Kaj "no owees"

fountain at the tulip festival

Josh's classic behavior 

Rocking chair rides

Well, it was quite an event today as we went to the doctor's for Kaj's 3 year check up. I had thought it would be better to give him a heads up that we were going to see the doctor's for Kaj's turn. Josh had his turn last month, but Kaj persisted that it was still Josh's turn. Well, son, that just is not the case. I noted as Kaj refused to take off his shoes just to get on the scale, that Kaj does better if I just don't say anything-he was already nervous. Just to get his weight I had to stand on the scale with Kaj, and then subtract my weight without Kaj. A joy. Always. He did better when he was getting measured for his height, and then was fine while he was getting quizzed on flashcards of pictures of a house, a car, a horse, and a flower. 

                        Kaj is: 31% in his height at 3 ft 1 inch

                        6% weight 26 lbs

The doctor showed me the bell curve of Kaj, and I saw his weight trend: 1%, 1%, 0%...haha! Not a big kid, so this 6% today is pretty good. Kaj was due for 3 shots today, and this is when the horror came in. I tried to distract his with stories of when times are good, but he would not listen to word, we had to hurry and just get it over with. He really didn't like having bandaids on, they just reminded him of what he went though, which he clearly didn't need reminding as he relived it the whole ride home. It was not fun seeing him this unhappy, and there was not a lot I could say that would make him feel better either, he just kept telling me "no owees." "I promise you, you will not have any more owees today." I said hoping I could keep that promise. I am crossing my fingers that he doesn't trip and fall at any point in the day. 

Kaj turns "ee"

Kaj approx. 6 months

The night before Kaj turned 3, Sam and I were up decorating the house ala Angry Birds. I always look at the clock to see what time it is when I am getting into bed 11:47. Three years ago in exactly 2 hours, I almost had Kaj in a parking lot. Holy Smokes! That was a weird realization, I was also happy I didn't have him in a parking lot, and also that today he was 3. Kaj is always going to be special, of course, for many reasons, but he was my baby that made me a mom. Who wants to brave that?! haha. I mean everything was new with him. The frustration I have never felt before, and the kind of love I had never felt before I learned with Kaj.

 Sam and I went into Kaj's room in the morning to sing to him, and give him a couple presents. He looked so surprised, and happy. As he opened up his first present-which was clothes- and I was thinking as he slowly unwrapped it...he is not even going to care about this. But, to my surprise his face lit up, and he said "clothes!" "outfit!" Ok...nice. Next, was a new story, which he wanted to read right away, which I gladly did. It was very fun to celebrate the first birthday that a kid seems to realize it is their birthday. 

Kaj at 3

Kaj requests more kisses at bedtime

Kaj loves looking for "lions! Bears!"

Kaj gives hugs and goodnights to everybody

Kaj's favorite songs: "Bicycle" by Queen "Happy Birthday", and 

 "I am an Child of God"

Kaj knows his numbers 1 to 10

Kaj knows all his alphabet letters, and can recognize them

Kaj loves to go see the fishes and look for Dori

Kaj loves assembling Mr. Potato Head

Kaj is starting to talk SO much

Kaj really loves Angry Birds right now

Kaj loves his brother Joshy

Kaj loves playing with his cousin Addi :"more Addi"

Kaj loves playing outside

Kaj loves his family

I hope Kaj knows how much we love him, and I will do my part to assure him every day that he is. 

 

Easter Pictures

"You Made my Heart"

We are regular visitors to the Aquarium these days. Before Sam went back to New York we purchased a membership for the year, which has been the best money spent ever. Kaj is always so happy when I tell him we are going to see the fishes.  "What else do we see when we see fishes?" I ask Kaj. "Penens and Sharks" is the answer, and I will be honest, it is so stinking cute that I love to ask him possibly every day, and if not me, my mom will ask him. Ha! So we went to go see the fishes today, and as I circled the parking lot for a spot, I saw there was a school bus there- "oh boy. It is going to be crowded in there today." I thought to myself, but it didn't sway me, because after all, we were about to see fishes, penguins, and sharks. Oh my! It was crowded in there, because not only was there a field trip of elementary aged kids there, but there was also a field trip for what looked like an old folks home. I am happy that the friendly neighborhood Aquarium appeals to all. As usual the boys loved it. I noted last time we went that despite the many times we have been there is always something new that Kaj finds interesting. Today he pet the sting rays without being scared. We were wrapping up, and Kaj stopped to look at the animal magnets. As all the animals tooks turns biting me, as I explained to Kaj that the turtles, seahorses, and penguins don't bite, the group of elderly accompanied by the employees all headed toward the door. There were probably about 7 of them, 5 out of the 7 were in wheel chairs, being strolled a long, but the very last one had a young at heart look. He still had a skip in his step, and a big smile on his face. He noticed little Josh now taking great interest in the magnets, and he smiled on over. He was the sweetest sugariest of Grandpas, and he said to Josh "You are not a very big guy are you?" Without a moment hesitation Josh flashed him the very biggest smile. This lovely old man smiled with such joy right back. He laughed a little and said, "You made my heart today." I don't know why, but the phrase struck me as so wonderfully sweet, and I was so happy that we were there at that moment as he passed by, so that Josh could make him happy, and that it took Josh merely being his sweet self to do that. This same man proceeded to hold the door open for mom's with strollers and kids, including us, and I was still so happy for that little moment that was shared. 

1 Year Birthday Spectacular

This year has just flown by! I seriously can't even believe little Josh is actually a year old  now. I am sure the fact that there was so much going on this year made the time just cruise, but it is still strange to think that a year ago I had barely laid eyes on this little face. I feel so lucky, and happy to be Josh's mom. 

Josh is special in so many ways. He is still such a sweet boy, with a very tender heart, and you can tell just by looking at him that he is that sweet. Josh...is a momma's boy, and he always has been actually. I can't say that I hate it either. I mean, the kid will still snuggle with me! He likes to play with his brother, and especially watching Kaj, and his expressions are always so telling, "What in the world is this kid doing?" haha! Josh is still crawling, and seems quite content about it, which I am in no hurry to have him grow up. He is quite the babbler, and loves music. He dances the moment he hears it, and smiles so big when anyone starts singing. He is a charmer. Now that he is sitting like a big kid in the grocery cart, it is easy to see how he wins over so many people with his silly grin. He is a bit of pterodactyl when is comes to his food, in the way of the noise that he makes when the food is gone, or there is no current bite on it's way. I thought about all the girls back in New York today who all cared for, and loved Josh, too. He may not remember, but I will never forget. 

Josh likes to to take things apart, and then put them back. So yes, he is the one who dumps all the crayons on the floor, but as I start to put them back in the box, he is right there with me trying to help. 

I love every little thing about this boy, and I am excited to see what the next year will bring. 

March 17 Gratitude Journaling

My dad- right before he went to bed tonight he said, "You're a good mom." I smiled as I realized that was just what I needed to hear. A moment later he opened the door again, "You're a good daughter, too." I love you, dad. Thank you for taking the time to tell me today, it was a much needed reminder.

A Little Late for Valentines Day

So Valentines.. the holiday that has people torn on their feelings towards it's very existence,"Valentines is a dumb holiday," said mostly by those who are celebrating this holiday in a singled state, renaming it "single's awareness day" out of humor or bitterness, I am not sure. I tried to think back if I harbored those same feelings?  Did I have those thoughts in mind when it rolled around?  I would like to say I did not, and if I did I don't think I outwardly expressed them. Those assigned to the holidays committee long ago probably were not meaning it as a cruel joke or reminder to anyone not in a relationship. In fact, they probably wanted it to be a day we express our love to everyone we love, maybe reflect on the relationships we have and seen how much growth there has been. I used this year's Valentines to be thankful for family, friends, my kids, and my Sam. I was even going to be nerdy and make a lovely dinner for my dad and brother using edible arrangement flowers (compliments of Sam) as the centerpiece-which translated into I picked up Papa Murphy's pizza, baked it and ate some of it with my mom before they even got home. I am very blessed to have many loves in my life. And since this is a Valentines post yeah.. I am even going to quote some songs.. yeah..I am. It seems  appropriate. ($1 if you can name the artist to each)

"We have come so far since that day and I thought I loved you then"

"If I could reach the stars pull one down for you shine it on the heart so you can see the truth, and this love I have inside is everything is seems"

"every time I try to tell her how I feel it comes out "I love you" you got whatever it is"

"I don't need clever conversation I just need someone I can talk too"

"yeah yeah yeah, yeah!" (haha)

(I probably won't give you $1 each, but cheers!)

I write out of love.