Carson's First T-Ball Game!

I know I'm a little biased, but this kid has talent.

(Note the direction that the runner is coming from.)

The Race Team

I absolutely, positively, most definitely have the most wonderful family in the entire world. Today was a huge day for me...my first half-marathon that I have been training for for months, and my awesome husband and boys helped me every step of the way. We all woke up at 4:30 in the morning so that they could drive me downtown. Jer didn't want me to have to worry about finding parking, etc. so he packed up the boys in their PJs, then dropped me off and took them to breakfast. They all bundled up and managed to make 3 stops to see me along the race path (in the pictures above, you can see what happened when they took their hats off). Then, they met me after the race with huge hugs and kisses, even though I was sweaty and stinky. When we got home, we climbed into bed, and all of my men took a 2 and a half hour nap.

I also need to give a shout-out to my "coach" Tony and my wonderful friend (his wife) Natasha for being so supportive. How do people do these things for the first time without guidance? Well, I didn't have to find out.

A little bit of Carson logic: "Mommy, why don't you ride your bike...you will go faster?

AND

"I am going to ask Santa for a race car so that I can follow you on your race."

Brady Starts Kindergarten

I really couldn't think of a fancier way to title this post. My baby is going to Kindergarten and I am a mess! I cried a whole bunch tonight, and I'm hoping that I will be OK tomorrow. It's just amazing how protective I feel...I want everyone to love him as much as I do, and I don't want anyone to ever be mean to him. Plus, I want to keep and eye on him to be sure that he's making good decisions! This new territory is hard, and while my brain knows that I will get involved in his new school and he will be really happy there, by heart is feeling like I'm just not ready! The bottom line is that Brady is ready, so we just have to get through these first few days and all will be OK. Sigh.

P.S. I added some other pictures of what the boys have been doing on their last few days of summer. Happy they were to dress up like Master Yoda and Luke Skywalker!

Our Third-Baseman

I seem to remember a similar soccer video. I must admit, while I want to raise independent, confidant children, it will be a sad day when Brady is too old to run to me for comfort!

Brady's First T-Ball Game!

Yesterday I learned that nothing...NOTHING...is funnier than a 3 and 4-year-old t-ball game. After standing back to learn the social mores and taboos if this new Saturday morning ritual, I have gathered that the rules seem to go as follows:

1. When a batter hits the ball, every player from the field shall descend upon it, elbowing and wrestling to be the winner of this coveted prize.

2. The batter is not always left out of the afore-mentioned ritual. A batter may, in fact, go after his or her own ball for any reason, especially if they desire to hit again, or even if they just want a firm hold on the ball while they are getting to first base.

3. The bases may be run in whichever direction a batter chooses.

4. Batters can and will have a chat with their coach during an at bat.

5. Mommies or Daddies are expected to run the bases with their companion batter.

6. Batters and outfielders never, I repeat NEVER, listed to what is being yelled at them, so don't even bother. It better to just grab an arm and guide them in the correct direction.

7. Lots of hugs and snuggles are expected in between, and sometimes during, each play in order to reassure a player's ego. (While this would be annoying in an adult, I find myself dreading its ending for my little boys.)

Hmm, that about wraps it up. I can't remember a sporting event where I laughed more. I truly wish I taped the whole thing. By the way, if you, dear reader, didn't notice, Brady's team happens to be the PHILLIES! I think it's a sign...I'm raising the next Chase Utley.

Carson's First Day of School!

After A "last hurrah" at the cupcake store, it was back-to-school for Brady, and the start of Children's-Day-Out for Carson. Brady was an old pro on his first day. As we got to the door of his classroom, he spotted 2 of his buddies, and ran into the room without a backwards glance. I didn't even get a smooch. Oh well, I'm glad he's happy!

I expected Carson to cry a little and maybe cling to me. Instead, he carried his own nap mat proudly and put it in his spot. At the door, he looked slightly skeptical, but went into his classroom without hesitating or crying, and apparently never cried all day. When I picked him up, his teacher told me that he was a happy guy, and he was smiling from ear to ear. He even told Jeremy later about a song he learned during music class. My baby...!

Changing Every Day

The boys, especially Carson, seem to be changing every day. Carson is in the phase of life that every toddler goes through where EVERYTHING he does is funny. He struts around with his belly out in front of him demanding attention. He wants to do everything that Brady does, whether it's alongside Brady, or if he has to shove Brady out of the way. But we feel so proud of Brady for (usually) being a patient and kind older brother who truly seems to enjoy having Carson around.

Carson has learned a lot of new "words" including: Bye-bye, Pop-pop (pa-pa), Nona, hot, stop, no no no no no no no no (even when he means yes), Uh-oh, ta da!, cow, moo, quack (cack cack), oink (ink), and woof.

Brady is learning to repeat everything that he hears other people say, sometimes placing his momma in awkward positions. He loves the song "Imma Be" by the Black Eyes Peas and frequently holds after-dinner dance parties in the living room. The kid has moves, even though he has decided that he no longer wants to take ballet lessons. He is getting so old, and we are really working on making him more independent...he'll be babysitting Carson and driving himself to school in no time.

These boys are really keeping us on our toes these days!

SNOW DAY!!!!

This day has been everything that a snow day is supposed to be: sledding, hot chocolate, snuggling, staying in your pajamas...The only thing that I feel sad about is that Jer is not here with us! Luckily, we are getting so much snow that there will still be plenty to play in on Sunday when he gets here...and many days thereafter. It's still snowing so hard that we can hardly see in front of us. Brady LOVED being outside and threw a fit when it was time to come in. He even helped out by shoveling some of the lawn. Carson was so bundled up that he literally couldn't move, but he still seemed to enjoy the outdoors.
Tomorrow, we are hoping that the snow firms up enough to make a snowman. This is so great! No offense Texas, but we are so happy to be in PA right now!

Oh, and I would like to send a shout-out to Walmart for the seven dollar puffy coat, and 10 dollar boots that I bought for Brady yesterday...not to mention the sleds!

Carson Turns ONE!!!

In true one-year-old fashion, Carson spent most of his first birthday being grumpy. Carson is rarely grumpy, and he was definitely not himself that day! He did, however, happily accept his gifts and opened them with the help of his big brother (the gifts then had to be pried out of Brady's hands so that Carson could have a turn playing with them). Several of Carson's birthday gifts were chosen by Brady, so they had a good time playing together. Brady also helped to make Carson's cake. By the time the cake rolled out, however, Carson was pretty much done or the day and could only muster enough energy to lick frosting from his lips! Don't worry, he's back to normal now, and points to the cake every time we are in the kitchen, hoping to get another taste.

Carson is Walking!

While I was hoping that maybe he would hold off for a few months so that I wouldn't have to worry about too many bumped heads just yet, Carson has decided that he would rather walk than mess around on the floor any longer. He has also decided that he prefers to feed himself with his own spoon. I really don't know why he needs me anymore. Oh, yes I do. I am around to clean up the mess he leaves in his wake.

We are very proud of him...almost as proud as he is of himself!

Making Amends with Frank

While I have acute amnesia for all memories of difficult times during Brady's childhood, Jeremy says that Brady and Carson are similar in many ways that I seem to have forgotten. For example, I am told that changing Brady's diapers was just as much of a wrestling match as it is with Carson now (really, Jer? I just don't remember that). But, I can't believe that Brady's "babyhood" passed by as quickly as Carson's is passing. Although, it must have, because how did Brady get to be a giant 3-year-old smarty-pants who calls me "Mom" and repeats funny things that he sees on T.V.? At any rate, Carson enjoys walking babies and pushing cars around even though he doesn't seem quite ready to walk on his own yet...thank goodness! Slow down, Carson! I need the memories to stick this time!

Oh, and if any of you are confused about the title of this post, Frank is Brady's Cabbage Patch Doll who Carson was terrified of for a while.

Some "Catch-up" Shots

Just a little update on the boys: Brady started school a few weeks ago and LOVES it. He walks in like he could care less about what his mama is doing all day. He is bringing home the cutest artwork, and already learning new letters and numbers. Carson has gotten 2 new "chicklets" as seen in the top picture. He is using them to eat things that babies just really shouldn't eat. He is also planning on joining the circus with his mad skills in roll-balancing, as shown in the bottom 2 pictures...he is carefully balancing a dinner roll on his shoulder while going about his business nonchalantly. Quite impressive, really.

As always, we are very proud of our boys!

Tahoe: Carson's First Beach

If we could have stopped Carson from eating sand, we would have stayed at the beach all day. Brady, of course, enjoyed himself, as he always does, and Carson fearlessly crawled directly into the water face first. I wish we could have stayed longer!

A Weighty Situation

At Carson's recent 4-month check-up, we learned that he dropped from the 85th to the 50th percentile for his weight (he is now about 15.5 pounds). The doctor said it was nothing to be concerned about, but, of course, us Italians are wired to worry about how much our children eat. I have felt like Carson is a "good eater" since the day he was born, so I was a little stumped as to how he could not be keeping up his bulk. Well, after careful consideration, and assessing the situation in retrospect through photos, I can see that Carson is not actually CONSUMING as much food as is being given to him. Honestly, if I could find a way to measure the amount of food on his face, hands, clothes, and seat (not to mention all over me), it would probably equal at least half of what started out in the bowl. Feeding him is truly a giant task. Half the time I just strip him down to a diaper before diving in! The kid is an enthusiastic eater, but I will be really happy when he learns that letting me use the spoon will get more food in his belly.

Brady Begins Soccer

My expectations leading up to Brady's first soccer practice/game were that I would feel a little old and lament over the fact that Brady is growing up so fast. I expected Brady to run out on the field like a champ and kick anything that got between him and the ball. Wow, sometimes I am just so wrong about things! As you can see in the video above "terrified" pretty much sums up Brady's feelings. All I can hope for is that he gets more comfortable over time and that one day he will remember it as funny instead of terrifying!

Little Angels

Can't you just see the innocent twinkling in their eyes...the faint outline of a halo? Can't you just smell the stench of purity? Well, I must be honest, "purity" is being smothered by the smell of dirty underpants (yes, I admit I just giggled at that word again). Potty training is moving along, but we still have a perpetual bucket of Brady's soaking undies.

As for Carson, I was thrilled to have a nice enough day to put him in this adorable outfit that my mom found for him. Well, I at least got a few pictures before his fat legs popped one of the buttons off.

A quick update: Carson rolled from his back to his front for the first time yesterday. He is getting so strong and is totally interested in what Brady is doing. He will be 4 months in another week+, and we will probably start to feed him solids soon after. He is VERY squeezable!

Perceptions of Christmas

Brady was sitting on my lap while I downloaded these pictures, and we chatted about opening presents, Santa, and Christmas. His reaction..."I love opening presents. I love Santa." Now, compare that sentiment to Carson's face in the third picture. When he was awake, Carson seemed to think that Christmas, Santa, and, of course his Cabbage Patch kid, Dexter, were terrifying. He was happy to sleep though the festivities. I have already decided that I will use this very picture to use in the "Guess Whose Baby Picture" game they will probably play one day when he is a linebacker on his high school football team.

Carson's Christening

Yeah...about the whole "I'll get caught up this week" thing...Parenting your own children by yourself is HARD (to be read with a hint of whining, like a spoiled child). Anyway, this pity-party reminds me of a much more fun celebration that we had over the holidays...the Baptism of our dear little Carson. A whole group of family came out for the joyous event, and the energetic priest made us feel like it was the most exciting day of his life. The celebration ended with a fun Italian dinner and, of course, cake! Not a bad way to be cleansed of original sin.

By the way, as of today, Carson is 13 pounds 4 ounces (big), 23 inches tall (average), and on his way to being immunized against 7 childhood illnesses...oh yeah, and GRUMPY!!!