We celebrated Mav's second birthday this past weekend and I can hardly get over that fact that although I am very pregnant, another "baby" right around the corner, my "baby boy" is now TWO years old. Oh Maver John, where did the time go? And, like all birthdays do, it literally just aged you over night. You woke up two years old and seemingly doing so much more. Sunday morning was your actual birthday, and Grandma Coppola had just flown in late the night before to spend a week with us and help Mommy prepare for baby sister on the way. So that was your first big birthday surprise, that Grandma was downstairs when Daddy brought you down. You were so excited to see your little pile of toys, Tula was up already and so excited to show them all to you, and help you unwrap them. You got your first big remote control vehicle, a Monster Truck, which is almost impossible for you to operate on your own right now but you love to try or even just watch Daddy play around with it. You got a set of 8 new mini monster trucks and you were over the moon about them. And a little boat for the tub and a ball and baseball glove from Sis that she picked out herself for you. You love your glove and ball and playing "catch" with whoever will take the time. Sunday morning, after a few presents, we had a lazy morning. You and Daddy went up to your room, you wanted to bring your MOnster trucks up and introduce them to the ones you already have, and you wanted Daddy to play with you and told him "door, close it" so you guys could hang out in there with all your new trucks and the door closed for no one to interrupt. You played a long time in there, which is not like you, you are getting so big and independent. You lined all your trucks up in a row, when I came in you said "look Mommy, LOTS!" It is fun to see you enjoying anything so much. You played with Grandma and Tula for a bit while Mommy and Daddy rested, then we packed up and went down to the pool for a picnic lunch and some swimming. Came back for naps and then went out for dinner to Oregano's and some playtime at what was a complete dump, but you enjoyed, a place in Phoenix called Jeepers. It smelled like a bowling alley (or worse) from 1942 (or older). It was in a crappy part of town and that should have told me, but I didnt even think about it. Oh well, you and Tula had a blast, going on a couple little rides like a carousel and a little mini roller coaster and train and some "rocket ships" that went around and around. It's amazing how you guys are so easily happy and entertained, and all those things that make us as adults completely grossed out and annoyed (smells, weird crowds, filthy carpet, etc.) do not even phase you. You pretty much though you were in Disneyland for 45 minutes, what an easy guy to please!
The next night, we had a couple friends over for a little birthday party so you could eat cake with your friends and be celebrated in that way too. It was a smaller crowd, only about 7 or 8 kids there, but at this point in my pregnancy it was totally exhausting for me and I truly couldn't have even handled much more. We had a few of our neighborhood friends over for a pizza party. They came and played for a bit, everyone ate pizza and wanted to play outside. Of our neighborhood friends, you are the youngest kid at this point (there are 3 babies on the way to change that!) but you can all of a sudden play so easily with all the big kids. Jumping on the trampoline with them, fighting over toys with the bigger kids, and even learning to share and play side by side with them all. We did the same thing as Tula's birthday, because Mommy is a clean freak, and had all the kids eat their cupcakes outside on the grass:) Then came in and you got to open a couple more presents from friends, play with toys for a bit, and everyone went home. You had a fun birthday party, and you have only been two for a couple days and already just seem THAT MUCH bigger to me.
Oh Maverick. Happy Birthday Buddy. You will soon be a big brother (hopefully any day). To be honest, the last week I have been just trying to make it to your birthday and NOT have a baby so you didn't share a birthday, but not that celebrating you is done I am ready! Once you are a big brother I know that will make you seem all the more bigger to me. Although I will forever cherish (and sometimes even miss) your baby days, watching you become the little boy that you are fills me with joy and pride. You are so happy, you are so eager to please, you are so so incredibly loving and you are so hilarious. You are two years old, all of these wonderful things, and showing us more every day. Happy birthday to my favorite guy in the whole wide world! Love you Maver!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tula is Three Years Old
Once again, Tula's third birthday was a whirlwind of celebrations and parties and excitement. But the best part about this year's festivities was that it was Tula who was the most excited for all of it, and of course her anticipation for all the festivities made it all that much more exciting for me. June was actually a tough month, we had a couple other birthday parties to attend and it literally got to the point where at one party Tula spent most of the time sitting at the gift/cake table just staring at the cupcakes and presents, asking if she could open them. Because we had talked about the fact that her third birthday was coming up, that month leading up to it, every day at her quiet time she would ask if it would be her birthday party when she came out. It was adorable of course. So when the big day came, it was a BIG day.
Tula's first party celebration was actually a couple days before her actual birthday while we were in Canada at the lake. The day of June 29th we ended up travelling back to Calgary from the lake so we did it a few days before then. My mom had had a girls weekend out there and there was lots of relatives, aunties and cousins and even Great Grandma Matson. Tula got a surprise party after lunch one day with a Toy Story Cake and a couple gifts to open from GG and Papa. Of course she loved all the attention and was so excited about her new Jessie doll. But her big celebration was after she got home and got to have her real party with her friends. This was what she was really excited about, to be the party girl and surrounded by all the kids in her life that have truly become such important little friends to her. We had her party about a week after her actual birthday, on Friday July 9th. It was John and my turn to host our neighborhood "date night" and I decided that with 8 of her little friends already here, why not just invite a few more and make that her party. At this point, entertaining a bunch of toddlers has to be be easier that hosting all the parents as well. So Tula had her first big girl drop off party, from 6 to 9. John and I hired a babysitter to be there with us for extra hands, but it actually ended up being a pretty easy and uneventful night, we probably could have managed on our own. The kids had all eaten dinner already, so we turned on some music when they got here and let them have a "dance party" in the living room for awhile. There was also a bunch of them playing in the toy room. Then someone decided they wanted to play outside, so as HOT as it was out there, we let all the kiddos run around for a few minutes, and brought cupcakes out and sang Happy Birthday to our girl. Then inside to open a few gifts, and upstairs to watch a movie together while the kids waited for their moms and dads to come and pick them up. Tula loved it. She loved being the center of attention for the day. She loved making her own cupcakes that morning, decorating them with icing and sprinkles that afternoon, and eating them that night. She grinned ear to ear when we sang her Happy Birthday. This year, Tula loved everything about having a birthday party, and that made it that much more fun for us to celebrate her!
Two weeks later, while in CT with Daddy, Tula got one more cake and birthday celebration with her family there. This time, her and Maverick each had their own cake and some gifts to open, but I think even though she had to share the party with her brother, she enjoyed a little more attention over the fact that it was her birthday and she was being celebrated once again. So, three birthday parties for our three year old girl. Tula, you are a very lucky little lady. And loved by many, many people.
My Tula Belle. At three years old you have turned into a little person. You are able to communicate so clearly with me now that it sometimes scares me. You remind me daily that you are now my little sponge, soaking up everything I say and do and reflecting it back to me in the way you play with your toys, your brother, your friends. So of the things you come up with you are angry with Mav crack me up, because I know you heard them from me. You will tell him "you have had enough" or use one of my phrases that I would use with you if I was stressed out or overwhelmed. But you also have picked up on the good too, I will hear you playing with him and speaking words of encouragement to him, or playing with your Barbies and talking so sweetly with them back and forth with each other, and I love that you have picked up on that stuff too. Hearing you talk like that reminds me of what I am doing right with you, and how loving you truly are. It is amazing to see you able to express your thoughts so clearly. It is wonderful getting to know who YOU are, your own little person, more and more every day.
It's very belated, but Happy Third Birthday Tula Belle. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!
Tula's first party celebration was actually a couple days before her actual birthday while we were in Canada at the lake. The day of June 29th we ended up travelling back to Calgary from the lake so we did it a few days before then. My mom had had a girls weekend out there and there was lots of relatives, aunties and cousins and even Great Grandma Matson. Tula got a surprise party after lunch one day with a Toy Story Cake and a couple gifts to open from GG and Papa. Of course she loved all the attention and was so excited about her new Jessie doll. But her big celebration was after she got home and got to have her real party with her friends. This was what she was really excited about, to be the party girl and surrounded by all the kids in her life that have truly become such important little friends to her. We had her party about a week after her actual birthday, on Friday July 9th. It was John and my turn to host our neighborhood "date night" and I decided that with 8 of her little friends already here, why not just invite a few more and make that her party. At this point, entertaining a bunch of toddlers has to be be easier that hosting all the parents as well. So Tula had her first big girl drop off party, from 6 to 9. John and I hired a babysitter to be there with us for extra hands, but it actually ended up being a pretty easy and uneventful night, we probably could have managed on our own. The kids had all eaten dinner already, so we turned on some music when they got here and let them have a "dance party" in the living room for awhile. There was also a bunch of them playing in the toy room. Then someone decided they wanted to play outside, so as HOT as it was out there, we let all the kiddos run around for a few minutes, and brought cupcakes out and sang Happy Birthday to our girl. Then inside to open a few gifts, and upstairs to watch a movie together while the kids waited for their moms and dads to come and pick them up. Tula loved it. She loved being the center of attention for the day. She loved making her own cupcakes that morning, decorating them with icing and sprinkles that afternoon, and eating them that night. She grinned ear to ear when we sang her Happy Birthday. This year, Tula loved everything about having a birthday party, and that made it that much more fun for us to celebrate her!
Two weeks later, while in CT with Daddy, Tula got one more cake and birthday celebration with her family there. This time, her and Maverick each had their own cake and some gifts to open, but I think even though she had to share the party with her brother, she enjoyed a little more attention over the fact that it was her birthday and she was being celebrated once again. So, three birthday parties for our three year old girl. Tula, you are a very lucky little lady. And loved by many, many people.
My Tula Belle. At three years old you have turned into a little person. You are able to communicate so clearly with me now that it sometimes scares me. You remind me daily that you are now my little sponge, soaking up everything I say and do and reflecting it back to me in the way you play with your toys, your brother, your friends. So of the things you come up with you are angry with Mav crack me up, because I know you heard them from me. You will tell him "you have had enough" or use one of my phrases that I would use with you if I was stressed out or overwhelmed. But you also have picked up on the good too, I will hear you playing with him and speaking words of encouragement to him, or playing with your Barbies and talking so sweetly with them back and forth with each other, and I love that you have picked up on that stuff too. Hearing you talk like that reminds me of what I am doing right with you, and how loving you truly are. It is amazing to see you able to express your thoughts so clearly. It is wonderful getting to know who YOU are, your own little person, more and more every day.
It's very belated, but Happy Third Birthday Tula Belle. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
23 months...too close to two!
Let me start by saying, and I am sure I have said this before, but I am SO GLAD that I am pregnant right now. Because if my baby was turning two and I didn't have the consolation prize of knowing that there was going to be another babe right around the corner who will give me lots of loving and snuggles, I think I would be beside myself right now. My baby boy (Maver, you will ALWAYS be my baby boy) is less than a month away from his second birthday and I cannot hardly fathom it. Time slips.
Having two big kids is becoming more and more of my reality every day. I remember this time with Tula, right before the second birthday where it seems the child is developing at lightning speeds. Changing right before my eyes. Maverick has streched and thinned out this summer, and no longer has the baby toddling way about his walk, he looks like a little man running and jumping and stomping around the house or yard or whatever. He loves to come up and give a kiss or a hug or a quick sign of affection, but is now MR. Independent and no longer wants to cuddle on the couch when watching a show or reading a book. This is probably mostly due to the fact that right now he does not like to sit still for one minute, but it still cuts into cuddle time either way. The other night I went to sit in the rocking chair in Mav's room like I have done so many times and had one child on each lap while we read and I literally COULD NOT do it. It was mostly my big belly that made the whole situation unbearably uncomfortable for me, but we just didn't all fit anymore. And the idea that my whole world doesn't fit in a little chair, a little box, a little space was so sad to me. I know the kids are probably too young to remember, but I will forever cherish the days of holding them both and feeling like I literally had "it all" right there on my lap.
Mav, you are a mover and a shaker. An action man. You love to get up on the couch and "jump". Holding on to the back and jumping high, or jumping from the sofa to the ottoman, or right into someone's lap, even if they aren't looking. You love, even in this heat to go out to the trampoline and run and run and jump and splash forever while I have the sprinkler on underneath it. You love to go for a walk, and right now you like to make your own decisions about where we walk, the direction, when to stop, etc. You can't get up on my bed by yourself yet but you always ask to come up if I am on there or folding laundry on it or even just doing anything in my bedroom. You love to play ball, throw a ball at me and have me toss it back, rolling a ball. If you see a ball on the ground you love to kick it. The other day at a friends you found a catcher's mitt and came and found me wearing it asking for a ball. You love to roll around on our blankets and smoosh your face into our pillows and hide from any passer-bys. You love to wrestle and play rough, push me and try and have me push you over. I often have to tell you right now not to hit, you almost always swing at me at least once while we play fight and usually you close your fist and aim right for my face. Dude, I hope you figure that one out fast. Not cool. You love to put your arms out and pretend you are an airplane, you run around the house saying "fly, fly, plane, fly". You love to pretend and dress up with your sister. Not gonna lie, at this point your favorite costume is the ballerina one and you have asked me to put it on a couple times, usually when Tula is wearing the other one I think cuase you want to be like your sis, but you have been know to put your finger on your head and twirl and say "Reena, reena". Don't worry Son, I promise I will keep *most* of those videos and pictures for your eyes only...maybe one or two for your wedding slideshow? They are hilarious. You dressing up like a girl doesn't even phase me or your dad really. You are all boy. Rough and tumble, cars and trucks, balls and bats, sticks and stones.
You are still a fantastic sleeper, you go to bed easy after your bath and a show and a book. You usually want a toy or two in your crib with you and then we don't hear a peep from you till almost 12 hours later. You still at 23 months love your afternoon nap and sleep almost 3 hours every afternoon. You do love food still, and you eat so good for me. You love shrimp and veggies and of course any pasta noodles...peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, yogurt, raisins. You love breakfast and will come down the stairs and first thing in the morning be asking for Cheerios, but it's a big treat if I make scrambled eggs you will devour them! With being a good eater means you also LOVE junk food. You love candy and jellybeans and chocolate and anything like that. I busted you the other day at the mall sticking your fingers up the 25 cent candy machines and eating any extra skittles or m and m's that got left in there. You love chips and popcorn and pizza and all the salty stuff too. So feeding you is never, ever an issue. You make the routine stuff of our day to day very easy on your Mama. Thank you, Son.
We are not even attempting potty training at this point. I am honestly just to huge (and hot and lazy) to bend over and clean up any sort of accident so I am not even letting you give it a shot till after the baby is born. You actually get really upset right now when I put diapers on you during the day, you say "Nooo, I potty" but I just don't have the patience for potty training right now.
Oh Maverick, I really could go on and on. This is a very fun age and stage that you are at, and you are a VERY easy tempered kid still so that makes it all even more fun. You are a good listener and pretty obedient, you don't like to dissapoint so if I seem upset with you never something or you get told no sternly you will often just put your head and shoulders down and act sort of shy or sad for a minute and not look at anyone , till you start peeking out the side of your eyes:) You also put your pointer finger on your chin and tap it when you are "thinking". But you are just a loveable, bright and happy guy. Always with a great big smile or laugh. Your joy is infectious, thank you for sharing it with me so often. I adore being your Mama. Love you buddy, can't to celebrate your big day with you at the end of this month!
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