So Much to Say...So Much to Say

Tonight, TJ went in to kiss Drew goodnight as usual, but he was a little late. So he went in after I had left. I was lucky enough to hear him through the monitor. He whispered in a sing-song voice through the crib slats, "I love you, Drew. You're my best friend. Have a good sleep. I'm gonna try and kiss your tiny hand. You're so cute. I hope you have dreams that money turns into bottles and you can drink them all night long." Oh my gosh, I was dying on the other end of that monitor! Oh how I love LOVE! 

TJ had baseball practice this afternoon. It's been so darn cold so Drew and I watched from the car while Daddy shivered by the fence. TJ was in "ready stance" much of the time. He drew in the dirt here and there, jumped around a lot and then had some great plays and hits and swings too. Mostly, he had fun. Which is the MOST fun part about watching him. T had flag football camp 3 nights last week. It was freezing out and super windy so keeping Drew warm and happily active for an hour and a half each night was a little tricky. But TJ had a smile on his face the entire time and I can't even describe how it made me feel. He's had to work on being brave and trying new things a lot in his short little life. Okay, even trying old things. But even so, he gets out there eventually and then gains some confidence in himself and I can't wait to watch that continue. He is such a great kid!!! 

In church tonight, TJ went happily into his class and Drew came in to the service with us as usual. Well, he was ALL about the singing tonight. I held him facing forward and that boy kicked his legs so hard and shook his arms so fast I thought he was gonna take off and fly up on stage. He belted out some happy screeches and some loud DADADADA's for a good 15 minutes. When the speaking started, he wanted to continue his talking and mid-air jumping so after awhile, I had to take him out. He didn't cry or fuss one bit. He's come a very long way!

Yesterday, TJ lost his 7th tooth. He pulled it himself! Yes, it was dangling and it made me shiver every time I looked at it hanging there...but he wanted to do it himself and he did a great job handling the blood. : ) 

Also yesterday, Drew army-crawled halfway across the floor in the living room. Whoa. Bondi and TJ were there and we all jumped back in surprise. Oh my goodness, was Drew ever proud! He squealed and grunted and then got back to it. He exhausted himself! Today, he went back at it. For a few minutes, I left TJ in charge while I changed the laundry. Seconds later, T yelled to me that Drew was clear across the room and trying to get under the couch. What a stinker! My life is forever changed : ) as I will be scanning the floor for silly bands and Legos every single second! 

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was walking to the carnival with TJ and holding his hand while we both pushed Drew in the stroller. My dudes had their sunglasses on and we played all the games a million times. TJ got his face painted, Drew laughed at TJ for 2 hours straight and then we walked home. TJ's favorite part was trying to win a cake...and having his brother along. Sigh. 

Next blog, I'll write about Culler's Farm. One of my favorite places on earth.

This boy loves his tongue.

Our little Jabba the Hut.

1,000 words.

Swimming lessons! He swam ten laps this day!

Drew loves food!

TJ loves food too! : ) He never stops - ha!

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wiggly worms and half birthdays!

TJ the hookworm bookworm! 

So...we're super proud of TJ's interest in trying out for the play Squirm and for following through with excitement! He didn't cry or worry about this at all! From beginning to end, he was pumped and we were thrilled for him. And of course, he did great up on stage. : ) That was an added bonus. The best part was that HE was proud of himself and that he had to miss parts of recess to practice. Yay T!

The play was really well done and adorable. I even caught Auntie Marcia jammin' and clappin' along to the songs! :) T was so happy that so much of his family could make it that night. During the morning performance, he had a clouded questioning look on his face and kept mouthing "where's my family?" to me. I was nearly in a panic sitting in the crowd wondering how I could reassure him that everyone was coming at night!? I literally wanted to pounce up on stage and stop the whole thing so I could tell him YES! YES! Lots of your family is coming tonight!!!! I had told him that several times but his hearing and listening have become quite selective lately. Anyway, I think he had the most support of all his classmates...from Grandma and Auntie Marcia, Uh Paul and CC, Auntie Melissa, Aunt Val and Uncle Ben, Reagan and Avery, Nonny and Gram, Bondi and Poppy (fresh from Florida...or unfresh rather - ha!) and DADDY!

Drew loved the dress rehearsal and the morning performances except for the clapping parts or when the kids with speaking parts got too close to the mic. But other than pouting and frowning/screaming after those parts, he did great and supported his big brother.

Here's a pic of Drew today...on his half birthday. He is 6 months old today! My littlest man!

I can't wait to see the doctor next week to talk about him. I love that part.

I will admit though that I worry he's just starting to roll over and he's a peanut in the weight department. But I'm also sure that when he's a linebacker for the Berea-Midpark Titans down the road, I'll laugh when looking back at this post. (Sorry, Drew. You can't be a linebacker even if you are big enough. Unless there are linebackers in flag football. Then you're allowed.)

TJ is so into Drew trying new foods and wants to drink apple juice at the exact second Drew is taking sips of his. (Something we need to do for his tummy.) When I told TJ that Drew is half a year old today, he got SO excited and wanted to go get cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate. I was all for that! Except that it's a freaking blizzard right now...and it was 61 degrees yesterday. Boo.

Our next big thing is a sleepover. TJ wants to share a room with Drew but we're gonna start with a sleepover. Not sure how we're gonna pull that one off but we'll do it with style. And I'm sure I'll have a stiff neck in the morning when I roll outta my sleeping bag.

Just call me, Aleve. (Get it, Care?)

Peace out - family!

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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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