What a Crazy 2 months

It's been just over two months since Taylor returned and this little boy is thrilled to have his Daddy back. It has taken me so long to update this site since we have had more going on these past two months than I could ever describe or explain. We are truly in a transition phase and will be for quite some time, but we are so happy to have Taylor back and to be in Kansas. We are loving it.

I'll hit on some of Liam's favorite things about his new house and what he's been up to:

Going for wagon rides, especially around the pond across the street:



Playing dress-up:



His new room:



The sprinkler:



His new pool:



Keeping in touch with family back east:



And hanging with his little bro:



Kansas is treating us well so far and Liam is definitely happy to be here. He is fascinated by the tornado sirens and points out every one he sees. Liam continues to be our challenging kiddo, but we are loving the difference this move has made for him and hope as we get more and more settled in, everyone will continue to adjust to our new life here.

Haircut Day

Before



After



Poor little guy cried through the entire process (although he did stay totally still). Honestly, watching her cut all his awesome hair off instead of barely trimming it like I asked, I was crying too, G. Don't worry, buddy. Those curls will be back soon enough.

Haircut Day

Before...Liam's handywork



After...awesome Quantico ladies



They had to cut it this short to even it all out with what he had done (a month ago..I actually let it grow out a bit)

All Boy

George may only be 17 months, but he is already a little man. I mentioned that it would be tough sharing Liam's attention with Taylor when he gets home on Liam's blog, but I can't even put to words how tough this one is going to be. Not that I love Liam any less than George, but the last time Taylor lived here, G looked like this:



In reality, so far, I have raised him on my own and it's hard to remember sometimes that he is Taylor's son too. While I am so excited for the two of them to get to know each other, with two weeks left, I'm starting to anticipate having to let Taylor read with G, play with G, hold G, etc. and to be honest, I'm dreading it a teeny tiny little bit.

But, it will be so fun to see them together again and to know how amazed Taylor will be. Heck, even I am amazed at what George is doing already (keeping in mind that at the age George is now, Liam was not walking and hardly talking yet). He understands how to look for something and get something for me, he asks for things and is starting to say please, he communicates better than I would have ever imagined and says at least 20 words, he signs a lot, loves trucks, cars, trains, little people, building, singing, coloring, etc.



I thank Taylor every day that I am able to stay home with our two little men because of him and am enjoying it more than I ever could have imagined. We have had the boys in school full time for two weeks so I can get all the things done that need gotten done before a move and it's killing me not seeing them as often as I'm used to. Not too mention, poor G's little bum is not a fan of disposable diapers. Mr. Rash has the most sensitive skin ever. Thank goodness this coming week should be our last week of that.

I really am looking forward to getting the four of us back together again...even if it means sharing. If I had to share with anyone, "Da" (as George calls him) would be the only one I'd want to share with. So, get your butt back here already, Da! We miss you!!

Cooking Club

Well, one of the things I don't love about Liam's school is that you need to pay extra for your child to be in small groups on a regular basis. The only two things he's asked to do, though, is Phonics and Cooking Club. He is loving phonics and doing really really well. He is spelling his name orally and writing it on a regular basis...although often omits the "i" because "it's lowercase and he's only using uppercase letters". I'm not telling him about the "a" and "m". Hee hee

Anyway, the other club he is in is cooking club. He wears a little apron and the kids actually get to prepare their own dishes and cook them. This is sooooo up his alley and he is just ecstatic when it's cooking club day. They have made pizzas, chicken quesadillas, and this week made dirt cake...complete with gummy earth worms. Super tasty.



Liam has been doing well. He and I are doing our best not to wish time away, but it's tough. Hopefully just two more weeks left. In the meantime, I'm soaking up all the love I can get from this kiddo before I have to go back to sharing him. While it's definitely difficult to have Taylor gone, an awesome side benefit for me is that I get all the love and attention this kiddo has.

Bestill My Heart

I hesitated posting this since it's a bit personal, but since this is a memory keeper for Liam (and right now for Taylor), I wanted him to keep this memory because it is such a display of who this kiddo really is.

The other day I was having one of those tough days where I just felt like I could not do one more day of this. It was towards the end of the day and the boys were playing upstairs so I decided to take a break to just breath and sat in G's rocker. I was just feeling soooo lonely at the time and just thinking that I really miss adults since I'm so on my own right now. I was thinking how I just needed a hug and was almost in tears just taking in the weariness of this deployment. And before you all start offering me hugs and whatnot, thanks, but no thanks. No offense, but I miss my husband. I needed a hug...wanted a hug...so badly from HIM. Of course, this is not possible right now.

So, in walks Mr. L. I tell him to come here and talk to me. So he climbs into my lap and says he has love for me (what he says when he's going to hug me). I tell him to bring it on. The kiddo hugs me so tight and so long, I couldn't believe it as L has never been one to snuggle, hug, etc. And then out of the blue, he says, "Do you know who that is from?" I ask him who. His answer: "Daddy!"

I couldn't believe it. It was like he read my mind. I have no idea where it came from as not only does he rarely snuggle and hug, but he has never said anything remotely like it. It was like God was talking to me through my son to tell me to hang in there. What a gift.

And since I'm sharing, I'll tell you something funny from this same child this morning. I was up way too late last night as late at night is my chance to really have an opportunity to talk to Taylor. I'm heading off to bed while he is waking up and we get some quiet time to talk. Anyway, needless to say, I was exhausted this morning. Liam had been asking me for breakfast but I hadn't budged yet. Finally, he says:

"Well, I'm sorry Mama, but the sun is up. And Mary is eating her breakfast, and Grandmichaele and Papa are up and eating their breakfasts, and Joanie...and, hmmmm....who else....Nicksononie (he blended somehow Nick and Sidonie), so you need to get up and have breakfast too."

Ha ha. So, I ask this of you: Mary, Joanie, Mom, Dad, and Nicksononie....please sleep in a bit and let breakfast wait next time so I can too. I could really use the sleep as this one wears me out. Thanks so much!

Wow...just...Wow!!!

So, G has been getting really busy and amazing me daily. Climbing, walking, singing (yes, he has two favorite songs....Lauri Berkner's Walk Along the River and the monkey song that plays at intervals on Playhouse Disney), talking, signing, etc. But yesterday, the kiddo amazed me.

We came home from school and G's daily routine is to run over the pantry and ask me for a lollipop. Now, they may be organic, but still have no nutritional value and are saved for special treats, so he gets his daily answer from me of, No! I then pull out a snack for him and put it on his little table since it is almost literally impossible for him to sit long enough to eat it. It's more of fly-by snacking these days. Anyway, I pulled out a package of Gerber Fruit Snacks and he started chomping away. What amazed me is that when he finished, I watched him take his trash and walk to the trash can in the cabinet and throw it away!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. This is not something I've specifically shown him at all, yet he did it as if it was natural as anything to do so. Awesome!! Now, if only I can keep this behavior up.

Anyway, just thought I'd share one of my small "triumphs" with you. :)