Mr. Curtis

Curtis is 3 1/2 but most of the time I feel like he's much older than that. This boy is so funny, sensitive, imaginative, inquisitive, active, sweet, and he is the best big brother. He is such a great boy, and every day I feel blessed to have him.

Some of Curtis' favorite...

Things to do: 
-Role play (super heros, knights, etc)
-Jump on his trampoline
-Play with Evan
-Eat
-Watch movies
-Play with friends
-Go to the park

Things to eat:
-Oatmeal with blueberries
-Yogurt and granola
-Eggs and toast
-Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
-Popcorn
-Broccoli
-Cucumbers
-Carrots
-Grapes
-String cheese
-Soup
-Bananas
-Smoothies

Toys:
-Dress ups
-"Little things" (anything small he can keep in his pocket)
-Mr. Potato Head
-Animals
-Cars
-Action figures

Curtis is very coordinated and loves music. He loves to dance and move. He is a pro on the trampoline and is always wanting to show us his tricks. He loves watching movies with popcorn (sometimes it's a battle to keep him not asking for a show; especially in the winter). He is so sweet to Evan, and it is seriously the best thing ever to see him interact and play with his baby brother. I have felt such great joy lately watching these two together. Curtis is such a great helper with Evan. He helps keep him entertained and makes him laugh a lot. I am constantly overwhelmed with gratitude for Curtis. He is an incredible boy and I really look forward to seeing him continue to grow and learn! 

And I saved the best for last. Here are some of Curtis' recent quotes...

-"Daddy, when I have a mustache, I'll have one like you."

-"I like you, Mommy. You're pretty."

-"Daddy, I'm not your buddy, you're my kiddo."

-Mike: "Curtis, you should turn off your show and use your imagination." Curtis: "Oh! That's a good idea!" 

-While at his aunt and uncles house, "Wow, nice tub! I have one like this at home!

-"Daddy, I have big boy little poo poos."

-"Dad I want to tell you a secret....let's go to the park..........later."

-Curtis loves to tell "once upon a time" stories. During one story he told about a bear who fought a bad guy, "with his own sharp fingers...and he died!"

Catch Up

Where have the last five months gone?

I have been a horrible blogger, which truthfully wouldn't be so bad if I were at least keeping another journal of any kind. But since this blog is currently my one journal I am feeling anxious to record things from the past five months. Admittedly I also feel guilty that I haven't written anything about little Evan. He has been such an incredible addition to our family. 

I'd like to give brief catch-up paragraphs on each of us, so I'll start with Mike, and work my way to Evan. 

Mike is still working at Fidelity and loving it. He started a new position a few weeks ago and is studying hard for another licensing test. He is currently the elders quorum secretary in our ward, and a YSA adviser with me. He is such an awesome father to our boys. 

I am mommy-ing it to the max lately. I finally feel like life with two kids is normal. I decided to stay home (almost) full-time this year...and extremely grateful I have the option to do that. I'm teaching super part-time a couple nights a week when Mike can be home with the boys. It has been so nice not dealing with babysitters and daycare. I'm staying busy with small house projects, laundry, dishes, errands, playdates, joy school, potty training, trips to the library, reading, cleaning, hanging with new friends, and loving my boys. Life is good! Our new ward is awesome, and I have already made some great friends. 

Curtis is getting so big! He turned 3 a few months ago and ever since I feel like he's growing up and changing every day. We are (literally) currently working on potty training. I haven't been ready to focus on it until recently. He is doing very well, and I just need to stick with it through the occasional accidents. He is loving his new "joy school" group. There are 5 boys and we meet once a week for a couple hours. We rotate homes and take turns with the lessons. It's been really fun for Curtis to socialize with several other kids more often than just during nursery on Sunday. Curtis is speaking very well and every day I am surprised to hear him speak new words and sentences. He is coordinated and clever, tender and sensitive, and 100% boy. He loves to dance and I am wishing I would have put him in a creative movement class this year. But we have our own "dance" days and have a blast. I'll have to post some videos of his creative moves :). 

Evan is a sweetheart. He is a completely different baby than Curtis was; harder and easier in some ways. He is not a great sleeper compared to Curtis, but he sleeps 6-8 hours, eats, then sleeps 2-3 more. I really can't complain, but compared to Curtis (who slept 10-14 hours by now) I feel like I'm still not getting great sleep. Evan is much more "needy" than Curtis was. He is almost always perfectly content when he's being held, and doesn't last long doing anything else. I've loved using my Moby wrap this time around, and wear it at least 2  times every day for a couple hours each time. I was searching for a soft structure carrier that was easier when out on errands and we ended up getting an Ergobaby carrier. I am obsessed with it. Seriously the best investment we've made in a long time. But anyways, Evan is a very snugly baby and he loves to talk. He is very observant of people and loves to look everyone in the eye. He is very good at focusing. I am seriously obsessed with this boy. He is such a beautiful baby with his long hair and big eyes. He is a total momma's boy, and I don't mind at all :). I'm so grateful to have him in our family. 

And there you have it for now. My sweet snugly boy is crying to be held....gotta go. 

My Baby is Two!

Last weekend Curtis turned two! 

We celebrated by taking him on his first trip to Hogle Zoo  

and we also had a wonderful party with our families. 

I love this boy so much!

 I love seeing him learn and change each day. 

I love the things he teaches me.

I love how sweet and sensitive he is, and how aware he is of those around him.

I love how silly he is, and how often he makes me laugh.

I am so very lucky to have such a darling boy.

Happy Birthday Curtis! 

The Terrible Twos

It seems as if Curtis has decided to flip on the "terrible two" switch this week. 

I don't know why he's decided to suddenly start 

screaming, 

whining, 

hitting, 

throwing, 

and blatantly disobeying. 

Heaven help me.

Patience is not my strongest virtue. 

I love him more than I could ever say, 

but this is really hard.