big brains or good genes

My two year old is so smart. Not that I need someone to tell me he's smart, but his Sunday school teacher even mentioned how brilliant he is. We always figured we were being partial, as many parents are. But I can confidently announce that my two year old has a big head because he has BIG BRAINS. :)

There are many things he does on a daily basis that shows us how smart he is. One of which happens to take place in his room. He's been cleaning his room (on his own) since he was about 18 months old. He does a good job too. I took the time one day to sit and show him where everything goes. He's been doing a good job of cleaning his room ever since! There are occasions where he wont clean up a mess or throws a fit cause he doesn't want to, but I attribute that to being a two year old.

I'm not really sure if he does so well with cleaning his room (and starting at such a young age) cause he's as smart as I say he is; or because he has my genes... :) Or maybe both. Heck, maybe it's not even a young age to start cleaning up your own messes... I'm only able to compare him to what I've experienced with other kids his age.

Due to the fact that I AM a partial parent, I'll stick with the conclusion that he's SUPER smart. Sounds good to me!

time out

Tyler's first year seemed to float by. Not too fast, not too slow. My prediction is that the time didn't seem to fly by because I wasn't 'having fun'. Sure I was still enjoying life, loved playing with Ty and spending time with my family in the evenings, but I was working. So I was away from my baby about 11 hours out of the day.

You ever heard of the phrase 'time flies when you're having fun'? BOY! Is it true! Because this last year I've been home has just blown by. I don't mean blow by like leaves being carried in the wind. I mean blow by like a tornado or something. Stages and milestones seem to come and go in a snap. It's crazy. People try to warn you. You think you know, cause you remember back on times when a year of school seemed to go by quickly, you got your license and were finally able to start driving, engagement turned into marriage, etc. But you don't really understand till you have kids. It's some crazy phenomenon! Like they suck time out of your life in the most EXCELLENT way.

Well I'm loving these priceless moments. I'm wanting more time to soak it all in. I think I need to call a TIME OUT on life!

summer lovin'

This summer has been quite enjoyable! It's been great spending time at the pool with my boys. Tyler loves being able to splash around like crazy (since Mommy & Daddy don't allow it in the bath). And because Dylan is such a content baby, I can really relax and give Tyler the attention he needs. The crisp, cool pool water is the perfect medicine for our 100 degree days. It's an added plus that going to the pool really wears Ty out and helps him to nap well (which Mommy LOVES). Dylan gets nice and worn out too but I think that's more due to the heat.

I have the option of relaxing by the pool now that Tyler has a new life jacket. It's a life jacket that a friend let him borrow. No matter how he jumps in the pool, trips off the stairs or falls in, the jacket immediately rolls him onto his back. When he's rolled over to his back, there's a support under his head to keep his head a float. It's the PERFECT invention. I love it. I have TOTAL piece of mind that he can play in the water and have fun splashing around all while being Mr. Independent. (Now only if swimmer diapers were cheaper!)

I'm welcoming fall and winter with open arms this year, yet I will SURELY miss our summers at the pool!

interaction

This weekend was fun-filled for my little Ty-Ty. He hung out with me till his Auntie Trizza and cousins showed up around four. We took some pictures and he was off to spend the night with them! He socialized, stayed up late, and got to have goodies that I don't normally give him. I'm sure he had LOADS of fun. Seeing him get out and away from the house was great. I loved knowing he was with family and learning to interact with his cousins. I wish I was better about getting him out of the house. He does get play time with other kids his age at least one time a week, if not more. I would love for him to have more interaction though. Before I know it, Dylan will be grown enough for the two of them to play. I can't believe it! Next on the agenda Tyler will go stay with Auntie Tyla and visit with cousin Jaidyn. Then he's off to see Me-Maw!

surrounded

In my very first blog I talked about horrible feelings and emotions I had once Dylan was born. At times I wasn't sure how I'd get through the situation. I felt defeated before starting the day. And had no desire or drive. But instead of giving up and listening to the lies, I prayed through it and continued to tell myself 'It's only a season'.

Well I can cheerfully tell you that season has come to pass. It didn't seem great while 'in the thick of it', but it was only a season. I'm here to report that not only am I still sane, but our home (and everything in it) is still in one piece, including the kids (which I'm most proud of).

The Lord has surrounded me with three awesome guys. I love it. My family is more then what I could have asked for. I love my boys and thank God for every one of them. I'm so blessed. I'm really enjoying things now. I enjoy breakfast and coffee every morning with my husband. I enjoy the middle of the day when I get to hang out with Tyler and Dylan teaching them new things. And our evenings are spent together as a family. I'm truly happy. I love seeing my boys learn and grow. It fascinates me and Daddy! So happy to have all that I've been given!

on a roll

Dylan is on a roll again! He's hitting his milestones. I mentioned in my last post that lots happens around three months... Yipee! He's now gone mobile. NO! - Not crawling ;) But the boy rolls now. He doesn't wanna sit still. He's learned to roll from his front to his back and from back to front. It's so cute. Below is a picture in mid-roll. He was rolling over like crazy this day. I love it, it's so cute! In order to get the strength to roll over he does these little screams. I would explain them something like the noise that people in a karate class would make, but higher pitched. It's the extra push to get him over. Haha! And I thought the milestones might not be as exciting because it's not my "first". Boy did I think WRONG. It's almost like it gets more and more exciting. Wow I'd have so many babies if my husband was hip on the idea.