Once upon a time, I shared more images of my beautiful boys. I wrote candidly and frequently about our everyday life. Then I worried that it wasn’t professional. Or to be quite honest, I didn’t have the energy- because it turns out with two kids there is a lot less down-time in my day. But today, I am bringing them out of hiding. And I will once again share them with you that way I love to. Now I can tell you about Wes, and how he doesn’t want to be left out of anything,  and therefore spends a large part of his day screaming “ME! MINE!” if he even thinks for a second that he might not be included. Or about Evan, and how the other day he had unwrapped and eaten a whole candy bar from the check-out display before I caught him. And mostly, I can tell you that even though most days I hit the pillow exhausted- I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I look at those two boys and my heart is full. This is my own fairy-tale.

My Dearest Wesley,

It doesn’t seem possible that it has already been a year since I sat in the hospital, holding you in my arms, still in disbelief that you were mine. But no matter how many times I have tried to hit pause, you have been growing up right before my eyes. I am so proud of you, Wes. So so proud.

Right from the start you were the most easy-going baby I had ever known. Even strangers would comment on it. It is one of the things I love most about you. I love how you just go with the flow. How you are happy anywhere. How you smile at me when you do something wrong. I love the way you throw food to the dogs and then look at me and say “Uh-Oh”.

You are fearless and a daredevil. We joke that danger is your middle name. I admire this quality in you. I am a constant over thinker. You are more of a risk-taker. I think it is a trait that will serve you well in life.

I don’t think you understood why we were making such a fuss over you today. You made a pouty face any time we would say happy birthday, or sing, or make too big a deal over you. But the cake- oh, the cake- that you liked. While your brother was timid and barely made a dent in the frosting on his first birthday, you dove right in like a seasoned pro.  Naturally, the cake was chocolate- that has always been your favorite.

Wes, I don’t know what I would do without you. It is hard to imagine that you haven’t always been a part of our family. You are the perfect compliment to us all. Thank you for making my life better. Thank you for teaching me new levels of patience. Thank you for greeting me each morning with a smile. Thank you for being you.

I love you, son. Each day your personality shows through more and more. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Whatever it is- know that I am always here for you, and I have loved you from the very start. From the very minute I laid eyes on you, I was proud to call you my son.

Love forever,

Mommy

I will admit that when I moved to Iowa City from Colorado 5 years ago, I was less than thrilled about it. Why would anyone want to live in Iowa? It was cold in the winter and humid and hot in the summer and it took me much too long to warm up to it. But I did. And then, just like that, our 4 years there were over, and we were in a moving van headed to Columbus. That 4 years that I had thought would drag by passed in a blink, and it took being gone to make me realize how good we had it in Iowa.

Last week we loaded up the car and made the drive back to our old home to attend the wedding of my childhood friend.  Evan was thrilled. The whole car ride he kept saying “Iowa! Just like where I was born!” And we told him about our old house, and our favorite apple orchard, and all the other things that had made up our lives for 4 years. I suddenly felt homesick for a place I had been reluctant to call home. I suppose it isn’t too surprising though- Iowa City is where we had our first home as husband and wife, where our first baby was born. Where we learned so much about being a family of our own.

Leaving Iowa had been a blur of selling our house, packing, saying goodbyes to friends, and then diving head first in to life here in Columbus. And did I mention I was 30 weeks pregnant when we moved? I never gave myself a chance to think about all that I would miss. As I watched the miles of interstate pass under our tires, I thought about my old home.  About rocking Evan in his nursery that I had painted just for him. About cooking his birthday cake in the oven that I had picked out. I thought about where I had been when I received the call that my Papa had passed away. I thought about all our old friends, and the countless barbecues and picnics we had shared. I thought of all the little places and things that had been woven in to the fabric of my life just by being there. And then, like that- we were home.

Our first stop was to Wilson’s Orchard, for apple turnovers and of course- apples. We were a little early in the season, but it didn’t matter. Evan had been too young to really understand apple picking the last time we were there, and my heart was just so full watching him explore the orchard. I think he knew he was home too.

It was Wes’ first visit to the orchard, and to Iowa. It is safe to say he took to it right away!

This picture is part of my 52 Weeks Project.

After the orchard, we headed to another favorite place- Isaac’s Creamery- for some ice cream and giggles. These just might be some of my favorite pictures of Evan, ever!

We have decided that we are going to make a yearly trip to Iowa to visit all of our favorite places. Without knowing it, I left a part of  my heart there- and being back just gave me a sense of peace I haven’t had in awhile. I will always be a Colorado girl, but I am proud to have Iowa City and Columbus on my life’s passport.

Evan has a small obsession with my phone.  He knows how to call someone, and loves to call the grandparents or Chris and tell them about his day. He usually starts off with a good “Soooo, how was your day?” and will usually throw at least one of the following questions in as well:

• “So, what did you dream about?”
• “So, what are you going to do today?”
• “So, what is Grandpa/Uncle Josh/the dog doing today?”

Today as I was trying to pack for our quick trip to Iowa City, he grabbed the phone and talked to Grandma Nancy for a good 20 minutes. I love the he is so social. Let’s just hope he doesn’t figure out how to dial China. Or 911….

A quick note to clients, I will have limited internet access until Monday.

I know, I know- that is just me and my kids eating ice cream at Jeni’s and looking cute (at least the kids are!) I had to share because Wes was SO adorable eating his cone of Belgian  Milk Chocolate. He got more on his face than in his mouth, but trust me- he enjoyed the heck out if it! And I believe Evan had Cherry Lambic- he is a connoisseur I tell you. Actually, his favorite flavor is Black Coffee, but the last thing a 3 year old needs is cofee!  I’ll quit torturing you showing off and get back to announcing the winner….

Erin from Lucky Me! Erin is a fellow Leo, and was the, well, lucky 9th person to comment!  She said:

Submitted on 2009/08/14 at 4:47pm

Happy Birthday!! (Mine was Monday.) I just created an inspiration board around a jeni sundae! I would definitely pick the signature 9. Thank you

Thank you to all who entered! If you are local- may I suggest doing your next family photo session at Jeni’s? Not only are their stores gorgeous-but I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t smile while eating ice cream!  Erin, I’ll be contacting you so we can get your Signature 9 on its way!

2. Wes has been officially crawling on his hands and knees for over a week now. He is using his prowess to get in to everything and climb and pull up on things. I am in for it!

3. My poor teething baby is getting 2 top teeth at the same time. He chews on everything and now willingly takes the tylenol he used to spit out.

4. Evan is now completely potty-trained. He declared one day about 2 weeks ago that he wanted to wear underwear, and we never looked back. Even overnight! I am so proud of my big boy! When he sets his mind to something there is no stopping him.

5. The best sound in the world is hearing Evan encourage his little brother. “You can do it Wes! Great job, Wes- I knew you could do it! Way to go little buddy!” It actually brings tears to my eyes to type that it makes me so proud.

6. Before his naps and before bed, Evan always asks what we will do when he wakes up, and what we will dream about. He always remembers too, so I have to be careful not to deviate from the plan.

7. Evan has been starting conversations with everyone lately. “So, what did you dream about Mommy?”, “So, Daddy- how was your lunch today?”, “So Omi, what are Grampa and Molly doing today?” I don’t know where he gets this from… certainly not me…

8. See that picture? That is on Father’s Day at North Star Cafe. Chris is telling Evan not to tell anyone that we just let him have a chocolate cookie for breakfast. (He had some sausage too, don’t worry.) I love the way Chris and Evan interact.

9. At that same breakfast, Evan declared “Mom, I just peed in the urinal and it was AWESOME! I’m gonna ask Santa for a urinal for Christmas!” This got a few good laughs from the adjacent tables.

10. Speaking of urinals, I got to see the one at Target today after Evan refused to go to the bathroom in the ladies room. Bless the nice man who made sure the coast was clear for me. Oh, and if you wanted to know- it was surprisingly clean. I guess I always thought the men’s room would be stinky!

Back to the matter at hand- Evan got the cutest Doctor costume from my sister for his birthday- and he gets very in to checking his patients. He gives them all shots- poor dears!

The stuffed animals got a clean bill of health, but Evan has been diagnosed with a not-so-mild case of PCS (Photographer’s Child Syndrome)!

In the meantime…. (I am totally cheating on this wordless thing!)

It is still hard for me to believe that Wes is 8 months old already. The time has flown by. So, what should you know about my littlest man?

1. His favorite song is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. It always calms him down. If you try to sing anything else- he cries.

2. He just got his first two teeth last week. I will miss his gummy smile.

3. He is just discovering the joys of being mobile and I will often catch him army-crawling as fast as he can towards any object he is not supposed to have.

4. His hair is sort of blond- especially in the sunlight. I am not sure where that came from, but I love my blond-haired blue-eyed boy.
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5. When I hold him on my hip, he pat-pat-pats his little hand on my chest. It makes me melt.

6. He has slept in my arms every night since he was born, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is nothing better than waking up to your sweet baby in your arms.

7. Sometimes he laughs in his sleep. It makes me wonder what he is dreaming about.

8. He is not crazy about food- but he loves to drink water from a sippy-cup.

9. When he gets excited- he lifts up his arms by his head and shakes them. It is like he can’t contain the glee!

10. He is such a calm, laid-back baby. It is impossible to be around him and not feel at-ease. In a family full of high-strung first borns- he is a welcome edition!

There is just something special about the weekend. Even Evan knows it. On Friday as I put him down for his nap, he said “Mommy, is tomorrow when Daddy stays home with us ALL day long?”. I told him it was, and he got the biggest smile on his face and said “I is so excited!” He knows what the good things in life are.

We spent Friday evening at a park and then went out for hot dogs and ice cream. On Saturday, we went to “Day Out with Thomas”, and Evan got to ride on his hero- Thomas the Tank Engine. As far as weekends go- this one was pretty magical. Especially if you are almost 3.

It is wonderful to have children because they remind you of the magic of everyday. Of those little moments you don’t want to forget. The sound of their laugh, the way the sun shines off their hair. The smell of fresh grass, and the feel of sand between your toes that somehow snuck it’s way in there at the playground. If I could bottle it up and save it somehow- I would.

I know someday I will look back on these pictures and smile. I hope years from now, Evan will still find this much joy in his daily life. If I had one wish for him- it would be to never lose the magic in his heart.