Holy Terrible Two's

What fun to be welcomed home by a two year old who now only wants to converse with his dad. I guess the one on one bonding time was a huge success! "No mom, I want dad to...(fill in the blank)". I am sure he is equally as happy to have me home as he received six (so far - its only 3:30) disciplines today. At midnight last night I decided we needed to really get consistent with this obedience thing. This was as I got kicked in the head by a two year old foot for the 50th time. No more napping in "our" bed, no more sleeping in "our" bed, and no more saying "NO! mom!" We have been marching to the beat of our two year old dictators drum and I am exhausted. It is funny how I have been slowing handing over power to him and didn't even realize it until it is totally out of control. I have girded myself with a refresher of chapter 15, Shepherding a Child's Heart and the bible and am currently adding Instructing Your Child's Heart to my arsenal. Wish us well, better yet put us on your semi-permanent prayer list, say 16more years.

Not to completely paint a bad picture of my little sweetie, he is still moms protector as he gave me a huge hug last night and said "Aiden take care of my mom".

Back From Montana

Nolen and I flew to Billing, MT for a four day weekend. He was of course awesome on the plane (on the way out). Just wanted to smile and talk to anyone who would look his way. In Billings he met his great aunts and uncles, second cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He loved everyone. We looked at the horses and chickens at grandma and grandpa sandes house, but the gravel driveway was apparently more captivating as that was all he was interested in looking at! Day three of our trip he developed a fever and kept it up until we got home. I was pretty worried as most moms are when a little one isnt feeling well. He fussed and couldnt be comforted all the way home. He definately wasnt feeling well since he has been nothing but pleased his entire short life. (Right now he is back to himself - blowing a mass of spit bubbles and cooing to get my attention as I write this).

It was a bitter sweet trip as we spread my grandmas ashes. She is one of my favorite people and I still cant believe she is gone. At least twice a week I think of picking up the phone and calling her or writing a letter and I remember she isnt here anymore. But having all her family together this weekend just clarified what an amazing lady she was and what an incredible legacy she left us.

Made it back in one piece

We just arrived back saftely from our ten day trip to Liberty lake. It was quite an adventure as we, Myself, Nolen and Aiden all shared a room. Aiden and I slept in the same bed and Nolen slept in his little co-sleeper next to the bed. Aiden is kind of a wild sleeper, he makes lots of noise and moves all around. But it was sweet too because he would cuddle with me and I never get to do that anymore with him. Nolen was a champ. Basically no fussing the entire time, right to sleep every night, although he did start waking up every two hours to eat at night. So I am pretty certain I never got even two hours of sleep in a row the entire time. The high light of Aidens time was playing with my brother Christopher rat, Tansey. Aiden calls her a baby ratoon or baby tansey. Anything small is a baby. We had to stop three times on the way back so Aiden could pee on the side of the road. I dont know if he really had to go or if it was just fun to pee on the road. We were able to visit the Browns and participate in a little homeschooling. Aiden loved playing with Mia, Silas and Macy and having lunch with them too. We also had a play date with another Mia who lives across the street from my parents. He must have thought she was cute because he was pretty obnoxious to her. Grandpa sang to Nolen and this enchanted him. Nolen seems to really enjoy music and singing. Aiden started dancing alot whenever music was on. All in all a good trip. Good bonding for the boys and I for sure!

Visiting Liberty Lake with the Boys

My first road trip with both of the boys. We made it to Spokane with only minor irritations. Nolen continues to amaze me with his laid back personality. He fussed for a total of 10 minutes and then was his jolly little self for the other five hours of the trip. Aiden continued to amaze me with his perservance in pleasing only himself (I suspect this is typical of two year olds) The battle of wills began when he insisted on watching the same dvd over and over and I could no longer listen to Curios George. He cried for an hour and then when he finally gave in to my apparently unreasonable request of asking me in a controlled polite manner to watch it ONE more time, he promptly fell asleep. All in all a perfect first leg to our road trip. Blue sky, light traffic and good company.