Kissable cheeks

Tonight I snuggled with Silas in his bed to talk about his day (every night he says he wants to "talk about my day") and as I was telling him goodnight, I found myself unable to stop kissing his deliciously clean, smelly-good, soft cheeks. Oh my goodness, I want to kiss those cheeks forever!!

After I put him to bed, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I found myself thinking about those sweet cheeks and wishing I could bury my nose in his cheeks and neck crease again. Pretty soon little man came wandering into the bathroom to go to potty again and I told him I'd been thinking about his cheeks and wishing I could kiss them again. He got a big grin on is face and said, "you want to kiss my cheeks again!?" It's silly how excited I was to smell him again, to kiss those cheeks, and relish his sweet giggles as I kissed him.

Age 3 is proving to be challenging in ways but also so much fun. I love hearing Silas' stories, listening to his amazing vocabulary, and watching him develop into an amazing young child. He is rambunctious, he is ornery at times, and he is crazy....but he is oh so sweet at times, so affectionate towards me, and so fun. I wish I could bottle up moments of every age to savor forever to open and remember at times where I feel time is going too fast and I just need to grasp a bit of baby or little boy.

That's all for now. I'm leaving you with a picture of my little helper who drug the garbage can all the way in from the street...and was so proud of himself!

Making progress!

Such a sweet moment yesterday that I wanted to share...

When I picked up Silas from daycare yesterday his teacher told me he'd had to be removed from an area because he was knocking over Lego towers that other kids had built and taking their Legos. I assured her we'd have a talk. So in the car I talked to him about his behavior and told him no TV or iPad that night since he'd gotten in trouble at daycare. He cried and had a mini-meltdown about it and we had the discussion one more in time in the car before we got home and nothing else was said about it.

When I put Silas to bed, we said out goodnights, gave hugs and kisses and had even spent extra snuggling. I left his room and heard him call my name. I usually don't go back in once we've said goodnight because he tends to call us back in to stall going to bed. For some reason, last night I went back in and he said, "I'm sorry I knocked over the blocks, Mommy. I won't do it again." My heart melted and I told him how proud I was that he had told me sorry on his own.

Moments like those make me realize all the battles and times when I feel like nothing I'm saying is getting across to him, are worth it and that he sometimes he really is listening. It also made me thankful for the approach I had taken with him in just talking with him about it. I love that kid!!!

Baby #2!

Oh, how far behind I am in updating this! I'm blaming it on not using my computer as much as I used to (thank you iPhone and iPad!) - however, you'd think it would be easier to stay on top of blogging. Okay, we'll blame it on my naps. :)

You read the title correctly! Baby Soll #2 is coming end of September!! Today marks 13 weeks, although Jake and I both said just yesterday how neither of us have quite wrapped our brain around it. Yes, I've had OB appointments, listened to the baby's heartbeat, and even had one of the docs at work do an ultrasound...but somehow, it just doesn't seem real.

My moodiness, sudden increase in zits, frequent napping, and expanding waistline tell me it's real. I had some SERIOUS mood swings for about 6 weeks and wanted nothing to do with Jake (everyone give a sigh of sympathy for him). The poor guy had the nerves to call me out on my moodiness one day as I was walking out the door with a clementine in hand. I immediately chucked the clementine at him and left. Yeah...not my best moment. :-/  And Silas...Silas makes sure we remember. He talks daily about his baby sister (no, we don't know the gender, he just wants a baby sister), and loves looking at pictures of babies in utero that the OB office provided us. And he talks about the baby growing almost daily and is getting a kick out of my growing belly.

So far at 13 weeks, I have gained about 6 pounds and fit comfortably into my fat jeans - I knew I kept those around for something!! I proudly logged 7 miles on the treadmill this morning at the gym with frequent stops to pee and I walked a bit too. My cravings this time around are for orange juice and carbs. Anything (especially in the morning) to fill up my belly so I'm mot nauseous.


In other news, we are getting ready to celebrate Silas' 3rd birthday in just a few short days. I cannot believe he will be 3. His 3-year-old conversations are hilarious and he is pure sweetness some days. We've hit the "trying threes" and as I look back, I can't help but think for the most part, we skipped the "terrible twos" with the exception of a few incidences. So far 3 (as we haven't even officially hit 3 yet!) have proven to be much more of an issue. I do blame some of it on my lack of patience due to feeling exhausted, but even Jake backs me up that something has kicked in, in him that has proven to be more difficult. We've had problems with Silas not listening, giving us attitude (really, where does he get it?), taking toys from others at daycare, etc. Probably nothing too different from what other kids are doing at this age, it's just really been a challenge. We've to use timeout a lot, including sending him to his room (which he hates, he does not like being isolated from us) and some spanking (yes, I spank my kid...you'll thank me when he's a productive member of society some day and a responsible adult. And if you disagree with my methods of parenting, fine).

I will say on most days, the good outweighs the bad and we put him to bed at night still talking about what an amazing child he is. Silas is very caring, he is such a joy, such a BOY, so smart, and loves to be involved with us at home. He loves helping us do whatever it is we are doing (cleaning, laundry, outside work, etc.) and picks up on things quickly. His daycare teachers each gave me big hugs when they found out I was pregnant (Silas kept saying, "I have a baby sister in Mommy's tummy) and many of their responses were "It couldn't happen to a nicer family" or "Silas will be the best big brother, he's so good with the babies here!" or "We were just saying we wanted another Silas around!"  It's always nice to hear those that care for your child verbalize their admiration for him.

Now now for some funny Silas moments:
- Jake had Silas at his grandparent's house and Silas walked up to Jake's uncle to give him a hug. Of course Silas is right at crotch height it must've made him think...he asked Jake's uncle, "Do you have a big penis?"    (If you could see my face, I was ::laughing:: and red-faced as Jake was telling me this!)  How embarrassing! 

- I was kissing and blowing on Silas' belly the other night before bed and he told me, "Be careful of the baby!" 

- We'd been at my friend, Katie's, one evening and she had been pumping (breast pump). Later that night when we were snuggling, he kept touching my boob. I told him no, we don't touch girls there. After some time, he looked at my boob and said, "It's nice and big...like Katie's."  

- Silas tells Jake and I daily that he is going to work. When we ask where he works, he says behind the hospital. I ask him what he does for work and he tells me a doctor. "I'm gonna be a doctor when I grow up." When I ask him why, he says, "So I can help people."  He's also told me he's going to be a policeman, work on an ambulance and be a doctor...all at the same time.   :) 

That's all for now! I'll try to be better about posting pictures of Silas' birthday/party!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's been 2 months since I've blogged!!  So many things have gone on since I last blogged...clearly it's been a busy couple of months.

We had a very fun fall going to the pumpkin patch through October...Silas still asks to go to the pumpkin patch and to go trick-or-treating. I'm so glad he enjoyed these fun fall activities as much as I did! The pumpkin patch is going to be a fun tradition and I'm sure will provide great memories for our family.

We had a great fall with very fair weather so we spent a lot of time outside at the park. Silas is fearless and jumps from high places whenever he can. I can see broken bones in our future with our little daredevil. The nurse part of me gets nervous as he pushes limits as to how high he will jump. And the adrenaline-junkie side of me yells, "Yay, buddy!"  :)  I am still loving the all-boy nature Silas has. I was so sure I'd miss girlie things, bows, frills, pretty shoes, etc. from not having a girl but I guess you can't miss what you never had. Having a boy is awesome!

Christmas this year was so much fun. THIS year was what I'd been dreaming of for the past few years with Silas. He was totally into all things Christmas - Elf on the Shelf, Santa, presents, Jesus' birthday and the story of Christmas, snow, Christmas lights, Christmas trees...everything! 'Namma and Papa got Silas an awesome Viper car and he is so thrilled by it! I can't wait for it to warm up so he can drive it.

Silas loved Santa!

 Buddy, our Elf on the Shelf came December 1st. I had bought him last year for Silas for Christmas, but he didn't make his appearance until this year. Silas loved him!! Every morning, first thing, Silas would search the house for Buddy. Sometimes he was eating our food, sometimes he was sleeping in the kleenex box, or riding the reindeer that hold our stockings... whatever he was doing, Silas thought it was great! He even was found lifting weights (a.k.a. marshmallows) one morning.

We finally got some snow (12.5") the week before Christmas and we have really enjoyed taking Silas sledding. He wasn't too sure about the big hill but after sledding three times now, he is finally loving it and even enjoys the jumps on the hill. It's exhausting hauling him back up the hill but totally worth it to hear his giggles and yells as we go down the hill each time. 

Making snow angels

This age has proven to be the best yet but has come with some challenges as well. Silas is such a happy kid and talks up a storm. He told Jake last night, "when I grow up, I'm gonna touch the sky."  For whatever reason, that completely melts my heart. He says the funniest things and has us in stitches every day.   Mornings are a challenge for Jake when I'm at work and Silas has had more meltdowns, tantrums, and problems with not sharing, attitude, and talking back in the past 3 weeks. I guess we've been lucky to not really have too many issues with him and even now, those "issues" are occasional but we've had to be firm and discipline. I really love seeing the result of tough love when Silas tells me he is sorry on his own without prompting. I also love seeing what a caring kid he is towards other children. He was playing at the mall's play area and helped a little girl up the stairs by taking her hand and then putting his hand on her back to make sure she made it up. The girl's Dad had a look of surprise (Jake was far enough back that he was just observing it all) and then the Dad smiled.

We're looking forward to 2013, not knowing yet what it will hold for us. We don't have anything coming up that we know of for our family or our careers, but I think that's exciting. God works in His timing, even when we least expect it. So...here's to a great year ahead!

"Happy Happyween!"

I realize I am WAY overdue for an update. What can I say? We've been busy enjoying fall!

We celebrated my birthday (the big 2-8) in Iowa City with my family. It was Homecoming weekend for Kellee so we had fun watching her get fancied up and seeing all the seniors take pictures together. We also managed to squeeze in some family pictures of the three of us, which my Mom took for us.

Last night was Beggar's Night, which is when the Des Moines area kids trick-or-treat. We had so much FUN with Silas last night. Jake and I had a lot of laughs as Silas narrated trick-or-treating. Neither of us told him to only go to houses with the lights on, but he stated at the first dark house, "No lights on, next house!" He was easily the cutest fireman on the block and many people commented on how cute and polite he was. He nailed the "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" and would even stop people to show them how much candy he had.  I figured he'd last about 45 minutes, but he was having so much fun that we went non-stop for the full two hours! You can imagine the loot we brought home!

Fall is in the air!

Oh boy... as much as I love summer, this time of year is amazing!! Each year I become more and more fond of fall, it's colors, weather, fashion, football, apple cider, pumpkin patches, and bonfires!

 Last weekend we took Silas to Center Grove, a pumpkin patch and apple orchard with lots of fun activities and animals. It was so fun! Check out some pictures from the day.

Another proud parenting moment today...Silas is rockin' his manners lately. If he forgets, usually just a look will trigger a "please". I'm impressed with his automatic use of please, thank you, you're welcome, etc. Tonight I got after him for kicking the counter while sitting at the bar and told he'd get a timeout if he kept it up. There was an initial "growl" from him which I ignored but then followed a "Sorry, Mommy" and "I hug and kiss you". He ran over, delivered a sweet hug and kiss and again apologized. Awesome! These moments make me so proud!

There are so many moments that make me cringe at the sassy, nasty, loud attitude of a two and a half year old and I often wonder if we're making any progress in raising a sweet, caring, polite little boy. Thank you Lord for giving us glimpses of the underlying GOOD child and sweet boy that I know is in there!

Following in Mommy's foot steps...

Just a quick story about my sweet Silas....Jake ate too much at dinner tonight and told Silas he was sick. Silas said,"you're tummy hurts? I take your temperature!" He ran and grabbed his {rectal} thermometer, lifted up Jake's shirt, and put it in his belly button. Ha!! It was so funny!

I told him it actually is supposed to go in Daddy's bottom.....this was as close as he got...