Update

The past few days have been hard, to say the least, but in the end I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. Motherhood is a scary but thrilling roller coaster ride. The boys are getting older and more independent. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown this week; it's been extremely frustrating  because all the things that have been bugging me over the past few weeks just caught up to me. I haven't had anyone to vent to about it; I tried really hard to have patients to teach my kids how to play nicely together, potty training, how to listen and obey, how to talk in a big voice instead of whining, how to handle a situation without throwing a tantrum, etc... This is the only time in my life my kids will be babies and toddlers; I know it's not forever. I wish I could be a better example for them, but I'm doing my best and I need to remember that. I'm not perfect and neither are they. I love my boys no matter what, and I do enjoy them in this stage of life. That being said, here's what they've been up to lately.

ZANDER

Zander is two and half years old; he is currently potty training and doing a great job. We started a few months ago with it, but after five weeks he decided he didn't want to do it anymore so we went back to diapers. That was a little disappointing for me at first but worth it since he would always go poo in his underwear. Here we are three months later, he wanted to wear his underwear again, and has been doing really well since. He's been dry and tells me every time he needs to go, or he'll go on his own and tell me afterwards so he can get his treat and sticker.

He is really into Ninja Turtles lately. It's been really fun for Stephen and I to watch the new Nickelodeon show with him especially since we grew up watching the old 80s version. Zander gets so animated as he watches it. He's always yelling at the bad guys and doing all the ninja moves during the fight scenes.

Because Zander is so physical it's a rare moment to find him sitting still even while watching tv or playing a game on the ipad. I think that's pretty much when I know he's sick or not feeling well if he's not moving.

If there is water anywhere in any form Zander will find it and play in it.

Zander doesn't like to be left alone. Any time Stephen or I need to run outside or downstairs to get something real quickly, Zander will always follow no matter how fast we try to be.

Zander is also very visual--he has to see everything that's going on. That's how he learns best is by seeing then doing (I think he gets that from me) especially when we are cooking in the kitchen Zander will always scoot a chair up to the counter to see what we are putting in the bowl or pan. He loves to stir things too.

He is learning to share his toys with his brother. This has been really hard for him, but he's working on it and has been doing pretty well. Recently, Lucas has noticed that Zander gets treats often throughout the day for going potty, so he cries until he gets something too. Without any prompting Zander asked me if he could give some of his treats to Lucas.

Zander loves being around other people so he's always excited when we go out to run errands because he waves and says hi to everyone he passes. He loves to play with his cousins and friends at church. Sometimes he gets shy, but for the most part, he's very friendly and outgoing.

Recently, he's been calling dad by his first name all of a sudden, so when he wants our attention he'll yell, "mom! mom! Stephen! mommy! Stephen! until we give him our attention.

He is protective and possessive of Lucas while around other people.

He is still afraid of most bugs and now our cat Toby.

LUCAS

Lucas is 13 months old. He has the cutest smile with his seven teeth. Lately he's been super clingy always wanting me, and only me, to hold him. I can't sit with him I have to be up on my feet.

He'll usually eat anything I give him, but he never trusts what I put in his mouth, so when I give him a first bite he'll spit it out in his hand, inspect it, lick it, then if he likes it, he'll put it back in his mouth and let me feed the rest of it to him. He does this every day at every meal, even if its something he's had a lot of before. He loves chocolate and sweets and milk.

He can go up and down the stairs fairly well now. He's only fell down the stairs once but I caught him before he reached all  the way to the bottom....actually Zander just pushed him down the stairs as I am writing this so make that two times...

He's learned to give kisses and waves bye-bye.

His first word was Daddy.

He can entertain himself pretty well for a while, but he loves to explore and do whatever Zander is doing.

He loves to play on the bean bag, and loves to be chased especially up the stairs.

He spooks easily.

Unlike his brother, Lucas does not like water. He hates bath time, and will only play in the pool outside from sitting on the outside of it or on the edge of the sprinklers.

Just like his food he has to warm up to new things no matter what it is that we're doing.

He loves to go on walks around the neighborhood. He loves to open and close doors, lids, and cupboards of every kind. He likes to make lots of noise by banging two things together, and loves hearing his own voice especially in places where it echos.

He has recently started standing by himself more often and walking along furniture. We've tried to get him to take a few steps, but he's really hesitant and prefers to crawl where it's safer for him. He did take his first step a few days ago, so we're hoping he'll just take off one of these days.

Lucas is a head banger. He bangs his head on anything and everything especially doors and walls. I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean, but he likes it and it doesn't seem to hurt him so....

Stephen and I got our very first babysitter last week! I can't believe it took me two years to do that, so I have a lot of dates to catch up on. We haven't really been doing anything of note just our normal routine of stay-at-home mom and working dad.

Stephen is going in for surgery next week to get his tonsils taken out along with, I think two other procedures in his sinuses to help him breathe better and drain his sinuses out easier without making him so congested all the time. He gets really bad sore throats often so the tonsils are supposed to help with that. He'll be out of commission for two weeks then we'll head to Bear Lake with the Washburn clan for a few days. After that we will be remodeling our kitchen and bathroom. I can't wait!