Christmas Tree Hunt and a Surprise Party

Saturday was a big day for us. It was full of family and fun and traditions. We also had a surprise party to celebrate my brother’s graduation from nursing school.

First thing in the morning, we took the boys to their classes. I got to take Elias to his sports class, and Nathan took Simon to swimming. It was fun to switch it up. I’ve been feeling like every time we do one on one time, someone else has Elias, and I’ve been missing him. Both boys had a blast.

After classes were over, we met the Bartle clan at Furrow tree farm for Christmas tree hunting. Because we are moving in a few days, we just wanted a small one for our place…does anyone else think it is crazy to move a Christmas Tree? We won’t decorate it until we get to the house, but we couldn’t go through Simon’s first Christmas without a tree.

It’s not the best family picture….but here we are in front of our tree.

P1150772Nathan being manly:

P1150782Elias was refusing to pose for pictures, but I got one pretty good one with Uncle Greg and Auntie Shaina:

P1150791After tree hunting, we went to Ama and Baba’s for lunch, then home for a bit of rest in the afternoon. After last year’s bee incident, it has now become tradition for Elias to “check” the tree for bees. He saw a video of himself doing it last year, and suggested that he needed to do it again this year. So far zero bees! (Do you see Simon getting into trouble here?)

P1150795After some naps, we headed back over to Ama and Baba’s for a surprise party! My brother graduated from nursing school, and we wanted to celebrate the accomplishment. We invited some family and friends, got together some excellent food, and had a party!

The boys were excited to see Nana at the party.

P1150797Here is Scott shortly after the “surprise.” I caught his expression when he found out that there was pulled pork at the party.

P1150804Simon and his best friend/fellow nephew playing together.

P1150807Simon and Elias helped Uncle Scott open a few gifts.

P1150815It was a full day. And it filled my heart too. It’s crazy to have so much going on right before our move. But it’s probably better this way. Because being around family and friends so much helps me keep a good perspective on the whole situation.

 

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Family Time!

There’s nothing quite like time spent with family to wash away the day’s stresses…to heal the days woes. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, and the day was pretty difficult. But in the evening, I got to pick Nathan up at the MAX station, and head over to my parents’ house where the rest of the family was waiting. Uncle Greg and Auntie Shaina are visiting!

Elias had an absolute blast playing with his Uncles and Aunties (and Ama and Baba). He was getting piggy-back rides galore, wrestling with his Uncles, and Uncle Scott was even schooling him in how to sneak peeks at presents unbeknownst to the rest of us until it was too late!

My dad made his famous turkey soup for dinner and it warmed me up in body and soul. Simon even had a playmate because Jenny and Ethan came over too! We’ve got to cherish this time together because it will go by too fast, and who knows the next time we’ll all be together! Here are some pictures for fun:

Elias wrestling with Uncle Scott.

Elias wrestling with Uncle Scott.

Elias playing piano with Uncle Greg and Auntie Shaina

Elias playing piano with Uncle Greg and Auntie Shaina

Simon is entranced by Uncle Greg

Simon is entranced by Uncle Greg

Uncle Greg reading to Elias

Uncle Greg reading to Elias

Together.

Together.

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What’s In Your Shoe?

P1150715Today was St. Nick’s feast day! Every year, we celebrate the real St. Nick on his feast day (Dec. 6th). Last night, I put a bunch of chocolate coins in Elias’ shoes. I put one in each of Simon’s shoes just for fun, but he doesn’t eat chocolate yet so it was just for the experience. (When no one was looking this afternoon I slipped them into Elias’ pile of coins). I also put one coin in Nathan’s badge for fun.

Anyway, Elias was quite delighted to find the coins in his shoes this morning. “Hey! What’s in here?” he shouted. I asked him how he thought the coins got in his shoes. “St. Nick put them there” was his reply.

Elias of course immediately wanted to eat one. Since it is a special occasion I allowed him to eat one right away…but it was before breakfast so we put the rest away for later.

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After that most important part was out of the way, Elias helped Simon see his shoes.

P1150720Simon took one down to the floor and gave the coin a quick look, then got on to the more interesting object… the shoe.

P1150724I love family traditions! It’s one I hope to continue for years and years. Here is Elias with his loot.

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Simon Videos!

I’ve been taking a lot of videos of Simon lately because he is growing and changing and learning so fast. Here are a few I just had to share. Enjoy!

Video #1: Simon has been becoming more and more sturdy on his legs. Here he is using Lightning McQueen as a walking aid.

Video #2: Simon loves the game Peek-a-boo as most babies do. This evening at dinner we must have been too boring for him or something. He decided he needed to entertain himself. What are bibs for, anyway, if not for playing peek-a-boo?

Video #3: Elias loved his Lightning McQueen toy about a year and a half ago. He stayed interested in it for quite some time, but we had put it in the storage a few months ago because it was not played with much. We got it back out because Simon is reaching an age where he can play with it. Viola! Elias loves the thing again! He uses his tools to “fix” Lightning, he rides on Lightning, and he loves giving Simon rides on Lightning. Unfortunately for Simon, Elias got going a bit too fast this time around. Second children can live through anything.

 

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Moving Boxes

We’ll be moving in mid-December. Since we are only a day away from December 1st, the moving boxes are starting to come out in force. What fun are boxes unless you can play in them?

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Who’s Teaching Who Here?

A conversation between myself and my three year old:

Elias: “How are you doing, Mommy?”

Me: “I’m doing good. How are you doing?”

Elias: “I’m doing well.”

Oh man. At least I can take comfort in the fact that he only knew to say “well” instead of “good” because that is how I normally respond. I slipped up this time, but let hope he maintains proper English nonetheless!

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A Walk

P1150632It was a beautiful day today. I bundled up the boys and got them outside for a walk. Elias found a leaf that he really liked, and held it up saying, “Mommy, take a picture of this beautiful big leaf!” I’m so glad he is learning to appreciate the beauty around him. He wanted to bring it inside, so I let him decorate the bathroom with it.

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Is That A Grey?

No…it isn’t…I don’t have any grey hair yet. (Although I can’t say the same for my husband…sorry Nate…I just had to poke fun). No greys at 29 for me. But my child….my wonderful second son is definitely going to give me greys pretty soon. Oh! This child! He is so wonderful but he sure keeps me on my toes.

Example #1: Toilet Paper

P1150615This morning I brought everyone into the bathroom to brush our teeth. Upon arriving in the bathroom, I discovered that Elias’ toothbrush, and the toothpaste were in the other bathroom. Nathan had moved them the night before. I left the boys and went to retrieve them. I didn’t run or anything. But I certainly didn’t stop to smell the roses either. When I got back…maybe 15-20 seconds later, I found Simon in a huge wad of toilet paper giggling up a storm. There was none left on the roll. As Elias and I brushed our teeth, Simon attempted to pick off every last bit of the glued-on bits from the empty toilet paper roll. Look at him sitting there with the ring in his mouth…as if he had nothing to do with the wad of toilet paper he is currently sitting on.

Example #2: Cat Litter

Simon has been attempting to get into the cat litter for a couple weeks now. He likes to sneak in there when I am doing laundry because the bathroom and the laundry closet are in close proximity. This morning as I was trying to move one load from the washer to the dryer, I literally would take one handful of clothes, move it to the dryer, and already have to go chase after him. Then I’d bring him back, give him a toy to attempt to occupy him, and reach for another handful of clothes. I’d get one into the dryer, and have to chase after him again. The other alternative is to stick him in the crib. But he immediately starts crying because he knows he is missing out.

Anyway, as I was busy with Elias this afternoon, I realized it was very quiet. And I could not see Simon. I ran as fast as I could do the kitty litter…and sure enough…he had finally reached his target. I don’t know if any actually got in his mouth. But it was all over his hand, and down his sleeve. Gross! Needless to say I spent some time cleaning him up after that! This is all new because Elias never tried to get into the kitty litter.

Example #3: Pots and Pans

P1150637Even with one child well into toddler-hood I naively believed that the toddler banging pots and pans was something one only finds in storybooks. Not so! Today as I was making lunch, Simon figured out how to open the pots and pans drawer. He proceeded to take out all the pots and lids, and then started banging the smallest sauce pan on the floor as hard as he could. That boy loves making loud sounds. I gave him a soup ladle to bang on the pot rather than having him bang it on the floor. He was quite amused.

 

I love this boy, and I would not have it any other way. But I feel like I’m having to learn how to be a mom all over again. This would be hard enough if it were just him! Having two to contend with is quite the challenge. I’m sure it is only onward and upward from here…onward and upward to bigger messes. And more joy!

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Simon – 9 Months

P1150584Simon is 9 months old today. I spent a long time just looking at him this evening at bedtime. He had some trouble falling asleep, and as I rocked away his tears, I just stared at his face. His perfect, round little nose. His irresistible cheeks. His little ear notches. The way his lips form a little circle after the pacifier falls out of his mouth, and his tongue is still doing a little sucking motion inside. His little wisps of hair and his perfect skin. He is safe in my arms.

Where did the time go? How can nine months have passed so quickly? It has been so fun the last few months watching him learn to crawl, stand, cruise. Now he walks if I hold both of his hands. It’s been fun P1150579watching his little personality assert itself. He’s got such an interest and a curiosity about the world. He’s got a gleam in his eye wherever he goes. He’s learned how to clap his hands and he’s got an expert pincer grip. There are now six teeth in his mouth. He’s got bruises everywhere because his curiosity and confidence are greater than his balance and coordination.

It’s all so fun and good. But realizing he is now 9 months made me think of all that I’ve lost. All that is gone. Soon he won’t be a baby anymore.

I took Simon to his 9 month well check today. He is doing well. Here are his stats:

22 pounds, 11 ounces (80% or so)

28.5 inches (65% or so)

His growth in length has slowed a lot. His weight has slowed as well. They all pretty much even out some day.

He is a joy and a blessing.

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Bowling!

Elias got a check from Grandpa Smith for his birthday. We took him bowling once a couple weeks ago and he loved it, so we decided to take him for another bowling session with his birthday funds. Elias had a great time. He liked using the ramp, and “helping” Mommy roll her ball. We even have some birthday money left over for something else fun!

I didn’t bring the camera, but I took a picture with Nathan’s phone:

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