Wakey Wakey

Last weekend Ollie took an extra long nap.  After a while Finn started to wonder where he was.  So we tiptoed into Ollie's Room and I let Finn get him up.  Anyone who knows Finn knows he's not exactly a morning person... Ollie on the other hand couldn't be happier to wake up to his big brother. 

 

"ssshh babies seepin"

Hey There!

Such a helper :)

I'll take that and you can have this

My little snuggle bugs

Finn Again

My hunka hunka burnin love. 
Look at this child and tell me your day isn't better- IMPOSSIBLE!
Finnley is a rootin tootin 2 year old.  When he's not busy jammin on his TWO guitars he is talking up a storm.  Finn is officially in parrot mode (as in you had better not say a dirty word in front of him, cause he's going to say it)
He surprised me the other day by counting all the way to twelve then following that with about 5 "seen-seen"s up until now I only knew he could count to 10.  I am so proud of him.  He makes the most wonderful crafts at preschool.  His imagination is so awesome right now.  I love listening to him pretend.  Lately its been monkeys- "the monkeys are here, they live in the trees" "oooh ooohhh aahhh ahhh" "c'mon monkies" he says.  Then the other night at dinner he told me a lion was outside and to "be careful". 
BE CAREFUL. That brings us to the next part. My son is a hall monitor like you wouldn't believe.  He loves to tell everyone what they can and cannot do.  "Don't touch" "Don't bite" "Get down now" "Be careful" poor kid- I'm afraid to say its me that's passed this bossy bootsyness down to him.  He is very cautious- holds the railing down the stairs, sits down and slips into the pool at swim while the other kids JUMP.  The toilet still freaks him out some.  He wants you in his sight at all times. When someone gets out of the car or walks out of a room he calls for them over and over.  Especially me. Sometimes I get frustrated, but then I realize just how lucky I am to be wanted by him. Lord knows that wont last forever.
We've gone through a big Cars phase, and Elmo was a hit for a minute, (dinosaurs are just a given) but now he's on a Nemo kick "mee-mo"  He wants to watch Finding Nemo, play with pretend fish in the water, and look at the fish in the petstore as often as possible.
Dog food and toilet paper are still preferred to any of the 2347557377551876897 toys he has so I have to keep my eye on him.  If he's missing in action you can bet he's perched in the laundry room cabinet with our fat yellow lab waiting patiently for each kernel that he's feeding her one at a time. 

He is still having his night terrors.  Joey and I are really putting forth an effort to keep our home at low stress.  With any luck they will pass soon.  I secretly love that he wants ME when he cries at night.  All day he would love to play and be a big boy with Daddy, but in the middle of the night he wants mommy.  I climb into his crib and we tickle each others faces until he's back to sleep.

Can you tell I'm crazy about this guy?

Oliver 6 Months 2.10.11.

What does being six months old mean to Mr. Oliver?

Sitting up on his own
Eating solids like oatmeal, rice, peas, sweet potato, pears, bananas, and mum mums
Having breakfast and dinner at the table with everyone
Wanting to do EVERYTHING his big brother does
Singing at the top of his lungs, cooing, gurgling, heck even yelling at everyone all day
Being in love with Aunt Kenzie
Smiling at everyone he meets
Scooting acrossed the room on his tummy
Supporting his body weight with his arms (hasn't mastered tucking the knees up yet)
Kicking, paddling, and going under at swimming class by himself
Throwing a F-I-T when he drops something or something gets taken away
The drooly, chewy, fussy beginnings of teething

Sleeping in his crib like a big boy for naps and bed time

...just to name a few

Oliver had his 6 month check up with Dr Doan the day after his half birthday. He now weighs a whopping 16p 4oz and is 26 1/2 inches tall. He is developing perfectly. Dr Doan estimates he will be walking between 10-11 months (noooooooo! Mommy's not ready) He got 5 vaccines and didn't even cry. He just did this little fussy nervous laugh thing.

Its crazy how similar yet different Oliver and Finnley are. Ollie has dark hair and BIG brown eyes- and everyone swears he is much bigger than Finn was, but when I reviewed Finn's 6 month visit he had almost identical measurements.

                              Kisses for his girlfriend

I remember how concerned I was when I was pregnant with Ollie that I wouldn't be able to love another baby as much as I love Finn, but my heart has truly doubled.

xoxo

Finnley Joseph

Fennel

Finnigans

Feewee

Nugget

My son #1

I have so many wonderful things to say about Finnley.

Finnley also has so many wonderful things to say right now:

"I don't like it" (to most things- even things he loves)

"nice touching" (as he pets Ollie or one of us on the cheek)

"Be careful!" (to other kids running around or to himself while doing something risky)

"Grosh" "eww" "yuchy" (to things that are dirty)

"I go Ni-Night?" (when he's tired)

"I watch it Dragon?" (when he wants to watch "how to train your dragon")

Could he be any CUTER?

His vocabulary isn't the only things growing these days- he is becoming so tall and lean. My baby is looking more like a big boy every day. His hair is getting long and curly. He weighs 28 pounds.

Sunday 1-30-2011 Finnley pee peed on the big boy potty for the first time. He was very proud of his Lightening Mcqueen briefs and the dinosaur sticker he got as a reward. Now he likes to ask me to go pee pee on the potty and give me the smallest pieces of tp to wipe with. All of his toys now use the restroom and he likes to check out the bathroom wherever we go. I am following his lead and trying to keep it a fun thing. I don't want him to feel pressured. What a milestone!

Finnley has Asthma. We've known this since he was an infant. This last week he has really been struggling. He is so brave during his breathing treatments now- he likes to hold the mask on himself. I HATE asthma- it breaks my heart to see him sick and scares me to death. Yesterday we had to take him in to Dr Doan and get him some new medication. Hopefully they will help him so he can get back to doing what he loves most- Playing outside.

He loves the yard. Right now it is so overgrown and everything is blooming. He must think its a jungle. I love to follow him around and just watch him explore. Almost nothing makes me happier than watching my kids play when they think no one is watching. He is SO curious. Rocks become planes, he talks to the dogs, he sings to himself. If he spots a bug he is in heaven, birds are a close second. Finn loves animals; just like mommy and daddy.

All in all I can say that we must be doing something right. He is overflowing with love and concern. He is feisty yet cautious. Finn loves to kiss and hug. He loves to see me and Joey kiss- sometimes he pushes our faces together and says "kiss". He hates to see us argue.

I have so many hopes and dreams for this young man- I hope I can continue to learn how to be a better mommy to him so he can flourish and grow up to be a good man.

Oliver

My baby is getting SO big.

He is asserting himself and becoming more independent.

He gets upset when a toy stops playing music or when you take the spoon from his mouth to scoop the next bite.

He loves Baby Mum Mums.

He sits up pretty well now.

He can pull his whole belly off of the ground. If you place him on his hands and knees he can hold it for a while.
He loves to eat! So far he has enjoyed everything we've offered him. Mostly he eats rice cereal and oatmeal, but I let him sample fruit or veggies sometimes. This morning he had mango puree in his oatmeal and LOVED it. Last week he tried peas and sweet potatoes. I love making his food by hand.

Kenzie was out with the boys last week and she had Ollie on her lap while she was talking and eating lunch. She was holding a french fry in her hand and Ollie jumped right on it (of course she didn't let him eat it, but he sure wanted to) He is in love with Kenzie, it makes me feel so good to know he is happy while I'm at work.

Oliver enjoys being read to. Right now he loves the Book of Hugs.

Everything Finn does is amazing to him.

I love watching my boys interact.

I hold him and say "mamamamama" and joey says "dadadadada" but he hasn't started imitating us yet.

Finns first word was "dog" I wonder what Olivers's will be.

He loves the way the doggy's fur feels. He likes when the doggies give him kisses.

Oliver is extremely ticklish. He giggles like crazy if you run your fingers down his ribs or thighs. if you kiss his neck rolls he squeals and cracks up.

His favorite toy is the busy ball popper. He sits up and watches it and gurgles and reaches for it. Gramma Terri bought that for him for Christmas- great choice.

I cannot believe his half birthday is next week. Where has the time gone?

xoxo

Some reasons why I love my babes:

Finn:
1. He says"sssssshhhweet"
2. His hair curls into perfect ringlets when he's sweaty or freshly bathed
3. His cute teeth
4. The way he stops to give Ollie kisses when he walks by
5. How he humms when he is eating something he loves
6. The pitch of his voice when he says "mommy?!"
7. The way he sings himself to sleep in his crib "elmo's song" and "military cadence"
8. He tickles my face and twirls my hair
9. He gives GG high fives on Skype
10. The look on his face when I get home from work

Oliver:
1. He is all fluffy, mushy, squishy, lovey, cuddly, and perfect
2. His dimples
3. The way he gets the pouty sad lip if he hears Finn crying
4. The way he watches Finn's every move
5. That he prefers Daddy to rock him to sleep
6. How he kicks with glee while I mix up his cereal
7. How he splashes in the bath and pool forever
8. The way he sings when he wakes up
9. His surprise face when we play peek-a-boo!
10.The cottage cheese cheekers!

1-24-11

Blink of an eye.

My weeks pass by so quickly.

Last week we started swimming lessons- the boys were in HEAVEN. Finnley remembered so much from last year and Ollie did so good, already going under water. At his age they stll know how to hold their breath. Its the best hour of our week- mostly the only hour the four of us are all together. I live for that hour.

In the bath tonight Finn was playing with his whale toy and telling it to "kick kick kick kick kick"

Ollie is sitting up for longer periods. He scoots backwards everywhere and rolls all around. Everything makes this guy laugh- and not just a giggle, he has a full belly laugh. He is obsessed with dinner time and seems to be an emotional eater :) If I don't spoon fast enough he growls at me.

We took Finn to Monster Trucks and he loved it! He sat perfectly still on my lap through the whole show. He runs around the house yelling MONSTER TRUCKS AWESOME!

All of the time I have with them goes so quickly. The moments are like sand running though my fingers. I love my boys as babies, I want to keep them just like this a while longer... PLEASE?

He's a morning person



















BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

Oliver E

This guy is hilarious. He laughs at everything.
My wiggly little ham.
Oliver is almost sitting up on his own. He likes to be propped up in the bumbo chair and watch Finnley. When he does tummy times he spins around to see things and is starting to scoot forward.
He is at the goofy stage of nursing where he does not want to be covered ever and if anything remotely interesting is going on he pops off to look around, then cracks a huge milky smile before going back.
He is so playful.
He is so tough. If Finn gets too rough with him or tries to play catch, he doesn't cry. He just stares at Finn dead serious. I have a feeling we have a few wrestling matches headed our way.
Oliver eats like he is starving. He loves rice cereal. He loves milk. He loves bananas and avocados. I have a feeling this guy is like mommy and simply loves food- all food.
Life is good.

Feewee

FeeWee is what Finn calls himself. Whenever he does something he is proud of (like counting to 8) he yells "yay Feewee!" Last weekend he was a real ham. First thing he said to me Saturday morning still sleepy eyed in his crib was "all aboard!"
I'm in love.
He fake sneezes an says "bwess you"
He is trucking along in his second year- new words everyday, and putting together so many small sentences "grandmama, I happy!" "burr told outside"
Everything he says is the CUTEST thing I have ever heard.
He kisses and snuggles his brother and tries to give him "knucks"
Finn is obsessed with "Papa" (my dad). Anytime we see a white work truck he gets excited. Each time he plays telephone he calls Papa "hewwo? Papa" and babbles on in Finnish.
The child could live in the bath. Sometimes he takes 2 per day. He lays down in them leaving just his face out and sings or talks to himself. He especially likes coloring with bath crayons.
Finn loves the stars and the moon.
He thinks the vacuum is going to kill him.

1.4.2011

When did I become "mommy?"

I've been strictly "Mama" according to Finnley for over 2 years and this last weekend he chirped "Mommy? 'Mere, Mommy?" and it seems to be sticking. Its adorable. It melts my heart... but oh it breaks my heart too. Another reminder my baby is becoming a big boy. Everyday he tests the world; wants to do more things himself. Some of my favorite Finnley words:

"teer" (tree)

"teart" (treat)

"Owie" (ollie)

"Tank you verr mush" (thank you very much)

He loves to call you to his room and show his toys. Whenever he runs down the hallway he yells "yay tunnel" (one of his favorite things is driving through the train tunnel on the road nearby, so any overpass or now hallway has become TUNNEL!)

He loves toilet paper. Always has. The kid can undo an entire roll in the blink of an eye and full of pride exclaim "bye bye potty!" We haven't started any formal potty training yet.

Finn loves to be outside- rain or shine. He says "yard?" he loves the "wain" digging. throwing rocks. worms. all of your standard little boy fun.

He loves to throw things away. If you give him a piece of paper or a dirty diaper, he is thrilled to take it to the trash.

He is the best kisser.

Oliver thinks Finnley is amazing. He laughs at him and watches his every move. I'm pretty sure Finnley thinks Oliver is his latest science experiment. For the most part he is loving, but just doesn't get why Ollie can't eat the raisins he wants to share so badly or catch the toys he's hucking his way. They love each other. They have an understanding. No words required- a language all their own.

Ollie laughs so much. He is the biggest goof ball you've ever met. He wakes up singing. His rolls have rolls. The bath is probably his favorite time of day, next to visiting mommy for a nursey at lunchtime (wouldn't you know those are my favorite times of day, too) He kicks and splashes. Both of my boys have loved water from the very beginning. Oliver is super snuggly. He is doing well with crib training. Last night he slept straight through from 10:30pm until 8am. Some nights Joey still sneaks and pulls him into bed with us.

Joey is forever checking on the boys. He must open Finns door and re-tuck him in a minimum of 5 times per night. He puts his hand on Ollie's back to check his breathing. Such a good Daddy, such a watchdog.

Tonight I worked so hard to make a delicious dinner for Joey. Its hard to cook and juggle two kids on your own. I was so excited- looked up recipes online, measured, timed, grilled, zested, plated the food as pretty as I could excited for him to come home. It only took a 1 minute diaper change for the yellow lab to eat the entire meal off of the kitchen counter. Good Lord I was mad!

Our house is crazy. Strangely, the chaos has become sort of comforting.

Intro-

As a mother, my most formidable opponent is time. It's fleeting. This is my desperate attempt to capture as many precious moments in our family life as possible. There are so many things that have already come and gone without being recorded on film, or in writing. Hopefully I can start 2011 fresh and continue to document our lives so my children can share them with their children (and so we can all reference the "truth" when family stories become Griffin fish tales). I love my family. Every single day I am blown away by my healthy, happy, gorgeous children. I am blessed to have a wonderful support group- a Village, if you will. My husband, family, in laws, and friends are my life support. Thank you.