Doctor in the House

'Tis the season for germs, I guess, and they've been well represented at the Stockwell house of late. We've battled the stomach bug, a nasty cold, bronchiolitis, croup, and a good old ear infection. Luckily, my boys like to roll with the punches, and don't let any of these bugs keep them down. They are their usual ENERGETIC selves (in fact, a day of them lying on the couch might be a welcome change...).

I'm hoping that we've had our share of ills around these parts, and that these buggies leave us alone from here on out. I'm pretty sure we have nothing to fear now that Dr. Adam is here.

In addition to some doctor and urgent care visits this week, we also got to visit the boys' doctor for their well check-up. Despite the fact that neither of them is particularly "well" at the moment, they both got A pluses and were pronounced healthy and growing. Ethan continues to top the charts in both height and weight - at 36 1/2 lbs and almost 40 inches, he is in the 80th+ percentile in both measures. Adam, historically our little peanut, is catching up to his big brother. His budda belly (see above photo) has grown considerably, and he is now above average in height and weighs in at 25 1/2 lbs (close to 50th percentile). The boys seemed to enjoy being poked and prodded, for the most part. You would have thought they'd died and gone to heaven when the doctor asked them to run down the hall - it was quite a challenge reigning them back into the exam room after that fun. I was very happy that Daddy returned from his week in DC just in time to accompany us to the visit - these boys sure do know how to wreak havoc on a doctors' office.

And the Gifts Keep Coming

Our family definitely "frontloads" (to borrow an expression from John Doyle, who enjoys frontloading his week) the year with respect to birthdays and other gift-giving occasions. With the exception of Adam, who's all by his lonesome in October, we're all winter babies. Throw in Christmas and Valentine's Day and you've got a string of opportunities for celebration. This makes for a very happy Ethan, who jumps at any chance he gets to open a present or join a chorus of "Happy Birthday".

Grandma and Grandpa came over for a little visit last night, bearing birthday gifts and treasures from their recent trip to Costa Rica. Ethan got some fanta-bulous books on trucks, plains, trains, and all things that go. These were, of course, a big hit.

Adam got a bird flute...

but was even more excited about Daddy's maracas.

And I got some beautiful Costa Rican jewelry. Unfortunately, Grandma and Grandpa didn't bring us back what we really wanted - some of that 90 degree sunny weather! Maybe next time...

What a Difference a Year Makes

Last winter was long. Really, really long. With a brand newbie and a just-two year old, my first winter in this apparent snow vortex we chose to move to was...well, difficult. Let's just say, we were climbing the walls, and by "we", I mean me. But just one year later, it is infinitely easier. I'd even go so far as to say I am enjoying this winter. Ethan loves playing outside in the snow, and three major developments have greatly improved this experience for everyone involved. First, he can actually help put on his own snow gear this year, instead of resisting every bit of help while whining throughout. Oh yeah, that would be Adam. Second, and this is huge given that Adam is at that really-difficult-to-suit-up stage, he can play outside BY HIMSELF! Of course I keep a close eye on him, but I can do that from the warmth of my kitchen, in my PJs, with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle while Adam is napping upstairs. Ahhhhh. Third, Ethan can actually stay outside longer than four minutes, which was his average duration of outdoor activity last winter. We'd get all suited up, lug ourselves outside, and then decide that it was way too cold, his clothes weren't fitting quite right, there was a rock in his boot, and on and on and on... All this is to say that we are having a lot of fun playing in the snow this winter, and aren't cursing every flake that falls...yet. Check back with me in March.

Ethan and Ben did some shoveling this afternoon. Ben might disagree, but Ethan is almost helpful with the shoveling this year. Check it out - he actually lifts some snow with that little shovel of his.

Of course, he often dumps it right back in the same spot.

He is very serious about the job at hand, however, telling me about "areas he is working on" and insisting that he has "lots of work to do".

I realized when I got back inside and uploaded these photos that I had taken an almost identical shot last year:

And here are the shovelers at work a year ago...

And today:

Grams

Just before I started writing that last post, I learned that my grandma had passed away. I debated whether to continue with my post about Ethan's birthday, or to shift gears and write about my grandma instead. I ultimately decided to write Ethan's birthday post because his 3rd birthday only happens once and my grandma, well, her situation is a bit more permanent. I also wanted a few more days to reflect internally before posting my thoughts. I was able to prepare for Ethan's birthday, and to think about exactly what I wanted to say. Unfortunately, death is a little less predictable and no matter the circumstances, catches you a bit off guard.

My grandma was a very special lady. Many wonderful memories have been playing through my head over the past few days as I think about what she meant to me and how she touched my life. My Grams was a cool grandma, one I was always happy to spend time with and share with my friends. When I was a little girl, I worshipped my grandma as all little girls do, but I think we were lucky in that our relationship only grew stronger as I aged. During those sometimes-tumultuous teenage years, she was a role model who I didn't feel the need to defy or rebel against, like I did my own mom. We did a lot together during my teens and twenties - many lunch dates, shopping trips, chats on her patio. I learned a lot about her past and her perspectives, and I always felt like she was really listening to me. One of the best days I ever spent with my grandma was when she took me shopping for my prom dress. We had so much fun, just the two of us. My grandma was a very snappy dresser with a super sense of fashion. She took me to fancier stores than I was used to, and we ended up with not one, but two gorgeous dresses that were just perfect. Many years later, in a sweet turn of events, I took her shopping for her grandmother-of-the-bride dress, in which she looked just stunning.

One thing I will really miss is my grandma's hands. She had the most beautiful hands, and she took very good care of them. I remember her hands from when I was very small - her nails were always long and polished in this pretty coral shade. I wanted hands like that when I grew up. When I last saw my Grandma at Thanksgiving, she was confused and quiet, not connecting much with me or our conversation. But we did just sit and hold hands for a few minutes, and her hands were still so soft. I'm so glad we did.

My grandma lived a long and full life. I am so thankful that she got to meet both of our boys, and they, her. She was already beginning to decline when Ethan was born, but that didn't stop her from coming up to meet her very first great-grandchild. Oh, how she doted on him.

She only got to meet Adam twice, and I can't find a picture of the two of them anywhere. I know they won't remember her, and I'm not even sure that she remembered meeting them, but I will. Such lucky boys to have met two of their great-grandparents, and two such special human beings.

Three Years

Three years ago today, I started my journey into motherhood. I guess you could say that I truly began it three years and nine months ago, but I didn't really know what I was getting into until, after many days of waiting, and many many hours of labor, Ethan made his grand appearance on the morning of January 18th, 2007. The memories of exactly how I felt that morning are starting to fade, which saddens me because I know that it was the most intense emotion I have ever felt. I do know that his birth forever changed me for the better.

But the transformation did not end there. Although giving birth technically makes one a "mother", I am clearly much more of a mother today than I was three years ago. And while I'll throw some credit to my patient and grounding husband, my supportive and experienced parents, my equally-supportive and experienced in-laws, my commiserating and idea-sharing friends, a few great parenting books, and even the internet, most of my lessons in mothering came from Ethan himself. He has guided me through the often confusing and scary world of parenting, teaching me that kids actually tell you what they need and want, if you just listen. I have come out the other side of these three years with significantly more confidence, a little more patience, and a perspective that allows me to ignore the small stuff and focus on the big picture - all things that have made me a much better (and happier) mom.

But this post really isn't about me - it's about our not-so-little munchkin, who turns 3 today! Every year brings huge changes in the lives of wee ones, but I feel like this year was an especially big one for Ethan. He started his third year very much a toddler, chubby-limbed and baby-faced. Today, nearly all remnants of baby fat have disappeared, replaced by long, lanky limbs that he uses to climb, run, jump, and dance. He's shot up in height, and his face (and belly) have thinned considerably. He is now very much a boy. Gone are his crib and diapers, replaced by his big boy bed and undies. But the most significant changes for Ethan this past year have definitely happened between his ears. A late talker, Ethan was barely stringing together words on his second birthday. Today, he speaks...and speaks...and speaks. We are constantly amazed by his vocabulary, and the complexity of his thoughts and ideas. His imagination is working over-time, and I love just listening in to the worlds he creates as he plays independently, weaving fantasy with reality, all the while processing his world and his experiences. Ethan is developing a real sense of humor, testing his "jokes" on us and laughing at ours. He fights for independence, and is able to accomplish so much on his own - I have never, ever seen a kid (or adult, for that matter) tackle a puzzle like this guy does. But he still loves his snuggles - I cherish these as I know they are fleeting. Of course, with these changes come some undesirable ones too. With his burgeoning imagination comes new fears. His deepening emotions are sometimes too much for him to handle and he crumples under their weight. His struggle for independence meets frustration when there are things he simply can't do, yet. But Ethan's strength of character far outweighs these challenges, and my love for his developing personality only grows deeper. He continues to be a thoughtful, empathetic, kind child, generous with his smiles and his love. He is a smart little cookie, and a pure joy to be around (almost all the time!).

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet Ethan. I love you to the depths of my heart and soul, and am so proud to be your Mommy!

Budding Picassos

We've already gotten a lot of mileage out of Santa's bounty this year. Christmas is well-timed - just before the cabin fever really starts to set in, you get a bunch of new toys to spice things up a bit. Ethan and Adam have been busy cultivating their inner artists, creating multi-media (yes folks, this easel allows chalk, marker, and crayon creations on chalkboard, whiteboard, and paper) masterpieces on their new easel from Noni and Papi. Adam is just beginning to "draw", and spends most of his art time doing this:

But Ethan is becoming quite the little artist, and has started drawing things that actually look like what he intended. Of course, they're not always flattering interpretations, like the time he drew an alien-like being with a gigantic head and gray hair, and then named his drawing "Mommy".

New Toy

One of our favorite presents from Santa (Uncle Pauly) this year was a Flip video recorder. It's so much easier to use than a traditional video camera, and takes videos with great picture and sound quality. Here are a few videos we took over New Years weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The first is of Ethan and Grandpa sledding. We had a lot of fun with the "knock so-and-so over" game. Daddy's acting job was best, so his video gets posted.

The second is Grandma and Ethan singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". This is long and starts slow, but I promise it's worth watching (at least until Ethan realizes the song they're singing and joins in).