Connor's favorites

And now Connor, time for your list:

favorite foods:  mac and cheese, chocolate milk, chicken dunked in chick fil a polynesian sauce (but not the chick fil a nuggets--you say that they are too salty!), and a ham and cheese and ketsup sandwich (??).

favorite books:  (hard to narrow this one down to just a few) Rainbow Fish, Charlotte's Web, Owl at Home, Merry Christmas Amelia Bedelia, and The Jesus Storybook Bible especially the story of the crucifixtion and resurrection.

favorite games:  making clubhouses and forts usually loades with pillows and books and blankets and toys, hide-and-seek, playing on the backyard wood play set, and anything that involves you directing EVERY aspect of the game.

favorite friends:  Wes Snoden and Jaxson from preschool and Nate Polk from church.  Hopefully, you will continue those friendships after starting 'big' school next year when everybody goes in different directions.

favorite quiet time activity:  play-doh, scribbling with markers, watching videos....although, you and quiet are only synonymous either while sleeping or for short 15 seconds spells in between all your loudness.

favorite outfit:  your orange and grey striped shirt (short-sleeved), your green and white striped shirt (long-sleeves), your Thomas underpants, your long blue jeans, your socks with the brown stripe, and your red and black shoes.

favorite movies or shows:  Toy Story, Kipper, Phineus and Ferb, Cars, and Thomas.

tid bits:  I am reminded daily what a bright, thoughtful child you are--sometimes you use that knowhow to get into mischief or argue your plight.  You have very definite opinions and like things the way you like them. 

You enjoy being a big brother some of the time, but it "gets on your nerves" at others.  I can see that you are enjoying playing with Aidan more and more as Aidan gets older.  You don't like it now that Aidan can assert himself a little more.  And, y'all definitely have your share of swabbles.  You love to direct your play with him and you are usually okay if Aidan does exactly what you want him to do--you're not liking that now Aidan's coming up with his own opinions now too.  It's just one of those growing up lessons--can't always get what you want exactly when you want it.  I'm so proud of you b/c I'm seeing that you are really making a conscious effort these days to take turns and let bygones be bygones.  You are definitely growing into a mature little boy before ours eyes. 

You enjoy sameness, which I can definitely relate to--changing routines, or introducing new people or plans throws you off a bit, but you are becoming much more adaptable that way as you are getting older.  I see a lot of myself in you and the way you interact with your world.  You see beauty all around in nature, you love coolness (as you call it), your mind becomes consumed in the stories of your books and you replay it over and over again, you hold back and are guarded when you meet a new friend and want Mommy's familiar presence til you warm up...and then you're off with no trouble, you try to please me when you think I'm upset, you are already so trusting in God's sovereignty (I hope that only continues to build into thankfulness for it and for His grace), and you are extremely passionate (either with joy or with anger).

We love to see your bright and smiling face enjoying sweet play and hearing you tell us all the amazing adventures you find yourself in each day--you tell everything with such passion and excitement...it's infectious.  We love you with all our heart.  Our sweet big boy!

These are a few of my favorite things

Years from now you'll likely ask,"what was I like when I was little?"  It will be fun to look back at this.  Here are a few of your favorites right now:

Aidan

• favorite food:  mac 'n cheese  (macck cheez)...you also love rice, orzo with pesto mixed in (you also call this rice), apples, pears, cheerios, cheddar cheese, toddle raviolis, dried cranberries, frozen waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, can biscuits, and of course milk.
• favorite word:  Nooooo
• favorite book:  last week "the very hungry caterpillar", this week "love you forever" and "guess how much I miss you" read by grandma or "the night before Christmas" read by Aunt Gretta.  Your favorites change frequently, but you always want me to "sid douww" (sit down) and "ree book" while pointing very adamately on the couch cushions or the floor.
• favorite song:  "the wheels on the bus" and you signal to me to sing it for you by rolling your fists over and over each other.  You also love to listen to VeggieTales, which you "bohhh leyi" (bob and larry).
• favorite toy:  easy. cars and trucks.  You especially love the little hot wheel sized ones.  You sometimes walk around almost all day two-fisting them and scream like your life depended on it if one is taken away.  Sometimes you sit all by yourself for minutes on end just positioning or pushing your cars around on the coffee table or your play table. 
• frequent request:  "watsz tommy" as in watch Thomas the train on tv.  And when I say 'frequent', I mean like all the time.  When you ask, you smile while you say it--I wish that I could catch you on video asking me.  It's so cute.  When I tell you guys that we will watch Thomas, you throw your hands up in the air and roar,"Tommyeee" and run to the tv.
• favorite lovey:  you, lately, really love to snuggle one of two blankets--a soft yellow one (given by the Hoffmans) and a blue one that's soft quilted on one side and fuzzy, soft on the other.  You also love your pull-string musical puppy--although, you don't really care that it's musical; you just like to hug it.
• Newest craze:  anything related to Thomas the Train.  Grandma gave you "Toby the Tram" for our collection.  You have been soo crazy about this thing.  Several nights you even slept with it.  The train fascination has definitely struck you.

Tid bits:  You love to get dressed in the morning, but you hate having your diaper changed.  I suspect you're sure you don't have the time to spend on such things.  Sometimes during diaper changes, you insist to "go peep" (go pee pee) just like Connor.  We strip you down below the equator and stand you up on a small stool at the potty and wait.  And wait some more.  Until finally you announce, "aww duuhh" and you happily climb down.  The first time you were up there, you did a little dribble, but none since.  I'm not sure you even know how to make it happen yet.  You seem awfully amazed and tickled when it happens in the tub.  But, I'm all too happy to entertain this dress rehearsal of sorts.  It'll happen eventually.

You now really love your nursery teachers.  Miss Gloria and Miss Azalia light up with terrific smiles when you walk in pulling your 'cars' rolly backpack behind you.  A few weeks ago you handed your pack over to Miss Azalia and ran to Miss Gloria to give her a hug when at drop-off.  I was so shocked and so happy.  Happy to know that you are loved and that you love the ones who love you when I'm not around. 

In addition to all that sweetness, lately we've noticed an increasing aggressiveness from you.  Sometimes you just walk right up to Connor, reach out and pull a huge chunk of his hair.  Or grab his chest for a good, long pinch.  I'm guessing you're figuring he has it coming given past crimes, or even assuming future incidences.  Thankfully, for me, you hate time-out and nearly fall to pieces with even the slightest correction.  You are a star at apologizing.  "I saarreey" rolls right out and usually with a smile and hug. 

You're not the best, however, at accepting those apologies though.  At any injustice, ie. a swiped toy car, a speck of mac n cheese falling on the floor instead of  your mouth, or Connor beating you to me for 'mommy's home hugs' at the end of my work day, your sweet mouth turns stiff and the bottom lip is forced out to accommodate all the sobbing that will eventually ensue while you throw yourself down onto the ground in protest and desperation.  It's quite a sight to see. And hear.
The best of all.  The absolute best of all for me, as your mama, is to come up to you when you don't know I'm home and watch your face lift up from whatever car or truck or train that has your attention at the moment.  You see me, grin, and happily say,"Mommy!"  while you make a beeline to me with arms outstretched.  Then you let me hug you.  Afterward, you pull away a bit but don't take your eyes off my face while you say it again, this time almost in a whisper as if it's a secret between the two of us.

I love you too, sweet boy.  My sweet baby boy.                                        

Two

Aidan, yesterday you turned two.  No more one year old boy. 

I think that you sensed that it was your day.  You woke up so early--6:15am which is really unusual for you.  I'm hoping that we're not starting a trend. 

When I went to pick you up out of your crib--which, by the way, you don't seem in a hurry to lose..and, fine by me--you immediately began chanting, "more tommy, more tommy!" ...translated "more Thomas".  You love Thomas the Train, and we've let you and Connor both watch episodes of Thomas the Train while we ease into the day.

Everytime you see one of the engines or freight cars or such, you squeal with delight and point and shout until one of us acknowledges that we've seen it too.  You even get excited, no crazy excited, when you spot the pencil-size Thomas face on your very tiny toddler fork during a meal. 

Your morning routines are pretty predictable these days.  Get up, watch a little cartoon with Connor, drink you mi-mi (milk), and usually refuse whatever food I put in front of you (cheerios end up on the carpet or I find half-slobbered pieces of blueberry waffle all over the house where you've dropped it following Connor.

When I change your diaper in the morning now, you insist on dressing for the day. "Shar! Shorr! Shorrtt!" is your plea for shorts and a shirt.  There's no lounging around in your pj's all morning for you. I think that you're trying to be ready so you don't miss anything.

So, after Thomas and milk and one ditched waffle, we made our way out the door and went to Walmart, so I could hunt supplies for your birthday cake and so Connor could pick out a birthday present for you.

The first lesson that I, as your mommy, learned about my new two year old came only a few hours into your day:  that is, NEVER take you to the toy aisle of any store. NEVER.  Once your keen eyes spotted Lightning McQueen and Mater you screamed over and over til you got your fingers on them.  And, then we made our way down the to the Thomas end of the aisle.  More squeals.  I let Connor pick out a car to give you and a few cars and one Thomas for me and your daddy to give you--I had a large cloth grocery bag that I used to conceal the gifts from your wanting eyes. 

You were fine...until it was time to make our way to check-out.  You were desperate to convince me to turn that buggy around and take you back to those precious toys.  Heads on either side of us turned to see what was making all that noise...and what a dreadful face you gave them.  Sooo pitiful.  As if you were being stripped of all hope of any more happiness in all the world.  And the squealing and anger toward me, the pusher of the buggy.  Angry squawks to turn that buggy around.  To go back right now! 

You fell asleep in the car on the way home.  At 11:15am.  Way earlier than usual (1pm), but remember, you had gotten up like 1 hour earlier than normal, not to mention the tantrum at the store, so you were wiped out.  

Daddy carried you, sweet and sweaty, to your crib and lay you down to nap.

Connor wrapped your gifts after lunch--well, I wrapped and he helped me tape them.  He was very excited to give you your presents later.  (secretly, I think that he also was excited to play with them, but his enthusiasm for your surprises was truly genuine).

I assembled your cake.  It was angel food (I told you it was the cake that angels ate and that's why I wanted to give it to y'all, b/c y'all are my little angels).   I cut the two rectangular cakes to look like a semi truck cab and trailer.  The cab was blue (I'd originally wanted red, but I couldn't get the icing any darker than pink).  The trailer was purple (I added a little blue to the pink icing from earlier).

Connor, of course, couldn't wait for you to wake from your nap.

We had an early supper--pizza from papa john's.  Connor was so sweet to you and you were so excited for the attention.  You didn't eat much;  you seemed a little out of sorts frankly.  You and Connor got down from the table and played while we finished up.

You were so tickled to see the cake.  You immediately pointed and said, "Truck!"  Connor, of course, snuck a few licks.  We sang 'Happy Birthday" and you were the center of our all of our attentions--a rare occasion all at once.  And you loved it!  You couldn't quite give a strong enough 'blow' to get the candles out, but you did reach up and squeeze one of your candles out with you fingers (that fearless curiosity of yours!).

Incidently, you got mad at Daddy for smearing the icing on the cab of the truck when he was stealing a lick--you yelled, "No!  My truck! My truck!"

By the end of it, you and Connor both had purple icing from fingertips to legs.  I saw you put your fingers to your lips a few times, but mostly you just enjoyed playing in it.  Such a sweet sight for a mama to see--her boys having fun and us all enjoying your birthday happy.

After all the icing had been washed off y'all's hands, faces, and all the other crevices, you fell asleep in my arms drinking milk.  I was glad that the earlier bedtime that night (8:15pm) provided a little more light than usual.  I watched your face and how you enjoyed our time with me holding you, rocking back and forth beside your crib.  Your hair fell over your forehead so sweetly and your eyelids fell so that I could see that your eyelashes almost matched the hair on your head.  You clung to me when I picked you up to transfer you to your bed.  I gave you your special blanket, the blue fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other side blanket.  You were out before I even left the room.

Two is looking pretty good so far.

The magic box

After good friends gave us some homemade treats in this box at Christmas last year, it has kept hidden leftover stocking candy, valentine's treats, school party goodies, sugary presents from Grandma, and extra birthday party favor candy, only to be doled out by Mama or Daddy...slowly.

One afternoon, when Connor was in the foulest mood and I was at the end of my patience, I remembered the box way up in the cabinet out of sight.  I announced that we had a 'magic box' with treats inside. 

Ears perked.  "What's in there, Mama?"

"Ohh, very special treasures!  BUT, these are only for sweet, obedient, helpful, and kind children."

I felt a little bit guilty about that, but, like I said, I was out of patience.

He asked, "Am I a very sweet and kind boy?"  His hands were out, all ready to receive--and, in that moment, he looked almost angelic.

My heart melts.  My mind was saying, 'at least make him work for it...get him to clean up the endless piles of cars on the floor.'

But no. 

"Of course you are sweetie!" with a big kiss on his cute cheek, as I untied the bow.   His face lit up and he jumped up into my arms giving me a huge huge.  "Thank you Mama!"

There we were.  Connor munching on a chocolate valentine heart while I stood beside him at the counter, so happy to be able to give him such pleasure. 

I don't know--maybe my motherly instincts didn't totally miss that day. Surely, along with the sugar in him tummy, the take away of that moment will remind Connor later of another unearned gift.


In Matthew, Jesus said,"be like these children: full of trust in God.  They are the most important in the kingdom." The children ran and jumped into Jesus' arms with no worry about how good they were, or how important they were, or even how nice and kind they were. 

God's love is a gift.  All you have to do is reach out and take it.

Maybe someday he'll remember moments like that--when he was rewarded for doing absolutely nothing--and think of God's amazing gift of his son for us, one also unearned.  The biggest and most special gift of all.

Told ya so

My prediction about not keeping this blog account going was pretty accurate.  Let's see--I've skipped three or four very exciting trips by grandparents and to grandparents, one very bodatious and expensive trip to Disney World, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Richard's birthday, a tortuous family ordeal that left Richard and the boys fending for themselves, Connor's fourth birthday, and lots of Aidan's drool and sweet smiles.

Two peas in a pod.

A special birthday for Mama from her three best boys!

Connor insisted on being a Christmas tree for Halloween.  We even had battery-powered lights :)

Aidan finally likes to 'read' books and loves Aunt Gretta!

Connor never tires of...well, he never tires!  Pop pop is raising the bar here :)

I never tire of that look.

Since I'm sure that Connor won't remember this trip, here's our proof to him that it happened...and, it was a blast!

A rare hand-holding moment (Connor, no doubt, is trying to stay on the 'nice' list).

Connor got a bike with training wheels for Christmas---he's riding like a pro now and it's impossible to keep up with him most of the time!

Two handsome, hard-working guys!

Bubble-land.  Need I say more?

Aidan is finally consistently sleeping through the night now---or else, I would've never jeopardized this naptime to snap this precious shot.

Mid-morning and just after supper in the evenings are such blessings these days .  That's the magical-brother's-play-together-time without fighting...well, without fighting a lot...most of the time....

Aidan's personality is really starting to shine and he's become quite the sweetheart and fun-loving little man.

Love this picture of Connor.  It was shot by Richard who took Connor to a snake roundup near Waco.  Yes, I said snake roundup.

Aidan loves a chair!

Cousin time with Vincent at the stick sculpture in Cameron Park.

Love.

Blurry picture, but a sweet and very four Connor eating pizza and enjoying a giant chocolate cupcake.

That blue ring pop made Aidan look cyanotic.  He's really hamming it up for the camera--he made this face at least four times on demand for me to snap the shot.

More cousin time with Andrew and Hunter.

Our first 100 degree day was in May this year--yuck!  Pool splashing fun for all (whether you like it or not!).

End of year program at Connor's preschool.  I can't even put into words how proud a mama I was watching him sing those sweet songs and make the little hand gestures and even singing in Spanish.  He's changed so much and grown up so much this past year.  My little man.

My little man throwing a very babyish tantrum.  I believe this one involved not getting either tv time or a third snack for the day or something equally ridiculous (but, obviously, very important to him!).

I think I can. I think I can.  And, he almost can. (he can ride the scooter solo now).  Go Aidan, go!

I love watching them when they don't know I'm there.  I pray every day that they will grow up loving God and loving each other.  The loving each other part is much easier to imagine during moments like this....but, during less-lovely moments, I know that despite THEIR love, GOD loves them and will, I pray, mold their hearts into tenderhearted and kind souls who will support and love one another, forgive one another, and protect one another all the days of their lives.

Photos from a busy week

Notice the drool!

Engineer Connor and little Aidan caboose

Little boy loves to give sweet hugs!

                                                                                                                                                                                               

If you can't tell, I'm right in the midst of a 4pm energy sag.  Once in a

while, I get brave and close my eyes...and pray that I don't get

hit in the head with a car!

I love when I can catch Connor

in a truly sincere smile, so full

of joy! 

Reflections

I'm astonished at how the knowledge of my sin can change my behavior, but my heart has a very short memory.  I know (or I make myself remember) that my salvation rests on Christ's work in my heart and not my own success or obedient behavior...then....poof!  I'm right back to the same old, same old--trying to win entrance into His Kingdom through my own good works. 

Thanks to some wise words from friends recently, and one very convicting sermon last week, I've been reflecting lately on how idolatry is not only ruling my own life, but how it is finding it's way into the hearts of my children. 

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I am a slave to comfort.  It's my biggest idol.  I'll do just about anything to get it.  And, everyday, I put my desire for physical and mental comfort ahead of my duties to my God, my family and my friends.  And, many times, if I'm patient (a.k.a putting my needs on the back burner) in a situation, it's really only motivated by hopes of getting credit for my 'incredible' patience.  I'm a comfort and credit-craving hog! 

Connor's sinful heart (especially evident at age 3) bursts forth on a daily basis these days.  It's funny how I can see that his idols are very much like mine.  He desires very much to be in control and to serve his needs rather than anyone elses'.  On being told 'no', he's not a stranger to yelling, fit-throwing, and sometimes physical lashing out!  Not my child!  I can remember reading Sheparding a Child's Heart and planning that my child would probably be like every other child and would disobey and act up, but I always planned that I would be able to talk them down.  I'd be able to change their hearts...back to that sweet and obedient state. 

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And it is not your doing; it is the gift of God..."

During a reflective moment, I have compared myself to Martha in the Bible, who slaves away cooking and cleaning to prepare for the arrival of Jesus to the home.  I envied Mary who ignored the mess and responsibility in order to worship at Jesus' feet.  Mary rests at the feet of Christ, listening and peaceful with faith.  Martha, while believing in the one true God, does not trust the saving power of grace and works and works for Jesus' favor. 

How can I be a woman and a wife and a mother like Mary?  How can I rest at His feet and have a peaceful heart in the work that He's accomplished for us? 

I want to impart in Connor and Aidan a strong faith and thankfulness in what the Lord has done for us, while, at the same time, raising them to be strong, confident, and obedient boys.

Lord, help my unbelief.  Give my heart peace to sit at your feet and worship you.  Help me to trust you rather than myself.  Guide our steps.  Give me the words to guide my children into step with you.  Help Richard and I correct them in a way that is pleasing to you; and, so that Connor and Aidan can see your forgiveness in the face of their repentence.  Let them grow to love and worship you all the days of their lives.  Your will be done.

Summer Days are driftin' away...(thank goodness that Fall's a comin'!)

We've become really creative at making the most of our house this summer.  With the heat soaring above 100 almost everyday this month, outside is not the place I want to be, especially with a toddler and a preschooler.  Our days start out in the kitchen easing into our day.  There are many mornings that the boys will sleep until around 7 (or even later!!), and it has been so wonderful not to have to sleepwalk through breakfast. 

Since our trip to NC, I've taken to having a hot cup of tea in the mornings (when I have time to enjoy it).  I know that it sounds contradictory to complain about the heat of summer while sipping on hot darjeeling tea.  But, I've come to really enjoy this small, sweet tradition.

Gradually, after breakfast, the boys are coralled into the den or dining room(a.k.a. temporary playroom), so I can enjoy said tea and daddy can read the paper.  Before, only headlines got read and I ate breakfast standing up, back and forth while putting out sibling rivalry fires during this time; but, lately, a remarkable thing has happened.  Connor has begun engaging Aidan in his games!!  Yay!  Praise the Lord!  I never thought that this day would come.  Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of snatching and whining and crying too, but just watching the beginning of their brother evolution (or revolution) is so beautiful.  The fears that I've had about Connor's attitude toward Aidan makes this seem like a miracle to me. 

Since I've started back two days a week to work, I haven't gotten as stir-crazy as before; but, I still find myself, most days, planning at least one outing a day either mid-morning or after naptime.  Our favorite places are still the museum and, of course the old stand-bys, Target and HEB.  I haven't taken them to the library as much as I thought that I would.  Aidan's personality is so curious and stubborn, that whenever I'm there with all those narrow aisles and tempting books shelved within reach, he is pretty much impossible to control unless I give in to his temptation to pull every last book off the shelf that he can reach--which would likely get me a crusty look from the librarian.  Strapping him into the stroller buys me only about 10 minutes before his impatient, loud protests to explore starts--another crusty from the lady behind the counter.  If I do happen to land him in a spot away from the stacks that entices him for a few minutes, he inevitably finds some gross thing on the floor to put in his mouth, like a millipede (last week)---ewwww!

All in all, summer mornings have been relatively great.  Still, the cooler weather cannot get here fast enough for me.  I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time in the yard with the boys this fall! 

Long Time No Write

Just as I predicted, I've let these postings fall way behind.  After our wonderful trip to NC, which was about 3 weeks including travel, and the off and on (mostly on) sickness b/w both Connor and Aidan before and since then, any free time has mostly been taken up by shameless lounging. 

I have to say, it's nice to know that already it's the middle of August.  Only about two more months until (please oh please) we'll get some relief from this oppressive heat.  We're working on several weeks now above 100 degrees and a heat index of 110 almost everyday. 

I took the boys and we met up with a friend and her two girls today at the zoo.  Even at 9am, I was ducking into the shade of trees.  Just looking at the tigers and monkeys with all their fur made me feel so icky. 

I'll post pictures later from our trip to Grandma and Pop Pop's in NC.  Like I said, it was a great trip and none of us wanted to leave.  But, like all good things, it had to eventually come to an end.

Here are some high and low points looking back on the summer:

1.  Both kids had at least one ear infection this summer...among other upper respiratory ailments  (and Aidan won the award for most vomit and diarrhea during one 24 hour period this past July as well--actually, the diarrhea was many 24 hour periods, followed by a bodacious diaper rash, relieved only by prescription strength butt cream called Happy Heiney!).

2.  Aidan has become obsessed with cars and trucks--fascinating to me that boys really do like boy things, even this early.  He pushes them all over the floor and table and grunts "uh, uh, uh"  (vroom vroom or buddin buddin).  This was a surprise b/c Connor was not at all interested in cars at that age, but just now has started to enjoy his matchbox cars.

3.  Connor saw and swam in the ocean for the first time and.loved.it!

4.  When doing #3, we avoided any sunburns (except Daddy got a little roasted on his feet!).

5.  Connor and Aidan got lots and lots of grandparent, Aunt Gretta, Aunt Marjorie/Uncle Herb, and cousin time!  Sooooo wonderful!  Connor, especially, was on top of the world. 

6.  Richard and Pop Pop took Connor fishing for the very first time.  And, after catching about 5 or 6 catfish, he and his second cousin, Andrew, became much more interested in the cooler full of capri-sun and eating goldfish--can't say that I blame them! 

7.  All totalled, we spent close to 60 hours in a car.  I still don't know quite how we accomplished this one.

8.  We visited good friends in the mountains (the boys first time there, too) and Connor saw his first close-up snake.  He kept calling it to come back out of the bushes to play.

9. Richard and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary with a stay at a posh hotel (the same as the first night of our honeymoon).

10.  I started back to work---part-time.  Monday's and Wednesday's.  Somedays, I have a little twinge of regret for even doing that, but, mostly, I'm just very thankful for the mental and physical outlet.   

11.  As of August, Aidan is officially an almost-exclusive walker!  No more infant.  I'm the proud mommy of one preschooler and one toddler!

I know that there's a lot more to say. I'll have to fill in some of the gaps later.  I'll leave this with just a couple shots of Connor and Aidan from July.