We are busy little bees!

Over the last month, Brendan turned one, James had his tonsils and adenoids out, Brendan got his first hair cut and "graduated" from Early Childhood Intervention after making lots of progress with his motor skills and we started potty training James. James' recovery from surgery was pretty tough for about 11 days, but he is feeling so wonderful. It was like they operated on his personality because he is no longer "high maintenance". I think the poor kid was sick so much that he was just a perpetual grouch. We are so glad we opted for surgery.....it is amazing what a difference it has made in everything for him, from his mood to his sleeping to his temperature level. It has been amazing! Brendan also started taking first steps. Watching him cruise along the furniture and then timidly step away and try walking is precious. He is so ready to be independent! What happened to my cuddle bug? He is ready to explore everything. We are at that stage where he is in to everything and he is dodging disaster minute by minute. He is constantly almost shutting his finger in drawers and almost hitting his head on tables. I must gasp about 20 times a day because I think he is about to knock himself out somehow. He is no longer content to sit on my hip while I go about my housework. He wiggles to get down instead and investigate. If only he would listen when I whisper in his ear that I think he should just stay little. The boys also started a new school and they seem to like it a lot. I am very happy that it was an easy transition for them.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last 4 weeks. Life is a happy blur of fun moments, most revolving around the joys of parenthood. These are our ordinary but wonderful days. I wish they could last forever. Our house is in constant commotion and you can always hear the sound of a kiddo...usually laughter, or a little voice or babble. More and more we are having to referee the boys as they learn to share toys, etc. It is pretty much only quiet at nap time and bedtime. James had turned into an utter chatterbox and is so inquisitive. I am LOVING our conversations. He is also hilarious. Of course he is at his funniest when he is being utterly serious with his big brown eyes looking right into mine. Here are some of his funny comments as of late:

Mommy: Be gentle. James: No, Mommy, I'll be James.

Mommy: Would you like some fruit? James: Well, of course! (said like, DUH MOM!)

Mommy: Are you excited to be a spider for Halloween? James: No, siders (no p) scare me. They have 8 arms. I will be a pumpkin with Bendan (no r).

James: (to me) Cheesecake pooped on the ground! (to Cheesecake) Way to go Cheesecake! I am proud of you. Next time tell Mommy you have to go and poop in the toilet.

He also has started looking at characters' expressions in books or movies and then he makes the expression and tells me how the character feels. It is priceless. I am hoping to get in on video because it cracks me up. He does a great imitation of the Evil Queen from Snow White.

Brendan's sense of humor is emerging too. He has this throaty, scratchy little laugh that makes me giggle so much. I love the sound of it and will spend the rest of my life doing whatever it takes to hear that sound. These kids of mine are PURE JOY! My heart is so happy. I love being their mom and all the memories we are making.