memories

Letters to Theo: Today, you are 2.

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Little Theo,
Last night before bed, your daddy and I talked about what a big day today would be for you.  For the last week, we’ve been teaching you to say “I’m two!” when asked your age.  We’ve been trying to teach you to hold up your little peace sign to show everyone how many years old you are.  You try but for some reason, you just can’t get that little thumb to secure your pinky and ring finger.  Cutest thing ever. 

Last night before bed, we sang happy birthday to you.  Towards the end, I felt my voice quavering and my eyes stinging.  I felt that familiar lump in my throat.  It’s the same one that unexpectedly crept up on me at your first birthday party last year as we sung to you. 

Last night before bed, I told you I loved you.  I kissed your head.  I whispered in your ear, “the next time I see you, you’ll be 2.”  You smiled at me and I brushed your long hair out of your eyes, pulled your favorite blanket up to your chin and walked out of your room gently pulling the door closed behind me.

Last night after I put you in bed, I cried.  I sat in silence on the couch and thought about what I was doing exactly 2 years ago.  I was lying in the hospital full of anxiety and anticipation and hopes and dreams  Curiosity and naivity.  Two years ago I didn’t know how much love one heart could hold.  I had only dreamed of seeing your face.  I didn’t yet know that it would be 100 times cuter than I expected.  I didn’t know you’d have a head full of black hair and your daddy’s nose.  I didn’t know that my heart would melt and I would be changed forever.

Last night, when I was on my way to work, I fought back tears.  I asked myself why I felt so sad.  It’s the weirdest thing.  Mommies worry about things they never knew they would worry about.  They get excited over things that never seemed exciting.  They cry at times when they least expect it.  I’m not sad that you’re two, son.  I’m sad that you’re not a baby anymore.  You’ll always be my baby, but you’re not a baby.

Today, you are a little boy.  A curious toddler with a personality as big and bright as the sun. 
Today, you make your mommy and daddy prouder than you did the day before.
Today, you are funnier and smarter and sillier than you were the day before.
Today, you are loved even more than you were the day before.

Today, you are 2.

3-8-2010
3-8-2011
3-8-2012

And this world is yours for the taking.  Make the most of it, sweetheart.

Love,
Mommy

greetings from Ohio

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

We traveled to Ohio over the weekend to visit R’s sister Michelle, her boyfriend Bob, and our nephew Spencer.  What. FUN!

It was weird to see Theo going up and down the stairs with no problem.  I was hovering like a helicopter the first few times but tried to back off over the course of the weekend as I realized he’s got this.  What I wasn’t expecting was to see Dex climbing up the stairs with NO trouble at all.  Yes, I remained hovering helicopter with Dexter.

Theo had the most fun playing in Spencer’s room, in Spencer’s super cool bed.  I have to admit, I’m a little jealous of this loft bunk from Ikea. All weekend Theo was announcing “I wanna play in Pencer’s room!” And play they did!  They were basically adorable in their matching McQueen slippers. 
Dexter took a little snooze on Daddy’s shoulder…
then we took a short ride to the local fire station for some exploration. 
still sleepy, mama!
hello, brown eyed boy!
Michelle’s neighbor, Chief Tony, welcomed us inside. 
both boys love their Aunt Chelle

jaws of life!
Official Freddie Firefighter badge.  And yes, Theo always wears a band-aid, boo boo or no boo boo.
We had a great, great time. 
There was more playing back at the house (in Pencer’s room of course)!
Theo was exhausted, as evidenced by him sucking his thumb for 5 continuous hours or so. 
See?  Coolest bed ever.
Sunday morning it was time to pack it up and head back home. We loved our weekend and spending time with family.  Can’t wait to see them again in a couple of weeks for Theo’s birthday. 
xo, 
~C~

the best thursday and friday in many moons.

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

R surprised me Thursday morning after I got off work when he texted and said he was working a half day and asked if I wanted to go get pizza for lunch.  Um? Yes!  I told him that the boys would be with us because I promised our babysitter I would come get them after I took a quick nap since, you know, she’s 9 months pregnant and all.  So I hurried home, got my nap in, and picked up the babes.  We had a wonderful pizza lunch with two tired, silly billy boys.

While we were at lunch, R told me that he also took Friday off.  As much as I love being home with Dexter and Theo every Friday, it’s always nice to have company, help, and extra time with my main squeeze.  What a surprise!  I was super excited.  
It’s kind of hard trying to come up with things to do here in the winter.  I thought about the big library downtown but when I looked it up, I couldn’t really see that anything was going on there.  Found LOTS of cute sounding classes for the boys through the week – you know, when I can’t take them.  Boo to that.  Then I remembered the indoor playground and old-fashioned soda fountain about 45 minutes from home. We hadn’t been there since July, so we decided to go back on Friday. Wow, it’s crazy looking back at the pics from our last visit there.  Both boys are so much bigger now!


The boys slept all the way home and SURPRISE, they didn’t want to take naps Friday afternoon, but who cares?  Shockingly enough, they weren’t too bad considering the lack of sleep.  R’s extra day and a half off felt like a little mini-vacation.  Wonder if he’s thinking about getting that work schedule switched around? 
feelin’ pretty happy, y’all. 
~C~