Happy 2nd Birthday Colton

My sweet C Bear, 

Two years ago I was anxiously awaiting your arrival into the world.  I had the best labor and delivery I could ask for.  My contractions were mild though my water was broken and they actually had to give me pitocin to get my contractions stronger.  That's all I needed and within a few hours you were born. 

I dreamed and wondered what in the world you would look like.  Would you look like your big brother Ryan or would you look totally different.  You came out looking just like your brother but quickly started to have your own look.  

You were, and still are, the sweetest and most lovable boy.  I couldn't believe God blessed me with two beautiful and healthy boys.  I thank God every day for you and your brother. 

At first your brother didn't pay much attention to you but after a few months he started to notice you and loved to show you things and be my helper.  Now ya'll are best friends and love playing together.  You fight and fight but at the end of the day you love each other and always hug and kiss.  You ask for each other first thing in the morning and don't like to be apart.  I pray you always have a strong bond. 

I cannot believe how much you have grown and changed since your first birthday.  You were just crawling a year ago and now you are running and I can barely keep up.  You do not stop all day and hardly sit down.  I love how you still want to sit in my lap and watch disney cartoons.  I never pass up an opportunity to get some snuggles.  You are a full fledged toddler and seem older every day.  You are always trying to keep up with your big brother.  

You are SO funny!  You make us laugh all the time.  You tilt your head and grin and I melt.  Your vocabulary is growing every day.  You say new words daily and other words get clearer.  You love to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Bubble Guppies and Sophia the First.  

You LOVE to play with cars and trucks!  You almost always have a car or truck in your hands.  You now have to go to bed with one just like your big brother.  

You love to read books and love when I sing to you at night!  After I put you to bed you repeatedly ask for hugs and kisses. 

We call you little stinker all the time.  You are smart and mischievous but super sweet.  You love to snuggle and give hugs and kisses.  

You are our sunshine and we love you so much.  I cannot imagine like without you.  I love you more than you will ever know.  

 Happy second birthday Colton Matthew!  We love you SOOOO much!  I can't wait to see the little boy and man you will become.  You will be amazing!

Midweek Randoms

 I decided to link up with Megan over at In This Wonderful Life for Midweek Randoms today!

So thankful my dad took these pictures yesterday at swim lessons.  Have tried to take pics all week but get distracted putting on sunscreen and swim diapers.  

We are a little over halfway through swim lessons and Ryan has done amazing and really learning a lot but Colton cries 80 percent of the time.  Poor little dude just doesn't want to learn any water skills.  

I love that my boys are taking swim lessons this week but it puts a little damper on my morning workouts at the gym.  I usually do a 9:45 class at the gym at least 3 days a week so it's hard to workout every afternoon during the boys naps.  

I am not disciplined enough to get up early to do it.  My boys have been sleeping til at least 8am this week and so is this momma!

Speaking of naps Ryan is going on day 3 of no nap.  I have put him down every day at 1:30 and he plays in his bed til about 3-3:30 when I finally go in and get him.  He has been at this in between stage of 'can skip his nap' or 'take a nap but go to bed later'.  I was just thinking last week that I might take away his nap and use that time to spend one on one with him.  

Instead of being sad about his nap going away I want to look at it as this time I can spend one on one with him.  He is really good about playing by himself so if I need to workout, clean or make cookies I know he will be fine playing.  I do plan to still give him at least an hour of quiet time in his room in the afternoon to give myself some time and if he is tired he can nap.  

It's no secret that I want to move to Nashville.  We have lived in Cincinnati for a little over 7 years and I would love to move back down south.  I love the south and everything about it.  I grew up in the south and it's just what I'm used to.  I confident I wouldn't move back to Memphis where I was born and raised but would love to move to Nashville!

Matt has a full schedule this summer of classes and is scheduled to graduate next May.  He is working and studying so hard.  I'm beyond proud of him.  Our plan as of now is for him to graduate in May then study and take the CPA exam next summer then start working in the fall.  

We are praying and listening hard right now that God would reveal His will to us and open the doors if that is where he want us to be.  

And Ryan went down the big slide yesterday at swim lessons but it must have traumatized him because today he refused to even consider going down the slide.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Four

At 6:35 a.m. on June 15, 2009 the most wonderful and precious baby boy was born.  You came into this world after just seven hours of labor.  You entered this world this a loud cry but when they placed you on my chest and you stopped crying and we just gazed at each other.  I fell in love right there and knew you had stolen my heart.  

When you woke up on the day of your fourth birthday you jumped out of be and exclaimed "I'm four mommy, it's my birthday.  

Every single day with you is the greatest gift.  You have changed my heart and life in so many ways.  You allow me to see all the details and appreciate all the little things.  

Ryan, you are the sweetest little boy.  You are so tender-hearted and always concerned about other people.  

You notice everything and ask so many questions.  You want to know why every car is on the side of the road and you notice every construction equipment, firetruck, police car and ambulance on the road.  

Ryan, you are so smart and learning new things all the time.  You love to count and tell us your letters.  You love to do puzzles especially your state puzzle.  You love to learn and do new things.  You soak it all in.  I'm so excited to see how you blossom in the next year.  

You are so funny.  You say the funniest things all the time.  You keep us laughing that's for sure. 

You love your grandparents and we love watching you develop a relationship with all of them.  You love to play games with them and make memories.  It's such a joy to watch you with your grandparents that adore you.  

Colton looks up to you with so much admiration.  He is constantly watching you and tries to do everything you do.  I know he will learn both good and bad from you.  My prayer is that you always watch out for him.  I am so glad you have each other and I love watching your relationship grow.  

The two of you love to chase each other and wrestle.  You laugh all the time when your together and have to best time.  You fight like brothers, of course, but deep down you love each other.  The majority of the time you are so kind to Colton and I pray you always care for each other.  

You have started to develop friendships this year.  At night when I put you to bed you would tell me about your friends at school and who you played with.  You loved your teachers and enjoyed school every day.  

You are getting so big and growing so much every day.  You are still very strong-willed but you are getting more mature every day.  You still have meltdowns but they are rare and much less frequent as you have gotten closer to 4 years old.  

This is going to be a big year for you.  I want to hold you tight and enjoy every single day.  I love you more each day.  I adore you and pray that God blesses you abundantly this year as you learn more about Him.  And we pray we can be that example for you.  

First Day of Swim Lessons

 

Today was the first day of swim lessons.  I signed up both boys this year.  I was just going to do Ryan but I figure since Colton will be there anyway I thought he needs to learn some basic skills .

Ryan did awesome and I was so proud of him.  He loved going down the slide and showing off his kicking and digging skills.  

Colton was not as thrilled to be at swim lessons.  He did ok but we will have to work on our kicking and digging skills.  I'm proud of him for getting in the water easily and did well climbing out.  We have swim lessons all week so I hope he does better as the week goes on. 

And lastly I made these fun cookies for my blog friend Kim whose boys turned four and two last week.  They had a monster splash party this past weekend.  Such a cute and fun party.  I used the invitation as my inspiration for the monster trucks.  

Grandparent Weekend

 

My parents were here this weekend for a visit.  The boys have enjoyed every minute with them.  We went out to dinner Friday night to the Silver Spring House.  We hit up Menchie's frozen yogurt after dinner.  

Aunt Erin joined us as well.  We all enjoyed it!

Saturday we just hung around the house and played with the boys new toys they got for the birthday and their new sandbox.  Matt and I decided to go on a date night last night.  Matt had heard about this new BBQ restaurant so we decided to check it out.  

Eli's BBQ started as a food truck near Finley market.  The place was super small but they had a white tent set up outside with picnic tables where people could sit and eat.  We lucked up and got a table inside.  We had to wait about an hour for our food but it was worth it!  It was so good and amazing!  The best BBQ in Cincy hands down.  And that's coming from a Memphis girl who knows her BBQ.  We will definately have to go back.  

We have had a great weekend spending time with Nana and Granddad.  

Lately

The last few days we have been laying low.  We did go to Prasco park last night with the Gleason's for super hero night.  The boys had a blast playing and were a hot mess when we got home.  I was exhausted and ready for bed after I put them to bed.

Somehow I always end up staying up til 11.  I wish I had three hours in between 8 and 10 instead of just two.  It seems like when I finally get them in bed and head downstairs it's 8:20 or so then the next thing I know it's 10:30 and I need to go to bed.   I wish I could be in bed ready to sleep by 10pm every night.  Sadly that hardly ever happens.  Oh well!

Today I started a new women's Bible study my friend Laura is hosting over the summer.  We are doing the names of God by Kay Arthur.  I'm really excited about it and looking forward to the study.  I really need some accountability in my quiet time area.  I'm hoping this is just the study I need to dig into the word and deepen my relationship with my savior.  Plus I get to see my girlfriends at least once a week for two kid free hours.  Love, Love!

Ryan's 4th Birthday

 

Ryan's actual birthday was on Saturday.  I woke him up singing happy birthday to him. He sprung out of bed ready for his construction party that day.

We started the morning off right with birthday doughnuts.  Of course we had to have Ryan's favorite - chocolate glazed doughnuts.  

Second time singing happy birthday to him.  

Someone else enjoyed his chocolate doughnut!  Love this picture of this sweet sugar bear.  

After breakfast we surprised Ryan with his new big boy bike.  He calls it his birthday bike!  He was pretty excited.  We went right outside to try it out.  We don't have a helmet yet but will have one soon.  

Friday night we took the boys to Dewey's pizza to celebrate Ryan's birthday.  Ryan told us his favorite food is pizza.  I think it might really be ice cream.  He never passes up ice cream.  

Speaking of ice cream we took them to get frozen yogurt after pizza.  It was great and we all loved it.  

Saturday we took the boys to the pool in the morning.  It was beautiful and warm and we had to get out of the house so the boys wouldn't destroy everything before the birthday party that afternoon.  It was somewhat overcast so we didn't stay very long, had lunch then headed home.

Why does he look ten years old in this picture???  

Ryan had a wonderful birthday and I hope one he will remember for a long time.  He is growing up so fast and doing new things all the time!  I love this age!   Love him so much and couldn't imagine life without him.  We love him to the moon and back!

Ryan and Colton's Construction Birthday Party

 We celebrated Ryan and Coltons' birthdays yesterday with a fun and fabulous construction birthday party!  The boys had the best time with their friends.  The played so hard and just had the best time!  It was a wonderful day and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

The food table!  I loved doing all the little details of everything from the signs for he food to the cookies and the cake.  Everything turned out great and we had a pretty good spread. 

Another view of the table.

We rented a bounce house for the kiddos.  Initially I wanted to buy one so we could use it again but it would have been much smaller than this one and definitely not as fun.  Totally glad we rented it and didn't have to bother with set up or tear down.  Worth every penny!  The kids LOVED it and played so hard. 

Of course I made the cookies!  These turned out so cute!  

I made the cake as well.  Took different ideas from pinterest and my friend Kim's adorable construction party she threw last year for her boys!

Dump truck cookies for favors.

My friends Krissy, Anissa and Ruth

Ryan enjoying his party.  

Only picture I got with Ryan all day!  So bummed we didn't get a picture of the four of us!

The boys LOVED the bounce house!  Colton might have been in there more than Ryan.  I think he thought he was turning four yesterday!  He loved playing with all the big kids but he also had his friends there too!

Monica with Noah and Claudette with her boys Noah and Chase.

Sweet and sweaty little boy!

Our neighbors down the street Josh and Jake!

The sand box was seriously a bigger hit than I imagined.  The kids loved it and were constantly playing in it.  I would look over and there was always 4-6 kids playing.

Friends Joel, Lindsay and Scott.

We had a tent set up with drinks underneath and blankets set out for people to grab some food and picnic.  

Singing happy birthday to my sweet boys!  

The boys and kids loved the cake!  Sweet Lauren pictured on the right asked "is that real dirt on the cake?"  Can you tell they had fun?  They were all a sweaty and hot mess.  

It was a wonderful party and I wouldn't have changed a thing...just gotten a picture of the four of us.  It was so fun and everyone had a blast!  

Cannot believe my boys are four and almost two.  Where did the time go?  They are growing so fast and turning in to little boys before our eyes!