Big Boy Tantrums

Cohen has finally made it to the terrible two stage.  He is not two yet, but he is at the stage where he wants to do everything by himself.  Getting dressed, changing his diaper, getting in and out of things like the car, the swing and his high chair, getting his own water, milk and juice, make his own food, etc.  I think you get my point, he wants to do everything himself.  And when I do not let him, he throws a tantrum because he is also at the terrible two stage where he wants to hit and throw everything! Sometimes he will get his way but he has changed his mind and that creates a tantrum, or when he wants to do something on his own and he can't, that creates a tantrum or when I start doing something for him because I did not know he wanted to do it on his own, he starts to throw a tantrum so I quickly apologize for not letting him try on his own and then he throws a bigger tantrum because I stop helping.  Basically everything and anything can be the pebble that creates the avalanche.  Here is one example:

This is a video after the tantrum.  Tow wanted to put on his own pants so I gave them to him and left the room (before I threw a tantrum of my own) and when he came out... this was the result.

HaHaHa!  Way to go big boy!

Fire Trucks + Hot Air Balloons = Halloween??

Saturday was a wonderful day!!!  We started the day going to a free event at the Hall of Flame Museum looking/sitting in/riding on fire trucks.  The boys used a fire hose and fire extinguisher to put out fires and they did it all wearing their costumes!  My favorite part was that we had a whole morning of fun for only 3$ which was spent on a tip for the balloon maker guy.

While we were at the Fire Truck event, there were magical fairies (aka cleaners my dad hired for me) at my house so when we came home from a fun morning and a delicious lunch at Zuppas, we came home to a clean house.  Which, in case you didn't know was my favorite part of the day.  We took naps and when we woke up, we got ready once again and headed out to the Hot Air Balloon Spooktacular.

The Hot Air Balloon Spooktacular was fun but EXPENSIVE!  The boys had a blast trick or treating at the hot air balloons and now Arlo wants a hamster ball for Christmas!

If you have not noticed Elora (Arlo's one day intended) and her family spent the day with us doing these spooky/fun Halloween events.  

There were over 20 balloons there!

And I am sorry for the horrible pictures, I need to learn how to use my camera.

Taking a break to eat the treats!

It was a great day, but by the time we hopped in the car to go home the boys were cranky and ready for bed.  Who am I kidding, we were all cranky and ready for bed!  But at least we got to go to bed in a nice clean house!

Now this next section had nothing to do with our day but it is a Halloween/Fall tradition in our house... the pumpkin patch.  Every year we go, we have a blast and this year was no exception.

I love that my boys are at an age where we can take them places and they enjoy themselves.  Arlo will talk about it for days and months afterwards.  But more than anything I just love spending time with my family.  It is not very often that we have Tim around because of his schedule, so when we do get him we love to get out and do things!  And although he is gone more often than not, when the boys grow up and look back on their childhood it is these fun family things that they will remember!

1st Haircut

Cohen got his first haircut today!  I know it may not look like he needed a haircut but with his fine, thin hair his sides were short and the top was at least 5 inches long.  It looked like he had a comb over.  So, I broke down and got it cut.

He would not sit in a car on his own, so I was lucky enough to sit with him and he did wonderful.  With Mickey Mouse on the tv and a sucker in his mouth he was happy the whole haircut.

The new doo... haha.... get it????

Tow, hanging out!

 This is not the greatest picture, but I had to take it.   Cohen climbs out of his crib now and our nights are crazy!  But, when he climbs in bed with us and it is nothing but flying elbows and knees and a snuggle slipped in here and there.  Too cute!!!!!

Love my boy, but he needs to stop growing up!!!!!!!

Big Boy Bike

For Cohen's upcoming 2nd Birthday, Grampy got him his new big boy bike.  And, of coarse, he loves it!

Here is a video of him 'riding' his bike.

And a video of Tow crashing his bike!

You know your baby is growing up when he is riding a bike!  

30th Birthday Girls Trip!

Happy 30th Birthday to Me!!!

Ok... technically my birthday was on July 15th, and we did have a party and presents then...

but this trip was my present!!!

My mom, sister and I flew out to my birth-state of Kentucky to meet my Aunt Michele who we lovingly call Shellbabe.

I know what you are thinking... what did you do with your boys?  Well, my husband was in on this plan and volunteered his services for the entire weekend.  And much to my relief and disappointment... he did a wonderful job!  (I was hoping he would fall on his face so when I got home he would worship at my feet at what an amazing job I do all the time.)  I am so proud of you honey and thank you for taking such good care of our boys!!!

We spent the weekend doing what girls do best...

Talking

Shopping

Eating

Going to see Wicked!!!

I wish I got more pictures, but I did not.  I know my aunt got a few and she is supposed to send them to me, and when she does I will update!

My Beautiful Mom and Sister!

Niki and I

At Wicked.... YAY... It was SOOOO good.

Completely different from the book, but it was wonderful anyways!

At the show.

 Out to eat afterwards... this is my beautiful cousin who really does look like a super-model!  I feel so old next to her, especially when we are sporting the same boots!!!

This is the picture of my new wardrobe which I obtained through some shopping.  But before I brag about my spoils, know that 89% of it came from my Shellbabe's closet.  My aunt spoils me like a princess every time I see her, and there is no way I could ever repay her for all that she has done for me.  A simple thank you would not cut it, but I love her and I am so grateful I am allowed to shop in her closet... because I don't think I would own any clothes if I did not!!!!!!

Ready... take a deep breath... try to say it all in one breath... Go!

5 belts, 5 bras, 2 flip-flops, 1 boot(s)?, 1 high heel(s)?, 1 Jammies, 5 work out outfits, 4 capris, 4 jeans, 6 sweaters, 8 shirts, 7 dresses, 2 skirts, and some jewelry!

Can someone say spoiled????  I can, I am spoiled, and I love every second of it.

Thanks again Shellbabe!!!! 

 This is my 2nd Mom (Shellbabe) and me!

I also want to give a big thank you to my mom and niki for their parts in my birthday weekend and all that they did for me!!!

I love you girls and I really hope we can make this a yearly thing! Because that would be awesome and we deserve it!!!!

Hollage

Better get comfortable!  This is going to be a long one, but it has been too long since I blogged just about my boys.  And if you ask me, they are pretty special and very interesting.  So... 

Arlo,  how do I even begin with this boy?  Can there be any boy who is so wonderful and sweet and amazing while at the same time frustrating, annoying and ornery???  If that is possible it would be Arlo.  

Arlo is now 3 years and 5 months.  He is tall and skinny and looks just like his dad.

He loves his little brother and they play so good together most of the time.  The rest of the time,  he is selfish with his toys and obsessed with fighting stuff (anything super hero/guns/swords/ninja) and because of his obsession with fighting stuff he is constantly in peoples faces and/or hitting people.  He is super smart, not a genius or anything but he is smart.  He knows his colors, can count up to 14 (skip 15) and then up to 20 and can count objects correctly (has good one-on-one correspondence) up to about 10.  He can spell and write his first name, knows my phone number can recognize probably 30+ uppercase and lower case letters consistently, he loves to read and most importantly he thinks.  This kid comes up with some of the most interesting explanations for things he sees and does.  I wish I had an example for you but of corse because I am bragging about it, nothing comes to my mind.  But, I can say that when he usually is about to get in trouble for something he has done he always has great excuses for why it was done (or not done) a certain way.  I find myself going from extremely angry to trying not to laugh as he is explaining himself.  He also has an imaginary friend, who is his best friend (but just about everyone is his best friend).  His name is Hollage, and Hollage is what grownups call a scapegoat.  But he is there and I have had to make room for him at our dinner table and one day (I am told) I will meet his mother, because I need to talk to her about her parenting skills.

We have also made it to the stage where when he has to tell/show you something he can think of nothing else until he has done what he has set out to say and do.  He makes his presence known even if I am on the phone/in the restroom/talking with another child/singing a song/etc.  He will stand and yell my name (10-20 times) until he gets my complete attention.  Understand, after I hear my name I acknowledge him and let him know he needs to wait until I am done, and he will still continue on his task.  Arlo is also having a hard time understanding/controlling his emotions.  Lately he has been a whiny/temper tantrum throwing monster.  I am trying to do my best to be patient and teach him how it is best to control his feelings and right when I am starting to get somewhere with him, I completely lose my temper and then for the next few day we are at square one.  I have to keep reminding my self that he is 3 and I have no excuse!-)  Easier said than done... right???!!!??

Here are a few of my Super Hero in action!

A cute story, today at the end of church we asked Arlo what he learned about in nursery and he told us happily, 'Joseph Smith'  so we asked what did you learn about Joseph Smith and he answered 'he's a prophet.'  So we asked what did he do, and he answered, 'nothing, he was not at church today.'  HaHa

This is a cute clip of Arlo and his army men.  I thought he would be too young for them, but as soon as he opened them up he knew just what to do... and do, he did!!!!

Cohen is now 22 months.  He is so much smaller than Arlo at this age.  We just moved Cohen into 2t clothes and half of the pants fall off of him.  Where Arlo, at 17 months, was moved into 2t.  And Tow starts looking more and more like his dad everyday.  The biggest news with Cohen right now is his new found allergies.  We just got test results back and his results came back high for eggs and peanuts and low for wheat and dairy.  We have an appointment with an allergist for more in depth results, and for now have an epi-pen. 

 (This is Cohen's smile face... It cracks me up!)

Cohen is a TALKER!!!  Or should I say a talker and a REPEATER!!!  I do not remember how much Arlo was talking at this age but Tow does not stop talking.  I can understand about 70% of it others probably only 30%.  He knows what he likes and what he wants and he tells anybody who will listen and if you do not understand he will either get frustrated and start crying or he will say 'hand', grab your hand and show you what he wants.  He loves to say his prayers and the boys get into fights daily over who gets to say prayers.  We usually end up having two prayers for meals and two night time prayers.  I guess it is good, because we are doubly blessed!!!  The one issue I seem to be having with Cohen and his talking is when he repeats what Arlo is saying.  I really wish I could record a conversation between them because they are hil.ar.i.ous!  Especially when Arlo will say something like, 'You need to be the baby dinosaur' and Cohen will answer 'you baby dinosaur?' and Arlo will say 'no! You.'  and then Cohen will repeat 'You.' and Arlo will say 'no, YOU!'  I am guessing you get where the conversation is going and while it is going, Arlo becomes more and more upset until he pushes Cohen or until I intervene and get them both to understand what is going on.  I have to say, my favorite thing Cohen is saying right now is the word silly.  When ever something is funny Cohen will laugh (usually a fake laugh) with a big smile and squinty eyes and say 'that is silly!'  There is not a single time that he says it that it does not make me smile!

(This is what happens when you get a chair to the face!)

Cohen is also a super smart, genius baby! (hehe)  He already knows all of his colors, can count to 6, and can pick out 2-3 letters/numbers.  He also love to read.  A few of Tow's favorite books are Goodnight Gorilla, Hats for Sale, all Baby 1st word books.  But Cohen's favorite thing in the world is singing.  And his favorite song is 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' with 'Popcorn Popping' coming in a close second!

A few other favorite things I want to remember: Cohen spending hours playing in the play kitchen and making food for Arlo and me.  His love and need for his blankets and binki (yes still!)  And he loves any kind of crafts/coloring/painting.  He takes twice as much time on his crafts as even the big kids.  On the other hand, he hates his hands being dirty and if they are he will hold out his hands and say yucky until someone helps him wash his hands. (another thing he LOVES to do is wash his hands he would wash his hands a 100 times if you would let him.)  

Lastly, I would just like to add a few pictures of my boys together.  Having 2 kids together has been hard.  But when I watch my boys playing together and being best friends, I would never do it another way.

And here is a little funny to end on!!!