My music man.

Adam has been fascinated by music since the very beginning. I remember playing a music box for him when he was months old, and the sound literally stopped him in his tracks. As he grew older, music always calmed him down. His mobile stayed in his crib far longer than it should have, simply because he loved pressing that button if he woke up and needed to fall back asleep.

He just loves music. A few recent examples:

• Last year at a local outdoor concert he stood near the stage dancing like a fool. Several people commented to me on a) his cuteness and b) his music appreciation.

• At Jeff's company picnic this summer, there was a live "band," which consisted of two ladies who were singing and playing instruments (guitar and bass violin). While the other kids couldn't wait to go outside and play the games, Adam was sitting front and center, mesmerized by the women playing their instruments.

• He begs to sit with us in church to listen to the music. Last week, his Sunday School class was full, so he was excited to hear that he would be sitting with us. As the worship part of the service was going on, Adam pulled a John Travolta in the aisles. Jeff told me after the service that he actually put his hands up "in praise" after seeing someone else do it. Awesome.

• His current dance favorite is Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Now, I love me some old school MJ just as much as the next guy, but playing that "Thriller" album several times a week is definitely getting on my nerves. Seeing him dance around the kitchen however, isn't. And when I say dance, I mean dance. The kid's got moves.

• His new favorite thing is to put together a "band" while the music is playing. He usually grabs his guitar, and sticks me with the drums. If Jeff's home, he's quickly handed the harmonica and becomes an (unwilling) participant in Adam's Amazing Band. I'll admit it: it puts a huge smile on my face to see him so excited at the cacophony of sounds. Poor Miles - I wonder what he thinks when all of this is going on? We must surely be a sight.

It will be interesting to see if this lean towards music continues. Will he be a musician? What will he play? Time will tell!

Sleep, glorious sleep!

I almost don't dare to write about this new development, for fear that I'll jinx it, but here goes.

Miles has slept through the night every night this week! This is amazing! Not only that, but he has also chosen this very week to nap! For more than 20 minutes at a time! Twice a day! Folks, this is fantastic! Better late than never, they say, and I feel like I've hit the mommy jackpot!

However, all is not quiet in the evenings. More nights than not, Adam wakes me up by climbing into our bed at night (why does he always come on MY side and put his knee on my head as he climbs in?). I usually let him move to the middle and if he falls asleep for a while, great. Bonus if I actually fall asleep as well. After a few hours, and before Jeff's alarm goes off, one of us carries his sleepyhead back into his room. And no, Adam, we don't want to lay down with you in your bed. Not if we can help it, anyways.

We have lots of things to be thankful over here on Thorncrest Drive, but today, for the purposes of this entry, I'm thankful for sleep.

Toothless no more...

My baby is getting so big!

At seven months old (!), Miles is now the proud owner of two bottom teeth! Unlike his big brother, he is a very crabby teether. After having a very uncharastically cranky day (October 25, to be exact), I spotted one tooth around dinnertime. I was actually relieved to see it, because then I knew what the problem was! Tooth #2 broke through a week later.

Somehow they don't seem as little when they have teeth, do they?

Nonetheless, he's back to his usual self. He's really enjoying eating purees lately. With the exception of bananas, he'll eat anything (I know, what kid doesn't like bananas?).

Have I told you that he's ticklish? It's awesome. Take off his socks sometime and tickle the bottom of his little feet. Sometimes he starts smiling his big, dimpled smile as soon as you take them off, in anticipation of tickling! Other chuckle-producing areas include his belly or right under his chin. Silly guy.

And a quick note to both Adam and Miles: On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, you accompanied me to the polls to cast a vote for what will be the first black President of the Unites States. This election was quite historical, and you were along for the ride. I pray that he leads this country in a positive direction and relies on God for guidance.

Ironic how someone who really doesn't like change voted for "Change!" isnt it?

Ramone to the rescue!

Yesterday our car was hit in the parking lot of Forest Hills Foods (which is a story in and of itself). Adam was quite concerned with the damage done to our car, and the notion of a car "accident." I explained to him that accidents happen, and that we will be able to get it fixed at a body shop in the near future.

At the mention of body shop, his eyes lit up and he said "You mean RAMONE is going to fix our car?!?"

Ummm, sort of. ;)

(For those of you unfamiliar with the Disney movie, Cars, Ramone is a favorite character that owns "Ramone's House of Body Art" and is quoted as saying "Don't scratch my paint!!").

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

October 17, 2008:

"Hey Mommy?"

"Yes, Adam?"

"When I grow up and get taller and a big fat belly, I want to go to work like Daddy."

7 Years!

Because we were at the Great Wolf Lodge for our anniversary, we didn't really "do" anything. 7 years is a big deal, and as such, I present:

Seven Things I Love About Jeff:

1. I love that he loves our boys. He's a fantastic Dad who is devoted, kind, doting, and above all, loving.

2. I love the way he smells in the morning.

3. I love how he falls asleep on the living room floor at night, wrapped up in the blanket - no matter how hot it is outside.

4. I love that he works hard for the family at a job he doesn't really love, which in turn pays the bills so I can stay at home with the boys.

5. I love his hugs.

6. I love that he is a mixture between braniac and scatterbrained. He can stub his toe a zillion times on the same step, yet plow through book after book that I wouldn't even dream about reading. Perfect.

7. I love that he loves me for me - many many faults and all.

And the people said: "Awwww."

Great Wolf Lodge recap

We just got back from a few nights at the Great Wolf Lodge resort in Traverse City, Michigan. For those of you that aren't familiar, GWL is a huge indoor water park - fun for all ages, with splash pad, a 3 story jungle gym of sorts, pools, lazy river, and various waterslides.

Adam had the time of his life.

We got there Sunday afternoon and met up with Kristin, Ben and Carter. What a blessing that they could join us - they always make things so much more fun, and Adam and Carter sure do love to run around together. We quickly changed into our bathing suits and went into the waterpark.

Kristin and I thought it would be a fun idea to send the boys down the waterslide. Now, keep in mind that both boys climbed up the waterslide and went down it willingly. (Un)fortunately, it was a wee bit faster than the waterslide they remember from the summer, and on top of that, they had to go down solo. As soon as I saw Adam going down, I hopped on and went down the adjacent slide, hoping to reach the bottom before he did. It took about 10 seconds for me to recognize that Adam's screams were not those of a happy camper. We got to the bottom at the same time and ran over to pick him out of the bottom of the slide. As he was crying I asked "was that fun?!?" and through his tears he replied "yeah!" The lifeguard and I just cracked up. Crazy kid. We couldn't get him to go on that one again, though.

Then, there was the bigger waterslides that you go down in inflatable rafts. Somehow, he was allowed to go on what we later learned is the fastest slide of the three "chutes" (I later saw the height requirement of 48," but no lifeguard stopped us from going down with him). Strike two in the parenting department. If the first waterslide didn't scare the bejeevens out of him, this one did. It was so much faster than either Jeff or I expected - and he screamed the whole way down. Sorry, kid.

Ever our brave and trusting boy, he agreed to go on the remaining two other slides with us, and it was a good thing - they became his favorites. Jeff and I spent many hours alternating between the blue and green slides and Miles duty. Hilarious. He giggled and loved every minute of every trip down - I love to see him happy like that!

He also had fun in the pool. He was pretty proud of himself for learning how to "swim" with the lifejacket on, and loved jumping into the pool and swimming from side to side. He had endless amounts of energy it seemed, particularly for a boy who was woken up several times in the small hotel room by his younger brother who wasn't such a good sleeper...

Other than water slides, there is an arcade, mini golf (too cold and rainy for that) and a craft room for kids. We were very fortunate to have visited the GWL at a time when it was very empty - quite often we were the only ones riding the slides or floating in the lazy river, so it was very nice. I wouldn't have liked our stay nearly as much had the waterpark been overflowing with people. It's hard enough to keep an eye on your roving 3 year old as it is!

I feel greatful we were able to spend time as a family and enjoy the GWL. I know both Jeff and I will cherish the memories of Adam and the waterslide adventures for years to come. We hope to return next year when Miles is walking and can join in on the fun!