Benny's new word is graham cracker! He's currently (right now, actually) enjoying ripping off his clothes (taking cue from his big brother, who is also currently de-robing) and really likes chewing on his socks... O.o His favorite song is a song about dump trucks, and he can get his groove on like none other.
Michael's school is getting geared up for a Christmas program, sort of an impromptu one, so he's been learning some new songs at school - his favorite is the Little Drummer Boy, but he also really likes to sing "We Will Rock You" and has been quoting He-Man's power speech all week.
My folks were here a few days ago and they helped the boys decorate our Christmas tree - our first one in several years and the boys' first Christmas tree ever.
Benny's first time hanging an ornament!
Checkin' out his work...
(Bampa's right there to catch this brave little boy)
The All Finished Congratulatory Head Rub
All done!
Bath time beckons...mostly because I have 2 naked little boys running around and I might as well take advantage of the opportunity!
Thanks Marmie for taking pics of the occasion!
It taking FOREVER to get the boys to go to sleep sometimes,
changing diapers,
snuggle time,
when the "crabcake" days are easy to fix,
Michael saying "much (he has much boots, etc)" when he means a lot,
and the way he says "hoptopterrrr,"
one or both of the boys ALWAYS moving at the precise moment the shutter closes on my camera!!!
Ben wanting MORE food when he's already eaten everything on his tray and I haven't eaten yet at all,
story time,
bath time,
playing outside - even when it's ridiculously cold out and our noses are frozen,
Michael getting excited at the prospect of a cup of hot cocoa or pumpkin egg nog like it's the biggest treat in the world,
Ben laughing at EVERYTHING his big brother does,
toys E.VER.Y.WHERE,
witnessing the look on their faces
when they see or
discover something for
the very first time,
them believing with their whole beings that they have super powers,
SO much more that I can't even think of right now...
...
The lyrics to the song "You're Gonna Miss This" really hit home, and my heart just aches knowing that someday is coming: someday when the boys will want their own space, when they're running around doing their own thing for school or whatever, when they've gone off to wherever life takes them, and it just makes me tear up - because I'm truly gonna miss this...all the hustle and bustle of keeping up with these two little firecrackers. So I'm trying really hard to enjoy EVERY moment I have with these beautiful boys, because someday is coming...and I'll never be ready, BUT I can love them and enjoy them with all that I have, right now.
Benny is saying "hi", "apple"("ap, ap"), "no" (VERRRRY funny...), and has started singing! He likes Old McDonald and sings "E Igleegolo".
He also discovered he can climb the stairs. o.O
Michael's currently obsessed with pancakes, "po'kin milk" (pumpkin egg nog), whether or not it's dark outside, and he loves it when we're driving on the bridge.
They're both really enjoying being outside and when it snows they like playing in it. Well, Michael gets excited, Ben's still trying to figure it out.
Michael's ready to go with his shield!
You can't see it falling, but it's snowing out here...
I never would have thought that the preschool I work at would have a picture day, but they do!
Here are my two little guys on their first picture day ever...
Ben took his seat like a seasoned pro. Michael, on the other hand, (who usually hams it up pretty good for the camera at home) would NOT let this lady take his photo. So we played tackle and tickle and every time he'd stand up to "get Mommy", the photographer would take his photo. Not her first rodeo.
Needless to say, I think I have two of the cutest boys in history...darn it, they're good lookin! Here's hoping we raise them up to be as sweet and respectful.
Nope - it's not the beginning of a joke. My guys all dressed up as superheroes this year for Halloween, I dressed as Kaylee, and our friend's little girl dressed up as Rapunzel.
Gettin' ready to head out...Capt & Rapunzel are rarin' to go!
Here's my Kaylee outfit...shiny!
Here's Capt - ready for action!
My folks grew some pumpkins for the boys - look at the meat on that sucker!
Carving with Daddy
Finished!
Here's the big guy WITH his "po'kin"
My guys...
Hulkin' out with Bampa
Luh dat belleh
We had a pretty good night with a little trick-or-treating (kept it low-key), some homemade chili, and just welcoming people up to the house for some candy and coloring books.
Highlight (besides the obvious visitors - my folks and my best good friends): At one point while handing out goodies, Michael met his "twin" - another Captain America...as they were leaving I told the kids they all looked amazing, and Michael joined in with "you guys look amazing! YOU GUYS LOOK AMAZING! *I* LOOK AMAZING!!!" as he stuck out his belly and muscle-posed on the front porch.
He immediately follows this with, "WHERE'S MY SUPERSUIT???" We do the entire conversation. It's magical. So often in my family, especially while growing up, conversations consisted wholly or mostly of movie quotes. It's funny to see that a trait like that has been inherited. He's also really into pancakes right now, and would eat them for every meal if he could. His new favorite thing to watch is "Mountain Troll" (that's what he calls it) - and will sing along like a pro...
Ben has been eating anything he can get his little hands on. He's also enjoying cruising. (Sounds like a teenager already...) Still army-crawling wherever he REALLY needs to go, but he sure gets there fast! The ugly: he's been refusing his afternoon nap. Isn't it a little early to go to one nap??? o.O
As I sit here, sicky sick *again*, I hear my dad's voice in my head saying that all I need is a good hot toddy. Realizing I don't have any whiskey. Or rum. Or whatever alcohol you use to make said hot toddy (so I used vanilla with Madagascar Vanilla Tea and no lemon...which means it's basically a cup of tea with honey and vanilla...) I fondly recall many of the Dad-isms we Nugents have heard over the years.
My favorite: "It builds character." Applicable to...anything. At any time. Love it. Use it.
Aforementioned: "Have a hot toddy." Usually just for when you're sick, but I've heard it at other times too... ;)
When learning to ride a horse: "Don't fall off." Also good for other things in life. Used this too.
When dropping anything necessary for whatever project you're working on: "Son-of-a!" Leave the rest for the imagination.
At dinner: "You'll eat it, and you'll LIKE it!" Use this too.
The token: "Go ask your mother." Still gets used when we visit.
And of course: "Don't make me come back there!" Worked not only in the car but in the home as well. :)
My dad also taught me to leave things nicer than how I found them, to mean what I say, to keep my word, to check the fluids in my car, to stick to my guns, that family comes first, and to love unconditionally.
I love you, Dad.
We're getting settled in here in Great Falls... :) Feels good to be back in Montana...
Ben says: "ha" (hi), "bru" (brother), & "Mama" (we're pretty sure he really means it - he only says it when he sees me or wants me), he really enjoys feeding himself (and Mama), likes to stand and get his groove on, and has discovered the joy of playing roll the ball with me...
Michael's really into: tortillas (at almost every meal, he's gotta have one), doing the ponkin (pumpkin) dance (he totally made this up himself & it's ADORABLE), writing "spells Michael" & listening to me *try* to do Mary Poppins (& Julie Andrews) justice by singing "Stay Awake" at bedtime (his current favorite). He's also into making Marvel/Star Wars stew...mmm...
These boys bring me joy daily and leave me in awe at the things that they pick up on and I just really love watching them experience things for the first time. Makes my heart happy...
First of all, ladies, let me say that there are PLENTY of women to dress up as for Halloween, if you so choose to dress up at all.
And to you, costume companies - you need to stop making female versions of all the male characters. If a girl is geeky enough to want to be a storm trooper, she's going to want to be the real thing, cuz I don't remember seeing the storm hooker in the movie. (Or from other stories - Green Hooker, or the Flashette...) http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Wishes-Female-Storm-Trooper/dp/B00BZ5X9E8/ref=sr_1_850?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1381075953&sr=1-850&keywords=adult+costumes
These aren't the only absolutely RIDICULOUS costumes out there - there are "slinky" versions of just about all the male characters you can think of. Again I say, there are so many amazing women characters out there to dress up as - let's represent ourselves WELL ladies! (If you dress like a storm hooker, you can't get upset when people don't take you seriously!)
There's not ONE member of my family that's not vague or stoic with most of the things/happenings in our lives... I can't tell you how frustrating this is, but I also can't say I'm not the same way...must be genetic. So this is a hard post for me to just lay out there...
We're moving soon. Far, far AWAY. While I'm excited at the adventure before us and the people we'll be getting to see more of, I'm so so saddened to be leaving the family and friends we have here. I have a sister and a brother & his family in this HUGE state of Alaska that I won't get to see NEARLY as often, certainly not as often as I'd like (cuz that'd be every day), we have a church family that we grow closer to all the time & now that relationship is coming to a halt.
I wish, dear family and friends, that we could all just BE in the same place...SEE each other every day. I want you to know that I'm not this selfish little girl who's too busy to spend time with any of you - NAY - I long for more time with you all! It's a poor excuse to say "I just got too busy" but you wake up and life happens, and then before you know it, the kids are asleep and all you have energy for is to brush your fuzzy teeth and climb the stairs to bed...
PLEASE KNOW that you all mean the world to me, and if I could tell you to your face without crying or feeling like the socially inept person that I am I'd do it!
Jeff & Tricia & Adam & Ash & Brad & Josh: I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I'm going to miss seeing you all! I get so excited every time we get to drive your way and I can barely contain myself in the seat!
Lisa: I don't know what we're going to do when I just want to drive up the road and hang. You make me laugh so much and you ALWAYS make me feel special... And every time a car drives by our house and Michael says "it's TT!" I just don't know how I'm going to be able to tell him it's not so...
I'm not trying to make any of you feel bad - just know that we love you so much and miss you already! Just in case I'm too vague or stoic (or inept) to tell you - I love you!
Ben's been rolling over more & more & even sat up for a few seconds by himself... :) Also, at dinner one night (brekkie for dinner) we had little toothpick forks in the banana slices & Michael took 3 of them out & stuck 'em between his fingers like Wolverine... Lovin' these boys!
Stealing a few quiet moments at the end of a busy day, I'd like to introduce you to our newest addition, Ben. He joined us here on December 27th (a whopping 3 months ago) and has been keeping us smiling, crying, laughing...on our toes for sure! I'd always wondered how mommas did it with more than one, since Michael took ALL my attention. I'm loving figuring it out! I obviously haven't had time for blogging, or I'd have posted some sweet pics sooner. ;)
Here's our little man, over the last 3 months (sadly, nothing sooner than 6 weeks - we lost all photos of Ben prior to that point)...
Little man in his outfit from Auntie Colleen
I'm thinkin'...I'm thinkin'...
Obsession...
...with...
...feet...
Sportin' his sweet hand-me-down LOTR onesie
Mama, gimme some space - my friends are lookin'
So sweet...brings my heart joy
3.02.2013
I promised with the last blog entry that I would write about what I had learned at the Women's retreat I attended last fall...then life happened...literally. :) We moved out of our home that we weren't sure was going to go through with the sale, so we hadn't packed yet (just in case), we welcomed our second son into the world (we love you Ben and are so glad you're here!!!), we all got really, really sick (flu, pneumonia, RSV for Ben, sinus infection, colds), BUT here we are - alive and kicking and grateful to be getting over the latest cold!
Anyway, excuses aside, I've finally found some time to blog. Guess where my notebook is with all my notes from retreat? Upstairs in the same room as my toddler who's avoiding sleeping - so I'm not going to go in there and give him ANY more excuses to get outta bed... ;P And there's another excuse...
It's all good - I can wing it:
At retreat, I learned that I need to ask for help. I learned that I need to immerse myself in Christ. I need to feed myself, daily...or I will starve. I learned that I teach by how I live. How am I living? I learned that you can't "self-help" your walk, you need others. I learned that I NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT! That's my biggie. Stop pretending every thing's perfect and just be me with the people in my life. There's no need to be "an Eeyore" about things, but I need to be transparent, and know that the people that love me will love me anyway.
