Luke's Turn...

My mom always said that there is just nothing cuter than a two year old, and that trying to compete with one was useless. And boy can I attest to that. Most of the time, Max just steals the show these days. But as Luke is getting older, he sure is trying to give Max a run for his money.

As I've said many times, Luke is a VERY easy baby. Mr. Laid Back. Has spent a lot of his first 7 months just content to hang out and flash a smile. But recently, he is working more and more to make himself known. He has discovered his voice in a major way, and enjoys shrieking at the top of his lungs. Babbling is also becoming more common, and we are all enjoying the dadadadada and mamamama he will give us. He is still very easy, but is getting to the age where he demands more attention.

Mr. Content is also working on becoming more mobile. He sits up unassisted for short periods of time, and is now enjoying jumping in the jumperoo. He is a prolific roller and can pivot with the best of them - and combining these skills, he can really travel across a floor. It amazes me just how far he can get without actually being able to crawl. But I don't think crawling is that far away. While we were at the beach, he started to get up on all fours, and now spends a lot of his floor time rocking back and forth on hands and knees.

Almost all of this development is exciting, but at this point, we are all hoping for a little break from teething. Poor guy is now up to 5, and number 6 is right at the surface. I'm sad to lose the gummy grin, and he hasn't yet learned to nurse without tooth pressure. I know that as he gets closer to being able to handle more than purees, the teeth will come in handy. But right now? Really, they are just a pain.

So there you have it - updates on both boys, and a greater effort at blogging. Maybe today I'll try something really crazy - like cleaning my bathroom...

Latest Maxisms...

Ah, my oldest child.... These days he is the source of my greatest everything - greatest frustration, greatest laughter, greatest curiosity, greatest inspiration. Those who know him best understand what I mean when I describe him as passionate. This kid feels everything deeply, and has come to be known as "spirited". No one else can make me pull my hair out and melt my heart at the same time.

To put it mildly, he is very verbal for an almost three year old. Often, this leads me to forgetting just how young he still is. And the things he says never fail to make me pause. Here's a few recent examples:

- In a discussion about how Mema (my mom) is going to be left in charge while Mommy goes out for a little while, he looks up from playing and very seriously asks, "When do I get to be the boss, Mommy?"

- "You know how much I love you? Up to the moon."

- "When Luke gets big I will share all of his toys with him."

- Describing his play, "Well, the bus just ran over the cutie-pie pig. That happens to all of us sometime."

- "I like beer, but I can't have it 'til I'm taller."

- "I'm just not a good sleeper" (Gee, have I said that a time or two about him?!)

- He's very into playing pretend, and we almost always have family alter-egos. These change often, and he issued this proclamation the other day - "We used to all be super chimpanzees. Now we are tigers. Next we will be gypsies and hang from the chimney

- He likes to repair misunderstandings with "Well, actually...."

So, if any of you are in need of a little toddler humor, questioning, and bold assertions, do I have the kid for you. I'll rent him out - CHEAP!

Savannah Jane....

One of the major highlights of the last few weeks was getting to spend a week with my niece. She is almost three months old, and it is the first time we have gotten to really hang out together. First off, she is absolutely adorable. Where my boys have rolls upon rolls, she is a petite ballerina with long, slender limbs. And she looks like such a little person - not the generic "baby" that we always picture. But even besides that, she is amazing - the sweetest little voice that she saves for talking with her mama when things finally quiet down. She loves to stand up, and sucks voraciously on her hands for comfort. She also has the cutest little grins, and the most heartbreaking pout there ever was.

I feel so lucky to have gotten this time with her, and am trying desperately (though rather unsuccessfully) to forget that she lives so very far away. I can't wait to watch this little girl grow up.

What can I say? I'm an aunt in love!

So much fun...........

What a fun couple of weeks here in the Young House! SO much to update on, pics to share, and Maxisms that I am not even sure where to start. This may become a series of small posts because I am way to intimidated to try and share everything all at once.

Where to start?

Well, we had a nice visit with Dan's dad, Robert. Robert is currently on retreat up in the Yukon, so visits with him are rare. Max enjoyed getting to play dinosaurs, and it was Luke's first time meeting Grandpa Robert. It was all pretty low-key, but a good opportunity to catch up.

Then, the same day that Robert flew out, my sister and
niece flew in. I have been looking forward to this FOR-EV-ER. We spent a week at the beach with my parents, sister and beautiful niece enjoying perfect weather and even bettercompany. (Unfortunately, my BIL was unable
to join us - and we really missed his energy and
humor) There will be more about the details
of the week to come!

We returned from the beach just in time for our ninth anniversary, and a wonderful date night sponsored by my in-laws. Then were yesterday's festivities, with all of the bbq and fireworks that come with celebrating our country.












It's been wonderful - relaxing, full of laughter, and memory filled.


Now back to our regularly scheduled lives....

Cousins...

I always knew I was lucky. I have an incredible extended family - and just the right size. Each of my parents were 1 of four siblings, and on both sides there are 9 grandchildren. So I have 14 cousins - and each one of them are interesting people (well, we don't know much about baby Maclean, since he's only a week old, but I'm sure he will be interesting too!).

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Boise for my cousin Adam's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and Adam's bride April is a great addition to our family. The absolute highlight of the trip was meeting my niece, Savannah, for the first time. But, a close second was hanging out with my cousins. Chris, Mandy, and Adam are very close in age to Erin and I, and we spent a ton of time together as very young children. Unfortunately, it has been a very long time since we could all be in the same place at the same time. We had a great time just hanging out, catching up, and giving each other a bad time. And I don't know the last time I laughed as hard as when we were trying to take this picture.

As silly as it sounds, I'm so proud of who we all have become.

There is something so wonderful about spending time with people who love you, and knowing that while times have changed a great deal, who we are hasn't. Our common past gives us a place to start. So while Adam is headed back to Iraq, Erin's in Ottawa, Mandy's in Phoenix, and Chris is in Boise, we will always be those five rugrats chasing and teasing and laughing and loving. 'Cause we're good like that...

Don't know why....

I don't know why, but I've sure had trouble sitting down to blog lately. Having trouble scrapbooking, sewing, and doing much of anything "crafty", too. My guess is that I just ran my batteries way too low, and have needed this week to just recharge. I'm hoping that I'll find my rhythm soon, though.

One thing I have been doing this week is reading. I've polished off two books this week, and can't wait to start a few more from the library. It was one of my goals this summer - to get back into the reading groove. Getting up with Dan in the morning buys me 30 minutes to an hour before one of the boys wakes up, and I can usually steal another hour sometime during the day. Truly, it has been so refreshing to get lost in another world while remembering a bit of my "former" life.

Dan's dad, Robert is here this weekend, and then next week we go to the coast for a week. I've already planned my reading list. And maybe I'll find something worthwhile to blog about....

But in the meantime, here's a little plum face for your enjoyment -

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

That's me, sighing in relief. The last few weeks have felt like a mad sprint to the finish of the school year. But I've crossed the finish line and am taking a few days just to catch my breath.

Since I last posted, a great deal has happened that I will post more about later. We went to Boise for my cousin's wedding, we lost one of our students, finished the school year, boxed up my classroom for the room move this summer, and went to my parents' house for my mom's retirement party and Father's Day. I really can't believe that it has only been a week and a half.

A little bit of great news before I begin more detailed postings - I have a new cousin! Maclean Ransom was born on Thursday - and boy has this boy been prayed and hoped for! He is the only boy to carry on the Patrick name, and after a tragic loss last year, my aunt and uncle couldn't be happier to have him in their arms. I hope to go meet him soon - will post pics if I get them.

Have a great day - I'm off to catch up on laundry!