Mister Mischief

It's amazing how different TJ and Drew have been as babies. They are similar in sweetness and TJ was definitely active, but Drew is SO active and SO fast that he's more than earned his nickname of 'NonStop'. Tim calls him MeatRack and MeatBall the most and TJ and I call him BooBoo and Drew-suff (don't ask me how that started ... like Joseph I guess?) mostly. 

Drew is already trying to be very independent. He likes what he likes...and will let you know what he doesn't! He pushes our faces away or to the side if he wants to inspect our ears or play with our hair. He listens when I say 'no' to touching the fireplace. However, he will try and try and try and then shake his hands and scream next to the fireplace because he's not allowed to touch. It's quite cute. :) He is sneaky too. He sees gates as challenges and works to get out more than he plays inside. 

He's an expert stair climber too. At 10 months. Eek! Of course we have our hands around his waist but he does it all himself and looks down 3 or 4 times each flight and giggles. He gets so much satisfaction out of it! 

His inch-long white eyelash is gone. And I'm actually sad. He had this insanely long eyelash on his lower lashes (left) and it kept growing for months! But the other day, my Mom noticed it was missing! How dare it fall off and not tell me! : ) 

Right now, he has a double ear infection and we are ALL four of us on day 5 of the worst cold/flu known to man. Seriously, I can't believe how long it's taking to shake this! Lots of slow walks around the block and movies and playing guys on the floor. 

TJ will be starting 2nd grade in less than weeks. SECOND GRADE! It makes me so sad but also excited for him too. We're super proud of the kind of kid he is. We know we're so lucky that he has good judgement. We were at the playground the other day and two boys were up there (4th grade maybe?) and they were trying to break the swing for special needs kids. I asked them nicely to stop. And to think about leaving it for the kids who can't use their legs. I could not believe the response I got. And neither could TJ. Total disrespect and talking back. It was disgusting. One of them boasted that their dad was a cop and I wasn't his mom so I couldn't tell him what to do. I said something like, "well good luck in life" and he said, "well I'm kinda rich so I've got a great life." That made me break out in a sweat. Seriously, those boys are in for a rude awakening someday. TJ was very upset that they talked to me like that. My protector. 

Football starts soon! His team jersey is silver with red lettering. I can't wait! We just finished up swimming lessons and baseball so we have this week free and then back to practices and games! In swimming lessons, he only has one level left until he's completed the highest possible. He had an awesome teacher again this session. His teacher commented to me that T's an incredibly hard worker and that while this level wasn't easy for him, he never gave up. Even in the 200m final test. Woohoo! That's our boy! 

Tim and I are constantly in awe of TJ's relationship with Drew. First of all, Drew just adores TJ and whips around to look for him whenever he hears his voice. He wants to pat his head and pull his hair in adoration. Ha! But TJ's view of Drew is more than adoring. Every once in awhile, T will get tears in his eyes and say, "Mom! I can't believe we have a baby in this house. I just can't believe it! It's like Christmas every day. He is just so cute and fun. I have a brother!" It gets me every single time. He appreciates so much and I am thankful for that every minute. He's my big helper even moreso than I ask him to be. He checks on him when he naps to make sure he's still breathing : ) not per my request. Lots of love in this home. 

Read more...

best summer weekend ever!

This was quite possibly my favorite weekend of all time. I can't name exactly why, but...well, actually I can. Tim was home all weekend and we weren't overplanned!  We had big pool time, back yard baby pool time, lots of walks and just hands-down the best family time ever. Woohoo!!

We have lots of fun coming up and we have exhausted every single moment of summer thus far. :) I promise.

Couple updates on TJ:
* TJ's only got one baseball game left but they are doing great and having fun. Sunday night's game was called about 20 minutes in due to the storm that came along. It was fun watching the dark clouds roll in.
 
* He's working on some chapter books (we love Junie B right now) and is writing in a summer journal

* Drawing is still a constant love of his and he's working on a TMNT book right now

* He changes his favorite super hero every 30 minutes or so and is sure to tell us about it : )

* He spent 2 nights at Lakeside with Bondi and Poppy and I had a rough time being away from him that whole time...I'm not gonna lie. But I made it and so did he and it was nice to have some time with Drew and adjust to summertime.

* He spent 3 days last week at a day camp at church (Beulah on the Road) and LOVED it. He learned a lot, climbed a giant rock wall and made some great friends. He also liked telling people that he spent several hours away from his parents at a camp and felt very proud about that. He's becoming more independent. Eek!

 
Couple updates on 9-month old Drew:
* He growls. All the time. It's hilarious and cute and a little weird all at the same time. I'm trying to capture it on video but haven't gotten that lucky yet. Ha! If he's concentrating on something like walking with his walker or splashing in the pool, he's growling.

* He gives kisses. Aww!

* He loves splashing in the tub and the pool. Swimming lessons start next week so I'm excited to see both boys swim like fishes!

* He is constantly saying and chanting "Dada"! And today he's been saying "DayDay" "Dah Day" and "YeahYeah" for TJ. I LOVE IT! It's so exciting.

Read more...

Home runs, horses and walker walking!

Lots of BIG things are happening around here! 

TJ hit a HOME RUN in baseball last week. Seriously, it was incredible! He is so fun to watch because he enjoys it and has a bit of confidence now. And he always wants to make sure everyone knows he's #5! :)

He also rode a horse (today) and loved it! What a cool experience!!!

(Fun videos at the bottom)

 CRACK!!!!

 Drew's realizing something here...but I'm not sure what. :)

 Cowboy T!

 Lakeside with Poppy and Bondi. TJ won!

 Mommy's favorite - mayflies. Sick.

And Drew (aka Meatball, As-Drew-Ball, Meat Rack, Meat-sickle) WALKED with the walker!

He also had his 9-month old appointment today and is in the 2nd percentile for length and beefed up to 14th percentile for weight - 17 1/2 lbs HALLELUJAH! Drew's got a nice big melon too. Head circumference was 46th percentile. It helps that he's now two weeks into being 9 months but hey, we'll take it!

(Below) Turn the volume down for these videos. I'm so annoying. Sorry!

Drew did not like spaghetti several weeks back, but he does now! How cute is his little gag here. 

Poor guy!

Read more...