People often ask me why I have a blog. And the truth is, I have many reasons. I do it for the grandparents, who cannot possibly see Ethan and Adam enough and need to constantly check the blog for hits in between visits. I do it to keep in touch with my friends who live too far away, so we can swap stories and pictures and so our kids don't forget each other. I do it to reflect on this parenthood experience while it's happening, instead of looking back from the future and trying to remember what it was like. But most of all, I do it for my boys, so that they may have a record of their childhood, told through the eyes of their mom, to read and enjoy when they're all grown up. So in addition to capturing all the weekly happenings and activities, I like to occasionally record just a few tidbits about Ethan and Adam at ___ and ____ (insert ages).
Ethan just had his half birthday so he is now closer to FOUR than three. This is unbelievable to me in some ways, but in other ways, he does seem so grown up. He made my heart melt the other night at dinner when he said "Mommy, thanks for making this. It's really good." To understand that I had worked on dinner, made it for him to enjoy, and to reflect on that and thank me just seemed like a very adult gesture, and it made up for every single time he's said "Mommy, this is not good" when sitting down to dinner. Always our little rule follower, Ethan is very interested in pleasing Mommy and Daddy, is a fabulous helper around the house, and is developing a great set of manners. He is most aggressive with his baby brother, whom he likes to wrestle with and grab toys from, but he is equally watchful, protective, and attentive. Whenever Adam is cranky, Ethan asks if he needs a hug, or to hold hands, or his horsey, and offers to share his toys or snacks. We often look back in the car to find the two of them holding hands. Ethan is certainly pushing towards four with a fierce sense of independence and self-sufficiency. He is proud of all that he can do himself, and gets frustrated when his body won't yet cooperate with his will. But he is still a snuggly mama's boy too - craving love and affection, reassurance and hugs. I'll keep eating that up while it lasts.
Adam just turned 21 months, the same age Ethan was when Adam was born. This is also unbelievable to me. Although still a bundle of energy and a stubborn Scorpio, Adam has mellowed out a bit in the past few weeks, obeying a little more, testing a little less, and just acting generally more mature. He is suddenly talking in full sentences, with a big vocabulary and very good pronunciation. This continues to astound us since Ethan was such a late talker. Adam is a quirky guy, with some really funny habits. For example, he hates having any sort of dirt or crumbs on his feet. For those of you who know me and my penchant for housekeeping, this is a problem. So he likes to wear shoes inside whenever he can. But not two shoes - for some reason, this kid likes just one shoe. Adam also likes to use articles before all his nouns. Most kids his age would hear a plane overhead and say "plane!". Not Adam - he always says "a plane!" or "a tree" or "a blueberry" or "a tractor". And his favorite new thing to say when he's being naughty is "hug", with arms wide open. He learned quickly that this turned Mom and Dad's scowls into smiles and has been working it to his advantage ever since. Like Ethan, Adam is extremely affectionate, but his heart beats hardest for Daddy. I hear "I want Daddy" about 100 times a day, and when he finally gets to see Daddy, he runs at him with such glee and excitement - it's adorable.
With the exception of pretty much constant fighting over toys (why is it that no matter how many toys there are, two kids will always want the same one?!), the boys continue to get along so well. Their relationship is intense and physical, and I can only imagine this will get more so as the years progress. But they are also kind and loving with one another, each other's most steadfast protector. They have their own private relationship, and often seem closer to each other than they are to us. As brothers, I know that they'll have ups and downs, but I hope that they'll always have each other's back.
And just this week Ethan had his first big boy (i.e., Mommy doesn't need to get in the water) swimming lesson (he did so great!). No pictures to record the event (so much for those who say we're better about documenting our first child's firsts than subsequent children's firsts) - maybe I'll bring my camera next week so I can capture the little fish in action.
