These days

We've been having a lot of fun with the kiddos this summer.  It’s hard to believe that we are already in the middle of June!  We've between hosting a Memorial Day Picnic, going to Hilton Head, a weekend in KY, Mitch’s birthday, doctor’s appointments, my cousin’s wedding and Father’s Day, we have been going non-stop. Even so, I've tried to find moments to spend quality time with my children, both individually and as a family.  Mitch is a bit of an early bird and while that can be frustrating at times, I look forward to opportunity to play with him one and one.  During those quiet times, I’m able to revel in how amazing he is and on how much he has grown and changed.  Similarly, I enjoy my nights of putting Evie to bed.  When I able to just stop hurrying and snuggle with her, it can be so soothing.  I love to read her stories.  She is so inquisitive and so bright.  After stories, she always requests a few songs and I love that fact that I still get to sing to her.  She loves “A Dream is a Wish You Heart Makes”, “My Favorite Things” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow”.  Bedtime isn't all soothing.  We have to typical stalling tactics – I need a drink, I need to go potty, I’m hot, I’m cold, etc. – but the stories and song are definite high points.  Other times I've enjoyed with the kids recently include a trip to McDonald’s for ice cream sundaes, a walk to the park one evening, a water fight outside one Sunday afternoon, a walk around the neighborhood, building a fort in the living room, going to the zoo, going to the library and having dance parties.  These times with my family are so precious to me!

Happy 1st Birthday Mitchell!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since your birth.  It seems like only yesterday that I was holding you in my arms for the first time and watching you open your eyes to gaze at the world around you.  When the doctor announced you were a boy, I admit I was a little nervous.  Of course I was unbelievably excited and happy as well.  But after 2+ years of parenting a little girl, I was a little bit unsure about what it would be like to have a son.  It seems so funny to say that now, a year later, because you are a part of our lives as if you have always been with us.  You are our Big Boy, our Mitchell-Man, our Buddy.  I wasn’t sure what to expect when parenting a boy, but I needn’t have worried.  You’ve made it so easy, Sweet Boy.  You are so happy and smiley most of the time.  You’ve always loved to snuggle, and while you are definitely on the move these days, snuggling with Mama still ranks high up on your list of favorite things to do.

Having a second child is so different from having just one and I worry about the fact that I’m not able to give you nearly as much undivided attention as your sister got.  At one year old, though, you are thriving.  You started crawling at 6 months, walking at 9.5 months, and these days you’re up and running.  You’re starting to talk up a storm and sometimes it’s more than just random babbles. You can say Mama, Daddy, Titi, Uh-oh, No, Hi and Bye.  I also swear that you say "What's this?" so I always answer you.  You have started indicating verbally when you want something and you say no and shake your head when you don’t.  You can give hugs and kisses.  You are fascinated by anything with wheels – bikes, trucks, even the book cart at the library.  You got several new riding toys for your birthday and you’re practically a pro at riding them.  You’re not as into books as your sister is yet.  I think it has something to do with the fact that you don’t like to sit still for more than 5 seconds at time.  Even so, I try reading to you most nights and occasionally you’ll stop long enough to listen.  You are so busy!  You love to get into things in the kitchen like the drawer with kitchen rags and the pot and pans.  Peek-a-boo is one of your favorite games these days and Evie is really able to make you giggle.  The other day she sat in my closet playing peekaboo with you from behind some clothes and you could not stop laughing.  And speaking of Evie – you adore her and she loves you to bits.  Right now, you guys are playing together so well.  You want to see and do whatever she is doing and she is so incredibly patient with you (99% of the time anyway).  There are times, though, where I can see that the future with you two might get a little bumpy.  Like when Evie is laying on the ground watching TV and you come flying into the room and body slam her.  Or when she is trying to do an art project and you really, really want to do it too, and I hear her screech “Mitchell…NO!” a dozen times as you steal her crayons.  My hope is that you two remain close as you get older.  Time will tell!

Daddy likes to call you his little foodie.  There are very few foods that you don’t like.  You don’t seem to have a huge fondness for peaches, but other than that, I can’t think of anything you won’t at least try.  I truly hope this trend continues when it comes to food.  Right now, you will try every vegetable I put in front of you!  From day one, you have been a big boy and at one year old, you weigh 25lbs and are around 30 inches tall.  You are a bruiser!  You’re built like football player and we have (more than once) referred to you as our little linebacker.  Maybe someday you’ll play for the Buckeyes!  Or maybe not…this mama is not so sure she wants her baby boy getting tackled on a daily basis!

We love you so much, Sweet Boy, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for you.  I hope you always stay as sweet and loveable as you are now. And I hope that you are so, so happy. 

All my love,

Mama

Hilton Head Island 2015

I’m so far behind in blogging right now!  This summer is flying by and between the kids, work and trying to fit some fun stuff in on the side, I’m exhausted.

We went on vacation at the beginning of June to Hilton Head Island.  It’s only the 2^nd time we’ve taken Evie to the beach and the first for Mitch.  We all had so much fun!  We spent our days at the beach and the pool.  Both kids loved the water and Evie had lot of fun building sand castles and having water squirter fights in the pool. We took a few treasure walks up the beach to collect shells and saw so many interesting things – Evie was in heaven!  There were quite a few jelly fish that had washed up on shore which she found fascinating.  She loved watching the little fish dart around in the water (despite out best efforts, however, we were unable to catch any).  One afternoon we even saw a horseshoe crab dolphins which were really cool!  Mitch loved running into the water and just plopping down on the shore.  Most nights we went out to dinner...we had so much amazing food!  While it was nice to not have to worry about cooking and dishes, it did get a little stressful when the kids wouldn't behave.  Luckily, we had a lot of people willing to help us out.  We did a little fishing, a little shopping and quite a bit of relaxing.  Pat and I even enjoyed a date night one evening.  We had one tiny hiccup when, after a night of screaming, we took Mitch to Urgent Care and he was diagnosed with a virus.  That was a bit of a bummer, but he rallied pretty well.  All in all, it was a wonderful vacation!