Bless you

Yesterday morning, Matthew and I dropped off Ethan at preschool and were headed to the gym..he coughed a few times, then I heard his tiny voice from the backseat, "Bless you MaMoo."  

The day he stops calling himself MaMoo will be a sad one for sure!

Cool Guy at the Gym

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of this little cool guy as we walked into the gym a few mornings ago.

I got two miles in on the treadmill when I heard my name called over the intercom- cool dude had pooped in the childcare room.  After changing him I got two more miles completed and I heard my name again.  This time Matthew had sweet-talked the ladies in the childcare center to call me by pleading, "Please I have my mommy...I'm tired...please I have my mommy."  They said after he said "please" they couldn't resist!

My Little Helper

We have been running VERY low on Ethan and Matthew's tube of toothpaste-so low that Ethan can no longer squeeze it out himself and he needs one of us to pinch out the last bits.

He has been asking me to pick up a new tube of toothpaste for a while- and finally this morning he just said he would help be with my list so I wouldn't forget to buy it!

Just Exhausted...

The last few weeks have just been exhausting.  I've had two out of town work trips, a family trip to CA for Tracy's wedding (so fun!), a round of stomach flu's for all, long work days for me (and very early mornings for the boys).  So I guess it's not surprising that it finally caught up with us!  Matthew actually passed out on the couch while I was making lunch, and Ethan crawled into his bed during quiet time and passed out for a nap (which never happens anymore).  We are glad that things have slowed down this week as we head into Thanksgiving!

Brotherly Love

I turned around in the kitchen the other day, and the boys were giving each other this big hug.  That happens a lot lately...big sweet brother hugs.  Then there are the other times where they are working a bit harder at their "pecking order."  I am typically not running for my camera at those moments ;-). But this one- I'll gladly capture and freeze time for a bit!

 

First Day of Pre-K!

It's hard to believe that Ethan's first year of pre-school is behind us, and he is now a "big" pre-K kid!  The morning of his first day, I had the chalk board all ready to go when he woke up.  When I asked what he wanted to be this year, he said he wanted to be a police officer.  I think we were all a little nervous and excited for the first day because we were ready to go extra-early.  We snapped a bunch of photos in the front yard, then headed off to school.
Last year, Ethan had trouble with mommy leaving the first few days.  It was really tough on both of us. It broke my heart to walk away from him feeling so sad, but I knew that he was in excellent hands.  This year was a different story, I could tell he was a little nervous, but after he put away his water bottle and backpack we walked in his little classroom to find his photo (to move from "not here" to "here") and put on his name tag.  I gave him a kiss and said we would see him at "adios amigos" time, then Matthew and I left.  And Ethan was fine.
Matthew and I headed over to a little park nearby, and since I had my camera with me (and he looked so dang cute) I decided to continue with my picture taking....

Wardrobe Malfunction

This is what Matthew looked like when I pulled him out of his crib after nap!  I'm not sure how he managed to wiggle that tiny arm out!  His sense of style is simply ahead of his time!

Mini-Vacay!

Two nights away at a beautiful resort?...For free?!?...Yes, please!  Rich and some of his coworkers from his district attended an education conference at the Westin La Paloma in Tuscon.  Becky kindly took two days off work to watch the boys so that I could head down there too.  The room and the resort were beautiful, and since I didn't have to attend the conference - I had the luxury of free time!  I got up when I wanted, worked out at the gym for as long as I wanted, and then of course- hung out at the pool!  Perfection!

Secret Teeth Brushing

So this is how I found our funny little guy...I came around the corner into the bathroom to find that Mr. Muscles had pulled himself up onto the bathtub and apparently decided he needed to brush his teeth...he had the water running, found Ethan's toothbrush that had been left on our sink...and started brushing away!  Time to leave the baby gate in front of our bathroom!

Monkey Business

Having little people around this house is just funny sometimes.  I'll walk into a room where one of the boys has been and find things moved, missing, or just plain out of place.  This cracked me up when I walked into the closet because it felt like a Toy Story moment...like I had interrupted whatever Buzz and the monkey were doing!

Carry on!

Captain America Daddy

Oh that boy...The morning that we all flew to Atlanta, I took Ethan and Matthew to the park to get some energy out before we had to leave for the airport.  This face says it all, Ethan was so excited to go he could hardly contain himself!

His new thing is creating make believe scenarios that we all run around and act out.  So we were Batman and Robin first, then Ethan sat down on a bench and created a new plan.  He said, "Now I am Captain America Daddy, you are Captain America Mommy, and Matthew is Captain America Big Boy.... and....Captain America Baby is in your belly!  We're having a baby!"

  Then he starts looking real shy and begins, "And...and...I need to tell you something in your ear."  Ethan then leaned over, held my shoulders and quietly whispered, "We're getting married!" ❤

Two Peas in a Pod

Now don't get me wrong...there are plenty of "brother" moments that are certainly not picture perfect.  I am speaking of the times where instead of rushing to pick up the camera to capture the moment, I am rushing to make sure bones are not broken and the house is still standing.  

However, sometimes  I look up to find these two little Morris boys in perfect harmony!  I am instantly flooded with love for these cuties and the little relationship they are developing.

Here they are coloring at their table together, and the next day snoozing on our day trip back from Flagstaff.

A Heart for You

We have a great little afternoon routine going in the Morris house right now...hopefully I don't jinx it! Every day after lunch, Matthew takes his nap --usually after reading some of his favorite books, MeMe Moon ( Goodnight Moon), Bunny...Ru Away!!! (The Runaway Bunny), and Happy (Happy Birthday Mouse). Then Matthew goes to sleep in his crib and Ethan goes into his room for quiet time. He reads books, plays with his toys (which usually involves making a knot in anything with a string), or plays on his leap pad. The other day he decided to draw, and this is what he made! Ethan strutted out of his room and announced-"Mommy, I made a heart for you!" This one is a framer for sure! ❤
After Ethan's quiet time, we have Ethan and Mommy time (now that I'm not swamped with ASU work!) and Ethan picks something fun for us to do. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have these happy little routines with my little boys!

Nice Day for a Walk

During Rich's Spring Break we all took a walk at the Riparian Nature Preserve just south of the Gilbert Public Library. Since I tutor at the library, I knew that there was a beautiful space to walk there- but I had no idea how expansive it was until a week or so ago. The boys and I had walked and had a picnic there, and we were all excited to bring Daddy this time! We ate lunch, or at least Rich and I ate and tried to keep the boys in one place! Then we went off to dig for dinosaur bones! From there we took a walk around the preserve. Ethan walked the whole thing, but started to get really tired at the end. He wanted to be carried, but instead we challenged him to a race to the end of the hike! He of course accepted and made it all the way back to the car. We cheered him on and celebrated that he didn't give up, and that he did the whole hike himself. His face was beaming and he said, "I'm proud of myself!" ❤

ASU Spring Game

It is so funny to be at a football game at ASU, and think back nearly 12 years to when I first came to AZ as a 20 year old junior in college. I don't think I ever looked into the future and thought I would still be here in AZ! It brings a smile to my face to think of all of the great times between then and now.
Here we are on a beautiful sunny AZ spring day at the ASU spring game! Ethan and Matthew sat still long enough for us to snap a few pictures and watch the beginning of the game. Then after some serious snacking, Matthew and I went on a long walk to get the wiggles out.
As we all walked out of the stadium when we had had enough, Ethan had some fun throwing baseballs and footballs in the giant inflatables. Such a fun family Saturday!

Future Desert Sun Kiddo

Matthew can't WAIT to get to go to Desert Sun Child Development Center like Ethan! Every time we drop Ethan off he wants to stay and explore the centers, or take a peek at Cutie the guinea pig.

While we are on the subject of Desert Sun...We are so proud to say that out of over 700 preschools rated in Arizona, Desert Sun was one of six schools to earn a 5 rating! We knew this was a very special place, but is great that our decision to send Ethan here was validated in such an amazing way!

So...today Matthew and I arrived early to pick up Ethan. While the kids were outside playing, we went into the room to help clean it up with another mom.

He stayed in the stroller for a bit, but then wanted OUT! As I swept up the little patio, he plopped down to read some books. ❤ (That was right before he stepped off the patio and went tumbling into the bushes!)

Circles, triangles, squares, oh my!

"I need a paper to write something," declared Ethan as he rummaged through our desk drawer. He found what he was looking for, grabbed a sharpened pencil from the cup and instantly started to work. I could not believe my eyes a few minutes later when he had drawn all of the shapes he knows! He named each one and stated that he thought about making a picture of shapes while he was in timeout! Funny boy!

Storytime!

I am not sure what happened in the last 3 months, but I am suddenly aware that my little baby is not going to be a baby for much longer! He has gotten much taller all of a sudden, and his vocabulary is really expanding! He is also understanding how to follow simple directions like, "Go put that away." Matthew absolutely loves his big brother and tries to do and say everything that Ethan does and says.

But in some ways he is still my little baby of course, he comforts himself by sucking his fingers and playing with his hair ( or my hair). He also loves to be held and cuddle on my chest, and since he is a little guy-he still feels small in my arms. He also all always smells delicious...like warm toast.

Here we are spending some quality time together at storytime at the Tempe library while Ethan is at preschool. Matthew likes to hang out in my lap the whole time, just like Ethan used to do.

Sweet Moments

My heart just melted when I turned the corner the other day and saw this sweet little moment.  We had just come in from outside and the boys sat down to take their shoes off.  It was just too cute to see our Ethan being such a helpful and kind big brother.  It can be hard being the big brother, but he sure loves Matthew.

Spring Break

Wahoo!  Spring Break!!!!  Ethan was so very excited for Rich's Spring Break so that he could take him to school!  Rich stayed and played for a while on both Wednesday and Friday and got to know all of the kids in Ethan's class.  We wish that Daddy was able to take Ethan to school more often, because it is so much FUN!!

Mmmm Yogurt

Matthew has never been a huge eater, but he loves yogurt!  Well, he loves to make a MESS with yogurt...he won't let me feed it to him, what fun would that be?!?  He wants to be big like Ethan, so naturally he has to do it himself!  Such a sweet messy boy!

Matthew's Finding His Words!

Matthew has suddenly started saying words!!  He has been saying "Ma-ma," and "Da-da" for months, then next came "uh-oh!"  After that came "hot" when I opened the oven, and "na-na" for banana.  One of my favorite words he has added to his vocabulary is "hi!"  I LOVE "hi" because he says it often in reference to being on the phone.  He says "hi" if he sees someone on the phone and he will use almost anything as a phone
(like a lego) and pick it up, smile and quickly say, "hi."  Then in the last few days he started saying "more" (which sounds like "muh") and his most recent word is apple...or "ah-puh."  Wow - 8 words!

Ma-ma
Da-da
Uh-oh
hot
na-na
hi
more
apple