Chasing my boys

My last post was four months ago....I guess that says something about how quickly my days pass. At times I feel as though one day flows into the other and everything I do is working toward the end goal of having two happy, fed, clean kids in bed asleep at 8:30 pm.

Oscar is quickly gaining on Oliver and is in constant motion. Oz chases Oliver and has started to protest when Oliver takes things away from him. He also climbs EVERYTHING and I spend the day moving objects out of his path. Oscar talks and signs to ask for the things he wants (ex. cookie). He is still crazy about his shoes and wants to wear his Crocs all day.

Oliver is crazy about sharks and has memorized the words to three early reader books about Sharks. Oli requests to watch Daniel's shark dive video regularly and also loves the documentary Shark Island. Oliver watches out for his brother and is quick to report to me when Oscar is doing something he shouldn't be. Oliver has started going to music class with Oz and I and is now singing in class and at home. It makes me so happy to finally have him singing.

Two more weeks and Daniel will have completed his training at ATI. I am so excited to have more family dinners together. Danl plans to return to triathlon training upon his completion. I am busy chasing the boys when Danl is at the shop or school. Sadly, Erica is no longer with us because she got a job in her field. We miss her very much but the boys and I are adjusting. This past week my dear friend Natalie visited with her two children (Will and Gwen). We had a wonderful time together and managed to keep four toddlers/preschoolers happy (ages 4,3,2, and 1)!

The photo is Oscar in his favorite place...ON TOP of Lucy.

Welcoming 2010 with TWO toddlers

I am remembering the days when I had so much more time to blog....funny how life then seemed complicated but in retrospect was so simple. Since my last blog entry in October- Oli IS potty trained (YIPPEE!!!), Oliver turned 3 and we celebrated Oscar's first birthday. Oscar is also RUNNING and CLIMBING! Oscar began walking at 10 months to keep up with his brother. My exercise routine is chasing Oz. He climbs up on chairs, tables, beds and sofas which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't fall off. I know that his days in the crib are short lived because he will crawl out. The boys keep me busy and I work to appreciate all of the chaotic moments of my day (knowing that time slips away quickly). I struggle to keep my stress level low and my patience high. Oliver is a brillant child who can be an amazing help when he wants to. He also knows exactly how to push my buttons....example I say "Lucy go lay down" and Oli yells "Lucy come clean up!!" and turns to me with a devilish grin.

Daniel and IBM have officially parted ways after 15 years and Danl is finally able to fullfil his dream of working on Land Rovers. He has opened Jones Expedition Vehicles in downtown Miami and we are hoping to be successful. Danl works long, hard hours but comes home with a smile on his dirty face! The boys and I miss him terribly during the week because he is also in class Monday - Thursday evenings. I am fortunate to have met a mom's group on the beach and the companionship of other mom's helps me feel less alone. Danl and I both have a healthy fear of what the future holds but are optimistic that our business will be a success.

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas this year with just the four of us. The week prior to Christmas Patrick came for a week and we also spent time with Gramma and Grampa Jones and Great Gramma. Oliver and Oscar love spending time with Patrick and their grandparents. Living apart from family makes the time that we do have together even more special.

Dedicated to underwear

It makes me laugh thinking back to previous posts in my blog (well over a year ago) where I boosted about Oliver's potty success. Hah! I learned my lesson with Oliver and hope to be wiser when it comes time for Oscar's introduction to the potty! I know that I made the introduction to Oliver too early and pushed it too much in the months leading up to Oscar's birth. The result has been a mature Oliver still clinging to the pull-ups and using them regularly. With his third birthday around the corner, I recommitted myself to potty training yesterday.

I promised myself that I will remain calm when accidents happen and expect them. I also told Oliver that he can choose to wear any unders that he likes (he has around 20 pair) but that pull-ups are only for bed time. Yesterday he did really well and had no accidents. Today.....was a mess but I am hoping that tomorrow will be better. Hopefully by the next time I blog I can write about our successful transition!

Oscar is walking and has changed so much in the past month. He also has said a few words- Da dee, Ma ma, cake and dog. He is signing MORE, DRINK, GRAPES. Oscars personality is starting to emerge and he is becoming more strong willed. Previously when Oliver would take toys from Oz, Oscar would just grin but now he protests! Oscar is also eating solids from the table and no baby food. His favorite thing to eat is grapes. I often feel like I have missed many of Oscar's "firsts" because I am always looking at Oliver. I guess this is what happens with the second child.

I was recently asked what my favorite sound is and my answer is Oliver and Oscar laughing together.

Oscar is on the go

A boys life

 
 
 
 

Boys will be boys

It has been a while since I've posted to this blog. I wish I could find more time to reflect and write about my days with Oli and Oscar. B.O.O (Before Oli and Oz) I wrote in a journal several times a week but these days I can barely find time to scribble a grocery list!

I completed my course work at Lesley University so I am officially DONE with school! Ironically on my last day of class at Lesley, I started teaching Baby Sign language classes. I signed with Oliver and loved communicating with him before he was verbal. I recently decided to become a certified instructor and am teaching at a studio in Midtown Miami. My first class is small but a wonderful group of mamas and babies learning to sign. Oscar is signing "more" and "drink" and Oliver loves signing to Oscar.

A few days ago I found myself thinking that my chaos is becoming more manageable. I still feel like a referee and need to closely monitor the boys but we have our daily routines down. TEN MONTHS....am I just a slow learner?? Our schedule is later than I would like it to be but I am struggling with trying to move it earlier. Danl is in school Monday - Thursday from 4 pm to midnight and I am waiting up for him. The problem is that the boys and I sleep in in the morning (7:30) leading to late naps for Oz and Oli, late dinner, late bedtime, REPEAT. I guess the only way to break this trend is to get my butt out of bed in the morning and wake the boys up. Maybe tomorrow:)

Above is a photo of Oli jumping on the bed at the Back Bay Hilton.

Oscar is on the GO

I think I have my hands full...Oscar is moving fast and will be walking soon. He crawls at lightening speed and is into EVERYTHING! He is pulling himself to standing on anything in sight (including my legs) and is creeping along furniture as a biped! I have realized that I thought that I was busy before but I haven't seen anything yet. Oliver still adores his brother but is easily frustrated by Oz getting into his things. Sometimes I hear "Oscar no" but most of the time it is a pull on the ear, a tug on his leg or arm or a full body roll over!

Oliver is always in motion and talks non-stop. He surprises me with his large vocabulary and comprehension but I worry already that he could be one of those kids easily labeled ADD. I know I will need to be an advocate for his education. Recently I asked Oli if he was okay after falling and he responded " I'm okay, thanks for asking". Playing in the sand is still his favorite activity. Oliver also loves to play with his cars and trucks and bake cupcakes.

This summer seems to be flying by. Patrick came to stay for four weeks and just returned to NY. The boys and I came to NY with Patrick for a week long visit with Grandma and Grandpa. Oli and Oscar both adore Patrick and I know once we leave G & G's house I will be asked daily "where's Patrick". I am enjoying the visit with my Mom and appreciating the quietness of the country. It is funny how your appreciation for simple things grows with age. I am also enjoying watching Oliver run in the grass, dig in the dirt, throw rocks, and pick flowers. He is delighted by the freedom to run.

The photo was taken during a tea party at our place in Miami Beach.