Wordless Wednesday.

Why I'm glad for digital photography...

Been wondering why all of my recent shots of Levi are either during mealtimes (ah, the confinement of a highchair!) or just a blurry image of his backside toddling away? Yeah, getting a decent photo of a nonstop almost-15-month-old is not as easy as it seems! A few days ago, I decided that as his momma, it really is my job to document this completely adorable stage of his life a little better than this:

So, I popped him into the glider, and started snapping pictures! I mean, how hard can it be? It'll only take a few shots to get an perfectly-centered, non-blurry, totally awesome one of that adorably ornery grin...right?


Okay then. So maybe he needs a role model? I added his big brother to the glider, and continued with my photo shoot.... "CHEESE!"


And, suddenly? Ah, SWEET VICTORY!!

(Totally worth it!)

All because of a little cheese.....

My Dearest Nathaniel,
I need to write this letter to explain something to you, and I very much hope that you read it someday. You might not remember the things that I'm talking about by then--but you might; I know that I will. You are the Big Brother to an adorable little dude. Levi is an amazing little guy who is learning so very many things right now--and he's too stinkin' cute while he does it! It is often that I'll smile and clap for him, cheer him on, or tell Daddy to watch him. He is learning, growing, and way too cute for his own good--and we are incredibly proud of him! You, like any big brother are very often jealous.
Nate, I want you to hear this loud and clear: WE ARE SO VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU! You are an amazing and incredible boy! You are talented and sweet and adorable, and you have surprised me with your accomplishments more times than I can count. There is no person, thing, or accomplishment in this world for which I am more proud than of you and your brother. Truly. I think that you know that, but it's hard to remember sometimes when it's the baby who's getting the praise. And, who could blame you? You're only three years old! I'm sorry that you feel left out sometimes, and I will try harder to point out more of your own accomplishments.
Nate, there is one thing in particular for which I am constantly amazed by, and I am truly so proud of you for. It is your obvious love and adoration for your baby brother. Oh sure, there's some brotherly bickering thrown in for variety, but the two of you are really an inseparable pair.
Even at this early age, I see you filling your "Big Brother" role around the house by looking out for Levi, helping him along, and always including him in your requests. Always, always you include your "Yiyi".
"Mommy, me and Yiyi have a snack, please?"
"Me and Yiyi watch a movie?"
"Me and Yiyi go play outside?"
"Me and Yiyi.....?"
The questions are endless, but they're always requests for "me and Yiyi". My heart melts when I hear you request a treat for your little brother who likely wouldn't even notice if he was left out sometimes. I've tried to remember when you started this, but I can't. There was never a time when I had to prod you to include your brother; he's just always been a part of your life, and you don't leave him out. You are amazing!
Today, while I was making quesadillas for lunch, you asked me for a slice of cheese. As always, you asked for a piece each for you and Yiyi. Like I often do, I sliced two chunks of cheese off, and handed them to you. Normally, I try to make the pieces of cheese exactly the same size (for obvious reasons); today, I wasn't paying much attention, and they were not even. Like, not even close to being even. Not a big deal, I thought, Levi will never know that his slice is smaller. Right? I watched you hurry over to your brother, then pause and look at the two pieces of cheese. You hesitated for just the slightest moment, and I knew that you saw the difference. And then, you gave that bigger piece of cheese to Yiyi Baby.
Oh Nate, I could have cried right there, I was so proud of you! What a generous and kind thing to do for your brother! You might be thinking now, "Okay, Mom, it was just a little bit of cheese....so what?" It was so much more than cheese, my dearest, it was an act of selflessness for your little brother--one that you didn't think anyone would ever even know about. (You never mentioned it to me at all!) For a three-year-old, it was a BIG DEAL. And, I am so very, very proud of you!
Nathaniel, I might not clap every time you finish a bowl of oatmeal, and I might not snap photos of you every time you walk around with a blanket on your head....but that doesn't in a million years mean that I'm not so proud of you that I could bust! It simply means that you are older, and your accomplishments are more mature and grown up. You are an incredibly kind and sweet little boy. I love you! Your love for your brother only makes me love you more, and I pray that you both remain as close as you are right now for always.
I love you to the moon and back,
MomMom

Wordless Wednesday.

Quips from a 3-year-old...

Nate: (counting grapes) "One, two, fwee, five, six!"
Me: "Didn't you forget a number?"
Nate: "Huh?"
Me: "Try counting them again."
Nate: "One, two, fwee, five, six!"
Me: One, two, three, FOUR, five, six!"
Nate: "Aww, man! That's cwazy!"

*********

Nate: (whispering to Levi) "This soup really yucky in my mouth! This soup really, really yucky! Crackers make it not yucky; crackers make this soup yummy!"
Sadly, we were out of crackers...

Birthday Party 2013.

We hosted a small birthday party for the boys last weekend. It was a dump truck/construction themed party, and a very laid back event. We ordered fried chicken and balloons, I made a boys a special cake, and we spent the evening on our patio with lots of family members. Despite our initial disappointment that several friends/family members couldn't make it (new babies, new jobs & vacations, oh my!), my last minute jitters that there wasn't go to be enough food (there was more than enough!), and my husband's attempt to demolish a bees' nest right before party (well, they're still around!)......everything went off without a hitch! We had a wonderful evening, and I loved every moment of watching my boys thrill in their evening with people who love them. (I'm not sure that I've ever seen a child as excited for cake and presents as Nate was at the party!)


Happy Birthday, Nathaniel and Levi!! I love you both to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond!