The Things They Say

I have always heard that once kids start talking....you often wish they could go back to being quiet. But this has not been the case for me. I am such a people-person that it has been a delight to add a jabber-box to my world - and he truly is. Steven Edward has hit the stage where he knows words for EVERYTHING. This is actually harder than the previous stage, because then I always knew what he was saying because his words were limited. Now he has so many words! And he ALWAYS knows what he is saying. So it is up to me to decipher. But it is a fun game...slightly similar to Mad Gab (which some of you may know that I am quite good at). I love finding out what is in their little heads....and hearing them repeat exactly the things you say. He has taken to coming in the room while I'm cleaning up and saying, "Good job, mama!" I suppose I always praise him when he helps me. Who knew?

A couple weeks ago he was very upset about something trivial (go figure...a toddler?) so I looked at him as he walked and wailed and said, "Steven, that is not necessary." As he gasped for breath in the middle of a cry he screams, "Is necessary!" That was the end of that. I had to turn around to avoid him seeing me erupt into laughter.

And then today was the first time I'd ever heard him, unprompted, use the word "the". We were getting out of the car heading into a store and he told me, "no rain mama." I assumed he meant he wanted it to stop raining, and I'm thinking....me too sweetie....but our luck hasn't been so good this month. So I just way, "Sweetie, I can't make it stop raining. God makes it rain. God makes the rain."

"Yea," he replies. He stops and thinks and says, "God makes the cars come too mama." He then proceeded to list things that he understood God made. The next was cheese and then Sam. I know it seems like Sam got shafted because cheese got the higher seat in his brother's mind....but if he only knew how much Steven loved cheese. I was just proud Sam made the top four. It was really cute.

He has also taken to saying, "Happy Birthday to you _______ (ex. cars)" and then starting to sing to them.

There are tons of others...but I thought I would just give you a taste. On completely different note, this morning I ran my first race in a little over 3 years. I ran a 5K with two other moms. Our goal was to finish and we did it with flying colors! 10 years ago I would have laughed at the thought of training for a 5k. But 10 years and two babies later...I'm rather proud.

Biltmore Tea Party

My friend Bethany had a birthday a couple days ago, so we threw her a surprise tea party. It was lots of fun. We had it on the grounds of the Biltmore and it was a beautiful day. The kids had fun playing in the creek, running around, feeding the ducks, and generally tiring themselves out. Thanks for having a birthday Bethany! I love an excuse for Chocolate Grin ache!

Jenny, Beth, and Bethany

Isn't he adorable!

Steven loved the ducks

Ryan sure looks like he wants some of that sandwich Issac.

Avi loves Sam

And then here are some pictures of the boys cuddling with Daddy after work.





Sam has the best smile, and unlike Steven Edward it doesn't take much convincing in order for us to see it! Steven Edward told me today that his smile was broken.

What I'm NOT good at

Blood. This is incredibly pertinent as I am raising two little boys. Evidently boys fall and boys get hurt - especially ones that have as little fear as mine do. I mean....Steven won't jump off of a steep incline, but he will come so close to the edge that you think he may fall off of it.

Why are you writing this, Courtney? Because my two year old son has been to the doctor or hospital twice in his two years for some type of laceration. In December, you may remember, he had to get staples in his head because of a fall that happened on Steven's parent's deck....and then today, as I was chasing him, he fell and cut his chin and had it glued back together by his pediatrician.

What have I taken from this incident? I'm okay with a small cut , but when I can see it separate into a cavern...and look like a second smaller mouth....yea...not so okay with that. I became light-headed, weak in the knees, and had to call my husband home from work to help me take him to the doctor. Ridiculous. I used to think of myself as tough. An athlete! A tough girl! Getting weak at the sight of blood. Ridiculous. Looks like I have a long road ahead of me with a family full of boys.

Taken Pre-Chin Cut

On a happier note, Steven Edward has taken to singing. It is adorable. He loves Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee, Praise Ye The Lord, The Tractor Song (which he forces me to make up lots of new lyrics to), A recessional song from church by Graham Kendrick, and Jesus Loves Me. He will just start singing and look at me with a big grin waiting for me to chime in. It is a happy mom moment....cut chin and all.