Elbow dimples & Tim McGraw

TJ went back to school today after a whole week off. There was the holiday, then a snow day followed by 3 days of the dreaded strep. Poor T. He's a trooper with his medicine though. I can't even smell the stuff without gagging but he happily takes it down - but not before asking for his "catcher". Whenever he has to take medicine I give him a "chaser" of something he likes like fruit snacks or something sweet and "desserty" (as TJ calls it). But he's recently begun calling it a "catcher" and I just love that. Ha!

So, I'm not gonna lie. I am sad today now that T's at school. I'm so very thankful to have Drew. There is just something completely wonderful and necessary about being needed. I love being needed. And I love being that person to my kids. But when TJ is away at school, part of me goes there with him and I just miss him. I'm so glad he went without any worries or tears today. He loves school -- once he gets there. He just doesn't like that it (and I quote) "wastes" his play time. I'm also thankful that Drew will stay a baby forever and will never need to go to school or leave me. Right? :)

I'm happy to report that Drew now has ELBOW DIMPLES! It took him awhile to achieve this, but we are finally there. I love those little dimples and his huge, chubby cheeks! He's actually starting to take naps now. When I rock him before nap or bed, he drinks his bottle while rubbing his chubby hands from the top of his fuzzy head to his cheeks and then landing them over his eyes. He just holds both hands over his eyes like he is so relaxed and so relieved to be eating and going to sleep. Most of the time he's a little bit awake when I put him in his special sleeper and he talks himself to sleep - first on my shoulder and then when he's down. Oh, it is so syrupy sweet.

On a completely different note, TJ and I were having a snack in the kitchen last week and I had Tim McGraw playing in the background. He asked who was singing and I went on and on about how much I love this singer. He asked if Tim McGraw was married and what his wife's name was - so I told him. Apparently I didn't say it very clearly (I probably had a mouthful of cereal) and he said, "Faith with a 'th'? Like, 'Have faith in the Lord'?" Oh. My. Gosh, What 1st grader uses a sentence like that for the word? Ha - he's awesome. So then, he asked me if Tim and Faith had any kids. I said I was pretty sure he had two girls. When I told him I didn't know their names, TJ said, "Oh, I guess you don't know him that well, do you?"

No, TJ. Unfortunately, I do not. ")

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Sweet T

I don't get much one-on-one time with TJ these days. Tim works insane hours and Drew, being a sweet baby, needs a lot of attention. I'd be lying if I said I didn't ever feel sad or guilty about it. But that kid is one amazing 7-year old. His sweetness toward Drew absolutely melts my heart. When Drew is sad, TJ is very concerned and tries to fix it. He tells me to try the pacifier or to check his diaper. He often blames it on teething and tells Drew it'll be okay soon and that he'll need those teeth to eat pizza sometime soon. Ha! And he isn't bothered a bit by any crying (which has really gotten better now that Drew's outgrown his colic! Woohoo!) I'm quite surprised he hasn't been impatient even once. I mean, there are some big changes going on and T is good with all of them!

TJ loves when Drew is happy and screeching or squealing or blowing bubbles. He laughs his head off at Drew and in return, Drew laughs at TJ. He ALWAYS responds to TJ. Always! TJ is very proud of his brother and I am so proud of the both of them. They're a good pair. My sweet boys.

The voices TJ uses when he talks to Drew crack me up too. He gets this high-pitched sing-song lovey dovey voice going that makes me smile and giggle. I'll have to post a picture of TJ's homework the other day. The kids were asked to write who they'd choose to be their vice president if they were president. TJ wrote, "My brother Drew".  I was beaming after I read that. I still am, actually.

So back to my point about not having much alone time with T. Well last night, I crawled into bed and started my taped Olympics from the evening. A thought floated through my mind, wishing T would wake up and come watch a little bit with me. I didn't give it a second thought because he sleeps so soundly and always sleeps through til morning. Not 4 minutes later, the bedroom door creaks and in walks T. I couldn't believe it. He just stood there with his hair standing straight up on one side and his eyes squinting from the light. A second later, we were watching skiing and sliding together. I was so happy for that time with him! He didn't last long before he fell back asleep (during ice dancing, no less) but it made my day.

Oh my heart is so filled up!

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Wow - two blogs in one day!

 A few more pictures of the boys...and one video. Drew gets SO excited following TJ around the room with his eyes. He loves him so! Video may be sideways because I don't know what I'm doing.  : )

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More later? Yeah, it's nearly 5 mos. later...

Drew is 5 months old tomorrow! It makes me sick to think about how quickly time has gone! Drew is not a very big boy, but he has big cheeks and, more importantly, big smiles and lots of sweetness! His colic and acid reflux are nicely under control and I love making that boy laugh. TJ is much better at it than I am. Drew adores TJ and the feeling is mutual.

TJ is the most unbelievable brother - I knew he'd be great, I just didn't know how incredible he'd be. Just last night as I was putting Drew's sleeper on and getting ready to rock him a bit, TJ ran in to make sure he kissed Drew, then tore out of the room and turned off the hall light, bathroom light and his light. (Of course that left me with zero light but I didn't want to hurt TJ's little feelings so I stumbled around in the dark and made it out okay. Thank goodness there weren't any Legos on the floor. I've made that mistake before!) T is like a little super hero; more now than ever before. Even during one of Drew's crying spells, he literally put his arms around my waist, smiled up at me and said, "I just LOVE having a baby in this house." BE STILL MY HEART. What a boy. *sigh*

Drew likes to suck his thumb which I love because he can soothe himself. He doesn't nap well (yet) but he's sleeping through the night and goes down very well now. Whew! He always wakes up with a huge smile and three dots on his cheeks and nose from where his fingers were pressed into his face while sucking his thumb. It is absolutely adorable.

I'm proud to say that TJ was just cast as a worm in the upcoming 1st grade musical. We couldn't be more excited!

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