27 Weeks

 

Here Comes Santa Claus

For the third year in a row, we headed out to Yew Dell Gardens to see the big man! This is such a fun tradition and magical atmosphere.

You boys are at such a fun age where you love every little Christmas detail - the smallest of Christmas lights makes you squeal. As we entered the cabin where Santa was waiting, you didn't know whether to be in more awe of Santa or the giant train display. Ryan, you blew us all away by walking straight up, hopping on his lap, and telling Santa what you wanted for Christmas ("an airplane"). Wiley, you were a little more reserved, taking in the sights and the train. Eventually you made your way to Santa, but I'm not sure your Christmas wish was ever whispered to him - you just wanted the candy cane and to get back to the trains!

After exploring the trains, we headed downstairs for a craft, next door for a reading of a Christmas book, and then time to explore the gardens. I so love this family tradition.

 

 

 

26 Weeks

 

Thanksgiving

We spent the month of Thanksgiving making our "Thankful Wreaths," listing something we were thankful for each day. I loved the innocence and sincerity of each of your answers. Some days it was as small as, "Chocolate milk" (but to a 2-year old, this was something of great importance and something you truly were thankful to have!), and other days as profound as, "God give me my helping hands and listening ears," or "God, Jesus, and church."

How true though. There is so much to be thankful for -- the smallest things we have to the largest! So, this year we are thankful for everything, from chocolate milk to God, Jesus, and His church! For our family and health...two things I don't say flippantly. For our precious family that is miraculously growing and the health that is allowing Baby Sister to grow bigger and stronger each day. For the extended family that supports us and helps us on a daily basis. For the health of our extended family (a big amen to this one!) so we can continue to go through this life together. We are beyond blessed with a unity and love among our families that often is hard to find. There is a closeness and sincerity in each of these relationships that we can't help but to say, "Thank you, Lord!"

Like any year, 2016 was not one without challenges or struggles. And for those we are thankful too for they brought us closer together as a family, and closer to the Lord. I love this holiday season and this period of reflection found during the holidays. We are beyond blessed and for that, I am thankful!

 

25 Weeks

A Paw Patrol Paw-ty!

We were so excited to be able to get settled enough to host your 3rd birthday at the new house. It was a busy day filled with lots of love and laughter surrounded by your family and our closet friends. It just blows my mind that four years ago we were in our darkest days and now here we are, our Novembers filled with complete joy and thankfulness for you boys, our precious little miracles!

 

 

 

Three Years Old

I'm not quite sure how it is I'm writing this post already, but here it goes...

Wiley

• Curious George, the name lives on! You still have such a natural curiosity that just seems to continue to grow. You are so intrigued as to how things work. There isn't a baby lock that can keep you contained anymore because you study how they work! You also have such a natural curiosity with letters and numbers. You love to find "your letter" and others' letters in the store or while driving. It's a constant search for Ws, R, Ds, and Ms. (You are also convinced that baby sister's letter is C. Putting some pressure on Mommy and Daddy to find a C name!) More than your love for letters, is your love for numbers. We catch you counting all day long: cars lined up, grapes on your plate, people in line, there's nothing you can't count...and high too! You can successfully count 14 objects (you tend to skip 15, 16, and pick back up at 17, 18, 19!).
• We adore your imagination and love watching you play. Minnie is never far from your side - she likes to eat with you, go to the grocery store, and anywhere else you may go. You give her her own voice when she needs to talk. In a high-pitched voice you'll ask at dinner, "More food please?" and then in your regular voice say, "Sure Minnie!" and "feed her" a bite of your meal.
• Along with your imagination, you like to build and create things to play in as well. If I turn my back for just a few seconds, our kitchen will be transformed into a giant train - chairs pushed away from the table and all lined up. Up you'll hop in the front seat, proclaiming, "I conductor! Choo! Choo!"
• Oh my and your vocabulary! The things you say, on a daily basis, stop your daddy and I in our tracks and cause us to say, "Where did he learn that?" You are a little sponge soaking in more than we even realize.
• Not only is your vocabulary exploding, but you are quite the chatter box. As much as you never stop moving, that's how much you love to talk too! It's constant narration of everything you are doing.
• Recently, you have really wanted to test your boundaries. "Wiley, please don't touch that," was instantly followed by you touching it. Late October / early November was especially challenging, as your daddy and I tried to figure out what works best for you and how to handle this new stage. The last few weeks we've seen such an amazing difference. You have really responded to positive reinforcement (both of your own behavior and when we point out something great your brother is doing - you quickly want to join in to receive the praise!). Instead of just saying, "Please don't..." we also have found that your curious little brain needs to know why you shouldn't do something. You like to be a big boy and you know big boys have listening ears.
• Our marathon sleepers are long gone, and have been ever since we transitioned to toddler beds. Once we finally started getting into a decent routine, we moved! This seemed to effect your sleep habits too, as you adjusted to a new home and room. We still start bedtime routine around 7, lights up by 7:30. However, we can no longer leave you alone to fall asleep at bedtime. If we do, it turns into playtime and running over to your brother. Instead, Daddy crawls into bed with you, laying in there until you fall asleep (most nights this takes 30 minutes or so, but there have been some doozies that have taken much longer!) Naptime has actually gotten somewhat easier to achieve. You take pride in falling asleep like a "big boy: laying down, eyes closed, not talking." If you happen to sit up, open your eyes, or start to talk, I just have to ask, "Do you need help falling asleep buddy?" (which you know means - do you want me to lay with you). You'll immediately respond, "No!" and go back to doing what a big boy does! And while the naptime process has gotten easier, the length of naptime has drastically decreased. We now average about an hour each day. 
• You have really embraced using "helping hands" recently and love to help around the house. I remember writing when you were just an infant, that you seemed to be a sensitive, old soul. You definitely still have that sweet and cuddly personality. Your sweet smile through squinty eyes, your want to hold our hands, or when you kiss us just because and say, "I love you so much," just absolutely melts us. We love you so much too, little big boy! We are blessed to be your parents.

Ryan

• Our silly little monkey, the name lives on! You make us giggle all day long - whether it's from shouting, "Shake your booty!" and busting a dance move or talking to us in silly voices. You have a playful spirit and make us smile.
• You are still our little cuddle bug. There are days when Wiley is upstairs playing alone, and you'd rather snuggle up with us and just be still for a minute. You love to suck your thumb still while tickling our thumb too.
• When you're playing, you'd rather be playing with Wiley than playing alone. You are laid back and happy to follow your brother's lead, often (...but not always) giving in when a scuffle breaks out over toy.
• Your vocabulary has just taken off, but there is one word that is your absolute favorite. It was a word I knew was coming, but wasn't ready for this adorable, yet exhausting stage of...."Why?"
• You eating breakfast mommy? (Yes) Why? (I'm hungry) Why you hungry? (I just woke up and haven't eaten all night) Why you no eat all night? (I was sleeping and couldn't eat) Why?...and it just keeps going!
• Not only is your vocabulary exploding, but you are quite the chatter box. You like to narrate most of your day and talk in such great sentences. I love order of your phrasing, but one of my favorite sentences may be, "I no can do that."
• Our marathon sleepers are long gone, and have been ever since we transitioned to toddler beds. Once we finally started getting into a decent routine, we moved! This seemed to effect your sleep habits too, as you adjusted to a new home and room. We still start bedtime routine around 7, lights up by 7:30. However, we can no longer leave you alone to fall asleep at bedtime. If we do, it turns into playtime and running over to your brother. Instead, Daddy lays with your brother, which  keeps you in your bed, until you both fall asleep (most nights this takes 30 minutes or so, but there have been some doozies that have taken much longer!) Naptime has actually gotten somewhat easier to achieve. Wiley falls asleep on his own, while I sit at the side of your bed so you can tickle my thumb. If you want to be silly, talk, or keep your eyes open, I take my thumb away and that quickly gets you back to closing your eyes until you fall asleep. And while the naptime process has gotten easier, the length of naptime has drastically decreased. We now average about an hour each day. 
• You have really embraced using "helping hands" recently and love to help around the house. You are a sweet, caring little guy who is very affectionate. There are moments when you walk over to us, kiss us, and ask, "Guess what? I love you so much!" We love you so much too, little big boy! We are blessed to be your parents.