A Visit From GG

Yesterday, we surprised Kyle with the news that GG was flying in to see us! Though it was super short, it made our day to see how excited these two were to see each other! I didn't tell Kyle until we were certain she would arrive. He was so happy to pick GG up at her hotel. He loves hotels and loves to see GG's. In fact, we pass her regular hotel at least once a week and he always points it out. He'd be asking for a GG visit, and he got one! :)

Going through GG's goody bag for the boys! ;)

Enjoying the view of the sunset (and noticing all the traffic we'd soon be in!).

GG and her grandsons!

 After dinner, we went outside to show GG how fast Kyle zips around on his Razor, bike, Big Wheels, and skateboard. Yes, Kyle showed her his skills on nearly every wheeled object he owns. And boy did he impress! It was cute to watch him show her everything. We had to remind him to keep his eyes on the road! All too soon, she was saying good-night.

Thanks, GG, for the visit. 

Kyle Rides a Two-wheeler!

All thoughts of "Are we pushing him a bit too early?" were swept away when I saw Kyle ride this two-wheeler on his very first try! He owned it. After a few rides on the grass and then on the dirt around a baseball diamond where he was rounding the bases and making turns around 2nd, we let him go out on the sidewalk. I've never seen someone (and especially so young) learn how to ride a bike so fast! He was racing and skidding that thing all over the place. Seriously, we had to tell him he could slow down and didn't have to pedal so fast! ;) Kyle likes speed. I am both amazed and scared!! And can I just say that the feeling of pushing his seat and letting go is the weirdest, scariest feeling!! So crazy.

We were blown away at how little he fell. The few times he did, he just hopped right back up and wanted to ride again. I taught him how to stop by slowing, then leaning over and putting his foot down. Next time on the bike, he stopped on a dime and gave me a grin. It was adorable to see his confidence and excitement. :)

Here's a little video:
http://youtu.be/sAMsy-Zc2wE

Big BOY!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love celebrating holidays and special days through the eyes of kids. Rudy and I were both talking about what kinds of things our moms did to celebrate Valentine's Day with us as kids growing up. I loved it as a child and I love it as a parent even more. So fun to teach Kyle about Valentine's Day and share the anticipation. He loved crossing off each day until finally the "Love Day" came. 

In the beginning of February, we started adding to our "Love Tree." Kyle liked the Thankful Tree so much, he didn't want me to take it down. So, I thought we could use it again in February to note the things/people we love. Kyle was all over this idea and would hardly let a night go by without us adding to the tree. 

Kyle's "I love when the sun comes up!" made us crack up! That is SO him. Not only has sleeping just never been his thing, but he loves life and all the playing one can do in a day. He talks about "when the sun comes up" and "Is the sun going down now?" all the time. He's saddest when the sun sets and we have to wind down for the night.

We were happy watching Kyle open and enjoy his little Valentine's presents. His favorite was a Critter book titled, "Just Me and My Little Brother." :) Later in the evening, Michelle came over to give us a night out! Other than our anniversary dinner in Chicago, we haven't been out since well before Gavin was born. It was a nice treat! We saw Argo (and loved it!) and had some Tiramisu and coffee at a fun Italian place. Thanks so much, Michelle!

XO to my 3 Valentines! 

Gavin - 5 months

Getting Gav to smile is honestly the easiest thing in the world. It's so stinkin' fun to take his picture! And since I like to take monthly pictures that depict where our son is at developmentally and/or interest wise, these 5 month pics shows he loves his teething ring and loves his tummy! If you put him on the ground he'll turn on to his tummy within a few seconds. He'll turn and turn and end up somewhere on the other side of the room. Earlier this week, he got up on all fours as if he was going to crawl. That, combined with the fact that he's now sitting with us in his high chair during our family meal time, makes me amazed at how fast this is going!!

At 5 months, Gavin:

• loves to watch Kyle (Or, Kyle provides a lot of entertainment!:)
• belly laughs every time our noses touch his (especially as we say "Zzzz!" while doing it)
• prefers to be on his tummy
• mellow, easy-going, smiles at everything
• sleeps :)
• wakes up happy and talking to himself 
• cutting two bottom teeth
• really likes his toys 

God has blessed us!

Back to Work

Two weeks ago, we started getting ready for my (2 day a week) return to work. We practiced giving Gavin the bottle. Kyle loved being able to help his brother.

And I started to get my head back in the game. Wanting my students to know I think they're special (in spite of my absence) I sent out postcards. I also made an effort to remember all their names. Before I left, in September, I took a picture of each student holding a whiteboard with their name on it. After drilling myself over and over, I finally had them all down. On the first day back, they challenged me to name every one of them and though they acted like they were upset I "won," they had huge smiles on their faces. :)

We survived our first week back! :) Thankfully, I absolutely love and enjoy what I do. Still, our schedule is pretty crazy and I feel like a hamster on a spinning wheel from sun up to sun down. We (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 6 bags, 2 boys, myself, and a cup of coffee) all head out by 6:30 am and we don't get home until about 12 hours later! I have meetings after school on both days I'm there, so the days are long ones. The commute stinks, but having my mom and boys just a few minutes away from my school is worth the drive. 

The boys are doing well with the transition. Gav is learning to take the bottle and Kyle loves going to his Mimi's house. (More about that in another post.) I am so thankful we found a wonderful girl who takes her high school classes online. She offered to do her coursework at my parents' house and be an extra set of hands to my mom, whenever she needs the help. Having her there makes it a lot easier for my mom to bring Gavin to me during lunchtime. I love getting to see and feed him during the middle part of my day. :)

Ahh... I think this will be doable. So thankful for my mom, as without her I just wouldn't feel as comfortable working. And she's a gift not only for my comfort, but for the boys. They are so lucky to be with her! 

Gavin's 1st "Haircut"

During a recent haircut for Kyle, the stylist caught sight of Gavin's little hair patch and offered to even it out a little bit. Check out Gav sitting up so tall, looking so big in his smock! :)

 Before

 After

Whaddya say, eh?!