a little thought...

he's so cool

Never a dull moment with this one; he's hilarious.

he's 2!

Two years ago this precious little boy made his surprise debut into the world. He started out so tiny and helpless. He had black hair, didn't open his eyes for two days, laid in the NICU like a slug for two weeks. He came home on oxygen and slept 20 hours a day. He was like a floppy rag doll. He grew pretty fast. He never cried, and his big beautiful blue eyes were always glued to me. He followed me everywhere I went with his gaze. He was a little snob and wouldn't drink out of a bottle. He wouldn't drink pumped milk. We bonded and spent many hours together just the two of us. He has been slow to hit physical milestones, which has made him seem smaller, longer. He's always been cuddly and always wants his Mama. I cannot even explain the love and special connection this baby and I share. It is not any more special than my bond with Kaden, it's just different and I love that.

Beckham is big now. He's grown and learned so much. He weighs almost 29 lbs, talks constantly, and it's obvious he always thinking and learning new things. He loves his brother. He is feisty and knows what he wants. He is two. He has grown and changed so much over these last two years. It's been such a joy to see his personality unfold, to see him hit milestones that have been such a challenge for him. This boy has me sufficiently wrapped around his fingers. I am so in love.

Last night we sat on the couch and watched the Backyardigans. Such a cute show. He loves it and sings along. He had just exhausted himself when it was getting dark and I drug him off the trampoline kicking and screaming "wanna jump!" He cuddled with me for an hour straight. I caressed his cheeks, kissed his head over and over, and played with his chubby little feet. I was in awe at his perfection and my heart nearly exploded with love and joy.

Happy 2nd Birthday to my beautiful baby boy. Beckham, I love you so, so much!

(not so) bright and early

A few weeks ago my friend Lacy asked if I wanted to run with her one morning. We had to meet at six so she could be back before her husband left for work. When my alarm went off I wanted to cry. I wanted to stay in bed where it was so warm and cozy. Having to meet someone is better for me because I get to be accountable to someone. That first run was hard. I felt out of shape and tired, but I loved it. We met every day that week. We have invited a handful of other girls to come and now there are 5 of us that go...even though all 5 haven't been together yet. We've been going for 4 weeks. I still moan when I hear my beeping alarm at 5:30 AM but it feels so good to get out and get moving so early. I love how beautiful it is here. The air is brisk and smells so good.

It's been so good for me. It's good for me to make myself do something hard because I normally resist and I can guarantee I wouldn't be doing this on my own. I love the feeling of having exercised before 7 in the morning. I get home and feel awake and ready for the day. I am getting so much done in the morning. I really feel like by noon I have accomplished more than I usually would have all day. My kids are so happy that I am already up when they wake. I got into a horrible habit of letting Kaden come and jump all over us before we would crawl out of bed. I can't even remember the last time I got to see the sun rise. Now I get to see it rise nearly every day. It is so beautiful.

Matt and I still need to work a lot on getting to bed earlier. I know that now school has started and it will be harder to meet most of my friends, it's going to be harder for me to keep it up. At least now it's become somewhat habitual and maybe that will help. I don't know why I posted a whole long thing about nothing, but I really feel so much happier and energetic getting up early, being able to have some time to myself, and to think and run, and to enjoy good company and beautiful surroundings. Maybe that saying is true, Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. I could sure be happy about that!

bumpy beds

Kaden has been asking for a "bumpy bed" for the longest time. We decided to try it out and those boys are beyond excited. I thought Beckham might be too small to be in a big boy bed, but he is in Heaven. They were giddy and hysterical as my dad and I put this together. They have loved it. Kaden thinks he is the luckiest boy with a jungle gym in his room. He is crazy. I couldn't get a good picture of the kid because he is constantly flying off the top bunk.

Beckham didn't get out on his own for about a week. The he figured it out and felt so proud. Matt and I were watching movie and here he comes. He had the hugest smile on his face and said HI! Then he made a loop around the kitchen and said see ya and trotted back to his room. He came back out and repeated the same thing about 5 times. It was too cute. Kaden was yelling from his bed, tattling, mama! Beckham is out of his bed! Later when I got Beckham to settle down Kaden said, Mama, I am so happy you are proud of me for staying in my bed. He is silly.

Those are some seriously kissable lips right there. And that belly?!?!

That little monkey is so loved.

little hiking buddy

Last weekend after our little lake day I took the boys up my favorite trail. I carried Becks in the backpack and Kaden hiked all by himself. It was his first official hike. He is so cute and funny. He loved every single second and was so proud of himself. It was like hiking with a dog. He was running ahead, jumping off the trail, climbing on rocks, and checking out every single thing. He was noticing things and paying attention to what he saw, the things he heard, and really soaking everything in. I was filled with joy watching him explore. That kid has so much energy. We went over two miles, a lot of it uphill and rocky, and he kept right up. He ran most of the way, back and forth, up and down, and never seemed to tire. He kept saying, Mama! I'm such a good little hiker man! ... I am so fast and strong...I'm not even tired, Mama!


On our drive back we stopped at a natural spring and filled water bottles. Kaden thought that was the coolest thing. The water comes right out of the rock and tastes SO good. Clean and pure. When we got back to my parent's house, where Matt had been helping with kitchen remodel, Kaden was so excited to tell Daddy, Nana, and Papa all about his hiking adventures. He was so proud of himself. I am going to love having him as a little hiking buddy.

it's official!

We are so proud--beyond proud. We are celebrating like no child has ever learned to walk before.

lake day

On Saturday we decided to head up to the lake for a picnic and some splashing around. Kaden was so excited to play he didn't even want to eat his lunch. The place I wanted to go was a little crowded, but we found a pretty good spot. The water was a bit murky and there was tons of mud, but the boys were in Heaven. Toby was so happy. Matt and I loved sitting on the beach watching everyone running around so happy and free. The perfect little family outing on a Saturday afternoon.

Beckham and Matt sat on the shore forever just throwing rocks and splashing. Beckham was giggling uncontrollably. He never got tired of throwing rocks and watching them splash. Even when the water got him right on the face he thought it was hilarious. Kaden floated around in a little raft for almost the entire time. It has leg holes, so he just waded around where he could touch. I had to practically force him out of it when it was time to go.

I love impromptu stuff like this. We just decided to go and went. It wasn't that much work and the fun we had together was perfect. The weather was perfect, the water felt great, and it was so fun to be together, just us. I need to do more of the last minute stuff that I sometimes dismiss because it seems like too much work and I don't feel like I have the energy for it. Stuff like this gives me more energy because seeing my husband and kids happy, feeling sun on my face, and being carefree is always worth the hassle, and in the end wasn't a hassle at all. It's always worth it. It's almost always refreshing and energizing.