Braddock turns 3 part 1

Goodness...I fell off the wagon as far as keeping the blog updated!  So, here we are...a month later!  May 3, 2012 was Braddock's third birthday!  When he woke up that morning, Michael, Nestle and I went into his room to wake him up singing, "Happy Birthday!" ...and he literally fell on the floor crying.  It takes him a while to fully wake up these days, and even then he has gotten very routine oriented and enjoys having as much "sameness" as possible.  I asked him how he was feeling and he said: "Bwaddock felt sad!  Mommy did not say, "Good morning, sweetheart, did you sleep good?"  He wasn't upset about the song, but rather because I didn't first say what I always say when I go in to greet him in the morning!  Bless his heart :(

  He 'opened' a cozy truck from Abram (the hope is that they would both be able to enjoy it because we were giving Braddock a 'big boy bike'),

 

 and then Michael fixed a special "birthday muffin" breakfast.  Braddock and Abram were SO excited! 

The boys and I spent the day at home hanging out and playing, and when Michael came home from work, we went out into the driveway so Braddock could get his gift from us.  Braddock was so excited, and he kept saying, "Now!  Abram can drive the tricycle, and Braddock can drive the big boy bike! Let's go!!"

We made a trip to the mailbox and back before it started to rain, and then came inside to do dinner and birthday cake.  Abram wasn't so sure the candles at first, but Braddock kept saying, "May I have more cake, please??" although there was still cake on his plate.  At first we pointed to the cake he still had in front of him when we realized he was talking about the candles and the singing!  We ended up singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles three times, but loved every minute, he was so excited!

That night, before he went to bed, I asked him a few of his favorites to start seeing how they change over time...

Braddock's Favorite Things at 3 Years Old:
Color-Red
Activity- Anything outside, swinging, playing cars
Toy- Tractors
Food- "Regular Chicken" (also popsicles and cantaloupe)
Music- Zac Brown ("Chicken Fried"...we change the words to make them fit Braddock :), John Mayer ("Waiting on the World to Change") (also Dr. Jean, and Letter/ Nursery Rhyme cds)
Song- "Big Green Tractor" (and above)
Movie- Milo and Otis, Elmo's Music Movie, Signing Time
TV Show- Blues Clues, or Top Gear with Daddy ("The Snow on the Mountain")
Book- SO many..."Click clack Moo", "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom", "Mike Mulligan", "Llama Llama..."
Sleep with-"BeeWee, Tiger, Spot the Dog, and Winny"...but not before 2 books and 3 songs ("big green tractor", bushel and a peck, and "I love Braddock yes I do"), prayers, and"goodnight hat, goodnight chair, goodnight books, goodnigth bears, and goodnight, Braddock!")

Settling In

It's hard to believe that we've been in Mississippi for a month...

but I have to say that in the past couple of days it feels like we are finally starting to get our footing.  The first week or so was full of the excitement (and anxiety) of unpacking and digging out, and the boys were enamored with the 'newness' of everything.

After about two weeks, it's almost like we hit a brick wall that said, "reality check, this change is for real!"  When we would pull into the driveway after running errands, Braddock would tear up and say, "no thank you!  would like to go home, please!"  As much as I explained, it didn't seem to sink in...and our sweet, eager to please and follow directions, happy-go lucky little man got lost in the intense insecurity and emotion  that comes with that four letter word..."change".  I knew he took solace in routine, order, and familiarity (bless him, I've ruined him for life), but I don't think I realized just how pivotal it all was until his whole world did a triple lutz double loop thingy-ma-jig...and as much as I know that I can't protect and shield him from everything it has been so hard not to completely and utterly blame myself for his struggles.  It seemed that the only thing that would make him smile for a few days was playing with his brother, and Abram's smiles/giggles (one thing's for sure, their bond his really strengthened through all of this).  I know lots of love, time, and consistency are going to be the answers, and slowly but surely things (and personalities) will feel/return to normal again.
Despite some tears and bumps, we've been determined to start making new, positive memories here though...like Abram's first haircut...(which he laughed through most of )

 ...and lots of time outside for picnics and playing...

 hey brother, whatchya got there?  this sand is Definitely not as tasty as that thing looks...

 and first wagon rides...

 and popsicles (poor Abram has outgrown his bathing suit...looks like a good excuse to go back to Tuscaloosa to hit up Target!)

 "a beeeeautiful orange popsicle!"

 ...and enjoying the driveway...

 ...and having Daddy back home...

...and officially started walking steadily all by himself (he had started in LA, but had so many ear infections towards the end of our time there that he actually stopped)...

Checking out the new libraries and meeting "Mother Goose" for story time...

 ...and cooking new things...(these boys really love peanut butter)

We'll get there...and each day is one step closer.

Turning the page.

Well, here we are...less than a week now away from the move.  Today was our last Sunday at church, so I said goodbye to my 3-year-old class, to Braddock and Abram's sweet teachers, and to some wonderful people that we were privileged to get to know as they welcomed us with open arms into their church family while we were there.   
There was a little boy at church this morning who was having a tough time saying "goodbye" to his mommy, and it took me back to our first Sunday there and just how far we had come (Braddock literally ran up to one of his teachers this morning, jumped in her arms and said, "Okay!  Are you ready to go get the cookies?" (he helps dole out snacks)).
This afternoon we went to the mall to get out of the house and just walk around and see what we could see.  Braddock and Abram picked out a Valentine's card for their Daddy, and also got to pick out a balloon as a "special surprise" (as Braddock calls it..."Oh, what a special surprise!")...

Sharing the balloon with Abram...they were both taking turns whacking it and laughing :)

Can't believe we are over 20 weeks down...only a few days to go! 
Now...back to finish packing that kitchen box...

Past 12...

Oh goodness, I am so behind...Abram turned 1 on January 6 and I still cannot believe it.  I look at him and still see my sweet little baby.
On his actual birthday we went to Gymboree in the morning, and then had a low key afternoon, just the three of us.

Loving some parachuting....and chasing after Braddock

Skype dinner date with daddy, complete with a super yummy cupcake gift from a sweet friend.

It almost seemed like he knew when he crossed over into being a "big boy one-year-old" because he woke up the morning of his birthday with this sudden, incredible appetite for independence.  He wants to feed himself (he eats pretty much anything you put in front of him, with his current favorites being cheese, carrots, peas, bananas, and oatmeal)...and is SO proud when he does :)...when he wants more, his joyful, relaxed demeanor turns very serious, with an emphatic pointing finger toward the item of his choice, and (as of today!!) a "moooe  mooooe!" (more) ....then a "Mmmmmm!" (Yum!)

 ...he wants to walk by himself (a few days after his birthday he took his first steps),

 and as of today he is spending more time trying to walk than his "speed crawling" (although, he still likes to hold on to my hand or my pants leg for reassurance,

and he has taken up the art of "speed cruising" where he hangs onto furniture and goes as fast as he can from one couch to the other, laughing hysterically).  He loves music and will literally stop mid-play to dance and sing.  His favorite songs right now are "Rockin Robin", "If You're Happy and You Know It", and the Gymbo the Clown songs.  Sometimes he dances so hard that he actually hurts himself (knocking his head into a chair or a wall), so I'm having to make sure now that when he's dancing he is in a wide open space :).  He loves ball/hammer toys where you put the balls in the top and hammer them until they slide down the slide (he thinks that is hilarious), sliding cars down ramps (or toilet seats),

stacking blocks, "opening and closing" doors (especially the receiver cabinet) and drawers, using the toy tool bench (especially the drill), splashing and pouring water in the tub, chewing on washcloths (if he is in the tub he has his favorite blue washcloth in his mouth),
                               
and is trying desperately to keep up with brother.  He is starting to get more interested in books, but mostly the ones that are familiar, ("Words", "Goodnight Moon", Eric Carle stuff, "Green Eggs and Ham"...and some of the 'peekaboo' books)

 and a size that he can hold himself and turn his own pages.  He has said what I thought was "doh" (dog), "ba" (ball), "Bo" (Gymbo), but the one that has been consistent has been "uh-oh!"...and one of his favorite past times these days is emptying drawers and saying, "uhoh!" as he drops the contents to the floor (or tosses his food overboard to Nestle who is almost always anxiously waiting at his feet).

Still not a fan of the sippy cups (and we've tried a bunch!), and even less of a fan of whole milk (the pic below is from his birthday...having his first sip of whole milk).

  Yesterday I was working with him drinking milk out of a straw...and he actually took some in his mouth and then proceeded to blow it all back out the other end making a nice smear down the window. Hmm...

He is also showing signs of beginning to outgrow our rocking time before bed...I've tried every different position and song that I can come up with in a fleeting effort to hang on to those precious moments just a little bit longer, but more often than not he just wants to be put in bed with his glow worm, paci, and sleep sheep and love on his animals and hum himself to sleep.  One the upside, he has taken to giving goodnight "kisses" after I put him in his bed (he leans his head in to my cheek and we say, "awww", and tonight he even blew kisses and said, "Mmmmmmwa!" to Braddock at bedtime.  (Melt..)
He is about 21 pounds and wears 18 month sizes with the bottoms rolled up...his hair is an aubrun red/brown and is yet to be cut (I'm waiting as long as possible)...(but it is getting pretty long on the ears)

One thing is for sure, Abram has a streak of pure, life-loving mischief....in almost everything he does he keeps a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.  I can't wait to learn what's going on inside that little noggin'... 

Although we did a nice, quiet, low-key celebration on his actual birthday, we had a big bash with family while we were back in South Carolina over the holidays.  The entire family got together and we hit up the local bouncy castle place.  I had never been before...but let me just say, holy cow, I think the adults had just as much (if not more) fun as the kiddos....(and it was also hard to move the next day!!)  These are a few pics from the party...

 

shoes off...time to get serious!

"Bouncing" is right up his ally :)...Cakes for the 'grown ups', and one each for Braddock and Abram, made by the amazingly talented Kaitlin (soon to be Mrs. Kaitlin!! :)

 "If you're happy and you know it..."

 The whole gang...

 Braddock was SO careful to stay clean...and Abram just went for it :)

 Love his sweet face!

 So yummy...I think I'll just.....

 ....yep...stick my whole face in it!! :)

 Braddock opening his present from Abram...and taking it to relax and read while Abram finished opening presents :)  (It was the next book in his "Click Clack MOO" series)

 Worn out after a BIG day!

Happy Birthday, sweet son.