Bressa

The next new toddler "IT" couple has arrived!!! Born just 15 hours apart, they are destined to be BFF's!!  They met each other for the first time on New Year's Eve, and have hung out a few times since then. Their first meeting went a little better than Memo and Jacob (no punching each other). There are also more similarities between these two... they are both big babies, have lots of hair (Tessa more than Brayden), and they tolerate their older siblings like champs!! They also already crack us up, (as you will see in photos), but they give the same crazy looks!! The looks of, "Mom, why are you doing this?!?!"

The photo in the middle makes me laugh every time I look at it!! I'm sure they will get a chuckle out of it when they're older.

On New Year's we actually got a picture of the four of them!!! We're amazing, I know ;0) Now it's not the perfect picture, but hey they are all in the same frame, so that counts for something!

I just love it!!!

Sleepover!!!

This past week the cousins had one of their many sleepovers they will have in their lifetime.  This one was extra special because it was the first time that they really played with each other. They were both into playing trains, watching Thomas, eating, and playing outside.  It was funny to see them run around together because it made me realize how much they have grown up!! I love the cousin love they have for each other...

Here they are cuddling on the couch together...I promise they are watching Thomas and not some scary movie as their faces portray!

They also enjoyed some Memo time! They all three took a bath together, which was rather funny! I'm sure they will appreciate all these photos when they are older!

This collage cracks me up because it's Everett saying goodnight to Jacob. He was trying to give Jacob a hug, but Jacob was too into his Duplos and Bumbo. They did have some great hugs this week actually!

A Boy and his Bear

I wanted to title this "A Boy and his Boobie," but I was afraid too many of you wouldn't open the email thinking I was hacked again! The reason to call it the latter, is because since Jacob was super little and learning to talk, he has called Pooh Bear, Boobie. I have always found it hilarious when he would walk around saying "Love boobie!" Although Jacob enunciates great for a toddler, he continues to call Pooh Bear, boobie. Boobie has become a staple on our car rides, dinner table, and just everyday life. However, the last few days he has joined us EVERYWHERE!!! Today he came to the park, gymnastics, and then had a lovely lunch with us. Apparently Boobie is very fond of cheese and blueberries.

 Jacob is quite concerned with Boobie (Hence, him putting the helmet on Boobie). The routine goes something like this...

Boobie falls

Jacob: "Oh Boobie! Boobie okay?"

Picks Boobie up

Jacob: "Boobie bonky head!!" 

Jacob pets Boobie

Jacob: "Jocob kiss Boobie?"

Jacob give Boobie a kiss

He also has had a fascination with changing diapers lately...Boobie constantly poops! LOL (I think Jacob may be ready for potty training).  Jacob will be holding Boobie and then flip him, so butt side is near his face and says "Awe Boobie pooped!" And this is what follows...

And the final product looks like this...

I think some leaking might happen.

After Boobie has had his diaper changed, he usually takes him for a walk...

I just love how his imagination has started to reveal itself!! This little man astounds me everyday!!

Tattoos

A few weeks ago Mike went to San Francisco for the day to get his tattoos done. He always goes to this one guy in particular because he is really good at black and gray. He figured out this time that the guy has only been tattooing for 3 years!! It's amazing how some people just naturally have a gift!! Anyways, the tattoos that Mike got were Brayden's feet with name and birth date, and then a King of Swords tarot card. Many people have asked about the meaning of the tarot card and why Mike would get that...so this blog is to explain the meaning!!

First, here are Brayden's feet. We make kids with big feet, so if we have four then Mike may have to get creative on the location!! LOL

Here is the King of Swords... (It's pretty raw in this photo, and I don't think it does it justice. This tattoo looks amazing!)

The King of Swords sits upon his throne of command, holding a large upward-pointing, double-edged sword in his right hand, while his left hand rests gently upon his lap. On his left Saturn finger is a ring, symbolic of power and taking his responsibilities seriously. The King wears a blue tunic, symbolic of a desire for spiritual understanding, and a purple cape, symbolic of compassion combined with intellect. The back of his throne is decorated with butterflies (transformation), crescent moons and an angel just near his left ear, positioned as if to give him subtle guidance. The sky is relatively clear with a few clouds, representing general mental clarity. The trees in the background appear motionless and reflect the stern judgement of the King. The King of Swords is a symbol of intellectual power and authority, and has the courage and intellect to accomplish all that he desires.

When Mike first told me he wanted a tarot card, my first thought was "Wow, I really have corrupted this man with my hippie ways!" Then he went on to explain to me what it meant, and I could not agree more that it really does represent Mike as a person. Anyways, I just love both these tattoos!!

Dreaded 2 month Shots (Part II)

Along with Brayden's doctors appointment, he had to get 3 different shots and 1 oral vaccination. I knew from the last time with Jacob, that these shots were nothing to joke about. Brayden did very well getting the shots, he cried until I fed him. I actually think Jacob was more traumatized than Brayden; he kept saying "Brayden okay?" "Brayden hungry?" After we got home, all Brayden wanted to do was eat and sleep. He did give me a few smiles here and there, but I had to work hard for them. I hate how these shots just take it out of these little ones...I wish there was another way to make them immune to such horrible things. I guess in the scheme of things, a day or two of not feeling well sure beats what they are protected against!

After I took this picture he woke up crying (I may have let the swing stop to get the photo...bad move!)

Anyone who has held Brayden knows he is not feeling well in this photo...he hardly ever puts his head down on my shoulder. If he's being held like this, he usually has his head up and he is trying to stand.

2 months

Today is Brayden's 2 month birthday!! I cannot believe how fast the time is going!!! I love seeing him grow up in front of my eyes, but I know with everyday he gets a little bit older, I get closer to going back to work. At two months he is starting to show his personality... not surprisingly he is as stubborn as his brother. I'm blaming that trait on Mike! Other than his stubbornness, he is a pretty easy baby and he is "growing perfectly" said the Doctor today.  Here is what he accomplished this month...

• We can make him smile!!! He loves high pitched voices and music!
• He is trying to roll from back to belly (He gets to his side very easily)
• He loves to sit and stand
• He "eats" dinner with us in his bumbo
• He is taking the bottle like a champ now!
• Working on taking naps in his crib
• LOVES being swaddled
• Sleeps about five hours in a row at night (wakes up 1-2 times)
• Has a bedtime routine!!! (YAY!!)

Here is some of my photos from the last month. I just love his smile!! Oh yeah!! His dimple made an appearance this month too!! So now both my boys have dimples on the same side!!

Here are both the boys stats from the doctor today...

Brayden: Weight: 12 lbs 8 oz (56th percentile) and Height: 24 1/2 inches (97th percentile)
Jacob (2 years): Weight: 28 lbs 6 oz (75th percentile) and Height: 35 inches (76th percentile)

Jacob has stayed pretty consistent with his weight and height since he started walking, but he is still a big boy!! As for Brayden, he is majorly tall!! Hopefully that will continue into teenage years!!! Basketball here we come!!

A Day in the Life

People constantly say, "Appreciate every moment because they grow up so fast!" I do understand this statement, especially since I am having a hard time believing Jacob is turning 2 in a month!! However, there are moments that I can honestly say that I don't necessarily appreciate! Being a mother is a funny balance between loving some moments and trying to just survive the next! Between waking up 2-3 times a night to feed and change a diaper or rock your sick toddler to sleep, motherhood can be down right exhausting. What makes everything worth it is the "mother moments"; the moments when your children do something that no matter how frustrated or tired you are, it makes everything absolutely worth it. As I was rocking Jacob last night, going on 1.5 hours of sitting in the glider, I was so tired, on the edge of tears, wishing I was in bed, then the mother moment hit. With his head on my shoulder he started singing rock-a-bye baby.  We have been reading a nursery rhyme book for a couple weeks, but he had never shown that he really knew any of them. It's amazing how these mother moments happen at the time you need them the most.  These mother moments cannot be captured on camera, which is fine because they are the personal moments that I will always remember.  With that being said, I have always blogged about the special events that are happening in our household, but I do not want to dismiss the everyday happenings either. When I look back on raising these boys, I may not remember Incredible Johns, Fairy Tale Land, or the Children's Museum, but I will remember our dinners, the park, Saturday morning breakfast, or the way the Jacob plays with Brayden on the floor. These aren't the most exciting pictures to look at, but they are the most fun for me!!

My mother moment with Jacob could not be caught on camera, but my mother moment with Brayden was. It happened the other night. After feeding him, he was particularly awake and interactive. I started talking to him and tickling his belly when he started silent laughing...

Being a mother is exhausting, but these mother moments make absolutely every second worth it!