Our first full day in the beach house, began bright and early for me, reading on the patio and listening to the sounds of the waves. Perfection.
Once you woke up, we had a few quiet minutes with Daddy to open Father's Day gifts and say thanks for all he does for us.
We had some morning thunderstorms, but they quickly moved out and it was down to the beach. We had a great first day playing in the water and building sand castles. On our way back to the house for naps, the ice cream truck came by. I was instantly 6 years old again, living in south Florida - we had to get some! Our blue, sticky faces had to march back to the outdoor showers to clean up yet again.
The rest of the evening was spent hanging out at the house and unwinding. It was a fabulous first true day of vacation.
Well, today was the day boys. The first day of your first real, big vacation. We were off to Gulf Shores, Alabama with Nenny and Papa Donnie; Aunt Callie, Uncle Matt, and the boys, Boo; Pappy and Carl; and Jason, Regann, and their kiddos.
Our alarm was set bright and early (2 AM) so you could get some sleep in the car and so that we could drive straight though. As soon as we picked you up out of bed, Ryan, with sleepy eyes you looked around and said, "Beach? Beach?" You boys were excited!
You then spent the first 35 minutes of the trip asking, on constant repeat, "Mommy beach? Daddy beach?" Your daddy and I began to panic that you excitement might keep you awake all morning! Eventually you couldn't fight it any longer and slept for the first 4.5 hours of our trip or so.
After stretching our legs at a quick breakfast, it was back into the car where you car seats were waiting, facing forward. You were so excited to be experiencing the world from a new direction! Games (thank you, Pinterest), movies, and snacks helped keep you boys occupied!
We were amazed at how well you did on such a long trip. Once the beach finally came into view, we couldn't wait any longer - three minutes from our house we had to stop just to show it to you. Ryan, you kept whispering, "Wow. Oh my gosh," in true awe of everything around you. Those five minutes of seeing you boys experience something so new and amazing and my trip was already complete. I just love seeing the world through your all's eyes.
Once we arrived to our house, it was time to unpack, get settled, play with your cousins, and eat some dinner. By this point it was already 7:30 our time (bedtime). It had been a long (napless!) day and emotions were starting to take over, but we had to go see the beach once more - this time with cousins and grandparents!
We weren't down there but 5 minutes when a bigger than you were comfortable with wave hit your legs Ryan. You didn't fall, but you lost your balance and Daddy caught you. It was enough to shake you though. You spent the rest of the time happily watching Wiley play from high up on the sand. Wiley, you were fearless for the most part. By the end, you were trying to sit in the crashing waves.
Our long day, ended with bedtime routines and story time with all the boys crowded onto our bed listening and then hugs and kisses good night.
Now for the moment of truth - would you sleep in your pack n plays? We had done a couple practice nights at home in your "new, special, beach beds," and you did it. However, a couple nights we had to put you back in your cribs because you kept climbing out. Ten minutes later, with very little of your typical chatter, and you were both out! Thank goodness pure exhaustion trumps the excitement of trying to climb out. Let's hope this continues all week!
It was a full and wonderful first day. We can't wait to see what this week has in store for us.
I used to roll my eyes when I would see something about a kid's "half-birthday." What in the world was that and who celebrates half birthdays?!
...hello, I'm now that crazy mother who celebrates half-birthdays. And while we don't go crazy, this day just means so much to me. I was so close to losing hope three years ago. I had read "not pregnant," too many times to even want to let my heart trust that it would one day read "pregnant." And so since May 19th is the day we found out we'd finally be parents, it is such a day of celebration, reflection, and gratitude for me. How perfect that it happens to be your half-birthday too; I just can't help but to celebrate a little!
We began our day with rainbow toast (you painted your bread with milk dyed with food coloring!) - nothing major, but a small enough departure from the normal, that you were excited to do it. From there, we headed to the park to play. Our go-to park was packed with kiddos / maybe a field trip (today was the first time in what seems like weeks that the sun was shining and it was warm outside). So, we went down the road to the park at Daddy's baseball field. Not a soul in sight! It's fun being able to sit back and watch you play without as much assistance as you used to need. "No mommy, me slide!" was uttered a couple times today, letting me know you are big boys now and don't need Mommy's help down the slide. Zsu Zsu happened to be passing by, so she stopped to say hi and play with us too!
From there, you boys got treated to your first icees...they were definitely a hit! We took them home to enjoy and play in the backyard some more. One of my favorite things about this toddler stage is the explosion of your imagination! I could watch you play for hours. Today, out of our firewood, you built a "house," and would then knock it over, yelling, "Huff! Puff! Blow down!!" and would then blow it down like the wolf from the three little pigs. After that, your firewood house turned into a train track. For a solid thirty minutes, you built and rebuilt the path of the track, pushing your trains around it, giggling and "choo-chooing." Finally, before naptime, you helped me bake your "half cake."
Once Daddy got home, it was time for dinner, cake, and before we knew it bathtime / bedtime routine. It was such a beautiful day out and we made sure to soak up as much of it as we could. You boys make us so proud. We love watching the world through your eyes. The innocence and joy you have in everything you do is beyond beautiful. "If we could all see the world through the eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything." I so badly want to bottle that up for, protect you from the world, and keep the innocence forever. And while I know we can't do that, we do the one thing we can do. We pray and try our best to give you a solid foundation to root yourself in Christ. We pray those roots are deep enough to keep you strong in the decisions you will have to make in life. And I know, if you both keep Christ first in your lives and your heart, you will do great things in this life! Happy half-birthday, Little Ones.
May 19th, 2013. I remember it like it was yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. With shaking hands, I held that pregnancy test praying the one word I had been waiting (for what seemed like) forever to read. And as vivid as that morning still is in my mind, so much has happened in these three short years that my life has just become exponentially more blessed.
May 19th has become one of my favorite dates of the year. First because I can reflect on the joy we felt on that day. The first pure smile I had smiled in ages. The relief my heart felt that our prayers had been answered. The anticipation and excitement of what would soon come with a pregnancy. And as if this wouldn't be enough, you boys made your debut exactly six months later...making May 19th your half-birthday too! Who doesn't love a reason to celebrate, but May 19th always gives me three big reasons to celebrate: you boys and knowing I was going to be a mother!
So, as tradition goes, let's recap where you stand at 2.5 years old!
Wiley
I think you were deemed with the name "Curious George," at just a few
months old. The NICU nurses told us you were going to be our Houdini,
escaping out of any swaddle job they could attempt. It's amazing to me
that you still live up to these names. You are constantly getting hurt
because you are always looking five moves ahead of you - what's out
there that you can get into next! You like to build and tinker with
things. You have such a natural curiosity that I could watch you watching the world around you all day.
You are very tough (which is good, since you're always getting hurt). Not much makes you cry due to a "booboo." If you cry, I know it's either really bad or you're just really tired.
Speaking of tired, you still have the same sleep cues from when you were a baby. Your tongue peeks out and you begin rubbing it between your lips.
You are still a great sleeper - in bed by 7:30 and out of bed around 8:30 / 9 (you sometimes wake up earlier, but you and Ryan entertain each other for a long time). You still take a nap a day, which seems to rotate in length. You'll have a couple average length naps (1:30-3:30/4) and then once or twice a week, you'll throw in a 3-4 hour nap (1:30-5).
You are a great eater and love your fruits and veggies. Tomatoes and berries are some of your favorite snacks! However, you also inherited Mommy's sweet tooth and would eat cookies for breakfast if we let you.
You love to play outside - especially in Daddy's fountain and digging in his garden. However, you are very meticulous about your clothes (lines on the socks must be lined up perfectly with your toes. Hmmm, I wonder where you get that from?? Sorry, buddy, that's one of Mommy's quirks too!). So, you don't really like to get dirty and want to immediately wash hands, legs, clothes, whatever it is that might have "mun" on it (mud).
You are very particular about the things you get. You have a specific Minnie (even though it's exactly the same as Ryan's, you can tell them apart); you have a specific cup, fork, and plate. If you don't get the right one, you are quick to let us know.
You are very loving and protective of your brother. If you are given a snack, toy, anything, you wait to get one for Ryan too and are sure to bring it right to him. When around other kids, you keep a close eye on him too. If someone gets a little too close or touches him, you stand in front of Ryan, keeping him safe and protected. It is so amazing to see your loving heart already.
You'll make a great daddy one day!
Your vocabulary continues to explode every day! I am still blown away by things I say to you that you understand. You are a little sponge, soaking everything up.
You still love all music! I catch you humming and swaying all day
long. You are beginning to sing more too to our nursery and bible
rhymes. You even request favorites now when we're in the car. I just
adore this!
You are your Daddy's mini-me both in looks and personality. You are outgoing and up for new things to do. You are brave and adventurous. We love watching you grow and mature into such a sweet little boy. You make life so much more complete!
Ryan
You are our flexible, easy-going little guy. You know Wiley has certain things that
he wants and you are good to go along for the ride and to make him feel
better. If he needs a different fork, you're happy to switch. And while I
know we are probably just enabling Wiley's behavior, it
helps to have a brother who doesn't mind to make the switch.
You are more cautious than your brother (and while not quite as timid as when you were younger, you still don't like to take quite the risks Wiley does). You are our observer. You watch to see how something turns out for Wiley - if it worked, monkey see, monkey do! If not, and Wiley got hurt, you sit back and don't try to imitate it. You are more sensitive too. "Ice" is the fix-all no matter where the booboo (even when the "booboo" is hurt feelings or embarrassment). The ice usually isn't even for the actual booboo; it's just for you to eat and soothe you.
Like your brother, you still have the same sleep cue from when you were a baby - thumb sucking! And while this used to be only for sleep, it has now become your security blanket. When in a new situation / around someone you don't know, that thumb goes straight to your mouth.
You
are still a great sleeper - in bed by 7:30 and out of bed around 8:30 /
9 (you sometimes wake up earlier, but you and Wiley entertain each other
for a long time). You still take a nap a day, which seems to rotate in
length. You'll have a couple average length naps (1:30-3:30/4) and then
once or twice a week, you'll throw in a 3-4 hour nap (1:30-5).
You
are a great eater and love your fruits and veggies. Tomatoes and grapes are some of your favorite snacks! You are a neat eater too - you like to use your fork and spoon, trying to stay clean. If unsuccessful, you are quick to ask for a "nap-nap, peease."
You love to play outside - especially in Daddy's fountain and playing ball. "Pitch Mommy," Pitch Daddy," and "Pitch Wiley," are some of your favorite sentences when you're outside.
You are very loving
and nurturing of your brother. Whenever he gets hurt, you are usually the first one to him, "Oh-tay Wiley?" (You ok, Wiley?). You rub his back and kiss whatever got hurt. Your nurturing spills over into other people and your imagination as well. You love babies and like to take Minnie around wherever we go, treating her like a baby. You hug her, feed her, make sure she is dressed and has a clean diaper on. It is so sweet to see your kind heart already. You'll make a great daddy one day!
Your vocabulary continues
to explode every day! I am still blown away by things I say to you that
you understand. You are a little sponge, soaking everything up. A sentence I seem to be saying a lot these days is, "We don't say no to Mommy, we say 'Yes ma'am!'" The other day when you asked Wiley to pitch to you, he said, "No way!" You calmly responded, "No 'no,' Wiley. Yes ma'am pitch!"
You love music! I catch you humming and swaying all day long. You are beginning to sing more too to our nursery and bible rhymes. You even request favorites now when we're in the car. I just adore this!
You
are your Mommy's mini-me both in looks and personality. You are more timid and shy, but once you know someone are comfortable and silly with them.
I just can't believe I'm writing about my two and a half year old boys already! Wasn't it yesterday I was writing about four-month old babies who were rolling over and babbling?! Life is such a fun and crazy ride, we're so blessed to have you boys along with us for this ride. Happy half birthday, munchkins!
This weekend we had fun celebrating the Kentucky Derby and Mother's Day. Thursday, we were able to go to Churchill Downs with Paka to see the horses racing. You both talked all morning about how excited you were to see the "horses run fast!" From the box Paka's company had, the horses were exciting. Down on the track however, you were less than enthused Ryan, "No horsies down here. Horsies up the stairs." (Translation: let's go back upstairs and watch them from the nice safe distance we were at before.)
Derby Day was spent at Nenny's house celebrating not just the Derby, but Mother's Day too. You boys had a blast with your cousins and played so well all afternoon together.
Finally, on Sunday we had a relaxed day at church and home celebrating Mother's Day (which even included a rare nap for this pooped momma!). I am so blessed to be you boys' mother and just feel so fortunate. A day that once represented such pain for me, is now such a blessing to be able to celebrate in joy. I have always wanted to be a mother and knew it was something I was meant to be in life. It is still somewhat surreal to me that our prayers came true and we are parents to you two, let alone that this is my third year celebrating Mother's Day. It is such an honor to help guide you through this life. I am also so thankful for my own mother. She has been the model for me my whole life of what to strive for in motherhood. A picture of unselfish sacrifice in all decisions she made, putting us first in everything she did. I've never doubted her love for us. I have loved how our relationship has evolved into a friendship in this next chapter of our adult lives; as well as watching her relationship develop as a grandmother. Finally, I am so thankful for your Nenny and the wonderful job she did raising your Daddy. I am amazed at what a strong man and father he is; I know this was not an accident. It was through the love he was shown by his mother and family that helped mold who he is today. There is nothing like a mother's love and it's wonderful to see the love of all the mother's in our lives grow as our family grows.
May is always such a reflective month for me for many reasons. Professionally, the school year begins wrapping up and thoughts begin to focus on next year. Personally, this was the peak of our fertility struggle, as well as the month we found out we were pregnant.
Today marks three years ago that we had our embryo transfer procedure. The night before, after countless shots, I had given myself my final one with shaking hands and a silent prayer. I still remember laying in that bed after the procedure, holding your Daddy's hand, praying and hoping for our miracle. It had been such a roller coaster of emotions to get to that point and we were so filled with hope that we would soon get our happy ending.
Here we are, exactly three years later, and our lives are just so full. We can't thank God enough for all our answered prayers. Sunday night, your daddy was off playing basketball while the two of you were in bed. Out of nowhere, you both woke up and were so upset. So, in I went to tell you "more stories, peease, mommy" and to "sing mommy, peease." I was able to snuggle in each of your cribs for thirty minutes each while telling you stories and singing to you.
Your favorite story is when I tell you about two brothers, Wiley and Ryan, who are the best friends. You giggle and say, "yes!" as I tell you what these two brothers love to do together. I also told you the story about a long time ago, Mommy was very sad because she wanted a baby, but couldn't have one. I told you of how after a lot of prayers, God gave Mommy and Daddy a miracle -- and that that miracle was Wiley and Ryan. I explained to you how you both made Mommy happy again and made me smile again. At the end of this story, Ryan, you looked up at me and said, "Mommy sad. No sad, Mommy. Miracle Ry-ry. Miracle Wy-wy." Instant tears, as I kissed your sweet face, so grateful that you are right, Mommy isn't sad anymore because of you two miracles.
In the middle of our journey to you boys, I knew there had to be a reason. I knew on the other end of this story, things would all make sense. We had our dark days of doubt, but through it all we held on to our faith that we would get our happy ending; that we would one day become parents. I thank God for the challenge and struggle it took to get to you boys. It strengthened the marriage between your Daddy and I, making our bond even greater than I ever imagined. It has made us appreciate every moment along the way. Is life hard and messy sometimes? Sure. But this is the life we prayed so hard for. This is the life we feared we may never get. So we embrace our messy life with such gratitude, trying to soak up every minute we can.
Thank you Lord, for our fertility journey. Thank you Lord, for the month of May and all that it represents to our family. Thank you Lord, for your perfect timing that is so clear in countless different aspects of our life now. Thank you Lord, for our beautiful boys. Thank you Lord, for this life and all that we have.
