Brotherly Love

I'll probably have a running post title called "Brotherly Love". I really want to foster the relationship between Cole and Parker. They are already drawn to each other, laugh at each other, watch each other...I want that to continue. One of the reasons I was happy to have the boys so close together was the hope that they would be close.

Now, I know that jealousy, rivalry, bickering and all out WWF style wrestling are things I have to anticipate in my future...but I am also hoping for collaberation, love, shennanigans and the ultimate guy to have their back as well.

My current task in the quest to foster a close relationship between the two is to allow for Cole to "help" with Parker. Sometimes it makes things take three times as long to happen...and for someone who is time focused, that's hard! Sometimes it means doing things out of routine, or outside our normal activities just to follow Cole's whims with Parker. I find if I let those things happen, he just gets more and more happy around his brother!

The current fun thing to do (in Cole's mind) is to put Parker in his Jolly Jumper. At least once a day when we go get Parker up from his nap, Cole drags the box out from Parker's closet and drops it at my feet in anticipation. Getting Parker into the contraption requires a degree in JollyJumper Physics, and a great deal of patience. Though Parker is always more than happy to follow along (as is the usual case). I need to supervise closely, as Cole gets a little overzealous with the bouncing, but it is so heartwarming to watch him help his brother jump up and down, and Parker laughing his chubby little butt off at the whole deal.

I wonder how this little brotherly experiment will go once Parker learns how to bounce himself, and decides he wants to be the pilot of his own bouncing destiny? Time will tell, I suppose!

The Carseat Shuffle

Well, the time has come for another carseat shuffle. As proud as I am of my boys and their superhuman size, one drawback is the constant shuffling of carseats. I suppose I could have bought Cole one of the super-dee-duper expensive ones to start with and could be saving myself the trouble, but I can't fight the frugal bug I have in me. I still think the way I'm doing it is the most economical, but involves said shuffling.

So, my wee Parker isn't so wee, and is soon going to outgrow the infant bucket. Fact is, I had already moved Cole from his by this point, simply because lugging the 20lb infant AND the bucket becomes a little backbreaking. For the moment though, I feel it's more convenient to keep Parker in the bucket. With Cole being so random, it's nice to be able to set the whole thing down safely in order to chase him, rather than clutch a still wobbly baby while herding a toddler.

I have decided to give Cole's current "up to 40lbs in child restraint" seat to Parker, and picked up an Apex 65 for Cole this weekend. This way I can keep him in the 5 point restraint until he's 65lbs, then the booster until 100lbs. Cole is starting to push that 40lb mark, and he is nowhere near ready for a booster, in my opinion. I will most likely do the same for Parker in a couple year's time.

So here I am, with not one, but TWO babies who are growing too fast and in need of a new way to keep them safe in my car. I, of course, have photo documented every carseat change so far, and while looking back in my archives, shed a couple of tears over how small Cole has looked in each of his new options. Even in this new one, he looks like a tiny little man.

Tonight, I don't know whether to sniffle over how big they look in their current carseats, or how small they'll look in their new ones. I suppose I'll have lots of experiences over time to ponder this conundrum of parenthood.

The New One

Sweet Parker...Mommy's little chub! 20lbs of four month old all smiles and rolls. This guy's pretty copacetic, he even came late. I think he's going to favour Corey in personality as much as in looks. He has an infectious laugh and smiles at the drop of a hat. He absolutely adores Cole, thinks he hung the moon! All he needs to do is look his way and Parker beams. And, like all my spawn, the minute Daddy comes home, Mommy is chopped liver. It's so sweet to watch Parker's face light up as Corey walks in the door. At four months old even!

His current trick is to heft his chubby self over in a roll from his back on to his tummy...then get mad about being on his tummy, since he hates it there. But, since he hasn't figured out how to roll from tummy to back yet, he lays there with his head on the ground, arms at his sides or trapped under him, yelling until someone rescues him. He'll figure it out eventually, his brother did the same thing.

So far he has blue eyes, which will be neat if he keeps them, being the only one in our little family here to have them. Soft fluffy down like hair...I can't tell yet if it's going to be curly like Cole's or not. I know I shouldn't compare, but I do.

I can't wait to watch him grow and build his relationship with his brother. I was sad to take away the "only" status from Cole, wondered if I was doing him a disservice, but now I am realizing that by bringing Parker into the world, I gave him the gift of Cole before he was even born! I think that raising brothers two years apart is going to be a wild and fulfilling ride!

Mommy loves you, sweet Pudge!

The First Born

Oh my son Cole. Two and a half years ago he was whirling and twirling in my stomach, trying to punch his way out. He arrived punctually on his due date, and has kept me running ever since. He was a spirited baby, and is now a spirited toddler. He likes things the way he likes them, and is not afraid to tell you exactly how he feels. His sense of humour is going to match his parents', I can tell. He's a bit of a turkey like his father and loves to tease. He has personality traits that will serve him well as an adult, but are supremely annoying in a toddler! (persistance, motivation, attention to detail, focus)

Cole loves pickles, Vinnie the cat, The Backyardigans and his Daddy. He has been an amazing older brother to Parker so far. He makes me proud! His current fun thing to do is run around like a maniac or spin in circles until he falls down laughing, in a pile on the floor. He especially loves it when you do these things with him!

Cole is very much a helper. He enjoys being in the middle of everything, witnessed by the curly little head always in the way as I try to get things done. He knows all of our routines, where things go and how to do things. I cannot hide a single thing from him. If I left him with a stool and an open dishwasher, no doubt he could put away all the dishes. Corey found an empty caramel corn package one day and Cole outed me by pointing to it and saying "Mommy!".

He is exhibiting crazy puzzle and sorting skills. I find the strangest things lined up, and if I look closely, I can discern a pattern...often colour related, but also sometimes size or shape, or even directional. If you add something to his line that is outside of his pattern, he yells at you and removes it. People keep telling me these are early math skills, but I'm just happy I don't turn around and find all the kitchen chairs balanced on the table.

He is growing so fast, and seems to be changing/maturing lately. As we were sitting down to dinner tonight I was struck by how very boyish he looked. He's quickly outgrowing babyhood, and that makes me alternately happy and sad. My greatest goal is to enhance his traits and honour his personality. Mommy loves you, little man!

Here I am!

Well, I believe it's time to try my hand at blogging! For the most part, I have very little to talk about outside of my children...but I find them fascinating, so you might as well! I hope to use this space to update friends and family on the shenanigans of my two wee boys!

I've been navel gazing lately about the fact that I am not merely parenting two young boys. In fact, I am raising two men. Two men who must eventually go out into the world, who must be self-sufficient, kind and strong. I need to harness their personalities, mold their experiences, guide their hearts. This is no mean task, and I hope that by writing about it, I can do better by them by being more present in their worlds. I hope to be their best Mom...because they deserve it!

Thanks for reading!