Little Loves

I. Just. Love. Them. So.

A Taste of Ben's World

I uploaded my pictures and got a taste of what Ben does while I put his brother down for a nap...

Happy Love Day

I sure have lots to love...big and little.

*Yes, Jacob's "kissing" face is the sweetest thing. Ask him to pucker up and you will get a full on mouth lock with lots of slobber. They are the BEST.

Field of Roses

I read an analogy comparing Motherhood to a field of roses. I have been expanding on the concept all day as I love the idea so much;

Gazing at the field ahead a young woman sees it's unmatchable beauty. She embraces the journey and steps in, excited, nervous, naive. Once inside the rows of fragrant blossoms she winds this way and that, trying to avoid the thorns not visible from the outside. Unexpectedly she is pricked. It cut deeper than she imagined it could. She is shocked at the pain such a small delicate flower could cause her. Distracted, she loses sight of the colorful petals and only sees thorns. Caught in the sharp bushes she struggles to see what she imagined it would be. The path ahead seems long, with no end in sight. She is tired. Her comfort comes in the occasional breeze, blowing petals and sweet rose scent in her direction, and when it hits her, it surpasses her dreams. As the field moves upwards she gains perspective. She can see now where she has come from, and finds navigating the rough patches easier now that she has seen more of the field.
There is more behind her now than is ahead. Her appreciation grows for each perfect petal as she nears the clearing.
She hesitates to step out. Stopping for a moment she looks back at the field of roses and catches her breath.
It was beautiful.

Outed

Jacob has cold walking feet. He won't walk for anyone but me...but he has been teetering around for awhile now. I thought it was time for some cold hard evidence!

Cuties...

Ben is approaching 3 and a half years of age (shocking, yes.) In this milestone I have noticed a marked change in his development. He talks like a person now...a real conversing, appropriate tense using person (with interesting enunciation). I find it rewarding to have a conversation with him and be graced with what verbal gems are going to be pouring out of his mouth next.

Of late...

"Mommy, YOU are my best BEST girl. I love you and you love me and THAT is why we are such good friends right?"


In his new nudist phase (he can only use the toilet when completely naked...which we are working on as it poses an issue in public bathrooms) he emerges in the nude quite frequently throughout the day...to which he is reminded that private parts are private and it is very cold in February...this is so far uncompelling.

"Ben, where are all your clothes now?"

"OH! Well, my shirt got wet and my pants got tight...and (as he rubs his chest and stomach grinning) I just LOVE my body, so I need it to be OUT!

"Mommy I can do lots of things. Liiiiiike put on my coat AND hang up my coat, pee in the toilet AND poop in the toilet, give Jakey toys, pour milk AND I can measure things for cookies! Because YOU taught me Mommy...YOU did. (now cupping my face with his hands) Thanks for teaching me so many good things Mommy."

Yes, he is seriously this awesome. I hope he stays this sweet and in love with his Mommy forever.

Sigh...

Naughty Baby...

Ben tries to help me by closing the stair gates, but he can't latch them shut so sometimes when I check to see if the gates are closed I forget to actually pull them as Ben may have just closed them. On this particular occasion that is what happened when I looked down to see Jake NOT hanging off my knees while I was making breakfast...and spotted an open gate. The stealthy little boy is always trying to get upstairs to the...bathroom! It is the room that holds the tub and THAT is his most favorite past time... although not unsupervised. When I went up and discovered hanging out by the next best thing beside it, filling up the bowl with the garbage contents. I said "Jaaaaacob, what are you doing?" busted, he burst into tears. I am not sure what he was afraid of...a grounding? No allowance? That I would end his toilet play?
Yup.