Liam: 21 months

 

 

Woah, this full-of-spunk little guy is turning TWO this summer. Crazy. He says, "birthday", "two", "candles" and "cake"- so he knows it's coming. He can also sing "Happy Birthday" in his cute little boy voice that melts my heart. He told me he wants a "ball" themed cake so I will make sure that happens!

Liam is our baby boy and he too amazes me each day. He can do more and more things every week it seems. He now climbs up things at the park without me around, think jungle gym ladder with skinny bars and taller than a not quite two-year-old should be climbing on- yikes! He also loves to slide and do or say whatever his brother is doing or saying. :) Monkey see, monkey do at this age!

Liam is hilarious and he is also my little buddy. At parties, he doesn't venture too far away from me- if he does he will come back and check on me every 5 to 10 minutes. He is a mama's little boy. He is more and more into animals each day- pointing out geese as we drive in the car, crying if we don't stop to see the ducks on a walk and he will sit and hang out with a puppy all day long. We went to the zoo the other week and Braden was done with each exhibit after about two minutes and Liam could sit and watch each animal forever (kinda like his Dad). So he seems to have a very nurturing side, when he's not hitting his brother that is.

It is absolutely crazy that this guy is turning two in a couple of months. I am excited for all the new things to come for him. I am relishing that he still likes to snuggle before bed and likes to sit on my lap once in a while during the day. I am learning how emotional he is- if someone is upset he gets really upset too. Liam is one special little guy and we are so glad he is ours! He brings so much joy, love and laughter to our family! His spinning, dancing, splashing in the tub and belly laughs are just a few of the things that make us giggle on a daily basis.

Braden: 3 years + 8 months

First kiddie cocktail- he said "it's too bubbly"- ha!

Waiting for swim lessons

He picked Spiderman face paint at Como Zoo last week

Going on rides all by himself 

 



As Braden turns a month older, he also finished his first year of pre-school. Next year he will move up to two days per week. He also finished swimming lessons (we take the summers off) and was trying really hard to complete his 2 yard back stroke and 2 yard front stroke unassisted. He is getting so close. He is great floating and swimming with a noodle, putting his head under, jumping in so his next step is to swim all alone no floaties! This coming month he will start T-ball and do a few summer camp days. He is growing each and every day. My oldest guy is turning four this fall- crazy.

Braden is as busy as ever. He constantly wants to ride his bike. Now that Spring-ish weather is finally here, he asks to ride his bike about 10x per day! It is fun to see the things Braden can do now and things he wants to try. He climbs the jungle gym at the playground and the climbing wall unassisted- yikes. I still have to stand behind him just in case. :) If I wasn't chasing Liam around all the time, I could spend more time doing the bigger things w/ Braden but he seems to be independent enough at times to ride his bike ahead, or venture off on the playground and do his own thing. We are constantly in the yard pitching balls to each other and he is already smacking them out of the yard (ok, well our yard isn't very big).

It's fun to watch him with his little brother. My ears perk up when I hear in a cute little voice, "Liam do you want to come with me?" Of course there is fighting, but it is fun to sit back and watch these two interact. Braden is still a ton of fun to be around- screaming with excitement when we go places. He is starting to have more opinions about places we go, things we do, or what he wears. Double yikes. He loves playing with kids in the neighborhood- he will just go up and ring someone's bell and ask to play. He is social and doesn't want to miss a thing.

Braden received his end of the school year award from his teacher, Miss Deanna, and it said that he makes her smile because he is the one child that always asks for more books at story time. He is our little book worm. He could read books all day (and ride his bike or play ball).

We are so proud of Braden, who he is, how he is growing up and we are amazed by how his personality is shining more and more each day.

Busy Bee!

 

So I haven't told everybody, but most people close to me know that I have been studying to take my personal training certified board test for about seven weeks. I made this decision at the beginning of April, jumping in feet first. I ordered the study materials, put myself on a rigid time schedule and aimed to take the test sometime before Memorial weekend. I wanted to officially put the books down for the summer if possible. In order to keep on this timetable, that would mean I had to do about two hours of studying per day and maybe more on weekends.

I was a little worried about how I was going to get in all this studying with two little boys at home, and not much quiet time (or any). I had good days and bad days, but I kept plugging away and looked at my book and study materials every single day for seven weeks. Whether it was nap/quiet time, or when the boys went to bed, or even as I jogged on the treadmill at the Y- my books were always with me! When we went up north, the books came along so I could study in the car and while everyone napped. The last weekend of studying before my test, Joe took the boys to his parents so I could get a full day of studying in with no interruptions. I made about 600 flashcards and knew every single one of them by test day.

So, test day came this last Thursday. I was nervous as could be. It was 100 questions and we got 90 minutes. There were a lot of questions where I could narrow it down to two, and then both of those sounded pretty good so I had to choose quickly knowing that time was ticking away. Many were scenarios beyond what I had studied, so I had to use critical thinking to narrow it down. I had to rush at the end as time was almost out, my heart was beating fast and as they came to tell me I had to be done. I didn't have a good feeling as I walked out. My hands were shaking, I felt a little sick to my stomach. It wasn't the big "phew" feeling I was expecting after test completion. To make it worse, I had to wait to get my results. I was restless and worried all weekend. I was pretty sure I bombed it and was going to have to re-take it. The results arrived in the mail yesterday and low and behold, I am an official certified Personal Trainer! One of my life goals that I wasn't sure I would ever conquer is now complete. I thank my family for supporting me in these crazy seven weeks. Braden will be glad I can read him books not rushed anymore since I am not speeding off to go study! Joe will be happy to see me more relaxed and not stressed. :)

This week is filled with Braden's last swim lesson, last day of school, etc...so we haven't celebrated yet- but I am sure I will find a way to do so soon! I look foward to returning to the non-study life and get some sleep again. Excited about the possibilities to come. Time will tell what my next steps are, for now I get to explore options and see. I may soon be able to say what I want to be when I grow up! :)

Spring Getaway 2013

So my three guys and I headed up to north central MN last weekend. We found a good deal at my favorite resort and decided to celebrate our five year anniversary with a little getaway with the boys. The last time we were in a hotel together it was a little interesting let's say- sleep deprived, toddler throwing things in the toilet all weekend, etc....so I needed a little time to have these guys get a little older and I was ready to take the vacation plunge again. It helped that we had a little cabin with a tiny kitchen area and living room separated from the bedroom.

Anyway, we all had an absolute blast. The highlights included: Braden screaming with excitement when he saw the Murphy bed, both boys going down a water slide for the first time, yummy meals, annual betting on the Kentucky Derby, yummy brunches, bike riding by the lake for Braden, games in the arcade, a nice long run for Mom, shopping in Nisswa, and many great family memories for us! The cabin was perfect for the four of us. There was plenty to do at the resort and we had a great mix of fun and relaxation. Here's to more vacation memories for us! Of course we didn't even get one picture of all four of us! Oh well, next time!!