Ramblings and Helpin’ Daddy . . .

First, I feel the need to say that things are slowing down on the blog . . . so, brace yourselves:  I have had a cold, my sweet children have decided to cry in the afternoon instead of nap {fyi:  this is NOT part of the end-of-the-pregnancy plan for resting as much as possible}, and our days have been difficult . . . my handsome hubs has come home to a weepy wife {or gotten a phonecall or two at  work} more than once {okay, daily} in the last week.  I’m not sure what this is “training” for, but I’m ready to quit! 

Let me also say that as my exhaustion increases, my brain begins to unravel . . . for example, I caught myself trying to melt butter in the toaster oven the other day.  Yesterday, when I dropped the boys off at their program at church, William promptly reminded me to leave their bag with them—I was walking away with it on my arm—oops! . . . “Mommy, bag.  MOMMY, bag.  MOMMY BAG!!”  And, today, when he sneezed and I did not respond, he said “Mommy.  Bless you.”  So, I said, “Oh, I am sorry.  Bless you, William.”  And he said, “William sneeze.”  I’m hoping that William can keep tabs on me more and more as the insanity creeps in . . . ha ha.

Let me also say that our baby “training” should not be confused with obedience . . . and, it should be mentioned that with “training” comes tears and frustration {from babies and mommies}!  Although, I will say that Hudson climbed up on the sofa and laid down on it the other day so I could change his diaper, and it was like a miracle.  I cheered and kissed him so much that he wanted to get down before I had finished the task at hand! 

As the boys continue in their “training,” we continue with our seemingly never-ending to do lists.  Fortunately for us, Daddy has some GREAT helpers.  We hung another shelf in the “BIG Room” as the boys call it, and Daddy’s helpers were right there willing and ready to assist.  Who says you can’t measure something with a train in your hand?

At first, Hudson thought the best way he could help was through hugs . . . 

But, then he decided to lend a hand . . . 

One of my sweet relatives sent the boys some treats.  After a LONG day, it was fun for them to have an activity!

 

Daddy!  Check out our new animal snack/mixin’ bowls!

 

Yummy, Daddy!

And a birdy feeder for our new deck!

After hanging the shelf, we headed outside for more fun:

Helpin’ Daddy clean the yard.  Note:  While William helps, he says repeatedly “Helpin’.  Helpin’ Daddy.  Daddy Helpin’.  William helpful.”  Hilarious!   

We have a growing fascination with leaves.  Hudson slid one leaf at a time down the slide to William yesterday and they both belly-laughed the ENTIRE time . . . they probably did this for 20 minutes!

And, another project:  cleaning off the new-to-us sandbox!  {I realized that I neglected to say that both the swingset and sandbox have come to us free . . . we are so thankful for them!  The swingset had to get out of a yard/house that was being sold and the sand box was a “free if you are willing to clean it” kind of deal . . . so, there we have it!  Horrah for free yard fun!} 

Thinking about it . . .

hmm . . .

A little more helpin’!  Most men would be proud to know that these children can identify a screw driver.  Amazing!  {Please notice that Hudson is on Daddy’s other side . . . he likes to be close by, but he doesn’t always want to be part of the action!}

 

When did my baby get so big?

Oh, my sweaty, strawberry blonde LOVE!

A conference about streamers

And, filling the sand box . . .

 

Every.  Single.  Day.  Hudson wants to dig.  Everyday.  Rain or Shine.  And, many times, he wants to dig before he is out of his crib or has had breakfast.  {We are working on learning what “wait” or “later” mean . . . }  “Dig, Mommy.  Dig!  DIG!  DIGGIN’!  MOMMY DIGGIN’!”  And, many a night when we ask the boys at prayer time what they want to thank Jesus for, "Diggin’” is one of the first and most popular answers from this boy!  I am pretty sure that an actual sandbox in the yard is like heaven to him . . .

 

Here’s to many more years of sweet and eager boys who love “helpin’” {and, please, Lord, let them love napping again very SOON!}

Happy Pop Pop!

That’s right!  Nonna and Pop Pop came for a visit this past weekend, and in addition to putting them to work, we had a BIG Happy Pop Pop Celebration!  We had a great time with them, and the boys have asked about Nonna and Pop Pop every day since!

Here they are, in all of their glory, at our favorite new pizza spot!

Earlier that morning, I took advantage of Nonna’s extra set of hands . . . we made some wrapping paper for Pop Pop’s gift, and we also did our first “family home work assignment” for school!  I had not let both boys paint much before . . . and they didn’t seem to love the finger paints, but they made it work!

Artist in training!  :)

This artist would only use a paint brush!

Lookin’ good boys!

We also got our new stroller (which, yes—seats 3!!  Thank you, GiGi!) on Saturday.  Our friend who sold it to us gave us these bikes as well!  (Her twin boys are turning 3 soon!)  The boys got some good snuggle time with Pop Pop, too . . .

Pop Pop and Daddy stained the deck!!  We are now 97% finished with our deck project!  Hoorah! The boys are obsessed with “tick tocks” right now, and they enjoyed playing with Daddy’s and Pop Pop’s!

Ni’ Night!

In Training

As you may know, Baby Anna is due to arrive in less than 4 weeks.  MMM.  Yes.  That is not a long time.  So, while Mommy and Daddy frantically try to get the house, the car, and whatever else ready for the exciting chaos that is about to ensue, Hudson and William are in training.

1.  Up and Down the Stairs:  While the boys have been able to go up and down for a while, in moments when time is of the essence, I tend to carry them because it is fast.  We are now in training to go up and come down on our own . . . with toys in hand (or not) . . . quickly (or not) . . .  

 

2.  The boys are fascinated with stools, so they are each using a little stool to get up in their highchairs for meals.  Most days, when they do this, William claps and cheers for himself and then instructs “Hudsey” to cheer, too!  (These were action shots, so please excuse the blur!)

   

3.  Tire them out in the yard:  We are practicing getting all of our wiggles and energy out in the yard so that naptimes and night night times are solid and sound . . . (all of Daddy’s hard work with the deck, the swing set (in progress), etc. is definitely helping to make this dream come true!)

 

please note the sticker in his hair . . . he is obsessed with stickers . . . 

Mr. Precious enjoyed his lunch and watched the boys play!

Ahhh, Diggin’ . . . before bed at night, we ask the boys what they would like to thank Jesus for . . . at least 4 times each week, Hudson says “diggin’ . . . sand box.”  While this dirt pile is not actually a sand box, they do call it “Daddy’s sandbox” (it is right next to the deck) and they LOVE digging in it . . . 

 

Time for yard work!

 

and, some porch fun . . . (note:  this mane will not be tamed!)         

William was helpin’ Daddy with his measurin’ . . . I adore this picture! 

Meanwhile, Hudson was flinging dirt all over, so we redirected him to putting the dirt back near the tree . . . we meant the base of the tree, but whatever works . . . 

Making a stick pile on the tree is also great fun . . .  

Next in our line of training is teaching the boys how to get into their car seats . . . and making a contraption that will raise and lower them into their cribs . . . just kidding.  It is amazing to see how fast they learn and how much they love trying new things . . . it is such fun!  And, while we need them to be doing some of these things on their own (after all, they are at the age to do many of these things without help), it still seems so wild to me that my babies are growing up so fast!  I just cannot believe it!