Big!

My big boy seems so big lately.  He has big ideas, always thinking about the world around him.  He loves big, always ready to snuggle and hug.  He laughs big and sometimes melts down big.  He likes big boy toys, like the little Legos and Hexbugs. I feel him pushing to move from the world of being small to the next step of being more independent.  

My boy is still passionate for kitties, dogs, and cars.  He loves his brother, most of the time anyway.  He loves to be nickeled and LOVES to wrestle.  He has a new love for board games and will play UNO non-stop if you let him.  

It is amazing watching him grow and watch him learn about the world.  This little man never ceases to amaze me.  I think my heart may burst with love for him!

Love at First Squeeze!

My little Z has a love, a squishy soft Giraffe we call Geff.  We bought Geff the Giraffe when we went to the Richmond Metro Zoo after his first birthday and he quickly became his very favorite.  He loves Geff even more then trying to steal his brother's favorite animals!

Watching him love that thing has become one of my very favorite things on thie Earth to see.   As I rock him to sleep every night (sometimes multiple times a night), I love how his chubby little arm goes around Geff's neck.  I love how he smiles when he finds Geff around the house and I love how he chews on its horns and tail.  I love how he positions Geff's neck around his while he is falling asleep and how he sings little Z songs to Geff when he is playing.

Mostly I just love my Z, the rest is all extra!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I made it !!! I had to double up a couple of times but I did it!!

So for today, Thanksgiving, here is what is on my heart....

 - I am thankful that somehow I get to spend  everyday with the love of my life. My husband is my rock and I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone but him. 

- I am thankful for my boys. For every giggle, adventure , tear, meal , bath , bed time, lazy day, school day, home day, good day , naughty day, busy day, hug, kiss, and cuddle I couldn't be more thankful. They fill my heart, they are my breath , they have my soul.

- I am thankful for my family, my biological one and my married "into" one. Somehow I got lucky and I have a family that has and is willing to do so much for us, it is breath taking really. 

- I am thankful for sisters.  My own big sister has always been my idol, my biggest fan, my sounding board, my guide, my rock, my teacher, my librarian, my coach, my friend, my support, and my inspiration. I also aquired three beautiful sister-in-laws that have taught and inspired me moved then they will ever know.

- I am thankful for my nephews, who are almost like siblings. They have taught me so much , I couldn't be prouder of them then I am. They have both made me laugh harder then anyone on the planet.  They are strong and loving, how cool is that?

- I am thankful for my nieces.  The day my sister's daughter was born I fell in love with her from miles away. She is smart, sweet, talented, funny, and gorgous. Then another breathtakingly precious little girl joined our family and again I felt my heart burst from miles away. She is so sweet, smart, and it goes without saying, beautiful. These girls enrich my life.

- I am thankful for my career. I accidentally found speech- language pathology and I don't think there is a better career for me in the whole world . I am so thankful to be able to support my family doing something that inspires and excites me. 

- I am thankful for teachers, both the formal and informal ones that have guided me personally, academically, and professionally. 

- and I am thankful for friendship.  When I look at the variety of friends that I have aquired throughout all of the stages of my life I am honored and humbled to call these wonderful people my friends. 

My heart is full!

And that is enough sappinness :) I better get working on getting ready for Chrismas. I'm determined not to let if sneak up in me this year  (a girl can hope right?)

The 27th

Today I'm thankful for:

- school programs

- feasts

- baby smiles

- naps

- pie

- rain

- root beer floats

- caramel corn

- time to play

And

- shoes

For yesterday, the 26th

I am so thankful that my boys have cousins

-  I'm thankful that their Sirs cousin is here for a visit.... Such a sweet little niece I have, I am so happy to have this time together

- and I'm thankful for their big cousins on my side.... The big cousins give them someone to look up to. I am in awe of what wonderful people they have grown to be, even though I can't beleive how grown they are!

For the 25th

I'm thankful that-

- Ballroom Blitz was the theme song of my day

- my husband didn't even bat an eye when I told him that I locked my keys in the car today and I would need rescuing 

- I got to play with the boys while someone else did the cooking

And

- I get to kiss my boys goodnight every day 

For the 24th

I'm thankful for

- surprise maple bacon doughnuts

- the anticipation of upcoming days off and out of town visitors

- balls, phones, cars... The things that make my boys happy

- FaceTime 

- lotion 

- family "wrestle time"

- ice cream runs

- already being able to embarrass Raivis by singing in public

And

- the chair that I have rocked both babies to sleep in