Spring!!! Finally.

To say that I have been a little tempted to pick up and move to a warmer climate the last few months would be an understatement. A New England winter with 2 very active little boys is pure torture. We live to go to the playground so we can burn off some energy and 3-4 months without access is not easy. And trust me, I am the last one at the playground at the beginning of winter and the first one back at the end. This year there was still ice on the ground for our first trip back, but we just had to get outside at the first sight of the sun. So, this last week of beautiful weather has brought me out of the winter funk and got us moving outside. We played in the yard, went for long walks and spent most of the week at the playground. It was heaven!

We had a great week enjoying the weather, and an even better weekend enjoying more of the weather and each other. Andy has been traveling quite a bit, so time together is precious (and so is Mommys time to get out!!). Saturday was busy for me with some appointments in the morning. Andy took the boys for most of the day and went to Starbucks (where else?) and the playground (again, where else?). We are quite predictable. If you can't find us, look at those 2 spots and we are bound to be there. We decided that it had been way too long since the two of us got out alone, so we called in Grandma to babysit and had a great night together. On Sunday morning, after homemade waffles, Drew and I went to church...can you take a guess to where Andy and Harrison went? Yup, Starbucks. I was a little nervous bringing Drew to church. I started going back to church when I was pregnant with Drew. We kept it up for a while when he was an infant but once he got mobile, it was nearly impossible. Of course he has been a few times over the last 2 years, but not on a regular basis because we wind up outside for most of the service. I decided it was time to try it out. I was beyond proud. He didn't talk too much, and when he did he whispered. The only exception was when we were waiting to recieve communion and he asked loudly, "where is everybody going?". He snuggled with me and sat quietly the entire time. He kneeled alongside me with his hands folded. At one point I looked down at him and got choked up. I have to admit, there are many times after very trying days that I question myself as a parent. I question if I am doing a good job, or if I have created an unhappy little terror. I usually talk myself down and remember that he is 3, and 3 year olds are tough. But watching him today reinforced the knowledge that we are doing it right and raising a happy, well mannered little boy. I guess I am proud of us too.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

We celebrated early this year because Andy was away on Weds. I made a boiled dinner and Drew and I made some cupcakes for dessert. Drew ate the corned beef. I was shocked! I guess it is pretty salty and he sure does love salt. Of course he dipped it in ketchup, just to add a little more sodium to his diet.

Harrison sampled the cupcakes....he approved!
Andy said it was ok that the boys are Irish for one day out of the year, as long as they are Scottish for the remainder. HA!

So Big

I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up. Harrison is almost one and it feels like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant. It went by in the blink of an eye. He is developing his own little personality and it is full of pure happiness. He is such a good boy! Although he has recently learned how to get heard in our house (by screaming at the top of his lungs), he is almost always happy.

He loves his big brother and wants to do everything he does. Not much can stop his determination. He is tough as nails and will shake off most of the falls that he takes. Even when he cut his mouth open on a table, I only realized it when he crawled over to me with blood on his mouth and hand. He didn't cry one tear! Harrison dances like a maniac and Drew encourages it by finding toys that play music and sticking them in front of him. He is walking like a pro now, the only problem is that he tries to go too fast. He also likes to pull up on moving objects like the dog, Drew, or even will jump onto my legs as I am walking by. Before he could stand on his own, I knew we had a climber on our hands and I was right. He climbs on anything he can. He loves to pull himself onto the baseboard heater and look out the window. If I leave a package of paper towels on the floor he jumps right onto it. I am sure it won't be long before I find him on the dining room table!

Something I am not very proud of is his love for Thomas. Drew was closer to two before he fell for that silly blue train, but Harrison has been bitten by the bug rather early. I don't like that my 11 month old watches tv, but what can I do? I can't keep it off all of the time. He cheers when Thomas comes on the screen and has started yelling "cah" at the tv. Surprisingly he hasn't learned "choo-choo" yet, so car will have to suffice.

You can see how happy this kid is in the photos below. When he scurries over to me, clings on and blows raspberries on my face, no matter how tough my day has been, it is pure heaven.

3 Years Old!

I still am in shock over the fact that I have a 3 year old. A little person, with his very own personality. It seems like it took only minutes to go from bouncing (quite literally) baby, to smart, energetic toddler, to sweet, big personality pre-schooler.

I am so proud of my "big boy". Although he has his moments of jealousy, he is a very proud big brother and even when he scolds Harrison for taking a toy, he does it with love. ie. "That's not yours buddy, ok, ok, you little trouble maker, ok, ok, thanks buddy". See, eventhough he grabs toys from his brother and calls him a trouble maker, he still lovingly calls him "buddy" and thanks him. In all seriousness, I don't think he could have any more love for his baby "brudder".

Drew has had many developmental milestones this past year. He moved to a big boy bed on his 2nd birthday, he gave up his binky (in exchange for a bike!) at 2 and a half, at 2 years and 10mos he was potty trained (took only 3 days with no public disasters), and at 2 years 11mos he started "practicing preschool" and has been doing a great job. The days of Drew wearing a diaper, sleeping in his crib with a binky in his mouth seem so long ago. Although it can be difficult sometimes going up against a 3 year old, looking back at how time flies makes me want to savor each and every day even more.

The most amazing 3 years of my life have past and even though I am sad that my baby is no longer a baby, I am so looking forward to enjoying what comes next! Happy Birthday Drew!

Too Bad, So Sad

Drew thought it was quite funny that Harrison was locked out of the living room and from going up the stairs. Then, he must have started feeling bad for him because first he pushed open the living room doors for him and afterwards I found Harrison swinging from the open baby gate!

Christmas as Four (+ a dog)

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We were able to see almost all of the family. Although it was a bit of a whirl wind, we enjoyed every minute.

Christmas preparations. Not sure any of these cupcakes made it until Christmas. At least the decorations (or most of them) made it on top.

Can you guess which one is Drew's?

Looking cute and innocent, but he is not actually posing, he is making yet another attempt at climbing up the stairs.

Christmas Eve was at Andy's parents. We started the evening off by watching Drew's favorite holiday movie; Polar Express.

Christmas Morning:

Auntie Laura, Uncle JR, Grandma and Grandpa came over for Christmas dinner.

After our meal and a quick nap for the boys, we went to my aunts house for a gathering with my dad's side of the family.

The day after Christmas, we had my mom's parents (Great Grandma and Grandpa) along with Uncle Joe and Great Uncle John over for dinner and more gift exchange. I neglected to take out my camera. I guess I just wanted to fully enjoy the company.

New Year's Eve, we had our friends Mike, Michelle, Carolyn and Nate over for dinner. It was so nice to have some relaxing adult company. Eventhough our New Years celebration ended around 9:30 (the kids were there too), we had a very fun night!!

Harry walks!

It would be kinda strange to have this boy walking before he really has any teeth, but it looks like it might be that way.

Harry Walks from Andrew Logie on Vimeo.

Christmas in the "Folk"

I love our town, especially during Christmas. There are a lot of fun activities that go on for children and we try and participate in all of them. One of our favorite things is the Santa Parade. We have gone every year. See previous years here and here.

This year we also attended the Pajama Breakfast with Santa. "Big Joe" the storyteller was there and I was completely shocked and thrilled when Drew sat and listened and interacted. I have tried so many times to bring him to story hour and decided to stop punishing myself because all he would do was run around and I found myself tripping over dozens of kids trying to retrieve him. I am delighted that he is at the age now that he can enjoy it and I plan on giving the whole storyteller and sing-along thing another go. Another hit at the breakfast was the Munchkins. We lost count of how many he consumed. The one thing that was not such a hit was Santa. Yes, he sat on his lap, but he would not crack a smile.

The first big snowstorm. It took about 20 minutes to bundle up Harrison, for about 5 minutes out in the cold:

We are lucky the Bugaboo works well in the snow:
Harrison did NOT like the fire trucks!

At the Santa Breakfast they wore their special Christmas PJs

Drew, Logan and Ryan..they love to hug-it-out

I think this is actually more miserable than last years photo with Santa.

Big Joe:

I just love Christmas with my kids. It isn't only about the fun of buying them presents...yes that is pretty fun too, but it is about the fun of driving around at night looking at lights, making hot cocoa with mountains of marshmallows, shaking way too many sprinkles on the Christmas cookies, putting ornaments on the tree and talking about each one, the excitement each day when Drew gets to count down one more day on the Advent calendar, explaining the nativity and what Christmas really means. The list goes on and on, but I savor each moment.

Brotherly Love

We are so blessed that these two love each other to no end. Harrison gets so excited when he hears Drew calling for me through the monitor when he wakes up. I carry him upstairs and before I even open the bedroom door his arms and legs start flailing and a smile is spread from ear to ear. If Harrison happens to be still napping when Drew gets up, he rushes downstairs looking for him and seems disappointed when I tell him he is still sleeping. Drew loves when Harrison "chases" him around the house. Harrison loves when Drew sings to him. Drew almost never gets super angry with Harrison, even when he is destroying some train tracks or a line of cars that he created. He may get frustrated, but he usually says "no, no buddy". I think he gets more upset with us for not stopping him. Drew will get really excited when Harrison does something new and will give him tons of praise.

Seeing how happy Harrison gets when he watches Drew, and how sweet Drew is to Harrison always makes my day. It makes having 2 under 3 totally worth it, knowing that they are growing up to be the best of friends.