baby brother names

I just wanted to add Tony's contribution to the baby naming...
We have settled into the name Samuel, but still toying around with middle names. Jon likes Samuel Titus and I think it has stuck. Anyway I was cleaning out the closets and Tony was playing with all the old baby toys I was pulling out. He was telling me how he was gonna give everything to his baby brother and what a big helper he was going to be. I told him I thought he was being so nice and he was gonna be a great brother to Samuel. He was rocking on a too small rocking horse, looked at me, wrinkled his nose, and told me he did not like the name Samuel. I asked what he wanted to call him and he firmly said Daphne and resumed rocking.
He's stuck with it for a few days now insisting that Samuel is a bad name and Daphne is much better. He will go into the baby room and tell me what book or toy Daphne is going to like.
We will see.

I thought it was terrible twos...

So I could only write about the nice things with Tony but any mother would tell you I'm full of crap, so...
I have gone around and around with Tony for ahwile now. He digs his heals in and just refuses to do what I ask. Could be everyday things like get dressed or wash your hands a chore like pick up your toys. No matter what it is, he makes it into a HUGE ordeal something that could take 5 minutes is now a battle for an hour. And i do mean battle. I have tried different techniques including time out,seclusion to his room, spanking, talking(HA) yelling, crying on both parts, and then exhaustion. I stick it out and do not give in and usually an out of breath, tear stained, and worn out Tony submits. Sometimes it is comical how persistent he is but mostly it is frustrating and tiring. I remember throwing horrible tantrums like this, beating the walls, kicking, screaming, the whole bit so when I am on the recieving end I can only smile and thank God for teaching me this lesson of patience. And then finally like a rainbow after a storm, Tony woke up last weekend and was my sweet boy again. He was actually following instructions without a fuss. It's amazing how much extra time we had without all the fighting. I kept thinking when will he revert but he did not. I know there will be more trials ahead but it was nice to finally see a payoff and know that somehow I was getting through.
I guess he's just a bit stubborn. Wonder where he gets that from...

All Boy

Tony you are 100% certified BOY! Last weekend the Gard side of the family came in for the fourth of July and all your girl cousins were here to play and my oh my what a difference in play styles. I used to think it was in how you raised the child but there is definately a difference in how boys and girls are wired. You wanted to climb, jump, splash, roar,with everyone you came in contact with. I guess your Dad and are used to this kind of play but it was so funny watching you interact with a bunch of girls. As we have looked at the pictures this week it has been funny to listen to you recall memories you made with each person. It is hard to not have family close by all the time but that makes me so grateful for the time we do get to spend with them. I hope we have many more summers of fun to spend with family. At least in the future you will have a little brother to be wild with...

I know this picture is blurry but I so love how it captures the joy and fun of all the children. Plus is was sort of a theme of dancing in the backyard and I could watch it all day.

Critterfest

Since it has been 110 all week we opted for some morning fun and afternoon air conditioning. So last weekend I took T to critterfest. Basically they turn the science spectrum into a mini zoo, they had all sorts of animals from dogs to camels, ponies, and elephants. We started by "petting" the ducklings and Tony held one, although I think he was squeezing the poor thing rather than gently holding it. We moved through the whole exhibit stopping to touch boa constrictors, giant turtles, hedgehogs and our big finale was an elephant ride! Wrinkles the rescued elephant took Tony and his friends Luke and Maylee around  a small section of the grass. I could hear Tony squeeling and saying whoaaaa the entire way around. And everyday since he tells me about about his fun and bumpy elephant ride.

We finished the day by watching a tiger show, it was sort of part circus and part tiger education but at one point the tiger didn't like what the trainer wanted him to do and he turned around and roared in his face and I think the entire audience (and the trainer) jumped. It was sooooo loud and for a minute I was a little scared for the trainer. I started wondering what kind of mayhem would break out if things went south, but of course nothing happened and the show was very entertaining. We finished up our HOT saturday with a yummy snowcone and a long nap!!!

Karate Chop

So when Tony turned 3 I thought he might like some type of martial art but all the studios here don't start teaching until 4 years old. Makes sense, 3 is pretty young for them to undertand the idea, but then I saw a summer program through a community center for karate tots. Only 30 bucks and no uniforms. I thought "perfect" it will be a fun Saturday morning teaching basic karate moves in a kid friendly environment. Or maybe not. We had missed the first class so I arrived early and asked if we could watch. The class was only 4 other boys and again I thought "perfect" lots of one on one. Let me say I undertand marial arts are serious and teach disipline and respect -both attributes I would like Tony to undertand but this guy was a bit harsh. He started simply enough by talking about the colored belts and how karate can help you in everyday life and even had some funny names for a few of the moves, but then he proceeded to bark out positions like these kids were supposed to automatically remember from last week. At one point I asked T if he wanted to stand near the back of the class and practice with them but he shook his head no and gave me the "big eyes" None of the other parents had any reaction so I thought I was being overly sensitive but near the end he wanted to teach a kidnapping hold. He was "trying" to demonstrate on a boy but the poor child was not following instructions or understanding (or maybe he was terrified) and the teacher was getting so frustrated he finally gave up and let the kids play basketball for the last 10 minutes...Huh Although it was the only time the kids looked like they were enjoying themelves!
Afterwords while we were driving to the park Tony said "That guy was mean I don't like karate." And I had to wonder what those other 4 boys said on the way home.
Maybe this was his first attempt at teaching or maybe I have no idea what to look for in a good teacher but I felt like it was karate boot camp instead of karate tots. I believe we will wait until Tony turns 4 and try again at a reputable place.

Happy to be home

I recently took a haitus away from Lubbock to visit my sister in Denver. I was able to sleep in,  not do any chores, laugh, hang out with my nieces, shop, and just simply relax from everyday life. While all of that was fantastic my heart literally ached for Tony. I would look at pictures before I went to bed and send prayers for him as soon as I woke up. I felt like every 10 minutes I was thinking about him and couldn't help but blurt out random facts about you. I have been away from T before and I am a believer that time away from your kids makes for a better Mommy. Even though I knew you were safe and having fun with Daddy for some reason this time seemed harder, blame the prego hormones but I have never been so happy to pick you up. You squeezed my neck so hard and told me over and over how much you loved me and missed me. And it was everything I needed to hear!

Ima gonna toot on you...

So apparantly the joys of farting are found at an early age. We have always been pretty open about bodily functions -I mean come on how can you not with a 3 year old around but lately Tony is obsessed with farting. And he has no shortage of it in fact I am rethinking what I feed him because of the amazing amount of gas this kid has. I remember when he was a baby and I too would giggle when he would let such a cute little toot out but now Tony will walk up to you turn around, fart on you, and then laugh this crazy laugh. Uuuuuhhhhh gross is my first reaction and then I thought maybe no reaction would squash this behavior but nope he does it for his own pure pleasure. To me, the dogs, stuffed animals, the tree, I just pray he doesnt start doing it to total strangers in walmart. I can assure you this is not something Jon and I do to each other so I am sort of dumfounded at his love of putting his hiney on anything that will sit still.So if you decide to visit consider yourself warned...

Mommyhood

Mothers day just passed and it was nice to have a day where my family stopped to say thanks. It made me think what I am thankful for and how different my priorities are. Just a few ways Tony has changed my outlook on life...

 -Snuggles and giggles in the morning
 -New appreciation for worms and bugs
 -Laughing even when you are angry
 -Being silly
 -Dancing to any and every song no matter where you are!
 -Never ending kisses and bear hugs
 -Weeds picked for me
 -Proud in every sense of the word
 -Someone who loves me just as I am
 -The sweetest and most honest prayers
 -His love already for his unborn brother
 -The cutest most spankable buns
 -Buying things just because it makes you smile
 -Not being a picky eater even to the extreme of picking it up off the ground (hello smooshed jelly bean in the parking lot)
 -Understanding each day brings new experiences to embrace
 -Weekly monster truck derby in our living room
 -Our walks around the park
 -Answering "WHY"
 -Keeping up with your energy
 -Watching you sleep
 -Watching you play with your dad

Thank you God for filling my life so full!!

Roller skating!

That's right I took Tony roller skating. Ok not willingly, we have a friend with and older son who invited us. I did not intend to skate but Tony started asking and it was included with the "party" so I strapped a pair of skates on and said a prayer. We made it around twice (very slowly) without falling and Tony was done. I took pics but haven't downloaded them yet. I even started to keep my balance after awhile and enjoy it. I halfway expected Paula Abdul to start singing so I could be transported to 5th grade. Tony didnt seem to think it was anything special he was much more interested in knowing when we were gonna eat the giant cookie. And he kept telling me this was not his party and he was only going to watch as the presents were opened. Let me tell you that kid racked in $200 -he's saving up for a skateboard or something.

Unfortunately I have kept Tony hostage for the last few weeks. If I even step outside I go into a sneezing and itching fit so we have spent our weekends doing crafts, watching too many movies, and playing indoor baseball. We talk about the baby growing inside me and Tony isin't sure what to think of being a brother some days he looks at me like "yeah we've been over this why are we talking about the baby in your belly again" and other times he gets mad at the mention of the word brother, and then there are times he wants to put his fingers in my belly button so he can "touch" the baby. I guess its hard for a three year old mind to understand what I am talking about. But one thing he has always said from the beginning is "it's a boy".

Daddy's boy

There has been a definate shift in Tonys attitude-he is all about Daddy! He used to request me for every little task but now I am only good for baths and bedtime snuggles. If Jon is in the garage, so is Tony. If Jon is watching TV so is Tony. If Jon is vacuuming or doing ANYTHING here at the house, well you get the idea. And if he isin't here I will be asked no less than 20 times an hour where Daddy is. We temporarily have two cars and if I have to drop him off or pick him up he is immediatly is asking why I am there and bursts into tears. If I am sitting on the floor playing with him and Jon walks in the room, he jumps up and begs him to come and play. I know some women who might get their feeling hurt, but it actually makes me so happy to see their bond. They have always been close but now Tony thinks Jon is alot more fun than me an I'm ok with that.
So to up the Daddy's cooler than me quotient. Jon built a sandbox this weekend, and I have never seen a pile of dirt make someone so happy. He did the complete giggle hot dog happy dance! Jon let Tony help build it, drill in some screws, and fill it with sand. So all day Saturday he kept telling me that Daddy AND Tony build a sandbox. This afternoon when he woke up from his nap,I asked if he wanted to go to the park, and he beelined it past me with his trucks in tow and sad "No, sandbox". My next post may be ranting about all the sand thats in my house but for now I will sit and watch Tony play (with Daddy) in his sandbox

Tonylove

Since I was shamed into writing a new entry I'll give an update of that past month... j/k I truly intended to post new things every couple of weeks but time evaporated.

So we celebrated Tony's birthday at McDonalds and let me just say it was chaos! We had the slowest McD worker you have ever seen I wanted to jump behind the counter and slap the cheeseburgers together for her. So 45 minutes later when the food was delivered I went ahead and asked for the cake and she said "already?" So another 45 minutes later she was able to find a lighter and we were singing Happy Birthday to a wide eyed little boy. I thoght 3 was a little young to host a birthday party but watching the joy on his face was so heartwarming. He really felt special and he is.

                                

Making guac for our taco tuesday.

Tony is my big helper in the kitchen. Almost everynight he pulls up a stool next to the stove and asks if he can stir or add ingredients. He eats or licks everything including sticks of butter, garlic, uncooked pasta... I like the fact that he is not afraid to try anything but I have to be careful where I put the raw meat! But his favorite thing to help with is anything dough. Pizza dough, bread dough, whatever he loves rolling it out, and of course eating it raw. He likes to make cresent rolls, first he loosly rolls them up and they sort of resemble a cresent but then he smooshes them into  lump that looks like a pile of ____ they aren't pretty but he's facinated to sit in front of the oven and watch them bake. (and we eat every last bite of them) When he's in the kitchen the mess is bigger than normal but I actually dont mind sweeping up the pile of flour. It's my time to bond with him after not seeing him all day.

For my son, Tony

I am starting this blog to document the milestones, family fun, and daily life of my family. I started a blog with my sister basically documenting our dinner each night and I enjoyed it so much I thought I would like to do the same about my life. Not that it's really that exciting and I dont think anyone other than me and close family will be interested in it. But there are so many things I want to remember about Tony and I thought this might be a fun way to track his life. (We'll see how long I can keep it up!)

My sweet baby boy is not a baby anymore. In 17 days he will be turning 3. Kind of bittersweet, he no longer looks like a baby and his personality comes out more everyday. Tony is a happy silly boy who loves to jump, pretend he's a superhero, and plays monster trucks until his eyes just won't stay open anymore. I always say he is like a light switch and he is either all the way on or completely out. Recently he has been saying I love you unsolicited. It sounds like "I lub you mommy". Its amazing how this simple phrase can change my whole mood. There is nothing better than hearing his little infectious laugh, or when he asks to stay in bed just a little longer so we can snuggle. Tony has been the best additon to our family and like so many parents out there he is the reason I strive to live a better life. Tony has taught me how to look at life more simply, and to slow down.

Tony, I love you and I look forward to all the birthdays I will celebrate with you!