Thank heavens for "Papas"!

For my birthday a few weeks ago
(yep, sadly enough I can no longer say that I'm "30, flirty, and thriving")
my wonderful husband spoiled me with many fabulous gifts, and a weekend getaway to Branson, Missourri. My sweet in-laws drove up and joined us for the trip, treated us to some delightful dishes and a very exciting musical of Noah. It was a wonderful weekend and I'm so blessed to have such thoughtful and loving family and friends, REALLY... thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes and gifts, they were much appreciated.
While in Branson we decided to go swimming in the pool at the condo. I really enjoy swimming, getting in a swimsuit... not so much, but swimming has always been a delightful treat. However.... I happen to be the mother of two young boys who, to put it nicely, freak out every time a little bit of water touches their heads or faces. Yes, bath time is always filled with fun shrieks and thrashing. Ugh.
Needless to say, I was expecting much of the same bath time "enjoyment" while in the pool.
Sadly, my expectations were fulfilled.
Blayne did his signature whine and held on to whomever was holding him like he was trying to squeeze the life out of them. Xander really enjoys the water, but only if it stays a safe distance away from his head area.
Then a miracle named Papa Beck came into play. With some gentle and loving encouragement from Papa my little Xander began putting his face in the water to blow bubbles, practicing swimming strokes and kicks, and then (to my great surprise) ended up swimming from Papa all the way to the side of the pool all by himself! He would go underneath the water, kick his legs, move his arms, and then pull himself up onto the side of the pool. I was not only shocked but proud. This may seem insignificant to some but for me it was a BIG DEAL.
Blayne even got to the point where he was splashing the water with his hands and not whimpering every time a little got near his face (I think he was trying to impress a little girl playing near by, little flirt!).
Since our vacation, bath time has been significantly less horrifying and filled with much more smiles than tantrums. Blayne still hates getting his hair washed but the thrashing is down to a bare minimum while I wash it, and he is enjoying splashing more and more with each bath.
Xander is doing remarkably well. In fact, the day after we got home from our little vacation we were in the bath when Papa Kendell called to say hi. Xander got so excited and wanted to tell Papa all about his adventures in Branson, especially all about swimming with his other Papa. While telling my dad about his swimming fun... my wonderful, insightful dad answered with
"Xander, I am so proud of you for doing something that was so scary to you. How great of your Papa Beck to help you discover something so fun. You know, you can even do some of those things while taking your bath. You can lay on your back and let the water wet your head, and you can still blow bubbles from your mouth. Just make sure mommy or daddy is there to watch you." Upon hearing this Xander quickly decided to test Papa Kendells theory and laid on his back allowing the water to cover his hair. This was quickly followed with "Look Papa! Look! I do it!" To this day, laying down and relaxing in the tub is a must for my little man (much to Blaynes dismay, especially when Xanders legs and feet end up on top of him or in his 'space').
I am so grateful to have such wonderful, loving role models in our lives. As if my boys weren't lucky enough to have the best dad and friend in Zach, then we go and give them the best "Papas" anyone could ask for. I apologize to all for taking the two best "Papas" for ourselves, and that they chose to marry the two best "Nanas" around, call me selfish. I hope you all can make due with your semi-fabulous grandparents.




* "Mini-Zach" enjoying his bath time relaxation *

Partners in crime? Or every man for himself!!

There was once a special time of day,
when a certain mother used to say...
"It's time for your brother play time today!"
And upon those words, two sweet little boys,
would join each other for fun and joy.
They would sit and play, do puzzles, and read.
All while their mother took some time to breathe.

But Alas.... that time has come to an end. Yes, my brilliant plans have been THWARTED. THWARTED I tell you!
Why? Because a certain little nugget has learned to climb.
While walking down the hall I heard...
Blayne: "Up, up, up, up"
and then...
Xander: "Wow, Blayne. You a good climber."

After halting in my tracks and slowly turning around to process what I had just heard, I quickly ran into Xander's room to find Xander up on the top bunk, cheering his little brother on with great enthusiasm, while "mini me" excitedly took one step at a time saying "Up!" with each step. I nervously watched him reach the tip of his Mount Everest and took great joy in the sweet embrace that he and his brother shared to celebrate his great achievement. Then my heart sank a little as I realized that I could no longer allow them to simply play by themselves in Xander's room without supervision.
And for those of you saying...
"Just close the door so you won't be worried." You obviously don't realize how freakishly tall my little guys are, and how mechanically inclined they are. **Or in other words... He has learned to open doors.**

Enter sigh here, and realize how wonderful it is that I have two boys that are so loving, and supportive of one another. Don't I?
Which leads me to story number two....


The other morning while the boys were watching Sesame Street, I decided to go put away some laundry in my bedroom. As I came walking back to the front room the boys were no where to be seen, and I heard this coming from the kitchen...
"Hurry Blayne-ie, help clean up! Mommy be so mad when she sees this mess you make."
*Never, a good thing for a mom to hear.*
As I peaked around the wall my eyes focused on the large lake of water all over the kitchen floor, and poor little Xander on his hands and knees with a dish towel in each hand frantically trying to clean up the floor. The obvious culprit of the mess, Blayne, was standing to the side dancing to some music, with a water trail all along the side of his body- the result of inching on his tippy toes to reach the water button on the front of the fridge. Judging from the amount of water that was on the floor and on his head, I imagine he had held the button down for quite some time. As I stepped into view, Xander's eyes began to bulge and he quickly pointed towards Blayne and yelled "Blayne-ie do it!!"
Yes, that sweet little boy who was willing to get on his hands and knees to clean up a mess that he didn't make, gave up his little brother in a heart beat. Basically, those out there thinking Xander will be your scape goat... better find someone else to take your heat. He's so sweet however that he'd probably be more than willing to help you clean up your mess.

I got you.

For the last few days my knee has been in utter, and complete pain. I can barely even bend it without experiencing extreme pain (and no, I am not exaggerating or being a drama queen for added effect). While in the middle of a pain filled moment, crying on the couch, I suddenly felt two sweet little hands cupping my face, lifting it upwards. Then our eyes met. My tear filled eyes looking straight into the sweetest, brightest, compassion filled eyes of my little three year old.
"Mommy? You crying?"
"Yes, honey. Mommy crying."
"Mommy, you hurting?"
"Yes, honey. Mommy's knee hurts."
"Your knee hurt? Don't worry mommy. I got you. It be okay. I got you."
He then proceeded to put his arms around me and gently pat my back.
'I GOT YOU.' No sweeter words have ever been said. Especially when accompanied by the sweetest little three year old voice ever.
He moved my hair from my face, kissed my cheek, and gently whispered...
"Don't worry, it be okay. I got you. I be right back."
He came back a few seconds later with his Incredibles ice pack which he placed on my hurt knee, and after a few seconds of icy goodness informed me that I was "All better!"
It's always nice to know that someone has my back, or in this case.... knee.

Hippo

So Xander has this favorite little Hippo stuffed animal that he loves to have with him when he goes to bed. Last night, could we find it? Of course not.
So in desperation Zach turned the lights out and handed him this little monkey stuffed animal that is roughly the same size in hopes that in the dark he wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Well, he did. Within 30 seconds I heard this....
"Mommy? Mommy? This not my hippo. This tail too long, and his face not feel right."
I replied with "I know honey, but we can't find hippo and this monkey is actually very special. Do you know who gave you this monkey?"
"Who gave me this monkey?"
"You're Uncle Jeremy sent this monkey for you when you were just a little baby because monkeys are his favorite animal and he wanted you to have one too."
"Oh, that so nice of him."
"Yes, it was. See how soft monkey is? And how cute his little face is? Don't you think he would like to sleep in your nice, soft bed too?"
"Okay, but Mommy, he not my hippo."
Just then Zach found hippo and he was brought into the room. I thought for sure Xander would toss monkey over the side of his bunk bed as soon as he saw his hippo but when I went to take the monkey he said he could stay with hippo and himself.
The next morning as Xander came into our room to inform us that it was "Morning, and time to wake up" he had some friends with him.
While climbing into our bed to snuggle with Daddy ("his best friend") he told Zach that his Uncle Jeremy had given him this little monkey, and about an hour later recited the same information to me only adding "he sent to me because he love me."
I told him "I couldn't agree more."

Thanks Uncle Jeremy for loving our little Xander!!

Total hypocrite

So it's midnight and I'm wishing I could fall asleep in my fabulous bed and have crazy, random dreams but apparently my body has decided to pull an all-nighter and not allow sleep to even enter the picture.
So here I sit. I was hoping the computer would numb my mind/body enough to at least make me a little bit drowsy, but so far it has only succeeded in giving me feelings of nausea from the unnatural lighting.
I figured I would try to see the positive side of the situation by telling myself that I can now catch up on all the blogs of my friends... only to be devastatingly disappointed at the fact that many of my friends haven't updated their blogs for months *cough, cough, Jeanette, cough, cough*, if not years *cough, Sara and Kevin, cough cough*.

Don't you realize that my current need for entertainment at this very hour is far more important than whatever has kept you from updating your blogs?!? I mean really?!? Who do you think you are?!? Really guys, so selfish. I, for one, care more about entertaining my beloved friends and family than doing those "important" things in life like cleaning, cooking, and bathing my children. I only hope that my example will be enough to teach others to do the same, and that my words tonight will lead to unimaginable entertainment for myself.

Please feel free to enjoy this video of one of the cutest kids in the world.





P.S. You're welcome.

TO BE BLONDE, OR NOT TO BE BLONDE......

That WAS the question.

I have been a blonde since the day I was born and loved my golden locks. However.... there was always this little part of me that was jealous of redheads and their unique, gorgeous color. Blame it on the movie The Last Unicorn (the strawberry blonde prince had me at hello), or the fabulous Alison Sudol (lead singer of A Fine Frenzy), whatever it was... the desire was there and a few weeks ago I decided to make it a reality. *Disclaimer... anyone out there wanting to do something drastically different with your hair, please go to a trusted professional.*
I will be the first to admit that it started out rocky-after all I had never dyed my own hair before- but thanks to my wonderful husband rushing to the store to get some more color (my first try was disastrous) I think it turned out all right. A little more punk-rock than I expected, but all right.



My wonderful hairdressers (trusted friend, and sister-in-law) Jessica and Lindsay were kind enough to not chew me out for doing it myself and in fact, even gave me some tips and ideas on how to keep it nice and some warnings that it may fade fast. Apparently red fades faster than any other color. I figured that they meant after a few weeks or so, but fade fast is definitely an understatement when it comes to my hair. Apparently my blonde hair enjoyed being blonde and did not like the fact that it was not asked for it's opinion on changing colors and has since decided to rebel. The color is not only fading fast, but now has many blonde "highlights" as well.




I colored my hair about two weeks ago and since then it has been 3 different shades of red. I figure in another few weeks or so my natural blonde will have defeated the red color and the fact that I was once a red head will only be a thing of myth or legend. Ahh... Legend. Such a good movie. If you couldn't tell I sort of had a thing for Unicorns when I was little. What?!? Like you didn't?

Monkey see.... monkey adorable!!!

My sweet little Blayne melts my heart, but when it comes time for number two....LOOK OUT! It's as if someone has lit several stink bombs and sealed off all the air vents, leaving you with a hideous stench that is enough to make someone with a sensitive gag reflex go crazy. The other day was no exception, he had quite the doozy. So... to keep my gag reflex in check I decided to plug my nose with my upper lip so I wouldn't breathe the stench in. *This is also how I hold my breathe while swimming, it's leaves both hands free and keeps water from going up your nose. Amara knows what I'm talking about, and can testify how truly genius this is, no mater how unattractive.*
Anyway, back to the poo-poo bomber.....
so there I am changing his diaper as fast as my hands can go (while he flails his little body), and plugging my nose, when suddenly he stops flailing and begins giggling. Then before I know it his little upper lip is struggling with all it's might to reach his own nose, and his little eyes are bugging with the strain of it all. After a few tries he finally gets it and it is now one of his favorite tricks to show off.

His other new tricks...
-walking like a pro
-and saying "hi"

Oh, how they grow!






*Enjoy the video, but please ignore my man voice/laugh*