Still here...

Geez. It's like you blink and people are yelling at you for not blogging. I don't have much to say except life is flying by fast and even though there are days when I would say we did "nothing," every day is so busy they are hard to keep track of! Wyatt is growing and changing so fast and is so much fun to raise (except when he is mad). If I can think of enough high pitched phrases to throw at him or have enough energy to continue peek-a-boo for minutes on end, he is a happy baby, even when he's cranky. Henry has somehow warped into a little boy. Though he still stubbornly clings to several toddler-like behaviors, for example, screaming at the top of his lungs after preschool when he was offered the wrong flavor of pastry by another preschool mom (okay, it was Jenna - hee!), he is a fun and easy kid to raise, too. These boys LOVE each other something fierce and it never ceases to make my heart feel like it is bursting out of my chest when I see how sweet and tender and thoughtful Henry is towards Wyatt. What a lucky mom I am!

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I interrupt this post to remind readers that both my children have hyper-charged emotions and scream louder (and at a higher pitch) than 11 year old girls when they are angry, hurt or were told "no" (and sometimes just for fun).

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But we love them!

Here are some pics from this morning - mostly of Wyatt because the eldest son likes to do this when the camera comes out:

The cutest little pirate I ever did see:

For reals!

Alas! A smile!

Such a fun age...so curious about everything.

And still not crawling! Getting really good at going backwards, though. ;)

Smartypants

Henry: But I don't waaaaant a naaaaap! I'm not tiiiiiirrrrrred! (repeat, repeat, repeat)

Me: If you don't stop whining, you're going to time-out. Do you want to spend some time in time-out?

***Dramatic pause***

Henry: If I go to time-out, then I don't have to have a nap?

Honestly. What happened to just saying no???

8 month update!

I'm sorry...did I just say 8 months? Well, officially 8 months and 5 days. These have been the fastest 8 months I've ever lived, I'm sure of it. Time flies when you have an older child that has to be shuttled to and from preschool, play dates and the like. Scheduling has kind of gone out the window and really, I'm okay with that. Wyatt sleeps 12 - 12 1/2 hours at night and takes about 3 - 4 hours (cumulatively) in naps every day. For that, I know I am blessed. He is such a happy baby, which makes everything that much easier. Smile, smile, smile...that's Wyatt in a nutshell. Lately, he's been a little bit of a mama's boy and while I'd like to say we're trying to remedy that, I have such a hard time with the looks he throws my way when I walk away from him! He's got me under his spell! I am totally guilty of feeding this problem and I always run to his rescue. :)

Wyatt LOVES his big brother and all the things they play together. He is lucky to have a big brother who always wants to entertain him! Henry is not too keen about the slobber all over his toys, but he deals with it.

What's new at 8 months? Wyatt has been clapping for several weeks now, and he's also been pulling himself up to a crawling position for about a month. He still just rocks back and forth and scoots backward until he hits something, but I think it's only a matter of time before this one's on the move. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be crawling long before Henry was (11 months!). Oh yeah! And now he has two bottom teeth! The started coming in around 7 months, but they are very visible now.

He is a chatterer, for sure. Talking, squealing, drooling, LOUD. I'm afraid he might be slightly hyper and it's obvious he's an extrovert. Clearly, he takes after Jim. (snicker)

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Assuming the position...

Some overexposed teeth!

Little munchers. Seriously, they hurt.

The big brother, with matching eyes

There's nothing like some early morning CHEESE sessions

Moving on to video...

Here is Wyatt, so proud of his new trick:

And here are my children during Wyatt's bathtime, a sometimes family event (don't ask me why). Henry likes to "help" out, which usually means pouring water over Wyatt's head. Wyatt just splashes away, just happy for all the attention. :)

Breakfast with Character(s)

When my brother and I were little, my mom would take us to a character breakfast on our birthdays. This was always a huge highlight of our year and has become somewhat of a family tradition when we visit now. It is SO fun to experience these beloved Disney characters through my children's eyes. Henry was antsy with excitement and chowed down his Mickey Mouse waffles so he'd be ready when Minnie, Donald and Goofy came to our table.

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I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves, but it needs to be said, IT WAS AWESOME! Parents of young kids, if you're ever in Orlando, DO THIS. You won't regret it!

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Henry and Wyatt, talking over plans for maximum exposure

Getting psyched up...

Although many babies and young toddlers cry when approached by these ginormous, over-sized animals, Wyatt was extremely curious and did some major staring. Perhaps a few smiles. And open-mouthed kisses.

I think it is irritating when some parents are forever talking about how cute their kids are, but I feel like there are also a few acceptable times. Like when Henry met Donald.

I know. Get out!

So much fun.

Can you tell someone missed his morning nap (below)?

Space Cadet Wyatt, the apple farm called. They want their cheeks back.