My Pretty Boy

Okay, so I couldn't resist posting these pictures. Every day, Noah continues to amaze us with the little things he learns to do. For as long as he's been mobile, it has been a fun game for him to put on shoes - usually just one, typically on the wrong foot and most of the time belonging to Hayden - and walk around totally happy. It was so cute to see him just toddle around the house like that. In recent weeks, he has actually been putting on his own shoes, not necessarily on the correct feet, but at least he's got them both on. Today however, he graduated into mommy's shoes. It is a fun game for him to go into our closet and completely unload it of shoes ... and he has had fun with this particular pair only because they are still stored in their box, which he loves to get into! So before we're heading out to run errands, we are looking for his shoes so we can leave. I find him in my closet, putting my shoes, and on the correct feet with the strap between his toes, with a big ol' grin on his face. He looks at me and says "look at me mama" ... then he gets up, with his school bus in hand kind of looking like he's carrying his own "handbag," and proceeds to walk and tap-dance around the house, all still while wearing my shoes. Needless to say, we didn't go run errands with Noah wearning my gold, strappy sandals ... but he was so adorable walking around showing off "his" shoes. Oh how I love this boy!

Wildlife World Zoo

This morning, I decided to take advantage of the "slightly" cooler morning weather and take the boys to the Wildlife World Zoo, which is just about 4 miles from our house. We are fortunate to have a annual membership, thanks to Grammy & Grampy, and truly enjoy spending time seeing all the different animals. We met our friends, Jen, Ellie, and baby Lia there too - which only added to the fun. It never ceases to amaze me how excited Hayden gets - he has been several times since we started visiting over two years ago, and each and every time it's as if it's his first visit. Noah has been several times as well, but each previous time he was still too young to really enjoy seeing the animals. He really had a great time, and was even trying to talk to the birds. "Bye-bye Birds" he said (in his little lispy voice). I think one of the best things I get to do as a parent is seeing and experiencing things through the eyes of my children. Watching Hayden and Noah today reminded me of the times I visited the zoo when I was a kid, and brought back fond memories of spending time with my family. I hope the boys will look back too, and remember watching the silly monkeys climb all over the fence, or checking out the rhino as it wandered around its open area, or feeding pellets to the hungry giraffe with the enormously long tongue. So, with words from my sweet little boy, "Mom, we had a really fun day at the zoo." Yep, Hayden, we sure did!

Mama's Helpers

So here you can see my two little helpers ... tonight Hayden decided he wanted to help me wash up the dinner dishes. He took his dish-washing "job" very seriously, and really spent time cleaning up what he could before turning the sponge back over to me. And though there was about a gallon of water on the counter after he was done, his kindness in wanting to help meant more to me than having a sparkling clean counter. On the other hand, I am not so sure Noah was quite as helpful, as anytime the dishwasher is open, his primary goal seems to be how quickly he can unload the silverware after it's been loaded. You'd be amazed at the places where we find spoons in this house! So at the end of the day, who really cares if Noah rearranged my strategically placed dishes in the dishwasher, he looked darn cute pretending to "help" ... and I couldn't resist the "cheesy" grin showing off his teeth. And next time, I'll be wiser and double check that the dishes Hayden washed are actually clean before putting them away - his intentions were sweet, just didn't quite get all the Parmesan cheese off the grater. Oh well ... there's plenty of time to train him. :)

Brothers

Following their bath tonight, I wrapped the boys up in their cozy robes (does this tell you I am ready for cooler weather?) and decided to snap some pictures during our nightly clean-up before bed. Moments like this are rare in our house: for one, catching the boys sitting still is a major accomplishment while another is the fact that Noah actually let Hayden hug him without telling him to "top it Haynen". Now don't get me wrong, my boys love each other dearly and definitely enjoy playing together, making messes together, driving mama crazy together ... you get the idea - but, they are boys and though they get hugs and kisses from me ALL the time, it's not often that they are patient enough with each other to stop for a hug. So I was glad to catch this moment between the two of them as I am sure there may come a day when I will have to drag the picture out to show them that yes, at one time, they did actually embrace each other in a loving way.

Our Little Monkey

I was sitting at the kitchen table with Noah earlier this afternoon, just watching him color ... or attempt to color as he pounded the crayons into the paper and make a lovely design of smashed crayon dots. Anyway, it dawned on me that my baby is soon going to be two, is day-by-day growing and becoming more independent, and becoming more of a "little boy" than my clingy monkey that he has been for so long. Don't misunderstand, he does still cling and there are more moments during the day when he needs his mama than when he doesn't ... I guess I just realized how fast time is passing by and it made me want to capture every second with him. I feel so lucky, so blessed to be able to have a work schedule that allows me to be with the boys at home while they're still little; it's time that I won't ever get back and I am grateful to have the opportunity to spend it with them. Noah is my sweet baby and will always have a special place in my heart ... he makes me laugh, he makes me cry, and he makes me want to be the best mommy I can be for both him and his brother. What you see in these pictures ... Noah coloring at the table, sitting inside his hamper hiding, walking around in his brother's flip flops outside in his jammies, or going for a ride on his "car" ... it's these moments I will cherish and it's these moments that remind me what life is about - spending time, sometimes doing nothing much at all, with those that we love.

First Day of School

Today was Hayden's first day back at preschool and what a great day it was for him. He woke up this morning, on his own even which for Hayden is an accomplishment, and came into our room ready for the day. So began our morning routine ... a Little Bear episode on TV, pancakes and milk for breakfast, clothes on, teeth brushed and we're ready for school. With a few minutes to spare, a very excited little boy posed for a few pictures in the backyard before heading off for the first day of school.

While we were waiting for the bell to ring, Hayden enjoyed a few minutes on the slide and then he and Carter posed for a picture before beginning this preschool year together (Carter his "4th brother" - you may remember this from a previous post). The boys are great friends and have been so excited all summer to be in the same class at school. We heard from Hayden on many an occasion how exciting it was that he and Carter would learn together in school ... I couldn't agree more!

When the time for school to begin, Hayden and I waited amongst all the other excited families to enter his class. My little boy, who at times can be overwhelmed in new situations and becomes quite reserved, quietly greeted his teacher with a "Good Morning" and reached out to shake her hand. My heart swelled with pride for Hayden at that moment ... to see him be so sweet and rise to the occasion as I should have known he would. Inside the class, we found his seat and he got right to work coloring a picture and was even patient enough to take a few more pictures. As I left him smiling, I walked away feeling so lucky to have the privilege of being Hayden's mommy. He is a loving, inquisitive, thoughtful child and I look forward to many more first days of school with him.

As a treat to celebrate the return to school, we went to Leap's for frozen custard. Hayden had asked to go to Leap's earlier in the week, and as a family we all agreed that if he had a great first day of school we would go. We are so proud of what a wonderful child he has become, and how well he adjusted to returning to school, so we all enjoyed this special sweet. Hayden's choice: chocolate with sprinkles .... you can't get much better than that.

Celebrating Mommy

What a special day I had on my birthday, being celebrated here by three of the most important people in my life ... my wonderful husband and my two baby boys. The morning started off with some snuggle time in our bed, laughing with the boys as they used us, the pillows, and mattress for bouncing and jumping. I think they picked up some pointers from watching the Olympic gymnasts during the past week. Our bed-bouncing adventure soon became a focus on "what to have for breakfast?" ... so we splurged for my birthday, and Chris and Hayden went to the store and brought back donuts. Yummy! Following breakfast, the day continued on with no major plans in place, but just time to spend as a family. I had a relaxing day at home, and was spoiled on more than one occasion with lovely gifts from many different people. One of my best gifts was offered up to us by my wonderful in-laws, who took the boys for us so Chris and I could enjoy a kid-free, grown-up style dinner over at Westgate, trying out a restaurant we haven't been to yet. It was great to sit next to my husband, enjoy good food and not have to worry about a piece of chicken or a noodle being tossed our way as our funny little Noah loves to do. After dinner, we went back to join the boys, Uncle Jeff, and my mother and father-in-law for some homemade carrot cake, lovingly baked by Christopher, and "mee meem" (Noah "talk" for ice cream). My birthday was perfect - I was celebrated by many people and felt so blessed and loved as I answered phone calls and text messages from family and friends throughout the day. As I sit here now and think to myself, I think how lucky am I to have this life ... and how lucky that I have just been given another year of it to enjoy. Thank you to everyone, near and far, who helped to make my birthday a true celebration - I love you all!