Remember these things

Our days go by so fast.  Every day I say to myself at least once, "I need to blog about that so I don't forget!"  Months go by and all the memories I forget.  Life is so constant.  It's a good thing, but how am I suppose to remember what we did in our busy days when the boys grow up and ask.  Right now, I just checked on them.  I get home from the gym, a good workout, and make sure their blankets are tightly tucked around them.  I find Carsen sleeping so peacefully, he is so handsome and just so beautiful.  I love to watch him sleep because there is no hand flapping or jerky motions.  He is just at pure peace.  His long eyelashes and plump lips are my favorite! I pull his heavy body down further in bed, and tuck his doggy blanky around him.  I cautiously open Jace's door so I don't wake him up.  He is sleeping with his butt high up in the air, he has lost all his baby fat and is growing out of his jammies already.  I tuck his blankies around him and pull him to the middle.  He has the sweetest little boy look. Still so little and innocent.  He is so precious, I smile and thank God for my boys.

My favorite memory of Jace today was when I asked him where his nose, mouth, eyes, ears, and head were, he showed me.  I asked him to get his boots and he brought them to me.  I asked him to sit in the chair and wait for his snack and he waited for me.  He said, "Yes" "Thank You" "Carsen or Zen Zen"  He sat in my lap and brought me books and he actually liked reading them.  We had a wonderful day.  No time outs. Just running around at the gym, chasing balls, meeting friends and enjoying no school for Carsen.

My favorite memory of Carsen today was how well he did when we went to the gym.  He didn't use his gait trainer at all, and kicked balls all around the gym.  His fine motor was so gentle when it came time to picking up a puck and rolling it down the gym.  He continues to gain strength and balance.  He loves to play basketball and watch all the balls bouncing.  We had a wonderful day.  No school, no naps.  Just dancing, snacks and playing with little brother.

I want to remember these things, for it is what brings me the most joy!

Phone dump!

I never get any pictures actually taken with my real camera.  The iPhone is just that much easier to take a picture with.  So, our life is now documented from a phone.  Who knew?  Well, lots of people, but I am actually getting around to sharing them.  Our life is fast paced so anything to make it more simple!!

Carsen is ready for school, always dressed up of course!

 Little brother gets to go to the park...loves exploring!

No pants man...it is just a hassle to put them on him! 

Love bath time, but not too long!

Our evenings are usually the three of us!

I get my senior picture session complete!

At church...both boys want dad...so I get coffee and take a quick pic! 

Meghan goes pumpkin hunting with us!!

Every once in a while I need a good nap with him...so nice!

I just lay there and watch him sleep!

Thankful for nice Fall days.  After school we hit the park!

Curls, I love em and can't get them cut just yet...

Always playing together...anything to make noise!

Where's the gym???

Jace has his one year appt. We were the first patient in the new kids room.  He loved coloring.  50% for his weight and 75 % for height.  Perfectly healthy and typical! (sigh)

Jace walks right after his first birthday!!

Jace hates the swing...so Carsen swings and Jace runs around! Makes it easy on me!

He likes sticks too...

The three of us train for the Twin Cities 10k!  Meghans first race ever!!

What our car rides look like!

Starting to get chilly out...needing hats and fleece coats.  Carsen showing off his 10k medal!

2 batches of salsa done...ugh...so much work with kids!!

ONE!!

It sounds so cliche, "Where has the time gone!!?!!"  But, its true, how did my little baby turn to be a curly haired, lovable, curious little one year old.  We have so enjoyed having him in our life and I just feel so blessed that we have him and made such a huge decision in having another one.  He is the center of our lives, the attention seeker, goofball and the best little brother a big brother could have.  He isn't the best because he is trying to be, he just is.  A million times I have thought, "I couldn't imagine coming into this world and having a brother with special needs!"  Everyone tells me that he doesn't know any different, but that doesn't mean that it is easy.  He takes the friendly hits, watches the quick scoots and listens to Carsen sing away and read his books.  They can play so well together and they don't even talk.  Jace loves Carsen's presence.

Last week I walked into school and I had a friend say, "This is the best part of my day!"  It is the part of the day where we have a whole crowd of people waiting to pick up their kids, we get Carsen first and as soon as Jace and Carsen meet eyes in the crowd, they both get super excited! Carsen smiles and walks faster, as Jace flaps his hand and ooo's until I let him down to walk to Carsen.  It makes my heart melt as we get to take Carsen home with us and enjoy the craziest part of our day!

One word to describe what Jace puts into my day is Joy.  I admit, we have had some dark days this past year.  In my darkest days Jace has taken me to a level of getting through it.  Those hugs and kisses are the best medicine.

Jace decided to quit crawling and start walking full time one week after his first birthday.  I miss hearing him crawl down the hallway, but instead, I get to wait for little foot steps and a surprise walker around the corner.   To have typical development in our household is beyond a great description.  A breath of fresh air and hope for new experiences.  We feel blessed that Jace is able to accomplish as much as he has.  My favorites milestones include feeding himself, tantrums on his belly, and communication cues such as pointing and signing for wants.  I enjoy teaching him new things constantly and watching him learn this world around him.  His favorites include dogs, barking, showers, emptying cupboards, nuk and blankie, juice, raisins, frozen peas and drawing.  Also, dancing.  He didn't get his moves from me because that kid can pick up a beat anywhere and bounce that butt up and down.  He continues to have curly cues.  He prefers both grandpas over grandmas which cause some hurt feelings but hilarious to witness.

I wanted to do a smash cake photoshoot...who better to try it with than your own right?!!!  I loved making a special cake just for him.

He loved it!  He shoved it in as fast as he could before I would take it away.

GO, Jace, GO!

I love the aftermath...

My help...my mom!  I couldn't have done this without her!!

Jace had a blast at his party...that post is next!

Summer loves

We've got a lot of "loves" around here.

Jace loves food...he opens his mouth up as wide as possible to get that next bite in.

Carsen loves Jace.  I will walk around the corner, back into the room and find Carsen hugging Jace, and kissing him on the head.  It is so sweet and a dream come true for me.

Jace loves to get on all fours and rock back n forth.  Starting to figure out how to get forward.

Carsen loves when I sing "Skinnamarinkidinkidink"

Jace loves to babble.

Carsen loves to sit in his room all alone and read books.  He pulls them all out of the bin and flips through those books over and over again.

Jace loves to scream...fussy screams, girly screams when being tickled, and talking screams.  It isn't annoying at all!!

Carsen loves his bath more than any other task in the day.  (other than seeing Meghan)

Jace loves to sit in the tub and splash and play with Carsen.

Summer lovin'

We are lovin' Summer!!  Jace is busy exploring his world around him!  In the grass, playing with sticks, rocks, and dirt.  He is usually wearing only a diaper and sunscreen.  Such a boy!