Conspiracy Theory

Reason #1 why to not trust a toddler when he gets quiet: mischief, otherwise known as curiosity.
Reason #1 why not to trust two toddler boys, together, quiet, in the other room: double the mischief, or double the curiosity, and therefore double the cleanup....

Thankful that I could scrub it clean!

First Day of School...

Oh NO!
It is WAY too early for that...but whether these boys know what school is or not, they sure do get excited to wear backpacks!

And maybe even more exciting than that, it's watching the trash truck drive by our house! It's a big fascination around here. Not sure if it is because they are boys, but they hear the truck from inside and run like they are running for the ice cream truck (if they knew what an ice cream truck even was!).

Contained...

If only...
If only "containing" my 1 and 2 yr old boys were really this easy...

Please know that this is by choice.
By THEIR choice.

Transitions...

I'm not sure if kids this age (1 and 2) are good with change (when talked to a bit about it first) or if it is just that our boys seem to be good with it, but I am very thankful!
Micah did great about this time a year ago when we transition him into a toddler bed as Judah was ready for the crib. He was excited about the "new" and the freedom, and it went fairly well. Not that I have another kid to compare him to, but in my mind it went well.
He LOVED his new bed, and he wanted EVERYTHING in his room in his new bed with him...HAHA!!

Well, it is time for some more transitions as we get ready for baby boy #3...
The changes we knew needed to happen: Micah moving from a toddler bed to a twin bed, Micah moving into Judah's room so they can share and the new baby can have his own room for a while, and Judah moving from a crib into a toddler bed so baby #3 can have the crib.
We decided we would do both of Micah's changes at the same time: new bed in a new room. And at least with Judah still in the crib, only one of them can be "free" in their room together right now...
micah LOVES sharing a room with Judah and LOVES his "big boy bed."

 (Micah pretending to sleep on his first night in his new bed)

One of Micah's "struggles" recently has been wanting to act more like Judah, acting and talking like a baby at times. We don't like it and don't allow it, and the threat of having to go back to his little bed in his old room by himself has been a great incentive!
Overall, he is really doing great! He gets tempted a little to stay up and play or talk with Judah, but I think it is more because he is a follower and Judah draws him in...
And, as if these changes weren't enough, we decided that it was time for Micah to be done with using a pacifier. We weren't sure how he would react and we had some plans of attack we had heard from others, but I went with my first plan first. One evening before bed (about a week after being in his new bed) I told Micah that since he is in a "big boy bed" now and big boys don't use pacifiers, then he shouldn't need a pacifier if he is sleeping in his new bed...He said okay. Literally, that was it. "Okay." And then we went to bed. And he didn't ask for it. And he didn't cry. And he wasn't upset that Judah still had one. And, just like that, we were done with Micah using a pacifier! Was I EVER grateful!!
Next up: Judah moving into a toddler bed...duh, duh, duh....

Outdoor Boys

We've got some boys that love the outdoors, and if it wasn't so hot and humid right now, we would probably spend a lot more time outside. Looking forward to camping with 3 boys in the future. I think they'll love it.
For now, a glimpse into the world of outdoor boys during the summer of 2011...

Judah @ 15 months

Micah @ 2.5 years

Micah and Judah playing "together" in the sand. Judah with a pacifier so he won't eat the sand...anymore...

Micah driving the bulldozer at Dutch Wonderland in PA.

Judah relaxing on the bulldozer at Dutch Wonderland in PA.

Running in the grass, in the front yard, in a diaper. Perfect summer activity.

Micah playing a combination of golf, baseball, and something else that involves a giant inflated ball. And yes, he is likely a lefty, though he is still quite coordinated with his right.

Judah saying "baby" as he pats Micah's head. Getting ready for baby Carroll #3.

Micah on an inflatable slide at a friend's birthday party. He loves the water.

Judah playing in a pool at a friend's house, but wanting the water to be deeper..."get me out, mommy."

When there is not time for a slide or a visit to the pool, there is always the hose right outside...

Micah and Judah on a tire swing while visiting with Pappy in PA.

Judah, "what?"

Judah and Daddy on the lake for July 4th. He would rather be in the water or running around freely than on the boat and in a life jacket...

Micah and Mommy posing for the camera on the boat for July 4th. Nice that we can both share the sunglasses...

Judah tubing, but wanting to be IN the water.

Micah and his "swimmies" that have helped him with his independence in the water this year.

Micah and Judah on the hammock at the lake after a long day...