Reid's Party

We had a sweet little family birthday party for Reid at Fink park this year. The weather was perfect and we loved celebrating our little guy!

My BABY is THREE!

Oh my, how I wish I could stop time. It is really amazing how fast these little ones grow, and with Reid being my BABY, each birthday throws me into a whirlwind of emotion. I am loving watching him grow and each day brings new adventures, fun, trouble and hilarity. But I'm also realizing that we are transitioning from one season to the next so quickly- this is the first time I haven't had a baby in my home in over eight years! I'm not a mom of littles, I'm a mom of school aged kids. That sends my mind into the future, thinking about teenagers and an empty nest and it just makes me want to hug them tight and put bricks on their heads!

Reid has grown and changed so much over the past year. He remains my sweet boy, though. God has just given him such an easy going nature and a desire to please others. He still gives the best hugs and is aware of the feelings of others, always asking me, "are you happy?" He is sensitive in some ways but very rough and tumble as well. He keeps up with the big kids and just rolls with the punches. We continue to thank God for blessing us with such a sweet spirited boy.

Some of Reid's latest milestones and favorite things:
- He's become more shy. He used to talk, talk, talk to everyone like my olders do! However, now, he talks my ear off at home, but when he's around someone new, you can't get a word out of him.
- He's more fearful than my other boys. He gets nervous when he hears big noises, like thunder. He's terrified of some, but not all, dogs. He HATES the witch we put out with our Halloween decorations, so much so, that we put her away. He doesn't like mascots or anyone wearing a mask. It's very interesting, as neither big boy went through much of a phase like this. It is sweet though, as he likes to come running back to mama and I always welcome the snuggles. :)
- He is almost fully potty trained. We waited until he was nearly three to even begin thinking about it, partly because I'm lazy, but mainly because that's when his brothers learned so it seemed best not to bother with it earlier. It's going well so I'm hopeful that we are now a diaper free home!
- He really enjoyed swimming lessons the past few months. He especially loved when we did a "mommy and me" class which was really a "daddy and me" class. He loved jumping in, swimming for toys, and going through the lazy river. The new Y is so great for the kids!
- He's definitely my most picky eater by far. He loves fruit and most things I give him at lunch time, but dinner is a constant battle. He doesn't like to try new things and he downright refuses to eat some evenings. I am not sure how he maintains those cute cheeks!
- He LOVES riding his bike! That kid would ride his bike all day every day if we'd let him. He got the balance bike for Christmas last year and by the end of the summer, he had really mastered running and then gliding with his feet up. I love it and am so glad he's learning this way!
- He loves being outside and getting dirty. He could live at the playground! He's FEARLESS when it comes to climbing ladders, rock walls, etc. so my heart races a bit at times when we're out and he follows right along with the big boys. :)
- He likes to sing and to be sung to. He really love singing ABC's and The Wheels on the Bus. And at nighttime, he always requests that I sing Silent Night and Hush Little Baby. Some other favorites are: Playmate, You are my Sunshine, and Twinkle, Twinkle.
- He love Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger. He'll ask if he can watch "Roger's new neighborhood." :)
- His favorite toys are his legos, by far! He can sit in his room and play legos on his own for nearly an hour at a time. He'll build houses and different kinds of cars and of course, imagine up scenes for "man and lady" lego.

Happy (Belated) Birthday to my great big, handsome, three year old!!! Mommy loves you!

Reid's Prayer

Super Reid's Super Party

On Saturday, we got to celebrate our super two year old with a fun, family superhero party! He had a great time and I am so thankful for everyone that came. Randy and I had fun putting it on!

My Baby is TWO

Reid is two. Reid. Sweety Reidy. My baby. I cannot believe it. These past two years have simply flown by at a rate my brain cannot process. It was just yesterday that Randy and I sat, having dinner at 1492 while the kids were away at the grandparents, and discussed how easy things had gotten and how wonderful it would be to have just one more sweet little one. Two weeks later, on the eve of Graham's second birthday party, I found out I was pregnant and my life has never been the same.

Throughout my pregnancy with Reid, I found myself questioning our decision and worrying that having three would be too difficult, too much for me to handle. Being pregnant with two little boys was not easy and I was often overwhelmed. But God has blessed me with the sweetest little guy and, although some days have been hard, I know that our family would never have been complete without this little guy. He melts my heart with his affection and his eager to please disposition. We are so thankful for him!

Some of Reid's latest milestones and favorite things:
- Reid talks all. the. time. Talk, talk, talk. He tells you about each and every thought that passes through his brain and I love to listen! His vocabulary has exploded and he can now say anything he wants to say.
- He has recently begun singing! My other boys were big singers early on but Reid had not been interested until the other day when he suddenly started singing the ABC's. I love hearing him sing!
- Reid loves superman and any other super hero! He calls them "mans" and makes all of them fly. :)
- He loves going to Elevate, our homeschool co-op, and I am always amazed at how he just tags along and does everything the big boys do. He sits still when someone is speaking, stands up and dances when we worship, and happily goes to his "class" when it's time to split up.
- He loves going to soccer practice! We recently started taking mommy and me classes at Soccer City and Reid has a blast. He follows directions well and even seems to be pretty talented when it comes to handling the ball. His favorite part is building cone towers and then kicking a soccer ball at them to knock them over. Oh, and of course he loves feeding the balls to the hungry monster (soccer ball bag). :)
- He is all smiles when we're outside. Whether it's a walk, playing on a playground, or just watching Jack's football game, he really enjoys being outside.
- He has started sleeping with a new "lovie." It's a little Muddypaws doggie. I think it's sweet that he's attached to it. He sleeps with that and his blankie and both were gifts from BB.
- He knows his colors! At soccer, they ask the kids about colors sometimes so we worked on it at home for a bit and now he knows all of the primaries. I am impressed with how quick of a learner he is.
- His favorite foods are pizza, pretzels, yogurt, pizza, grapes, cereal bars, pizza, and pizza. He is a good eater but has definitely been exposed to more junk food than the other boys had at his age.
- He is still the best hugger this world has ever known. I can't fully explain this. You just have to get a hug from him to understand. :)

Happy Birthday to my adorably handsome little man!!! We love you!!!

Cute Boys Singing

Reid is 21 Months!

My sweet little guy is so big all of the sudden! I can't believe he will be 2 soon. These past three months have been full of changes for Reid. His vocabulary had increased so much and he can speak in full sentences most of the time. He is still a man of few words but when he wants to, he can say pretty much anything. My favorite is the way he says no. It's a long, drawn out, crescendoing nnnnnooooOOOOOO.

Some of Reid's favorite things:
- Reading. Reid LOVES books! He really loves reading with me in his rocking chair before nap and bedtime but he also loves reading on his own at home or in the car. His favorite books are, The Going to Bed Book, Moo, Baa, La, La, La!, Grover's Potty Book, Goodnight Moon, and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
- His bedtime routine. After bath, we put on Reid's lotion, then pajamas. Then he goes to his crib and gets his binkie and blankie. Lastly, he literally BACKS UP from the crib toward the rocking chair and into my arms for books, songs, and prayers. I have no idea when or why he started backing up to me each night but it is the cutest, strangest thing.
- Swimming. Reid LOVES the "wimmin poo!" It took all of a couple of days for him to progress from sitting on the edge, to clinging to me, to not letting me touch him at all unless I'm catching him while he's jumping in! He loves to kick, kick, kick his feet and is even happier when he has an audience.
- Wiping his nose. I admit that this is a really bizarre hobby. For quite some time, Reid has really enjoyed holding a kleenex or cloth wipe, walking around, and wiping his nose. Even when there is nothing to wipe. He cries when you take it away. I don't understand.
- Cousins. Reid loves being with his cousins. He especially gets along with Brooklyn. They love to chase each other around BB's house, giggling all the while! They also enjoy dancing and playing trains together.
- Ring around the Rosy. Reid loves this game and makes a big show out of falling all the way down. It's pretty cute to watch all three boys playing this together. :)

Reid continues to be such a joy. He is so very sweet. He gives the best hugs of anyone in the world and is 100% a Momma's boy. I love him so much!

Ring Around the Rosies

Reid's Last Day of MDO

Last week was the last for Reid's Mother's Day Out at Crossings. He had such a fun year with his sweet teachers, Miss Kari and Miss Theresa! He really does love "school" and is going to miss it. We are so thankful for his teachers and the time that MDO has given me this year. I know I will miss it next year!!

Reid is One and a Half!!

I can't believe how fast time is flying with this little one! He is 18 months old today and this month has been packed with milestones!

Reid's vocabulary has exploded this month! Up until now, he has been pretty quiet but finally he has decided to talk and has added many new words as well as phrases and sentences to his repertoire. A few off of the top of my head: button (LOVES pushing buttons to open automatic doors), muffin, yogurt, apple, dinner, snack, park, play, tall tower, fall down, bath, go bye bye, baby, cross, ipad is broken (one of the first phrases I heard from him), no, no, no, no, no, no, no (he never says no once). :) There are so many more!

Reid's favorite things at this age are playing outside and taking baths. He could play outside in the backyard for hours! He slides, swings, plays at the sand table, shoots baskets into his goal, jumps on the trampoline, kicks the soccer ball, watches me blow bubbles, etc. He likes to come in and out of the house at will. If we go the park, he loves the swings! He also likes climbing and is not afraid to attempt any kind of climbing so I have to watch him extremely closely. This kid has no fear!

Speaking of no fear, I honestly am amazed that this little guy has not broken a bone or had some other major accident yet. I feel like I catch him on the brink of severe disaster many times each day. Jack was super cautious at this age so we didn't go through this with him. Graham was a mess and was into everything but he put THINGS in danger more than he put HIMSELF in danger. Reid puts himself in danger. He climbs on tables, chairs, drawers, toy boxes, ladders, etc., he reaches for knives, he pulls on heavy things, he throws breakable objects, he turns on water, he opens doors, and the list goes on and on. He can carry his step stool around so at any time he can reach things that you didn't realize he could or would reach. He is a danger to himself more than society and it is a full time job protecting him from himself!! Especially since he looks so innocent and even knowing all of these things about him, it still surprises me some of the situations he manages to get himself into! 

Reid loves being chased and tickled! He crawls away from me super fast but then stops on his own to let me "catch him" and he just giggles and giggles. I love those giggles!

He has also become super snuggly at bedtime. He is not typically a snuggle but because he always wants "DOWN!!" to play but at bedtime, after we read a book and have some milk, he just snuggles up and lets me rock and sing to him forever. Such precious moments.

Reid is such a sweet spirit. I can't imagine life without him. 

Darth Redius is 17 Months Old!

My baby is becoming a big boy right before my eyes. He turns 17 months old today! It has been a month of growth for our little guy, whose vocabulary has exploded among other milestones.

Reid continues to be a bit of a shy talker so he doesn't say his new words often on demand but when he feels like it, here are the words/phrases he likes to use: Uh Oh (this one is hands down his favorite. He throws things to the ground just to have an excuse to look at me with those cute eyes and say, UH OH!!), Theresa, Kari, cookie, Elmo, cow, all done, Papo, Mumo, outside (OW SIGH!), fishies (goldfish crackers), help, on, off, open, girl, baby, sock, shoe, and I am sure there are some that I am missing. He understands every word that we say but is ornery and usually chooses not to obey. :)

Reid still loves reading. His current favorite book is the big book of baby words. He LOVES to sit and point at each picture over and over again while we say the words. He repeats most of them and then we go back and "read" it again. He also still enjoys peek a boo books and books that are touch and feel.

Reid loves to go the the church library. He enjoys the ipad and loves the app called, Peekaboo HD. First he hears the animal noise, then he simply taps on the screen and the animal appears. He has learned all of his animal sounds this way and loves feeling big by having this few minutes of "screen time." He also enjoys playing trains (choo choos) and legos. He is surprisingly good at putting legos together, although he prefers to pull them apart! And every once in awhile, he will watch the TV, which sometimes has Wee Sing Bible songs from the early 80's playing. He is fascinated with these videos and I must say they are quite engaging, if only because of the humorous outfits and hairstyles.

Some of Reid's other favorite places include Dynamo Playzone, any playground, the Science Museum, and the Chick fil A play area. He has mastered stairs, ladders, and slides, so let him loose and off he'll go! It is so fun to watch him play. He is all smiles, squeals, and laughter. I think he must have gone up the stairs and down the slides at Bluff Creek 100 times yesterday.

Reid is a great sleeper. He is in bed by 7pm and wakes up at 7:30 am. He naps from around 12-3pm. I love walking into his room to get him because he is always all smiles. He loves to see me and he'll just grin and say, "MMMAMA!" Then he will reach out and as I grab him he wraps his arms around my neck and gives me the biggest, tightest hug you can imagine, complete some "lova pats" as we call them. Melts my heart every time. My little "mama's boy" truly could not be any sweeter.