Since it is February now, I thought I could do a quick review of January & the beginning of February in order to start fresh on weekly blogging. My motivation for blogging this go around is a little different than last time. Although I would love to keep in touch through this blog with the many people I love & have seriously lost touch with now that I am fully in the mommy trenches, I want to use this as a way to remember the things about our lives that so quickly get forgotten in the excitement of the next milestone or day survived. As exhausting as life can be in this season, it is filled to the brim with so many awesome moments. Hopefully, this blog can help me keep track of them! And, keep us in touch with those we have sadly, & never intentionally, lost touch with over the past few years.
The new year got off to a great start - and I am not just saying that. This year felt different. Better. Maybe it was the gorgeous weather or the fun filled celebration of Ryder's 2nd birthday on the 31st, but 2012 started off with lots of joy. In the past month the joy has continued. Mike started a new job & is really happy. We miss having him so close to home that he can pop in for lunch everyday, but we make special trips to see our "Daddy" & the happiness that he comes home with is worth it. I cut back on work & by the end of the month returned to working 2 weekends a month only at Sutter Hospital instead of working the weekends plus two half days during the week. It is amazing how much 8 hours of work can impact your week when you have 2 toddlers. I am happy with the switch. Miles started back at preschool, and after a bumpy start, is loving it as he was before. We adore his teacher, Mrs. Netty Mitchell, & the love and personal attention she shows each of the children. Miles is a lover, especially when he is having a rough day, & she is never resistant to giving him the extra "snuggles" he requests to make his day go a little smoother. Ryder & I are partners in crime while Miles is in school & I am really trying to make sure we do things that are fun for him during that time rather than simply run all mommy's errands. We are both really enjoying this. His little personality is blossoming & it is so fun to watch him interact with other kids sans Miles. Our little Ryder bear is actually quite outgoing & social despite his very laid back disposition. He has started the phase I like to call "I do it", which basically means it takes me an extra 20 minutes (no joke) to get anything done involving him. Getting in & out of the car is quite possibly the worst. We tried a music class & both boys LOVED it. There wasn't room on the days we wanted, so we plan to get the boys signed up for Spring, along with T-ball for Miles & possibly gymnastics for Ryder. The boys are really becoming great friends & playmates as well as little stinkers together. They love to play on the buzz lightyear push toy for 30 minutes at a time; Ryder pushing Miles as fast as he can & occasionally crashing him into pillows or a door only to laugh hysterically together. This is my favorite. They also love to make every shopping trip a living you know what. Screaming, tackling each other, swiping at each other, generally just doing things to annoy the other one which really annoys me. I can seriously lose my cool in these moments (especially if it's 5:00ish) or in times when we are running late (everyday). And when I start to bust out that "Mommy is serious voice", Miles looks at me & says "But, Mommy, wait, wait. I have something to tell you. I love you Mommy" and then he kisses me & flashes a killer smile. I love that boy. And, he sure knows how to work his Mama. With this awesome Winter weather (almost better than our Summers) we have spent tons of time outside & at the park after school & before dinner. It has been wonderful!
This past month, Mike & I squeezed in a much needed date night, we've spent lots of great time outside & with friends on the weekends & took a weekend trip up to Chico to celebrate my Dad's 58th birthday with my Mom, brother & Tory (Toowy). Here are some notable things I really don't want to forget (I am taking note on how to do this from a fellow blogger that I think does this bullet point thing perfectly!):
Miles:
-3.9 years
-39.2 lbs & 40"
-"You're fired"
-"OK, I am throwing a fit now!"
-Very concerned with making good choices & very motivated by treats
-LOVES playing video games with Mike (& he's good!) Daddy is his buddy. I am not a buddy. I cannot play video games.
-Weekends are "buddy days"
-gives Mike a "bash brothers" arm bump before he leaves each day & freaks out if it's forgotten
-loves hamburger helper & coffee (chocolate milk)
-prescribed glasses for farsightedness & "lazy eye". Left more so than right. Not sure if it will be a premanent need.
-taught himself to ride a two wheel bike! He is pretty awesome.
-still has to wear a pull-up to bed - drinks insane amounts of liquid all day long. Perfectly potty trained since 2.5 otherwise.
-recognizes lots of letters & numbers to 10, but can't quite get down the "L-M-N-O-P" part of the alphabet song (super cute, though)
-attempts to write his name; draws really cute people with ears & legs coming out of their heads :)
-really wants a dog. really wants Mommy to stop being allergic.
-great night time sleeper; has not napped since turning 3
Ryder
-height?
-33 lbs
-2 years old
-loves "choo-choos". loves. looks for them everywhere we go.
-loves Lightening McQueen & Francesco Bernoulli. Will watch Cars 2 over & over & over...
-quotes his favorite movies or people & thinks he is so funny! And, he is!
-Loves the song "baby mine" from Dumbo. I sing it to him every night before bed.
-Continues to be an awesome sleeper. Still takes a 2-3 hour nap everyday. Great night time sleeper.
-loves books (brown bear, brown bear, freight train & goodnight moon)
-trying to count: 1, 2, 5, 9...
-a great snuggler & pretty mellow
-wants to be held a lot, if he is not feeling well he is a complete stage 5 clinger
-wants to do everything himself (especially making toast & getting in & out of the car)
-Picky, picky, picky eater! Loves raisin toast, waffles, sausage, cheerios, corn dogs, french fries & coffee (chocolate milk). Hates when I put juice in his water.
-Rides a two wheel razor scooter like a 5 year old. It must be genetic.
-Rides a balance bike like a rock star too!
-Super social & loves big kids at the park.
-talking A LOT; lots of sentences. Catch phrases include "Mommy, where are you?" "No, Mommy, I do it myself" "Oh, Ok, Mommy" "Miles, he hit me" (even when he didn't"
-biting :(
-still has the pouty cheeks to melt your heart
