Handsome Men on Valentine's Day

Just A Swingin'

We went to the park this past weekend where the boys did one of their favorite things. They giggled and swung and laughed with glee and swung and swung some more! They also watched the fish and turtles from the pier of the little fishing pond in our community. They love being outside and enjoying nature. I think they'll be glad when it warms up a bit.

Got Babysitter? We Do!

Got babysitter? We do! Mrs. Jody's "Got Babysitter" service is a wonderful personalized Mother's Day Out program. She loves all children and realizes all children have different needs and abilities. The boys love going to her house and playing with the other kids. They always do some sort of fun craft. Sometimes they bake cupcakes or cookies, too! This week they made Valentine's Day bags. Here is Finley admiring his. It has candy and photos of the boys inside.

Here is Kierie Bear admiring his Valentine's Day craft. Looks like he's thinking, "I glued the eyes on myself, Mom!"

Well, I don't know if that's true or not, but they did do a good job.

Who Said Waiting Rooms Aren't Fun?

Finley was recently diagnosed with a rare syndrome. We had an appointment earlier this week to have some medical tests done. The waiting rooms at the hospital were amazing. He had a blast. I think he's going to be the one kid that loves doctors if this keeps up. The heart and renal scans were normal. Praise God!

Here is a video. Turn up the sound. You can't help but smile.

Ten Kisses

I'm home from Blissdom '10 and EXHAUSTED. Blissdom can almost extrovert an introvert if that's possible. Everyone was friendly and kind to me. That is my kind of place.

When I went to fetch Finley from his Grandmommy and Pabba's house this morning (so I could take him to his OT and PT appointments), he walked fast to me, put his arms up and gave me at least TEN KISSES RIGHT ON THE MOUTH! He doesn't give out kisses that often. It was one of the happiest moments I have experienced in a LONG time. He missed me. :) Sweet boy. Grandmommy says he kissed her on the hand this weekend. Such a gentleman!

Kieran showed his love a little later... after his favorite Sprout show was off. :)

Finley did excellent at his appointments today. I am so proud of him. He amazes me and is awesome. We enjoyed a meal together. I think his Happy Meal and toy made him as happy as his 10 kisses did me!

While the Mommy Is Away, the Babies Will Play

I have been at Blissdom in Nashville since Thursday morning. In a way the time has flown. I have met so many people and learned a lot about blogging and relationships. I heard Harrick Connick Jr. play and met him. I even had my photo taken with him. On the other hand, I miss Andrew and the boys so very much that I can't wait to get home tomorrow night. Reports from home tell me about all their fun adventures with Grandmommy and Papa, Daddy and Grandmo and Papa Lowell. Just look at this photo Grandmommy sent me. What an angel! :)

You didn't think I would forget my sweet, lovable little Finley did you? Look at that sweet smile! Thanks Grandmommy and Papa for documenting their day and sending me updates. It makes my heart smile. Kiss em for me!

Putting the Doctor in His Place

Today, Finley had an appointment at the doctor. I have to share a funny thing. Those that know him, know he loves order. Well the doctor was sitting and got up to leave. Finley went and got him, grabbed his pinky and sweetly led him back to his chair and patted for him to sit down. Once the good doctor was back in his place, Finley was off to explore some more. Gotta love him, he's so cute.

Also, they went to stay with Mrs. Jody for a few hours this afternoon. When we picked them up, Kieran was dancing around the living room and running away while giggling so sweetly. Why? Because he was being chased by a Zhu Zhu pet. It was so cute.

Thomas and Percy Enjoy a Meal

Finley doesn't do much of anything without his best friends Thomas and Percy at his side. If he must do something without them, he will find someone in the house to "babysit" his beloved pals so little brother can't get to them. Here he is enjoying a meal while checking on his buddies.

This morning, we went to Finley's occupational and physical therapy appointments. He did really well, focusing on the tasks at hand. Today he spun on the special board they use to help his balance, he swung, played in the ball pit, sorted objects by color, jumped on a trampoline, showed off how many steps he's taking and much more. I am so proud. Kieran stays with Grandmommy and Papa Ted while brother is at therapy and he really enjoys being an only child for a bit.

Kieran likes his new friend Bucky. He is enjoying a drink of milk before falling asleep in this photo taken last week. I can't believe the boys will turn 2 and 3 in April. What will I do for their birthdays?

Our Visit With Family and My Little Boys

I wonder if this is how each of my boys will remember their childhood?

I always remember mine in black and white.
This photo was taken at my sister's house.

Recently, we enjoyed a nice weekend spent visiting my parents, sister, her husband and friends. The boys had a fun time and were totally spoiled by their family and friends and loved experiencing different scenery.

My oldest son (he’ll be three in late April) really loves the farm my sister lives on. He wanted to spend the entire day outside today. It has been raining a lot over the last few days and he had cabin fever. He kept leading me around, showing me different things. He would eventually end up at the big area where the dogs were outside playing. He would stand at the fence for the longest time, just watching the dogs. I had to stand there too. If I walked away to the nearby carport to sit down, he would turn around quickly and walk the 30 or so steps (actually he almost ran) to get me. Once he fetched me, he would take me back and put me in my place. It’s funny because he struggles so much with his walking, but if he REALLY wants something, he can do really well. I think he over thinks it sometimes (as we all do in life).

He would also take his little Thomas and Percy trains that he hauls everywhere and line them up at the fence, facing the dogs so they could “watch” his furry friends as well. Once, I picked his dear trains up to put them away and he got frustrated and put them back, carefully arranging them, facing towards the fence.

At one point, I tried to take a nap while my family was awake to watch the boys, but my sweet son awoke from his nap and I was awakened with the ear piece of my eyeglasses poking me in the eye. He was trying to put my glasses on me while I slept. Once he got them on, he grabbed my finger and took me right back where I belonged… outside (and fully awake). At least he was thoughtful enough to get my glasses for me so I could fully enjoy the scenery. My youngest son was content watching football with daddy and rearranging his aunt’s house.

I sure will miss these days when they're all grown up.

A Toddler's Imagination and His Love For Trains

I know Finley loves trains. His Thomas the Tank never leaves his side (and if it does, I am summoned to immediately fetch it with pleas of, "Tuss, Tuss, Tuss!"). He sits in his chair, in his bed, on the floor, in his car seat and wherever else he is, running his trains over his limbs and head. He spends much time at his beloved train table (you might remember this post, this one that started his love for trains and this one of him admiring the trains). A huge smile pastes itself on his little face when he sees his Thomas book. When I go get him from nap or in the morning, he frantically searches for his Thomas and Percy before he'll leave his room. He and trains (also known as the aforementioned "Tuss" or "Choochoos") are BFFs.

So, I shouldn't have been surprised when Andrew found this in the living room yesterday evening...

It's a remote, it' s a book, it's a car, it's a binky.... these are my first thoughts when seeing these items strewn around on the floor. Leave it to a toddler's imagination to turn them into exactly what HE wants them to be.

"Nooooo, it's a TRAIN, Mom! Isn't it obvious?" Well, now it is!

And, I do have to take notice that Kieran's binky is bringing up the end of this train as the caboose. Maybe Finley is hauling it off to the dump?

Who knows, but you gotta love kids!