For the Love of Mickey Mouse

Having boys, I never thought "babies" would be in my current daily dealings - it has always seemed like such a girl thing.  Boy was I wrong. Care-taking is innate no matter what gender you are. And currently in our household, Mickey Mouse is getting a lot of love and care. He gets his own bowl of cereal in the morning; he gets to hold hands with Auntie Sar at the zoo (Thank you Auntie Sar for being such a good sport!); he gets to see all the animals at the zoo; he gets tucked in for naps even when Bridger doesn't want one; he gets to share popsicles....you name it, Mickey is privileged to participate. And thank you Aunt Em and Uncle Trev for purchasing this awesome Mickey Mouse of which he obviously loves so much.

A Thank You to All You Fabulous Mothers

As I am sure most of us can admit, until you had children....you didn't get the children thing.  I babysat, had a young sister, nannied....but there was no way I could understand the children ups and downs until that at-his-wits-end 2 year old was my very own. I remember once upon time wondering why a mother would stand by and watch as her child threw a chaotic fit in the middle of the grocery isle. I have now been that mother...standing and waiting for a little patience for myself and a little sanity for my kid....I get it now. (And I kindly thank that super awesome experienced mother who walked by us at that moment, put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Hang in there, we have all been there." I'm pretty sure I wanted to cry an episode of gratitude for her thoughtfulness and understanding).  I remember once upon time envisioning that my kids would never make a mess; never throw a fit in a store; never scream in public; you know, be angel children. I have pretty awesome kiddos, but let's face it - I was dreaming. Big time. Parenting is a learning game. Kids are kids. They are moody and affected by the tiniest of things: late nap, bad night's sleep, a hungry tummy, they're hot, they're cold, they want chocolate milk not water, they wanted a red fruit snack not green....or just because that is what they feel like at that moment. Sometimes as parents we mess up and have to apologize (yup, I do that daily), and sometimes we have to correct and encourage apologies. Life is about learning, right?! Thank the heavens for that. So, to all you mothers who I once unrightfully judged in the isles at Target....I am deeply sorry.  I did not understand....but now that I do, I send my team spirit to keep on at the good work.  You go, mamas!

But that was not the point of this post today. Today I want to say THANK YOU to all those fabulous mothers who have taught their kids love and understanding.  I have a fearless 2 1/2 year old.  Fearless.  Which I both love love love as well as worry about.  When I take him to the park and there are other boys playing basketball or soccer or football....or just simply chasing each other around, my darling Bridger runs right over to join. Mind you these are not other 2 year olds. These are the big kids....the 6-15 year olds. Never once has one of those kids ignored my sweet, little, wants-to-a-big-boy, Bridger, and kept on with their much-more-fun-games.  They have taken the time to play with him. They have slowed their fast-paced games down to include my small child. They have showed him a few new tricks.  And he LOVES it.  It fills my heart with such gratitude for those boys' mothers who have taught them to be so selfless and so thoughtful.  And I also thank those super awesome boys who have listened to what their mothers have taught. That, too, takes serious effort on their own behalves. Thank you thank you thank you.  I naturally worry, as we all do, about our kids going out there into the big world, and it has been moments like those that give me hope that he will be ok.

My Baby is 6 Months Old!

Ok, so my baby is actually 6 1/2 months old.....but it has taken me that extra half to come to grips with the fact that my baby is already through half of his first year. I don't know why its so hard to accept that fact this time around. Ok, that's a lie. I have totally thought and figured out why.  With my first kiddo, I was thrilled to experience the unknowns and to start the next phase of each milestone of his life; I was anxious to see what fun stuff comes next. With the second, I know what's coming next and I so desperately just want time to slow it all down. It goes by way to fast and I am certain that this only gets worse with more children. Eye yi yi.  I can only imagine what I will be like on the last kid. I'm sure I will be doing my best to hold tight to every last moment of babyhood. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the new phases. Love them. I get so excited for Miles to be old enough for him and his awesome older brother to go run around together. But there is just something I love about this tiny child that has not a single care in the world....that simply wakes up beaming with smiles and giggles every single morning and after every nap....that loves to watch his big brother's every movement....that loves his mama-snuggle-time to put him to bed at night....that loves bedtime period....that loves the simple play time of knee bounces and silly songs....that shows great gratitude every time I respond to his simple cry of need....that so easily and simply loves and loves to be loved back.  Heaven know a lot of that goes down the long, twirly drain the day he turns two (I say that with a giggle and a wink). Whew. Ok. Let's change the mood here. Baby Boy, YOU are the happiest kid I know and I am beyond lucky to be your mama! I love you love you love you, Mr. Mack. Happy Half-Year Birthday! You are an all-star and we all love you to itty-bitty pieces.

Dirt Required

I quite enjoy the mud scenario -- you know, mud soccer, mud football, rainy days running around in mud puddles....the more controlled mud environment. And I am fairly certain that once upon I, too, enjoyed rolling in the dirt....probably a long once-upon-a-time-ago, but nevertheless, once upon a time. But this kid? Oh, he more than enjoys it. This kid loves it. Mud, dirt, sand.....if it's close by, he will find it. So you can only imagine what a good ol' campfire becomes for a dirt lover --- dirt paradise. He not only needed a spray down in the shower after this adventure, but a nice long soak in the bath after to get all the dirt off. Play on, little boy -- play on.

A Weekend Away

Time away is sometimes the hardest time to find. Weekend plans fill up fast and before you know it, months go by without time to settle down and enjoy one other....distractionless. So, after a mostly eventless scheduled weekend, we packed our weekend totes and got away. And it was lovely! Wow, we need to do that more. It was nice spending time with my 3 dreamy boys with no distraction of housework to dos, projects, errands or the everyday tasks. Again....wow. It was b-e-a-utiful. Of course, I cannot take credit for the lovely weekend. Let's be honest here - I, of course, look around our ever-going remodel and think that there is no way we can get out of town - we have much to do. But, he knows me well and somehow gets us on the road. So thank you, hunnie, for helping us get out and enjoy the fresh air. It was needed! After all....who doesn't need a break sometimes?

So...up the ranch we went.

 Fence climbing with dad...

 

Guess he was not ready to sit alone of the fence.....

 

Ummm, hello, I have boys, so of course there was a lot of rock throwing competitions....

One of the newest family members. Isn't she beautiful?! 

Tire swinging. Kid heaven.

Stability balls were misnamed and applied for the wrong use....what kid doesn't love to roll around one of these giamongous balls of fun?!

 I seriously want to post this picture twice - I love it that much. Bridger man....your mama will never forget this moment of sitting on the porch watching the rain with you. I love you, pal.

Yea....Miles didn't so much love watching the rain.....lol. Poor kid.

He was much more content going for a walk bundled up in his stroller. I don't blame ya dude....this looks more comfy.

 There were plenty of daddy-son to-dos around the ranch...Bridger's ultimate good-time.

This sums up the weekend.  Relaxing for mom and dad....and exhausting for the kids. Hey, all-day playing takes it right of you. (He fell asleep as Brad was making the fire to roast hotdogs. So just dado and the dog enjoyed the roasted goodness).

Brotherly Love

As Miles grows older, Bridger has more interest in him. Weekly, Bridger will wake Miles up from his nap insisting that, "Moddy, Miles needs to play with me." I don't think Miles is fond of the awakening just yet; he quite values his naps.

Well, this need for brotherly play time was intensified a few evenings ago.

Bridger was eating a popsicle outside; Miles was laying on his boppy inside. All of a sudden, Miles is crying. Bridger had set his popsicle down on the cement, walked into the house and was dragging Miles by his feet towards the door - boppy and all. When Brad asked Bridger what he was doing, Bridger explained, "I got Miles, daddy. Miles come eat popsicle with me."

Hey, at least he wants his brother involved in his good times. Thank heavens for these little boys that keep us laughing. And bless that sweet little Miles....he will be one tough, sugared-up cookie.

Little Boys

I feel love for my kids today. I feel the love everyday, but today I am feeling extra love over my little dreamy boys. Even at those times when my 2 year old is driving me to the edge of nuts....or I cannot seem to keep one thing at my standard of perfect in any room of my house...or I cannot get 2 minutes of alone time (yes, Bridger is h.e.l.p.i.n.g. me with this post)...I still love it. I love all of it. It keeps me busy, it keeps me trying to better myself, it keeps my smiling day in and day out.  Thank you, my sweet little sunshines, for bringing me so much joy.