Rhettzilla

Rhett may not be walking but he is on the move, and he is very fast!  One of his favorite things is to go seek out his brothers and mob through the center of whatever they are playing.  It tends to not go over very well, especially because in his desire to play he tends to leave a trail of destruction.  We have tried to manage this interaction, by helping the big boys learn to give him a car or toy to try and occupy him, but he still usually goes to knock down their building or smash their perfect rows of cars.  This has earned him the name Rhettzilla:)  It is affectionate, because we all know he just loves them so much he wants to be right with them.  It could be a destructive few months until Rhett learns so social graces about playing......

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut Butter and Jelly is my favorite little boy food.  I was so excited when Rhett was one because the "allergy police" say he can have it.  I knew he would love it.  He did:)  He couldn't get enough.  Yummy, my little baby is finding human food he loves.  Before this it was cheese, apple sauce pouches, toast, and peas.  This is a good improvement:)

6 bobs....

Today I sitting at level 2 swim lessons, watching Q and Russell work on their back floats.  Watching them try to tough out 6 bobs with their face in the water, because their girl teacher told them.  It is so cute, they both do the same thing, they both start bouncing, and after a few bounces, they finally dunk under.  They bounce up, and rub their faces.  Today as I rocked Rhett's stroller on the pool deck, I watched them sitting on the edge of the pool with their lanky bodies trying not to be cold.  Russell did his back float, and climbed out, he looked over at me and smiled.  Then he gave me a goofy face.  What a blessing, to be their momma, and share in their little moments.  At the end they come running over (I know it breaks pool rules so I tell them to walk) but it is so cute.  I wrap them in their towels and we get dry.  It is a great time.  Plus, I secretly love the smell of an indoor pool, warm, humid, chlorine.

It's on the roof

Today we had a hard time getting out the door, but we were finally all in the car. At the bottom of our hill was road construction. I was a bit bummed because we were in a hurry. As we drove slowly by the construction I went to reach for my coffee. When I realized...."oh crapper, I left it on the roof of the car! At the same time a construction worker pointed to my roof. Super. I had to jump out and grab it...while the worker, and the car behind me laughed at me.... Only slightly embarrassing....

Drive safe

Today we were driving in the car and I was multi-tasking. Holding my cell phone, and reaching for something while using my knee to hold the wheel. (not recommended btw) and from the back of the car I hear Quint yell, "mommy, you need to have both hands on the wheel or we are going to crash!". He was truly concerned. I quickly grabbed the wheel and reassured him, but giggled a bit. We always joke he may grow up to be a cop because he loves rules... I think if that's true today I would have gotten a ticket. It was super cute, and seriously I wonder how they. Pick up on these things....

Learning to Walk

When we were driving Rhett home from the hospital Quint asked if he could teach Rhett to walk.  Hard to believe the time is near.  Rhett is such a snuggler, he has not branched out to walking.  I think it may be my fault since I spent most of the past year carrying him around.  He is so snuggly, and it protected him from his rough and tumble big brothers.  I recently realized I need to let go....and made a concious effort to let him roam free.  Now he can stand briefly, table surf, and is starting to show interest in his walker toy.  Today I was helping him with the walker toy and I told Quint, "I think it is time for you to help Rhett to start walking!" 

Q was jazzed:)  

He got down to Rhett level, and tried to show him how to move his feet. 

He said, "ok Rhett, you can talk big steps, or little ones" and started to show him.

It was sweet.

Separation anxiety-worse for them or me?

We have been in school for a week and today I went to drop Quint off and he cried.
He was brave, but he got a bit teary as he sat in his desk.
I froze.
I didn't want to leave,
I just wanted to grab him and take him home.
The bell was about to ring, and I knew I had to get up and go....
I tried not to embarrass him, but I gave him a quick kiss and a small hug and I left.
My inclination was to linger by the door.
But, I knew I had to go....
They would call if they needed me.

I held my phone tight the whole morning, waiting for it to ring, so I could swoop in like super mom to save my baby....
but it didn't ring.

At pick up he was exhausted, but not sad.
They said he perked up and had a great day.

RUSSELL

Tuesday was Quint's crying day, but Russell was fine when I dropped him.
Thursday Quint's drop went much better, but we got to Russell's school and he burst into tears in the classroom.
Where was this coming from I wondered.
I hugged him, didn't want to leave him, almost took him home too, but I know he can do it, and once I left he would love it.
I have read just rip off the bandaid, don't drag it out.
So, I hugged Russell and jumped up and left.
I lingered a bit, (more acceptable at preschool) but again I finally left.

It makes me sad to know I have to let them be independent.
They have to experience the world a little bit without me.
But, my moment was at the end of the week as I was thinking the separation anxiety through......

I realized.....
I am going to have a really hard time cutting the cord.
It is only preschool, I can not even imagine college.
Good thing I get to snuggle them, protect them, teach them, love them, for many years before that day.

"Russell ask me to help"

Today we were driving home in the car and Russell wanted a drink. 
 I quickly chugged most of the water in the Nalgene (just in case he spilled) and tossed it to the back row.


 Russell grabbed it, but could not unscrew the top. 
 I see in my rear view mirror, Quint leaning over and then I hear him say, 
 "ask me Russell, I can open it for you". 


My initial reaction was, "how sweet of Quint to want to help"
 but then my mommy mind goes straight to worst case scenario.... 


As I watched Russell innocently hand over the only water left in the car....
I thought....
 "is Quint going to open it and then hijack the water?"


 I know I shouldn't think that way....
but a lot of my day is spent...
humm how do I say this.... 
managing brother relationships:) 


Well, it was out of my hands, 
I was probably already doing too much while driving on a country road....
I watched (with one eye) in the rear view mirror to see the events unfold
Quint worked hard to open it and....... 
drum roll...... 


HE HANDED IT BACK TO RUSSELL WITHOUT TAKING A SIP! 


To top it off.... 
Russell took a sip and shared the rest with Quint. 
Ahhh. A perfect brother moment. 
To make it even better, Rhett fell asleep in the car ride, so I asked Q and Russell to be secret spies and sneak upstairs 


AND THEY DID IT! 


Rhett transfered to to nap in the crib. 
 If I had to rate solo parent car rides this would be a 99:) 
( You always have to leave room for improvement)

Later that day.... 
there was a choke hold incident, and other altercations...... 
but this moment was perfect.