Missing her...

The boys and I went up to Mariposa Gardens today to visit my mom's grave and put some new flowers in her vase.  Brayden picked out a pink rose, but couldn't quite understand why he couldn't take it home with him.  How to you explain all that to a 3 year old?  I am sad that neither of them will ever know her.  I try to show Brayden pictures and talk about her, hoping to keep her memory around.  As it gets closer to it being 1 year since she passed away, March 27th, I find myself thinking about her a lot.  One whole year has already gone by...one year of memories she was not a part of.  I still find myself wanting to pick up the phone to call her while I'm driving, just like I always did.  I miss her.  

My Little Musician

Brayden loves the cartoon on Disney called Little Einsteins.  Every episode they feature a composer and an artist, and they use lots of musical terms such as "fortissimo!" (which means very loud...Brayden's favorite, go figure!) He loves music in general and will sing just about anything.  So, I decided it was time to pull out my violin and play for him.  Immediately he asked to play, insisting "Mommy, you have to share!" (Can you tell what the latest parenting theme at our house has been???)  

Looking back I could possibly be crazy for letting my 3 year old play my very expensive instrument...but he was surprisingly well behaved with bow in hand, so maybe we will do it again sometime.

Mommy's "Special Milk"

I have to start out by saying that my husband is a very good sport.  When I told him I was going to post this picture on my blog, he looked at me like "Seriously??"  Yes, I was serious.  I just have to tell this story because it could possibly be the funniest thing Brayden has said and without the visual you won't fully appreciate the comment.  It was Wednesday morning and were all just getting up and around (except Caleb who was ready to go back to sleep!)  Corbin was sitting on the couch holding Caleb in the same position that I nurse him.  

Enter Brayden :  "Hey Mommy, Daddy has special milk too!"  

So Much for Organization!

So I hosted playgroup at my house for the first time on Tuesday.  The kids made Valentine's day cards for their dads, played, fought, ate...and left!  I was so busy playing hostess, this is the only picture I managed to take!

But let's back up to the night before...I decided I wanted the play room to look nice and organized (cause 2 year olds care about that kind of thing!)  So, I put all the animals in one bin, all the trucks in another...you get the idea.  Took me about 20 minutes or so.  How long did it take them to mess it all up???  About 2 seconds!  Oh well, they had fun!

Therapy with Mimi!

My mother-in-law Kelly is a Physical Therapist.  She works with lots of kids who need help with anything from rolling, to sitting, to walking...the list goes on.  When Brayden was a baby, we would see her playing with him on the floor, and suddenly slip a little therapy maneuver in, thinking we wouldn't notice!  So now it's the running joke that my two boys get the privilege of free therapy sessions with their Mimi, whether they need it or not!  Yesterday she came over to spend some quality time with Caleb while Brayden was taking a nap.  We took some fun "developmental" pictures to use as examples for other therapists... I secretly think she just wanted some "therapy time" with Caleb :)

Such a big boy holding my head up!

What the heck are you doing to me Mimi?!?

Follow the crazy looking cow Caleb!

Check out my grip...I've been working out

I sure have a crazy Mimi, but I love her!

I LOVE my three boys...

Big Boy Bed!

So I've been putting off this transition for purely selfish reasons:  

1. I like that he is confined in his crib.  It means I can get a shower or breakfast in before he starts terrorizing the house!  

2.  He still takes 3 hour naps...which I assumed would quickly turn into 3 hours of playing around in his room, or worse, not staying in his room!

However, we have been pleasantly surprised.  We are on night 4, and so far he has not even attempted to leave the bed or room!  Now let's be real here, I don't expect that he will never try to do this.  He is the king of stalling, so as soon as he figures out that he can roam free, I fully expect him to do so!  But, for now I am excited that he is doing so well.  

Sleeping soundly the first night - we snuck in after awhile and here's what we found!  He loves to sleep with the pillows on top of his head.  Crazy kid!

Rise and shine - he waited patiently in the morning for us to come get him.  Yay Brayden! :)