My Two Sons

 

 

On the 22nd of each month both Braden and Liam turn a month older. I always write a little update on my blog right around that time, hoping to stay pretty timely so I can have a personal record of what they are up to (think online baby book) and so family and friends who don't live close can get updates too. Well, here it's November 5th and I missed their October update. Oops. Braden was 3 years + 1 month, and Liam 14 months. In these updates, I often talk about each boy separate - Braden gets his own update and Liam gets his own. Today, however; I will talk about my boys together and how they have grown as brothers.

 Looking back, last fall and winter I was always pushing Liam in the stroller, feeding him a bottle or holding him while Braden ran around and was the active one. Fast forward a year, now Liam is upright and moving fast (zombie style) and can try to chase his brother, throws balls and runs in circles. Now they both sit down to play cars and push them down the ramp. They both eat the same things, at the same time. They nap at the same time (thankfully) and Liam goes to bed a little earlier than Braden, but they wake up around the same time. A year ago, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off- serving different foods, changing diapers at different times, trying to get one to stop crying and trying to play a game with the other one. I literally was running non-stop all day long as they were in such different stages. A year later, things are more align- although they may run at different speeds and in different directions they are doing much more of the same things these days. It's still busy and tiring, just in a little different way. :)

Boy are they different though. Liam has the Irish temper, and Braden is stubborn. Liam is my instant gratification guy. He is hungry as soon as you mention food or he sees it. He eats faster than anyone in the house. Braden isn't a big eater, and takes forever at meals. Liam is the daredevil, Braden more catious. Liam throws tantrums when he doesn't get his way, Braden is pretty patient and might just say "bummer". Both are as active and as busy as can be.Braden can be shy in certain situations (meeting new people) and Liam is usually talking at the top of his lungs. Although different, they do have simularities too. Both are smiley and fun. Both boys love bath time, reading books, throwing the ball and playing cars. The dynamic duo also both have a sweet tooth (so do Mom and Dad) and are ticklish. They both can play on their own, but also crave that attention from whomever is in the room at the time. I see them fighting over toys, or hitting each other, but also hugging and kissing each other or sharing a toy. I see both of them smile when they see the other one wake-up in the morning. It's fun to not only watch your kids grow, but grow together. I love how Liam claps for Braden when he does something good, or how Braden gets excited when Liam achieves a new milestone like walking.

It's a busy time with these two little dudes, but it's a fun time too. Now that Liam is a good walker, we will venture out more places where both boys can play (and I don't have to do as much holding) like the Children's Museum or open gym time. As winter approaches, I am going to get creative on new things we can do together: story time and other field trips. One big win this week is one is out of diapers (except at night)! Woo-hoo! We also start a music class together today.

 It is so clear to me now why I was blessed with two boys. I was a little fearful at first- was I ready for a future of being outnumbered in the house, wrestling matches in the living room, playing cars, trucks and washing sweaty sports uniforms from here on out (half kidding, half serious here)? A world I am not as familiar with sounded frightening at times. I must say that has been a wonderful experience being a Mom of sons so far and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Although they are busy and active, they are very sweet and endearing.  They are full of life, spunk and love.

Brothers til the end.....people may come in and out of these boys' lives, but they will always be brothers. They will always have each other. They will be each other's rock. Each one of them is different and special, but together they make one dynamic duo: my two sons.