almost there

Spring is trying it's hardest to start in the high desert. Really, it doesn't seem like we even had a winter this year. I can count on my hands the number of times I actually needed a jacket. And I don't feel too guilty about the fact that we packed up Fifi's snow-boots during our move in December and they are now lost in the black hole named, 'storage unit'. Or the fact that O's flashy snow-boots that I could hardly get off of him last year, are entirely too small for his feet this year and I never did make it to the store to find a bigger pair.

We haven't needed them. What we have needed are wind breakers. Because when there actually has been weather it has been windy. The kind of wind that makes you think your kids might be blown away if you don't hold their hands extra hard, or like I might just see Mary Poppins herself come floating down out of the sky holding her big bag and umbrella singing, "just a spoon full of sugar...". When I have seen something flying around in the air its more along the lines of a garbage can and in true western style, tumble weeds a tumbling. But really, it has been mild this year and the plants are feeling the days lengthen just like we are. The sun grows warmer on our faces when it peaks out from behind the clouds and I know that it will soon be one of my favorite parts of the year in Northern Nevada.

I took a walk to the Starbucks for an afternoon chai tea last week. I didn't need my jacket, clearly, the buds on the trees were feeling the same way. I was so happy to see that they are shedding their layers and preparing to show off in their best spring fashion.

good morning

1.5

Fifi, Sissy-la-la, Silly girl- today you are one and a half years old. You are such a goofball, full of beans and bananas and sticky fingers and uneven, toothy grins. You make us laugh on a regular basis and keep your brother on his toes.

Your talking more and more every day . Surprising us with words like jacket and bumpy. And if we don't understand what you are trying to tell us you just say it louder. yup, your the best kind of handful there could be.

 

I love when I catch a glimpse of you in the backseat shaking your shoulders to the music on the radio, when a good song ends you always ask for, "mo mo mo" until I get the tunes rocking again.

You love to tease your brother, sticking a finger in his ear, getting in his space, taking off with a beloved matchbox car. But you also are very sweet to him as well. You get him his blankie and binky and always, give him hugs, even after he gets a little too rough with you.

A good stroller ride and to play at the park is enough to keep you smiling all day. Going down the biggest slides and trying to keep up with the big kids. You have to be in the middle of the action. If the cousins are over, you are in the middle of it all, playing and copying them despite being the baby of the crew. 

You love accessories. Mardi Gras beads, sunglasses (sometimes two pairs at once) and shoes. Oh the shoes. We could probably switch out several pairs in the morning if I didn't keep them out of site. When we visit your cousin's house, it's straight to the organizer with all of her 'bling'. Who knew I would have such a girly-girl on my hands. You love to pile and stack things, taking over and claiming even things that aren't as, MINE. I am sure your Jojo would say you are your mother's daughter just because of that very word....

 

We are finally on a roll with sleep and everyone is feeling better because of it.I love getting a full night's rest of uninterrupted sleep.

We have stopped nursing, but have started to insist on holding on to my hair, pulling-tugging-twisting to fall asleep. Part of it melts me, part of it makes me crazy and I often wonder if I will ever be able to cut my hair into that pixie cut I have been considering.
We also figured out that if you sleep too much during the day that we will be up all night and by too much I mean, more than 2 hours. It took us a little while to figure this one out, but I think we are on track now! thank goodness.

 

Thank you for always bringing light and laughter to our home.

We love you, love you, love you! Happy 1.5.

3.5

O, today you are three and a half years old. About every couple of weeks, you tell me your birthday is coming soon. I nod and try not to think about how many trips around the sun you already made and how quickly it has happened.

You are such a big boy, and a big thinker even if you still have to have your Binky and blankie to fall asleep with at night. The past few weeks you have asked and said some of the craziest things to me....

As you sat on the potty you asked, "Where does it go when I flush the toilet." You weren't satisfied with  the standard, "To the sewer." I tried to give you. You wanted more information, does it come back to the shower? how do they clean it. I finally told you that we could make a trip to the sewer plant some day so you could see how it all goes down- good thing we know a couple of people who work in that business!
tee hee.

You also asked me if girls poop. I was half temped to keep the myth alive and say no, but you were watching me change Fifi's diaper. Um, yeah- see, your sister is a girl and she poops. "Yeah, mom- but do big girls, like you poop??? oh boy.

 You tell me you can't put your own socks on or your own pants, but if I even think about helping you button your shirt I am in big trouble. It takes some extra time, but watching your tiny hands fumble with the button makes me so proud. After you had your entire shirt done the other morning you told me, "Buttoning a shirt is a lot like knitting, right?"

Where do you get this stuff?
You are so smart and I just love watching your mind work.
I am so proud of you and happy to call you my son.
Happy 3.5!

the boy and girl

There have been a lot of really great play sessions between these two lately.

Giggling, trouble making.

Did I tell you about the TWO brand new packs of wipes they plucked with glee and covered the entire bedroom floor with the other night? 

I should have know there was mischief brew when it got so quite.

Rookie mom move, for sure. 

and some quite time watching Cars or Nemo.

They drive each other crazy, but they also know how to team up and drive US crazy.

This is what siblings do, right?

My favorite part, you can see how strong the love is growing lately and it is pretty cool to witness.