cuddles.

I'm so thankful that my almost 2 year old took a nap on me for almost 2 hours. It's been a long time since I napped with one of my babes. And I later learned that he had an ear infection. :( So that may have played a part in this sweet nap. But I still enjoyed our cuddle time!

opposites.

Over the past few months, I've been making little notes about my boys for this specific post. They are different in so many little ways. But their opposite personalities and interests make for a pretty good brotherly relationship.
Pax is . . .
passionate about books and hats * a lover of sports * veggies and meat consumer - he graviates towards a South Beach type diet ;) * a late sleeper * moderate naps (typically 2 hours) * loves to eat, but isn't a big fan of breakfast * would watch television for hours if we allowed it * laid back personality * momma's boy * will not talk, smile or even give notice to friendly strangers
Holden is . . .
passionate about all things water * a lover of cars and trucks * bread/carbs consumer * early riser * long napper (typically 3-4hours) * wakes ready for breakfast * will not sit long for television but would rather be moving (at all times!) * not so laid back * daddy's right hand man * never meets a strangerThey do have a few similarities that stand out in my mind . . .
they love to dance to music * they will sit in a lap and listen to someone read books for HOURS * they both love to cuddle with mommy and daddy * they love to play outside even if it's breaking 100 * they are homebodies

See, in many ways they couldn't be more different. But they have a pretty fun relationship that I love watching develop more and more as they grow. My hope and prayer is that they'll be one another's best friend now and into adulthood.

**I just realized something in the first picture posted, which I just took this morning. Pax is holding a book and a toy remote. Holden is holding matchbox cars in both hands. That was completely unstaged, but pretty perfect for this post. :)

muscles.

And now our muscle men are off to wash the vehicles. AKA playing in the water. :)

What's going on in their backyard?

That is exactly what any peeping neighbors might have been saying about us tonight.
For the record, the adults in this family were fully clothed.

hide and go seek.

Yesterday I watched Holden attempt to lead a game of hide and go seek with Pax. I have NO idea where Holden might have learned about this game. He's with me just about 24-7, so I really have no clue. But he kind of understands it. Pax, on the otherhand, did not.
No one went to hide. Pax did exactly what his big brother did. He lay on the floor, covered his eyes and followed Holden in counting. And I laughed pretty hard at my boys. I love these moments in my days.

P.S. Round two I helped a little and they began hiding. But then the seeker was a little timid to go and look. And the hider wouldn't stay put for longer than 30 seconds. So the hider would come running out with a roar and the boys would laugh, scream and chase one another. :) Fun days.

sweet conversations.

Yesterday Holden and I had a sweet conversation that went something like this. . .

Holden was laying on his car rug, rolling his cars around. I was sitting on the ottoman watching the boys play and all of the sudden I hear these words from Holden: I yub you, mommy.

I probably went over the top when I said in excitement: Oh my goodness, Holden! I love you too. Come here, I need a hug and a kiss. He ran into my arms grinning and gave me both a hug and kiss. My eyes were getting misty and I said something like: That makes mommy so happy. I think I might cry.

He looked concerned and serious when he said: I will not make you cwie, mommy. I will not make you sad. I pwom-miss!

He's probably going to accidentally break that promise, but it'll be okay. ;) I cover the boys in affection and words of affirmation. I'm not bragging about it. It's just who I am. Ask Jeremy. No one that I deeply love ever has to wonder how I feel about them. And with my 3 boys, they hear it daily. Multiple times. And they get smothered in kisses and cuddles regularly. I can't help myself. And I'm hopeful that those sweet-out-of-the-blue-words from Holden is something that he is learning. To tell others how much you love them. But yesterday, he nearly melted my heart.

"sue-wee" everything.

As this little boy grows up and matures, he becomes a regular little comedian around our house. Sometimes Holden is not sure what to think when Pax is getting the laughter and attention. But I constantly catch the big brother cracking up at Pax's silliness. One of our favorite things lately has been that Pax calls things silly as he cracks up laughing at himself or the silly thing he's referring to. And when he does this we all start laughing. When Pax says silly it sounds more like sue-wee. Sometimes those things rightfully deserve the title of silly. For instance he commonly says: sue-wee bubba, sue-wee daddy, sue-wee big foot (a toy the boys love). But then other things he has said are: sue-wee moon (pointing to the one in the night sky), sue-wee Abbie (our dog that does absolutely nothing silly anymore), sue-wee unkee (his sock monkey, who also does nothing around here).

Pax doesn't let everyone see his cute and funny side. In fact, he rarely lets it out unless he is with the comfort of his family. But when he does, it makes for alot of fun and laughter. There will be a huge update on this little guy next month when he turns 2! He has changed and grown-up so much!