My Boys....

It's a wonderful, rainy, cold day here. Yes, those three descriptions were used in reference to the same day. We're home and I have nothing that I "have" to do (ie laundry, cleaning bathrooms, etc). So we're playing. All day. Maybe even in our pjs. Brax, Brody and I stayed in bed until 8:00 watching cartoons, tickling, laughing and singing songs. When we got up I didn't even make the bed. So, "take that" clean house people :) I got the video camera out because I haven't video taped these precious boys since Christmas. Then, I thought I would do an entry about what they are like right now for the "scrap book" part of the blog. So, here goes

Brax at 2 1/2 years old.....

Brax is "all boy" and "all two-year-old." He loves trucks, race cars, tractors, running, climbing, sliding and being crazy. The gravitational pull of dirt, mud, digging, and anything and everything that will make his clothes wet and filthy is too much for him to combat. He always loses and ends up smack dab in the middle of the mess. He rarely sits still unless the TV is on. His favorite character right now is Mickey Mouse and he notices anything and everything with Mickey on it. He thrives on being the center of attention and will break into amazing dance moves if he notices that people are watching him. He also loves to color and can name every color and about ten shapes when asked. He's becoming more and more verbal every day and I am enjoying the ability to communicate with him and am entertained daily by the things that he says. He LOVES Brody with all of his heart and even shares his LaLa (that's his horse lovey that is like gold to him) with Brody when he sees that Brody is upset. Brax loves the word "NO" and is learning to test his limits on a daily basis. This is a bit of a power struggle at our house since we're all first-born's (except Brody) and enjoy being in charge. I must confess, however, that I see great strength in the fact that he has a commanding personality, and pray that I can teach him to use it in a way that benefits others and honors God. He has a sweet heart and a sensitive spirit and I thank God daily that he chose me to be Brax's mommy!

Brody at 4 months old......

We'll start out with some statistics... at his 4 month checkup yesterday, Brody weighed 16lb even (65%), was 24 1/2 inches (25%), and had a head circumference that was in the 75% (insert jokes here about Josh's head and my height :) At four months he is "talking" and squealing all of the time. He loves to smile and laugh and is a sweet and happy baby as long as someone is holding him :) He's still a big snuggler and loves to be in the center of the activity. He has a very special relationship with Brax. Brody can hear Brax's voice from across the room and it will make him smile and laugh. He loves to play "rough" with Brax and they will wrestle and jump around (with my assistance, of course) for long periods of time. As I've mentioned before, he loves to "stand" and enjoys the exersaucer and the johnny jumper. When balanced just right, he's been known to sit up for as long as 10 or more seconds. He's not a great napper, but sleeps fairly well at night. He has the sweetest smiles I've ever seen and is a truly joyful child. I can't wait to see how the layers of his personality develop over the next months and years. I love him so much and thank God daily that he chose me to be Brody's mommy.

I had to include the picture below... I got a new "johnny jumper" from the consignment sale the other day. It doesn't really fit in our downstairs doorways because they're too high, so Brody kind of just hangs there and plays with the toys. Yesterday, Brody was a little grumpy due to getting his shots, so I was surprised when I heard him laughing- that big, full belly laugh that babies do. Then I heard Brax yelling "whee, Boody, whee, Boody!" When I came around the corner, he was pushing Brody like it was a swing. I admit that this is probably not the safest practice, but I thought it was so sweet that they're learning to play together and enjoy one another. I love the relationship that they're building. (I confess that below is a re-enactment from this morning, but work with me on this one, okay ?)

So, like I said, we're home for most of the day, enjoying some reading, playing, singing, coloring, and all-around mess-making! We had some great friends over for dinner last night and I was uplifted and encouraged by our time with them. This time of year is unpredictable. Some days cold and rainy, some with fierce storms, and some with unexpected warmth and beauty. Our life is a little like that right now, but I take comfort in the fact that I have an amazing husband, two beautiful boys and an all-powerful God. Those are the important things that help me to enjoy whichever kind of day we're handed at any given time. And... Spring is right around the corner...I just know it :)