Fighting Over Mommy

Harrison loves his mommy. Even though he tells me at least twice a day that he doesn't, he tells me he does about 20. He has recently become very jealous of Adam kissing and hugging me. He screams at him and says "She's mine! Noooo!". I was talking to him the other day about his jealousy and he told me "Daddy might hit you and bite you..and...(he was pausing to think up more terrible things) he isn't even a good cooker". If you know Adam, you know this is a lie! That cutie pie was trying to make me not like his daddy so he would have me all to himself. I have to relish this because I know these days of adoration are numbered!!!

Harrison has always loved reading but he is now actually learning to read. I haven't pushed this on him at all. He has taken an interest all by himself. The Leapfrog DVD "The Letter Factory" really got him interested. He also has the Melissa and Doug spelling puzzles. He even "read" one of his books to Charlie yesterday. I accidentally wound up at the library storytime today. I was just trying to go to the library to check out some books for Harrison (yes, with all 3 kiddos!) but it was storytime. And that library was wayyyy too small to try to avoid it. It was going ok, but Harrison wasn't into all the singing. He had this look on his face like he was an annoyed teenager. Then he started reading his own books to himself. Then he announced that he would prefer his mommy to read because mommy is a better reader than the librarian. Luckily only the people around us heard this comment. The babies were getting fussy so I decided to ease the little ones out while Harrison finished with storytime so I could at least check out my books (19 books and 3 DVD's to be exact). Unfortunately getting my double stroller through the crowd involved just about everyone having to relocate. Oh well. Not my fault! I got trapped in storytime!!!

Harrison sleeps in his big boy bed at night but he still has his crib. Its a really deep crib and we would still put him in there for his nap because he would always jump down from his bed and not sleep during naptime in his big bed. But he would never try to jump out of his crib. And he naps for 3 - 4 hours so I know the kid needs his nap! He is a delirious crazy person by dinner time if he skips nap (most parents can relate to this!) Well the other day I put a singing light projection toy in his room before naptime because I thought he might enjoy it. Awhile later I hear him over the monitor whining about the toy. I go to his room and he is in the crib with toy in hand informing me he did NOT want this toy in his room. But I had put the toy across the room!!! The little stinker knows how to jump in and out of his crib now. GREAT! I can't force naptime now. Luckily today after a few times jumping in and out he gave in and slept like a good boy.

Charlie is trying to toddle. Little steps here and there. He dances too. Charlie and Henry both love music. Charlie does this shoulder shimmy thing and Henry rocks back and forth.

The injuries don't stop. I caught Charlie punching Henry in the shoulder over and over. I had to go rescue him. Henry is so sensitive. He usually cries instead of fighting back. Sometimes little Charlie just has no mercy on him! And of course Harrison is in the mix occasionally biting and hitting. Sometimes he just wants to kiss and hug Charlie all day and poor Charlie is red all over from all the loving. When I was changing Henry's diaper today, Charlie kept poking his privates and laughing. They wrestle and roll around the ground and sometimes I am afraid that one of them will step on one of their internal organs and squish it. The sad thing is there is nothing I can do to stop them from hurting each other. I think this is why people say having boys is hard. They are just so rough and relentless with each other! They will end up having to be tough and resilient, that's for sure!

I am truly truly exhausted. I have been feeling terrible lately and I think a lot of it has to do with my diet. I had a stomach virus a month ago and have just been in a funk ever since. I have been eating too much junk and that makes me feel terrible! Not to mention I haven't been exercising. Its gotten too hot for morning walks (i think we are going on almost 80 days over 100 degrees....). I can use my treadmill and stairmill but don't do it as often as I should (thats an understatement). Anyway, I really need to focus on diet especially because this can make a tremendous difference! I wore a pedometer the other day and walked 8 miles - just doing my usual thing here at home! So when I skip out on working out, I can at least have comfort in that!

Just me & the boys

This week has been full of new challenges! I not only took all 3 boys for haircuts (the twins FIRST haircuts), but I took the boys to the grocery store, seamstress, and monogram shop ALL BY MYSELF! And honestly it wasn't that bad. Getting them in and out of the car is definitely time consuming, but the boys all behaved like little angels. They were probably excited to be getting out of the house so much! Today Harrison told me "Mommy, you're my best friend". I haven't heard that one in awhile so that feels good! He told Charlie that he was his best friend yesterday, but thats ok :)

The boys had their 1 year Dr's appointment this week. Charlie is 19 lbs, 15 oz (in the 10%) and 29.75 inches (45%) and his head is 46 cm (36%). Henry is 23 lbs, 12 oz (57%), 30" (54%) and his head is a whopping 48.5 cm (94%). The Dr. thinks Henry will be built like Adam and Charlie like me (well sort of). We shall see! They are as healthy as can be though. Nothing else new to report this week. Looking forward to next week's new challenges!!!

Big Changes!

So I know I don't post much but I think most people understand! I remember starting this blog when Harrison was around the Henry and Charlie's age. Something about the first birthday just makes you want to preserve every memory by writing it down and what better way than a blog because you can share with the other people that love them?

Their birthday party was very special. The 3 great-grandmothers were there, all the grandparents, some of our closest friends, and even my relatives from New Jersey who happened to be visiting in Texas at the time. I didn't lose control like I did with Harrison's party (no photographer, ponies, or strange small animals to pet!). But it was just as great of a party. I think I will throw these less crazy parties from now on so that people can just spend more quality time with the boys! Although I know before too long they will take charge of what these parties will be! Especially Harrison, my mini me! :)

A couple of weeks ago, I started having the nagging feeling that it was time to take these boys on by myself (i.e, no part time nanny). I think part of the reason is that the boys are so mobile now and can all play together. This is so exciting for me - to see them play and have fun together. But it also gives me a break! They can play and I can actually sit down in a chair sometimes! I really gave it some thought to make sure I could manage all the everyday situations on my own and came to the conclusion that I could. Its kind of exciting to take on this big challenge and everything has been going well. I even ordered this stroller (see picture) so that I can take them shopping, etc. Although I love my other stroller and its been so great for our morning walks, this stroller can actually fit in my car without disassembling it!!! This stroller is going to give me freedom to leave the house without help. I also attached pictures of their party and a family picture from our recent trip to Jamaica.

The boys are moving along in their development. This is when all the fun begins! I think the second year really is the most fun. They are doing so many new things and the tantrums haven't started yet! :) Charlie will climb anything! He can even climb up Harrison's bed slide- this is a big slide!!! He takes after his daddy with the climbing. His mom tells me horror stories of Adam yelling at her from the kitchen, she would walk in and he would leap off the refrigerator. (thank goodness my fridge is built into the wall!) He is such a determined little thing. He doesn't stop until he gets what he wants. He catches on very quickly. We gave the boys an electric ride-on car for their birthday and he instantly figured it out and was just cruising around the house! He can stand and clap his hands. He is saying a few words - mama, dadda, duck, yay, wow, yeah, and hello. Henry is so sweet and sensitive. So very cuddly and he gets his feelings hurt very easily. He is adventurous with foods and is readily trying new solids. He is superman strong like he has been since the day he was born. Shockingly strong. Although he crawled first, he isn't showing as much interest as Charlie with the walking. But he loves to cruise and crawls all over the place. Although I initially thought Henry would be my firecracker and Charlie would be the chill one, I have since changed my mind. We shall see!!!