Twice the Fun

Dear Little One,

I confess; you turn three months this week, but I've been keeping little notes all month long about the way you are changing and growing.  If we are being completely honest, this month was a bit more of a transition for me and for our family of four, but as we approach three months, we are settling in a bit more. 

Right now you have simply the sweetest little personality and are quite the cuddle bug. You crack me up because often after nursing you will either bury your face deep into the crook of my arm or look up at me for a bit of cooing and smiling. 

This month found you discovering your voice and your hands. It's just the beginning of course, but you are quite the "conversationalist" back and forth with me sometimes, and you like batting away at the hanging toys "under the sea" on your play mat. 

I adore your soft, fuzzy hair, and rubbing my hand across your head is a sure way to help you doze off into dreamland.

You have started waking just once at night the last week or so. In fact, I almost want to delete that sentence so as not to jinx our luck! You tolerate diaper changes much more these days, but if you are hungry, you sure let us know that the short stint on the changing table can wait.

I'm interested to see how you've grown, but we don't go to the doctor for another month. You still seem to be long and lean like your brother. 

Regardless, you are so handsome and a joyful addition to our lives. We are all so blessed to have each other.

I'm grateful to have the chance to see who your little soul becomes.

I know that your brother is awaiting the day you can talk trains and fly planes. It will come soon enough.

But for now we will cuddle lots, continue to smile, and of course throw in some tummy time for good measure.

For the Love of Sheets

W's room is a work in progress. I'm guessing sometime this summer we will convert his crib to a toddler bed and then eventually to the full size bed for which it's designed. In the meantime, he has been sleeping under a thicker blanket in his crib, and as we move into summer temperatures around here, it was time for something lighter and larger. 

Our Sheriff enjoyed his very own mail day with the delivery of this toddler bedding from Amazon, and he could not have been more proud that afternoon. 

It took convincing to actually let me wash them to put them on his bed that night.

Looks like a perfect fit!

Yep, one quick pretend sleep test later, and we're set!

"I love bird watching!"

I'm not the first, and won't be the last, parent to make toilet paper roll binoculars, but I sure did feel like an all-star last week when The Sheriff woke up from a nap to a quick binocular assembly followed by an afternoon trek through the neighborhood searching the skies for something other than planes and helicopters. Using the word "thrilled' is an understatement.

To add to the simple beauty of afternoon, it all happened in jammies--W, that is.

I had to pull out my phone to note the phrases coming out of this little guy. 

"Oooooh, let's get closer!"

"Just one more" -- W
"One more what?" -- Momma
"One more cheese." -- W

Ok kiddo, ok.

"Let's go bird watching that way." 

After switching binoculars (yes, I crafted and sported a pair as well), "Oh, your binocu-wars are cool!"

 And just in case I was doing a bit too much picture taking and phrase documenting, he was sure to remind me, "Use your binocu-wars, Mom!"

And my favorite, "I love bird watching!" Me too, buddy, me too.

When You Are a Helicopter Parent

1. It's been a good morning when your living room looks like this:

Furniture moved out of the way, homemade helipads, and helicopters grouped according to a little pilot's specifications. 

2. You walk around the corner and see this (more than once a day and you should have just picked it up) and upon first notice,  think it some sort of rare spider and jump out of your shoes.

3. Your Pinterest search history has included "Helicopter DIY" and "helicopter crafts," leading you to locate in your home a pencil (that you had to break and shave down) and a straight pin to create this magic.

Those top propellers really spin. We are hardcore around here.

4. Your son builds this by himself and tells you it's a VTOL, and you know exactly what that means and why his design is perfect.

5. Letters are fun to trace and write, but drawing different kinds of helicopters is second nature to your child.

6. You know the difference between the sounds of a helicopter and those of the planes headed for the local airport, and you aren't afraid to use this knowledge. At least 5 times a week you hear the helicopters during waking hours, give your son a big grin, and yell, "Go! Go!" as you hustle outside to catch a view of a chopper flying by.

7. Your little guy just might own every Matchbox helicopter the local HEB has carried and still check the toy aisle every week just in case. No judgements. For this smile and a stress-free grocery trip, it's worth it. He's like a proud papa, and you better believe each one has a name and a place in his heart.

8. In a neighborhood full of girls and therefore driveways loaded with rainbows, flowers, and hopscotch boards, your child shares his love for all things aviation in our driveway and beyond.

Here's to you kid! 

May you take off and land ever so smoothly in all aspects of life. 

May you slow down to a hover when times call for a more careful view.

And may your heart always soar to great heights. 

The Big One

The CCA held its annual Kids Fishing Rodeo a few weeks ago, and since we aren't in our South LA homeland, we decided this would be a great opportunity to get a bit of fishing experience for The Sheriff.

W was all kinds of excited to pick up his fishing pole and head over to the lake. Next time we are at Grandpa's house, we will surely have to get one more pint sized!

After a quick bait inspection (although not any touching), he was ready to land his first catch.

It wasn't long before they felt a little tug on the line,

 and soon began reeling in what was sure to be the big one!

And big he was, right!?! W wasn't quite ready to get his hands slimy with his first catch. In fact, he wouldn't take his eyes off of it long enough, and it seemed as though he thought that little guy was going to jump off the line and give him a big, slimy kiss.

But by catch #2, we are at least holding the fishing line and smiling. Progress.

What's a fishing rodeo without prizes? Instead of measuring the fish from the lake, the kids could spin a wheel three times adding up the types and sizes of fish for the competition. While The Sheriff had no idea what was going on, he sure liked spinning that wheel.

Not to be left out, the little guy enjoyed a nice stroller ride followed by hanging out in the Baby Bjorn. I'd say life is good today.