Summer Fun!

Children are absolutely amazing.  Brady continues to surprise us in the most amazing ways - this week he learned to go potty all by himself.  Without going into too much detail, let's just say he can stand to pee and sit to poop all by himself.  What a major accomplishment for our little man!  And he's started learning not only how to take his own clothes off, but put them on too.  Like all things it takes a little practice, so we're not worried when he comes home with his shoes on the opposite feet or shirts inside out and backwards.  He'll get the hang of it.  Can't believe in just over a month our little man will be in pre-school!  Think he's already gotten a head start with all this independence.  He's also really taken to his gymnastics class.  The first class he wanted Mommy nearby.  The next class the parents had to stay by the door and let the kids join when ready (Brady took about 10-15 min before he couldn't resist the fun).  By the third class it was only a minute or two before he forgot Mommy and was in the circle with the other kids.  He is fearless and willing to try anything.  All this gymnastics has come home too, he now does handstands on the wall, jumps between or off furniture, practices his forward rolls, and started backbends.  Our little monkey.  Someone once told us 3s were harder than 2s - while we love all stages of our boys lives, we have to say 3s are so much FUN!

Gymnastics class at The Little Gym

Parker is doing amazing too - he is now 4 weeks into walking and he's only getting faster.  He still keeps his hands up as he goes which is a good idea with an older brother or dog constantly zooming by him.  Always smiling, he doesn't get upset at much, he's a very chill baby.  And he is just enamored by his older brother wanting to grow up to be just like him.  Parker has switched from baby bottles to the same bottles as Brady and will drink 3/4 of hot milk when he first wakes up and again at bedtime.  He seems to really like water too going for Mom or Dad's ice water or drinking tub water (silly boy).  He eats just about everything we offer him only having the occasionally food aversion.  When all else fails bananas are a favorite.  Not sure where he puts it all, his 6 little teeth are busy, this boy can eat!  We are expecting a big uptick in weight at his 15 mo checkup next month.  As for sleeping he is still sleeping through the night, but appears to be a morning person and is regularly awake and smiling by 6:30am (Brady is sound asleep until we wake him at 7am).  He's getting really good at his signs especially "more", "done", "dog", "please", and "up".  And he will say "Mama" and "Dada" and "Dog", of course it's not perfect diction so you have to be listening but he is doing so great!  It's amazing that while he can't talk much, how much he can understand.  If you ask him "where's Brady?" he will turn and look until he finds Brady and smiles.  He does that with everything (where's the fan? where's Indy? etc).  This also works well when you tell him "No, don't climb the stairs" or "Give Brady a kiss on the cheek goodnight" - he does it!

Mr Smiley "Watch Me Run All Over The Beach with my Chip!"

How Parker signs "more"

We've had a busy summer exploring our new area and getting to enjoy the outdoors (couldn't do this in Texas in the summer, that's when we used to hibernate!).  We've been to camp with the Muzzey family to celebrate July 4th, been strawberry and blueberry picking, we've spent the day at the beach in Ogunquit Maine, we've had the Seminara grandparents visit, we've gone to a local farm to feed the animals and get some fresh ice cream, and rode in a town bike ride.  We're so lucky we can offer our kids all these experiences.  We wonder if we'll be able to keep our boys grounded - that's when Brady stands up and shares a favorite toy with a classmate.  We think so :)  

"Mommy, I can do it!" 

Brother time at the beach

 Making cookies with Grandma

Playing cars with Grandpa

Parker - Celebrating Dad (and WALKING!!!)

This has been a big month for Daddy - first we got the '61 Chevy back and put her home in the garage.  Daddy is super excited to work on her on his every off Friday.  And it was great getting the help from Grandpa and Uncle E making it much easier to load and unload the truck.

Next it was Daddy's 37th birthday, and for that special occasion Parker started WALKING!!!  And not just the teetering steps between Mom and Dad, but the I want that toy so I'm going to walk across the room and get it walk.  Sometimes he makes it all the way across and sometimes not falling on his bum.  His first free steps were from the fridge toward Brady when he was upset, much to Brady's wide eyed surprise.  He's also tried drinking a bottle free standing, but that head tilt makes it hard to hold his balance.  But his stability is getting better, and so is his confidence, we know he'll be cruising in no time!  And for Daddy's special day, Mommy got a babysitter (Grandma Reggie) and took him to a surprise dinner in Groton at the Gibbet Hill Grill.  It was a beautiful day, blue skies, green grass, cows in the field (and a wedding in the backyard).  Mom and Dad enjoyed an awesome dinner then went out for a drive in movie (Jurassic World).  To top it all off, Daddy got a happy birthday card signed by both his boys.  We love you Daddy! 

This year Father's Day fell the week after Daddy's birthday.  To our surprise, an old family friend (Ben and Augie) was in town due to the death of a relative so they stayed at the house.  Augie is also 3 yr old, he and Brady had a BLAST playing together all weekend.  From baseball, chalk, playdoh, swimming, making cards, playing on the beach at Hart Pond, and just running around, the boys had a great time.  It was also nice to see Ben although we missed Nicole and baby Levi!  We'll see them soon in St Thomas (can't wait!!!).  Father's day was rainy and soggy, so Mommy made the Dad's breakfast and we said goodbye to Ben and Augie as they headed off to fly home to Virginia.  Daddy just relaxed the rest of the day with the family before Mommy had to fly out of town again.  One more week of work until real vacation, woohoo!

Takeing the boys out on the bike path for on Daddy's Birthday

It was a nice relaxing trip for Brady and Parker

Celebrating Gary's Birthday at Gibbet Hill Farm

Parker loves Ice Cream Cake!

And so does Brady!!

Augie and the Boys having a blast! 

Parker enjoying some time in the sand

Brady and Parker playing with some new friends at Heart Pond Beach

Augie and Brady discussing a civil engineering masterpiece

Ben pushing the double Bob on the rail trail.

Brady and Parker trying to figure out how to order more toys

Tent in the Living Room!

Having a blast walking on two legs!

Starting to walk like a pro!

Brady & Parker Moving Up - 1st Week in New Classrooms

Summer marks transition for kids moving up the next grade.  Same with daycare.  This week was Parker's first week in the Toddler transition room and Brady's first week in the Preschool room.  For Parker this meant transitioning from two to only one nap a day and sleeping on a floor mat instead of in the crib.  The first couple of days this was hard for Parker.  He didn't want to lie on the mat and would crawl away.  On the way home he would fall asleep in the car or be uncharacteristically irritable at dinner.  By late week he and the other babies got the hang of it.  He will move again, this time without his teachers, into a toddler room in September.  Brady handled his move like a pro.  Since we moved mid school year he was with a younger group of kids, now he is being moved up with some of his buddies into a room of older kids more on his level with learning.  Brady likes that room too as they do a lot of sensory play ("floam", flour, water, washing babies, etc).  For the summer months we drop off and pick up in that classroom, starting in September he will be in there full time.

1st Time Sleeping on the Nap Mat

 

Gift from daycare - class photos!

Parker and Brady are growing up fast.  Parker has started blowing kisses, waving, and just this week started taking a few teetering steps.  He walked back and forth between Mom and Dad about 4 steps several times.  Not all were well balanced and he tumbled on a few, but his smile said it all as he was so proud.  We love this kid!  He does show a temper time and again, like when you bring him in from outdoors he will get upset and head butt you.  He's become a great sleeper.  While Brady liked to be rocked or held after stories, Parker just wants his crib and will reach for it until you put him down.  Silly boy.

Brady is getting so grown up too.  He has a great memory and imagination.  We love the way he explains things to us, for example when he sees a robin hopping around on the ground because they're great listeners waiting for worms and that they take home to their two babies.  He's also in a "I can do it" phase and does a great job taking off his own shoes (on is harder), putting on / taking off his coat, climbing into the car and his car seat, putting cheese on his pasta, you name it.  And when he wakes up in the morning he doesn't cry for us anymore, he just opens the door and comes out looking for us.  Our big kid!  On the flip side he's very rough, especially when he's tired.  He loves to cruise around with the elephant walker while Parker is on his farm walker, but he'll smash into Parker or any walls or furniture at full speed.  He also likes to pull things out of Parker's hand or throw heavy objects.  Not sure what this is all about.  Despite that when he wanted to cuddle tonight he said "I'm a boy, I'm a good snuggler".  We'll take it. 

Living in the northeast we have all sorts of new places to explore this summer.  In just the last month we have traveled to NJ to see the Seminara family and explore a farm, we've gone to an airshow with Uncle E and Katie, we checked out a festival in Westford with one of Brady's buddies from school, we've had visits from Uncle Paul and the grandparents, gone with Grandma Reggie to a zoo, and explored the rail trail.  Mom and Dad got out too checking out a show in Boston and enjoying an off Friday to walk along the Charles River on a beautiful sunny day.  Maybe when we get to feeling "local" we'll stop asking ourselves if we're on vacation!

Mother's Day 2015

Happy Mother's Day!  Being a mother has taught me incredible strength, perseverance, humility, and joy (with a touch of exhaustion) but has brought the biggest most surprising reward to my life - happiness and fulfillment.  The road has not always been straight and flat, and the lessons have been many, but with each passing day I watch my boys grow into the smart, funny, caring men they will become.  I can only hope to impart on them the wisdom handed down to me.  Happy mother's day to all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers out there, we love you!!!

Minute Man National Historic Park - Concord MA

(Shot heard around the world - where the revolutionary war started 240 yrs ago)

 Almost walking!

 Brother time

 Rare moment of Brady holding still

 Enjoying a nice day at the park with Mom

Cheese! 

Not easy catching Mr On-The-Go

Parker - 1 year old

Happy birthday Parker!!!

Today our littlest munchkin turned 1 year old - thankfully he was feeling better after another stomach bug and was able to go back to school.  He was still coming back around so didn't want to each much for dinner and was more excited about his candle than his cupcake, but he was still a cutie.  Can't believe how quickly the time has passed.  We are so blessed to have this sweet angel in our lives.  He is such a chill happy baby, he brings a smile to our faces and those around him every day.  We love you Parker!!!

Then and Now - Parker Turns 1!

Daddy what's that bright thing!?

Not digging his cupcake

Parker 51 Weeks - Last Week as a Baby

Turning 1 year old officially marks the end of the baby phase, and the start of the toddler phase.  Mommy is happy yet sad to see her baby growing up, but she's going to enjoy this last week!  Parker is growing like a weed.  He has really taken to his soy formula and we've found that he loves eating meat.  His favorites seem to be chicken, hamburger, and lamb.  Steak and pork are still a little tough to chew when you only have a few teeth.  Hope to try fish soon.  He also seems to like any kind of fruit, most veggies (including broccoli), but doesn't seem to like pasta.  We continue to offer him a spoon and he has figured out how to get the spoon in his mouth occasionally but not always with food. He also loves drinking water from water bottles.  Speaking of water, we have caught him drinking bath water from one of his toy cups, silly boy.  He enjoys eating dinner with his family from the high chair or portable high chair and watching big brother.  He's getting braver on his walker even lunging toward Mom or Dad.  And he likes to stand hands free when leaning against the couch or shelf, what a big boy!  He is definitely putting on more weight gaining more chunk in his face and (finally) moving up to size 3 diapers.  He's reached the phase where it's almost impossible to clip his nails or toenails because he just won't hold still and clenches up, that's where big brother helps provide a distraction. And just this weekend tooth #5 made an appearance (upper left).  Still can't believe our baby is going to be 1 yr old, he's almost ready for a convertible car seat!

Playing peek-a-boo with brother at dinner

Brady is such a little man, he's great with his manners and always gets compliments on his good verbal skills. With turning 3 yr old last week, his picture has been on the door at daycare with a big birthday sticker and ear-to-ear smile.  His memory is incredible and he will starting singing songs he learned at daycare (Mom and Dad try to play catch up).  He'll also remember if you told him to do something like "remind me to tell Daddy that..."  His energy is overflowing and he will bounce around on the couch or dump out his toy bins until he finds something that catches his interest.  Potty training has gone really well, even on travel, with only a few minor incidents.  In fact he loves flushing the airplane potty covering his ears when it makes the loud noise.  And who knew that little kids pooped this much (and how frequently)!  He is still a phenomenal sleeper and loves reading his bedtime stories with Mom and Dad frequently asking Mom to make up a story about Frank (from the movie Cars).  He's been sleeping with a pound puppy Mom had as a kid and since it is brown he named him Mater.  And he always asks to hold Mom's hand during bedtime story time, what a sweet boy.  Speaking of sweet, he gives the best hugs when we pick him up at daycare.  It's so cute to see how excited he is to see his parents at the end of the day.

School picture day

The family made a quick trip to Texas and back both for Mommy's work and to enjoy the LM Aeronautics family day.  Family day was really cool, we got our family picture in front of both an F-35 and an F-16.  In addition the factory floor was open and we were able to tour the wing and fuselage build up centers and aircraft final assembly.  What an amazing place to work, Mommy has been very fortunate.  While only a short trip, we did get to see Keira and her family as well as some of our other Texas friends.  Daddy was even a little homesick for Texas.  And despite not having ear tubes, and drinking only sips of milk, Parker did not have any trouble with takeoff or landing (phew!).

Awesome hotel kiddie pool

Parker impressing the girls at their old daycare

We miss you Ms Sam!

The boys and Keira - cuteness x3

The BFFs

We are totally blessed with two wonderful little boys, amazing family and friends, and work opportunities that provide our lifestyle.  We will be celebrating the boys birthdays in a joint birthday party this weekend.  Until then, Mommy has her baby for 1 more week!

Family Day at Mom's Work

For the first time in 10 years Mommy's work had a family day.  The boys had a lot of fun getting to tour the factory, take pictures with the airplanes (F-35 and F-16), sit in firetrucks, and play with other kids.  It was amazing how much of the facility was open and available for viewing.  What an incredible place to work!

The Family in front of an F-35 destined for Luke AFB