Today I had the rare opportunity to go out with Sam, just the two of us. It was our little date, our special “Mommy/Sammy Special Time.” On the way to the playground where we’d be meeting up with a new friend and neighbor, I was telling him about how we used to spend all of our days together, just the two of us, before Robby was born.

I had almost forgotten that. This past year has been such a haze, a blur. We’ve been just sort of getting through each day as best we could. Sam told me he liked it when Robby was in my belly. Of course, this made me very sad, sad for him that he will probably always miss that time we had together before things changed, whether he really remember that that was how it once was or not. Then we talked about how we really liked having Robby around too.

And then it occurred to me - that time I spent with Sam when it was just the two of us - Robby has never had that, ever. Sure, we’ve spent hours upon hours together sleeping, nursing, me holding him while Sam was with Hubby or someone else. But Robby and I have never even been out together, at least not that I can think of. He has never known what it would be like to spend a day with me with my undivided attention. And while I feel so sorry to Sam for his loss of that, I realize that Robby is really the one who has missed out in a way.

Sam will start pre-school in just a few weeks. He’ll be gone for several hours in the morning, four days a week. Robby and I will be able to spend each morning together, “Mommy/Robby Time.” And I have to say, knowing full well it will be very hard for me when Sam is actually starting school, that right now I’m really excited about it. Robby and I will get to take a class together maybe, and we’ll go to the park and meet up with friends; and it will all feel so easy with just one. I’m gonna go out to breakfast and drink coffee, and he’ll eat pancakes and look at his baby friends! And I’m excited for Sam too. I loved school as a child, and I know he’s going to as well. I’m really happy for him.

I like how the Fall is shaping up. I’ll have time with my baby in the morning. We’ll come home after getting Sam from school, and while Robby naps I’ll have time with Sam, and then the afternoon will be for all of us. It has structure; there is change within the day. I like it. There is an end in sight to this strange, hot summer mush.

And this is not to say that I really feel that bad for either child for losing out on Mommy time. I know they get so much from having each other, and now that Robby is getting older they are really starting to play. Just today Robby was leaning in to kiss Sam over and over again, grabbing his head on each side and pulling him in close to his wide open mouth. And Sam was letting him do it, and even kissing him back. And it was even sweeter to watch than when he kisses me.

Labels: Brothers, Mommyhood, The Big One, The Little One

The day has come: my baby is one year old.  I think I must be in denial, since I am currently speechless, which, as you know, is uncharacteristic for me.  Wasn’t it THIS summer that I was going to Dairy Queen every day while pregnant?  Wasn’t it just last night that my water broke in the kiddie pool?  Weren’t we nursing for the first time just a few short hours ago?

But no, I had to go back into my archives from a year ago to find that last one - not surprisingly, it was the only post from that month. And then I got to look at those pictures again.  The smooshy face one is still one of my favorites.

What a sweet baby. What a sweet boy. It’s so hard to write this, because when I try to think about what to say about Robby, that’s what I come up with. He’s happy. He’s adorable.  He’s my sweetie. He’s simple, in the best of ways. Good-natured, by definition.

Although, he did get mad at me when I was feeding him in his high chair yesterday and proceeded to make a very angry face, point at me while yelling “aaaaagh!” and then threw his spoon at me. He is loud, oh, so loud. He thinks screaming is hysterical and loves to do it whenever possible. Banging things rocks, especially cabinet doors. We’ve gotten him an instrument set for his birthday, which will technically be celebrated tomorrow with family and cupcakes.

I just can’t believe a year has gone by. I know how cliche that is. But I didn’t feel like the first year went by quickly with Sam; actually, it felt like an eternity. With Robby it has been an instant, a blur. It’s bittersweet for me, because I know he hasn’t gotten all of the undivided attention his brother did, and I know things will be even faster from here on out.

But today, he crawled up to me in a room full of toys and other children, climbed up my body to reach my face, and turned my head to give me a kiss. The he climbed back down and went back to playing. He did this twice, just to check in, I suppose.

He wakes up every day with a smile on his face.

No, my head is not actually 18 inches long - I’m taking this with my phone and am at a weird angle . . . just look at the kid, would you? 

Labels: Birthdays, Pictures, The Little One

Labels: Bloggy Stuff - Memes/Links/Business, Hubby, Pictures, The Little One

I have a post up over at Musings Of A Housewife today - one last tale from our vacation for you. And if you are here from Jo-Lynne’s place - Hi. How are ya? I promise I won’t talk anymore about boogies, at least not any time soon (although I did have a certain someone trying to hand me one just yesterday. . . I’m just sayin’).

No, today we have my top three baby milestones, because that’s just the kind of day it is, as in a take it easy day.

Top 3:

Dancing - I LOVE it when babies learn to bop around to music. When Sam was a baby he bounced up and down. Robby has more of a back and forth head shake going on. Sometimes he shakes so enthusiastically that he knocks himself over.

Self-feeding - I don’t know why, but I think this is the cutest thing ever. The way a baby has to meticulously pick up each little pea and slowly, oh so slowly bring it to their mouth. And then how they sit there and thoughtfully stare at you while they mush it around? I don’t know, I have just thought it was adorable with both of my babies. When they then move on to dumping everything over the side of the chair? Not so much. You should see my dining room rug . . .

Kissing - The open-mouthed comin’ at ya kiss. No doubt, it’s the greatest, especially when it is the first thing the babe wants to do when they open their eyes and see you in the morning, as mine did today.

Happy Friday/Weekend!

Labels: Bloggy Stuff - Memes/Links/Business, The Little One

I’m not one to compare my kids - really, I’m not. I love them both, cherish them both, want them both to be exactly who they are, no more, no less.

But I’ll tell you a little secret: I really loved Sam’s hair when he was a baby, this hair. I would have been so very happy for Robby’s hair to turn out however it was meant to turn out, be it the opposite of Sam’s and dark and straight; I would have loved it too. But I’ll admit that now that Robby’s hair has started coming in and it is going in the same direction as his older brother’s, I’m really very happy. Truthfully, I love it so. And it’s not just that it reminds me of Sam’s babyhood, which it does, and it’s not just that it ties him a bit more to me physically since he is the spitting image of my father-in-law, which he is, and it’s not just that it makes him that much cuter, which is also true. It’s that I like the similarity between him and Sam.

When we were at the beach last week someone said to me, “Well, there’s no mistaking them for brothers, is there?” I don’t want them to look exactly alike - of course not - but I really do love watching my two little curly-haired, sweaty-headed boys go forth into the world together.

They’ve been playing more and more with each other now that Robby is more mobile, and I think it might be the best thing yet of this whole two children thing. Perhaps the only thing better than making your baby smile and making them laugh is watching your other child get them to smile and laugh, and then the two of them laughing right along together.

Labels: Brothers, Pictures, The Little One

Is it possible to plan an entire weekend around a fictitious blue train whose face is completely immobile with the exception of his lidless eyes? I tell you, it is.

The fam and I have been in Lancaster, PA for the past few days. What’s in Lancaster, you ask? Well, my friends, only the very wonderful children’s amusement park, Dutch Wonderland, which happens to currently be showing “Thomas and Friends Live” at the “Really Useful Theater.” Lancaster also boasts the Strasberg Railroad which has not only a running steam engine but, oh yes, a FREAKING THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE TOY STORE. No seriously, an entire store that is entirely devoted to Thomas…and his friends.

So yeah, wee bit exhausted here. This was the first time we have stayed in a hotel since Sam was born. But I have to say the whole trip was pretty pleasant. I would hope so when planning an entire three days around the obsession and love of a three year old. Pictures now. Perhaps video of the Thomas toy store and Sam’s response to it another day this week.

Sam with His Love and the series of vehicles ridden in the short span of 1 1/2 days…

Oh, right, we have another child too! Robby got to ride the little train, the riverboat, and his stroller. Have I mentioned before that he is the neglected second child? But look how happy!

And there’s some steam engine for ya. Like I said, I’ll try and get that video of the Thomas toy store up later this week because I know you don’t believe me - you don’t understand the extent to which it was filled with Thomas paraphernalia the likes of which only my son could dream. You don’t understand that we now have to take out a second mortgage on our house. You won’t understand until you’ve seen the horror the beauty of a Thomas addict in paradise. But for now, I must recuperate.

Labels: Pictures, The Big One, The Little One, Vacations and travel

He’s pulling up, ya’ll.  Watch out!

Labels: Pictures, The Little One