You're gonna miss this

Our baby turned 2 months old this week and today Holden turns 2 years old.  Where has time gone? And can I slow it down for just a little bit?!?  I love my boys and its a bittersweet feeling watching the grow up.  I remember when Caden was younger he promised me he would stay 4 forever.  I still bring this up to him seeing as he is now 9, and his response is quite literal, "mom, I can't not grow up". 

Yes, my boys can grow up, but please promise me not to grow up too fast!  I miss that Caden doesn't ask to snuggle at bedtime anymore and he is now putting himself to bed.  I know that this has to happen, but I feel like I could kiss him goodnight until he is 18 years old and I will as long as he will let me. 

It seems like just yesterday was Holden's 1st birthday, in which his favorite thing and word was 'ball'.  Now, he has many words and his favorite things are 'Caillou', 'Nemo', and balloons.  I miss when he would just willingly snuggle before nap-time and now its more of a game of  catch me if you can. 

And how can my baby boy be 2 months old!  It makes me tear up a little.  Although, I do enjoy the on-purpose smiles I get everyday.  I know that the newborn phase is slowly fading away and the newborn snuggles will turn into quick hugs as he wants to explore his environment and figure out the toys. 

There is a wonderful book by Karen Kingsbury titled, Let Me Hold You Longer, I cry every time I read the book.  It's a great book about a mom experiencing the 'lasts' of her child.  The last time he asked to snuggle, etc.  It makes you think a little bit about not rushing things and staying in the present.  Sometimes I have a difficult time with this, especially with Mr. Wonderful as two can be a challenging age and not to mention he is an active boy, that sometimes I want him to grow up to communicate better so there aren't as many frustrating moments.  But this book grounds me and brings me back.  Along with the song by Darius Rucker - You're gonna miss this. 

In these growing moments and days, I have to remember to stay in the present, because indeed I will miss this. 

I hope you all enjoyed your Fourth of July and the long weekend that followed!  We had a pretty low-key fourth as my hubby had to work the next day.  However, we had people over on the third and lit a few fireworks of our own.  On the actual 4th we spent the day at our in-laws pool and went home to grill for supper.  At about 10pm that night, I took Caden and we drove around the town to look for the best spot to watch fireworks.  We found a perfect spot in a school parking lot and got a great seat for a bug free fireworks show!

For the weekend after the 4th of July, we were headed off to my grandparents.  While packing my two older boys were downstairs playing and my oldest comes up saying, "Holden knocked my tooth out".  My thoughts were "yeah right"!  But then he convinced me and then my next though was, "oh my goodness, its probably an adult front tooth"  and panic ensued.  After realizing it was a baby tooth and giving Caden some ibuprofen for a headache Holden comes up the stairs without a diaper!  Then Caden runs down exclaiming "Holden peed on my bed"!  Oh my word!  I could only laugh.  It seemed like my near 2 year old was saying "take that!"

My grandparents live in a little town called New Effington and they were having their 100 year Centennial celebration the weekend of the 6th and 7th.  It was full of small town activities in which the entire weekend Friday-Sunday the whole main street was blocked off.  They had a children's run followed by a 5k, inflatables for the kids, souvenirs, dj's and a band playing both Friday and Saturday night. It was a great time and great to see family.  We had the opportunity to have a free babysitter both nights and what did we do?  We were in bed by 11:00 pm - that's right folks, we are getting old.  My own grandmother stayed up later!  This having an 8 week old baby and having a near 2 year old is really making me want to sleep when I can get it!

Things I've Learned While Having 3 Boys

1. I will always hear 'My Three Sons', as I understand, this is a television show from the 60's.  I have not seen this, however, now I'm a little curious.  I think its a good thing. I'm going to watch the first episode My Three Sons - Episode 1

2.  People will forever be asking if we are going to try for a girl.  Or I will always hear comments about having boys, such as: "wow, you're busy" or "wow, three boys!"  Yes, I have three boys.  Yes, I am busy.  Yes, I LOVE it!

3.  Until my boys are out of the house, farts will be funny, there will be dirt, a lot of it, and messy faces.  There will be cars and Legos scattered around the house.  And until they are moved out, the bathroom will also will be a mess.

4. I will no longer enjoy wearing white for the fear of dirt and messy faces getting on the white attire.  Actually, I did wear a white top the other day for church when I knew everyone was clean.  And as soon as we came home the shirt was off and changed into another one for fear of getting a stain.  I have come to terms with this as well. 

5.  I am learning that we may need two fridges when the kids are teenagers.  Heck!  I think we might need two refrigerators now!  They will eat us out of house and home!