a blue skinny belt (and a pink one) for quite the steal, and I needed a blue belt, but it's not a thrilling exciting purchase by any means.  What were we thinking?!  Seriously, I think we should become hermits for the next 4 years.

Today was the main event.  Steeplechase at Callaway!!  It's kinda a big deal and so much fun.  B&B got a family tent up at "Top of the Turn" and it was the BEST view.  We could see the horses come up the hill, make the TURN, and then go up the last hill to the finish.  It was great.  We were smart and didn't tell William about going to see the horse race until the latter part of the week (because he would ask incessantly if we did earlier) and he was pumped to say the least.  He even picked out a little stuffed horse at TJ Maxx that he bought with his mad money.  It's name is Henry and he accompanied William throughout the races today.

 

There was plenty of room for the boys to run and we got lucky because no one showed up to one of the spots on the rail, so William spent most of the day up there getting a great view of the horses.  He also convinced almots everyone in the family to take him to the 'fun place' (kid corral) atleast once.  Silly boy.  I heard that he even went down the BIG dinosaur slide.  The first time we went to the kid corral right after we got there in the morning, the boys (both of them) made it very clear that they wanted to ride the ponies.  So cute.  Both did such a great job!  William yelled Yeehaw!  Ride em Cowboy!! and talked the cute girl's ear off I am sure, and then Patrick just clapped and smiled and had a great time on his turn.  I can't believe I didn't take my camera down for it... Bill took some phone pictures though, so maybe I can atleast get those to facebook or something... We'll see.

As I'm sure you all know, William is ninety miles a minute at all times.  Well, today, we got our first taste of Patrick doing the same.  He literally hit the ground running.  All day, he would run off whenever he had the chance, and then look back slyly to see if you were following him, and then double his pace and keep going. He has no fear - so he'll start down a steep hill or step right off a step - so someone had to stay within grabbing distance of him.  Luckily, all the aunts, uncles, boyfriends, and grandparents joined in so Sam and I weren't totally spent.  I don't know if we could have kept up with him today.  He was certainly on the move! And only took a quick thirty minute nap in the stroller.  Sweet boy - it was so hot (IN NOVEMBER!!) - that we ended up just letting him run around in his diaper.  The heat aggrivates his excema and he was starting to get the rash bad on his legs & then it started creeping up - so off came the overalls.  And then, being the super classy people we are, we let him run around most of the afternoon in just a tshirt and a target diaper.  He was adorable though, and we had several offers for him to spend the weekends with strangers.  They retracted the offer when I told them he still wasn't sleeping through the night.  LOL! ha!

Sam leaves on Sunday for Toronto.  Not too bad this time - he'll be back Tuesday evening.  I am a little nervous about two days on my own, but we'll be fine.  I don't know how I'm going to get Patrick to go to sleep though.  Sam is the official sleep walker of babies.  I feed him, and then Sam gets him to sing/walk and Patrick KNOWS it's time to go to bed.  He doesn't quite get the message when I sing/walk.  So, it will be interesting.  I might have gray hair by the time Sam gets back.  We'll see.  And we might be hitting up the Chickfila family nights for dinner instead of me trying to entertain them and cook at the same time.

Oh!  So - Patrick is officially in the new big boy room as of Friday.  We dropped him off on the Toddler side.  (the teachers were sick earlier in the week, so they didn't move him over until Thurs. DAY and Friday).  He obviously likes being over there, with all the new fun things to do, but I was so sad to be leaving his infant room.  Had to go get a big hug from Ms. T and  her & Ms Tonja went in and played with P several times during the day.  They are going to miss him too.  :(  He has been sleeping worse than normal this week, combined with all the new activities - his teachers told us that he fell asleep at the lunch table with a chicken tender in his hand!!  I wish they had taken a picture!  I can't believe it.  Sleepy boy!

Things I want to remember:  William exlaiming "That's Ridiculous!!".  The boys loving on my aunt & uncle's dogs (they were at Steeplechase for the bagpipe parade!).  Patrick walking right in to the toddle side of school like he owned the place.  P is finally starting to get some hair on his head - just enough to make his head look dirty though.  No curls of any substance yet.  The way they giggle during bath time.  Patrick saying "all gone" when Sam ran out of icecream at Chill.  P got his first taste of apple juice today - he's a fan - but it's definitely not his 'baby drug' like it was for William.  William trying to tell Patrick it's ok when he's crying and giving him a hug or trying to hold his hand in the car.  How long it takes Patrick to eat one grape.  Patrick will now pick up your hand and put it on the book he wants you to read to him.  His favorite right now is an animals in different environments books (jungle, sea, pets, etc).  He points at the animals he recognizes, very cute.  William's favorites are the Thomas books right now.  Patrick is becoming very  vocal and his favorite hobby is perfecting his razz.  It's getting VERY good and VERY loud.  The best one is when both his lips get pooched out to make the noise.  William will join in if they are in the car and then there's nothing stopping them!

Loves.

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.

This That & Fun

The past two weeks have been full of fun.  Or maybe we were relaxing.  Wait, no, we have two boys, we were most definitely not relaxing.  haha!!  I do know that we were much too busy doing whatever we were doing to take a lot of pictures.  I realized this at some point and tried to remedy the situation, but, let's just say, that what you are about to see is not my finest work.  Or even good work.  But it's our life and the boys are always cute, so take what you can get.  ha!

Patrick is developing the cutest personality.  I think he's finally discovered that he can compete with the bigger tornado, especially if he gets a head start (like getting out of the bath first...)  One of William's favorite games is "scaring mommy" with his dragon towel on his head.  Lo and behold - Patrick has one too - and I suppose after a year of watching William play dragon - he wanted in on the fun.  He toddled around with the hoodie towel on, growling and laughing.  He didn't even mind when the hood would fall over his eyes and he was walking around blind.  And when the towel would fall off - he'd pick it up and throw it on his head over his eyes and keep going.  We had two very silly dragons - so much for calming down after bath.

he decided Daddy should have his cow's milk cup - what a good sharer we have

William is one of the friendliest kids I know.  He will literally talk to anyone!!  He told every one at the donut store that he smashed his finger in the door and that he was going ot get a bandaid at home.  it's so funny to think about how as a parent we might be influencing our kids, etc.  And he definitely gets the outgoing/never stop talking gene honestly.... I think it will serve him well.  With sweet red curly hair and a big smile - no one will be able to tell him no.  haha!!  I just hope that he only gets our good qualities....though he does seem to have a mean stubborn streak.. I'll blame that one on Sam... (my Daddy is laughing at me right now... I know I know)

giving Daddy a kiss... so sweet

Since we are one of the first parents to drop kids off in the morning, we hardly ever get to talk to the other parents.  At pick up, we met the mom of the boy who is apparently Patrick's best friend.  She was telling us that the other day, she brought C* to school and sat him down.  Patrick brought him a car and then went to get himself one and then they drove the cars around together.  She said she couldn't believe that Patrick would give C* a car before getting his own - how sweet it was - that she was nearly in tears just watching it.  Which of course, put me nearly in tears hearing about it.  It's kind of strange & interesting to think that such little kids, babies, could be learning compassion, kindness, etc - but obviously they are capable or much more than we give them credit for.  Simply amazing.  I hope growing up doesn't strip him of his sweet giving spirit.

Patrick is beginning to have spurts of happy independent play time.  He's always been a little bit happier than William was by himself, but he also has a VERY strong attachment to me.  He will cling ot my legs crying while I cook or get ready in the morning, desperate for me to pick him up.  Which is so sweet, but a little frustrating at the same time.  It's a nice relief to see him playing in the room with toys or in the living room with his brother.  He loves going out on the porch, so I've been opening the porch doors and letting him go back and forth.  I'm sure he will only get better at this the bigger he gets and is more able to play with William.  And then maybe separation anxiety will begin to take a back seat...

On Saturday, Sam had a wonderful idea to rent a kids' movie (Alvin & the Chipmunks) and watch on the floor in a pillow fort.  Little did I know that a pillow fort = a pillow pile.  We grabbed literally ever single pillow in the house, including the boppy, and threw them on the floor on top of two quilts.  We bought butter popcorn, Nilla wafers, and Reese's icrecream - because you have to have treats for movie afternoon!!  It was SOO much fun!  And both boys paid attention and laid relatively still watching the movie.  They both apparently love popcorn and Patrick likes to share his food, especially half eaten cookies... It was one of the best afternoons this year and we didn't leave the house.  I love snuggling with the boys.

Patrick stuffing his face with a mini-cupcake

I celebrated my 30th birthday by going to Six Flags with my Daddy.  Seriously - might've been the best idea of all time.  We had an awesome time riding all the roller coasters.  I even got legitimately scared on one of them.  And then immediately wanted to ride it again...haha.  And the best part - while we were looking at the best deal for tickets - turns out that if we got four season passes for 2013 it was basically the same price (with free parking!!) - so we can all go next year too!  With William!!  I am trying to figure out when just him and I can go ride his first roller coaster together.  He went with M&G and loved every minute of it - but they saved the roller coaster for me.  So thoughtful.  Sam has no use for roller coasters, but that has always been something that Daddy and I loved, and I hope to have the same with my boys.  I have a picture of the two of us on my 8th birthday on the Georgia Cyclone.  Of course, that was the first one we went on Sunday, and they no longer take a picture on that coaster.  Talk about disappointed.  I was all pumped to get the picture again, but the memory will have to suffice.  8 hours of fun and lot of time to talk while we waited in line.  A great birthday.  And I even came home with a cheesecake.  Perfection.

William taking the mini-cupcake in one bite

Patrick celebrated my birthday by finally cutting a tooth.  Success in parenting!! ha!  I did not birth the toothless wonder.  We celebrated by sleeping just a little bit better and without him screaming bloody murder every couple hours.  Thank goodness.  That was getting OLD!  Now, of course, we are going to have to figure out how to nurse with a very sharp little tooth that is rubbing mommy the wrong way, but we will work that out.  I'm just glad that he has teeth and I'm sure he is too.... Real food is easier to eat with teeth.  On that note - he has been expanding his tastes in food.  He has now added chicken to the list of things he will eat at home.  And roasted potatoes.  He threw the green beans on the floor though.  Bread is still his number one favorite though - cinnamon raisin bread is the only way we are able to get any peace in the morning getting ready.  (the same as it was two years ago with William)  ha!

William has started adding to his nighttime routine a pleading request to snuggle.  I think it's just to stall actually going to sleep, but it's so hard to say no.  He's so sweet and really - how much longer is he going to request snuggles?!  I'll usually give in a couple times a week.  Last night when I snuggled, he petted my chest saying "I love your baby food".  Sam is worried that he's going to start petting strangers asking about their "baby food".  hahahahaha!!!

Loves!