Bobcats Suite Life

The Bobcats introduced the future color scheme 

tonight in preparation of the switch to the Hornets,

and Alekzander fully embraced the new look

with his purple and white scarf.

We love to cheer for the home team,

so whatever color or team name

Charlotte ends up with, 

we will be loyal fans.

Uncle Ryan knows how to spoil us.

We got invited to his company's suite

for the Bobcats vs. Knicks game.

Complete with food, drinks, great seats,

and a personal visit from Rufus.

it was a big {loud} night for us!

The Bobcats did not win, 

but with an almost 4 month old 

and an almost 4 year old,

there were better {cuter} things to watch than basketball.

Alekzander was overwhelmed but entertained, and

Anderson was indifferent except when it came to ATB.

He loves her already for sure!

And we love any time that we get to spend with her and Uncle Ryan.

Screeching Halt

Almost like out of a cheesy movie, my morning came to a temporary screeching halt.

Carefree fun sucked out of the room; my breath and words caught in my throat.

Nothing serious - just some mommy emotions evoked by a simple song.

:: From Facebook yesterday ::  

Monday morning dance party with the littles fueled by 

fresh-out-of-the-oven dairy-free banana oat bran muffins 

to the tune of "Cowgirl Chocolate Pool Party" mix :: 

brought to a momentary screeching, teary halt 

at track 10 while sitting on the 'dance floor'

... if Alekzander wasn't as goofy as he is, 

I would have completely sobbed. 

I was holding Anderson in my lap

and washed his balding head with big fat tear drops...

Track 10 = Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift

Listen to it. I dare you.

I often complain {or just too willingly accept}

that I have no time to clean the house.

I hardly have time to change out of my PJs

let alone shower by myself or dry my hair.

{Am I doing something wrong?!}

Life is quite demanding these days ...

especially with a hungry infant who likes to sleep on mommy

and a curious, snuggly almost 4 year old who also likes

be wherever mommy happens to be.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I know I will miss these days.

I know Alekzander will not always be as talkative

or share his imaginative thoughts or wake up early ready to play.

He will not always freely say, "I love you, Mommy,"

just because.

He will not always hold my hand when walking in the parking lot.

I will miss the messes he makes when he bakes with me.

The cold feet snuggles in the too early mornings.

The milk mustaches and sticky fingers that touch everything.

I know Anderson will not always need me every minute of the day; 

he will not always fit in the crook of my arm and sleep soundly.

He will not always smile at me with squinty eyes and his wide gummy mouth.

I will miss holding him for hours upon hours.

Rocking him to sleep.

Watching him doze off and give one final grin.

Rubbing his hand as he grasps my finger tight.

I will miss these crazy days.

I don't want to say, "Never grow up."

But I will say, "Slow down, time."

And I hope to often remind myself,

"Enjoy this moment."

Milk mustache :: Collecting acorns :: Not-Listening-the-First-Time :: Shaggy hair :: 

Mismatched clothing :: All-purpose Toms

21 Days from 4 years old

11.4.13

Drool-Face :: Blue eyed babe :: Chunky Cheeks :: Rolly Thighs :: Gummy Smiles ::

Nap Refuser :: All Night Sleeper

16 weeks old

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

Never Grow Up

by Taylor Swift

Spinning Slingshot

 Love this joy-filled face!

Spinning and spinning and spinning.

Again mommy, again!

The spinning luckily occurred after playing with the slingshot.  

I was hyper-focused on safety

and would not have allowed a dizzy slinger anywhere near Anderson!

I am ill-prepared for this part of parenting ... 

the dangerous, you might accidentally shoot your brother's eye out with an acorn part.  

But somehow Alekzander got his hands on this gem at Mia's house 

and somehow it made its way into our car ... 

because I guess every little boy needs a slingshot.

  

Despite the implied danger coupled with my cautiousness,

and multiple warnings of 

"Please watch where you are aiming; 

make sure you aim at the tree only..."

I was pretty darn proud. 

Step 1 :: Collect Acorns

Step 2 :: Load Slingshot

Step 3 :: Aim Carefully

Step 4 :: Stretch

Step 5 :: Release

Step 6 :: Repeat!

Sunshine and Snuggles

Crisp air, crunchy leaves, bright sun.

Cute baby.

It doesn't get much better!

Matching hoodies

Photo by Alekzander!

Small Window, Sweet Hands

This mama didn't quite have it together quickly enough to get out of the house before nap time today.  There is always a small window of time where I might make it out of the house before 11 a.m. {before the first nap and second feeding of the day}, but that rarely happens. Today, I changed Anderson and left him on the changing tier of his Pack&Play all bundled him up for a walk, packed up some treats to deliver to neighbors, and was headed outside to get the stroller out of the car when I realized that Anderson was too quiet.  He had fallen asleep after his normal protesting while I was busy getting the other 2/3 of us ready to go.  I couldn't stand to wake him, so we changed plans, and Alekzander and I played outside while Anderson slept sweetly with his hands clasped.  This is one of our favorite mannerisms of his right now.  He sits patiently with his hands clasped in his lap, brings his clasped hands up to his face to hide a gummy, excited smile, and apparently sleeps this way too.  I love this little guy ... and love that he enjoyed a little tiger snooze as well.

 {Not focused, but so sweet!}

Moto-Moto: Halloween 2013

Friendly Competition and a Pirate's Booty

While waiting for the grown-ups {me!} to be ready, 

Alekzander and one of his best buddies, Barrett, stood in the doorway yelling, 

"Anyone want candy?!" and then when Trick-or-Treaters did finally come, 

they met them in the driveway to deliver their candy! 
They may have been happy enough to do this for the whole night?!

Man, oh man, these boys are cute ... and so competitive. 

Cleaning up toys on the baseball field turns into an 
elbow-throwing, sprint-to-the-finish race.

Eating dinner and drinking milk ... someone has to win, right?!

Ringing the doorbell to trick-or-treat?! 
The potential for bloody knees and tears was there.

But luckily, these little guys are also friends who are learning to share and take turns.

After every.single house, Alekzander would excitedly show us the candy in his bag 

{Look, MORE candy!!} and then announce whose turn it was to ring the next doorbell.

The superhero and pirate were truly superstars.

We unintentionally made it around an entire mile loop 

in our neighborhood with no whining!!!

I think it is safe to say that it was one of the best nights of Alekzander's life so far.

The pirate's booty.

 The first candy he ate after inspecting his loot :: a blue dum-dum.  

Seconds after the first lick, he asked, 

"What would happen if I ate 2 of these at the same time?!"

But we will never know, silly boy!