Big Day

Rowan had a really big day today. His daddy took him in to work with him this morning, and they rode the purple train, onto the Orange line, onto the green line. They saw our beloved conductor Bryan, as well as several construction vehicles, including an impact hammer.  They rode up and down elevators, Rowan had an M&M cookie, and then they met up with me at the ice cream cow (aka JP Licks). It was awesome.

He was so happy.  And as he and Jack were in bed tonight with lights out, Rowan must have been imagining a happy parade.  This was his monologue:

Hurray for impact hammer!

Hurray for cement mixer!  

Hurray for big rig!

Hurray for food truck!

Hurray for grader!

Life is beautiful.

Toddler Rush Hour

And now, I give you (drumroll...) Rush Hour d' People Petit:

A Rowan and Jack original.

And then there's this:

just 'cause.

Destin 2015

We spent July 1-8 in Destin with my family, and had a marvelous time.  It was alot of work with the little ones, but we had so many wonderful moments together. And the beauty of the ocean and beach was remarkable.

Rowan keeps me in stitches.  We have found, as mentioned on earlier posts, that he loves to come up with songs about stuff he is excited about.  And he was excited about the beach!  He composed the "Here Comes the Water" song, and one night when we were out on the beach taking pictures, he lay his little blonde head on the sand and exclaimed, "Ah, beach."

Jack and Rowan slept on inflated toddler matresses in the master bedroom with us.  It was their first time not sleeping in a crib or pack-n'-play.  They did pretty well for such an exciting, new experience, though a couple of times I woke up to find Jack face down on the carpet.

One morning Galen arose early with Will (who slept in a pack n' play in the closet) and went downstairs while the rest of us slept.  Rowan was first to awaken, sitting up and exclaiming "Aww done!" when he was all done sleeping, thank you very much.  Stitches.

Back Pack

Our backpacks are a big deal these days.  When Will came along, one of my mom's sweet friends, Mrs. Cope, sent all three boys brown gingham backpacks with their names sewn across the back.  So cute.  The boys like to put their Sandra Boyntons in them and wear them around the living room.

BTW, Jack's first day of school is almost here.  He will be riding the bus soon, backpack in tow.  Baby Jack is growing up!  We are excited about this!  And a little sentimental.

Here is one of Rowan, as Galen put it, "The perfect mix of big boy and our sweet Row-baby."

BTW, notice the choice board at the bottom of the picture.  For the first time, a couple of days ago, Jack brought the board to me, totally on his own initiative, and requested a toy.  Let me remember a couple of things about this - I have not been 100% consistent in using this board, although I have used it more in the past few months since organizing the toys into separate boxes.  Also, I want to remember that it took a few months to work for Jack.  So, future self, don't get discouraged when AAC strategies don't immediately work.  Sometimes it just takes (imperfect) repetition and time.

Springing in at Bee and Doc's

My cousin's wedding was the 2nd weekend in March (same anniversary weekend as ours!), so B and Doc helped us fly down to attend the festivities.  Galen needed to get back to Boston the following Monday, but I stayed in Jackson with the boys for two whole weeks. 

The boys in the car on the way down to the Providence airport.

We left Boston in several feet of snow, and came down south to 70 degrees.  It was sublime.  We spent tons of time outside, becoming familiar with the dogs, Spy and Maden; riding in the ranger (aka "danger"); hunting easter eggs, and playing at the park.

We were a little hesitant of the dogs at first, but they were pretty cool.

 The park! 70 degrees!

We took a trip over to Birmingham to give my sister a surprise baby "sprinkle" (aka, a light baby shower) in light of Ellie's upcoming birth on May 1.  My sister Ellen planned it beautifully, and pulled it off without a hitch.  I got to see Melissa's newly renovated house, which is absolutely gorgeous.  If I was Melissa, I don't think I'd ever want to move. 

I wish I could say I got a photo of her renovations or the sprinkle, but I didn't think of it at the time :(  However, I got a shot of us returning to Mississippi, which was really nice.

We took the boys to Primos just before returning home to Boston.  We picked up some giant gingerbread men for us as well.  Yum!

The boys at Primos (notice the delicious, untouched green beans.  <Sigh>)

I took a few photos of my dad's garden also, to remember how it is done by someone who knows what he is doing.

When we arrived in Mississippi, the trees were bare.  By the time we left, the new green leaves were showing and even some early blooms were appearing on the wisteria and azalea plants.  Favorites!  It was a wonderful visit.

Bus Pass

Two things Rowan loves, a bus and his Daddy.  So this is one of his first songs he came up with himself, The Bus Pass song.

Baby Hands

Since Will was just a little thing, he has reached for my face with his sweet, soft baby hands.  I remember him doing it (first time perhaps?) in the middle of the night, during his feedings.   He was doing this again today with his sweet, soft baby hands.  Oh, I just love this little cuddle toot.

Cuteness from Rowan and Will

Some Cute Things that my little ones have been up to lately:

Rowan:  "mook" for milk.  I might be mentioning this twice, but it really is cute.  And it is changing.  He is saying "milk" correctly, every now and then.

"peetda-dowie" = peanutbutter

"op-ben" = open

Will:  smiling so big at us that, at times, it seems his smile doesn't quite fit on his face.  It's too big.

Also, Will loves coffee cups.  All of my boys have done this during this stage of development.  I think it's because Momma and Daddy always seem to have a cup of coffee in the AM.  Here is some of Will and momma's cup.

 

Jack:  seems to be smiling for the camera more.  Here is one of his best photos, IMHO.

And finally, a shot of my toddlers' shoes by the door.  Their tiny New Balance shoes.

Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?

Tuesday was January 26, and Boston got her January blizzard (at least I hope this is the only January blizzard this year!).  We had a smaller snow a few days before the big storm, with a wet, heavy snow, which was perfect for snowman-building, so we already had "Snowman" the snowman set up in the back yard.  He gained weight, but he didn't drown this time.

We waited until Will fell asleep for a small nap, and then we all went outside.  The toddlers had a ball.

Happy January!

Out in the Snow

We've had a wonderfully relaxing Saturday, following what is sure to be the coldest day of the year this past week.  Boston reached -4 degrees Wednesday night!  On Friday, we had a little snow to accumulate to an inch or so.

My boys, who have become quite familiar with Disney's Frozen, and more specifically, quite fascinated with snowmen, were thrilled when they realized we had brought them outside for a quick play in the snow while Will napped.  We didn't build a snowman, as it is so cold the snow will not stick together this time, but we did have fun fun fun until Rowan's hands were too cold to tolerate outside any longer.  Rowan is his momma's child.

Dino Hat

Jack had a doctor's appointment this past week, so as we put on our coats, we talked about hats to wear out in the cold.  After we left, Rosie (our wonderful current nanny, whom we've had since Will was born) continued manning the ship at home, while Rowan picked out a hat for himself.  When I came home, I noticed Rowan wearing this hat.  He kept it on until nap time.

He is such a funny bunny.

Notice too the train whistle on his high chair tray.  It is no surprise it is there.  He loves to bring us these whistles to blow, dancing with pleasure when we do.  He will startle if we blow them without prior warning, which is tempting because his reaction is so cute, but we also think it is a little bit mean - so we don't do it often.

Some 4 month photos from Will

He is getting so big.  Just this week he is rolling front to back, and back to front, and he is becoming quite a sweet babbler.  He is also becoming more content playing on his own on the floor for short periods of time.  Here are some glamor shots.

And a few more of us drying out by the fire.