Mr. Independent

Ryan's favorite thing to say these days is "I do."  

I brush my teeth.

I put my shoes on.

I peel my orange.

 

This is cute in theory and of course I know it's important for him to become more self sufficient and all that jazz but it's not so cute when you're running late for preschool dropoff. And your almost two year old is insisting on putting on his own jacket and you're just sitting there watching him put his right arm into his left sleeve over and over and over, not understanding what's preventing him from getting any further along in the process. And you want so badly to just do it for him but if you come near him at all he whips the coat at you screaming "I do, I do!!!"  

This is a fun phase. 

Tonight's bath. Taking his shirt off over his head. "I do."

Lazy jammie mornings

During the week we are always rushing up and out the door to get to work or to school or to play dates so on the weekends we like to have what Nathan refers to as "lazy jammie mornings."

Today the boys were watching a movie while I folded laundry and Will was at the gym. I went into the kitchen for something and when I returned to the living room this is what I found. 

Was I annoyed that the blankets I had just folded were now unfolded? A little. But they just looked so cute I quickly forgot about that.  Nathan and Ryan are the best of friends, never far from one another's side. Of course they have moments when they fight but moments like this are more common. Curled up together under a blanket on the couch. Nathan had tucked all their stuffed animals under too and even stuck a pillow behind Ryan's back. 

This is what lazy jammie mornings are all about. The house is quiet. The coffee is hot. And my two boys are snuggling. 

Happy Sunday!

Is dinner ready yet?

Nathan has always loved books. We read to him every single day before nap and before bed, plus at random times throughout the day. In the last few weeks he has been very interested in reading to us. We've practiced our phonemic awareness (putting my schoolwork to use) and sounding out words together. And each day he has become more and more independent, insisting that we don't help him.

Today he read his first book, cover to cover.

Pretty proud day for this Mama

Tough life

Playroom project

We've been cooped up inside for a couple days thanks to the blizzard and I'm starting go stir crazy.

I've done countless loads of laundry.

Shoveled until my arms felt like they would break off.

Watched way too many episodes of Micky Mouse Clubhouse.

I was looking for ways to stay busy when I suddenly stepped on a lego, screamed out in pain and then looked down and discovered the perfect snowy day project.

Play room organization!

I'm not sure a Before and After photo has offer brought me so much satisfaction.

A little late night reading

Last night as I was getting ready for bed, I heard Ryan in his room talking. At 11pm! He wasn't crying, he was just talking happily to himself.  It was mostly jibberish but then I heard "Mommy". Among the babble he kept saying mommy over and over. I don't know if he was talking to me or about me but without even thinking I opened his door and walked in. He sat up with a big smile on his face, yelled "Hi Mommy!" and threw his hands up in the air for me to pick him up. So I did.

We sat in his rocking chair and snuggled. For about 20 minutes we sat there reading books, talking and singing.  After a while he started to yawn and rub his eyes so I gave him a kiss and laid him back in his crib. As I shut the door I heard him say "Bye Mommy" and just like that, he went back to sleep. I don't know what got into him but we ended up with a special little moment just between the two of us, while the rest of the house was quiet.

There are many unexpected moments when children are involved. Some good, some not so good. This was definitely one of the good ones.